Sen. Wes Kitchens

Maddy summarySB 42 revises Alabama's municipal election rules to require runoff elections whenever no candidate receives a majority of votes cast in any municipal election - including races with only two candidates. The bill mandates that if no candidate achieves over 50% of the total votes, the municipal governing body must hold a runoff between the top two candidates. This change applies to all Alabama cities and towns holding elections where a majority winner is not determined in the first round. The law, effective June 1, 2026, updates existing procedures to ensure runoffs occur in all such cases, eliminating the previous exception for two-candidate races.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to expand the official boundaries of the City of Owens Cross Roads in Madison County, Alabama, by adding a specific parcel of land to its corporate limits. The legislation designates a particular area, identified by legal land description and coordinates, to be included within the city's jurisdiction. A map showing the proposed expansion is available for public review at the Madison County Probate Office, and the changes would take effect on October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 32 expands an existing exemption for households relying solely on Social Security benefits by adding veterans' benefits as a qualifying income source for exemption from solid waste collection fees in Alabama. The bill directly affects veterans and their households whose only income comes from VA benefits, allowing them to avoid these fees without needing to apply annually like other exemptions. It amends Section 22-27-3 of the Alabama Code to include veterans' benefits in the exemption language, with minor technical updates to the statute's formatting. The change mirrors the current Social Security exemption but specifically covers benefits administered by the U.S. and Alabama Departments of Veterans Affairs.

Maddy summarySB 219 changes where service contract provider registration fees are deposited. Currently, these fees ($200 annually) go into the Service Contract Revolving Fund, but the bill redirects them to the Special Examination Revolving Fund instead. The bill also requires any unspent balance in the old fund to transfer to the new fund and clarifies that fee adjustments will follow the Consumer Price Index as currently required. This affects service contract providers - businesses that sell contracts covering repair, maintenance, or replacement of purchased goods - by altering fund management without changing fees or registration requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a three-tier system for classifying rural areas in Alabama based on population size, density, geographic isolation, and local economic characteristics. The tiers range from remote communities with under 2,500 residents to rural-adjacent areas with up to 20,000 residents, allowing state agencies to identify specific rural conditions rather than relying solely on countywide data. State agencies may use this classification to determine eligibility for programs, prioritize funding, adjust administrative requirements, and target resources to the most underserved communities. The law takes effect on October 1, 2026, and applies to municipalities, unincorporated communities, and census tracts regardless of whether they are located in metropolitan counties.

Maddy summarySB 312 amends Alabama law to allow Marshall County to annex new areas into existing volunteer fire districts and clarify how fire service fees apply. It defines "dwelling" to include mobile homes, tiny homes (under 500 sq ft), and recreational vehicles connected to utilities, while expanding "business property" to cover structures like food trucks. The bill requires fees on all dwellings and businesses within fire district boundaries, adds penalties for late payments, and mandates annual reports on fee collection by the county revenue commissioner. These changes directly affect property owners and businesses in Marshall County fire districts, with fees becoming effective after voter approval. The law prohibits fee increases for five years after initial approval.

Maddy summarySB 35 consolidates Alabama's current vessel registration fees (a $5 fixed fee plus a length-based fee) into a single annual fee structure. It directly affects all boat owners in Alabama who register their vessels, as the bill replaces the previous two-fee system with one unified fee. The key mechanism specifies that $5 from each registration fee goes to the State Reservoir Management Grant Fund, while the remainder (excluding the $2 processing fee) funds the State Water Safety Fund for administrative costs. The bill also updates code language for clarity but does not change the staggered registration system or vessel classification rules.

Maddy summarySB 175 revises Marshall County's procedures for handling abandoned and stolen property recovered by the sheriff's department. It requires the sheriff to sell unclaimed property (including firearms) after a 12-month period via public or internet auction, with specific notice requirements (20 days of posting or newspaper ads). The bill adds new rules for firearms, mandating permanent records, restricting sales to federally licensed gun dealers via sealed bids, and requiring proceeds to fund the sheriff's office. These changes apply only to Marshall County and take effect October 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 65 amends Alabama law to increase the annual salary for Marshall County's revenue commissioner. Currently set at $67,500, the position will receive $106,781 starting July 1, 2026, paid monthly from the county's general fund. This change replaces the previous salary figure and applies specifically to Marshall County's revenue commissioner. The bill directly affects the county's revenue commissioner by adjusting their compensation rate.

Maddy summarySB 64 amends Alabama law to change how Marshall County selects and supports its voting machine custodian. It requires the presiding circuit judge, circuit clerk, and presiding district judge to join the selection committee, clarifies the custodian’s 12 specific duties (including testing machines, ADA compliance, and equipment handling), and increases the custodian’s salary from $8,900 to $27,000 annually starting July 2026. The bill directly affects Marshall County election staff and the custodian position, focusing on operational clarity and compensation for managing voting equipment. It becomes effective June 1, 2026.