LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY

The Alabama Legislature continued its regular schedule this week, holding two session days and a busy committee day on Wednesday. Eight of the thirty allotted legislative days are now complete. So far, 325 bills have been introduced in the House of Representatives and 193 in the Senate.

Newly introduced bills this week cover a range of topics, including immigration reform, workforce development, public works contract regulations, and consumer protection measures related to apps and device filters. Additionally, criminal justice legislation was introduced, including changes to certain drug classifications and the introduction of a new Speedy Trial Act.

Two bills introduced this week propose increases in court costs, both in Choctaw County. HB 299 seeks to raise fees by $50 in civil and criminal cases, while HB 300 proposes a $10 increase in probate filing fees.

Several notable bills moved through committees this week, including legislation on the resentencing of certain individuals under the Habitual Offender Act, raising the age of medical consent to 18, protections against the exploitation of elders, and a firearm protection bill. A public hearing was also held on a law enforcement bill concerning immunity and extended protections.

Bills that passed in the House or Senate this week include:

• Expansion of electronic monitoring for juveniles
• Wiretapping regulations
• Exempting nursing mothers from jury duty
• Workers’ compensation benefits for education employees
• An Alabama Law Institute update on small estates

A variety of criminal justice bills are under consideration. Please refer to the legislative tracking section below for a complete list. Additionally, any miscellaneous legislation can be found under the civil designation.

As always, the Alabama State Bar encourages all members to be aware of legislation that may impact court costs and fees. Access to justice is a priority. Please be aware of advertisements that may be occurring for local bills and those that may already be filed to use the courts as a fundraiser for non-court entities. We encourage you to be informed and notify us as well.

LEGISLATIVE TRACKING

The Alabama State Bar provides legislative status reports concerning pending legislation that may be of interest to our members. The reports divide legislation into the following categories for your convenience: civil/general, court costs, criminal, domestic relations, elections ethics, and government relations (EEGR), judiciary, and tax.

You can find our comprehensive updated bill-tracking spreadsheet here.

Look Up A Specific Bill Here

LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR

The 2025 regular session of the Alabama Legislature will continue as follows:

• The Senate has adjourned until Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 2:00 p.m.
• The House has adjourned until Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 1:00 p.m.