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Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
What passed in the Alabama Legislature: May 14, 2025
Rep. Phillip Rigsby, R-Huntsville, sits alone in the Alabama House chamber during a lengthy recess on May 14, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. The House went into an extended recess on Wednesday, the final day of the 2025 regular session, as the Alabama Senate saw a filibuster from Democrats over local bills. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) Here are the bills that passed the Alabama Legislature on Wednesday, the final day of the 2025 regular session. House HB 199, sponsored by Rep. Travis Hendrix, D-Birmingham, allows the Board of Pardons and parole to electronically monitor a juvenile delinquent before their court hearing. The House concurred with Senate changes 101-0. Gov. Kay Ivey signed the bill on Thursday. HB 202, sponsored by Rep. Rex Reynolds, R-Huntsville, changes the standard by which law enforcement can claim immunity as they perform their jobs and gives them additional procedural protections during litigation. The House concurred with Senate changes 73-28; the Senate earlier on Thursday passed the bill 25-6. Gov. Kay Ivey signed it on Thursday. HB 581, sponsored by Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, revises the distribution of Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in-lieu-of-tax payments in Morgan County by reallocating funds to support a legislative delegation office, the Morgan County Rescue Squad and local education. The House concurred with Senate changes 76-0. It goes to Ivey. Senate SB 171, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, prohibits the use of a motorized vehicle on land that is submerged below navigable waters. Violators would face a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to three months in jail and a $500 fine. The Senate concurred with House changes. The bill goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 88, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, allows a judge to set a hearing on a petition for a criminal expungement even if a prosecutor or a victim files no objection. The Senate concurred with House changes. The bill goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 76, sponsored by Sen. April Weaver, R-Alabaster, exempts nursing mothers from jury service. The Senate concurred with House changes. The bill goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 108, sponsored by Sen. April Weaver, R-Alabaster, criminalizes mail theft, establishing penalties based on the number of addresses affected and the intent to commit identity fraud. Offenses range from a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail, to a Class B felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison. It passed 103-0 with a House substitute. The Senate concurred with House changes. The bill goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SB 42, sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, allows landowners adjacent to abandoned state roads to petition state, county, or municipal governing bodies to deed them back to the original landowners when the road is no longer usable for its intended purpose. The Senate concurred with House changes. The bill goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 101, sponsored by Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Tuscambia, raises the medical age of consent from 14 to 16 with some exceptions. The Senate concurred with House changes. The bill goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 206, sponsored by Sen. Josh Carnley, R-Ino, establishes regulations for businesses advising or assisting individuals with veterans' benefits claims. The Senate concurred with House changes. The bill goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 142, sponsored by Sen. Wes Kitchens, R-Arab, removes the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) as an approved source for identifying voters whose addresses may have changed, requiring the use of the United States Postal Service's National Change of Address database and at least one other voter registration database. The Senate concurred with House changes. The bill goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 53, sponsored by Sen. Wes Kitchens, R-Arab, creates the crime of human smuggling as a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, if someone transports a person without legal status into the state of Alabama. It also allows local law enforcement to hold those suspected of living in the U.S. without authorization for up to 48 hours while their status is determined. The Senate concurred with House changes. The bill goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 511, sponsored by Rep. Bryan Brinyark, R-Windham Springs, consolidates Fayette County's tax assessor and tax collector offices into a single Revenue Commissioner position. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 512, sponsored by Rep. Bryan Brinyark, R-Windham Springs, increases the base salary of the Fayette County sheriff to $80,000 starting in 2027. The bill passed 28-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 496, sponsored by Stubbs, R-Wetumpka, grants Elmore County the authority to levy a 4.5% excise tax on wholesale vapor products in the county. The measure, a constitutional amendment, passed 22-0 and will be decided by voters on November 4. HB 463, sponsored by Rep. Van Smith, R-Clanton, authorizes the Board of Commissioners of Chilton County 911 to establish procedures for the director to make purchases using a credit or debit card. