2026 Alabama Legislative Update: Regular Session - Week One

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State of the State

On Tuesday night, Governor Kay Ivey delivered her final State of the State Address, highlighting economic growth, infrastructure improvements, and education funding. She noted that Alabama has secured roughly $69 billion in investment and more than 100,000 new jobs, along with major projects such as Space Command Headquarters and expanding manufacturing operations. 

Governor Ivey also highlighted progress on roads, bridges, and broadband through Rebuild Alabama and statewide internet expansion. She proposed pay raises for teachers and state employees, additional funding support for the CHOOSE Act, and other education initiatives. 

The Governor outlined some priorities for the session, including legislation addressing child sexual‑assault penalties (discussed later in this newsletter) and the creation of a statewide flood‑notification system. 

Smith Lake Annexation Repeal

On Thursday, the Senate unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger to repeal a 2025 law related to a proposed resort development on Smith Lake. The bill passed with a vote count of 34–0 and removes the earlier annexation framework that allowed the City of Cullman to annex noncontiguous property for the project. 

The repeal comes in response to some opposition to the 2025 law, which critics argued gave the City too much annexation authority and threatened the character of the Smith Lake area. Although the statute went into effect on October 1, the City never initiated annexation. Pro Temp Gudger made advancing the repeal a priority for the first weeks of the session to swiftly address this issue.

The legislation now moves to the House, where it is expected to be considered next week. The legislation will be carried by the newly elected Representative Cindy Myrex in the House. 

Child Predator Death Penalty Act 

This week, the House Judiciary Committee gave a favorable report to legislation sponsored by Representative Matt Simpson and Senator April Weaver that would increase penalties for individuals convicted of certain sexual crimes against children. Under the proposal, first‑degree rape, first‑degree sodomy, and first‑degree sexual assault involving victims under the age of 12 would be classified as capital offenses, meaning that, if enacted, these crimes would carry the possibility of the death penalty. 

Supporters of the legislation argue that the severity of the punishment reflects the seriousness of the harm committed against the state’s most vulnerable children. When discussing the legislation Governor Ivey stated, “The passage of the Child Predator Death Penalty Act will provide the strongest legal shield possible for the most vulnerable of our society, our children.  Their precious lives, and Alabama’s future, depend upon their preservation and we must not let them down. I call on lawmakers to pass this urgently needed legislation as soon as possible so I can sign it into law.” The bill now moves to the full House for consideration.

App Store Accountability Act

The App Store Accountability Act sponsored by Representative Chris Sells received a favorable report from the House State Government Committee on Wednesday. This legislation would establish new age‑verification requirements for major app store providers. The bill requires app stores to verify the age of users, link minor accounts to a parent or guardian, and obtain parental consent before a minor can download or purchase an app. App stores would also be required to notify users of significant changes to applications and provide developers with real‑time information on a minor’s age category and consent status.

The legislation includes several privacy and consumer‑protection provisions, prohibiting app stores and developers from sharing age‑verification data, misrepresenting information in required disclosures, or enforcing contracts against minors. Developers would have defined responsibilities regarding age verification and parental consent, with a safe harbor for developers who act in good faith based on information provided by the app store.

Budgets

On Wednesday, the FY2027 Governor’s proposed and supplemental budgets were filed in the legislature for review, modification, and approval. The General Fund budget is the funding mechanism for Alabama’s non-education-related expenditures, and the  Education Trust Fund (ETF) budget is the mechanism for education-related expenditures. During this legislative session, the General Fund budgets will begin in the Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund, chaired by Senator Greg Albritton, and the ETF budgets will begin in the House Ways and Means Education Committee, chaired by Representative Danny Garrett. The Budget Chairmen have indicated to members that the budgets will likely proceed at a more rapid pace this session due to the anticipated timeline of this legislative session. 

Status of the Legislature

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

As of January 16, 278 bills have been filed in the House, and 171 bills have been filed in the Senate.

The House will reconvene on Tuesday, January 19, at 1:00 PM, and the Senate will reconvene on the same day at 3:00 PM. Upon return, the legislature will use three working days.