2016 Alabama Senate Bills

Innocence Inquiry Commission, creation within Administrative Office of Courts, duties, review of by felony conviction upon presentation of verifiable evidence of innocence not previously presented, referral to court of original jurisdiction for review

Human Resources Department, children, legal custody, kinship guardianship, dept. not required to consider out-of-state relative if no contact within six months, Sec. 12-15-314 am'd.

Human Resource Department, county department, administrative orders, etc., venue of appeals, appeals to be filed only where county department located

Human Resources, county departments, directors, appointment by State Commissioner, Sec. 38-2-7 am'd; Sec. 38-2-7.1 added

Alabama Ahead Act, commencing with 2015-2016 school year, to delete pen-enabled requirement, phase-in requirement and reassignment provisions, advisory committee revised, schools participation voluntary, local school systems to contribute 25 percent of funding, Section 14 of Act 2012-560, 2012 Reg. Sess., am'd; Secs. 16-16B-1, 16-16B-2 am'd.

Monuments, Alabama Heritage Preservation Act, prohibit removal, alteration, or other disturbance of any statue or monument located on public property, exempt Transportation Department

Civil procedure, extending immunity to certain firefighter paramedics or firefighter emergency medical technicians, Sec. 6-5-338 am'd.

Fetal Heartbeat Act, prohibits physician from performing abortion without first determining fetal heartbeat, physician who does not make determination or who performs abortion when heartbeat detected is guilty of Class C felony

Article V constitutional convention, compact to set convention to require Congress to balance the budget, adopted

Terrorism, forfeiture of property derived from, authorization of claims by injured parties and law enforcement, allocation of proceeds from forfeiture, civil action for damages, limitations

Monuments, Alabama Heritage Protection Act, prohibit removal, alteration, or other disturbance of any statue or monument located on public property, exempt Transportation Department

Firearms, possession of does not constitute disorderly conduct, possession of in a vehicle or on certain property authorized under certain conditions, exception, Secs. 13A-11-7, 13A-11-73, 13A-11-74, 13A-11-75 am'd.

Taxation, state tax revenues, distribution further provided for, Secs. 9-13-84, 22-9A-23, 22-21-24, 27-4A-3, 28-3-74, 28-3-184, 28-3-201, 28-3-202, 28-3-204, 28-7-16, 38-4-12, 38-4-12.1, 38-4-13, 40-1-31, 40-8-3, 40-21-51, 40-21-87, 40-23-35, 40-23-50, 40-23-77, 40-25-23 am'd.

Appropriation process, shared revenue fund established, distribution of certain revenue above amount of revenue in the General Fund and Education Trust Fund prior to act

Alabama Ahead Act, commencing with 2016-2017 school year, to delete pen-enabled requirement, phase-in requirement and reassignment provisions, advisory committee revised, schools participation voluntary, local school systems to contribute 25 percent of funding, Section 14 of Act 2012-560, 2012 Reg. Sess., am'd; Secs. 16-16B-1, 16-16B-2 am'd.

Lotteries, Legislature authorized to provide by general law, const. amend

Mitchell's Place, Inc., exempt from sales and use taxes

Terrorism, forfeiture of property derived from, authorization of claims by injured parties and law enforcement, allocation of proceeds from forfeiture, civil action for damages, limitations

Agricultural equipment and machinery, sales and use tax exempt, Sec. 40-23-38, 40-23-64 repealed; Sec. 40-23-37, 40-23-63 am'd.

Local bills, advertisement or posting prior to introduction, procedures, amendment further provided for, introduction limited, Sec. 106 (Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901) am'd., const. amend.

Grandparents, visitation with grandchildren, petition procedure and burden of proof established, Sec. 30-3-4.1 repealed

Public providers of municipal telecommunication services, certain restrictions removed and delivery of services further provided for, Sec. 11-50B-3 am'd.

Tallapoosa Co., age for retirement of probate judge extended to 72, const. amend.

Administrative Procedure Act, rules, notice of intended action, required to contain information about litigation and judicial decisions, Sec. 41-22-5 am'd.

Common Core Curriculum Standards, terminated, prior courses of study to be implemented

Public schools, grant all professional educators' associations same level of access to employees of public schools

Hunting, authorize the taking of whitetail deer or feral swine by means of bait, Secs. 9-11-244, 9-11-245 am'd.

Health Dept., Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board, membership expanded, operation, Sec. 22-18-5 am'd.

Space, Alabama Space Authority created, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, Alabama Development Office, Alabama Department of Transportation, Governors office, Legislature, promote space exploration

Title Insurance, agents, attorneys exempt from licenses by Insurance Department, Sec. 27-25-3 am'd.

Animals, authorized rabies vaccines, further provided for, possession of large felidae or wolves, prohibited under certain conditions, annual registration fees provided for, penalties, Sec. 3-8-2 added; Sec. 3-8-1 am'd.

