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09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
What passed in the Alabama Legislature: May 6-7, 2025
Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, receives a standing ovation from senators on May 6, 2025, in Montgomery, Alabama, after the chamber passed a bill she sponsored to regulate electronic vapor products. (Alander Rocha/Alabama Reflector) Here are the bills that passed the Alabama Legislature this week. House SB 211, sponsored by Sen. Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery, requires local school superintendents or their designees to serve as the primary liaison with law enforcement for school bus safety incidents. The bill passed 94-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 280, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, requires the Alabama State Department of Education to develop a unified digital platform and data-sharing system to consolidate and streamline documentation requirements for the Alabama Literacy Act and Alabama Numeracy Act. The bill passed 101-0 with a House substitute and floor amendment. It goes to the Senate for concurrence or conference committee. SB 241, sponsored by Sen. Lance Bell, R-Riverside, establishes the Alabama Criminal Enterprise Database, managed by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), to track and report on organized criminal activity statewide. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 196, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, creates the Move on When Ready program for high school juniors and seniors to earn college credit before they graduate high school. The bill passed 100-2 with a House substitute. It goes to the Senate for concurrence or conference committee. SB 253, sponsored by Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, places the Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board under the jurisdiction of the Board of Nursing until Oct. 1, 2026. The bill passed 100-0. It goes to Ivey. SB 233, sponsored by Sen. David Sessions, R-Grand Bay, revises the composition of the Alabama Ad Valorem Advisory Committee by expanding its membership to include additional local officials and taxpayers. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 289, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, requires public schools to teach a 'success sequence' twice before graduation in order to prevent poverty after high school. The bill passed 92-0. It goes to Ivey SB 177, sponsored by Sen. Lance Bell, R-Pell City, renames the Alabama Film Office the Alabama Entertainment Office; expands the Entertainment Industry Incentive Act to include music albums as qualified productions, increases the annual cap on incentive and allows unspent incentives to be carried forward to the next fiscal year. The bill passed 101-0 with a House substitute. The Senate later concurred 34-0 to House changes. The bill goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 317, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, restructures the Alabama Innovation Corporation's board by instituting staggered two-year terms for at-large directors appointed by the governor. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 321, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, amends the Alabama Drycleaning Environmental Response Trust Fund by reducing its required minimum balance from $1 million to $250,000 and removing the mandate for the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. The bill passed 101-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 5, sponsored by Sen. Chris Elliot, R-Josephine, restructures the board of trustees for the Alabama Department of Archives and History. The bill passed 74-29 with a House amendment. It goes to the Senate for concurrence or conference committee. SB 123, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, requires the Alabama Justice Information Commission to annually report detailed data on civil asset seizures and forfeiture. The bill passed 102-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 271, sponsored by Sen. Gerald Allen, R-Cottondale, prohibits municipalities from increasing franchise fees, charges, or taxes on natural or manufactured gas utilities after Dec. 31. The bill passed 84-1. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 316, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, establishes an 'Educational Tourism Distillery' license under the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, permitting qualifying distilleries to produce and sell liquor, wine, and beer on-site for both on-premises and off-premises consumption. The bill passed 84-1. It 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. The bill passed 80-18 with a House substitute. It goes to the Senate for concurrence or conference committee. SB 63, sponsored by Sen. Lance Bell, R-Pell City, allows state law enforcement to collect DNA from those suspected of being in the country without legal status to be processed at the state level. The bill passed 76-7. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 320, sponsored by Rep. Chris Pringle, R-Mobile, requires public works contracting awarding authorities to publish advertisements for sealed bids in local newspapers and on a centralized state website. The House concurred with Senate changes 101-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 310, sponsored by Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills, reforms the process for filling vacancies on the Jefferson County Commission. The House concurred with an executive amendment 96-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 445, sponsored by Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Harvest, establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for consumable hemp products. The House concurred with Senate changes 60-27. