What passed in the Alabama Legislature: May 31 – June 1, 2023

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

Wednesday, May 31

Senate

SB352, sponsored by Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Pleasant Grove, sets the annual salary of the county tax assessor and tax collector of Jefferson County. The bill passed 35-0 and goes to the House of Representatives.

HB411, sponsored by Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, sets the salary, allowance and other expenses of the Franklin County Coroner. The bill passed 35-0 and goes to the Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB477, sponsored by Rep. Rick Rehm, R-Dothan, authorizes a lodging tax in Henry County to support tourism. The bill passed 35-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB449, sponsored by Rep. Pebblin Warren, D-Tuskegee, provides for the operation of the Macon County Economic Development Authority and any successor organizations. The bill passed 35-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB463, sponsored by Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Linden, repeals a law addressing employee pay in the Marengo County Sheriff’s Department. The bill passed 35-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB412, sponsored by Rep. Brock Colvin, R-Albertville, allows the Marshall County engineer to live in a county adjacent to Marshall County. The bill passed 35-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB160, sponsored by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, updates the name of March of Dimes, Inc. in the Alabama code. The bill passed 35-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB152, sponsored by Rep. Allen Treadaway, R-Morris, authorizes some higher education institutions to hire reserve police officers. The bill passed 35-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB77, sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, increases the minimum sales tax liability for estimated payments from $5,000 a month to $20,000 a month. The bill passed 35-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB6, sponsored by Rep. Kenneth Paschal, R-Pelham, establishes certain fundamental parental rights in interactions with government. The bill passed 35-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB37, sponsored by Rep. Jim Hill, R-Odenville, outlines the crime of terrorist threat in the first and second degree among other changes. The bill passed 35-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB153, sponsored by Rep. Allen Treadaway, R-Morris, outlines and establishes penalties for the crime of electronic stalking. The bill passed 35-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB363, sponsored by Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, makes changes to the charter school laws. The bill passed 26-8. The House concurred in Senate changes, sending the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB71, sponsored by Sen. Jack Williams, R-Wilmer, makes changes to the public notice law by a county or municipality. The Senate concurred with House of Representatives changes 34-0, sending the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB258, sponsored by Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre, allows for further auditing of water utilities. The Senate concurred with House of Representatives changes 34-0, sending the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

SB192, sponsored by Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, excludes some industrial roads from the public road and highway system in the state. The Senate concurred with House of Representatives changes 34-0, sending the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

SB309, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, relates to the hiring of individuals under professional service contracts. The Senate concurred with House of Representatives changes 34-0, sending the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB206, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, which creates the Retail Theft Crime Prevention Act. The Senate concurred with the House of Representatives changes 34-0, sending the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

SB67, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, relates to education benefits for the Alabama National Guard. The Senate concurred with the House of Representatives changes 34-0, sending the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

SB224, sponsored by Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, further defines a crime of transmitting obscene material to a child to cover anyone under the age of 17 and sets penalties and jurisdiction. The Senate concurred with House of Representatives changes 34-0, sending the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

SB302, sponsored by Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills, provides additional members on the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority Board of Directors. The bill passed 30-1. The House concurred in Senate changes, sending the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

SB103, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, requires exculpatory evidence to be provided to targets of investigation by the State Ethics Commission. The Senate voted 34-0 to not concur with the House of Representatives changes. The House approved a conference committee report on Thursday; the Senate had not acted as of Friday.

HB129, sponsored by Rep. Kenneth Paschal, R-Pelham, defines “dignified and humane” disposal of human cremated remains. Vote totals were not available. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB420, sponsored by Rep. Kerry “Bubba” Underwood, R-Hayden, sets the allowance and salary of the Colbert County coroner. The bill passed 35-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB485, sponsored by Rep. Tim Wadsworth, R-Arley, authorizes the Winston County sheriff to host fundraising events. The bill passed 35-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB23, sponsored by Rep. Chip Brown, R-Hollingers Island, authorizes volunteer firefighters to purchase kitchen supplies and materials among other things. The bill passed the Senate with amendment. No vote totals are available. The bill went to the House of Representatives who concurred with the changes, sending the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB76, sponsored by Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, broadens the number of people who can be defined as victims of domestic violence. The bill passed 34-0 and it goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB110, sponsored by Rep. Parker Moore, R-Decatur,gives the Board of Physical Therapy authority over some physical therapists in other states. The vote totals are not available. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB348, sponsored by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, relates to the recording of electronic documents. The bill passed but vote totals are not available. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB56, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, puts security cameras in some special education classrooms. The Senate concurred with House of Representatives changes but vote totals are not available. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB184, sponsored by Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, outlines when the Department of Corrections can expend funds. The Senate concurred with House of Representatives changes 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey

