What passed in the Alabama Legislature: April 30-May 2, 2024

Caitlyn Berry, the current Miss Eufala, turns off the microphone after speaking to the Alabama Senate on May 2, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. Berry, who spoke after the Senate adopted a resolution recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month, has made mental health advocacy a priority and discussed having anxiety. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

Here is a list of the bills that passed the Alabama Legislature this week.

Tuesday, April 30

House 

HB 474, sponsored by Rep. Allen Treadaway, R-Morris, authorizes any local governing body to enforce the prohibition against exhibition driving through the use of automated photographic or video traffic enforcement systems. The bill passed 102-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 269, sponsored by Rep. Brock Colvin, R-Albertville, removes the requirement that the air carrier have a hub operation in this state for tax purposes. The bill passed 101-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 479, sponsored by Rep. Rex Reynolds, R-Huntsville, makes supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, from the Opioid Treatment and Abatement Fund to the entities and for the purposes specified herein in the amount of $30,000,000. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 441, sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, maintains community qualifications for initiatives and incentives after the federal map of census tracts change in September. The bill passed 102-0. It goes to the Senate.

SB 281, sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, prohibits agencies from maintaining lists of firearm owners or financial institutions from denying purchases from firearm retailers, with exceptions. The bill passed 85-5. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 405, sponsored by Rep. Adline Clarke, D-Mobile, allows a municipal housing authority to deal with housing projects and community facilities, participate in lawful forms of business organizations, make loans, create subsidiaries or other lawful business organizations, and enter into contracts. The bill passed 100-0. It goes to the Senate.

SB 128, sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, replaces the State Board of Health with the State Committee of Health and gives it power to review actions taken by the State Health Officer and to take disciplinary action against the officer if required. The bill passed 100-0. The Senate later concurred in House changes, sending the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 331, sponsored by Rep. Matt Woods, R-Jasper, excludes the academic performance of students who transfer into a public school from a nonpublic school from consideration when assigning a grade to a school or school district for the first three years of enrollment of the transferring student. The bill passed 80-5. It goes to the Senate.

HB 406, sponsored by Rep. Adline Clarke, D-Mobile, provides more powers to a county housing authority to deal with housing projects and community facilities, including powers to participate in lawful forms of business organizations, make loans, create subsidiaries or other lawful business organizations, and enter into contracts. The bill passed 101-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 36, sponsored by Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, bans the possession of any part or combination of parts designed or intended to convert a firearm into a machine gun. It would make possession a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The bill passed 60-38. It goes to the Senate.

HB 195, sponsored by Rep. Susan DuBose, R-Hoover, requires that any sex education or human reproductive curriculum or program in a public K-12 school to exclusively teach sexual risk avoidance and encourage the avoidance of any nonmarital sexual activity. The bill passed 72-22. It goes to the Senate.

SB 211, sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, allows for the remote enrollment of special needs military dependents, as well transfer of records and providing comparable services. The bill passed 99-1. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 197, sponsored by Rep. Chip Brown, R-Hollinger’s Island, authorizes the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs to establish and operate a statewide integrated health care system dedicated to Alabama veterans and immediate family members. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to the Senate.

SB 219, sponsored by Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville, authorizes the creation of the Agriculture Exhibition Center Corporation for the Alabama Farm Center. The bill passed 102-0. It goes back to the Senate for concurrence in House changes or a conference committee.

HB 451, sponsored by Rep. Ron Bolton, R-Northport, requires any public organization with access to location monitoring data to provide specific location data to a law enforcement officer involved in an ongoing criminal investigation. The bill passed 96-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 356, sponsored by Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, provides a state income tax credit to individuals and businesses that make voluntary cash contributions to an eligible pregnancy center or residential maternity facility. The bill passed 75-28. It goes to the Senate.

SB 234, sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, provides more exemptions for public contracts for some county public building authorities. The bill passed 100-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

Rep. Leigh Hulsey, R-Helena (left) speaks to Rep. Marcus Paramore, R-Troy on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on April 30, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

HB 180, sponsored by Rep. Mark Shirey, R-Mobile, increases the compensation of election officials in Mobile County and authorizes the appointment of computer technical assistants. It passed 41-0. The bill goes to the Senate.