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 598, sponsored by Rep. Van Smith, R-Clanton, extends the corporate boundaries of the Town of Pine Level in Autauga County. The bill passed 27-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 78, sponsored by Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, gives the presiding judge of the 28th Judicial Circuit the power to issue a standing order authorizing civil or criminal jury proceedings in any courthouse within the circuit, and provides procedures. The bill passed 29-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 544, sponsored by Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, authorizes Escambia County to appoint a medical examiner. The bill passed 28-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 586, sponsored by Rep. Tim Wadsworth, R-Arley, extends the corporate limits of the City of Cullman in Cullman County. The bill passed 29-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 395, sponsored by Rep. Ritchie Whorton, R-Owens Cross Roads, removes a specified area from the corporate limits of the City of New Hope in Madison County. The bill passed 25-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 495, sponsored by Rep. Tracy Estes, R-Winfield, restructures the board of directors of the Marion County Public Water Authority. The bill passed 28-0. It goes to the Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 343, sponsored by Rep. Jim Carns, R-Birmingham, makes membership of the General Retirement System for Employees of Jefferson County mandatory for eligible full-time employees. The bill passed 26-3. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Priceville volunteers recognized for hurricane relief efforts
Apr. 30—Priceville residents in two groups of volunteers known collectively as the North Alabama Boys who have made numerous trips to North Carolina to assist in hurricane relief — including some who are there now — received the inaugural Spirit of Priceville Award on Saturday. During Priceville's Celebrate the City event, which commemorated the 50th anniversary of the town's founding, Mayor Sam Heflin surprised the 19 Priceville residents with the award. "To know that the community has recognized us and cares about us like that, that meant a lot," said Johnny Maxwell, a leader for one of the volunteer groups. The North Alabama Boys were also honored earlier in the month with an Alabama House resolution sponsored by Rep. Parker Moore, R-Hartselle. Following the devastation of Hurricane Helene in September 2024, Maxwell and Rand Hutchison knew they wanted to help the victims. The two began separately organizing efforts to provide workers and residents in North Carolina with supplies, meals and donations of any kind. The two groups have collectively raised about $350,000 in money and goods for the hurricane victims and workers. Hutchison, along with Decatur firefighter Adron Davis, were brainstorming ideas for how to help when Davis said, "What if we just go on our own and cook for people?" Hutchison said they then took the idea a step further: "What if we did something crazy, like ribeyes?" The two originally aimed to provide 600 meals. They figured they would need between $3,000 and $3,500 dollars. After a Facebook post gained unexpected attention, they were able to raise $25,000. They bought supplies from Texas Roadhouse, which sold the food at cost. For three days, they handed out as many meals as they could — breakfast, lunch and dinner. "You could tell that the people of North Carolina were just tired," Hutchison said. "They had been living this day after day, for weeks. ... To see that face turn to a smile just because you handed them a really awesome ribeye sandwich — every day we would go to bed tired, yet so fulfilled." They were able to hand out about 3,500 meals and had money to spare. A second trip was planned. It fell in early December, and they took toys. Maxwell's crew focused more on bringing different supplies. As the weather grew colder, they donated hundreds of heaters and propane tanks. They received donations from all around the country. Maxwell described opening the mailbox and finding thousands of dollars in donations. "It was organic. We felt a call from the Lord to go and help our fellow man," Maxwell said. "We went up to see what we could do. We were thinking small. God was thinking a lot larger." With the funds, the group has been able to supply the Double Island Fire Department in North Carolina with an ultra-terrain vehicle side-by-side. They also provided Rebuilding Hollers, a home reconstruction-focused foundation, with a Lull extended lift. They've also partnered with Blossman Gas to cover the costs of refilling propane tanks. Citizens can take in a voucher for three 20-pound tanks, and Hutchison's party pays the cost weekly. They have made 13 different trips, lasting about three days each. A group left Monday with 300 sheets of plywood for construction efforts. Maxwell said he has encouraged Hutchison in their joint volunteering efforts. He said his group is made up of mostly older residents, but Hutchison's volunteers are younger. "I said, 'Rand, I'm 65. You're 36. You've got 30 to 40 years you can provide service. You take this mantle, and you wear it well,'" Maxwell said. "'We'll support you as long as we can. It's befitting that you guys head all of this up, and we will support you.'" Hutchison has filed paperwork to become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Like the work in North Carolina, Hutchison said, "Our main focus is