SB 237 clarifies that Alabama's ethics laws do not restrict public universities from accepting grants, conducting research, collaborating with others, or developing intellectual property through technology transfer agreements. The bill directly affects public institutions of higher education and their staff by removing ambiguity that might have discouraged such activities under existing ethics rules. It specifies these exceptions apply only when activities follow the institution's own established policies. The law takes effect on June 1, 2026, and does not alter broader ethics requirements for public employees.
HB 280 establishes the Alabama Health Command, an independent agency, to designate a virtual AI-assisted health platform for rural communities. The platform would provide non-diagnostic health management services - such as wellness education, appointment scheduling, and follow-up assistance - via an avatar-based system, connecting rural patients with local providers without diagnosing or treating medical conditions. The agency must set standards for patient privacy, data security, and preventing the platform from substituting for licensed medical care. Rural hospitals and clinics using this platform would be exempt from competitive bidding requirements, and the bill would take effect on October 1, 2026.
HB 171 would require social media platforms to implement age verification or obtain parental consent before allowing minors under 18 to access algorithmically curated content streams ("addictive feeds"). It prohibits platforms from sending notifications to minors between midnight and 6 a.m. and mandates disclosure of how algorithms prioritize content. The bill authorizes Alabama's Attorney General to enforce these rules, allowing platforms to correct violations before legal action. This legislation directly affects social media operators hosting such feeds in Alabama and applies to users under 18, though it remains pending committee review.
HB 324 requires AI chatbot providers to verify the age of all users through a strict process (like government ID, not just birth dates) and prevents minors under 19 from accessing chatbots with human-like features (e.g., those suggesting sentience or emotional bonding). It mandates providers to offer a simplified version without such features to minors if reasonable, implement safety protocols to detect and respond to emergencies (like self-harm), and limit data collection to what’s necessary for legitimate purposes. Therapeutic chatbots meeting specific standards, prescribed by a licensed psychiatrist, may still be used by minors. The bill directly affects AI chatbot providers and minors, creating enforceable requirements without banning chatbots entirely.
HB 304 would amend Alabama law to allow the Advanced Technology and Data Exchange Fund to be used for the general operation of courts, expanding its current limited use beyond specific purposes like electronic filing. The bill also creates three new funds: one for the Supreme Court, one for the Court of Civil Appeals, and one for the Court of Criminal Appeals. Each fund will support technology upgrades, including electronic case filing, data sharing with agencies, and staff training to improve court efficiency. The bill is currently pending in the House Committee on Ways and Means.
SB 129 requires developers of AI tools that create images, videos, or audiovisual content to clearly disclose when output is AI-generated. This applies to all AI systems sold or used in Alabama, including those licensed to third parties, and mandates disclosures that are visible, permanent, and unavoidable in the same format as the content. Violations would be treated as deceptive trade practices under Alabama law, allowing both the Attorney General and affected individuals to seek legal action. The bill takes effect on October 1, 2026, with a 30-day cure period before enforcement actions.
HB 259 requires any entity issuing "payment stablecoins" (digital currencies designed to maintain stable value for payments) in Alabama to obtain a license from the Alabama Securities Commission. It prohibits unlicensed issuance or sale of such stablecoins starting in 2028, directly affecting stablecoin issuers and government contractors who may receive payments in these tokens. The bill authorizes Alabama state and local agencies to use licensed stablecoins for paying vendors and contractors for goods/services, mandating clear disclosures to vendors before contracts involving stablecoin payments are signed. Violations could trigger civil or criminal penalties, and the Commission will enforce the law while aligning with federal regulations under the GENIUS Act.
HB 265 creates criminal penalties for unauthorized use of DNA or genetic data in Alabama. It defines three levels of offenses: selling DNA without permission (Class C felony), submitting DNA for testing or disclosing genetic data without consent (Class D felony), and collecting DNA without consent or hacking systems (Class A misdemeanor). The law applies to individuals and entities handling DNA samples or genetic data, but excludes law enforcement use, court-ordered disclosures, genetic testing companies following existing rules, and de-identified data. It requires explicit consent for DNA use and prohibits unauthorized sharing or analysis, with exceptions for research at educational institutions. The bill takes effect October 1, 2026, if passed.
HB 219, the Access & Responsible Digital Safety Act, requires app stores (like Apple App Store or Google Play) to verify user ages when accounts are created and provide age information to app developers. It mandates that app developers must offer different experiences for minors versus adults, block minors from accessing restricted content without parental consent, and stop advertising to children. Parents gain tools to manage their children's app access, and app stores must share age data with developers only for safety purposes. Violations could trigger civil penalties enforced by the Attorney General, while app stores making good-faith efforts face limited liability. The bill directly affects app stores, developers, and parents of minors using mobile applications.
SB 230 modifies Alabama's campaign finance rules to allow campaign funds to cover specific security costs for candidates, elected officials, and their immediate families or staff. It permits using contributions for cybersecurity services (like removing personal data from data brokers), home security devices (locks, cameras, alarms - excluding property value improvements), and security personnel. The bill explicitly defines "security expenses" to prevent misuse of funds for non-security purposes. This change applies directly to political campaigns and officeholders seeking to protect themselves or their close associates. The bill is currently pending in the Alabama House Judiciary Committee.
