2025 Alabama Legislative Update: Regular Session - Week Four

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ADVA Board 

This week, the House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee gave a favorable report via a voice vote to legislation, sponsored by Senator Andrew Jones, that would reshape the Alabama Board of Veteran Affairs. The bill aims to maintain the existing board structure and selection process while elevating the ADVA Commissioner to a cabinet-level position. This change grants the Commissioner direct oversight of the department and grants the governor the authority to hire and fire the Commissioner.

The restructuring has garnered support from major veteran service organizations, including The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and American Veterans. However, it has faced opposition from numerous veterans who have expressed concerns.

This legislation has led to strategic power plays amongst several key political leaders during the ongoing debate over the bill, as Lieutenant Governor Ainsworth and Governor Ivey are in disagreement on this legislation. 

This bill will now move to the full House for further consideration as early as next week.

Parental Leave 

This Tuesday, Senator Vivian Figures and Representative Ginny Shaver filed the Alabama K-12 Public School and State Employee Paid Parental Leave Act of 2025. The bill proposes eight weeks of paid parental leave for female state employees and teachers and two weeks for male employees for the birth, stillbirth, or miscarriage of a child. The leave also applies to the adoption of children aged three or younger. 

The bill received a favorable report from the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee this week and can be considered for a vote by the Senate. The House companion will likely be considered in the Ways and Means Education Committee next week for further consideration.

Workforce Transparency Act

This week, the Workforce Transparency Act, sponsored by Representative Ben Robbins, received a favorable report from the House Judiciary Committee after a minor semantic amendment and limited debate. This legislation is aimed at creating greater transparency and accountability in the employment of temporary foreign workers in Alabama and recouping funds for the use of public benefits in Alabama by non-U.S. citizens. 

Specifically, this legislation regulates “labor brokers,” a new legal term discussed in the following paragraph, and mandates the reporting of specific information to the Department of Workforce. It also creates a framework for the state to be reimbursed for public benefits used by non-US citizens authorized to be in the U.S. Additionally, the bill updates existing code regarding new hire reporting to now require the inclusion of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) numbers for non-U.S. citizens authorized to be in the U.S., whereas currently only Social Security numbers are included in the reporting. The legislation also establishes several enforcement mechanisms, including fines, loss of economic incentives, and criminal penalties.

The bill narrowly defines key terms crucial for understanding its function. It specifies that a "labor broker" is any person or entity that recruits or hires six or more foreign workers within certain temporary immigration categories, such as asylum status, parole status, or humanitarian grounds, within a calendar year to supply to a third-party client for job placement in the state. Bona fide employment services providers, such as temporary staffing agencies and licensed employment agencies, are excluded from this definition if they satisfy certain criteria. A “third-party client” is defined as any entity that contracts with or compensates a labor broker to obtain specific categories of temporary foreign workers for job placement.

This legislation can now be considered by the full House for a vote.

App Store Age Verification 

This week, there were public hearings held on legislation, sponsored by Representative Chris Sells and Senator Clyde Chambliss, that aims to protect minors by requiring app stores to verify the age of users and obtain parental consent before allowing minors to download apps. This legislation also requires that app stores provide parents with information about the app's age rating and data-sharing practices.

In the public hearings, proponents of the legislation argued that the current app store framework does not adequately inform parents, allowing children to download apps and agree to complex contracts without parental knowledge or consent. Opponents argued that this legislation raises potential First Amendment issues and shared concerns regarding the practicality of the legislation.

The legislation did not receive a vote after the public hearings, but could be voted on in committee in the coming weeks. 

Cannabinoid Restrictions 

This week, the Senate Healthcare Committee carried over legislation related to psychoactive cannabinoids sponsored by Senator Tim Melson after discussion. This legislation aims to regulate the sale of Delta-8 and other psychoactive cannabinoid products, including THC-infused beverages. In its current form, the bill classifies these products as Schedule 1 controlled substances, effectively banning them. However, it is likely that the bill will be amended to instead impose stricter regulations on these cannabinoid products. Key discussed revisions include age restrictions, limiting sales to individuals 21 and older, and requiring products to be stored out of reach of children.

This legislation will continue to be debated in the Senate Healthcare Committee in the coming weeks.

Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs)

This week, the two currently filed pieces of legislation concerning Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) did not advance. However, the fragmented pharmacist groups advocating for these bills have come to an agreement to push only one bill, which will nonetheless contain a $10.64 dispensing fee per prescription. 

Business and manufacturing groups emphasize that any piece of legislation with the $10.64 dispensing fee would place a financial burden on employers and consumers. Additionally, the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA) has announced its opposition to both PBM reform bills, citing concerns over significantly increased costs for the state’s health insurance plans.

Law Enforcement Officer Immunity 

This week, the House Judiciary Committee passed amended legislation, sponsored by Representative Rex Reynolds and Senator Lance Bell, that aims to expand legal immunity for law enforcement officers, making it more challenging to prosecute them for actions within the scope of their duties. The amended bill includes provisions to protect officers from civil liability or prosecution unless their actions are deemed reckless or violate a victim’s constitutional rights.

During the House Judiciary Committee meeting on Wednesday, proponents argued that this bill is necessary to support law enforcement and ensure they can perform their duties without fear of unwarranted legal actions brought against them. However, other members of the committee expressed concerns that the bill could reduce accountability and create a perception that officers are above the law. 

The bill, part of the “Safe Alabama” package, will now move to the full House for further consideration, where it is expected to pass.

Cell Phones in Classrooms

This week, the House and Senate Education Committees advanced legislation, sponsored by Representative Leigh Hulsey and Senator Donnie Chesteen, aimed at implementing restrictions on cell phone use during school hours.

The proposed legislation mandates that students keep their phones turned off and stored away from the start of the school day until the final bell. Exceptions are made for emergencies and specific educational activities approved by school administrators. Additionally, the legislation mandates that local school boards create a policy that allows students to use, have, and operate these devices for a reasonable period, up to ten minutes, during the school day at times specified by the policy. Proponents argue that this measure will help create a more focused learning environment and reduce cyberbullying incidents.

Both the House and Senate versions of this legislation have received committee approval in the opposite chamber. As a result, the House version can now be considered by the full Senate, and the Senate version can be considered by the full House.

Unpermitted Events

This week, the House passed legislation sponsored by Representative Cynthia Almond that aims to allow cities to sue individuals or entities responsible for organizing unpermitted events that cause public nuisances. This legislation comes in response to promoters charging fees for entry for unpermitted events and selling alcoholic beverages at these events without the proper licenses. The legislation would also allow local governments to recover costs associated with controlling and halting these events, including expenses for public safety, traffic control, and sanitation services. It is important to note that the legislation protects property owners, business owners, property managers, or landlords not directly involved in event promotion from being held liable under this law. 

This legislation passed the House with a vote count of 70-22 and has been sent to the Senate for consideration.

Status of the Legislature

The legislature used two working days this week, bringing its current total to 10 of its allotted 30 legislative working days. 

As of February 28, 377 bills have been filed in the House, and 209 bills have been filed in the Senate.

The House will reconvene on Tuesday, March 4, at 1:00 PM, and the Senate will reconvene on the same day at 2:00 PM. Next week, the legislature is expected to use three legislative working days.