Consumer, regulate the lending of money, provide criminal penalties, Alabama Consumer Lawsuit Lending Act

Municipalities, commission form of gov't under Chapter 44, Title 11, special election procedures, repealed, savings provisions Chapter 44, Title 11 and Article 3, Chapter 46, Title 11 repealed, Secs. 11-44-1 to 11-44-162, inclusive, Secs. 11-46-90 to 11-46-145 inclusive, repealed

Legislative standing committees, granted subpoena powers, authority to administer oaths, immunity, penalty

Traffic stops, racial profiling by law enforcement officers, prohibited, written policies, forms for statistics, and reports to Attorney General required, provision for complaints

Voter registration, automatic, authorized

Taxation, Josh Willingham Foundation, exempt from sales and use taxes

Insurance, service contracts, term "road hazard" defined, service contracts related to motor vehicles further provided for, Sec. 8-32-2 am'd.

Heroes for Hire Tax Credit Act of 2012, renamed, Veterans Employment Act, Secs. 40-18-320, 40-18-321, 40-18-322 am'd.

Election, repealing maximum age limitation, prohibiting general law age restriction, const. amend.

Motor vehicles, truck weights, concrete mixing trucks, operation within 50 miles of home base, subject to maximum gross weight requirements, Sec. 32-9-20 am'd.

Income tax credits, increase for rural physicians and dentists, Secs. 40-18-130 to 40-18-132, inclusive, am'd.

Boats and vessels, registration, Law Enforcement Agency., number sticker provided by dept., distinctive registration decals, distinctive letters authorized in lieu of numbers, fees, distrib. of part of fees to State Parks, Sec. 33-5-11am'd.

Education, gifted or talented children, grants for educational programs provided by State Department of Education, local match required

School safety, records relating to, are exempt from disclosure to public pursuant to rights to inspect public records, Sec. 36-12-40 am'd.

Ad valorem taxes, removal of levy of for certain landowners receiving economic incentives, counties and municipalities authorized to waive, Sec. 40-7-25.3 am'd.

Colleges and universities, local boards of education, schools prohibited from using public funds to advocate for or against ballot measures

State parks, bond issue, park with hotel facility or golf course, exempt from requirement that facilities be operated exclusively by Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Amendment 617, Constitution of Alabama of 1901, am'd., const. amend.

Courts, judges, Judicial Resources Allocation Commission, established, membership, duties, authority to increase or decrease judgeships under certain criteria

Education, civics test, requirement for graduation from high school

Payday loans, deferred presentment services, expand licensure requirements, further regulate deferred presentment services, penalties for evading licensure requirements, Secs. 5-18A-3, 5-18A-6, 5-18A-12, 5-18A-13 am'd.

Economic development, tax abatement by a municipality or municipal public authority, abatement of county taxes, corresponding municipal tax required to be abated and at same rate, Sec. 40-9B-5 am'd.

Ten Commandments, display of on state property and at public schools, authorized, const. amend.

Board of Examiners of Landscape Architects, maximum administrative fine increased from $250 to $2,500, board authorized to assess costs against person found guilty, Sec. 34-17-5 am'd.

Lee Co., additional circuit judge, conditioned on funding for compensation and benefits by county commission, election

Retirement Systems, Teachers' Retirement System, Employees' Retirement System, benefits, not affected if a person is employed as school resource officer

Constitution of Alabama of 1901, proposed state and local constitutional amendment, and state and local referendums shall be held at statewide primary or general election, const. amend.

Alcoholic beverages, business relocation

Firearms, pistol permits, valid military id has same effect for purposes authorizing of carrying concealed

Courts, court-ordered treatment or education programs for alcohol or drug-related offenses, judge to decide level of education program defendant completes, Sec. 12-23-6 am'd.

Youthful offenders, change threshold age, give judge discretion to consider past youthful offender status, to expunge record of, Secs. 15-19-1, 15-19-7 am'd.

Kyle Graddy Act, possession and self-administration of auto-injectable epinephrine by students permitted, Sec. 16-1-39 am'd

Right to work, policy declared, cause of action declared, const. amend.

Class 8 municipalities, weeds, abatement, alternative procedures to declare a public nuisance after prior abatement

Deceptive trade practices, action against violations must be brought within four years from the act, Sec. 8-9-14 am'd

Fantasy contests, regulation of, consumer protection measures by operators required, audits, civil penalties

Cannabidiol (CBD), affirmative defense for possession or use of further provided for, Carly's Law, Sec. 13A-12-214.2 am'd.

Health Insurance Carriers, provide cost information to enrollees, Alabama Right to Shop Act

Capital cases, sentencing, court prohibited from overriding jury verdict, Secs. 13A-5-45, 13A-5-46, 13A-5-47 am'd.

Taxation, sales and use taxes, Upper Sand Mountain United Methodist Larger Parish Incorporated exempt from state, county, and municipal taxes

Legislative authority vested in a Legislature consisting of one chamber, const. amend.

Term limits, members of Senate and House of Representatives limited to three consecutive full terms, const. amend.