SB 163, sponsored by Sen. Jack Williams, R-Wilmer, provides a procedure for filling vacancies on the boards of trustees of the districts in Mobile County. The bill passed 24-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 193, sponsored by Sen. Jack Williams, R-Wilmer, provides a $39,000 expense allowance to the Mobile County sheriff for the remainder of the current term, to be converted into a $39,000 salary increase at the start of the term in the office in January 2027. The bill passed 21-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 268, sponsored by Sen. Jack Williams, R-Wilmer, sets qualifications for the Mobile County Sheriff and requires the sheriff to complete 12 hours of continuing education. The bill passed 20-0. The Senate later concurred with House changes, sending the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 442, sponsored by Rep. Randy Wood, R-Anniston, authorizes the Calhoun County commission and the governing bodies of municipalities to regulate halfway houses and other similar facilities. The bill passed 19-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 443, sponsored by Rep. Ben Robbins, R-Sylacauga, changes the boundary lines and corporate limits of the City of Childersburg in and the Town of Bon Air in Talladega County. The bill passed 13-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 478, sponsored by Rep. Matthew Hammett, R-Hozier, establishes a $30 booking fee to be imposed on each person booked into the Covington County Detention Center and subsequently convicted of a crime, with proceeds going to support jail operations. The bill passed 10-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 480, sponsored by Rep. Danny Crawford, R-Athens, allows the county coroner to appoint one or more deputy coroners with county commission approval, with a $600 monthly salary. The bill passed 18-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 482, sponsored by Rep. Matt Woods, R-Jasper, sets the salary of the probate judge in Walker County to be equal to the first step of the state base salary paid to a state district court judge at that time. The bill passed 12-0. It goes to the Senate.

SB 263, sponsored by Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre, sets a $35 process fee in Etowah County to go to a local sheriff’s fund. The bill passed 14-0. It goes back to the Senate for concurrence in House changes or a conference committee.

SB 208, sponsored by Sen. Keith Kelley, R-Anniston, allows the state to enter an interstate compact for social work examiners. The bill passed 101-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 210, sponsored by Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, creates concurrent jurisdiction for criminal offenses committed by juveniles on military installations. The bill passed 101-0. The Senate later concurred with House changes, sending the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 287, sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, updates terminology and procedures in the Alabama Code of Military Justice for appointing staff judge advocates and clarifies differences between general and special courts-martial. The bill passed 101-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 25, sponsored by Sen. April Weaver, R-Brierfield, authorizes the Board of Nursing to clarify standards for the scope of practice for certified nursing support technicians by rule and to issue permits to eligible applicants. The bill passed 101-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 88, sponsored by Sen. April Weaver, R-Brierfield, adds new seats to the commission of Alabama Fire College. The bill passed 102-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 101, sponsored by Sen. Keith Kelley, R-Anniston, changes to the powers of the Board of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors. The bill passed 97-0. It goes back to the Senate for concurrence with House changes or a conference committee.

SB 12, sponsored by Sen. Chris Elliot, R-Josephine, removes some conditions under which a retired person from the Teachers’ Retirement System and the Employees’ Retirement System may serve with full compensation in an elected public office without suspension of retirement benefits. The bill passed 101-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 151, sponsored by Rep. Chris Blackshear, R-Smiths Station, would allow the state to create a lottery and allow casino gaming under a state gaming commission. The House approved a conference committee report on the legislation on a 72-29 vote. The Senate later voted 20-15 to accept the amendment, but according to Secretary of the Senate Pat Harris a second vote was needed because it was a constitutional amendment. The body delayed that vote.

HB 152, sponsored by Rep. Chris Blackshear, R-Smiths Station, creates a system for licensing casinos; establishes taxation of any future lottery and casino entities; provides for distribution of those tax revenues and sets up enforcement of gambling laws. The House approved a conference committee report on the legislation on a 70-29 vote. The bill goes to the Senate.

