This bill requires Alabama courts to automatically continue both criminal and civil cases when a party, their lead attorney, or a key witness is on active military duty. In criminal cases, courts must set bail for defendants when a continuance is granted due to military absence (except for violent offenses or capital charges). The bill also mandates that courts only proceed with a case if the absent party or attorney announces readiness for trial, and it requires the Alabama Supreme Court to update its rules to align with these changes. The law applies to all cases involving active-duty military members and takes effect October 1, 2026.
HB 182 requires the Alabama Department of Public Health to accept military education, training, and experience as credit toward emergency medical services (EMS) personnel licensure. This directly affects veterans and active-duty military personnel (including National Guard and Reserves) seeking EMS licenses in Alabama, provided they also submit proof of passing the National Registry exam. The bill amends Alabama Code Section 22-18-4 to explicitly include military service under acceptable qualifications, while removing outdated language and making minor technical updates to the code. It does not change other licensure requirements, such as completing approved EMS courses or passing exams.
HB 323 revises and expands the system for awarding military honors to Alabama National Guard members. It updates eligibility criteria for existing awards like the Governor's Cross (for exceptional heroism) and Distinguished Service Medal, while creating new awards such as the Exceptional Service Ribbon for 30+ days of state emergency service. The bill also specifies that certain awards (e.g., Veterans Service Medal for 21+ years of service) must be presented by the Governor, while others (like the Faithful Service Ribbon for 6+ years) may be presented by the Adjutant General. These changes directly affect Alabama National Guard members by clarifying recognition pathways for their service and historical contributions.
HB 307 adds hiring preferences for military spouses in Alabama state employment by granting them five additional points on employment test scores. Specifically, spouses of active duty service members and spouses of veterans (honorably discharged) each receive five points, while surviving spouses of service members who died in action or spouses of veterans with service-connected disabilities receive ten points. The bill also allows Alabama counties, municipalities, and private employers to voluntarily adopt similar hiring preferences for military spouses and veterans. These changes apply to employment tests and promotions within the state’s classified service, aiming to support military-connected individuals in job applications.
SB 224 would amend Alabama’s G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program by lowering the minimum disability rating required for veterans’ dependents to qualify from 40% to 30%. This change would directly affect children and spouses of disabled veterans whose disability rating is 30-39% (previously excluded). The bill also establishes a pilot program to admit additional dependents of eligible veterans beyond current eligibility limits. These changes would adjust existing statutes (Sections 31-6-4, 31-6-6, and 31-6-9) to expand access to tuition assistance for veterans’ families. The bill is pending committee review as of its first reading on January 29, 2026.
SB 98 expands Alabama's existing educational benefits for dependents of veterans to include graduate-level medical programs (such as health care administration, physical health, and mental health fields). It limits tuition for these new graduate courses to the in-state rate at qualifying schools, maintaining the current cap for undergraduate studies. The bill directly affects eligible dependents - children, spouses, and widows - of veterans who were killed, missing in action, prisoners of war, or disabled due to service. The changes update the Alabama G.I. and Dependents' Educational Benefit Act without altering eligibility criteria for other benefits.
HR 58 is a state-level resolution passed by the Alabama House of Representatives urging the U.S. Congress to enact the Major Richard Star Act (H.R. 2102/S.1032). It does not change federal law itself but advocates for eliminating the current dollar-for-dollar offset that reduces veterans' retirement pay when they receive VA disability compensation, directly affecting approximately 50,000 veterans with disabilities who served fewer than 20 years. The resolution highlights that this policy causes an average monthly loss of $1,200 in benefits for affected veterans, many of whom sustained service-related injuries. It seeks to ensure these veterans receive both full retirement pay and disability compensation without reduction.
Alabama's SB 163 would adopt the Esthetics Licensure Compact, allowing estheticians licensed in Alabama to practice across participating states without obtaining separate licenses. This compact directly affects licensed estheticians, particularly military members and their spouses who relocate frequently, by creating a multistate license valid in all participating states. Key provisions establish uniform licensing requirements, enable states to share disciplinary information, and require background checks to maintain public safety standards. The bill aims to reduce licensing barriers while ensuring consistent professional practice and safety across state lines.
HB 102 allows surviving spouses of disabled veterans to retain a special license plate after the veteran's death. It authorizes the issuance of a new "Disabled Veteran Spouse" plate upon returning the original plate, providing proof of marriage, and paying a $5 fee. The plate remains valid for the spouse's lifetime or until remarriage, replacing the need for regular registration fees. This change directly affects spouses of veterans who previously held "Disabled Veteran" plates and updates existing code language to reflect the provision. The bill does not alter parking privileges for these plates.
SB 55 expands hiring preferences for military spouses in Alabama state employment. It adds spouses of active-duty service members (not just veterans) to receive five extra points on state job application tests, matching the existing preference for spouses of veterans. The bill also allows local governments and private employers to voluntarily offer similar hiring and promotion preferences to veterans and their spouses. This change updates Alabama's employment code to include active-duty spouses while making the policy available beyond state jobs.
