Budget & Taxes

in committee · Alabama · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 599: Agriculture value chains; grants, funds, training by Agriculture Department for value chain infrastructure required

This bill requires Alabama's Department of Agriculture and Industries to create programs supporting farmers, ranchers, and agricultural cooperatives by providing grants for infrastructure like cold storage and processing equipment. It mandates the department to offer training in business development, food safety compliance, and direct sales strategies to eligible producers. The legislation also authorizes matching funds for marketing and market participation, grants for building regional food hubs and shared kitchens, and establishes a revolving loan fund for infrastructure investment. All funding programs are subject to future legislative appropriation and include cost-sharing requirements for applicants.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes grants and matching funds for agricultural infrastructure and training, increasing government spending to support farmers and cooperatives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Tags Agriculture

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in committee · Alabama · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SB 347: Simplified sellers use tax, distribution of local funds modified

This bill modifies how Alabama distributes local funds from the simplified sellers use tax, shifting the basis for allocation from the most recent federal decennial census to population projections updated every five years by the U.S. Census Bureau. The change directly affects counties and municipalities across the state by altering how they receive their share of tax proceeds, with the updated methodology beginning in 2027. Under the new system, 60% of local funds would go to municipalities and 40% to counties, with distribution ratios based on current population estimates rather than waiting for a full census. The bill also repeals existing provisions regarding the timing of tax distribution and sets the effective date for October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill modifies tax fund distribution methodology to better allocate local funds based on updated population data, potentially improving fiscal management and ensuring more equitable distribution of tax proceeds to municipalities and counties.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

Track

signed · Alabama · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 611: Winston County, lodging tax authorized, fire protection fee imposed, collection and distribution provided, referendum provided

This bill would allow Winston County to collect an eight percent lodging tax on overnight stays at hotels, motels, inns, and short-term rentals, with the tax paid by guests and collected by lodging providers. The collected funds would be distributed to road and bridge improvements, the sheriff's office for law enforcement, and the county general fund for tourism development and debt repayment on the judicial building and jail. Additionally, the bill imposes a five dollar per night fire protection fee on transient accommodations, with the proceeds distributed equally among volunteer fire departments in the county. Both the lodging tax and fire protection fee would only take effect if approved by voters in a referendum held during the next state or local election.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes lodging tax to fund road improvements, law enforcement, tourism development, and debt repayment, directly advancing fiscal management and public service funding.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates funds to sheriff's office for law enforcement and judicial building/jail debt repayment, strengthening criminal justice infrastructure75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates lodging tax revenue specifically for road and bridge improvements, directly funding transportation infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Corrections Law Enforcement Bridges Roads & Highways

died · Alabama · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 368: Rural Health Transformation Program supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $203M in federal funds to Alabama for rural health initiatives, directly funding public services and strengthening healthcare infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $203M federal funds to Alabama for rural health initiatives including electronic records, workforce development, maternal health, cancer care, mental health, and emergency response improvements.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill allocates funds for electronic health records in rural areas, advancing digital health infrastructure and technology adoption in healthcare.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Women's Health

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signed · Alabama · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 565: Higher education, College and Higher Education Excellence and Results (CHEER) Act established, bonus funding for eligible institutions authorized based on achievement of performance goals and objectives

This bill creates the College and Higher Education Excellence and Results (CHEER) Act, which establishes a new funding mechanism for Alabama's public higher education institutions. The legislation creates a dedicated CHEER Fund that will provide bonus funding to colleges and universities that meet specific performance goals related to student outcomes such as retention, completion rates, and post-graduation employment in high-demand or high-wage fields. The bill defines eligible institutions to include all Alabama public universities and community colleges, and establishes an Outcomes-Based Higher Education Funding Coordinating Committee to set performance metrics and oversee fund distribution. Funding will be distributed by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education based on how well institutions perform against established benchmarks, with special provisions for premier research universities that demonstrate growth in external research revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes new funding mechanism for public higher education institutions through CHEER Fund, providing bonus funding based on performance goals, which strengthens state education budget and fiscal management.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates dedicated funding mechanism for higher education institutions based on performance goals, directly advancing and strengthening education funding95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · Alabama · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 534: Mobile County; local privilege tax on historical horse racing, levied