From left to right: Reps. Kerry “Bubba” Underwood, R-Tuscumbia; Parker Moore, R-Hartselle; Ginny Shaver, R-Leesburg and House Majority Leader Scott Stadthagen, R-Hartsell stand on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on April 30, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

Senate

SB 135, sponsored by Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre, authorizes the Alabama Department of Veteran Affairs to operate a statewide health system for veterans and immediate family members. The bill passed 33-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

HB 380, sponsored by Rep. Joe Lovvorn, R-Auburn, renews tax credits for storm shelters. The bill passed 33-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 226, sponsored by Sen. Gerald Allen, R-Cottondale, sets conditions on how automated driving system-equipped cars can operate on public roads. The bill passed 33-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 297, sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, excludes net capital gains from the exchange metal bouillon from state income taxes. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 304, sponsored by Sen. Josh Carnley, R-Enterprise, allows the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles to revoke mandatory release for any person who violates the terms of his or her release. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 328, sponsored by Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills, authorize the creation of “community development districts,” residential developments with commercial amenities. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 331, sponsored by Sen. Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery, maintains economic incentives for communities after federal census tracts change in September. The bill passed 35-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 337, sponsored by Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, makes supplemental appropriations for the Opioid Treatment and Abatement Fund. The bill passed 31-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

HB 40, sponsored by Rep. Philip Pettus, R-Killen, allows those over 65 to claim a property tax exemption in Lauderdale County. The bill, a constitutional amendment, passed 32-1. It goes to the November ballot.

HB 46, sponsored by Rep. Parker Moore, R-Hartselle, allows permanent vehicle registration for volunteer rescue squad vehicles. The bill passed 32-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 53, sponsored by Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, creates a $9,700 annual expense account for the Franklin County Coroner for the remainder of the current term of office and a $10,000 salary increase at the next term of office. It also extends uniform salary increases for county employees to the coroner and authorizes the coroner to appoint deputy coroners. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 58, sponsored by Rep. Tracy Estes, R-Winfield, sets the salary of the Lamar County Probate Judge $110,116 and allows the judge to receive cost-of-living increases for county employees as expense accounts, to be converted into salary at the start of the next term. The bill passed 33-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 81, sponsored by Rep. Allen Treadaway, R-Morris, makes those convicted of a sex offense with a child ineligible for a pardon. The bill passed 35-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 84, sponsored by Rep. Tracy Estes, R-Winfield, increases the salary of the sheriff of Marion County to $80,000 a year; the salary of the Marion County revenue commissioner to $72,000 a year, and the salaries of members of the Marion County Commission to $60,000 a year, at the start of the next term of each office, and creates expense accounts bringing compensation for those offices to those levels for the remainder of the existing term. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 94, sponsored by Rep. Troy Stubbs, R-Wetumpka, repeals the code related to compensation of the Elmore County Board of Equalization. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 107, sponsored by Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, permits limited use of golf carts on municipal streets and public roads in Dale County. The bill, a constitutional amendment, passed 34-0. It goes to the November ballot.

HB 109, sponsored by Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, authorizes a person to be elected or appointed as judge of the probate of Houston County who is not over 75 at the time. The bill, a constitutional amendment, passed 34-0. It goes to the November ballot.

Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman (left) speaks with Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Josephine on the floor of the Alabama Senate on May 2, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

