Budget & Taxes

in committee · Alabama · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 519: Lowndes County, pari-mutuel wagering on simulcast past events and live horse and dog races under certain conditions; tax levied; distribution of revenue, provided

HB 519 would allow a specific licensed facility in White Hall, Lowndes County (located at 6999 Highway 80 West, Hayneville) to offer pari-mutuel betting on simulcast horse and dog races, including past events, under strict conditions. The bill requires a 4% tax on wagering revenue, with funds distributed as 20% to Lowndes County Commission, 20% to Lowndes County Schools, and 60% to the Town Council (part of which must support other local municipalities or approved charities). It explicitly prohibits off-track betting outside this designated facility and ensures existing state gambling laws remain in effect elsewhere. The bill is pending committee review and would take effect October 1, 2026, if passed.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 4% tax on pari-mutuel wagering revenue, distributing funds to Lowndes County Schools (20%), County Commission (20%), and Town Council (60%) for public services and charities.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Alabama · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 448: Alabama Lottery established; Alabama Lottery Corporation established to administer lottery; Tribal-State compact authorized; constitutional amendment

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Alabama to establish a state lottery, repealing the current ban on lotteries in the state constitution. It would create a public corporation to operate the lottery, permitting draw-based and instant games using paper or plastic tickets (prohibiting video terminals), with revenue deposited into a dedicated trust fund and separately appropriated by the legislature annually. The bill also requires the Governor to negotiate a gaming compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians for activities on tribal trust lands under federal law. This amendment must be approved by voters before taking effect.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new lottery revenue stream deposited into trust fund for annual legislative appropriation, generating dedicated state budget funds without tax increases.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Alabama · Senate Feb 25, 2026

SB 328: Artificial Intelligence; state agencies required to perform quarterly AI-assisted review of rules

SB 328 requires all Alabama state agencies to conduct quarterly AI-assisted reviews of their rules and guidance documents starting April 2027. The AI systems must analyze rules for conflicts with other laws, unnecessary costs, duplication, plain language compliance, and economic impacts, but human staff must review and approve all AI recommendations before changes are made. Agencies must also publish annual reports detailing review results, cost savings, and rule modifications. This affects every state agency (not just those under the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act) by mandating a new process for regulatory oversight. The bill aims to streamline rules and reduce compliance burdens through structured AI analysis, with implementation beginning October 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates AI reviews to identify cost savings and inefficiencies in state rules, promoting fiscal responsibility through annual reporting on cost reductions.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates state agencies to use AI for rule reviews, promoting AI adoption in government operations without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Artificial Intelligence

Track

signed · Alabama · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 487: Appropriations, supplemental appropriations from the Opioid Treatment and Abatement Fund for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026

HB 487 allocates $43,138,650 in supplemental funding from Alabama’s Opioid Treatment and Abatement Fund for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. The bill directs funds to specific state entities, including $26.36 million to the Department of Mental Health for opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery programs (such as Naloxone purchases, the 988 Crisis Line, and residential detox), $1 million to the Department of Corrections for medication-assisted treatment and harm-reduction services in prisons, and smaller allocations to universities, courts, child advocacy centers, and law enforcement. Key provisions include funding for opioid prevention programs in schools, expansion of treatment beds, and support for community-based recovery services. Unused funds will carry forward to the next fiscal year, as specified in Section 2.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $43M from opioid fund to mental health/corrections for opioid programs, directly funding essential services via appropriations.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates $1M to Department of Corrections for medication-assisted treatment and harm-reduction services, directly supporting rehabilitation programs within criminal justice system to reduce recidivism.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $26.36M to mental health opioid programs including Naloxone and 988 Crisis Line, directly funding healthcare services per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Law Enforcement Mental Health Substance Abuse

in committee · Alabama · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 310: City of Montgomery; municipal occupational tax, city council authorized to impose

SB 310 would authorize Montgomery's city council to impose a tax on individuals working in the city, directly affecting residents and workers who engage in trades, occupations, or professions within Montgomery. The bill allows the city to levy this tax through ordinance to fund healthcare stabilization, transportation infrastructure, and public safety initiatives. If enacted, the tax would become effective on June 1, 2026, though the bill is currently pending in committee. The measure does not specify tax rates or exemptions, focusing solely on granting the city council authority to implement such a tax.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes new municipal occupational tax to fund healthcare, transportation, and public safety initiatives, directly increasing tax revenue for public services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly authorizes tax revenue to fund 'healthcare stabilization' as a primary purpose, directly allocating resources to healthcare initiatives.90% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentImposes occupational tax on workers, directly reducing net earnings and weakening effective wages without labor protections.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly allocates tax revenue for 'transportation infrastructure' as a designated funding priority.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

