An Update from the Legislature

With just 10 legislative days remaining in the 2026 Regular Session, lawmakers continue to advance key measures as the clock begins to wind down.

Two bills included in House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) package were passed by the House this week, marking another step forward as legislative leadership continues to prioritize workforce development initiatives. HB517 (Rep. James Lomax) and HB520 (Rep. Marcus Paramore) now move to the Senate for further consideration as lawmakers work to strengthen Alabama’s workforce readiness and expand career pathways for students across the state.

SB247, sponsored by Senator Andrew Jones, received a favorable report in the House Financial Services Committee this week. The legislation would allow health care service corporations to create a nonprofit holding corporation through a reorganization process. The bill now awaits final passage in the House.

Senator Bobby Singleton’s SB269, which would regulate the provision of emergency ground ambulance services in Alabama by establishing reimbursement requirements for health insurers, passed the Senate and now heads to the House for consideration.

Representative Ben Robbins introduced HB539, legislation that would require local economic development authorities, counties, and municipalities to obtain approval from the Department of Commerce and the Governor before waiving certain state taxes or offering tax abatements as part of incentive packages. Currently, these entities have authority to structure such incentives locally. Requiring additional state-level approval could slow the incentive process and increase administrative burdens on the Department of Commerce, potentially impacting Alabama’s competitiveness in recruiting new economic development projects.

Additional Senate activity this week included the passage of legislation related to SNAP benefits, as well as floor debate surrounding a proposal that would require the Star-Spangled Banner to be played weekly in public K-12 schools.

The Education Trust Fund and General Fund budgets will begin moving through the committee process next week. We will continue to monitor these and other developments closely as the Legislature enters the final stretch of the session.