House

SB 206, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, creates a new crime of retail theft, with punishments ranging up to 20 years in prison. It passed 76-27. The Senate concurred in House changes, sending the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

SB 261, sponsored by Sen. Dan Roberts, R-Mountain Brook, bans government bodies in Alabama from contracting with businesses opposed to fossil fuel extraction, firearm manufacturing, or firms that do not facilitate access to abortion services or gender-affirming care. It passed 74-27. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 279, sponsored by Sen. Randy Price, R-Opelika, removes a requirement that the salaries of elected school surintendents be set before the start of a term, and make the change retroactive to July 1, 2021. It passed 92-7. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 94, sponsored by Sen. April Weaver, R-Alabaster, transfers juvenile probation services in Shelby County to the state court system. It passed 90-1. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 99, sponsored by Rep. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, increases mileage reimbursement for jurors. It passed 102-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 56, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, permits the use of cameras, which can be reviewed when there is a suspected incident, in certain special education classrooms. It passed 103-0. The Senate later concurred in House changes. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 292, sponsored by Sen. Dan Roberts, R-Mountain Brook, allows sales tax exemptions for building materials for certain projects. It passed 103-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 223, sponsored by Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, adds a child witness to the Child Physical and Sexual Abuse Victim Protection Act. It passed 103-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 309, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, requires state entities acquiring contracts of professional services of architects, landscape architects, engineers, land surveyors, geoscientists, and other similar professionals to have a qualification-based selection process. It passed 100-2. The Senate concurred in House changes, sending the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

SB 198, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, adds offenses that fall under presumptive sentencing guidelines; modifies penalties for criminal solicitation, attempt and criminal conspiracy, and gives judges discretion in sentencing people convicted of Class C or D felonies. It passed 74-27. The Senate concurred in House changes, sending the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 184, sponsored by Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, allows the Alabama Department of Corrections to “expend funds appropriated for the purpose of recruitment materials and training of law enforcement officers and support staff, educating the public, and promoting the department’s mission.” It passed 77-25. The Senate concurred in House changes, sending the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

SB 281, sponsored by Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, allows former and current chairs of the USS Alabama Battleship Commission to have special license tags. It passed 103-0. Gov. Kay Ivey signed the bill this week.

SB 285, sponsored by Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre, allows nonprofits to host or sponsor wine festivals. It passed 86-5. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 176, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, requires the Alabama Commission on Higher Education to create an interactive data tool for students on college education. It passed 102-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 263, sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, expands the number of schools covered by the Alabama Accountability Act and increases qualifying income to participate. It passed 75-22. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 76, sponsored by Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, establishes the Logging Efficiency Grant Fund. It passed 102-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