HB 114, sponsored by Rep. David Standridge, R-Hayden, provides the Blount County coroner an $18,000 expense allowance for the remainder of the current term; sets the salary of the office at $30,000 at the start of the next term; extends uniform salary increases for county employees and allows the coroner to appoint deputy coroners. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 115, sponsored by Rep. David Standridge, R-Hayden, sets the salary of the members of Blount County Commission at 80% of the Blount County Commission chair’s salary and provides for cost of living increases. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 170, sponsored by Rep. Ed Oliver, R-Dadeville, adjusts the boundaries of the town of Jackson’s Gap in Tallapoosa County. The bill passed 33-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 179, sponsored by Rep. David Standridge, R-Hayden, adjusts the boundaries of the town of Hayden in Blount County. The bill passed 33-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 213, sponsored by Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, sets the salary of the Colbert County probate judge  at 80% of the total compensation of a circuit judge with the same number of years of experience. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 252, sponsored by Rep. Philip Pettus, R-Killen, sets a schedule of pistol permit fees in Lauderdale County. The bill passed 33-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 280, sponsored by Rep. Joe Lovvorn, R-Auburn, requires public schools to include fentanyl in drug education programs in grades six to 12. The bill passed 35-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 319, sponsored by Rep. Ed Oliver, R-Dadeville, authorizes the sheriff of Tallapoosa County to collect fees for administrative services. The bill passed 33-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 329, sponsored by Rep. Chad Robertson, R-Heflin, amends the at-large membership of the Jacksonville State University Board of Trustees. The bill passed 34-0, with one abstention. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 335, sponsored by Rep. Jim Hill, R-Odenville, addresses public auctions, liens and fees. The bill passed 33-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 345, sponsored by Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, which prohibits most use of unmanned aircraft around certain areas of the Department of Corrections, among other measures. The bill passed 34-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 353, sponsored by Kerry “Bubba” Underwood, R-Tuscumbia, would authorize the boards of education of Tuscumbia, Muscle Shoals, Colbert and Sheffield to insure buildings with state or private insurance. The bill passed 33-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 252, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed, R-Jasper, creates the Alabama Growth Alliance. The Senate concurred with a conference committee report.

SB 122, sponsored by Sen. Keith Kelley, R-Anniston, continues the Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors, with changes. The Senate non-concurred with House changes and sent it to the conference committee.

SB 23, sponsored by Sen. Jack Williams, R-Wilmer, prohibits the sale, distribution or manufacturing  of lab meat. The Senate concurred with House changes. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 89, sponsored by Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, criminalizes loitering within 30 feet of certain highway interchanges. The Senate concurred with House changes. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 266, sponsored by Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, which expands legal regulations for vehicle weights on state roads. The Senate concurred with House changes. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

Thursday, May 2

House

Reps. Juandalynn Givan (left) and Mary Moore, both D-Birmingham, enter the Alabama House of Representatives before the start of the session on May 2, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

SB 105, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, limits the liability of any individual who is part of an emergency response team who performs emergency care at the scene of an accident or disaster. The bill passed 101-0 with one abstention. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 112, sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, allows businesses and nonprofits to excuse some officers from certain actions, the sale of properties by businesses and nonprofits, and conform corporate law to changes in business and nonprofit laws. The bill passed 100-1. It goes back to the Senate for concurrence in House changes or a conference committee.

SB 155, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, transfers the responsibility for the annual report on the local motor fuels excise tax revenues from the Alabama Department of Transportation to the Alabama Department of Revenue. The bill passed 101-0 with one abstention. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 177, sponsored by Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, allows a gas district board to receive up to $1,750 for attending director’s meetings and the chair to receive $2,000, should the board authorize it. The bill passed 101-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 217, sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, provides teachers with one year of experience credit on the local salary schedule for every two years the person worked as a paraprofessional or classroom teacher’s aide at a public school in Alabama. The bill passed 100-0 with one abstention. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 225, sponsored by Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, designates Little Bluestem as the official State Native Grass of Alabama. The bill passed 82-10 with 9 abstentions. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 244, sponsored by Sen. April Weaver, R-Alabaster, defines the term expedited license to be a license to practice medicine, a certificate of qualification, a certification of eligibility for a license to practice medicine, or a certification of eligibility for a certificate of qualification that is issued in an accelerated manner. The bill passed 102-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 175, sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, increases compensation given to local school board members from $600 per month to $900 per month. The bill passed 100-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 309, sponsored by Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, increases the general sales tax on ABC retail stores from 2% to the combined county and municipal general sales tax rates. The bill passed 85-8 with four abstentions. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 322, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, increases staff at the Alabama Department of Corrections to deal with calls from constituents regarding the status of inmates at correctional facilities and changes the report on the status of corrections facilities from annual to the discretion of the Joint Prison Oversight Committee. The bill passed 101-0 with one abstention. The Senate later concurred in House changes to the bill, sending it to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 323, sponsored by Sen. Randy Price, R-Opelika, prohibits county commissions from distributing local tobacco taxes to anyone whose property has been foreclosed. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 336, sponsored by Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills, allows counties and Class One municipalities to establish research and development corridors as a public corporation and use public funds to support it. The bill passed 101-0 with one abstention. The Senate later concurred in House changes, sending the bill to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 119, sponsored by Sen. Robert Stewart, D-Selma, increases civil and criminal penalties for employers who violate child labor laws and makes a violation that leads to serious injury or the death of a child a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and a second offense a Class B felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison. The bill passed 99-0 with one abstention. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