going to be feeding people in disaster recovery zones." He said the organization also wants to partner with local homeless missions to provide meals. Maxwell said when Heflin first asked him and his volunteers to come to the Celebrate the City event, he expected to wave their hands as a brief recognition. He described being "blown away" and "humbled beyond belief" upon receiving the award. He emphasized that none of the volunteers had any expectation of receiving recognition for their service. "The first words out of Rand Hutchison's mouth were, 'Johnny, I think I speak for me and you both, and the groups that we lead,' he said, 'we never did this for anybody to pat us on the back,'" Maxwell said. Maxwell, pastor of Nature's Trail Baptist Church, sees the donations and volunteering as part of the church's ministry. "Every one of them looked at it as a mission trip for God," Heflin said. "They didn't do it bring glory on them. They did it all to bring glory to God." The two volunteer leaders also highlighted the local support they have received. For example, an area veterinarian donated pallets of dog food, cat food and cat litter, which Hutchison's crew transported. Similarly, the propane vouchers that Maxwell's group handed out were printed by Decatur Printing Solutions. "They'll tell you it came from the community. As a mayor it makes you proud," Heflin said. Contact me at or 256-340-2437.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Special election dates announced for Alabama House District 12 seat
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Gov. Kay Ivey set special election dates for the vacant Alabama House District 12 seat Tuesday. The special primary election date for the seat is July 15. If needed, special primary runoffs will be held Aug. 12. The special general election is scheduled for Oct. 28. The seat was previously held by Republican Corey Harbison, who resigned from the position April 15. The district includes parts of Cullman County. Blount County man sentenced for possession of obscene matter 'Representative Corey Harbison has been a pleasure to work with and served the people of District 12 well. I thank him for his continued service to our state,' Ivey said in a statement. 'This special election is an important opportunity to help shape the future of your community – so, if you are in House District 12, make sure to get out and vote.' The deadline for qualifying with major political parties to run for the seat is 5 p.m. May 13. For all other candidates, the deadline is 5 p.m. July 15. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alabama House passes bill to allow Spirits ready-to-drink cocktails to be sold beside beer, wine
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WHNT) — The bill passed the Alabama House Tuesday night and is headed to the Senate for consideration. 'Alabama consumers continue to seek out their favorite spirits ready-to-drink cocktails in grocery and convenience stores right alongside beer and wine,' Corey Staniscia, DISCUS vice president of state government relations, said. 'We applaud the House for taking another step in moving forward this consumer- and business-friendly measure that adds additional market access for adult spirits consumers in Alabama. We urge the Senate to take up and pass this measure to increase consumer convenience and keep the government out of picking winners and losers in the marketplace.' Under current law, beer in Alabama can be sold in grocery and convenience stores along with wine and malt-based canned cocktails. Under this current law, spirits-based ready-to-drink cocktails are required to be sold at liquor stores. HB 521 also lowers the tax rate for spirits ready-to-drink cocktails to $0.035, 'recognizing that these low-alcohol products should not carry the same tax rate as a full bottle of spirits,' the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States said. The bill would also define a new category of ready-to-drink mixed liquor beverages containing no more than seven percent alcohol by volume, called 'mixed spirit beverages.' You can read HB521, first read on April 3, and all it entails below: Alabama-2025-HB521-IntroducedDownload Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What passed in the Alabama Legislature: April 15-17, 2025
Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, looks out over the Alabama House prior to the start of the session on April 17, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) Here is a list of the bills that passed the Alabama Legislature this week. Tuesday, April 15 House HB 549, sponsored by Rep. Chris Sells, R-Greenville, authorizes the Butler County sheriff to conduct fundraising events, such as rodeos, and use the proceeds for any lawful purpose related to the sheriff's office operations. The bill passed 14-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 550, sponsored by Rep. Chris Sells, R-Greenville , authorizes the Butler County Commission to levy a new annual $5.25 vehicle registration fee, with proceeds split equally among the sheriff, revenue commissioner and probate judge. The bill passed 10-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 551, sponsored by Rep. Chris Sells, R-Greenville, authorizes the Butler County sheriff to sell surplus property, such as vehicles, and deposit the proceeds into a special fund for purchasing vehicles or related equipment for the sheriff's office. The bill passed 9-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 552, sponsored by Rep. Matthew Hammett, R-Dozier, authorizes Covington County to levy a 5% excise tax on vapor