Thursday, June 1

Senate

HB 479, sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, will lower the state sales tax on SNAP-eligible groceries from 4% to 3% on Sept. 1, and allow a reduction to 2% in 2024 if receipts to the Education Trust Fund grow 3.5%. The bill passed 31-0. The House later concurred in Senate changes, sending the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB 175, sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, provides a $150 rebate to individual tax filers and a $300 rebate to couples filing. The bill passed 25-5. The House later concurred in changes, sending the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 87, sponsored by Rep. Parker Moore, R-Hartselle, gives a state or local agency three years to compensate another state agency for the training of a law enforcement officer or firefighter who goes to work for them. The current timeframe is two years. The bill passed 25-5. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB 211, sponsored by Rep. Rick Rehm, R-Dothan, allows recipients of the Air Medal to receive a distinct license plate. The bill passed 31-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB 320, sponsored by Rep. Russell Bedsole, R-Alabaster, changes the name of the Local Government Pistol Permit Revenue Loss Fund to the Sheriffs’ Advancement in Education, Technology and Training Fund; extends the life of the fund from 2027 to 2029; lowers annual appropriations into the fund from $7.5 million to $5 million or what is needed to maintain a $2 million balance in the fund and says sheriffs have discretion to spend their portion of the money. The bill passed 31-0. The House later concurred in Senate changes, sending the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB 473, sponsored by Rep. Donna Givens, R-Loxley, would allow mothers to surrender newborn babies 45 days or younger at hospitals, health care facilities and firehouses provided they have baby safety devices. The child would be turned over to the Department of Human Resources. The bill passed 31-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB 168, sponsored by Rep. Kerry Underwood, R-Tuscumbia, increases the minimum value of a public works contract requiring competitive bidding from $50,000 to $100,000; allows electronic submission of bids and provides for electronic notice of completion. The bill passed 31-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB 422, sponsored by Rep. Tim Wadsworth, R-Arley, limits wakeboarding and wakesurfing on Smith Lake, Lake Wedowee and Shoals Creek to daytime; requires the use of personal flotation devices for the activities and sets minimum distances from impounded waters where it can take place. The bill passed 31-0. The House later concurred in Senate changes, sending the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB 293, sponsored by Rep. Chip Brown, R-Hollinger’s Island, sets a $12 million cap on certain business credits for ports and establishes a schedule for port credits based on volume. The bill passed 31-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB 339, sponsored by Rep. Chris Pringle, R-Mobile, sets the primary runoff in the 2024 election cycle for April 16, 2024. The bill passed 32-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB 432, sponsored by Rep. Ivan Smith, R-Clanton, reduces the minimum number of days a driver’s license can be issued to a foreign national from 160 days to 30 days. The bill passes 32-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB 471, sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, allows a Class 8 municipality lying in two counties to opt out of the jurisdiction of a county personnel board provided it creates its own civil service system. The bill passed 32-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB 491, sponsored by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, requires county assessors to mail notices of increased assessment values to property owners no later than July 1 and sets timelines for appeals. The bill passed 32-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB 220, sponsored by Rep. Corley Ellis, R-Columbiana, allows the board of registrars in Shelby County to meet up to 220 days a year. The bill passed 32-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 445, sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, adds the Legislature’s two education budget chairs and ranking minority members to an advisory board for the Alabama Tourism Department; adjusts qualifications for site development grants and clarifies what projects are available for tax rebates under the Sweet Home Alabama Tourism Investment Act. The bill passed 32-0. The House later concurred in Senate changes, sending the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB 430, sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, would change the make-up of the Literacy Task Force and require the group to review materials for age appropriateness. The bill passed 32-0. The House later concurred in Senate changes, sending the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB 342, sponsored by Rep. Susan DuBose, R-Hoover, sets criteria for evaluating alternative teacher certification programs. The bill passed 33-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB 347, sponsored by Rep. Parker Moore, R-Hartselle, prohibits centralized mail systems in new one- and two-family developments and townhouse developments. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB 267, sponsored by Rep. Tim Wadsworth, R-Arley, revises the state’s Nonprofit Corporation Law to reflect the Model Nonprofit Corporation Act of 2021 and Delaware General Corporation Law. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.  

HB 377, sponsored by Rep. Kyle South, R-Fayette, allows the Board of Adjustment to make expedited payments on uncontested claims. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB 399, sponsored by Rep. Chris Sells, R-Greenville, creates an Alabama Ad Valorem Advisory Committee to facilitate communication between the Alabama Department of Revenue and local officials. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB 286, sponsored by Rep. Shane Stringer, R-Citronelle, allows law enforcement officers and state legislators to ask a state agency to redact identifying information about the officer or legislator prior to the disclosure of the document. The bill passed 34-0. The House later concurred in Senate changes to the bill, sending it to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB 217, sponsored by Rep. Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, exempts workers’ overtime pay from state income tax, up to a $25 million cap in the Education Trust Fund. The bill passed 34-0. The House later concurred in Senate changes to the bill, sending it to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB 337, sponsored by Rep. Kyle South, R-Fayette, allows the Department of Finance to charge a “reasonable fee” for its services and allows the State Comptroller to draw a warrant from the State Treasury to pay a vendor owed money by a state agency who has not already been paid. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB 289, sponsored by Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, allows the disclosure of body camera, dashboard camera or other recordings made by law enforcement to individuals recorded on the devices or their parents, spouses, guardians or attorneys. The bill passed 21-8. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB 133, sponsored by Rep. Neil Rafferty, D-Birmingham, creates a tax credit program for medical students who train in rural or underserved areas of Alabama. The bill passed 31-0. It goes back to the House for consideration of Senate amendments. 

