LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY

This week, the Alabama Legislature completed its fourth week. It was a typical week, with two session days on Tuesday and Thursday, with Wednesday full of committees. Ten session days of the allotted 30 are now complete. A total of 677 bills have been introduced: 271 bills in the Senate and 406 bills in the House of Representatives.

Some bills of interest introduced this week include economic development tax credits and incentives; changes to domestic violence crimes, including electronic stalking; increases in recording fees; an increased penalty for bail jumping; changes to child custody laws; and a consumer protection bill relating to investment-oriented solicitations involving real property.

Some bills of interest in committees this week include legislation allowing campaign contributions to be used for security; the allowance of restitution in certain criminally negligent homicide cases; expansion of the crime of eluding an officer; creation of the crime of authority figure sexual abuse; changes to guardianship and conservatorship laws; parole board review; and removal of will contests and decedents’ estates to circuit court in certain instances.

Some bills receiving final passage this week were legislation allowing the death penalty in certain child rape cases and age verification requirements for apps.

Another bill from the Alabama Law Institute introduced this year is the 2026 Amendments to the Alabama Business and Nonprofit Entities Code, SB 187 (Givhan) and HB 248 (Faulkner). This legislation updates these laws based upon reviews of other states, keeping Alabama in alignment and remaining competitive, if not ahead of the curve. It also provides clarity to certain procedures, including inspection rights and forum selection, and balances the rights and obligations of stockholders and the rights and obligations of directors and officers with regard to certain transactions, among other updates. This legislation can be found in the Civil link below.

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

We are excited to present a new tracking method for our members this year. Hopefully, it will prove to be a more user-friendly experience.  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); Judicial; and Tax.

A comprehensive master list containing all tracked legislation is also available here.

Look Up A Specific Bill Here

LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR

The Senate has adjourned until Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 2:00 pm.

The House of Representatives has adjourned until Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 1:00 pm.