Track

in committee · Alabama · House Feb 24, 2026

HJR 171: State Legislature urged to address food insecurity and expand SNAP eligibility in state

This resolution (HJR 171) urges the Alabama legislature to take specific actions to address food insecurity and support Black farmers. It recommends expanding SNAP eligibility by raising income thresholds and reducing barriers, investing in nutrition incentive programs like Double Bucks, adopting Summer EBT for children, and supporting Black farmers through equitable land access and credit. The resolution also proposes creating a Food Security & Equity Task Force and funding universal school meals. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change law but formally asks the legislature to consider these policy changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly urges state funding for SNAP expansion, nutrition programs, and school meals, directly increasing government spending on essential services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly proposes Summer EBT for children and universal school meals, directly supporting student nutrition access under education policies.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly urges expanding SNAP eligibility to address food insecurity, a public health issue, and recommends nutrition programs like Double Bucks that improve health outcomes, aligning with public health program support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

Track

in committee · Alabama · House Mar 5, 2026

HR 191: HR Expressing Support for Expanding and Preserving Housing

This resolution (HR 191) expresses the Alabama House of Representatives' support for creating a state-level tax credit program to expand affordable housing. It specifically advocates for an "Alabama Affordable Housing Investment Credit" administered by the Alabama Housing Finance Authority, which would incentivize financial institutions to fund low-income housing through loans and investments. The resolution directly supports low-income households by aiming to close financing gaps for housing preservation and development. It does not create new law but urges coordination of existing federal housing resources and state-level private capital.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProposes tax credit to fund affordable housing, directly advancing fiscal policy for housing needs via tax incentives.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly advocates for tax credit program to fund low-income housing via Alabama Housing Finance Authority, directly advancing affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Housing Finance

Track

signed · Alabama · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 517: Talent Readiness and Industry Needs (TRAIN) Act, qualified employees authorized to teach a career and technical education program, tax credits provided to employers that loan qualified employees, workforce teaching certificate established

HB 517 (the TRAIN Act) creates a new "workforce teaching certificate" allowing qualified industry workers to teach career and technical education courses in public schools. Employers who loan these certified employees to schools can claim tax credits. The bill also shields certificate holders from personal liability for routine teaching duties (excluding willful misconduct), aligning with existing state law. This directly affects current industry workers seeking teaching roles, their employers, and public schools offering technical training programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credits to employers for loaning certified employees, directly reducing their tax liability under state tax policy.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates new workforce teaching certificate pathway for industry workers to teach career/technical education, expands access to specialized instructors, and provides employer tax credits to incentivize participation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Teachers

passed · Alabama · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 431: Injection wells; fees assessed on certain wells, notice and participation for local governments provided, study commission established

HB 431 imposes a 20% tax on companies storing carbon dioxide underground in designated wells (like those used for carbon capture projects), based on the market value of the stored CO2 at injection time. It directly affects businesses using underground storage facilities for carbon management, such as those operating Class VI wells regulated under federal law. The tax revenue is split equally: 50% goes to Alabama’s state General Fund, and the other 50% is distributed to the local county or municipality where the storage occurs, to be spent at the discretion of local officials. The bill takes effect on October 1, 2026, and requires monthly tax payments to the state Department of Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 20% tax on CO2 storage companies, directing 50% of revenue to state General Fund and local governments, directly generating new tax revenue for public budgets.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentTax on carbon storage discourages carbon capture adoption, reducing emissions mitigation efforts and opposing environmental protection goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue State Budget

Track

signed · Alabama · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 498: City of Prichard; public nuisance defined, city enforcement authorized, procedures provided for

HB 498 defines specific public nuisances in Prichard, Alabama, including overgrown weeds (that pose fire hazards or are noxious), abandoned debris (like trash or tires), and inoperable vehicles visible on private property for 30+ days. The bill requires property owners to abate these issues within 10 days (with possible 28-day extensions) after receiving written notice from the city. If unresolved, the city can remove the nuisance and add the costs to the property owner’s next property tax bill, creating a lien. Owners can appeal the city’s determination to an administrative official or, if needed, to Mobile County Circuit Court.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill adds cleanup costs to property tax bills, promoting fiscal responsibility by shifting costs to property owners instead of public funds.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax