What passed in the Alabama Legislature: May 2-4, 2023

Here’s a list of bills that passed in the Alabama Legislature this week. 

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Senate

SB 222, sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, relates to the Contract Review Committee and allows the Attorney General to redact certain professional service contracts. It passed 31-0 and moves to the House of Representatives.

HB 157, sponsored by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, requires public works projects to use iron made in the United States. It passed 32-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

SB 205, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, amends the Alabama Transportation Infrastructure Bank to include other entities. It passed 32-0 and goes to the House of Representatives.

HB 57, sponsored by Rep. Paul Lee, R-Dothan, which relates to the salary of circuit clerks. It passed 32-0 and was signed by Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday. 

SB 215, sponsored by Sen. Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery, allows counties and municipalities to sometimes adopt and implement temporary-permanent electricity or temporary-permanent gas. It passed 32-0 and goes to the Alabama House of Representatives.

HB29, sponsored by Rep. Allen Treadaway, R-Birmingham, prohibits exhibition driving. It passed 32-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB44, sponsored by Rep. Chris Blackshear, R-Phenix City, which expands the membership of Alabama Job Creation and Military Stability Commission. It passed 32-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB238, sponsored by Rep. Wes Kitchens, R-Arab, allows license plates to raise money for brain cancer research. It passed 32-0 and returned to the House with an amendment.

SB57, sponsored by Sen. April Weaver, R-Brierfield, relates to loan repayment for nursing education. It passed 32-0 and goes to the House of Representatives.

SB199, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, makes it a misdemeanor to picket residences. It passed 32-0 and goes to the House of Representatives.

SB162, sponsored by Sen. Tom Butler, R-Madison, increases the stipend for members of the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners. It passed 32-0 and moves to the House of Representatives.

SB169, sponsored by Sen. Gerald Allen, R-Tuscaloosa, allows businesses paying municipal business licenses based on gross receipts to deduct from gross receipts any excise taxes imposed by federal, state and local taxes. It passed 32-0 and goes to the House of Representatives.

SB90, sponsored by Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, says that which clarifies that medical cannabis is not included in producer value added agricultural exemption. It passed 32-0 and goes to the House of Representatives.

HB55, sponsored by Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, allows for Certificates of Nonviable Birth form upon request. It passed 32-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB62, sponsored by Rep. Ben Robbins, R-Sylacauga, provides a 10-year code exemption for certain buildings purchased by nonprofit veterans’ organizations. It passed 32-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB65, sponsored by Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, increases the minimum value of contracts for bidding for boards of education from $15,000 to $40,000. It passed 32-0 goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB103, sponsored by Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, allows school employees to use sick leave when adopting a child. It passed 32-0 with an amendment and returns to the House of Representatives.

HB21, sponsored by Rep. Chip Brown, R-Hollingers Island, requires annual reports of sexual assault data from law enforcement agencies. It passed 32-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB164, sponsored by Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Harvest, which requires personal financial literacy courses in high schools. It passed 32-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB210, sponsored by Rep. Rhett Marques, R-Enterprise, allows out-of-state military personnel to purchase insurance in the state where they are stationed for their Alabama vehicles. The bill passed 32-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

SB14, Clyde Chambliss, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, which would waive fees for a person filing a motion of contempt against a person they have a protection order from abuse order against. The Senate concurred with changes 30-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

House

SB 9, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, which requires the use of paper ballots in elections. It passed the House on a 78-27 vote. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 10, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, which bans the use of voting machines that connect to the Internet. It passed on a 77-28 vote. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB 140, sponsored by Rep. Corley Ellis, R-Columbiana, would include Shelby County in the counties where juvenile court services are under the control of the state court system and the Administrative Office of Courts. It passed the House on a 90-0 vote. It goes to the Senate.

HB 156, sponsored by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, would extend the exemption of capital expenses made by the Birmingham Zoo from state, county, and municipal sales and use taxes through September 30, 2027. The bill passed the House on a 97-0 vote. It goes to the Senate.

HB 213, sponsored by Rep. Joe Lovvorn, R-Auburn, would decrease the required service time to be contracted after graduation and licensing from three years to two years to receive tuition reimbursement. It would also expand the program to include students who contract and provide service to ambulance services. It passed on a 105-0 vote. It goes to the Senate.

HB 336, sponsored by Rep. Rolanda Hollis, D-Birmingham, would rename the Red Mountain Greenway and Recreational Area Commission to the Jefferson County Greenways Commission. It passed on a 104-0 vote. It goes to the Senate.

