SB 170 creates a "safe harbor" to protect health insurance plans that qualify for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) from conflicting state or federal rules. It ensures these plans remain eligible for federal HSA benefits by requiring that cost-sharing rules (like copays) only apply after the federal minimum deductible is met. The bill directly affects individuals enrolled in high-deductible health plans that allow HSA contributions, preventing state mandates or federal guidance from disqualifying their plans. It requires Alabama's Insurance Commissioner to adopt rules implementing this protection, maintaining federal HSA eligibility for enrollees.
HB 289 would prohibit Alabama state-issued death certificates from including the date of burial or cremation (referred to as "date of disposition" in the bill). Currently, death certificates list this date alongside the manner and location of disposition, but the bill would remove this requirement. The Alabama Department of Public Health, which issues death certificates, would no longer include this information on state-administered forms. The change is scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2026.
HB 362 revises the job duties for legal positions within the Alabama National Guard's Legal Services Office. It specifically clarifies responsibilities for roles including State Staff Judge Advocates, General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, and various Associate General Counsels. The bill details their duties in areas like military justice, contract and financial advice, legal training, and supporting military personnel matters. These changes affect only internal National Guard legal staff, not the public or external entities. The bill aims to streamline legal service delivery within the Guard's structure by updating role descriptions.
HB 16 amends Alabama's Fair Campaign Practices Act to allow the Secretary of State to send civil penalty notifications via email instead of certified mail when the penalty amount is below the cost of certified mailing. This change applies to campaign committees and candidates who fail to file required reports on time or accurately. The bill maintains the requirement for certified mail only when penalties exceed mailing costs, while preserving all existing penalty amounts and collection procedures. It directly affects political action committees and candidates who face reporting violations, streamlining notification for lower-cost penalties. The bill does not alter penalty rates or reporting requirements, only the method of delivering penalty notices.
SB 8 allows Alabama's Emergency Management Agency Director to use public funds for purchasing educational and promotional materials aimed at increasing public awareness of emergency preparedness. This expands the agency's existing authority under Section 31-9-4 to include materials that inform residents about emergency planning and response. The bill does not create new programs or funding streams but clarifies that current appropriations can cover these educational resources. It directly affects how the agency allocates its existing budget for public outreach, benefiting all Alabama residents through improved emergency information access.
SB 210 removes two specific requirements for Alabama's chiropractic board members and license applicants. It eliminates the need for board members to have graduated from a chiropractic school requiring actual attendance, and removes the requirement that license applicants must come from schools teaching only in-person courses with a four-year curriculum. The bill also updates outdated language in the licensing code to current style. These changes directly affect chiropractors seeking board service or state licensure in Alabama.
HB 138 allows retirees from Alabama's Employees' or Teachers' Retirement Systems to work full-time as school bus drivers without losing their pension benefits, provided they meet specific conditions. Retirees must earn below an annual income limit (adjusted yearly for inflation) and have drawn retirement benefits for 12 consecutive months (with an exception for those retiring before January 1, 2026). The bill also sets an expiration date of December 31, 2030, for this provision. It directly affects retired state employees seeking to return to full-time bus driving roles.
This bill updates Alabama's unclaimed property law to include digital assets, such as digital money or cryptocurrency, held by the State Treasurer. It authorizes the Treasurer to take custody of abandoned digital assets, establish disposal guidelines, and liquidate certain digital assets if necessary. The bill also clarifies the requirements for enforceable agreements between property owners or "finders" (people who help locate unclaimed property) and the State Treasurer. These changes directly affect Alabama residents with unclaimed digital assets held by the state, providing clearer procedures for recovery. The policy changes focus on modernizing unclaimed property handling for digital assets under existing legal frameworks.
HB 271 establishes lifetime hunting and fishing licenses for Alabama residents with disabilities. It creates three license types: hunting, freshwater fishing, and saltwater fishing, with fees set at $50 for those under 50 and $30 for those 50+ years old. Fees collected fund specific conservation endowment funds (Game and Fish for freshwater, Marine Resources for saltwater). The licenses, non-transferable and effective October 1, 2026, replace annual fees for eligible disabled residents. This directly affects Alabama residents with disabilities seeking long-term access to hunting and fishing activities.
HB 122 amends Alabama's TEAMS program to allow school districts to offer mathematics and science teachers with over 20 years of service (who meet advanced contract criteria) a contract for "up to five years" instead of requiring a mandatory five-year contract. This change, effective October 1, 2026, modifies Section 16-13-334(e) of the Alabama Code. The bill directly affects experienced math and science teachers participating in the TEAMS program who hold the required specialized certifications. It does not alter certification requirements or professional development rules but adjusts contract term flexibility for eligible veteran teachers.
HB 110 would allow Alabama's driver license agency (ALEA) to issue digital driver licenses and identification cards to residents. It permits ALEA to charge an additional $15 fee for this digital option, with the revenue directed to the Public Safety Fund. The bill requires ALEA to apply industry-standard security measures for digital IDs and gives the agency authority to create implementing rules. This legislation directly affects Alabama residents who obtain driver licenses or state ID cards, providing a new digital option while establishing fee and security requirements. The bill is currently pending in committee as of January 2026.
This bill is a House Joint Resolution that formally honors Captain Ted Johnson for his distinguished service to the Mobile Police Department and residents of Mobile. The resolution recognizes his career achievements, including his progression from patrol officer to lieutenant, his leadership in various units, and his community outreach efforts addressing homelessness. It serves as a commemorative tribute rather than establishing new laws or policies, and it does not create any legal obligations or changes to existing regulations.
