Alabama Bills

SB 57 requires Alabama's Department of Human Resources to request a federal waiver from the USDA to prohibit SNAP (food stamp) benefits from being used to purchase candy and soda. If approved, the state would ban SNAP recipients from buying these items, with the department required to resubmit the waiver request annually if denied. The bill defines "candy" as foods with sugar as the first ingredient (excluding single-ingredient sugars) and "soda" as carbonated beverages with sugar as a top ingredient (excluding diet drinks). This policy would directly affect Alabama SNAP recipients who currently use benefits for these items, effective October 1, 2026.

HB 315 authorizes Alabama's Class 1 municipalities (like Birmingham) to require property owners to register vacant residential or commercial buildings within 30 days of vacancy or ownership change. Owners must pay an initial registration fee and annual supplemental fees, while municipalities must establish a database and enforce maintenance standards to address blight, safety risks, and public costs associated with vacant properties. The bill aims to help cities identify vacant properties, reduce neighborhood deterioration, and offset expenses like inspections and nuisance abatement. This legislation is currently pending in the House Committee on Jefferson County Legislation.

HB 116 expands Alabama's Volunteer Rescue Squad Tuition Reimbursement Program to include the Alabama Department of Public Health's regional emergency medical services (EMS) agencies. Currently, only Alabama Community College System schools, the Alabama Fire College, and the University of South Alabama could offer the required EMS education for tuition reimbursement. This bill adds designated EMS regional agencies under the Department of Public Health as eligible institutions to provide education and receive reimbursement. Students enrolled in these new programs would still need to contract to work for two years with volunteer rescue squads, fire departments, or ambulance services after obtaining their EMS license. The change primarily affects EMS students and volunteer emergency services organizations by broadening educational pathways for tuition assistance.

HB 302 updates Alabama's bail bonding regulations. It requires professional surety bondsmen to hold a license for three years before owning a company (previously only applied to bail bondsmen), extends apprentice licenses to 180 days with mandatory training for 19-20 year olds, and mandates circuit clerks to report authorized bail bond companies within 30 days of approval. The bill also adds a one-year Alabama residency requirement for new license applicants, imposes late fees for overdue renewals, and creates a process for placing licenses on inactive status. These changes directly affect bail bondsmen, circuit clerks, and the Alabama Professional Bail Bonding Board, which gains new appointment rules for sheriff and lay members.

HB 328 amends Alabama's arson law to specifically include cases where a fire is set "in conjunction with or to effectuate a theft" causing $25,000 or more in property damage. This new provision makes such acts a serious felony (arson in the first degree), directly affecting individuals who commit arson as part of a theft scheme. The bill establishes a mandatory minimum 20-year prison sentence for these offenses, requiring the sentence to run consecutively with any other related convictions. The law applies to any arson incident meeting the theft connection and damage threshold, not to standard property arson cases.

SB 174 authorizes the conversion of existing oil and gas wells into alternative energy facilities (like geothermal or hydrogen production) and expands the commissioner of conservation's authority to lease state lands for various energy projects. It directly affects energy developers seeking to repurpose wells or use state lands for new energy infrastructure. Key provisions include allowing well conversions without requiring new permits and enabling the commissioner to lease public lands for energy development under specific conditions. The bill explicitly states it does not change existing conservation laws (Title 37 of Alabama Code) or apply to federally licensed hydropower projects.

SB 173 clarifies that only Alabama circuit and district courts have authority to prosecute violations of domestic violence protection orders. It directly affects defendants who breach these orders and the courts handling such cases. The bill changes jurisdiction by giving these courts "exclusive and concurrent jurisdiction," meaning no other courts can hear these cases. It also requires a $50 fine for violations to fund the Domestic Violence Trust Fund, as established in existing law. The bill takes effect on October 1, 2026.

HB 224 adjusts funding for Alabama's food stamp program and children's health insurance (CHIP). It raises the administrative fee for food stamps from 5% to 7.5% of benefits to comply with the "One Big Beautiful Act," directly affecting the Department of Human Resources. The bill also changes CHIP funding by allowing non-use-tax revenue sources (beyond the current primary use tax allocation) to support the program. These are technical appropriations changes focused on funding mechanisms, not program eligibility or benefits.

HB 233 expands Alabama's National Guard Educational Assistance Program to cover workforce development programs (such as certified training or non-degree courses) alongside traditional college degrees. It also adds eligibility for on-campus living expenses and meal plans. The bill removes the previous requirement for members to maintain a 3.0 GPA to qualify for basic tuition assistance, replacing it with revised eligibility rules. It repeals outdated qualification language but maintains the existing $10 million annual funding cap for the program. This directly affects Alabama National Guard members seeking education or training beyond standard academic programs.

SB 183 exempts natural hair styling and hair braiding/weaving from Alabama's cosmetology licensing requirements. The bill removes these services from the definition of "cosmetology" and repeals all licensing rules for "natural hair stylists," including examination requirements. This directly affects natural hair stylists who previously needed state licenses to perform services like braiding, weaving, or styling without chemical treatments, coloring, or cutting. The law changes existing code to reflect that these practices no longer require regulation by the Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering.

HB 17 revises Alabama's requirements for municipal financial audits by raising spending thresholds. It increases the annual audit requirement from $300,000 to $500,000 in annual spending for towns and cities, while adjusting lower-tier thresholds: municipalities spending $300,000-$500,000 now require biennial audits (previously $100,000-$300,000), and those spending under $300,000 must submit annual financial reports instead of biennial audits (previously under $100,000). The bill also specifies that annual reports must include cash reconciliation, bank balances, and tax compliance details. This change takes effect October 1, 2026.

HB 8 allows local school boards and public charter school governing bodies to vote on whether to permit volunteer campus chaplains in Alabama public K-12 schools starting in the 2025-2026 school year. If approved, schools may offer chaplain services at a teacher's request, but volunteers must complete recognized training and pass a background check. The bill prohibits individuals convicted of sex offenses requiring registration from serving as chaplains. This policy change takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to all public K-12 schools and charter schools in Alabama.