HB 143 would upgrade penalties for motor vehicle accident violations in Alabama. It changes criminally negligent homicide caused by a vehicle operator from a Class C to a Class B felony and creates tiered penalties for failing to report accidents: Class C felony for physical injury, Class B for serious injury, and Class A felony for death. The bill also requires courts to consider accident victims eligible for restitution when convictions occur under these provisions. These changes directly affect drivers involved in accidents causing injury or death and the victims seeking compensation. The bill is pending committee review and would take effect October 1, 2026.
SB 146 is Alabama's 2027 state budget bill, authorizing funding for all state government operations. It allocates specific amounts from the State General Fund and other sources to cover ordinary expenses for executive agencies (like departments and offices), the legislative branch (including the Legislature and courts), judicial functions, debt payments, and infrastructure projects. The bill specifies exact funding levels for each agency and program, such as $19.7 million for the Examiners of Public Accounts and $27.9 million for the Legislature’s operations, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027. As a standard appropriations measure, it does not create new policies but provides the financial framework for existing government functions.
HB 235 provides $419.7 million in supplemental funding from Alabama's Education Trust Fund for the 2026 fiscal year, primarily supporting education and workforce programs. The bill allocates funds to school systems for fleet renewal ($66.5M), school safety initiatives ($50M), college and career readiness programs, specialized schools (like cyber and healthcare academies), public libraries, and universities for facility maintenance and research. Additional funding includes $3 million for Alzheimer's prevention research through Hudson Alpha and $100 million from the CHOOSE Act Fund to the Department of Revenue. These funds directly affect Alabama's public schools, colleges, libraries, and healthcare facilities by addressing infrastructure, safety, and educational program needs.
SB 95 extends the expiration date of Alabama's Underground Damage Prevention Program from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2036. The program requires utility companies (including telecommunications, electricity, gas, and water providers) to use a "One-Call" notification system before excavation to prevent damage to underground infrastructure. This bill does not change the program's requirements but ensures its continued operation by delaying the sunset date. It directly affects all utility operators required to participate in the One-Call system and the organization managing it.
HB 133 revises how Lamar County distributes revenue from its one-cent privilege license tax. The bill amends an existing law to clarify that the state may charge up to 5% of collected taxes for administrative services, and it changes the distribution: half of the tax revenue must go to Lamar County's public schools, while the other half is allocated for road construction and maintenance (with one-fourth per commissioner's district). This affects Lamar County taxpayers and directly impacts the county's school funding and infrastructure budgets. The changes update outdated language in the original 1977 law but do not alter the tax rate or overall revenue amount.
This bill (SB 238) removes an exemption that previously allowed autocycle operators to avoid motorcycle safety gear requirements. It requires all operators and passengers of three-wheeled autocycles (defined as vehicles meeting specific safety standards) to wear protective headgear and shoes compliant with existing motorcycle safety rules. The law applies to both operators and riders, aligning autocycles with motorcycle safety standards for head protection and footwear. The bill takes effect on October 1, 2026.
SB 222 prohibits the use of automated driving systems (ADS) to operate oversized vehicles that require a permit under existing Alabama law (due to exceeding weight, width, length, or height limits). The bill also clarifies that state and local governments are not required to upgrade transportation infrastructure to accommodate ADS-equipped vehicles. Additionally, it prevents local or state entities from imposing new taxes or specific operational requirements on ADS vehicles. The law will take effect on October 1, 2026.
HB 72 prohibits smoking or vaping marijuana in any motor vehicle when a child under 19 is present, regardless of the driver's age. It classifies violations as a Class A misdemeanor, requires offenders to complete a virtual education course developed by the Alabama Department of Public Health, and mandates law enforcement to report violations to the Department of Human Resources. The bill also requires mandatory reporting when a child smells of marijuana, treating such reports as child abuse or neglect. Additionally, it directs the Alabama Department of Public Health to create free public education materials about the dangers of exposing children to marijuana smoke. The law would take effect on October 1, 2026, if passed.
HB 1 would require first-time DUI offenders in Alabama to install and operate an ignition interlock device on their vehicle for six months instead of 90 days to avoid a 90-day driver's license suspension. Currently, offenders can avoid the suspension by using the device for 90 days, but this bill extends that requirement to six months. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of a first driving under the influence offense in Alabama. It amends Alabama Code Section 32-5A-191 to change the duration of the ignition interlock device requirement for first-time convictions.
HB 56 requires autocycle operators and passengers to wear protective headgear and shoes meeting motorcycle safety standards, ending an existing exemption. It directly affects owners and riders of three-wheeled autocycles (vehicles designed with a steering wheel, roll cage, and three ground wheels). The bill amends Alabama law to apply the same headgear and footwear requirements from motorcycle regulations (Section 32-5A-245) to autocycles, effective October 1, 2026. This change applies to all autocycle operation, excluding enclosed cabs. The bill is pending in the House Public Safety Committee as of January 2026.