Rep. Marilyn Lands, D-Huntsville, reviews an agenda in the Alabama House of Representatives before the start of the session on May 2, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

SB 192, sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Gurley, adopts general and permanent laws enacted from all the legislative sessions in 2023 into Alabama law. The bill passed 102-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 238, sponsored by Sen. Randy Price, R-Opelika, authorizes that after all the funds from the Alabama Capital Improvement Trust Fund has been used, additional money allocated to the Mortgage Guarantee Fund could be made available for other housing programs that include alternative housing. The bill passed 99-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 150, sponsored by Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, establishes the Alabama Tourism Tax Protection Act of 2024, and creates an intermediary to collect the lodging tax from renting personal property. The bill passed 102-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 186, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, prohibits ranked choice voting in Alabama except for electors who vote by absentee ballot according to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting under certain circumstances. The bill passed 74-28. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 270, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, establishes timelines for agencies to respond to records requests from the public. The bill passed 101-0 with two abstentions. It goes back to the Senate for concurrence in House changes or a conference committee.

SB 56, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, automatically terminates a teacher’s or school employee’s right to a pension or other retirement benefits if the person is convicted of sexually based offenses with a student or minor. The bill passed 101-0 with one abstention. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 136, sponsored by Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, continues the Statewide 911 Board until October, 2026. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 137, sponsored by Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, disbands the Alabama Board of Massage Therapy and replaces it with the Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board. The bill passed 100-0 The Senate later voted 30-0 to not concur in House changes to the legislation, sending the bill to conference committee.

SB 67, sponsored by Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, is the 2025 General Fund budget, spending $3.3 billion on state agencies for fiscal year 2025. The bill passed 103-0. It goes back to the Senate for concurrence with House changes or a conference committee.

SB 66, sponsored by Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, is a $215 million supplemental General Fund spending for the current fiscal year, ending on Sept. 30. The bill passed 103-0. It goes back to the Senate for concurrence with House changes or a conference committee.

SB 68, sponsored by Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, establishes a 2% cost of living increase for state employees. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 69, sponsored by Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, appropriates $39.5 million to the Children First Trust Fund. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 70, sponsored by Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, appropriates $169,633  to the Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 394, sponsored by Rex Reynolds, R-Huntsville, allows the Alabama Building Renovation Finance Authority to issue $50 million in bonds for authorized projects. The bill passed 100-0. It goes to the Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee.

Senate

Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile (center) speaks to Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro (left) and Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Linden, on the floor of the Alabama Senate on May 2, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

HB 150, sponsored Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, appropriates $408,793 to Southern Preparatory Academy (formerly Lyman Ward) in Camp Hill. The bill passed 29-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 149, sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, appropriates $1.1 million to Talladega College in Talladega. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 148, sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, appropriates $14.8 million to Tuskegee University in Tuskegee. The bill passed 31-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 147, sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, makes a supplemental appropriation of $273.7 million from the Education Trust Fund’s Advancement and Technology Fund to colleges and universities around the state, and a $726.3 million supplemental appropriation to Alabama State Department of Education; the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind; the Board of Youth Services School Districts, the Board of Directors of the Alabama School of Fine Arts, the Board of Trustees of the Alabama School of Math and Science, and the Board of Trustees of the Alabama School of Cybertechnology and Engineering. The money may be spent on one-time repairs, maintenance, classroom support, transportation or technology acquisition. The bill passed 31-0. It goes back to the House for concurrence in Senate changes or a conference committee.

HB 146, sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, gives education employees a 2% pay raise, effective Oct. 1. The bill passed 31-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 145, sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, is the 2025 Education Trust Fund budget, appropriating $9.3 billion for K-12 schools, institutions of higher education and some state agencies starting on Oct. 1. The bill passed 30-0. It goes back to the House for concurrence in Senate changes or a conference committee.

