Minimum wage; established, small business exempted

SB 171 establishes Alabama's first state minimum wage at $10.00 per hour, effective January 1, 2027. It directly affects most employers by requiring them to pay this rate, but exempts small businesses with 50 or fewer employees. The bill sets a clear threshold for the exemption and aligns with the current federal minimum wage of $7.25. This legislation will take effect on October 1, 2026, with the wage requirement beginning in 2027.