Boards, commissions, committees, task forces, authorities, inactive or inoperable, abolished, Secs. 20-2-190, 22-1-12, 22-23A-3, 24-10-2, 24-10-4, 24-10-5, 41-23-23 am'd; Secs. 2-7-1 to 2-7-7, inclusive, 2-13A-1, 2-13A-2, 4-2A-1 to 4-2A-23, inclusive, 9-6A-1 to 9-6A-10, inclusive, 9-12-142, 9-13-25, 14-1-18, 16-18A-1 to 16-18A-13, inclusive, 16-25A-13, 16-55-20 to 16-55-24, inclusive, 22-4A-1 to 22-4A-7, inclusive, 22-18-20 to 22-18-23, inclusive, 22-30E-12, 22-50-25, 24-10-8, 24-10-9, 29-2-220 to 29-2-228, inclusive, 32-3-1 to 32-3-7, inclusive, 36-21-140 to 36-21-142, inclusive, 36-36-10, 38-7A-1 to 38-7A-4, inclusive, 40-23-242, 41-9-190 to 41-9-196, inclusive, 41-9-490 to 41-9-498, inclusive, 41-9-570 to 41-9-574, inclusive, 41-9-780 to 41-9-787, inclusive, 41-9-830 to 41-9-833, inclusive, 41-10-200 to 41-10-215, inclusive, 41-10-490 to 41-10-523, inclusive, 41-25-1 to 41-25-5 inclusive repealed; Acts 1975-1178, Act 1979-43, Act 1984-319, Act 1985-138, Act 1985-280, Act 1985-301, Act 1985-811, Act 1987-02, Act 1988-213, Act 1991-259, Act 1991-325, Act 1992-56, Act 1994-764, Act 1996-289, Act 1997-68, Act 1997-818, Act 1998-107, Act 1998-156, Act 2000-8, Act 2001-62, Act 2002-318, Act 2004-421, Act 2004-540, Act 2005-257, Act 2006-430, Act 2007-171, Act 2007-421, Act 2007-507, Act 2007-565, Act 2007-592, Act 2008-25, Act 2008-121, Act 2008-337, Act 2008-386, Act 2009-142, Act 2009-180, Act 2009-794, Act 2009-798, Act 2009-806, Act 2010-458, Act 2010-638, Act 2011-132, Act 2011-356, Act 2012-25, Act 2012-597, Act 2014-194 repealed

Workers' compensation, employer liability for permanent total disability benefits after employee reaches age 65 limited, prompt medical attention required for benefits, Secs. 25-5-57, 25-5-77 am'd.

Supplemental appropriations, SBI Cost of Evidence Fund to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, Act 2015-540, 2nd Sp. Sess., am'd.

Appropriations, Education Trust Fund Budget Stabilization Fund and the Education Trust Fund Advancement and Technology Fund to the Education Trust Fund for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2017.

Use tax, revenue redistributed to State General Fund, Secs. 27-4A-3, 40-23-61, 40-23-85, 40-23-174 am'd.

Health Savings Accounts, income tax deduction auth. for contributions to, Sec. 40-18-15.6 added.

Homicide, criminally negligent homicide, person commits criminally negligent homicide if person operates motor vehicle, aircraft, or watercraft while fatigued, Sec. 13A-6-4 am'd.

Firearms and ammunition, state preemption of regulation of, further provided for, Sec. 13A-11-61.3 am'd.

Medicaid, funding through General Fund, additional 5 mill statewide levy in ad valorem tax distributed for Medicaid purposes, const. amend.

Labor, restriction on the percentage of temporary employees a company that received incentives may employ, Sec. 41-29-2.1 added

Wildlife Center, exempt from state, county, and municipal sales and use taxes, Sec. 40-23-5 am'd.

Driver's licenses, third party agents issuing examinations, driver education instructors at private driving schools, further authorized, Sec. 32-6-3 am'd.

Marriage, contract for, recording by judge of probate, transmission to Vital Statistics office, content of contract, Secs. 30-1-9, 30-1-10, 30-1-11, 30-1-13, 30-1-14 repealed; Secs. 22-9A-17, 30-1-5, 30-1-12, 30-1-16 am'd.

Fraudulent Transfer Act, make applicable to domestic settlements, Sec. 8-9A-1 am'd.

Motor vehicles, accidents, when no apparent physical injury driver authorized to move motor vehicle from roadway, authorize Department of Transportation employees to assist in moving disabled vehicle, immunity, Sec. 32-10-1 am'd.

Highways, outdoor advertising, Highway Beautification Act amended, definitions, spacing, conformance with federal law, Secs. 23-1-271, 23-1-274 am'd.

Motor vehicles, seat belt use required for each occupant while vehicle is in motion, fine increased, distrib., Secs. 32-5B-4 am'd.

Real Estate Appraisers Board, prohibited from establishing fees that an appraiser can charge, Sec. 34-27A-5 am'd.

