A series of bills were introduced in the House that aim to address current and future issues related to illegal immigration in Alabama. BCA has been actively working on these bills to safeguard the business community from any unintended negative consequences.
Last week, the Senate passed SB70, a proposal to establish the Alabama Veterans Resource Center, designed to enhance support for the state’s more than 400,000 veterans. The center would serve as a comprehensive hub, connecting veterans to critical resources like employment opportunities, healthcare services, education benefits, and mental health support. This week, the bill was passed out of the House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee and placed on the House calendar.
Representative Randall Shedd of Fairview announced his plans to resign from the Alabama House and join Pro Tem Garlan Gudger’s team to assist with constituent services. Rep. Shedd was elected to the legislature in 2013 and previously served as mayor of Fairview and chairman of the Cullman County Commission.
The Senate also passed several bills targeting illegal immigration, a key priority for Senate Republicans this session, which will now head to the House for consideration. Our team continues to closely monitor these bills to ensure the business community is protected from any unforeseen impacts.
Senator Merika Coleman’s SB22, which targets the recapturing of incentives from companies found guilty of human trafficking, successfully passed the Senate and is now headed to the House for consideration. We commend Senator Coleman for working with BCA to ensure the bill protects Alabama businesses from potential associated risks.
Senator Lance Bell of St. Clair County has been appointed chair of the Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development (FRED) Committee. He takes on this role previously held by Senator Garlan Gudger following Gudger’s election as President Pro Tem. BCA looks forward to continuing our strong partnership with Chairman Bell to advance legislation that enhances Alabama’s economic future.
Additionally, the Senate Committee on Assignments named the following senators to key Senate committees:
Senator Keith Kelley – Finance and Taxation Education Committee
Senator Josh Carnley – Confirmations
Senator Wes Kitchens – Education Policy Committee
Senator Jay Hovey – Tourism Committee
The legislature will return next week for a two-day week.
Governor Kay Ivey, alongside lawmakers, mayors, and law enforcement officials, gathered at the Capitol to promote ‘Safe Alabama’— a package of bills designed to enhance public safety and reduce crime in communities statewide. Most of the bills have garnered strong bipartisan support.
This week, Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth joined BCA to outline his legislative priorities, focused on strengthening Alabama’s economy and workforce while solidifying the state’s position as the most military-friendly in the nation.
Senate Pro Tem Garlan Gudger will join us on Tuesday, February 18, at 9:00 a.m. on the first floor of the BCA office (2 N Jackson Street). We look forward to seeing you there!
Bill: SB22
Sponsor: Sen. Merika Coleman
BCA Position: Monitor
Status: Received final passage by Senate
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: Referred to 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.
Bill: SB93
Sponsor: Sen. Andrew Jones
BCA Position: Opposed as Introduced*
Status: Referred to Senate Banking and Insurance Committee
Additional Information: This bill would prohibit pharmacy benefits 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: Referred to 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.
* BCA has concerns with these bills as introduced, as they would lead to increased costs for employers and their employees.
Capitol Briefing An Update from the Legislature The Alabama Legislature returned to the State House this week to complete days 11 and 12 of the 2026 legislative calendar, and is
Capitol Briefing An Update from the Legislature The Alabama Legislature returned to the State House this week to complete days 9 and 10 of the Legislative Calendar, and will reconvene
Capitol Briefing An Update from the House The House of Representatives had several bills introduced this week—Representative Parker Moore’s HB324 and HB325, along with Representative Ben Robbins’ HB327—that reflect
