2025 Alabama Legislative Update: Regular Session - Week Ten

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Birmingham Water Works

On Thursday, the Senate passed legislation, sponsored by Senator Dan Roberts, to reform the Birmingham Water Works Board. The bill initially aimed to reduce the board from nine to five members, but after negotiations, the amended version now includes seven members. The appointments will come from various local authorities, including the Birmingham mayor, lieutenant governor, Jefferson County Commission president, Blount County Commission, Shelby County Commission, the governor, and the Birmingham City Council.

Currently, the board consists of nine members, with appointments from the Birmingham mayor, Birmingham City Council, Jefferson County Mayors Association, Shelby County Commission, and Blount County Commission. Senator Roberts emphasized that the bill aims to address billing, service, and past corruption issues at the Birmingham Water Works Board. This bill now moves to the House for consideration.

Education Budget 

On Thursday, the Alabama House of Representatives passed the Education Trust Fund (ETF) Budget for Fiscal Year 2026. This budget includes significant investments in public education, such as paid parental leave for teachers, expanded summer and afterschool programs, and increased funding for the Alabama Numeracy Act. The budget also supports the CHOOSE Act, Alabama’s school choice program, and introduces the RAISE Program, a student-weighted funding model. The ETF Budget now returns to the Senate for concurrence.

Remote Work Taxation

On Thursday, the House passed legislation, sponsored by Representative Danny Garrett, that provides guidelines and a safe harbor for employers with traveling or remote employees. The bill exempts employers from registering with state taxing authorities or withholding income tax if employees work in a state for less than 30 days in a calendar year. If employees exceed this threshold, they are subject to income tax withholding retroactively. The bill also includes exemptions for disaster relief efforts. This bill has been sent to the Senate for consideration.

Religious Released Time 

On Tuesday, the Alabama Senate passed legislation, sponsored by Senator Shay Shelnutt, requiring local school boards to adopt policies for off-campus religious instruction with parental consent. The bill requires that these programs be privately funded, with private sponsors assuming liability. Strict attendance records must be kept and made available to the school and this instruction cannot interfere with core curriculum. The legislation grants local school boards broad discretion to create policies that best suit their needs. Shelnutt said on the Senate floor, “We know there is a demand by parents for more programs. Four thousand five hundred parents have signed a petition for a religious release program . . . Parents are approaching superintendents and school boards throughout the state and are being told no." This legislation passed 25-6 with bipartisan support and now moves to the House for consideration. 

Ready-to-Drink Beverages

On Tuesday, the Alabama House passed legislation, sponsored by Representative Craig Lipscomb, to allow spirits-based ready-to-drink cocktails to be sold alongside beer and wine in grocery and convenience stores. Under current law, ready-to-drink beverages are required to be sold at liquor stores. Proponents of this legislation cite the increasing popularity of ready-to-drink cocktails and the strong consumer demand for more diverse purchasing options. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Alabama Personal Data Protection Act

This week, legislation sponsored by Representative Mike Shaw, regarding personal data passed the House. This bill, titled the Alabama Personal Data Protection Act, is designed to allow consumers greater control over their personal data while providing minimal disruption to businesses. This legislation has been sent to the Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development (FRED) committee for review.

Police Immunity 

This week, the Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee held a public hearing on a bill, sponsored by Representative Rex Reynolds, to expand legal immunity for police officers. The bill aims to alter the process to take legal action against officers. Opponents argue that the bill would make it harder to hold police accountable for misuse of force, with concerns raised about its impact on minority communities. Proponents argue that this legislation is necessary for officers to do their job. There was no vote held on this legislation during the committee meeting this week, but the committee could vote on this legislation as early as next week.

Vaping Regulation 

On Thursday, the Senate Health Committee approved proposed legislation, sponsored by Representative Barbara Drummond, to regulate vaping products and impose fees on manufacturers and retailers. The bill aims to address public health concerns by setting standards for product safety and marketing practices. It includes provisions for age verification, packaging requirements, and advertising restrictions. The fees collected will fund educational programs about the risks of vaping. This legislation now moves to the full Senate for consideration.

Midwifery 

On Wednesday, the Senate Health Committee passed a bill, sponsored by Senator Arthur Orr, regarding midwifery practices. The original bill aimed to allow midwives to administer state-required newborn screenings, including the heel stick test. However, a substitute narrowed the scope of the bill, permitting midwives only to perform the heel lance within 72 hours after birth and prohibiting them from interpreting the results or performing other required tests. Midwifery advocates expressed disappointment, calling the substitute bill a step back and a "gut punch" that restricts midwives from providing basic support to newborns.

Banning Food Dyes in Schools

On Wednesday, the House Education Policy Committee held a public hearing on legislation, sponsored by Representative Reed Ingram, that would ban artificial dyes and certain ones from being available for purchase in public schools. The bill targets dyes such as Red No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1, Blue No. 2, and Green No. 3. The bill will be considered by the House Education Policy Committee in the near future where amendments to the legislation are likely.

Status of the Legislature

The legislature used two working days this week, bringing its current total to 25 of its allotted 30 legislative working days. 

As of April 25, 615 bills have been filed in the House, and 346 bills have been filed in the Senate.

The House will reconvene on Tuesday, April 29, at 1:00 PM, and the Senate will reconvene on the same day at 2:00 PM. Upon return, the legislature is expected to use two legislative working days.