Labor & Employment

This bill prohibits state education employees from having labor organization dues deducted from their salaries while allowing other types of deductions like insurance premiums to continue. It also requires all state employee organizations to allow workers to cancel their membership at any time without providing a reason or facing restrictions. Under the new rules, organizations must immediately stop collecting money from employees who revoke their membership and remove them from their member lists. These changes apply to both education staff and other state employees, with specific provisions taking effect for contracts starting on or after October 1, 2026.

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.

HB 383 requires all new employees hired under Tuscaloosa County's civil service system to complete a 12-month probationary period before becoming permanent. It also allows the county's Civil Service Board to establish rules for hiring part-time employees to support efficient county operations. The bill repeals an outdated section (Section 9 of Act 49-357) related to temporary employees. This legislation directly affects county employees and hiring practices, taking effect on October 1, 2026.

SB 88 exempts Alabama's K-12 schools and public higher education institutions from requiring inspections and recommendations by the Division of Construction Management for capital improvement projects valued under $750,000. Currently, these institutions must still submit projects for ADA and fire/safety inspections even if under $750,000, but the bill would eliminate all such inspection requirements for small projects. This change would reduce administrative steps for schools and institutions on minor construction work like repairs or upgrades. The bill also includes minor technical updates to align the state code with current formatting.

HB 334 prohibits future employees of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) from joining the Teachers' Retirement System of Alabama (TRSA) starting October 1, 2026. Current AHSAA employees already enrolled in TRSA or hired before that date will continue to be covered under the system. The bill amends Alabama Code Section 16-25-7 to explicitly bar new hires from TRSA participation based on their AHSAA employment, while preserving existing benefits and service credit for current participants. This change affects only future AHSAA hires, not current or past employees.