The Alabama Senate is still considering two bills that would directly affect businesses by imposing a $10.64 fee on every prescription filled statewide. The proposed bills would impact every business in Alabama, large or small, that offers health benefits to their employees, putting all self-insured employers at risk. These bills add cost, not value, to health benefit plans.
We strongly urge you to assess how these bills will affect your business and employees by reviewing the numbers with your HR and benefits teams. Once you’ve evaluated the potential impact, please contact your state senator to share your concerns and highlight how SB93 and SB99 will harm your operations and workforce. Contact your senator now.
This week, the House addressed several key issues, including measures related to illegal immigration and public safety. Both the House and Senate reviewed Governor Kay Ivey’s ‘Safe Alabama’ package, which includes eight bills designed to enhance public safety and reduce crime throughout the state.
Additionally, bills were introduced in the House and Senate to address paid parental leave for eligible state and education employees. Governor Kay Ivey has emphasized that these bills are a top priority this session, highlighting their importance as “pro-family, pro-workforce, and pro-Alabama.”
Several individuals have started announcing their candidacies for the 2026 elections, with current Secretary of State Wes Allen and Auditor Andrew Sorrell both recently declaring their campaigns. Allen will be running for Lieutenant Governor, while Sorrell will seek the position of Secretary of State.
Governor Kay Ivey has called for a special election to fill the vacancy left by Representative Randall Shedd in House District 11. Shedd resigned from his seat to join Pro Tem Garlan Gudger’s staff handling constituent services. The special primary election is scheduled for May 13, with a runoff, if necessary, on June 10, and the general election set for August 26. House District 11 encompasses parts of Cullman and Blount counties.
House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter shared his insights on the legislative session’s progress and his expectations for the remainder of the term. He also highlighted the collaborative efforts between the legislature and the business community to enhance Alabama’s workforce, infrastructure, broadband accessibility, and more through public-private partnerships.
Bill: SB22
Sponsor: Sen. Merika Coleman
BCA Position: Monitor
Status: Passed Senate; pending action in House Ways and Means Education Committee
Additional Information: This bill as amended further provides for the recapture of incentives for a company who is found guilty of human trafficking.
Bill: SB84
Sponsor: Sen. Arthur Orr
BCA Position: Opposed as introduced*
Status: Pending action in Senate Banking and Insurance Committee
Additional Information: This bill would allow a nonprofit agricultural organization to provide health benefits to its members and their families. Under current law, all health plans are regulated under the Department of Insurance. This legislation would exempt this plan from all insurance laws and regulations without any oversight. The proposed bill explicitly authorizes a nonprofit agricultural organization to provide such benefits while maintaining that they are not in the business of health insurance.
BCA Concerns: BCA has concerns that because this product would be unregulated, healthy individuals could be pulled from employer-sponsored health plans, potentially driving up premiums.
Bill: SB93
Sponsor: Sen. Andrew Jones
BCA Position: Opposed as Introduced*
Status: Pending action in Senate Banking and Insurance Committee
Additional Information: This bill would prohibit pharmacy benefit managers from reimbursing a pharmacy less than the actual acquisition cost paid by the pharmacy and would prohibit pharmacy benefits managers from charging pharmacies or pharmacists miscellaneous fees related to network participation and claims processing.
Bill: SB99
Sponsor: Sen. Larry Stutts
BCA Position: Opposed as Introduced*
Status: Pending action in Senate Banking and Insurance Committee
Additional Information: This bill would expand oversight by the Department of Insurance by setting benchmarks for the amounts that pharmacy benefits managers reimburse pharmacies, and by regulating how they process claims, determine payment amounts, and use manufacturer rebates.
Bill: SB187/HB317
Sponsor: Sen. Clyde Chambliss/Rep. Chris Sells
BCA Position: Monitor
Status: Amended and reported out of Senate Children and Youth Health Committee/pending action in House Children and Senior Advocacy Committee
Additional Information: This bill would require app store providers to verify user ages, link minor accounts to parent accounts with consent, and notify users of significant app changes. It would mandate protection of age verification data and prevent enforcing contracts with minors or sharing personal data. Developers would be required to verify ages, notify users of app changes, and comply with age data regulations. The Attorney General would adopt rules and could take action for violations as deceptive trade practices.
Bill: HB283
Sponsor: Rep. Mike Shaw
BCA Position: Monitor
Status: Pending action is House Commerce and Small Business Committee
Additional Information: This bill would allow consumers to confirm, correct, delete, or obtain a copy of their personal data and opt out of its processing. It would require controllers to provide a secure method for consumers to exercise their rights and establish an appeals process. Consumers could designate an authorized agent to act on their behalf. The bill would also regulate how controllers process personal and deidentified data.
Bill: HB291
Sponsor: Rep. Neil Rafferty
BCA Position: Monitor
Status: Pending action in House Committee on Commerce and Small Business
Additional Information: This bill would repeal the Alabama Uniform Minimum Wage and Right-to-Work Act.
* BCA has concerns with these bills as introduced, as they would lead to increased costs for employers and their employees.
Capitol Briefing Legislative Update The legislature wrapped up its 30th and final day of the session late Wednesday night, just before midnight, by giving final approval to Governor Kay Ivey’s
Capitol Briefing ‘Powering Growth’ Package Advances to Governor Ivey for Signature The Alabama Legislature has completed its 28th and 29th legislative days of the 2025 session. During this time, the
Capitol Briefing House Passes Powering Growth Package The Alabama Legislature has made significant progress on the Powering Growth package, a forward-looking set of bills aimed at strengthening the state’s energy