State agencies, construction or building projects, rules, specifications, etc., changes not to apply after start of project

Business entities, partnerships and limited liability companies, procedures for formation and operation of harmonized, merger, dissolution, Secs. 10A-1-1.03, 10A-1-1.06, 10A-1-1.08, 10A-1-4.26, 10A-1-6.02, 10A-1.6.13, 10A-1-6.25, 10A-1-7.07, 10A-5A-1.10, 10A-5A-4.01, 10A-5A-5.04, 10A-5A-7.01, 10A-5A-7.02, 10A-5A-10.03, 10A-5A-10.04, 10A-5A-10.07, 10A-5A-10.08 am'd.; Secs. 10A-9-1.01 to 10A-9-12.08 inclusive, repealed; Secs. 10A-9A-1.01 to 10A-9A-11.07, inclusive, added

Death penalty repealed, Secs. 13A-5-39, 13A-5-43, 13A-5-44, 15-18-100 am'd; Secs. 13A-5-45 to 13A-5-53, inclusive, 13A-5-55, 13A-5-59, 15-18-80 to 15-18-86, inclusive, repealed

Death penalty, moratorium on imposition and execution not to exceed three years, procedure for administering

Death penalty, persons under certain age exempt

Capital punishment, intellectual disability defendant, procedures for court to determine, established, Sec. 13A-5-60 added

Election, voter registration, allowed any day board of registrars has office hours, Sec. 17-3-50 am'd.

Crimes and offenses, Rape 1st degree, parental rights of defendant of child, terminated, Sec. 13A-6-61 am'd.

Evidence, expert testimony, admissibility, revised, references to requirement that testimony be based on scientific theory, principle, method or procedure deleted, prospective operation, Sec. 12-21-160.1 added; Sec. 12-21-160 am'd.

Gulf Coast Sand Restoration Trust Fund, created, administration by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, distribution of interest earned

Competitive bidding, preferred vendor status given to businesses owned by veterans who were deployed for Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) or Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq), Sec. 41-16-20 am'd.

Competitive bid law, providing for length of time contracts for goods or services, excepting voice or wireless communications services, may be let, specify requirements for purchases from a sole source, permit purchases from vendor under general services administration contract and services from a competitive bid nationwide cooperative purchasing program, Secs. 16-13B-2, 16-13B-7 am'd.

Fiduciaries, Revised Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act, adopted, fiduciaries, duties with regard to computer files, web domains, virtual currency and other digital assets

Criminal law and procedure, circuit, district, and municipal court, failure to appear warrants for traffic cases, circuit clerk or court clerk posting and placing information by electronic means

Dependent children, guardianship or conservatorship of, visitation action by isolated family members, procedure

Title Insurance Agents, continuing education requirements met if mandatory continuing legal education requirements are met, Sec. 27-25-4.4 am'd.

Law Enforcement Agency, drivers' license office, operational in each county a minimum of two days each week

Driver's licenses, penalties for violations of restrictions on Stage II driver's licenses, revised, Sec. 32-6-7.2 am'd.

Expungement of criminal records, authorized for youthful offenders, Sec. 15-27-2.1 added

Circuit judgeships, Chief Justice of Alabama Supreme Court auth. to reallocate judgeships to a different circuit after vacancy, study by Judicial System Study Commission to make recommendations

Hunting on land without permission, penalties revised, fines increased, restitution, forfeiture of hunting gear and firearms, Secs. 9-11-241, 9-11-242, 9-11-243 repealed

Motor vehicles, autonomous technology, operation and testing, ALEA, drivers license endorsement

Sex offenders, obscene materials containing visual depiction of persons under 17 years, disseminating, publicly displaying, possessing, or possessing with intent to disseminate, term further defined, crime of possession, penalties, Alabama Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act on 1st or 2nd offense, Secs.13A-12-190, 13A-12-191, 13A-12-192 am'd.

Lieutenant Governor, duties and powers over Senate, removed, salary established, joint election with Governor established, const. amend.

Medicaid, expanded to include persons for whom matching funds are available under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Alabama Medicaid Agency to implement, appropriation

Tax refund, interest paid by Department of Revenue on overpayments, required after receipt of refund petition, Sec. 40-1-44 am'd.

Wages, establish the Alabama Minimum Wage Act, to set the state minimum wage, provide for a cost of living increase, const. amend.

Taxation, State Personnel Board, tax deferred compensation plan, created, Sec. 36-26-14 am'd.

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Disaster Settlement, distribution of funds to relieve certain debt of the state and remaining funds transferred to the State General Fund

Municipalities, police jurisdiction, reduced, authorized to be extended by local law under certain conditions, ordinances repealed if outside police jurisdiction, Sec. 11-40-10 am'd.

Travel expenses, state employees, use of personal vehicle for official duties, mileage, reimbursement formula changed, American Automobile Association Daily Fuel Gauge Report, Sec. 36-7-22 am'd.

State employees, cost-of-living increase for fiscal year beginning October 1, 2017.

Securities Commission, directors salary to be fixed by commission with approval of State Personnel Board, Sec. 8-6-56 am'd.

