HB 326 expands tax exemptions for Alabama Masonic lodges. It adds all subordinate lodges under the Prince Hall Grand Lodge and the regular Grand Lodge to existing state tax exemptions, covering sales, county, and municipal fees until September 2027. Local governments may also choose to exempt these groups from local sales taxes. Lodges must annually report all subordinate locations to the state revenue department.
HB 15 would exempt eyeglasses and contact lenses from Alabama's sales and use tax. Currently, these items are taxed under state law, but the bill would remove that tax obligation. This change would directly affect consumers purchasing optical aids and retailers selling them, as they would no longer pay or collect tax on these items. The bill amends Alabama Code Section 40-23-1 to add eyeglasses and contact lenses to the list of tax-exempt products.
This bill authorizes Shelby County to sell gas, minerals, and other resources recovered from its public landfill to public or private buyers. The county must use competitive bidding to select the lowest responsible bidder for these sales, with contracts limited to a maximum of 20 years. All money earned from these sales must be deposited into the county's General Fund and used for solid waste collection, landfill maintenance, and other legally permitted purposes. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026, and would apply only to Shelby County.
HB 504 modifies Wilcox County's rules for mailing vehicle license renewals through the probate office. It sets a $3 maximum fee for standard mail renewal applications (processed as postcards) and allows a $10 fee for priority mail delivery of license plates or decals. The bill requires the county commission to establish these fees, which are collected by the probate judge and deposited into the county's general fund. This directly affects Wilcox County residents renewing vehicle licenses and the county's probate office handling mail services.
SB 205 updates the definition of "excavation" to explicitly include activities like drilling, marine construction, pile-driving, and trenching before digging begins. This change directly affects contractors and utility companies working on complex projects involving underground utilities. The bill requires these parties to use the One-Call notification system before starting work that could damage buried infrastructure, ensuring safer construction practices. It does not create new obligations but clarifies which activities must follow existing notification rules.
This bill allows Alabama municipalities to charge business licenses to certain construction and trade companies that work within city limits but do not have a permanent office there. It specifically targets licensed contractors such as electricians, plumbers, HVAC specialists, general contractors, and home builders who operate on temporary job sites. The law requires these businesses to either pay a flat fee or a percentage of their gross earnings from work done in the municipality, while also allowing them to avoid double taxation by excluding income already taxed in other municipalities. Additionally, the bill exempts these businesses from licensing requirements when working on county-owned projects like roads and bridges. The changes take effect on October 1, 2026.
This bill authorizes county commissions in Alabama's Gulf Coast counties to create their own zoning rules for solar farms. It allows these counties to set standards for where solar farms can be built, how they are constructed and operated, and to establish penalty systems for violations. The legislation also creates an appeal process for property owners who disagree with county decisions, permits the counties to charge administrative fees, and gives them the authority to remove non-compliant structures at the owner's expense.
This bill is a Senate Joint Resolution that formally commends Kelli Fischer, principal of Opelika High School, for being named the 2025-2026 Alabama High School Principal of the Year. The resolution recognizes her leadership in improving school culture, student support, and academic outcomes, including specific programs like daily student mentorship and incentive systems that have reduced absenteeism and behavior issues. It highlights her response to the 2023 Dadeville mass shooting, noting how she helped injured students return to graduation and fostered a supportive school environment. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as an official acknowledgment of her achievements from the Alabama Legislature.
This bill is a Senate Joint Resolution that formally honors the life and military service of Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan David Shultz, USAF (Retired), a Huntsville resident who passed away in 2025. The resolution recognizes his 21 years of distinguished service in the U.S. Air Force and Alabama Air National Guard, including combat missions and leadership roles, as well as his post-retirement contributions to the defense industry and medical research. It expresses the Alabama Legislature's deepest sympathy to his family and presents a copy of the resolution to them as a token of appreciation. The bill does not create new laws or policies but serves as a commemorative measure to acknowledge his legacy and contributions to the state and nation.
This bill authorizes Jefferson County to create and enforce a noise ordinance for unincorporated residential areas, allowing the county commission to set rules against noise disturbances. The legislation defines specific noise violations, including loud electronic devices audible from 25 feet away, excessive sound levels during different hours, and continuous dog barking for 10 minutes or more, while exempting emergency vehicles, construction, and other specified activities. Violations could result in civil fines up to $1,800 for repeat offenses, with enforcement handled through citations issued by law enforcement officers or constables. The bill also outlines procedures for challenging citations and collecting unpaid fines through the county commission or Circuit Court.
This bill modifies how Baldwin County, Alabama, appoints certain contract employees by changing some positions from mandatory to optional appointments by the county commission. It removes specific roles from the list of employees the commission must appoint and clarifies that the judge of probate, revenue commissioner, and sheriff may appoint their own chief staff members. The legislation also establishes contract requirements for remaining appointed positions, including termination clauses, job descriptions, annual evaluations, and a provision that contracts expire after four years unless renewed by the new commission. Additionally, it requires a three-fourths vote of the county commission to terminate or not renew any appointed contract employee. These changes take effect on October 1, 2026.
This bill would reinstate a tax exemption for the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, allowing it to avoid paying state sales and use taxes on capital purchases like equipment and building materials through September 30, 2028. The legislation also permits individual counties and municipalities to choose whether to extend similar exemptions for the zoo at the local level. Currently, the zoo's tax exemption expired in September 2022, and this measure would restore that benefit to help the nonprofit organization manage its financial operations. The zoo would continue to pay all other applicable taxes and must submit annual reports to the state Department of Revenue regarding its tax-exempt sales.