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. Senate SB 216, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, allows fire medics who retired to return to duty without having their retirement allowances suspended and caps their salaries at $52,000 per year. The Senate concurred 28-0 with House changes. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 280, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, requires the 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 Senate concurred 27-0 with House changes. The bill goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 304, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, would create the Alabama Energy Infrastructure Bank, as a division of the State Industrial Development Authority, to select and assist in the financing of energy infrastructure projects. The Senate concurred 28-0 with House changes. The bill goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 313, sponsored by Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, authorizes the transfer of funds from the Alabama 21st Century Fund for various economic development initiatives, like the Alabama Energy Infrastructure Bank. The Senate concurred 28-0 with House changes. The bill goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 307, sponsored by Rep. Jim Hill, R-Odenville, authorizes the chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court to appoint visiting judges for specific violent criminal cases. The bill passed 32-0. It goes to Gov Kay ivey. HB 84, sponsored by Rep. Matt Woods, R-Jasper, updates procedures for licensing and renewing licensing for chiropractors. The bill passed 33-0. The House later concurred with Senate changes 101-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 25, sponsored by Rep. Ed Oliver, R-Dadeville, allows local 911 districts to collaborate to carry out their powers and services. The bill passed 33-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 407, sponsored by Rep. Reed Ingram, R-Matthews, authorizes local redevelopment authorities to accept transient occupancy taxes as payments in lieu of taxes. The bill passed 33-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.. HB 152, sponsored by Rep. Neil Rafferty, D-Birmingham, exempts baby formula, maternity clothing and menstrual hygiene products from the state sales tax. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay IVey. HB 333, sponsored by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, allows law enforcement to build indoor firing ranges for training. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 94, sponsored by Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, expands the definition of a Class B felony in second-degree human trafficking to include online or print advertising of sexual labor. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 95, sponsored by Rep. Chris Sells, R-Greenville, requires that when a residential property with an HVAC system is sold, the manufacturer's warranty on the system automatically transfers to the new owner, without any transfer fee, as long as the warranty is still valid. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 281, sponsored by Rep. Cynthia Almond, R-Tuscaloosa, revises the appeals process for municipal zoning board decisions by setting deadlines for filing appeals, requiring boards to submit records to the court and establishing criteria for staying decisions during appeals. The bill passed 34-0. The House later concurred with Senate changes 102-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 134, sponsored by Rep. Reed Ingram, R-Pike Road, would allow fees and fines collected from vehicles parked without a license plate to go to the employing agency of the officer issuing the ticket. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov, Kay Ivey. HB 158, sponsored by Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, established a procedure for cost of living adjustments for retired teachers and state employees through the Education Trust Fund and General Fund appropriations. The bill passed 34-0. It goes back to the House for concurrence with Senate changes or a conference committee. 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 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 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 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 52, sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, allows contributions to the Alabama Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) savings account to remain tax deductible through December 31, 2030. The bill passed 34-0. It goes back to the House for concurrence with Senate changes or a conference committee. HB 335, sponsored by Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Harvest, would allow a county or municipality to charge a residential building permit fee. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 338 , sponsored by Rep. Parker Moore, R-Hartselle, expands the exceptions for key duplication services that do not fall under the definition of a locksmith. The bill passed 34-0. The House concurred with Senate changes 100-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 266, sponsored by Rep. Matt Woods, R-Jasper, creates a non-traditional high school diploma program for dropouts. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 263, sponsored by Rep. Ed Oliver, R-Dadeville, revises the distribution of 911 service revenues by allocating funds to support a statewide 911 voice and data system; providing training for public safety telecommunicators; offering advisory services and granting financial assistance to districts. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 38, sponsored by Rep. Jim Hill, R-Odenville, gives prosecuting attorneys immunity when they give legal advice to police. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 163, sponsored by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, allows research companies to deduct research expenses in the year they spend it, instead of waiting five years. The bill passed 34-0. It goes back to the House for concurrence with Senate changes or a conference committee. HB 366, sponsored by Rep. Rick Rehm, R-Dothan, authorizes emergency medical services personnel to provide care and transport injured police dogs to veterinary facilities, granting them immunity from civil or criminal liability for care provided in good faith. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 379, sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, introduces a tax exemption for nonresidents who work in Alabama for 30 days or fewer within a calendar year. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 86, sponsored by Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, establishes the Rural Hospital Investment Program, offering tax credits to individuals and entities that donate to qualifying rural hospitals. The bill passed 34-0. The House concurred with Senate changes 103-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 196, sponsored by Rep. Margie Wilcox, R-Mobile, allows a county commission to assume control of a county juvenile detention center after an order from a juvenile judge of the county. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 43, sponsored by Rep. Jim Hill, R-Odenville, requires offenders sentenced to 20 to 30 years in prison for a Class A, B or C felony to serve a minimum of 10 years in prison, 'jail-type institution or treatment institution' and the rest of their sentence through probation. The bill passed 33-1. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 441, sponsored by Rep. David Standridge, R-Hayden, establishes minimum educational and clinical requirements for speech-language pathology assistants. The bill passed 34-0. The House concurred with Senate changes 101-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 386, sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, reduces the state's sales tax on groceries from 3% to 2%. The bill passed 34-0. The House concurred with Senate changes 102-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 353, sponsored by Rep. Jim Hill, R-Odenville, adjusts the salary structure for judges and district attorneys to reflect cost-of-living adjustments, modifies salary increases for district attorneys and removes restrictions on salary changes for district attorneys in certain circumstances. The bill passed 34-0. The House later concurred with Senate changes 102-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 354, sponsored by Rep. Jim Hill, R-Odenville, is a constitutional amendment that, if approved by voters, would outlaw salary cuts for district attorneys during their terms of office. The bill passed 29-1 and will be considered by voters in the May 2026 statewide primary election. HB 542, sponsored by Rep. Ginny Shaver, R-Leesburg, expands retirement benefits for full-time district attorneys, prosecutors, and attorneys employed by the Office of Prosecution Services. The bill passed 31-1. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 288, sponsored by Rep. Arnold Mooney, R-Indian Springs, establishes a loan assistance program under the Alabama Commission on Higher Education for licensed athletic trainers, offering financial support to those working at qualifying institutions in exchange for providing athletic training services, with eligibility based on federal student loan debt and employment criteria. The bill passed 33-0. The House concurred with Senate changes 103-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 529, sponsored by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, authorizes the state to impose a $0.10 tax on vapor products, and sets a $150 price for retailers to purchase an initial permit to sell such products. The bill passed 33-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 600, sponsored by Rep. Cynthia Almond, would exempt the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences Foundation from paying all state, county, and municipal sales and use taxes. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 157, sponsored by Rep. Paul Lee, R-Dothan, sets the base pay for elected and appointed local officials at the same level as their predecessors' base pay. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 194 , sponsored by Rep. Paul Lee, R-Dothan, requires the Joint Committee of the State Board of Medical Examiners and the Board of Nursing for Advanced Practice Nurses to have two members that are nurse practitioners and one member who is a certified midwife. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 346, sponsored by Rep. Paul Lee, R-Dothan, removes 100-hour practice requirement for certification of retired physicians who volunteer in hospitals. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 147, sponsored by Rep. Phillip Pettus, R-Greenhill, places bids and purchases by volunteer fire stations under local competitive bid law requirements. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 196, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, would establish a program allowing eligible 11th and 12th-grade students to enroll full-time at an eligible public institution of higher education and receive high school credit for the coursework. The Senate concurred 34-0 with House changes. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 8, sponsored by Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, enhances regulation of tobacco and electronic nicotine delivery systems. The bill passed 28-5. The House later concurred with Senate changes 52-43. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 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 House and Senate concurred to an executive amendment from Gov. Kay Ivey, who signed the bill on Wednesday. HB 445, sponsored by Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Harvest, authorizes the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to regulate the consumable hemp market. The bill passed 19-13, and the House concurred 60-27 to Senate changes. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. House SB 287, sponsored by Sen. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton, establishes new qualifications and training requirements for the sheriff of Barbour County. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 308, sponsored by Sen. Randy Price, R-Opelika, enhances the responsibilities of the Lee County engineer by granting authority over the construction, maintenance, and repair of county roads, highways and bridges. The bill passed 13-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 338, sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, redefines the corporate boundaries of the city of New Hope in Madison County. The bill passed 14-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 339, sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, establishes a structured salary framework for the Madison County Sheriff, setting an initial salary of $170,000 per year for newly elected sheriffs, with a 7.5% salary increase after each successive four-year term. The bill passed 13-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 345, sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, eliminates the statutory provision that sets the compensation for the Geneva County Superintendent. The bill passed 13-0. It 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 bill passed 103-0 with a House substitute. It goes to the Senate for concurrence or conference committee. SB 43, sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, prohibits health insurers and other contracting entities from restricting or penalizing health care providers and pharmacists for disclosing information to patients about the cost, availability, or alternatives of treatments or medications. The bill passed 103-0 with a House substitute. It goes to the Senate for concurrence or conference committee. SB 42, sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, allows adjacent landowners to petition state, county, or municipal governing bodies to deed back abandoned state roads to the original landowners when the road is no longer usable for its intended purpose. The bill passed 94-3 with a House substitute and floor amendment. It goes to the Senate for concurrence or a conference committee. SB 244, sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, establishes the crime of 'aggravated theft of employee retirement benefits,' making it a Class C felony to embezzle or unlawfully convert funds intended for employee retirement plans, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The bill passed 103-0. It 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, with offenses ranging 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. It goes to the Senate for concurrence or a conference committee. SB 171, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, prohibits individuals from operating motor vehicles on land submerged below navigable waters, classifying violations as Class C misdemeanors, punishable by up to three months in jail and a $500 fine. The bill passed 103-0 with a House substitute. It goes to the Senate for concurrence or a conference committee. SB 57, sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, permits officers of limited liability companies (LLCs) who hold no more than 1% of the company's stock to take acknowledgments and proof of conveyances for that LLC. The bill passed 100-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 76, sponsored by Sen. April Weaver, R-Alabaster, allows nursing mothers to be exempt from jury duty. The bill passed 101-0 with a House substitute. It goes to the Senate for concurrence or a conference committee. 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 bill passed 86-10 with a House substitute. It goes to the Senate for concurrence or a conference committee. SB 236, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, reforms the governance of regional mental health authority boards. The bill passed 99-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 88, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, refines the expungement process by requiring a hearing if the prosecuting authority or victim objects, setting a 14-day minimum notice for hearings, applying the Alabama Rules of Evidence, and permitting appeals only upon showing an abuse of discretion. The bill passed 102-1 with a House substitute. It goes to the Senate for concurrence or conference committee. SB 158, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, prohibits the use of foreign national IDs in Alabama elections. The bill passed 82-13. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 62, sponsored by Sen. Lance Bell, R-Pell City, adjusts the validity of hunting and fishing licenses, specifies them as non-government-issued IDs. The bill passed 98-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 101, sponsored by Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Tuscambia, raised the medical age of consent from 14 to 16 with some exceptions. The bill passed 85-0 with a House substitute and floor amendment. It goes to the Senate for concurrence or conference committee. Senate 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 Senate voted to non-concur with House changes, and the bill went to conference committee. HB 365, sponsored by Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, establishes the Alabama Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Council within the Department of Workforce to advise on improving STEM education, career awareness and workforce development. The bill passed 34-0. The House concurred with Senate changes 99-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 543, sponsored by Rep. Chip Brown, R-Hollingers Island, increases the market value threshold for tangible personal property exempt from state ad valorem taxation from $40,000 to $100,000. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 357, sponsored by Rep. Rolanda Hollis, D-Birmingham, defines the terms 'cigarette' and 'heated tobacco product,' and authorizes the state to impose a 33.75 mill tax on each cigarette and $0.017 tax on each heated tobacco product. The bill passed 24-6. The House later concurred with Senate changes 88-8. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 164, sponsored by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, would raise the threshold for small estates for surviving spouses from $25,000 to $47,000. The bill passed House later concurred with Senate changes 102-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 166, sponsored by Rep. Leigh Hulsey, R-Helena, requires local school boards to adopt a policy banning cell phones from bell-to-bell. The bill passed 30-2. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 165, sponsored by Rep. Rick Rehm, R-Matthews, adds Juneteenth as a state holiday. The bill passed 13-5. Gov. Kay Ivey signed the bill on Thursday. 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 28-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 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 28-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 528, sponsored by Rep. Frances Holk-Jones, R-Foley, extends the prohibition of unconscionable pricing during a declared state of emergency to include the provision of services, in addition to the sale or rental of commodities and facilities. The bill passed 28-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 90, sponsored by Rep. Adline Clarke, D-Mobile, creates municipal housing authorities and authorizes them to manage housing projects and community facilities, enter business contracts and make loans, as well as the power to review and award contracts. The bill passed 28-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 91, sponsored by Rep. Adline Clarke, D-Mobile, expands the scope of housing authorities to manage housing projects and community facilities, to enter into business contracts, make loans, as well as the power to review and award contracts. The bill passed 28-0. The House later concurred with Senate changes 93-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 493, sponsored by Rep. Corley Ellis, R-Columbiana, allows a child advocacy center to be certified as a full member of the Alabama Network of Children's Advocacy Centers if the center meets the standards in state statute. The bill passed 28-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 384, sponsored by Rep. Danny Crawford, R-Athens, defines corn masa and requires corn masa products sold in Alabama to be enriched with folic acid. The bill passed 29-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 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 30-0. The House concurred with Senate changes 102-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 137, sponsored by Rep. Rex Reynolds, R-Huntsville, would allow the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency to have a language interpreter to monitor wiretapping. The bill passed 30-0. The House later concurred with Senate changes 103-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 207, sponsored by Rep. Mike Shaw, R-Hoover, expands the role of the Office of Information Technology in Alabama by adding cybersecurity and other tasks related to data management and telecommunications. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 148, sponsored by Rep. Phillip Pettus, R-Greenhill, ensures that vehicles registered in other states comply with the insurance requirements of their home state. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 1, sponsored by Rep. Chip Brown, R-Hollingers Island, amends Alabama's seafood dealer licensure requirements; increases fees, sets penalties for violations and designates a portion of proceeds to promote Alabama's seafood products. The bill passed 30-0. The House later concurred with Senate changes 102-1. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 352, sponsored by Rep. Danny Crawford, R-Athens, increases the assessment levy on the sale of cotton bales from $1 to $1.30 per bale. The bill passed 31-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 45, sponsored by Rep. Ed Oliver, R-Dadeville, requires the Alabama Medicaid Agency to cover any noninvasive colorectal cancer screening test assigned a grade A or B under the recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force. The bill passed 31-0. The House later concurred with Senate changes 103-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 416, sponsored by Rep. Ed Oliver, R-Dadeville, requires all schools to place automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) at all athletic venues and events on school property. The bill passed 31-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 372, sponsored by Rep. Reed Ingram, R-Matthews, authorizes Elmore County officials to levy a rental tax, effective Sept. 1. The bill passed 21-0. The House concurred with Senate changes 90-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 433, sponsored by Rep. Randy Wood, R-Anniston, revises the distribution of Talladega County's special sales and use tax revenues, allocating funds to various sectors. The bill passed 22-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 464, sponsored by Rep. Jim Hill, R-Dadeville, adjusts the compensation of the St. Clair County coroner including a base salary increase and additional expense allowances. The bill passed 22-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 468, sponsored by Rep. Tracy Estes, R-Winfield, establishes the Marion County Service of Process Fund and requires the collection of a $50 service fee per case for personal service of process by the sheriff in both criminal and civil divisions. The bill passed 22-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 500, sponsored by Rep. Ernie Yarbrough, R-Trinity, revises the compensation structure for the Lawrence County Sheriff by adding an annual expense allowance of $95,000 effective Oct. 1 and setting a $95,000 salary for the sheriff effective in January. The bill passed 22-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
USA Today