House

SB 280, sponsored by Sen. Jay Hovey, R-Auburn, requires the Secretary of State to have five, not 10, copies of each series of legislative acts, session journals, and pre-1975 codes if they dispose of them. It passed 99-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 315, sponsored by Sen. Dan Roberts, R-Mountain Brook, allows certain providers or commercial mobile radio service providers eligible to offer and receive universal service support. It passed 100-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 57, sponsored by Sen. April Weaver, R-Brierfield, relates to loan repayment for nursing education. It passed 102-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 83, sponsored by Sen. April Weaver, R-Brierfield, expands the definition of child abuse. It passed 102-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 162, sponsored by Sen. Tom Butler, R-Madison, increases the stipend for members of the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners. It passed 103-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 284, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, provides for dam inspectors and requires dam owners to develop emergency plans. It passed 103-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 221, sponsored by Sen. Tom Butler, R-Madison, authorizes the State Board of Genetic Counseling to conduct regular meetings by electronic means and authorizes the board to create grants for continuing education and to develop training. It passed 103-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 335, sponsored by Sen. Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery, which creates the Alabama Licensed Counselor Wellness Committee and “voluntary treatment program for impaired licensed professional counselors and associate licensed counselors.” It passed 98-2 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 294, sponsored by Sen. Robert Stewart, D-Selma, allows state agencies to increase the number of non-merit system of State employees. The bill passed 100-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

SB 150, sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, allows a way for probate judges to digitally note when a plot has been vacated. It passed 101-1 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 299, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, establishes sunset provisions for tax incentives. It passed 101-0. The Senate declined to concur in House changes, sending the bill to a conference committee.

SB 197, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, which requires state agencies to take some fraud prevention measures before paying receipts to benefits. It passed 102-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 158, sponsored by Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Josephine, would require probate judges to inform the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) about people involuntarily committed for outpatient treatment and require ALEA to enter the person in the state firearms prohibited person database.  It passed 86-15 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 205, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, amends the Alabama Transportation Infrastructure Bank to include other entities. It passed 102-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 187, sponsored by Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills, which deletes conflicting language around compensation of the Alabama Security Regulatory Board and provides further background checks for licensure, certification and renewal applicants. It passed 103-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 143, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, which relates to penalties and identification around “criminal enterprise.” It passed 95-6. The Senate concurred in House changes, sending the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

SB 129, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, allows the commissioner of the Alabama Department of Corrections and deputy commissioners to be designated corrections officers for the purpose of retirement. It passed 102-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 313, sponsored by Sen. Tom Butler, R-Madison, commissions a replica of a Saturn 1B rocket on I-65 should the original fall into disrepair. It passed 101-0. The Senate concurred in House changes, sending the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 235, sponsored by Sen. Dan Roberts, R-Mountain Brook, allows doctors and trainers with out-of-state licenses to provide services for the 2025 World Police and Fire Games in Birmingham, if they are credentialed for the event. It passed 101-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 233, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, revises election methods for the Joint Transportation Committee. It passed 101-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 23, sponsored by Chip Brown, R-Hollingers Island, allows volunteer fire departments and volunteer rescue squads to purchase kitchen equipment and supplies for their stations and provide a tax credit for mileage to firefighters and squad members. The House concurred with Senate changes 103-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 363, sponsored by Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, would make changes to the Alabama School Choice and Student Opportunity Act and change the appointment process for the Alabama Public Charter School Commission, allows the commission to hire staff and requires commissioners to receive annual training. The House concurred with Senate changes 98-3. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 103, sponsored by Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, authorizes up to eight weeks of sick leave to care for an adopted child. The House concurred with Senate changes 103-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 13, sponsored by Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, would allow municipalities to authorize law enforcement officers to issue summons and complaints in lieu of making arrests for certain offenses. It went to the conference committee and the House concurred with changes 100-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.