What passed in the Alabama Legislature: April 9-11, 2024

Here is a list of the legislation that passed the Alabama Legislature this week.

Tuesday, April 9

House

HB 388, sponsored by Rep. David Standridge, R-Hayden, allows Blount Count to levy taxes on vapor products, vaping devices and alternative nicotine products. The bill passed 19-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 73, sponsored by Rep. Phillip Pettus, R-Killen, caps increases in assessed values on residential and commercial property to 7% of the assessed value of the property from the previous year. The bill passed 97-1. It goes to the Senate.

HB 324, sponsored by Rep. Rex Reynolds, R-Huntsville, extends payments for maintenance and expansion of emergency medical transport services until July 1, 2025. The bill passed 100-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 259, sponsored by Rep. Debbie Wood, R-Valley, requires the county probate judges to conduct a post-election audit after every county and statewide general election. The bill passed 83-7. It goes to the Senate.

HB 330, sponsored by Rep. Matt Woods, R-Jasper, requires public and private institutions of higher education to provide certain annual reports relating to funding received from foreign countries of concern. The bill passed 101-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 327, sponsored by Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, provides circumstances under which a proposed carbon dioxide storage facility may receive approval to operate from the State Oil and Gas Board. The bill passed 95-5. It goes to the Senate.

HB 380, sponsored by Rep. Joe Lovvorn, R-Auburn, extends income tax credit for storm shelter construction through the 2028 tax year. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 350, sponsored by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, establishes uniform requirements and the authority of a person appointed by the court as its agent to manage commercial real estate during certain matters pending before the court. The bill passed 102-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 232, sponsored by Rep. Leigh Hulsey, R-Helena, expands the scope of practice of physical therapists and allow them to conduct initial screenings for injuries, infirmities, diseases or conditions unrelated to work. The bill passed 95-3. It goes to the Senate.

HB 136, sponsored by Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, allows a circuit or district court to issue an order of protection or restraint in certain circumstances. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 47, sponsored by Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, exempts the Alabama State Missionary Baptist Convention and each local baptist association that is a member of the convention from sales and use taxes. The bill passed 100-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 56, sponsored by Rep. Ron Bolton, R-Northport, makes it a crime to give a false name or address to a law enforcement officer. The bill passed 91-2. It goes to the Senate.

HB 352, sponsored by Rep. Paul Lee, R-Dothan, requires the Department of Youth Services to reimburse a county detention facility for housing a child once the child has been ordered to the custody of the department. The bill passed 101-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 302, sponsored by Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, grants the Franklin County Board of Education control over certain school lands in Fayette County and Walker County, currently managed by the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources. The bill passed 72-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 375, sponsored by Rep. Ginny Shaver, R-Leesburg, requires nonresidents to obtain certification prior to operating a vessel on the waters of this state. The bill passed 97-5. It goes to the Senate.

HB 351, sponsored by Rep. Allen Treadaway, R-Morris, authorizes the University of Alabama System to enter into agreements with other law enforcement agencies and expand its jurisdiction. The bill passed 102-0. It goes to the Senate.

Senate

SB 252, sponsored by Sen. Greg Reed, R-Jasper, creates the Alabama Growth Alliance. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 247, sponsored by Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, renames the Alabama Department of Labor the Alabama Department of Workforce, and changes the title of the head of the department from Secretary of Labor to Secretary of Workforce. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 253, sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, creates an alternative diploma pathway. It passed 34-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 149, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, increases the amount of money for food for prisoners. It passed 34-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

HB 164, sponsored by Rep. Ben Robbins, R-Sylacauga, requires age verification for some online content. It passed 34-0. It returns to the House of Representatives with amendments.

SB 220, sponsored by Sen. Dan Roberts, R-Mountain Brook, puts prohibitions on public contracts with China. It passed 34-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

HB 138, sponsored by Rep. Rex Reynolds, R-Huntsville, creates a supplemental appropriation of federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act for the State Small Business Credit Initiative Fund. It passed 34-0. It went to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 240, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, expands the categories for involuntary commitment for the Department of Mental Health. It passed 34-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

HB 253, sponsored by Rep. Chip Brown, R-Hollinger’s Island, allows the State Port Authority to employ non-merit system employees. It passed 34-0. It went to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 186, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, prohibits ranked-choice voting. It passed 34-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 128, sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, replaces the State Board of Health with the State Committee of Health and gives it power to review actions taken by the State Health Officer and to take disciplinary action against the officer if required. It passed 34-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

HB 69, sponsored by Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Linden, allows some dentist employees to access the Controlled Substances Prescription Database. It passed 34-0. It went to the governor.