Legislature, retired under the Teachers' Retirement System or Employees' Retirement System authorized to earn compensation with an employer in the TRS or ERS, Secs. 16-25-26, 36-27-8.2 am'd.

Municipalities, motor vehicles, automated photographic parking enforcement, authorized, procedures, adoption of municipal ordinances, civil fines, municipal court jurisdiction, appeals

Auctioneers, Board of, fines for violations increased, quorum defined, Secs. 34-4-29, 34-4-52 am'd.

Motor vehicles, crime of endangerment of a highway worker in a construction zone, created, exceptions, penalties, Marshall James Walton Highway Worker Safety Act, established

Birmingham Botanical Gardens, exempt from state, county, and municipal sales and use taxes

Taxation, Vestavia Hills Soccer Club, exempt from state, co. and municipal sales and use taxes

Briarwood Presbyterian Church, law enforcement officers with state police powers, employment authorized

Corporate income tax, combined reporting of income required, Secs. 40-18-36, 40-18-38, 40-18-38.1 added; Secs. 40-18-1, 40-18-30, 40-18-31, 40-18-39 am'd.

Child Care Provider Inclusion Act, established, state prohibited from discriminating against child care service providers under certain conditions, civil remedies, provided for

Taxation, exempt municipality and public industrial authority from granting abatement if they do not levy or impose one or more of the taxes to be abated, Sec. 40-9B-5 am'd.

Contract Review Committee, 45-day period of review, clarifies that the 45-day period does not begin until all required information is presented to the committee, additional request for information extends review period, Sec. 29-2-41 am'd.

Alcoholic beverages, breweries and brewpubs, sale of alcoholic beverages, Secs. 28-3-1, 28-3A-6, 28-4A-3 am'd.

Broadband telecommunications network facility, exempt from taxation for 10 years on facility built after January 1, 2016, Secs. 40-21-6, 40-21-9, 40-21-17, 40-21-18, 40-21-20, 40-21-21 am'd.

Broadband telecommunications network facility, sales and use tax exemption provided for, equipment or materials used by any such facility, Secs. 40-23-1, 40-23-4, 40-23-62 am'd.

Broadband telecommunication network facilities, tax credit for percentage of investment, Sec. 40-18-371.1 added; Sec. 40-18-370 am'd.

Fraudulent claims, treble damages for persons filing false claims, civil penalties, Attorney General required to investigate and initiate civil actions, retaliatory action by employers prohibited, limitation of actions, Medicaid False Claims Act

Jefferson Co., ad valorem tax, special school district add'l tax, procedures for levy, use for public school purposes in district where levied, const. amend.

Massage Therapy, Board of, massage therapists further regulated, penalties increased, Secs. 34-43-3, 34-43-5, 34-43-6, 34-43-7, 34-43-9, 34-43-11, 34-43-12, 34-43-14, 34-43-15, 34-43-17, 34-43-20, 34-43-21 am'd; Sec. 34-43-10 repealed

Public education employees, salary increase, including K-12 and certain other designated education institutions, liability insurance program to be established by Finance Department in consultation with Education Department

Autism, health benefit plans, coverage of autism spectrum disorder under certain conditions, Secs. 10A-20-6.16, 27-21A-23, 27-54A-2 am'd.

Advanced Practice Nurses, Loan-Repayment Program established for, to pay for education of, Secs. 34-21-94 to 34-21-99, inclusive, added

Workers' compensation insurance, corporate officer exempt from, procedures provided for, Sec. 25-5-50 am'd.

Virtual education, program open to resident students and past residents who are military dependents, distribution of state and federal funds clarified, Act 2015-89, 2015 Reg. Sess., am'd; Sec. 16-46A-2 am'd.

Taxation, tax credits for rehabilitation of qualified structures, credits extended until 2022, Secs.40-9F-4, 40-9F-7 am'd.

Definition of Moral Turpitude Act, established, crimes which disqualify citizens from voting provided, Sec. 17-3-30.1 added; Secs. 17-4-3, 17-4-4 am'd.

Alabama Lottery estab., participation in multi-state lottery games only, constitutional amendment

Crimes and offenses, criminal penalties and sanctions for racketeering and corrupt organizations, forfeiture of property used in racketeering activity, liens, Alabama RICO (Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Act

Individual income tax, providing for the deduction of prenatal medcal expenses, Sec. 40-18-15 am'd.

Teachers' Retirement System, cost-of-living increase authorized

Innocence Inquiry Commission, creation within Administrative Office of Courts, duties, review of by felony conviction upon presentation of verifiable evidence of innocence not previously presented, referral to court of original jurisdiction for review

Consumers and consumer protection, protection of data containing personal information, notification of breach of to Attorney General and consumers required, disposal of records, civil penalty

Railroads, qualified employees required to operate railroad train in this state, criminal penalties

Taxation, transient occupancy tax, definitions, application clarified, Sec. 40-26-1 am'd.