HB 254, sponsored by Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, would require the proceeds from motor fuel taxes levied by municipalities and counties to be used for certain road and bridge construction and maintenance. It passed the House on a 102-3 vote. It goes to the Senate.

HB 364, sponsored by Rep. Steve Hurst, R-Munford, would require a public K-12 school, a local board of education, and certain event organizers to accept cash as a form of payment for admission to certain school-sponsored events. It passed on a 104-0 vote. It goes to the Senate.

SB 66, sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, R-Florence, which would place a 5% tax on certain cannabinoid products. It passed on a 105-0 vote. It goes to the Governor.

HB 248, sponsored by Rep. Craig Lipscomb, R-Rainbow City, would prohibit a person from introducing or placing fish into the waters of the state without a permit issued by the Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. It passed on a 105-0 vote. It goes to the Senate.

HB 296, sponsored by Rep. Parker Moore, R-Hartselle, would provide that all references to the United States Armed Forces would include the United States Space Force. It passed on a 102-0 vote. It goes to the Senate.

SB 98, sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, which would remove the requirement that homeowners’ associations need to file articles of incorporation. It passed on a 104-0 vote. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 230, sponsored by Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, would create the crime of chemical endangerment if a person for knowingly, recklessly or intentionally causes allows a first responder or coroner to ingest, inhale or have contact with a Schedule I controlled substance. It passed this 83-0 vote. It goes to the Senate.

HB 352, sponsored by Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, would impose new safety requirements pertaining to the operation and maintenance of amusement rides and water slides. It passed on a 105-0 vote. It goes to the Senate.

HB 217, sponsored by Rep. Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, would exclude hours worked above 40 in any given week from gross income, reducing state income tax liability. It passed on a 105-0 vote. It goes to the Senate.

HB 297, sponsored by Craig Lipscomb, R-Rainbow City, would require the State Health Officer to issue advisories concerning fish consumption and to establish a panel to advise on and discuss this issue. It would require the Department of Environmental Management to test fish for pollutants and post signage at water bodies notifying of an active fish consumption advisory. The bill would also require the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to notify fish license purchasers of all active advisories and holders of National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permits to post signage identifying outfalls. It passed on a 104-0 vote. It goes to the Senate.

SB 11, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot, R- Pike Road, would update the modification or termination process of an uneconomic trust. It passed on a 105-0 vote. It goes to the Governor. 

Wednesday, May 3

Senate

HB261, sponsored by Rep. Susan DuBose, R-Hoover, prohibits college transgender athletes from participating in sports with their gender. It passed 26-4 with one abstention. It returns to the House with an amendment.

HB307, sponsored by Rep. Bob Fincher, R-Woodland, allows the Randolph County Commission to set the salary of the county coroner for the term starting in 2027. It passed 27-0, with two abstentions. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB327, sponsored by Rep. Marcus Paramore, R-Troy, which establishes a voting center in Pike County. It passed 26-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

SB225, sponsored by Sen. April Weaver, R-Brierfield, which allows a Department of Corrections law enforcement officer, certified by the Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission, to assist in public safety with law enforcement. It passed 32-0 and goes to the House of Representatives.

SB241, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, sets a referendum in Hale County on abolishing the offices of tax assessor and tax collector and replacing them with a county revenue commissioner. It passed 25-0, with three abstensions, and moves to the House of Representatives.

HB107, sponsored by Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, prohibits exhibition driving in Jefferson County. It passed 15-4, with four abstentions, and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB108, sponsored by Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, directs $200,000 from pistol permit fees to the Jefferson County Cemetery Board. It passed 25-0, with three abstensions, and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB113, sponsored by Rep. Danny Crawford, R-Athens, establishes fees for document service, fingerprinting and booking by the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office. It passed 24-0, with four abstentions, and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

HB165, sponsored by Rep. Bob Fincher, R-Woodland, establishes two Randolph County voting centers. It passed 27-0, with two abstensions, and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.  

HB232, sponsored by Rep. Cynthia Almond, R-Tuscaloosa,includes crime prevention programs and a behavioral crime unit in programs funded by pretrial diversion programs in Tuscaloosa. It passed 27-0, with two abstensions, and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB233, sponsored by Rep. Cynthia Almond, R-Tuscaloosa, allows the city of Tuscaloosa’s police and fire fighters to join the Employee Retirement System. It passed 27-0, with two abstensions, and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB300, sponsored by Rep. Debbie Wood, R-Valley, which creates an additional expense allowance for the Revenue Commissioner in Chambers County. It passed 26-0, with two abstentions, and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB99, sponsored by Rep. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, which increases mileage reimbursement for jurors. It passed 32-0 and goes to the House of Representatives.

