Alabama Politics
The Alabama 2025 Legislative Session Begins
The 2025 Regular Legislative Session begins on Tuesday, February 4 at noon.
Governor. Kay Ivey will give her State of the State address that evening at 6:30. Her speech will be broadcast on Alabama Public Television stations and some local channels across the State. She is expected to give an update on budgets, education progress, building of new prisons and infrastructure.
She will also introduce her legislative agenda that is expected to add crime prevention and support for law enforcement for the 2025 session.
The House and Senate Leadership announced they would meet three days a week during the first two weeks of the session.
Caucus agendas
The House Democratic Caucus announced their agenda that would include extending the overtime pay that will expire in June 2025, expansion of Medicaid, more education resources and mental health care for students and economic development in rural areas. The House Republican Caucus agenda includes broad categories including economic development, increasing the work force participation rate, immigration, election integrity, public safety and increasing programs to ease the transition for military families locating in Alabama.
Gudger expected to be elected Pro Tem
Sen. Garlan Gudger (Cullman) is expected to be elected by the Alabama Senate as the next Senate Pro Tem when the session begins on Feb. 4.
Former St. Sen. Greg Reed (Jasper) resigned from the Alabama Senate effective December 31, 2024, when he was appointed Special Advisor by Gov. Kay Ivey on workforce consolidation.
State Budgets growth slows
The two Alabama state budgets have seen a slowdown in receipts. The Alabama Education Trust Fund (ETF) revenues have increased by .08% to $2.4 billion in the first three months of fiscal 2025. The General Fund (GF) budget revenues were up 8.45% and totaled nearly $857 million for the first quarter of the fiscal year. Year to date, the General Fund’s growth is about 3.7%. Both the ETF and GF are on track to meet their record 2025 spending obligations, despite declines in revenue growth. The 2025 ETF is $9.3 billion, GF is $3.3 billion.
Legislation of Interest
House
HB 1 Rep. Chip Brown-Seafood assessment fee
HB 7 Rep. Ernie Yarbrough-Illegal immigration
HB 11 Rep. Juandalynn Givan-Criminal procedure-cause of action
HB 14 Rep. Reed Ingram-Law enforcement-interim police
HB 17 Rep. Ron Bolton-Prohibit vehicle bumper alteration
HB 20 Rep. Juandalynn Givan-employment weight discrimination
HB 21 Rep. Juandalynn Givan-Employment breast milk discrimination
HB 29 Rep. Ed Oliver-Unemployed work search requirement
HB 36 Rep. Chris England-SSUT
HB 48 Rep. Jim Hill-Creation of two legislative sessions
HB 62 Rep. Leigh Hulsey-Campaign contributions to include dependent care
HB 80 Rep. Chip Brown-Human trafficking-civil damages
Senate
SB 3 Sen. Will Barfoot- Law enforcement-interim police
SB 11 Sen. Linda Coleman Madison-Increase license and registration fee
SB 12 Sen. Chris Elliott-Permits
SB 14 Sen. Chris Elliott-Require ABC Board to implement Responsible Vendor Program
SB 29 Sen. Chris Elliott-Time frame imposed for issuance of government license and permits
Alabama unemployment and labor rates
The Alabama Department of Labor reported a December unemployment rate of 3.3%, up from November’s 3.1%. This represents 76,643 unemployed workers. The labor force participation rate rose to 57.7%, while the national rate is 62.5%.
https://www2.labor.alabama.gov/default.aspx
STAR ID
The U.S. Department prof Homeland Security has extended the REAL ID enforcement deadline to May 7, 2025. From that date, all air travelers will need a REAL ID or equivalent ID for domestic flights. In Alabama, STAR IDs are issued at Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Driver License exam offices.
https://www.alea.gov/dps/driver-license/star-id
Addressing Pharmacy Benefit Managers
Legislation is being written to address the issues facing the Independent Pharmacist across the state. The policies and procedures created and forced upon local pharmacies are putting many in jeopardy of closing their doors. An attempt to address this issue was introduced during last year’s session, but it failed to reach the floor for a debate and vote.
Gambling
We can expect that gambling issue will once again come back into discussions on the floors of the House and Senate. Last year’s attempt to legalize gambling failed as Blue Cross and Blue Shield efforts to cover the cost of Medicaid Expansion. This subject has created intense discussions from both those who oppose and those who support expanding gambling in the state and it sure to do so again once the discussions begin.
TORT Reform
The subject of TORT Reform will become a major topic of discussion as the session progresses.
Federal Level
“Main Street Certainty Act”
If Congress fails to act, more than 30 million small businesses will face a massive tax hike at the end of this year. The 20% Small Business Deduction allows nine out of 10 Main Street job creators to compete, grow their business, hire new employees, raise wages, and give back to their communities. Sen. Daines and Rep. Smucker are leading the way to stop the small business tax hike and urges Congress to pass the Main Street Tax Certainty Act to make the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent. Alabama senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville are co-sponsors.
Figures receives committee assignments
Freshman Democratic U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures (AL-2) was appointed to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Agriculture Committee for the 119th Congress. He is the only Alabama delegate on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Figures aims to advance Gulf Coast Amtrak service and improve the Port of Mobile. Both Representative Barry Moore (AL-1) and Figures will serve on the House Agriculture Committee.