Sales and use taxes, application of taxes, wholesale sale, definition amended to require component to become part of finished product, definition of tangible personal property and digital goods included, including electronic data, digital products or services, Secs. 40-23-1, 40-23-2, 40-23-60, 40-23-61 am'd.

Deputy sheriffs, practice of law, prohibition removed, Sec. 34-3-14 am'd.

Eyeglasses, over-the-counter eyeglasses, nonprescription glasses further defined, sale regulated, enforcement

Community College System, establish as a body corporate, employees hired after January 1, 2017 not subject to Students First Act of 2011, board of trustees of system to establish procedures for discipline and tenure, powers re acquisition of property provided, Act 2015-125, 2015 Reg. Sess., am'd; Secs. 16-60-110.1, 16-60-111.4, 16-60-111.10 am'd.

Colleges and universities, University of North Alabama, Board of Trustees, authorized to establish and modify benefits for instructors and other officers, Sec. 16-51-6 am'd.

Public education employees, salary increase, including K-12 and certain other designated education institutions, liability insurance program to be established by Finance Department in consultation with Education Department

Term limits, members of Senate and House of Representatives, board, commission, or public office receiving state funding, limited to three consecutive full terms

Driving under the influence, criminal offense further defined, penalties further provided for, consideration of prior offenses expanded, Secs. 32-5A-191, 32-6-19 am'd.

Nondriver ID cards, parolees, Commissioner of Dept. of Corrections and Secretary of the ALEA, authority to establish program to issue nondriver ID to resident parolees upon release

Public education employees, salary increase, including K-12 and certain other designated education institutions, liability insurance program to be established by Finance Department in consultation with Education Department

Elections, ballots, reorder offices and candidates names, Sec. 17-6-25 am'd.

Jefferson Co., Retirement System, Pension Board, membership revised, Act 2013-415, 2013 Reg. Sess., am'd; Sec. 45-37-123.21 am'd.

Uniform Severance Tax Act, exception for minerals severed in Alabama, sold to buyer in another state, and not transported on public roads in Alabama deleted, Sec. 40-13-53 am'd.

Vessels, certificate of title, uniform act, requirements, issuance by State Law Enforcement Agency, security agreement, perfection

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Disaster Settlements, creaton of authority by Legislature required to issue bonds for certain purposes, Alabama Strategic Investment Initiative, const. amend.

State sales and use tax increased, phase-in period, sales and use tax on food phased out, exempt by 2017, counties and municipalities prohibited from increasing sales tax on food, Secs. 40-23-2, 40-23-61 am'd.

Educator-Student Interaction Training Act, State Superintendent of Education, School Superintendent of Alabama, and AEA required to develop and disseminate one hour of training at annual institute on appropriate and inappropriate interaction between educators and students

Insurance adjusters, licensing by Insurance Dept., applicant employed by state insurance company exempt from examination under certain conditions, Sec. 27-9A-9 am'd.

Drivers' licenses, renewal period, extended to 6 months prior to expiration, Sec. 32-6-1 am'd

Code of Alabama 1975, Acts of 2015 Regular Session as contained in 2015 supplements and replacement volumes, codified with certain corrections, local laws of certain counties codified, duties of Secretary of State

Revenue Department, notification requirements by local governments regarding tax levies, revised, certain collection services authorized at no cost, Sec. 11-51-210.1 added; Secs. 11-3-11.3, 11-51-183, 11-51-208, 11-51-210, 40-12-4, 40-12-7 am'd.

Ethics, informal opinion by State Ethics Commission provided, prohibition of elected public officials lobbying revised, thing of value definition revised, Sec. 36-25-4.4 added; Secs. 36-25-1, 36-25-13, 36-25-23, 36-25-27 am'd.

Prescription drugs, indication that use of generic drug not allowed, notation by prescribing physician, Sec. 16-25A-18 am'd.

Motor vehicles, certificates of title, issuance by Revenue Dept., exemptions further provided for, penalties for violations by dealers, involuntary transfers, notice to Revenue Dept. required, Secs. 32-8-30, 32-8-31, 32-8-42, 32-8-46 am'd.

Motor Vehicles, dump trucks, operation with bed raised prohibited, penalties

Teachers' Retirement System, designated non-governmental and quasi-governmental agencies and any elected local superintendent of education elected to office on or after January 1, 2017, prohibited from participation in, Secs. 16-25-1, 16-25-10.1 to 16-25-10.12, inclusive, 16-25-32, 16-25A-11, 36-29-14 am'd.

Medicaid fraud, crime of further provided for, statutes of limitations revised for certain fraudulent activity, Sec. 22-1-11 am'd.

Public assistance, revised procedures and limitations required for various public assistance programs administered by the Human Resources Dept.

Interest, due or paid on properties reduced subject to tax sale, Secs. 40-10-75, 40-10-76, 40-10-77, 40-10-83, 40-10-121, 40-10-122 am'd.