products, vaping devices, alternative nicotine products, and psychoactive cannabinoids. The bill passed 14-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 526, sponsored by Rep. Chip Brown, R-Hollinger's Island, allows excess funds to be used for state development projects and debt service on other bonds, and authorizes a $5 million transfer to the Department of Commerce for international offices, rural development, and operational costs. The bill passed 96-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 506, sponsored by Rep. Joe Lovvorn, R-Auburn, allows law enforcement and emergency agencies to designate publicly owned off-road vehicles as authorized emergency vehicles. The bill passed 101-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 447, sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, requires local school boards to adopt policies for transporting dual enrollment and other students to offsite educational venues and repeals a law mandating school buses transport community college and trade school students. The bill passed 99-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 509, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Sorrells, R-Hartford, prohibits Alabama state agencies from killing, testing, or restricting the transfer of game breeder-owned cervids, like deer, due to disease except in specific cases. The bill passed 89-8. It goes to the Senate. HB 505, sponsored by Rep. Chris Sells, R-Greenville, extends the deadline for taxpayers to appeal final tax assessments to the Alabama Tax Tribunal or circuit court from 30 to 60 days. The bill passed 100-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 255, sponsored by Rep. Phillip Pettus, R-Greenhill, allows State Police Tier II Plan members of the Employees' Retirement System to receive payment for up to 80 hours per year of accrued and unused annual leave in excess of 480 hours. The bill passed 97-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 480, sponsored by Rep. Alan Treadaway, R-Morris, prohibits people from using a foreign national drivers license or ID to vote in Alabama elections. The bill passed 76-5. It goes to the Senate. HB 465, sponsored by Rep. Troy Stubbs, R-Wetumpka, authorizes the director of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency to use appropriated funds to purchase promotional and educational materials that enhance public awareness of the agency and emergency preparedness. The bill passed 101-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 492, sponsored by Rep. Phillip Pettus, R-Greenhill, excludes non-felony offenses and water safety offenses committed by 14- and 15-year-olds, except DUI or boating under the influence, from being classified as delinquent acts for juvenile proceedings. The bill passed 79-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 8, sponsored by Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, enhances regulation of tobacco and electronic nicotine delivery systems, including increased sales restrictions to minors, signage requirements for retailers, establishment of a Tobacco Licensing and Compliance Fund, and mandates for a model vaping education program in schools. The bill passed 89-9. It goes to the Senate. Senate SB 310, sponsored by Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills, authorizes the Jefferson County Commission to set the dates for an election whenever a vacancy occurs. The bill passed 28-0. It goes to the House. SB 242, sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, adopts and incorporates into Alabama statute the general and permanent laws that the Legislature enacted in the 2024 session. The bill passed 28-0. It goes to the House. SB 212, sponsored by Sen. Josh Carnley, R-Enterprise, requires that a person who works with a realtor when purchasing a property must receive a disclosure form from a realtor prior to the realtor showing the property that must be in writing and shows how the realtor is compensated. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. SB 171, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, prohibits someone from using a motorized vehicle on land that is submerged below navigable waters or be charged with a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to three months in jail and a $500 fine. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. SB 312, sponsored by Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, allows establishments that have an Alcohol Beverage Control Board license and that serve alcohol under those licenses to store their beverages at a permanent facility for a limited time before they are transferred to different locations, and creates a new license that allows state and local governments to serve alcohol on premises that they own. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. SB 316, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, creates a new license category called 'educational tourism distillery' that allows liquor manufacturers that host public tours to sell their own alcoholic beverages at different locations on their properties at the retail price. The bill passed 26-3. It goes to the House. SB 216, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, allows firemedics who retired to return to duty without having their retirement allowances suspended and caps their salaries at $52,000 per year. The bill passed 29-0. It goes to the House. SB 280, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, requires that Alabama Department of Education develop a digital platform and a system to share data that consolidates documents required for the Alabama Literacy Act, Alabama Numeracy Act and individualized education programs. The bill passed 29-0. It goes to the House. SB 244, sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, creates the crime of aggravated theft of employee retirement benefits, a Class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. House HB 424, sponsored by Rep. Reed Ingram, R-Matthews, increases the annual salary of the Montgomery County sheriff to $225,000 effective at the start of the next term of office for the sheriff and provides a $70,000 expense allowance for sheriffs who have served two or more consecutive full terms. The allowance will expire upon the conclusion of the current term of the Montgomery County sheriff. The bill passed 16-0. It goes to the Senate. SB 288, sponsored by Sen. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton, establishes a $37,125 annual salary for the supernumerary revenue commissioner of Barbour County effective Oct. 1. The bill passed 14-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 298, sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, authorizes the city of Florence to annex additional land, including a 60-foot-wide right-of-way along Gresham Road. The bill passed 10-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 286, sponsored by Sen. Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery, allows members of the Montgomery City Council to participate in the Employees' Retirement System of Alabama, with provisions for purchasing service credit for prior service and prohibiting dual participation in both the Employees' Retirement System and a supernumerary program. The measure, a constitutional amendment, passed 66-0. It will appear on a ballot for voters to consider. HB 437, sponsored by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, establishes a shark alert system for people on Alabama beaches to be alerted of a nearby shark. The bill passed 102-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 247, sponsored by Rep. David Standridge, R-Hayden, renames the Gulf of Mexico the 'Gulf of America.' The bill passed 72-26. It goes to the Senate. HB 179, sponsored by Rep. Mark Gidley, R-Hokes Bluff, allows local boards of education and public charter school governing bodies to allow volunteer campus chaplains to provide support and services in schools. The bill passed 91-4. It goes to the Senate. HB 7, sponsored by Rep. Ernie Yarbrough, R-Trinity, would give sheriff's deputies and police officers authority to arrest and detain individuals who are not authorized to be in the U.S. and to transfer them to the custody of federal law enforcement. The bill passed 74-26. It goes to the Senate. HB 178, sponsored by Rep. Mark Gidley, R-Hokes Bluff, requires public K-12 schools to display the Ten Commandments in a common area. The bill passed 81-11. It goes to the Senate. HB 67, sponsored by Rep. Scott Stadthagen, R-Hartselle, prohibits public schools and libraries from hosting drag performances in the presence of children without parental consent. The bill passed 76-9. It goes to the Senate. HB 244, sponsored by Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, prohibits public school teachers at all grade levels from teaching or discussing gender identity or sexuality. The bill passed 74-15. It goes to the Senate. HB 165, sponsored by Rep. Rick Rehm, R-Matthews, adds Juneteenth as a state holiday. The bill passed 85-4. It goes to the Senate. HB 382, sponsored by Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, updates real estate regulations, including clarifying requirements for brokerage agreements, consumer disclosures, licensee duties and the operation of real estate teams. The bill passed 101-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 225, sponsored by Rep. Rolanda Hollis, D-Birmingham, updates terminology and requirements related to the training, qualifications, and licensure of real estate companies, brokers, and salespersons. The bill passed 102-0. It goes to the Senate. \ Senate SB 186, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, would require using a filter on certain Internet-enabled devices in Alabama if the user is a minor. The bill passed 28-5. It goes to the House. SB 187, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, would require app stores to verify users' ages and require minors' accounts to be affiliated with a parent account. The bill passed 26-6. It goes to the House. SB 5, sponsored by Sen. Chris Elliot, R-Josephine, would remove the Alabama Department of Archives & History Board of Trustees' authority to self-appoint and give the governor appointing authority for most seats, including members from each congressional district. The bill passed 26-5. It goes to the House. SB 13, sponsored by Sen. Gerald Allen, R-Cottondale, is a constitutional amendment that, if approved by voters, would require the first stanza of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' to be broadcast or performed at least once a week during school hours in K-12 public schools. The bill passed 25-6. It goes to the House. SB 142, sponsored by Sen. Wes Kitchens, R-Arab, would remove the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) as a voter registration database that Alabama must use to identify voters whose addresses may have changed. The bill passed 25-5. It goes to the House. SB 158, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, would prohibit using foreign national driver's licenses as a form of identification when voting. The bill passed 25-6. It goes to the House. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
