This bill creates the College and Higher Education Excellence and Results (CHEER) Act, which would provide bonus funding to specific Alabama higher education institutions that meet performance goals related to student outcomes. The program would establish a new fund and create a coordinating committee to set performance metrics, track student success, and distribute additional money to schools that improve in areas like student retention, degree completion, and post-graduation employment. Eligible institutions include all state universities, community colleges, and historically Black universities in Alabama, with funding bonuses tied to measurable achievements such as helping low-income students succeed and placing graduates in high-wage jobs. The bill defines various student categories and performance measures that the coordinating committee would use to evaluate institutional progress and determine bonus funding amounts.
This bill requires the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling to conduct criminal history background checks on all applicants seeking initial licensure as professional counselors or associate licensed counselors. The legislation mandates that applicants submit fingerprints for state and national background checks through the FBI and Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, with all associated costs borne by the applicant. The board is authorized to establish additional procedures for requesting background checks of current licensees and may use these results when making licensing decisions, though background check information remains confidential unless it supports a license denial. The bill also allows the board to adopt rules requiring background checks for license renewal and to interpret how background check results affect licensing eligibility.
This bill authorizes county commissions in Alabama counties bordering the Gulf of Mexico to create zoning rules for large-scale solar farms. It allows these counties to set standards for where solar farms can be built, establish permitting requirements, and determine operational conditions for these facilities in unincorporated areas. The legislation includes provisions for penalties, such as fines up to $1,000 and property liens for violations, along with an appeal process that lets affected parties challenge decisions in circuit court. Counties may also charge fees to cover administrative costs and establish exemption processes for specific cases.
SB 366 creates a Municipal Firefighters' Bill of Rights in Alabama, establishing minimum standards for how municipal fire departments handle investigations and disciplinary actions against firefighters. The bill requires that firefighters be notified of pending personnel actions that could affect their pay or status, and it sets rules for investigations including allowing firefighters to have witnesses present, recording interrogations, and prohibiting threats or promises to induce answers. Additionally, the legislation prohibits requiring firefighters to disclose personal financial information for promotions or job assignments, allows off-duty political activity, and ensures firefighters cannot be penalized for exercising these rights. The act applies to public servants whose primary duty is fighting fires and providing fire protection services to municipalities.
This bill expands the types of single-dose epinephrine devices that public schools and authorized entities in Alabama can stock and use to treat life-threatening allergic reactions. Currently, only specific autoinjectable forms are approved, but this legislation would allow any FDA-approved single-dose premeasured epinephrine system to be carried and administered by students, school staff, and authorized personnel. The changes apply to students who self-administer medication under existing guidelines and to schools that maintain emergency response protocols for allergic reactions. Schools and staff members would remain protected from liability when using approved epinephrine devices in accordance with the bill's requirements.
This bill provides up to $203 million in federal funding to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs for the Rural Health Transformation Program during fiscal year 2027. The money is divided among ten specific health initiatives, including support for electronic health records, rural healthcare services, maternal health, workforce development, cancer care, emergency medical services, and mental health programs. The legislation also establishes rules for carrying over unspent funds to the next fiscal year and requires approval from federal officials before any money can be moved between different initiatives.
This bill, known as the Rural Health Antitrust Immunity Act, allows rural healthcare providers in Alabama to collaborate on activities like shared services, joint purchasing, and coordinated staffing to improve healthcare access and quality in rural areas. To receive this protection from state and federal antitrust laws, providers must obtain a certificate from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, which will review whether the collaboration is necessary to advance public health goals and outweighs any negative effects on competition. The bill requires that these certificates be approved by the Governor and are valid for three years, with ongoing oversight to ensure the collaborations continue to benefit rural communities. It specifically targets rural healthcare facilities facing challenges like provider shortages and facility closures by permitting regulated cooperation that would otherwise be considered anticompetitive.
This bill creates a three-tier system for classifying rural areas in Alabama based on population size, density, geographic isolation, and local economic characteristics. The tiers range from remote communities with under 2,500 residents to rural-adjacent areas with up to 20,000 residents, allowing state agencies to identify specific rural conditions rather than relying solely on countywide data. State agencies may use this classification to determine eligibility for programs, prioritize funding, adjust administrative requirements, and target resources to the most underserved communities. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026, and applies to municipalities, unincorporated communities, and census tracts regardless of whether they are located in metropolitan counties.
This bill allocates up to $203 million in federal funds from the Rural Health Transformation Program to Alabama's Department of Economic and Community Affairs for fiscal year 2026. The money is divided among ten specific health initiatives focused on rural areas, including electronic health records, workforce development, maternal health, cancer care, mental health services, and emergency medical response improvements. The bill also establishes rules for carrying over unspent funds to the next fiscal year and requires state officials to obtain federal approval before reallocating money between different program categories. These provisions aim to support ongoing healthcare infrastructure and services in rural Alabama communities while maintaining compliance with federal funding requirements.
This bill would replace Alabama's state licensing system for prosthetists, orthotists, and pedorthists with a national certification requirement administered by the Alabama Department of Workforce. Instead of requiring individuals and facilities to be licensed by the Alabama State Board of Prosthetists and Orthotists, the law would mandate that all providers obtain certification from a nationally recognized credentialing organization approved by the state department. Certified professionals must submit proof of their credentials annually to the department, which may charge a recording fee of up to $100 per person, with funds deposited into the state treasury. The bill also establishes criminal penalties for unlicensed practice and repeals the existing chapter of Alabama law that created the state licensing board.
This bill strengthens Alabama's Underground Damage Prevention Program by requiring utility operators to prioritize incomplete locate requests and holding them financially responsible for project delays. It mandates that operators finish any pending locate requests within 20 days before handling new ones, and imposes liability for costs if a request remains incomplete for 30 days or more. The legislation also removes the option for operators to respond to locate requests by simply providing facility descriptions or allowing record inspections, instead requiring physical marking of underground facilities. Additionally, it prohibits contract locators from closing locate requests and requires operators to verify on-site that facilities have been marked before a request can be closed. These changes directly affect utility companies, construction project owners, and design or surveying professionals who use the One-Call Notification System.
This bill modifies Alabama's child-care licensing rules by removing exemptions for facilities that operate on a for-profit basis or provide 24-hour care, requiring these entities to obtain licenses regardless of their previous status. It expands the Department of Human Resources' authority to create regulations specifically governing video surveillance and data retention in child-care settings. Additionally, the bill grants law enforcement agencies the power to enter child-care facilities without notice during child abuse investigations and allows private individuals to file lawsuits against facilities that violate child-care laws.
