Commerce and Small Business

SB 138 prohibits franchisors from requiring franchisees to operate on religious days if the franchisee has a sincerely held religious belief, unless specific exceptions apply. These exceptions cover cases where the original franchise agreement already required operation on a religious day, the franchisee later agrees to such a requirement, or the requirement is part of expanding franchise locations. The bill provides remedies for violations, including actual damages, attorney fees, and civil penalties up to $50,000 for repeated offenses. It directly affects franchisees with religious objections and franchisors managing franchise agreements, while excluding motor vehicle and other regulated franchise types.

SB 279 expands Alabama's general contractor licensing exemptions to include specific maintenance services. It adds painting, janitorial, floor waxing, pressure washing, security system maintenance, lighting/filter replacement, and maintenance of existing plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems to the list of services that do not require a general contractor license. This change directly affects small businesses and contractors providing these routine maintenance services, allowing them to operate without obtaining a general contractor license. The bill amends Alabama Code Section 34-8-7 to include these new exemptions, effective October 1, 2026.

SB 215 modifies Alabama's requirement for residential home builders to disclose liability insurance status to homeowners before construction begins. If a builder has insurance, the disclosure only needs signatures from the builder and homeowner (no witness required). If a builder lacks insurance, the disclosure must still be signed by both parties and attested by a witness. This bill directly affects home builders and homeowners in residential construction contracts across Alabama. The changes take effect on October 1, 2026.

This bill allows licensed swimming pool contractors in Alabama to request that local government officials perform required inspections for pool construction, repair, or maintenance projects. The provision applies only when the work is done by the contractor, their employees, or subcontractors under the contractor's supervision. If approved, this change would take effect on October 1, 2026, and would streamline the inspection process for qualifying contractors by giving them the option to schedule inspections directly through local authorities rather than through separate channels.

This bill expands the definition of vehicle protection products in Alabama to include individual component parts of a vehicle, such as engines, transmissions, and body panels. The change ensures that existing consumer protection rules for vehicle protection products now apply to warranties covering these specific parts. Companies selling warranties for vehicle components must comply with the same regulations that currently govern warranties for devices like alarm systems and tracking equipment. The law clarifies that these warranties are not insurance and must provide reimbursement for incidental costs if the protected component fails to perform as promised.