SB 225, sponsored by Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, designates Little Bluestem as the state grass. It passed 33-1. It goes to the House of Representatives.

HB 70, sponsored by Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Linden, creates limited special volunteer licenses for nonresident dentists and dental hygienists. It passed 34-0. It went to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 234, sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, provides more exemptions for public contracts for some county public building authorities. It passed 34-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 275, sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, specifies the abilities of agricultural authorities to develop facilities and use revenue. It passed 34-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

HB 275, sponsored by Rep. Cynthia Almond, R-Tuscaloosa, adjusts pay for indigent defense lawyers. It passed 34-0. It went to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 251, sponsored by Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre, prohibits the Board of Control of ERSA and TRSA from doing business with some entities affiliated with “Communist China” military companies. It passed 34-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 208, sponsored by Sen. Keith Kelley, R-Anniston, allows the state to enter an interstate compact for social work examiners. It passed 34-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

HB 101, sponsored by Rep. Adline Clarke, D-Mobile, allows additional items to be considered expenses to be reimbursed to counties for elections, including training, travel and the use of certain equipment. It passed 34-0. It went to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 37, sponsored by Sen. Gerald Allen, includes vaping in the Alabama Clean Indoor Air Act. It passed 32-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

HB 87, sponsored by Rep. Chip Brown, R-Hollinger’s Island, authorizes an airport authority to form legal business entities or ventures necessary for operation. It passed 30-0. It returns to the House of Representatives for concurrence in Senate changes or a conference committee.

SB 88, sponsored by Sen. April Weaver, R-Brierfield, adds new seats to the commission of Alabama Fire College. It passed 23-4. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 141, sponsored by Sen. Lance Bell, R-Pell City, is a constitutional amendment that would make the Pell City Board of Education appointed instead of elected and redefine election districts for education elections in St. Clair County. It passed 32-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

HB 15, sponsored by Rep. Craig Lipscomb, R-Rainbow City, requires permits to return black bass into the Coosa River when certain requirements are met. It passed 32-0. It went to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 244, sponsored by Sen. April Weaver, R-Brierfield, which defines “expedited license” for the Board of Medical Examiners. It passed 33-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 142, sponsored by Sen. Lance Bell, R-Pell City, makes the Pell City Board of Education appointed, pending approval of a local constitutional amendment. It passed 33-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

HB 75, sponsored by Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, which makes an attack on a letter carrier assault in the second degree. It passed 33-0. The bill goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 163, sponsored by Sen. Jack Williams, R-Wilmer, establishes the timeline of how to replace boards of trustees in Mobile County. It passed 33-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

HB 139, sponsored by Rep. Corley Ellis, R-Columbiana, removes the Department of Insurance from the Sunset process. It passed 33-0. The bill goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 237, sponsored by Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Pleasant Grove, provides for some retroactivity for child support. It passed 33-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

HB 126, sponsored by Rep. Leigh Hulsey, R-Helena, requires training for fire and emergency personnel related to people with some disabilities and sensory needs. It passed 33-0. It went to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 196, sponsored by Rep. Reed Ingram, R-Pike Road, allows sale of certain tax-delinquent land. It passed 32-0. It went to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 124, sponsored by Sen. Keith Kelley, R-Anniston, continues the Alabama Security Regulatory Board until Oct. 1, 2027. It passed 33-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 127, sponsored by Sen. Robert Stewart, D-Selma, continues the Alabama Athletic Commission until Oct. 1, 2027. It passed 33-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 133, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, continues the Alabama Securities Commission until Oct. 1, 2028. It passed 34-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 134, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, continues the Department of Insurance until Oct. 1, 2028. It passed 34-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB148, sponsored by Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison, D-Birmingham, continues the Alabama State Board of Respiratory Therapy until Oct. 1 2028. It passed 34-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

Thursday, April 11

House

HB 304, sponsored by Rep. Chad Robertson, R-Heflin, dissolves the Civil Service Board of the Jacksonville city in Calhoun County. The bill passed 17-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 353, sponsored by Rep. Kerry “Bubba” Underwood, R-Tuscumbia, authorizes the Colbert County Board of Education and the Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia City Boards of Education to insure school buildings through the State Insurance Fund or with a private insurance company. The bill passed 16-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 369, sponsored by Rep. Corey Harbison, R-Cullman, authorizes the sheriff of Cullman County to establish procedures for using a credit card or debit card to make purchases in Cullman County. The bill passed 18-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 370, sponsored by Rep. Corey Harbison, R- Cullman, provides that retiring officers of Cullman County Sheriff’s Office may keep any weapons furnished by the department, instead of one pistol. The bill passed 16-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 371, sponsored by Rep. Corey Harbison, R- Cullman, allows the Cullman County sheriff to keep and maintain a permanent record of all abandoned and stolen firearms not subject to disposal by general law. The bill passed 13-0. The bill goes to the Senate.