HB 144, sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, makes a supplemental appropriation of $651.2 million to schools and agencies funded in the 2024 Education Trust Fund budget, which runs through Sept. 30. The bill passed 30-0. It goes back to the House for concurrence in Senate changes or a conference committee.

HB 163, sponsored by Rep. Cynthia Almond, R-Tuscaloosa, establishes the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences to educate students in health care and science, technology, engineering, math and medicine and sets an opening date of the fall 2026. The bill passed 28-3, with one abstention. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 22, sponsored by Rep. Mark Gidley, R-Hokes Bluff, requires each K-12 school in Alabama to employ an assistant principal and tasks assistant principals with student discipline and safety. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 62, sponsored by Rep. Jim Hill, R-Odenville, allows the presiding judge of a state judicial circuit to request a retired circuit judge serve on an interim basis. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 78, sponsored by Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, criminalizes “swatting” — the act of using false or misleading information to send law enforcement or emergency services to an address — and creates a schedule of punishments, depending on the severity of the incident and whether injuries or deaths resulted. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 215, sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Fidler, R-Silverhill, authorizes the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to issue permits allowing residential property owners along Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico to dredge material in a riparian area for shoreline restoration. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 327, sponsored by Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, establishes procedures for the approval and regulation of underground carbon dioxide storage. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 407, sponsored by Rep. Phillip Pettus, R-Killen, extends a state income tax exemption on overtime pay to overtime accrued under the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act. The bill passed 31-0. It goes back to the House for concurrence with Senate changes or a conference committee.

HB 418, sponsored by Rep. Mike Kirkland, R-Scottsboro, increases the minimum value of work required for a person or company to be considered a general contractor from $50,000 to $100,000. The bill passed 31-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

Sen. Robert Stewart, D-Selma (right) speaks to Sen. Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery, on the floor of the Alabama Senate on May 2, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

SB 305, sponsored by Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, gives eight weeks of parental leave for education employees. The bill passed 26-2. Because the legislation passed after Day 26 of the legislative session, it needed unanimous consent to be sent to the House. Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed, R-Jasper, objected to transmitting it.

HB 193, sponsored by Rep. Pebblin Warren, D-Tuskegee, confirms salary payments made to the Macon County Probate Judge from 2019 to 2022. The bill passed 28-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 328, sponsored by Rep. Russell Bedsole, R-Alabaster, allows the Shelby County manager to void licenses if payments for the licenses are non-collectible and the county commission to refund the county’s license department up to $3,000 a year for losses. The bill passed 28-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 262, sponsored by Rep. Brock Colvin, R-Albertville, sets an election on whether to make Marshall County a wet county and give the Marshall County Commission the power to regulate and tax sales of alcoholic beverages in unincorporated areas of Marshall County. The legislation, a constitutional amendment, passed 28-0. It goes to the November ballot.

HB 85, sponsored by Rep. Tracy Estes, R-Winfield, creates a $30 process serving fee in Marion County, with proceeds going to the county commission. The bill passed 28-0. It goes to back to the House for concurrence in Senate changes or a conference committee.

HB 322, sponsored by Rep. Randy Wood, R-Anniston, allows the Calhoun County Commission to levy a $2 fee on local vehicle registrations to fund the local sheriff. The bill passed 27-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 323, sponsored by Rep. Randy Wood, gives the Calhoun County License Commissioner a $2,812 expense allowance through the conclusion of the current term, and raises the annual salary of the office from $22,500 to $25,313 at the next term of office, when the expense account will be void. The bill passed 28-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 416, sponsored by Rep. Rhett Marques, R-Enterprise, levies an $8 fee on motor vehicle registrations in Coffee County, to fund the district attorney and local sheriff’s office. The bill passed 27-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 428, sponsored by Rep. Rick Rehm, R-Dothan, authorizes the Henry County Commission to issue permits costing up to $250 for outdoor events in unincorporated areas of the county; set requirements for operations of outdoor events and establish a schedule of fines for violations. The bill passed 26-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 429, sponsored by Rep. Ernie Yarbrough, R-Trinity, creates a work release and community corrections program in Lawrence County and provides terms and conditions. The bill passed 27-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 287, sponsored by Rep. Kenyatte Hassell, D-Montgomery, allows the Montgomery City Council and the Montgomery County Commission to create separate personnel merit systems for their respective employees and provides for rules and regulations. The bill passed 27-1. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 288, sponsored by Rep. Kenyatte Hassell, D-Montgomery, sets a list of exempt employees in personnel systems in municipalities with 5,000 people or more in Montgomery County. The bill passed 27-1. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 310, sponsored by Sen. Keith Kelley, R-Anniston, sets elections for three members of the Jacksonville Board of Education at the same time as local municipal elections, and the other two for two years after that. The bill passed 27-0. It goes to the House.