Prisons, Alabama Prison Transformation Initiative Act, construction of new facilities provided for, Joint Legislative Prison Committee, reporting requirements increased, Alabama Corrections Institution Finance Authority, bonds authorized for prison facilities, construction agreements, renovating and demolishing existing prison facilities, proceeds on existing one mill tax, distribution further provided for, Secs. 14-2-1, 14-2-12, 14-2-13.1, 14-2-14, 14-2-16, 14-2-19, 14-2-21, 14-2-28, 14-2-34, 38-4-12, 40-8-3 am'd.

Credit card debt, three year statute of limitations for delinquent card accounts, Sec. 6-2-37 am'd.

Appropriation, Forever Wild Land Trust, expenditures of funds prohibited for advertising, const. amend.

Sewage discharges to ground, unlawful, Sec. 22-26-5 repealed; Sec. 22-26-2 am'd.

Alcoholic beverages, retail sale by state phased out, privilege granted to Class A and Class B licensees, inventory bailment system, tax, displaced employees benefits, leases, market zones established, Secs. 28-1-4, 28-2-22, 28-3-43, 28-3-53.1, 28-3-53.2, 28-3-202, 28-3-205, 28-3-207, 28-3-241, 28-3A-11, 28-3A-12, 28-3A-19, 28-3A-20, 28-3A-21, 28-3A-22, 28-3A-24, 28-7-16 am'd.; Secs. 28-3-74, 28-3-280 to 28-3-286, inclusive, repealed on October 1, 2012

Elections, qualification of electors, not serving court-ordered sentence of imprisonment, eligible to register and vote, Sec. 17-3-30 am'd.

Montgomery Co., sheriff authorized to participate in Employees' Retirement System in lieu of supernumerary program, const. amend.

Eminent domain proceedings, costs, condemnation proceedings filed by Dept. of Transportation, the department pays condemnee's reasonable attorney fees, appraisal and engineering costs if final award is 20 percent or higher than department's offer, Sec. 18-1A-293 am'd.

Epinephrine, auto-injectors, authorize administration of by non medical persons, program created

Tax increment districts, provide that compensation may be determined solely by local governing body if a district is within a Major 21st Century Manufacturing Zone

Insurance, Alabama Coastal Insurance Authority, create to provide affordable windstorm insurance in areas contiguous to Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Bay, Board of Directors, plan of operation and sale of bonds provided, commissioner authorized to require quarterly reports, authority authorized to assess policyholders of excess losses, Secs. 27-22B-1 to 27-22B-12, inclusive, added; Sec. 27-1-24 repealed

Pharmacy, State Board of, training of pharmacy technicians regulated, Sec. 34-23-92 am'd.

Title loan lenders, licensure and regulation of, established, Alabama Title Loan Act

Voting, early voting procedure established, all elections

Pistol permits, sheriff authorized to issue to resident of another county, Sec.13A-11-75 am'd.

Taxation, tax liability, payment of with money order or electronic funds prohibited, Sec. 40-29-70 am'd.

Municipality or county, business license tax, home health agency and hospice, tax due only where headquarters or branch office is located, tax not to be levied only because of delivery of service by employees, Sec 11-51-90.4 added

Legislative Council and Joint Committee on Administrative Regulation Review, quorum, vote requirements, Sec. 29-6-3 am'd.

Board of Dental Examiners, powers and duties, rulemaking authority clarified, Sec. 34-9-43.2 added

Insurance, health benefit plans prohibited from charging higher copayment or deductible for orally administered and self administered anticancer drugs than for intravenous

Teachers' Retirement System, cost-of-living increase authorized

Class 5 municipalities, tax sale properties acquired from State Land Commissioner, expedited procedure to quiet title in lieu of procedures in Title 40, Chapter 10, Code of Alabama 1975

Class 5 municipalities, establish certified animal control officers, authorize imposition of civil penalties by

Volunteer fire depts., certification by Forestry Commission, minimum standards for equipment, decertification authorized, rules re certification and decertification authorized, Sec. 9-3-17am'd.

Schools, Preparing and Rewarding Educational Professionals (PREP) Act of 2016, procedure for evaluating and observing teachers and principals on student performance, Legislative-School Performance Recognition Program implemented, Alabama Teacher Recruitment Fund established, appropriation from Education Trust Fund to the Legislative School Performance Recognition Program, Alabama Teacher Recruitment Fund, and the Alabama Teacher Mentor Program, increase years of service to attain tenured status, Secs. 16-6C-3, 16-24C-4 am'd.

Education, Alabama Student and Parent Privacy Act, public school student and teacher information collection and disclosure limited to academic purposes, civil penalties for violations

Education, inappropriate conduct, public K-12, annual inservice training for teachers to recognize behavior of students

Macon Co., bingo, may be played on electronic machines authorized by the National Indian Gaming Commission

Hunting and fishing licenses, disabled, children under 21 further provided for, Sec. 9-11-54 am'd.

Title Insurance Agents, continuing education requirements met if mandatory continuing legal education requirements are met, Sec. 27-25-4.4 am'd.

