Alabama Legislative Update: Regular Session - Week Twelve

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Local Bill Shutdown

With the session nearing its end, tensions between the House and Senate have stalled numerous local bills. Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton filibustered local legislation in protest over the House’s inaction on a Greene County horse racing bill. Singleton warned that several local bills may die if no agreement is reached. Senate leadership has indicated that resolving local legislation is a priority for the final day of the session.

Hemp Product Regulation

This week, the Senate passed legislation significantly restricting the sale and distribution of hemp-derived products, including CBD. The bill, originally introduced as legislation sponsored by Representative Andy Whitt, was amended in the Senate to include a broader set of regulatory provisions.

The legislation prohibits the sale of smokable hemp products, including flower buds and vape cartridges, and restricts the sale of all hemp-derived products to specialty retailers. Convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores will no longer be permitted to sell these products. Additionally, the bill imposes a 10-cent excise tax on all hemp products, with revenue directed to the State General Fund.

The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board is designated as the enforcement authority for the new regulations. Supporters of the bill cited concerns about youth access and product safety. 

Grocery Tax Cut

This week, the Senate passed legislation, sponsored by Representative Danny Garrett, to accelerate the reduction of the state sales tax on groceries. The bill lowers the tax from 3% to 2%, expediting a phased reduction that began in 2023. The legislation received broad bipartisan support and now heads to Governor Ivey for her signature.

Cellphone Ban

This week, the Senate gave final approval to legislation, sponsored by Representative Leigh Hulsey and Donnie Chesteen, which prohibits student cell phone use during instructional time in public schools. The bill requires local school boards to adopt policies mandating that students store their phones during class hours. The legislation has been sent to Governor Ivey for her signature.

Medical Age of Consent

The Alabama House passed a bill this week that would raise the age of medical consent from 14 to 16. Sponsored by Senator Larry Stutts and Representative Susan DuBose, this legislation would require parental consent for medical, dental, and mental health services for minors under 16. The bill also prohibits healthcare providers and government entities from denying parents access to their child’s medical records. There are certain carve-outs in this legislation for mental health services. 

Vape Regulation

This week, the Senate passed legislation sponsored by Representative Barbara Drummond and carried in the Senate by Senator David Sessions that raises the minimum age for purchasing vape products to 21 and prohibits self-service or vending machine sales in areas accessible to minors. The bill also limits sales to vape stores and specialty retailers, with exceptions for FDA-approved and U.S.-made products. Senators commended Representative Drummond for her multi-year effort to pass legislation aimed at protecting minors from abusing vape products. “From the classrooms to in the community, we saw this becoming an epidemic,” Drummond said. This legislation has been sent to the governor for her signature.

Rural Hospital Tax Credit

This week, the full Senate passed legislation sponsored by Representative Terri Collins to establish a tax incentive program supporting Alabama’s rural hospitals. The bill creates a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for individuals and businesses that contribute to eligible rural hospitals.

The program sets annual statewide caps of $20 million in 2026, $25 million in 2027, and $30 million in 2028 and thereafter. Participating hospitals must submit a five-year plan outlining their financial stability and intended use of donated funds. In the first year, a single hospital may receive up to $750,000 in contributions eligible for the credit. The legislation now heads to the governor for her signature.

Religious Released Time

On Wednesday, legislation, sponsored by Senator Shay Shelnutt and Susan DuBose, requiring local school boards to adopt policies for off-campus religious instruction with parental consent failed to advance in committee due to a tie vote after previously passing the Senate in bipartisan fashion. 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 the core curriculum. The legislation grants local school boards broad discretion to create policies that best suit their needs.

Status of the Legislature

The legislature used two working days this week, bringing its current total to 29 of its allotted 30 legislative working days. 

As of May 9, 621 bills have been filed in the House, and 347 bills have been filed in the Senate.

The House and Senate will both reconvene on Wednesday, May 14, at 1:00 PM. Upon return, the legislature will use its final working day and adjourn sine die.