HB 387, sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, authorizes Trussville to increase the ad valorem tax rate on all taxable property within the city for public school purposes. The bill passed 21-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 395, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Sorrells, R-Hartford, authorizes the Houston County Commission to levy a lodging tax. The bill passed 15-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 397, sponsored by Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, provides that half of funds from certain filing and recording fees be used for employing mental health professionals. The bill passed 21-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 398, sponsored by Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, increases the expense allowance for the DeKalb County coroner to $2,000 and provides a $12,000 expense allowance per year to the DeKalb County Sheriff and a yearly salary increase of $12,000.  The bill passed 23-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 410, sponsored by Rep. Prince Chestnut, D-Selma, sets a $12,000 a year salary for the Perry County coroner, upon the start of the next term of the coroner. The bill passed 16-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 416, sponsored by Rep. Rhett Marques, R-Enterprise, creates an additional motor vehicle license and registration fee for every vehicle within the county. The bill passed 15-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 426, sponsored by Rep. Kelvin Lawrence, D-Hayneville, provide a $30,000 yearly salary to the Wilcox County sheriff upon the start of the sheriff’s next term. The bill passed 18-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 111, sponsored by Rep. Susan DuBose, R-Hoover, defines “sex-based” terms based on the person’s reproductive system, including “male” and “female.” The bill passed 77-24. It goes to the Senate.

HB 338, sponsored by Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, removes a restriction that a Class IV municipality may not hire the same accountant to conduct the municipality’s audit for more than three consecutive years. The bill passed 87-1. It goes to the Senate.

HB 363, sponsored by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, establishes that a person commits murder, a Class A felony punishable by 10 to 99 years in prison, for driving under the influence if the driver causes the death of another person; has a least .15% blood alcohol level and has at least one prior DUI conviction. It would also provide for the crime of manslaughter, a Class B felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison, if the driver causes a person’s death while driving with a blood alcohol level of .8% or higher. The bill passed 76-21. It goes to the Senate.

HB 359, sponsored by Rep. Russell Bedsole, R-Alabaster, gives probate judges jurisdiction to help keep people dealing with both mental health and substance abuse disorders out of the criminal justice system. The bill passed 100-1. It goes to the Senate.

HB 4, sponsored by Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, would add Juneteenth, the June 19 holiday celebrating the end of slavery, to the current list of 13 days Alabama officially celebrates. The bill passed 83-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 374, sponsored by Rep. Ritchie Whorton, R-Owens Cross Roads, increases the fees for volunteer and professional firefighter distinctive motor vehicle license plates. The bill passed 102-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 251, sponsored by Rep. Chad Robertson, R-Heflin, prohibits public K-12 schools from taking certain actions regarding dependent children of active-duty military parents, such as denying eligibility to participate in sports. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 235, sponsored by Rep. Craig Lipscomb, R- Rainbow City, further provides for the duties of the Alabama Board for Registration of Architects. The bill passed 102-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 345, sponsored by Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, would ban operating an unmanned aircraft system, such as a drone, within a certain area above a Department of Corrections facility. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 123, sponsored by Rep. Jim Hill, R-Odenville, reopens the Teachers’ Retirement System to allow an active, vested, and contributing member to purchase credit in the system for prior service rendered to the St. Clair County DAY Program. The bill passed 87-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 223, sponsored by Rep. Allen Treadaway, R-Morris, adds Parkinson’s disease to the list of firefighter’s occupational diseases. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 296, sponsored by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, adds the local sheriff’s office to the list of entities eligible to receive restitution payments from defendants convicted of organized retail theft. The bill passed 101-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 305, sponsored by Rep. Marcus Paramore, R-Troy, would increase the compensation for gas district board of directors members to $1,750 per meeting, while the chair’s fee would rise to $2,000 per meeting. The bill passed 101-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 354, sponsored by Rep. Randall Shedd, R-Fairview, provides for distribution of tax proceeds from alcoholic beverage sales in certain community development districts. The bill passed 97-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 336, sponsored by Rep. Chip Brown, R-Hollinger’s Island, allows individuals currently holding state, county, or municipal offices to serve as members of the board of directors related to water, sewer, and fire protection without receiving compensation for their service. The bill passed 101-1. It goes to the Senate.

