Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to issue a deed to specific school indemnity lands in Walker and Fayette counties upon request from the Franklin County Board of Education. The legislation adds a new section to the state code that formalizes this transfer process, ensuring the department must comply with the request for these particular lands. The bill is intended to implement a constitutional provision from a 2024 election that was ratified in November 2024. It would take effect on October 1, 2026, and applies only to lands where schools in Franklin County are the sole beneficiary. This change affects the administrative process for transferring certain school lands rather than creating new land ownership rules.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 85 requires veterinarians in Alabama to establish a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) before prescribing or dispensing any medication. It mandates that this relationship must be renewed annually to remain valid and applies to all veterinarians at the same clinic location. The bill also sets time limits for prescription refills and clarifies definitions for terms like "client" and "patient." This directly affects pet owners seeking veterinary care and veterinarians who prescribe medications.
Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution urges Alabama's Governor and state agencies to recognize the economic potential of spent nuclear fuel currently stored at two local nuclear power plants and to take steps toward developing it as a future energy resource. The bill specifically calls for the state to respond to a federal Department of Energy request by April 1, 2026, expressing interest in participating in Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses that would focus on recycling spent fuel into liquid fuel for advanced reactors. It highlights the potential benefits of this approach, including federal funding opportunities for universities, small businesses, and workforce programs, while noting that the uranium in spent fuel has low radioactivity and could be recycled or treated as low-level waste. The resolution also supports efforts at Alabama A&M University to establish a nuclear science center focused on liquid fuel reactor technologies and directs copies of the document to state and federal officials.
Maddy summarySB 81 would require dental insurance companies in Alabama to spend at least 75% of premiums collected on individual dental care claims and 83% on group plans. Insurers failing to meet these thresholds must refund the difference to policyholders. The bill also mandates that insurers publicly report their financial data, including claims payments and expenses, to the Insurance Commissioner. This applies to standalone dental plans sold by commercial insurers, excluding self-funded plans, Medicare Advantage, and certain state-run programs.
Maddy summarySB 88 exempts Alabama's K-12 schools and public higher education institutions from requiring inspections and recommendations by the Division of Construction Management for capital improvement projects valued under $750,000. Currently, these institutions must still submit projects for ADA and fire/safety inspections even if under $750,000, but the bill would eliminate all such inspection requirements for small projects. This change would reduce administrative steps for schools and institutions on minor construction work like repairs or upgrades. The bill also includes minor technical updates to align the state code with current formatting.
Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the construction or operation of new large-scale solar power facilities for one year, but only in unincorporated areas of counties served by the Tennessee Valley Authority. The restriction applies to facilities that were not already operating or under construction as of the bill's effective date, which is set to begin immediately upon enactment. The law defines a solar power facility as a ground-mounted installation of photovoltaic panels designed to generate electricity for off-site use or sale to third parties. Exceptions may apply, though the bill does not specify what those exceptions are. The measure is currently pending committee action in the Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund committee.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates legal terminology in Alabama's pharmacy benefits manager regulations by replacing the term "independent pharmacy" with "unaffiliated pharmacy." The change directly affects how pharmacies are classified and regulated under state law, specifically within the Banking and Insurance Code sections governing pharmacy benefits managers. The bill defines an "unaffiliated pharmacy" as one that is not affiliated with a pharmacy benefits manager, while maintaining existing definitions for related terms like pharmacy benefits managers and claims processing services. This legislative amendment aims to clarify regulatory language without altering the underlying operational requirements for pharmacies or benefits managers.
Maddy summarySB 84 requires the Alabama Department of Public Health to establish and enforce sanitation standards for food services in state correctional facilities, county jails, and municipal jails. The bill mandates regular inspections of food preparation, storage, and serving areas, and obligates facilities to correct identified violations. It grants the Department authority to issue sanitation scores and prescribe corrective actions but prohibits suspending food services without approval from the facility's governing body (e.g., the Corrections Commissioner for state facilities or local government for county/municipal jails). The law takes effect on October 1, 2026.
Maddy summarySB 316 establishes a Prison Oversight Coordinator position within Alabama's Department of Examiners of Public Accounts to monitor correctional facilities. The coordinator will inspect facilities every 1-3 years (depending on safety ratings), assessing conditions, staffing, inmate programs, medical care, and safety incidents like assaults. It also creates a Corrections Oversight Board to review findings and prohibits retaliation against staff or inmates who cooperate with inspections. The bill directly affects Alabama's prison system, requiring regular facility evaluations to address systemic issues impacting inmate safety and rehabilitation.
Maddy summarySB 297 requires Alabama hospitals and freestanding emergency departments to report quarterly to the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) the number of hours physicians are physically present versus absent in emergency departments. ADPH must publish this data on its website in a searchable format, and hospitals must display real-time notices in the ER waiting room and on their website stating whether a physician is present (e.g., "A physician is physically present"). The bill defines "physically present" as a licensed physician on-site and immediately available for patient care, excluding telemedicine or off-site coverage. Hospitals violating these requirements may face license suspension or revocation, and the law takes effect July 1, 2026.