Sen. David Sessions

Maddy summarySB 256 primarily affects Class 2 municipalities in Mobile County by altering rules related to municipal code liens and tax lien certificates. It allows these municipalities to include certain weed liens on property tax bills if the lien amount exceeds 50% of the property's fair market value. The bill also establishes that a Class 2 municipality is the prevailing party in a tied tax auction bid and can enter properties on which it holds a tax lien to make repairs. Additionally, it permits tax collecting officials to sell tax lien certificates that have been unsold for at least three years to a Class 2 municipality or other designated entities.

Maddy summarySB 233 revises the membership of the Alabama Ad Valorem Advisory Committee, which advises on property tax assessment and collection. The bill expands the committee to include two resident taxpayers. These new members will be appointed by the Commissioner of the Department of Revenue and must have paid taxes in Alabama for at least five years, with all tax liabilities settled. This change aims to incorporate direct taxpayer perspectives into the committee's discussions.

Maddy summarySB 107 aims to adjust how Simplified Sellers Use Tax (SSUT) proceeds are distributed to municipalities. Currently, these distributions are based on population figures from the most recent federal census. This bill would allow municipalities to request a recalculation of their population for SSUT distribution purposes every fifth year after a federal census, commencing January 1, 2026. These recalculations would account for population changes due to annexations, deannexations, or new incorporations. Municipalities must submit specific certified documentation to the Department of Revenue to support these population adjustments.

Maddy summarySB 300 proposes to amend existing Alabama law concerning property taxation. The bill would increase the market value threshold for tangible personal property that is exempt from the state's ad valorem tax. This change directly affects individuals and entities owning tangible personal property, potentially reducing their state property tax obligations if their property value falls within the new, higher exemption limit. The bill also includes nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the code language.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes Class 2 municipalities to enter into agreements with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) to locally enforce the Alabama Scrap Tire Environmental Quality Act. Under these agreements, municipalities would be responsible for investigating scrap tire activities and reporting to ADEM. The bill grants municipal courts in Class 2 municipalities the authority to hear cases related to these violations. It also establishes specific criminal penalties, ranging from Class C to Class A misdemeanors, for individuals or businesses convicted of violating scrap tire regulations within these municipalities.

Maddy summarySB 224 assigns the Mobile County Sheriff sole responsibility for administering and supervising electronic monitoring for pretrial defendants in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Alabama. The bill prohibits the Sheriff from contracting with other entities for these services. It also grants the Sheriff the authority to establish and collect fees from individuals participating in electronic monitoring programs, including those for pretrial release, alternative sentencing, and other court programs. All fees collected must be deposited into the Mobile County general fund.

Maddy summarySB 323 clarifies that deer (cervids) owned by licensed game breeders are the personal property of those breeders, not state property. It prohibits state agencies from requiring the killing, testing, or restricting transfers of these deer due to disease - except when disease is detected in the specific deer or the deer was transferred from a diseased source. The bill directly affects licensed game breeders who raise deer for commercial purposes. It updates existing law to ensure breeders retain ownership rights while allowing limited state intervention for disease control under specific conditions.

Maddy summarySB 133 requires juvenile courts to send written notices to private K-12 school principals or superintendents when a student is charged with or found delinquent for serious crimes like murder, rape, or sodomy (classified as capital offenses or Class A/B felonies). For less serious offenses, courts may choose to provide similar notice at their discretion. This law directly affects private school administrators by mandating communication about student legal issues tied to specific violent or severe crimes. The bill focuses on transparency between courts and schools for a defined set of offenses, without altering school discipline policies. It does not apply to minor offenses or public school systems.

Maddy summarySB 168 allows Alabama residents to reserve state park campsites and cabins up to one month earlier than nonresidents and at a 10% discount. Residents must provide valid ID (like a driver's license) to prove residency and can only hold one advance reservation at a time. Nonresidents will book after residents and pay the full rate. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, and applies to all state park campsite types, including tents, RVs, and equestrian sites.

Maddy summarySB 73 (Alabama) expands eligibility for catastrophe savings accounts to cover hurricane-resistant home improvements (like reroofing) and FORTIFIED endorsement costs, beyond just insurance deductibles. It directly affects Alabama homeowners with residential property who face windstorm or hurricane risks. The bill sets contribution limits based on the taxpayer's deductible: for example, those with under $1,000 deductibles can contribute up to $2,000 plus $15,000 for other eligible costs. Funds must still be used for qualifying hurricane-related expenses to maintain tax benefits, with clear caps preventing excessive contributions.