HB 249, sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, extends the sunset date for the existing income tax deduction for contributions to an Alabama Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) savings account to December 31, 2030. The bill passed 100-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 308, sponsored by Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, allows the State Board of Education to approve an additional alternative teacher examination preparation program. The bill passed 97-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 325, sponsored by Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, requires the Secretary of the Department of Commerce to appoint and establish the salary for the Director of the Alabama Film Office. The bill passed 102-0. It goes to the Senate.

Senate

SB 70, sponsored by Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, appropriates $168,633 from the General Fund budget to the Coalition Against Domestic Violence for fiscal year 2025, and requires an operations plan and audited financial statements before receiving any funds along with requiring quarterly and end of year performance reports. It passed 33-0. The bill goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 69, sponsored by Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, appropriates $39,531,128 from the General Fund budget to the Children’s First Trust Fund for the fiscal year 2025. It passed 33-0. The bill goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 68, sponsored by Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, provides a 2% cost-of-living increase for state employees. It passed 34-0. The bill goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 66, sponsored by Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, is the supplemental appropriation from the General Fund to various state agencies for fiscal year 2025. It passed 34-0. The bill goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 67, sponsored by Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, appropriates about $3.3 billion from the General Fund budget to the executive, legislative, and judicial agencies of Alabama. It passed 29-2. The bill goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 116, sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Gurley, reauthorizes the Alabama Onsite Wastewater Board until fiscal year 2025, allowing members to meet each quarter. It passed 32-0. The bill goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 258, sponsored by Sen. Keith Kelley, R-Anniston, revises existing state law to conform to the changes made to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, removing a requirement for a driver to report some specific violations, removing a school bus driver fee and written test waiver, modifying fees for commercial driver licenses and learner’s permits, and adding a human trafficking ban. It passed 32-0. The bill goes to the House of Representatives.

HB 127, sponsored by Rep. Philip Pettus, R-Killen, makes it illegal for someone subject to electronic monitoring to knowingly alter, disable, deactivate, tamper with, remove, damage, or destroy any device used to facilitate electronic monitoring. It passed 32-0. The bill goes back to the House for concurrence with House changes or a conference committee.

HB 10, sponsored by Rep. Chris Pringle, R-Mobile, allows people to be charged with manslaughter if they knowingly sell or distribute a controlled substance with fentanyl. It passed 28-0. The bill goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 207, sponsored by Sen. Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery, allows the Alabama Board of Examiners to for Dietetics/Nutrition Practice to enter into the Dietitian Licensure Compact to provide uniformity in licensing requirements and interstate practice throughout party states. It passed 29-0. The bill goes to the Alabama House of Representatives.

HB 168, sponsored by Rep. Matt Woods, R-Jasper, makes it illegal for people to knowingly produce, have, record, photograph or distribute child sexual abuse material. It passed 29-0. The bill goes to the governor.

SB 266, sponsored by Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, prohibits vehicles that exceed some weight limits from using some specific roads in Alabama. It passed 29-0. The bill goes to the House of Representatives.

HB 42, sponsored by Rep. Donna Givens, R-Loxley, sentences people to life in prison for trafficking individuals who are minors. It passed 29-0. The bill goes back to the Alabama House of Representatives for concurrence with Senate changes or a conference committee.

HB 156, sponsored by Rep. Chad Robertson, R-Heflin, exempts someone campaigning for municipal office from filing a statement designating a principal campaign committing and filing campaign finance reports unless and until a candidate receives or spends a total of $1,000. It passed 29-0. The bill goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 138, sponsored by Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, reauthorizes the Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board until fiscal year 2028. It passed 29-0. The bill goes to the House of Representatives.

HB 161, sponsored by Rep. Parker Moore, R-Hartselle, makes it illegal for someone to create or alter a private image of a person without the person’s consent. It passed 29-0. The bill goes to the House of Representatives for concurrence with Senate changes or a conference committee.

HB 2, sponsored by Rep. Prince Chestnut, D-Selma, provides members of the Dallas County Board of Education with $1,000 per month. It passed 29-0. The bill goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.