HB 279 would allow the Lauderdale County Teacher's Credit Union to let its officers and full-time employees join Alabama's Teachers' Retirement System. The credit union's leadership must pass a resolution to authorize this, and the union would pay the employer portion of retirement contributions based on employee salaries. Employees could also earn credit for past service with the union, with the union covering any actuary-determined costs for that retroactive credit. This bill specifically affects Lauderdale County Teacher's Credit Union staff and takes effect June 1, 2025.
HB 267 raises the age at which most minors can independently consent to medical, dental, and mental health care from 14 to 18 years old, affecting teenagers aged 14-17. Exceptions allow minors to consent to pregnancy-related care, STI treatment, and substance abuse services regardless of age, and maintain existing exceptions for married, divorced, pregnant, or emancipated minors. The bill also requires schools to obtain annual parental written consent for mental health services (replacing current opt-in rules) and prohibits healthcare providers from denying parents access to their minor child’s health records, except in specific cases like court orders or criminal investigations. Parents retain the fundamental right to make healthcare decisions for their minor children under this bill.
SB 172 establishes "aggressive driving" as a criminal offense in Alabama, directly affecting drivers who intentionally operate a vehicle to annoy, harass, intimidate, injure, or obstruct others. It defines specific prohibited actions, such as tailgating, illegal passing, reckless driving, throwing objects, or brandishing a firearm while driving. Violators face penalties: a Class A misdemeanor (including a minimum 30-day license suspension) for a first offense, and a Class D felony (with a minimum one-year license revocation) for repeat offenses within 10 years. The law amends existing traffic codes by adding these offenses to the criminal penalty structure, effective October 1, 2025.
HB 277 creates an annual "2A Sales Tax Holiday" from Memorial Day to July 4, exempting sales tax on ammunition, firearms (including shotguns and handguns), and specific hunting supplies like gear, apparel, and equipment. This directly affects consumers purchasing these items during the holiday period, making those purchases tax-free at the state level. Local counties or municipalities may choose to opt in and extend the tax exemption to their local sales taxes by adopting a resolution 90 days in advance. The bill excludes items like animal feed, ATVs, and airboats from the exemption.
SB 168 allows Alabama residents to reserve state park campsites and cabins up to one month earlier than nonresidents and at a 10% discount. Residents must provide valid ID (like a driver's license) to prove residency and can only hold one advance reservation at a time. Nonresidents will book after residents and pay the full rate. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, and applies to all state park campsite types, including tents, RVs, and equestrian sites.
HB 268 would change Alabama law to exempt lottery prize winnings from state income tax. Currently, these winnings are taxed like other income, but this bill would remove that tax obligation for all lottery winners in the state. The key change is amending Section 40-18-19 of Alabama's tax code to specifically exclude lottery proceeds from taxable income, meaning winners would keep the full amount of their prizes without state income tax deductions. This directly affects anyone who wins a prize in the Alabama lottery, including both small and large jackpots.
HB 276 requires social media platforms to implement age verification for users under 18 and display usage notifications after one hour of daily use or during late-night hours (10 PM-6 AM). It prohibits platforms from allowing direct messages from adults to minors (unless already connected), collecting excessive personal data from minors, or using their data for targeted advertising. Platforms must also provide parental control tools, remove content related to illicit substances or sex trafficking, and cooperate with the Attorney General. Violations are treated as deceptive trade practices with civil penalties, while the state education department must develop mental health guidelines for minors' social media use.
HB 278 would allow pharmacists in Alabama to dispense Ivermectin without an individual prescription, but only under a pre-approved "standing order" from a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. This affects pharmacists, qualifying healthcare providers, and patients aged 19+ (or minors with parental consent), requiring pharmacists to follow a risk assessment protocol and provide patient information sheets. The bill prohibits healthcare providers from promoting Ivermectin for financial gain and shields them from disciplinary action for following approved standing orders. It also mandates specific safety protocols and takes effect October 1, 2025, if passed.
SB 170 establishes the Gun Violence Protective Order Act in Alabama, creating a court process to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who pose an immediate risk of harming themselves or others. The bill allows law enforcement officers, teachers, or family members to request a court order if someone exhibits warning signs like threats, self-harm, or violent behavior - without requiring a prior criminal conviction. Courts can issue an emergency order (valid until a full hearing within 14 days) or a one-year order, mandating the respondent surrender all firearms and ammunition to law enforcement. This directly affects people deemed a current danger through specific behavioral patterns, modeled after existing domestic violence laws with firearm surrender provisions.
SB 167 requires individuals convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) to pay child support if their DUI causes the death of a child's parent or guardian. The bill mandates court-ordered child support payments until the child turns 19, calculated using Alabama's standard guidelines or court discretion based on the child's needs, the surviving parent's resources, and other specified factors. This applies to DUI convictions under Alabama Code §32-5A-191 and adds a new financial obligation to existing criminal penalties. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, and includes provisions for income withholding and payment plans if the offender is incarcerated.
HB 275 establishes a new statutory definition for "replacement cost" in Alabama insurance policies covering dwellings. It requires insurers to calculate replacement costs based on rebuilding with materials of similar kind **and quality**, specifically including reliability, durability, safety, and adherence to original material specifications - expanding beyond current rules that only considered cost. This directly affects homeowners with dwelling insurance by changing how insurers determine payout amounts for repairs or rebuilds after damage. The bill mandates the Alabama Department of Insurance to update its rules by January 1, 2026, to reflect this definition, effective July 1, 2025.
HB 284, the Pregnancy Resource Act, creates a state income tax credit for Alabama taxpayers who donate to eligible pregnancy centers or residential maternity facilities. Individuals and businesses can claim a credit equal to 50% of their state income tax liability (capped at $10 million total annually) for cash contributions to organizations that provide free pregnancy support services, maintain a physical presence in Alabama, and do not provide or support abortion services. The Department of Revenue verifies organizations’ eligibility through written certification, requiring them to confirm they are 501(c)(3) nonprofits, serve Alabama residents, and prohibit abortion-related activities. This policy directly affects donors, qualifying pregnancy resource organizations, and the state’s tax administration process.
