Sen. Arthur Orr

Maddy summarySB 247 regulates picketing and protesting by prohibiting certain activities. It bans the use of artificial noise amplification and nighttime protests at or near residences when done with the intent to harass, intimidate, or disturb occupants. The bill also makes it illegal to block public roads, residential entrances, or workplace entrances while picketing or protesting. Violations would result in criminal penalties, and law enforcement officers must first ask protesters to disperse before making an arrest. Additionally, counties and municipalities are allowed to adopt stricter local ordinances regarding the time and noise level of protests in residential areas.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 245 aims to revise eligibility determinations for public assistance programs, specifically Medicaid and food assistance, affecting applicants and current recipients. It prohibits the Alabama Medicaid Agency from accepting certain self-attestations for Medicaid eligibility without prior verification. The bill mandates both the Medicaid Agency and the Department of Human Resources to establish data matching agreements with various state and federal agencies to regularly cross-check eligibility information, including income, employment, and assets. These agencies must also regularly review federal data sources to assess continued eligibility. Finally, the bill requires these agencies to regularly publish aggregate data related to investigations of fraud and noncompliance.

Maddy summarySB 246 would change how Alabama determines eligibility for food assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The bill prohibits the State Department of Human Resources from granting categorical eligibility for SNAP benefits, except where federal law mandates it. Additionally, it prevents the department from applying gross income standards for food assistance that are higher than those specified by federal law. These provisions aim to align Alabama's SNAP eligibility criteria more closely with federal requirements, affecting households applying for or receiving these benefits.

Maddy summarySB 169 proposes a statewide constitutional amendment in Alabama. This bill would authorize the Governor to appoint an individual to fill a vacancy in the office of Lieutenant Governor. Currently, the Governor holds this power for other statewide offices like the Attorney General and Secretary of State, but not for the Lieutenant Governor. If approved by voters, this change would amend Section 136 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022. The bill outlines the process for a public vote on this proposed constitutional amendment.

Maddy summarySB 267 establishes the Alabama Charter School Finance Authority, a new public entity designed to assist public state charter educational institutions. This Authority is empowered to issue bonds to raise funds. These funds will then be used to provide financing loans to charter schools for "project costs," which include expenses like facility construction, acquisition, and equipment. Charter schools that receive these loans must secure their repayment from a dedicated source of revenue.

Maddy summarySB 113 makes supplemental appropriations from the Education Trust Fund for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. This bill allocates additional funds to various educational programs and institutions. Key provisions include funding for school security and safety contracts, college and career readiness initiatives, and specific career and technical education programs. It also designates funds for the Veterans Education Benefits Program, directly affecting students, schools, and veterans.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 111 proposes to transfer $375,000,000 from the Education Opportunities Reserve Fund to the Renewing Alabama's Investment in Student Excellence (RAISE) Fund. This transfer is intended to provide initial funding for the implementation of the RAISE Act during the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. The bill's provisions will only become effective if either House Bill 533 or Senate Bill 305 of the 2025 Regular Session is enacted, as these bills establish the RAISE Fund.

Maddy summarySB 114 is a supplemental appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2025 that allocates additional funds from the Education Trust Fund (ETF). It provides specific funding for several educational projects. This includes $300,000 for the completion of an education laboratory at Billingsley School in Autauga County. The bill also allocates $250,000 for tennis courts at Mortimer Jordan High School and $3,000,000 for new classroom construction at a Career Technical Center, directly affecting these schools and their students through facility improvements.

Maddy summarySB 112 appropriates funds from the Education Trust Fund for the support and development of public education for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. The bill details specific funding adjustments across various programs, setting per-unit allocations for classroom materials, technology, professional development, and library enhancement within the Foundation Program. It expands eligibility for speech pathologist salary supplements to include those at the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind and Department of Youth Services School District, and allocates funds for the Montgomery Pre-K Pilot Program and United Ability. Additionally, the bill appropriates $38 million from excess prior-year funds, with $35 million earmarked for the CHOOSE Act Fund if needed, and $3 million for the Public Library Service if federal funding decreases.

Maddy summarySB 85 modifies the process for obtaining religious exemptions from vaccine and testing requirements for students in Alabama. It allows K-12 students, through a parent or guardian, and students at public institutions of higher education to obtain an exemption by submitting a written statement affirming a sincerely held religious belief. The bill specifies that no additional forms, fees, or documentation may be required from the student or parent/guardian to secure enrollment based on this religious exemption. This applies to both public K-12 schools and public institutions of higher education.