SB 218 establishes a new Class C felony offense for failing to seek medical help when another person overdoses or suffers a severe reaction during the illegal use of controlled substances. Specifically, it applies when someone knowingly does not call for assistance while using drugs with another person who then dies from the overdose or reaction. The law requires that both individuals be engaged in unlawful drug use at the time, and the failure to seek help must directly lead to the death. This bill, pending in Alabama's Senate Judiciary Committee, would take effect on October 1, 2025.
HB 367 prohibits Alabama state entities and county health departments from using public funds to advertise or promote vaccines to the public. Exceptions allow printed educational materials distributed directly to patients in healthcare settings (with balanced vaccine information) and communications required by federal law. The Attorney General can investigate violations, determine the amount of improper spending, and require the Legislature or county commission to reduce future funding to the violating entity by that amount. This bill directly affects public health agencies that previously used taxpayer funds for vaccine promotion campaigns. It takes effect on July 1, 2025.
SB 201 extends the deadline for crime victims to file compensation claims with Alabama's Crime Victims Compensation Commission from one year to two years after the injury or death. This change directly affects individuals seeking financial support for crimes committed against them or their loved ones. The bill amends Section 15-23-12 of Alabama law to allow claims filed within two years, while maintaining the existing requirement that late filings must have "good cause" to be accepted. The policy change provides victims with additional time to gather documentation and submit claims without automatic disqualification.
HB 364 clarifies Alabama's simplified sellers use tax (SSUT) law by excluding local delivery services from the definition of "marketplace facilitator." This means businesses like restaurants, grocery stores, and pharmacies using local delivery (e.g., via personal vehicles, bicycles, or couriers) are no longer required to collect and remit SSUT on their sales. Instead, these transactions remain subject to standard state and local sales taxes, which the Alabama Retail Seller must collect and remit directly. The bill ensures that local delivery services - distinct from online marketplaces - do not fall under the SSUT program, while preserving existing tax collection obligations for the businesses themselves.
HB 368 establishes two new fees in Elmore County: a $100 court cost (increasing by $5 annually) for most circuit court cases (excluding traffic), and a $100 booking fee (also increasing by $5 yearly) for defendants convicted or pleading guilty who are booked into the county jail. Both fees apply to all relevant cases, cannot be waived alone, and must be collected by the court clerk. Proceeds from both fees go into the "Enhance Elmore Fund," with county commission directing the funds first toward debt service for judicial complex renovations, then toward maintenance and upgrades once debt is paid. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026, and applies only to Elmore County.
HB 370 proposes a constitutional amendment for Elmore County to impose two new taxes: a 4.5% excise tax on the wholesale sale of e-cigarettes, nicotine products, and tobacco, and annual property assessments based on land use ($25 for land-only parcels, $150 for residential, $300 for commercial). The tax revenue will fund the "Enhance Elmore Fund," with 70% allocated to public health and safety programs and 30% to county fire and rescue services. These taxes apply to businesses selling the specified products and all landowners in Elmore County, with property assessment rates increasing by $1 annually starting October 1. The amendment requires voter approval in a November 2025 election before taking effect.
HB 136 reopens the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) for Alabama teachers in the Teacher Retirement System (TRS), allowing Tier I (25+ years service, age 55+) and Tier II (30+ years service, age 62+) members to participate again after a prior ban. It enables eligible teachers to continue working while deferring their retirement payments until the end of their DROP participation period (3-5 years), with the deferred amount accruing interest. The bill specifies that participants must remain classroom teachers (teaching 4+ hours/day in K-12 settings) and provides updated rules for DROP termination and interest calculations. This change directly affects current TRS Tier I and Tier II teachers who meet the service and age requirements.
SB 205 provides $78 million in additional funding from Alabama's Education Trust Fund to the State Department of Education for the 2025 fiscal year. This supplemental appropriation directly affects schools identified as "priority schools" on the Fall 2024 state report card, allocating $500,000 to each qualifying school. The funds are intended to support these schools' improvement efforts during the 2025 fiscal year. The bill becomes effective June 1, 2025, and is currently pending review by the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee.
HB 374 allows non-emergency medical transport services (not just licensed ambulances) to transport patients on stretchers, gurneys, or cots for routine medical appointments or care. It requires transport vehicles to be equipped for such use and specifies that transport must occur in non-emergency situations - like regular doctor visits - not during life-threatening crises. The State Committee of Public Health can create rules to enforce these provisions, and the law takes effect on October 1, 2025. This directly affects medical transport providers and patients needing non-urgent mobility assistance.
SB 202 defines "spirit infused beverages" as ready-to-drink mixed liquor drinks containing no more than 7% alcohol by volume. It creates a new retail license category allowing stores to sell these beverages both on-premise (like restaurants) and off-premise (like grocery stores), with a specified license fee. The bill also requires retailers to display these beverages in designated areas, addressing a gap in current Alabama law that previously lacked specific regulations for low-alcohol mixed drinks. This directly affects retailers seeking to sell these products, as they would need the new license and follow display rules.
HB 358 updates Alabama's juvenile court jurisdiction to apply to children under 19 (the age of majority) instead of under 18 for criminal cases, child-in-need-of-supervision matters, and certain mental health commitments. The bill prohibits detaining children under 19 in adult jails or lockups, with exceptions for specific circumstances. It also makes technical revisions to align existing legal language with current style, without changing the age of majority or core legal definitions. This directly affects minors under 19 involved in juvenile court proceedings across Alabama.
SB 204 requires Alabama dental insurers to allow policyholders to carry over unused dental benefits from one year to the next, instead of losing them at year-end. It sets a cap, limiting the rollover amount to twice the previous year's annual benefit maximum. This change applies to both standalone dental plans and health plans that include dental coverage, directly affecting all Alabama residents with such insurance policies, effective January 1, 2026.