05-02-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Gov. Kay Ivey points to education gains, economic growth in State of the State address
Alander Rocha and Anna Barrett Alabama Reflector AI-assisted summary Ivey advocated for legislative action on public safety, workforce participation, and expanding school choice options. She endorsed stricter penalties for gun crimes, including a ban on Glock switches, and increased support for law enforcement. Ivey's address also touched upon immigration concerns, parental leave for state employees, and social issues like gender definition and classroom displays. Democratic lawmakers expressed a desire for more detailed plans and raised concerns about specific proposals, particularly those related to criminal justice and immigration. Gov. Kay Ivey touted Alabama's improvements in education, infrastructure and economic development in her 2025 State of the State address Tuesday while outlining legislative priorities focused on public safety and workforce participation. Speaking before lawmakers in the Alabama State Capitol, Ivey pointed to education policy changes that may have helped Alabama students improve in national academic rankings, and said 'we are, in fact, not just a football state—Alabama is an education state.' 'When I took office, Alabama ranked 49th in reading. Today, we are 34th. In math, we were 52nd—now, we are 32nd,' she said, crediting initiatives such as the Alabama Literacy Act and Numeracy Act in helping Alabama climb in national rankings for reading and math proficiency. While Alabama made significant gains in math and improved overall proficiency in reading, it was largely due to stagnant national scores. Reading scores for 4th graders remained unchanged from 2022, while 8th grade reading and math scores remained flat. Democratic leadership seemed generally pleased with Ivey's State of the State address. Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, said he did not think that bragging about being 37th and 32nd ranks in fourth grade math was deserved. 'I think the governor wanted to expand on education and make sure that our students are growing. We want to do that some more,' he said. 'But to brag on our scores at 37 and 32, we got to get a little bit higher.' The governor also said expanding using tax dollars to pay for private education and homeschooling is a key driver of progress, pointing to the CHOOSE Act, a voucher-like program which provides families up to $7,000 per qualifying child for non-public education expenditures, including private school tuition. Currently capped at 300% of the federal poverty line, or around $75,000 for a family of three, the program will eventually be open to all families in Alabama with no cap on expenditure. House Minority Leader Rep. Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, said the speech lacked specificity, especially regarding the governor's praise of the CHOOSE Act. 'When we talk about the CHOOSE Act, I'm trying to understand, we've not seen any results,' he said. 'So, we're promoting something that has yet to tell us exactly what the benefits of it, if any?' Ivey also endorsed a new legislative effort to ban cell phones in schools, saying that social media use is negatively impacting student focus and well-being. 'We have to know the time, the place, and how to use these tools,' she said, calling on lawmakers to pass a bill requiring internet safety policies and social media training for students. On the economy, Ivey said that since taking office, Alabama has secured over $55 billion in new business investments and created 93,000 jobs but said there is 'still a lot of work' to be done to increase workforce participation. Public safety was another theme in Ivey's address, with the governor pledging to crack down on violent crime and illegal firearm modifications. She endorsed a legislative package aimed at increasing penalties for felons caught with firearms; expanding the list of offenses covered by Aniah's Law, allowing judges to deny bond to those arrested for violent offenses, and banning Glock switches, which convert semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic weapons. More:City seized 1,866 illegal guns in 2024; Montgomery mayor calls for state law reform 'To back the blue, we will provide law enforcement with enhanced legal protections that allow them to carry out their duties courageously and effectively without fear of Monday morning quarterbacking in the courts,' Ivey said. Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, has sponsored bills in the last two legislative sessions to ban Glock switches. The bill passed the House late in the 2024 session with some Republican support but did not emerge from the Senate. Ensler is bringing the bill for the third time this year. 'I'm really glad that she announced that,' Ensler said after the speech. 'It's not a Democrat or Republican issue, it's a human issue. I know people in my district, you know, and a lot of the big cities have really been calling for that.' Singleton and Daniels said they need to see details of the crime package. Singleton said he wants communities to be safer. 'I want protection in my community, just like anyone else. But I want to make sure that what's in that package is going to be something that we can live with in our communities,' he said. Daniels said he has a lot of questions about the package and needs to know what these bills would mean. 'One of the things that really got me alarmed is the immunity, the legal protections. I have to understand exactly, 'What do you mean by that?'' he said. 'You know, you hear rumors about immunity. You hear rumors about tort police, tort reform for law enforcement. I want to know what that means. I guess I need more specificity on those particular items as well.' Ensler said he wished Ivey had mentioned mental health in her speech and he believes that should be a priority of the legislature. 'I think that, you know, that's a huge issue,' he said. 