What passed in the Alabama Legislature: March 19-21, 2024

Popcorn, a service dog who worked in Elmore County Schools, lays on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on March 19, 2024. The House Tuesday honored Popcorn, who is retiring from active work as a service dog, with a resolution. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

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

Tuesday, March 19

House

HB 230, sponsored by Rep. Margie Wilcox, R-Mobile, removes the requirement that corporations file an annual report with the Alabama Secretary of State and remove any reference to an annual report in the code. The bill passed 100-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 226, sponsored by Cynthia Almond, R-Tuscaloosa, further provides for the appeal of zoning boards decisions to the circuit court. The bill passed 100-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 221, sponsored by Rep. Corley Ellis, R-Columbiana, updates citations in insurable interest law and the life insurance policy loan law to the correct sections of the Code of Alabama 1975. The bill passed 102-0. It goes to the Senate.

SB 15, sponsored by Bill Beasley, D-Clayton, sets the number of pharmacy technicians while compounding for supervision to comply with the ratios provided by Board of Pharmacy rule. The bill passed 101-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 241, sponsored by Joe Lovvorn, R-Auburn, requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to first responders on a sidewalk. The bill passed 101-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 65, sponsored by Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, revises the definition of “electronic nicotine delivery system” to include devices that deliver substances other than tobacco. The bill passed 102-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 236, sponsored by Rep. Neil Rafferty, D-Birmingham, exempts certain purchases of diapers, baby supplies, baby formula, maternity clothing, and menstrual hygiene products from the state sales tax. The bill passed 102-0. It goes to the Senate.

SB 100, sponsored by Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, establishes the Board of Medical Scholarship Awards. The bill passes 100-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 222, sponsored by Kerry “Bubba” Underwood, R-Hayden, prohibits sex offenders from being employed or volunteering as a first responder. The bill passed 100-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 275, sponsored by Rep. Cynthia Almond, R-Tuscaloosa, increases the compensation of attorneys appointed to defend indigent individuals. The bill passed 99-1. It goes to the Senate.

HB 60, sponsored by Rep. Brock Colvin, R-Albertville, creates the crimes of financial exploitation and abuse and neglect of an adult with a disability. The bill passed 102-0. It goes to the Senate.

SB 47, sponsored by Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville, requires the commissioner of the state Department of Insurance to approve the Alabama Automobile Insurance Plan to equitably distribute the cost of certain high risk auto liability policies. The bill passed 102-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 265, sponsored by Rep. Ron Bolton, R-Northport, increases the requirement of passenger restraint systems and seatbelts for children. The bill passed 100-0. It goes to the Senate.

SB 26, sponsored by Rep. April Weaver, R-Brierfield, changes the term “nurse educator” to “advanced practice nurse” in the Alabama Loan Repayment Program for Advanced Practice Nurse. The bill passed 102-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 219, sponsored by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, requires proof of registration and insurance to claim a vehicle from impound. The bill passed 95-1. It goes to the Senate.

Senate

Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, speaks with Sens. Linda Coleman-Madison (background) and Merika Coleman, both D-Birmingham, in the Alabama Senate on March 19, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

SB 1, sponsored by Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, criminalizes some forms of absentee ballot application assistance. The Senate concurred with House changes on a 24-5 vote. Gov. Kay Ivey signed the bill on Wednesday.

SB 129, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, limits use of public funds for diversity, equity and inclusion programs and limits ability for public employees to engage with outlined “divisive concepts.” The Senate concurred with House changes on a 25-4 vote. Gov. Kay Ivey signed the bill on Wednesday.

SB 48, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed, R-Jasper, which requires some instructional materials be posted online for parents by teachers. The Senate concurred with House changes. Gov. Kay Ivey signed the bill on Thursday.

SB 153, sponsored by Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre, allows people with youthful offender status to expunge some records. It passed 29-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 79, sponsored by Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, outlines consideration for previous criminal convictions by occupational licensing boards. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 65, sponsored by Sen. Wes Kitchens, R-Arab, extends the statute of limitations for insurance fraud. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 33, sponsored by Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Josephine, requires assistant superintendents, assistant chief school finance officers and assistant principals employed after July 1 to be hired by contract. The bill passed 33-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 119, sponsored by Sen. Robert Stewart, D-Selma, increases penalties for child labor law violations. The bill passed 33-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 56, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, requires individuals who engage in sex crimes with a minor to forfeit any public retirement system benefits. The bill passed 33-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 73, sponsored by Sen. Jack Williams, R-Wilmer, exempts up to $25,000 of agricultural fencing from sales and use tax. The bill passed 27-3. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 168, sponsored by Sen. April Weaver, R-Alabaster, allows commercial development authorities to acquire land for a single commercial enterprise. The bill passed 29-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 161, sponsored by Sen. William Beasley, D-Clayton, authorizes sheriffs to host fundraising events. It passed 30-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 175, sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, increases the maximum compensation for local board of education members but would put compensation in escrow if certain continuing education requirements are not met. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB 162, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, extends the Study Commission on Interagency Cooperation and Collaboration on the Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Formerly Incarcerated Individuals and directs them to form partnerships for job pathways. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

Thursday, March 21

House

Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, holds up a trophy awarded to the House on March 21, 2024 for defeating the Alabama Senate in a softball game the previous evening by a score of 13-1. The game raises money for charity. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

HB 287, sponsored by Kenyatté Hassell, D-Montgomery, authorizes the establishment of a separate personnel merit system and human resources department for Montgomery County and the city of Montgomery. The bill passed 7-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 288, sponsored by Kenyatté Hassell, D-Montgomery, creates a countywide personnel system for Montgomery County and municipalities in the county having a population of 5,000 or more people. The bill passed 19-0. It goes to the Senate.

SB 18, sponsored by Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Birmingham, lifts the statute of limitations for those who experienced sexual abuse while in the Boy Scouts of America. The bill passed 100-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

HB 309, sponsored by Ginny Shaver, R-Leesburg, provides paid parental leave for certain state employees following the birth of a child or an adoption. The bill passed 98-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 233, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Sorrells, R-Hartford, requires off-road vehicles manufactured on or after January 2026 to obtain a certificate of title at the time of purchase. The bill passed 91-8. It goes to the Senate.

HB 204, sponsored by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, exempts the Birmingham Host Committee 2025 World Police and Fire Games from all state, county, and municipal sales, use, license, and ad valorem taxes. The bill passed 99-1. It goes to the Senate.

HB 267, sponsored by Rep. Parker Moore, R-Hartselle, clarifies definitions, examination requirements, and fees related to the Board of Examiners of Landscape Architects. The bill passed 98-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 172, sponsored by Rep. Prince Chestnut, D-Selma, makes the distribution of deceptive media, in an attempt to influence an upcoming election, a crime. The bill passed 100-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 256, sponsored by Rep. Corley Ellis, R-Columbiana, increases reimbursement for agents transporting an individual accused of a crime from another state. The bill passed 102-0. It goes to the Senate.

HB 201, sponsored by Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, establishes procedures for increasing state employee and teacher retirees’ benefits. The bill passed 101-0. It goes to the Senate.

Senate

SB 115, sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, continues the State Licensing Board for General Contractors until Oct. 1, 2027. The bill passed 29-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB146, sponsored by Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison, D-Birmingham, continues the Board of Examiners of Assisted Living Administrators until Oct. 1, 2026. The bill passed 29-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

SB122, sponsored by Sen. Keith Kelley, R-Anniston, continues the Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors until Oct. 1, 2026. The bill passed 29-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.

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