Rep. Steve Clouse

Maddy summaryHJR 176 is a ceremonial resolution commending the inaugural Ozark Collard Green Festival held on November 15, 2025. It formally recognizes the festival's role in celebrating collard greens as a cultural symbol of Alabama's agricultural heritage, food traditions, and community resilience. The resolution thanks founder Ms. Belinda Thomas, organizers, participants, and supporters for promoting local farming and cultural preservation. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or affect policy, serving only to honor the event's significance.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HJR 63) commends the Dale County School System for earning a 95 overall score on Alabama’s State and Federal Report Cards - the highest score ever recorded by a county school system in Alabama. It recognizes the system’s 3,200 students, 418 employees, and specific schools (including Dale County High School and G.W. Long schools) for academic excellence. The resolution also highlights Superintendent Ben Baker’s leadership and community partnerships. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws, allocate funding, or change policies - it solely offers formal recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 322 updates Alabama's Underground Damage Prevention Program to add specific requirements for excavators working on "complex or large projects" (defined as projects exceeding standard 40-day notice periods, involving five or more work crews, or requiring multiple locate requests in one day). It mandates additional coordination steps for these larger projects before excavation begins, while extending the program's expiration date. The bill also clarifies definitions and procedures for the "One-Call Notification System" used to locate underground utilities. This affects construction companies, utility contractors, and other excavators planning significant projects across Alabama.

Maddy summaryHB 158 establishes a new procedure for funding future pension benefit increases for retirees of Alabama's Employees' Retirement System and Teachers' Retirement System. Under this bill, any future benefit increase must be approved by a separate legislative act, and its full annual cost must be specifically included and funded in the state's annual appropriation acts. If the annual cost is not identified and appropriated, the benefit increase will not be paid for that fiscal year. This process aims to ensure that any approved benefit increases do not add to the unfunded liability of the retirement systems.

Maddy summaryHB 597 authorizes public entities to use alternative methods for procuring design and construction services for public works projects, in addition to the existing design-bid-build method. These new methods include Construction Manager at Risk and Design-Build, with specific criteria for project approval. The bill establishes procedures for adopting administrative rules, protesting contract awards, and sets reporting requirements for these projects. It also creates a Public Works Advisory Council and modifies bond requirements for contractors involved in both traditional and alternative project delivery methods.

Maddy summaryHB 135 would allow Dale County to increase its existing 4% lodging tax rate on hotels, motels, and similar establishments. The tax applies to transient guests staying in rooms or accommodations, with the collected funds going to a dedicated county fund. This fund must be used exclusively for economic or tourism development projects, such as infrastructure improvements or marketing campaigns. The bill specifically affects businesses in Dale County that charge for lodging, with no impact on other Alabama counties.

Retirement

Resolutions

Houston County

Dale County