'Look, the state has made some good progress on it, but I think we have to continue to focus on that, and that has to be a priority.' Ivey also announced support for the Second Chance Act, a criminal justice reform measure designed to ensure state prison space is used for the most serious offenders. House Republicans killed a bill in the 2024 legislative session by Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, in a procedural vote. Rep. Russell Bedsole, R-Alabaster, said after the speech this is an 'opportunity' to have 'common sense approach when it comes to criminal justice.' 'These are a group of offenders who, if they were sentenced today, would never get anything even close to the sentence they got back then,' Bedsole said. The governor also said immigration is 'top security concern of every American,' aligning with former President Donald Trump, adding that 'securing the southern border is securing Alabama's border.' Daniels urged caution regarding immigration bills this session. He made the point that artificial intelligence cannot do the work in the construction and hospitality industries that migrants do. 'I think we've got to be very cautious about how it impacts our construction industry, how it impacts our hospitality industry,' he said. 'And so understanding the impact of this and our economy, how that's going to work impact workforce participation.' Ivey also endorsed legislation to provide education and state employees with parental leave. Two pieces of legislation, one by Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, for education employees, and another by Rep. Ginny Shaver, R-Leesburg, for state employees, gained momentum in the 2024 legislative session but failed after lawmakers said they wanted the bills to be in line with one another. Shaver said she's excited to have Ivey's support and thinks the bill can pass this year. 'This will give mothers time to properly bond their children, and that'll give us more very well-adjusted children, stronger families and better employees,' Shaver said. Amy Marlowe, executive director of the Alabama Education Association (AEA), said in a statement that is a 'step forward for Alabama's educators, their families, and, most importantly, their students.' 'Ensuring educators have the opportunity to care for and bond with their children without the fear of financial hardship is not just the right thing to do—it's an investment in the long-term success of our schools and communities,' she said in the statement. Ivey also backed the 'What is a Woman' bill, which defines gender as strictly male or female. She also called for legislation allowing the Ten Commandments and other historical documents to be displayed in classrooms, a law that Louisiana passed in 2024 and is currently on hold after U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles blocked the law as 'unconstitutional on its face.' In closing, Ivey called for 'responsible budgets that do not grow government' and continued investment in job creation. 'The people of Alabama deserve our very best,' she said. 'Future generations of Alabamians deserve our hardest work today. This is our opportunity—so let's not waste a moment.' Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, an independent nonprofit website covering politics and policy in state capitals around the nation.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. Kay Ivey points to education gains, economic growth in State of the State address
Gov. Kay Ivey delivers the State of the State address in the Old House Chamber in the Alabama State Capitol on Feb. 4, 2025 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Will McClelland for Alabama Reflector) Gov. Kay Ivey touted Alabama's improvements in education, infrastructure and economic development in her 2025 State of the State address Tuesday while outlining legislative priorities focused on public safety and workforce participation. Speaking before lawmakers in the Alabama State Capitol, Ivey pointed to education policy changes that may have helped Alabama students improve in national academic rankings, and said 'we are, in fact, not just a football state—Alabama is an education state.' 'When I took office, Alabama ranked 49th in reading. Today, we are 34th. In math, we were 52nd—now, we are 32nd,' she said, crediting initiatives such as the Alabama Literacy Act and Numeracy Act in helping Alabama climb in national rankings for reading and math proficiency. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX While Alabama made significant gains in math and improved overall proficiency in reading, it was largely due to stagnant national scores. Reading scores for 4th graders remained unchanged from 2022, while 8th grade reading and math scores remained flat. Democratic leadership seemed generally pleased with Ivey's State of the State address. Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, said he did not think that bragging about being 37th and 32nd ranks in fourth grade math was deserved. 'I think the governor wanted to expand on education and make sure that our students are growing. We want to do that some more,' he said. 'But to brag on our scores at 37 and 32, we got to get a little bit higher.' The governor also said expanding using tax dollars to pay for private education and homeschooling is a key driver of progress, pointing to the CHOOSE Act, a voucher-like program which provides families up to $7,000 per qualifying child for non-public education expenditures, including private school tuition. Currently capped at 300% of the federal poverty line, or around $75,000 for a family of three, the program will eventually be open to all families in Alabama with no cap on expenditure. House Minority Leader Rep. Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, said the speech lacked specificity, especially regarding the governor's praise of the CHOOSE Act. 'When we talk about the CHOOSE Act, I'm trying to understand, we've not seen any results,' he said. 'So, we're promoting something that has yet to tell us exactly what the benefits of it, if any?' Ivey also endorsed a new legislative effort to ban cell phones in schools, saying that social media use is negatively impacting student focus and well-being. 