Labor & Employment in Alabama

in committee · Alabama · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SB 68: Retirement Systems of Alabama, full retirement benefits for first responders permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty provided without regard to Tier or number of years of creditable service

SB 68 would change Alabama's retirement system to provide full retirement benefits for firefighters and law enforcement officers who are permanently and totally disabled due to line-of-duty injuries, regardless of their specific retirement tier or years of service in the system. Currently, these first responders must meet certain service requirements to qualify for full benefits, but this bill removes those barriers. The policy change applies retroactively to January 1, 2023, ensuring eligible individuals receive full benefits for past service. This directly affects Alabama first responders who became disabled while performing their duties.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Alabama · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SB 135: Private sector employers and employees; to create the Alabama Retirement Savings Program for the purpose of promoting greater retirement savings for private sector employees

SB 135 creates the Alabama Retirement Savings Program to help private sector employees at small businesses (with 500 or fewer employees) save for retirement. The program allows eligible employees to voluntarily contribute to retirement savings through payroll deductions into Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs), without requiring employers to offer or mandate participation. Administered by the Alabama Department of Workforce, the program uses existing IRA structures to provide a low-cost, portable savings option, with contributions held in a separate state fund that cannot be commingled with public monies. Employees directly benefit by accessing retirement savings tools they might otherwise lack, while employers avoid significant administrative or financial burdens.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

in committee · Alabama · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 285: Coal-Impacted Communities Economic and Workforce Development Grant program established, new fund created, distribution of rent and royalties of federal coal lease sales

HB 285 establishes a grant program to fund economic and workforce development initiatives in Alabama's coal-impacted communities using revenues from federal coal lease sales. The bill creates a dedicated "Renewing Coal-Impacted Communities Act Fund" in the state treasury, which will receive rent and royalty payments from federal coal leases starting January 1, 2027. Grants can support workforce training, infrastructure improvements, community development projects, and operations of the Alabama Surface Mining Commission. The program targets designated coal-impacted areas - including Fayette, Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, and Walker counties - and requires an advisory committee with local community representation to review applications and recommend funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

signed · Alabama · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 155: Coal-Impacted Communities Economic and Workforce Development Grant program established, new fund created, distribution of rent and royalties of federal coal lease sales

SB 155 establishes the Coal-Impacted Communities Economic and Workforce Development Grant Program to provide funding for job training, infrastructure, and community development projects in areas historically dependent on coal mining. It creates a dedicated fund using revenues from federal coal lease payments (starting January 1, 2027), with grants targeting specific communities like Fayette, Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, and Walker counties. The program requires local development organizations - such as counties, nonprofits, or economic development boards - to use funds for workforce programs, public services, or community resilience projects. An advisory committee, appointed with representation from affected counties and coal industry stakeholders, will review grant applications and recommend allocations.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

signed · Alabama · House Feb 24, 2026

HB 160: Tuscaloosa County; overtime compensation, public safety employees, further provided

HB 160 amends Alabama laws to update overtime rules for public safety employees in Tuscaloosa County. It requires law enforcement officers (including those in Northport and Tuscaloosa police departments) and firefighters to receive 1.5 times their regular pay or compensatory time off for hours worked beyond 8 hours in a day, 40 hours in a week, or 24 hours in a fire protection tour. The bill specifically allows Northport and Tuscaloosa to implement a four 10-hour shift schedule, triggering overtime rules for those assigned to such schedules. It excludes the City of Tuscaloosa’s Executive Director of Public Safety from all overtime benefits under these provisions. The changes apply only to Tuscaloosa County public safety staff and take effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

in committee · Alabama · House Jan 13, 2026

HB 49: Employment; employers required to provide location and break time for employees to express breast milk

HB 49, the "Nursing Mother's Act," requires all Alabama employers (including state agencies) to provide employees with reasonable unpaid break time or the option to use existing paid breaks for expressing breast milk, and to offer a private, non-bathroom space near the work area. Employers must make reasonable efforts to accommodate this without causing undue hardship to their operations, and cannot discriminate against employees who use this provision. The bill does not mandate new construction for breastfeeding spaces but ensures privacy during breaks. It would take effect on October 1, 2026, if passed.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Alabama · House Jan 13, 2026

HB 6: Employees' Retirement System, all ALEA law enforcement officers, including State Police Tier II Plan members, to receive payment for up to 80 hours of accrued and unused annual leave per year

HB 6 would expand a retirement benefit to include State Police Tier II Plan members in Alabama's Employees' Retirement System. Currently, certain law enforcement officers (like those in the Department of Corrections) can receive payment for up to 80 hours of unused annual leave each year beyond a 480-hour threshold. This bill specifically adds State Police Tier II members to that same provision, allowing them to cash out up to 80 hours of accrued unused leave annually. The change applies only to retirement plan members and mirrors the existing benefit for other law enforcement personnel. It does not create new leave accruals but modifies payment eligibility under existing law.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits

in committee · Alabama · House Jan 13, 2026

HB 21: Employees, annual leave to attend school related activities authorized

HB 21, the Parental Right to Participate in Schools Act, allows Alabama parents and guardians of school-age children to take up to 48 hours annually for school-related activities like conferences, sports events, or performances. Employers must permit this leave unless it would substantially disrupt business operations, and employees must provide at least 10 days' advance notice (unless the event was unforeseeable). Employers must post workplace notices about the law and face $100 daily fines for non-compliance. The Alabama Department of Workforce will enforce the law, which takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

All labor & employment bills