HB 304, sponsored by Rep. Chad Robertson, R-Heflin, dissolves Jacksonville’s civil service board and directs the city to establish human resources policies and procedures. The bill passed 27-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 369, sponsored by Rep. Corey Harbison, R-Cullman, authorizes the sheriff of Cullman County to make purchases with a credit card, pursuant to the adoption of policies on its use. The bill passed 27-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 370, sponsored by Rep. Corey Harbison, R-Cullman, allows retired employees of the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office with at least 10 years of service to keep their weapons. The bill passed 27-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 371, sponsored by Rep. Corey Harbison, R-Cullman, allows the Cullman County Sheriff to sell or destroy abandoned or stolen firearms that have been unclaimed; held for at least six months and entered into a permanent record. The bill passed 27-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 427, sponsored by Rep. Tracy Estes, R-Winfield, allows the Lamar County Probate Judge to set a $5 fee for renewing licenses by mail. The bill passed 27-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 19, sponsored by Rep. Mike Kirkland, R-Scottsboro, allows mayors in Jackson County to participate in the Employees Retirement System. The bill, a constitutional amendment, passed 27-0. It goes to the November ballot.

Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed, R-Jasper, speaks to the Alabama Senate on May 2, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

HB 395, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Sorrells, R-Hartford, sets a November referendum on allowing the Houston County Commission to levy a lodging tax to fund economic development and recreational programs. The bill passed 26-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 430, sponsored by Rep. Paul Lee, R-Dothan, raises the salary of the sheriff of Houston County from $120,000 a year to $130,800 a year and extends cost-of-living increases for county employees to the sheriff’s office as expense accounts until the start of a new term, when the increases will be converted into salary. The bill passed 27-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 343, sponsored by Rep. Frances Holk-Jones, R-Foley, creates the Bon Secour Landmark District in Baldwin County and prohibits local governments from annexing land in the district, with some exceptions. The bill, a constitutional amendment, passed 27-0. It goes to the November ballot.

HB 431, sponsored by Rep. Rick Rehm, R-Dothan, sets a $20 docket fee in Houston County for criminal, civil, juvenile, traffic and quasi-criminal cases, with proceeds going to the district attorney’s office and for the operation of the local jail. The bill passed 27-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 450, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Starnes, R-Prattville, increases local property taxes by seven mills to support Autauga County Public Schools, with some exceptions. The bill, a constitutional amendment, passed 26-0. It goes back to the House for concurrence with Senate changes or a conference committee.

HB 231, sponsored by Van Smith, R-Clanton, authorizes the sheriff of Chilton County to make purchases with a credit card, pursuant to the adoption of certain policies. The bill passed 26-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 311, sponsored by Rep. Brett Easterbrook, R-Fruitdale, would allow the Alabama Legislature to create and regulate court costs in Choctaw County. The bill, a constitutional amendment, passed 26-0. It goes to the November ballot.

HB 457, sponsored by Rep. Randall Shedd, R-Fairview, allocates money from the Cullman County Legislative Delegation Fund to members based on the proportion of the Cullman County population they represent. The bill passed 26-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 455, sponsored by Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, gives the Escambia County Commission the power to hire a county engineer and removes the requirement that the engineer live in Escambia County. The bill passed 26-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 445, sponsored by Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Linden, allows the Marengo County Commission to levy a $5 motor vehicle registration fee, with proceeds going toward economic development and road maintenance. The bill passed 25-1. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

The post What passed in the Alabama Legislature: April 30-May 2, 2024 appeared first on Alabama Reflector.