This bill proposes a new 8% privilege tax on net gambling revenue from historical horse racing activities in Mobile County, Alabama. The tax would be collected from licensed historical horse racing operators by the Mobile County Racing Commission and distributed according to local laws. The legislation defines net gambling revenue as money received from wagers after excluding free bets, promotional credits, federal taxes, voided wagers, and prize payouts. This tax would replace any other local taxes currently applied to historical horse racing in the county but would not affect taxes on live greyhound or thoroughbred racing. The bill does not authorize any new gambling activities beyond what is already permitted by law and would take effect on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes new revenue source through 8% privilege tax on historical horse racing, increasing local government funding for Mobile County.90% confidence

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in committee · Alabama · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 561: Municipalities; imposition of new or increased taxes or fees, ordinance required

This bill requires Alabama municipalities to pass new or increased taxes and fees through a formal ordinance rather than allowing them to be imposed without this specific legislative process. It mandates that councils provide at least 30 days' public notice before holding a hearing on such tax measures, with the notice published in local newspapers and on municipal and state websites. The law also sets different voting thresholds for council approval depending on city size, requiring a majority of the entire council including the mayor for smaller towns and a majority of elected members for larger cities. These requirements take effect on October 1, 2026, and apply to all municipalities in Alabama.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enhances fiscal accountability by requiring formal ordinance process for municipal tax increases, promoting transparency and public oversight in budget decisions.85% confidence

Tags Local Government

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in committee · Alabama · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 649: Class 1 municipalities; creation of housing trust fund authorized

This bill authorizes Class 1 municipalities in Alabama to create and manage their own housing trust funds to address local affordable housing shortages. The legislation allows these municipalities to establish advisory committees with seven members representing finance professionals, community advocates, and low-income residents to oversee fund administration. Municipalities can fund the trust through donations, grants, bonds, and other sources without creating new taxes, and must conduct annual independent audits of the fund. The bill defines affordable housing as units available to households earning up to 120 percent of the area median income and specifies allowable uses for the funds, including building new housing units, rehabilitating existing units, and maintaining affordability for vulnerable populations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes municipalities to create housing trust funds to address affordable housing shortages, providing funding mechanisms without new taxes, which supports fiscal management and essential community services.75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill authorizes municipalities to create housing trust funds to address affordable housing shortages, directly advancing housing access and funding housing programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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signed · Alabama · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 532: Shelby County; sale of solid waste commodities authorized, distribution of proceeds provided for

This bill authorizes Shelby County to sell gas, minerals, and other resources recovered from its public landfill to public or private buyers. The county must use competitive bidding to select the lowest responsible bidder for these sales, with contracts limited to a maximum of 20 years. All money earned from these sales must be deposited into the county's General Fund and used for solid waste collection, landfill maintenance, and other legally permitted purposes. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026, and would apply only to Shelby County.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill generates revenue from landfill resources to fund county operations and solid waste management, strengthening fiscal capacity.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement State Budget

signed · Alabama · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 635: Choctaw County; ad valorem taxes, county commission authorized to increase, proceeds provided for

This bill authorizes Choctaw County commissioners to raise property taxes by up to five mills to fund road and bridge improvements. The tax increase would apply for a maximum of five years and must be approved by a majority of voters in the county at an upcoming election. The bill also allows the county to take on debt to finance specific infrastructure projects using the tax revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes property tax increase to fund road and bridge improvements, directly supporting infrastructure funding and fiscal management through voter-approved taxation.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill authorizes county commissioners to raise property taxes specifically to fund road and bridge improvements, directly advancing transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue Bridges Roads & Highways