'We have to know the time, the place, and how to use these tools,' she said, calling on lawmakers to pass a bill requiring internet safety policies and social media training for students. On the economy, Ivey said that since taking office, Alabama has secured over $55 billion in new business investments and created 93,000 jobs but said there is 'still a lot of work' to be done to increase workforce participation. Public safety was another theme in Ivey's address, with the governor pledging to crack down on violent crime and illegal firearm modifications. She endorsed a legislative package aimed at increasing penalties for felons caught with firearms; expanding the list of offenses covered by Aniah's Law, allowing judges to deny bond to those arrested for violent offenses,and banning Glock switches, which convert semi-automatic handguns into fully automatic weapons. 'To back the blue, we will provide law enforcement with enhanced legal protections that allow them to carry out their duties courageously and effectively without fear of Monday morning quarterbacking in the courts,' Ivey said. Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, has sponsored bills in the last two legislative sessions to ban Glock switches. The bill passed the House late in the 2024 session with some Republican support but did not emerge from the Senate. Ensler is bringing the bill for the third time this year. 'I'm really glad that she announced that,' Ensler said after the speech. 'It's not a Democrat or Republican issue, it's a human issue. I know people in my district, you know, and a lot of the big cities have really been calling for that.' Singleton and Daniels said they need to see details of the crime package. Singleton said he wants communities to be safer. 'I want protection in my community, just like anyone else. But I want to make sure that what's in that package is going to be something that we can live with in our communities,' he said. Daniels said he has a lot of questions about the package and needs to know what these bills would mean. 'One of the things that really got me alarmed is the immunity, the legal protections. I have to understand exactly, 'What do you mean by that?'' he said. 'You know, you hear rumors about immunity. You hear rumors about tort police, tort reform for law enforcement. I want to know what that means. I guess I need more specificity on those particular items as well.' Ensler said he wished Ivey had mentioned mental health in her speech and he believes that should be a priority of the legislature. 'I think that, you know, that's a huge issue,' he said. 'Look, the state has made some good progress on it, but I think we have to continue to focus on that, and that has to be a priority.' Ivey also announced support for the Second Chance Act, a criminal justice reform measure designed to ensure state prison space is used for the most serious offenders. House Republicans killed a bill in the 2024 legislative session by Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, in a procedural vote. Rep. Russell Bedsole, R-Alabaster, said after the speech this is an 'opportunity' to have 'common sense approach when it comes to criminal justice.' 'These are a group of offenders who, if they were sentenced today, would never get anything even close to the sentence they got back then,' Bedsole said. Alabama lawmakers plan to prioritize crime and immigration in 2025 legislative session The governor also said immigration is 'top security concern of every American,' aligning with former President Donald Trump, adding that 'securing the southern border is securing Alabama's border.' Daniels urged caution regarding immigration bills this session. He made the point that artificial intelligence cannot do the work in the construction and hospitality industries that migrants do. 'I think we've got to be very cautious about how it impacts our construction industry, how it impacts our hospitality industry,' he said. 'And so understanding the impact of this and our economy, how that's going to work impact workforce participation.' Ivey also endorsed legislation to provide education and state employees with parental leave. Two pieces of legislation, one by Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, for education employees, and another by Rep. Ginny Shaver, R-Leesburg, for state employees, gained momentum in the 2024 legislative session but failed after lawmakers said they wanted the bills to be in line with one another. Shaver said she's excited to have Ivey's support and thinks the bill can pass this year. 'This will give mothers time to properly bond their children, and that'll give us more very well-adjusted children, stronger families and better employees,' Shaver said. Amy Marlowe, executive director of the Alabama Education Association (AEA), said in a statement that is a 'step forward for Alabama's educators, their families, and, most importantly, their students.' 'Ensuring educators have the opportunity to care for and bond with their children without the fear of financial hardship is not just the right thing to do—it's an investment in the long-term success of our schools and communities,' she said in the statement. Ivey also backed the 'What is a Woman' bill, which defines gender as strictly male or female. She also called for legislation allowing the Ten Commandments and other historical documents to be displayed in classrooms, a law that Louisiana passed in 2024 and is currently on hold after U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles blocked the law as 'unconstitutional on its face.' In closing, Ivey called for 'responsible budgets that do not grow government' and continued investment in job creation. 'The people of Alabama deserve our very best,' she said. 'Future generations of Alabamians deserve our hardest work today. This is our opportunity—so let's not waste a moment.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
