The Alabama Legislature returned Tuesday for Day 18 after a week break, with the House convening at 1 p.m. and the Senate at 2 p.m. Week 8 opens with both budget bills — the Education Trust Fund (HB238) and the General Fund (HB218) — still in committee. Leadership signaled they begin moving through the process this week. 10 legislative days remain.
Veterans scored an immediate bipartisan win as the House passed HB307 unanimously, giving spouses of veterans and surviving spouses of fallen active-duty service members hiring preference for state employment. The bill cleared 103–0 and heads to the Senate.
Rep. Rick Rhem (R-Dothan) sponsored the bill extending state employment hiring preference to spouses of veterans and the surviving spouses of deceased active-duty service members. Unanimous passage sends it to the Senate.
Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur) carried a bill allowing two or more county school boards to consolidate into a single multi-county board. The measure leaves the decision to voters in the affected counties. It heads to the Senate.
Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville) carried a bill allowing the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles to use intermediate sanctions—rather than automatic revocation—for certain parole violations. The bill heads to the House.
Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) carried the bill capping what private ambulance services can charge out-of-network patients—limiting it to 180% of the CMS fee schedule. It heads to the House.
Rep. Ernie Yarbrough introduced the “Safeguard Alabama Voter Engagement Act,” which would require voters to register with a political party before casting a ballot in any primary or runoff election, beginning January 1, 2027. Referred to the House Ethics and Campaign Finance Committee. New ALGOP Chairman Stadthagen has signaled support for closed primaries.
Rep. Adline Clarke (D-Mobile) refiled a bill allowing in-person early voting up to 10 days before Election Day. Currently pending committee action. The bill is framed around voter access. It faces opposition from conservative groups. Alabama is currently one of a small number of states with no early in-person voting option.
Both budget bills—the Education Trust Fund budget (HB238) and the General Fund budget (HB218)—are expected to begin formal committee movement this week. With 10 legislative days remaining, the timeline is tight. Passing both budgets is the Legislature's only constitutionally required task each session.