Sen. Steve Livingston

Maddy summarySJR 70 is a resolution that supports the 2030 Census Redistricting Data Program. This program allows states and local governments to help define voting districts and suggest census block boundaries for population counts. The resolution specifically encourages counties to participate in the "Block Boundary Suggestion Project." Through this project, counties can collaborate with the Legislative Reapportionment Office to identify, add, or correct geographical features, ensuring accurate census data for drawing state and local voting districts.

Maddy summarySB 328 revises the compensation for the Judge of Probate in Jackson County. Starting October 1, 2025, the judge's annual salary will be set at $132,000, paid from the county's general fund. This new salary replaces all prior compensation, expense allowances, or fees for the position. Additionally, the judge will receive any uniform increases in compensation, such as cost-of-living adjustments, granted to all Jackson County employees after that date. The bill also repeals previous sections of law related to the judge's compensation.

Maddy summarySB 326 authorizes the Sheriff of Jackson County to establish procedures for using credit or debit cards to make purchases for the sheriff's office. The bill requires the sheriff to adopt written policies, including monetary limits for individual and total monthly purchases, and procedures for sole access, accurate record-keeping, and timely bill payments. Any rewards or rebates earned from card use must be deposited into the sheriff's discretionary account. This aims to provide a more efficient payment method for authorized purchases, without allowing spending beyond legally appropriated funds.

Maddy summarySB 346 permanently establishes the Alabama Resilience Council as an appointed advisory group within the executive branch of state government. This council will coordinate resilience-related activities between state government and the private sector to proactively address harmful impacts on Alabama communities and infrastructure. The bill also authorizes the appointment of a Chief Resilience Officer and mandates a statewide resilience plan and a comprehensive risk and vulnerability assessment. The council's duties include developing strategies, enhancing community awareness, and soliciting private sector participation to strengthen the state's capacity to prepare for and recover from adverse events.

Maddy summarySB 190 requires health insurance plans to cover prostate cancer screenings for certain groups of men. Specifically, it mandates coverage for African American men and men with a first-degree relative who had prostate cancer, starting at age 40. The bill also requires coverage for all men over 50 years of age. For both these high-risk men over 40 and all men over 50, these screenings must be provided without deductibles, copayments, or other cost-sharing requirements.

Maddy summarySB 65 proposes to alter and extend the official boundary lines of the Town of Paint Rock in Jackson County. The bill specifically adds two sections of U.S. Highway 72 and its right-of-way to the town's corporate limits, affecting residents and properties within those areas. One section extends from the town's eastern boundary to the Paint Rock River, and the other from its western boundary to the Jackson/Madison County line. A map detailing these changes is available for public review at the Jackson County Judge of Probate's office, and the act is set to become effective on October 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySJR 56 is a commemorative resolution that officially recognizes April 8, 2025, as Scouting America Day in Alabama. It commends the Scouting America councils serving the state for their work in preparing young people for adulthood and citizenship.

Maddy summarySB 139 extends the terms of elected officials in Scottsboro, Alabama, for one additional year to align election schedules. It extends City Council terms expiring in 2026 to 2027 (with elections in August 2027) and Mayor/City Council terms expiring in 2028 to 2029 (with elections in August 2029). The Scottsboro City Board of Education terms expiring in 2026 are extended to 2027 (elections every six years starting in 2027), while terms expiring in 2028/2030 are extended to 2029/2031. The bill takes effect June 1, 2025, and applies only to Scottsboro's local government.

Maddy summarySB 64 requires commercial operators who cut aquatic plants in state waters to remove all cut, trimmed, severed, or uprooted plant matter from the water. It directly affects businesses engaged in commercial aquatic plant harvesting. The bill establishes criminal penalties for failing to comply with the removal requirement. Key provisions mandate that cut plant material must be cleared from public waters to prevent accumulation and environmental harm. The bill is currently under review in the Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill would standardize building codes across Alabama for all non-residential buildings (like offices, stores, and factories), expanding coverage beyond the current limited scope that only applied to state buildings, schools, hotels, and theaters. It would transfer the authority to adopt these codes from local governments to the state Division of Construction Management within the Department of Finance, while keeping local governments responsible for enforcement. Coastal counties and municipalities would also gain authority to create supplemental hurricane-resistant building codes. The bill includes criminal penalties for code violations and requires regular code updates starting in 2025. (Note: The bill is pending committee review as of February 6, 2025.)