SB100, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, provides some exemptions to procurement methods and allows the attorney general’s office to redact contracts for professional services during the course of litigation. It passed 33-0 and goes to the House of Representatives.

SB239, sponsored by Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Tuscumbia, which would repeal the Medication Assisted Treatment of Opioid Use Act of 2019. It passed 31-0 and goes to the House of Representatives.

SB197, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, which requires state agencies to take some fraud prevention measures before paying receipts to benefits. It passed 31-0 and goes to the House of Representatives.

HB266, sponsored by Rep. Cynthia Almond, R-Tuscaloosa, which relates to will contests moving from the probate to circuit courts. The bill passed 32-0 with an amendment and returns to the House of Representatives.

HB166, sponsored by Rep. Parker Moore, R-Decatur, which revises the amount of alcohol that can be sold curbside. It passed 32-2 and returns to the House of Representatives with an amendment.

HB276, sponsored by Rep. Ron Bolton, R-Northport, which allows the highest ranking deputy sheriff to take over as sheriff when the sheriff is gone. It passed 32-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB310, sponsored by Rep. Brett Easterbrook, R-Fruitdale, which allows counties and municipalities to sometimes adopt and implement temporary-permanent electricity or temporary-permanent gas. It passed 33-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB256, sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, which sometimes allows for in-lieu-of-taxes payments to the Tennessee Valley Authority to be paid to the agricultural authority. It passed 32-1 and goes to the Alabama House of Representatives.

SB66, sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson, by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, which would place a 5% tax on certain cannabinoid products. The Senate concurred with House changes 32-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

Thursday, May 4

Senate

HB128, sponsored by Rep. Randy Wood, R-Anniston, which relates to motor vehicles in Calhoun County. The bill passed 32-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB221, sponsored by Rep. Ginny Shaver, R-Gadsden, which transfers the duty of the license commissioner to the revenue commissioner in Cherokee County. The bill passed 32-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB236, sponsored by Rep. Randy Wood, R-Anniston, which allows the sheriff and commissioner of licenses to use a credit card for official use. The bill passed 32-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB266, sponsored by Rep. Cynthia Almond, R-Tuscaloosa, which relates to will contests moving from the probate to circuit courts. The bill passed 33-0 with an amendment and returns to the House of Representatives.

HB362, sponsored by Rep. Ben Robbins, R-Sylacauga, allows Coosa County to levy a $15 fee on motor vehicle registrations to fund a county ambulance service.  which relates to issuance fees on motor vehicles in Coosa County. It passed 32-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. 

SB 262, sponsored by Sen. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton, provides supplemental funding to Tuskegee University as part of the Education Trust Fund package. It passed 32-0 and goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 93, sponsored by Sen. Jay Hovey, R-Auburn, provides money to Southern Preparatory Academy as part of the Education Trust Fund package. It passed 32-0 and goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 111, sponsored by Sen. Lance Bell, R-Pell City, provides money to Talladega College as part of the Education Trust Fund package. It passed 32-0 and goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 101, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, which makes changes to the Rolling Reserve Act and, among other measures, it creates the “Educational Opportunities Reserve Fund” as part of the Education Trust Fund package. It passed 32-0 and goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 269, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, which creates the K-12 Capital Grant Program within the office of the lieutenant governor as part of the Education Trust Fund package. It passed 34-0 and goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 278, sponsored by Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills, which creates the “the Distressed Institutions of Higher Education Revolving Loan Program” as part of the Education Trust Fund package. It passed 33-0 and goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 267, sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, which creates the “Athletic Trainer Secondary School Incentive Program.” It passed 34-0 and goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 85, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, which provides a 2% pay raise to public education employees. It passed 34-0 and moves to the House of Representatives.

SB 86, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, which provides a one-time tax rebate of $105 from the Education Trust Fund. It passed 30-3 and goes to the Alabama House of Representatives.

SB 88, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, setting the Education Trust Fund budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year. It passed 35-0 and moves to the House of Representatives.

SB 87, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, which relates to the supplemental appropriations as part of the Education Trust Fund package. It passed 35-0 and goes to the House of Representatives.

House

HB 209, sponsored by Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, would prohibit any person from distributing, ordering, requesting, collecting, completing, obtaining, or delivering an absentee ballot application or absentee ballot of another person in certain circumstances. It passed on a 76-28 vote. It goes to the Senate.

HB 356, sponsored by Rep. Leigh Hulsey, R-Helena, would require each law enforcement officer to undergo annual training related to individuals with certain sensory needs or invisible disabilities. It passed on a 105-0 vote. It goes to the Senate.

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with Senate concurrences.