Juvenile Court, transfer of cases involving minors 14 years of age or more to circuirt court for specified criminal offenses, youthful offender status authorized, Sec. 12-15-204 repealed; Secs. 12-15-203, 12-15-208, 12-15-208.1 am'd.

Legislative Services Agency established, Legislative Reference Service, Legislative Fiscal Office, Alabama Law Institute,combining offices, Secs. 29-5A-1 to 29-5A-4, 29-5A-20 to 29-5A-27, 29-5A-40 to 29-5A-46, 29-5A-60 to 29-5A-64 added; 29-5-1 to 29-5-10, 29-5-12, 29-5-13, 29-6-2.1, 29-7-1, 29-7-2, 29-7-4 to 29-7-13, 29-8-1 to 29-8-5, repealed

Taxation, tax sales, judge of probate authorized to use contracted services, products, or electronic means to sell property for unpaid taxes, Sec. 40-10-15 am'd.

Employment practice, unlawful to inquire from job applicant information relating to arrests or conviction of crimes

Attorneys, indigent defense fees, waiver of maximum allowed fee by trial court or Director in Indigent Defense Services, Sec. 15-12-21 am'd.

Drugs, prescription, exempt from business license tax based on gross receipts, Sec. 40-23-4.1 am'd.

Flex loans, authorizing, licensure and regulation of

Prescription drugs, federally-qualified health centers authorized to deliver medications to clinics, Sec. 34-23-70 am'd.

Hunting, waterfowl stamps, lifetime, cost-of-living adjustment in fee, Sec. 9-11-433 am'd.

Prison system, Permanent Joint Legislative Committee evaluating prisons, membership increased to 10 members, Sec. 29-2-20 am'd.

Schools, dual enrollment, high school students taking college courses, authorized

Planning and zoning subdivisions, jurisdictional limits revised, municipality's authority to override county's enforcement of regulation of subdivisions, revised, Sec. 11-52-30 am'd.

Trusts, qualified trusts expanded to include certain benefits of qualified pension plans, stock bonus plans, and profit sharing plans to exclude from federal bankruptcy laws, Sec. 19-3B-508 am'd.

Gas, natural gas, conversion of motor vehicles for operating on compressed natural or liquefied gas, extended weight allowances, Sec. 32-9-20 am'd.

Greene Co., bingo on electronic machines or devices authorized for licensed racetracks, Greene Co. Gaming Commission, established, const. amend.

Foundation program, annual appropriation, method of calculating average number of students revised, Secs. 16-13-231, 16-13-232 am'd.

Harassment, by distributing a private image, defined, penalties, Sec. 13A-11-8 am'd.

Alcoholic beverage distributor or wholesaler, family member of authorized to be a manufacturer or retailer, Sec. 28-3-4 am'd.

Taxation, exemption from sale, use, and rental tax granted to certain subscription services, Secs. 40-12-223, 40-23-4, 40-23-62 am'd.

Motor vehicles, salvage or junk branded, advertisements, license or registration number required, penalties, unlicensed or unregistered entities prohibited from towing, impoundment authorized, cost recovery fines authorized

Industrial hemp, manufactured by Agriculture and Industries Department or university, Agriculture Dept. to authorize, exemption from definition of marijuana for purposes on controlled substances list, Sec. 20-2-2 am'd.

Taxation, sales and use taxes, Southern Research Institute exempt from state, county, and municipal taxes

Prison reform, periods of confinement for parole and probation violations clarified, mandatory release dates required, identification of alternative community corrections programs clarified, services for veterans, legislative committee reporting requirement extended, Secs. 12-25-32, 12-25-34, 13A-4-1, 13A-4-2, 13A-4-3, 13A-5-6, 13A-5-8.1, 13A-8-4.1, 13A-8-8.1, 13A-8-10.25, 13A-8-18.1, 15-18-8, 15-18-172, 15-22-26.2, 15-22-29, 15-22-29.1, 15-22-32, 15-22-52, 15-22-54, 29-2-20 am'd.

Taxation, sale of land for unpaid tax interest on tax, abolished, Sec. 40-10-121 am'd.

Alabama Ahead Act, provisions re pen-enabled, phase-in, reassignment, and advisory committee deleted, oversight committee established, use of funds for high-quality standards-based broadband wifi infrastructure provided, effective date amended, Secs. 16-16B-1, 16-16B-2 am'd., Act 2012-560 am'd.

Insurance, premium tax on insurance premiums, credits for certain employees altered, Alabama real property investment credit eliminated, insurance office facility credit eliminated, Sec. 27-4A-3 am'd.

Elections, disclosure of raising and spending of money to influence elections and government actions, regulation required, const. amend.

Hunting and fishing licenses, nonresidents enrolled in college or university, authorized to purchase resident licenses except for lifetime licenses, Sec. 9-11-73 added

Courts, circuit and district, senior status judges, position on, duties, compensation

Elections, party registration required in primary elections, Secretary of State maintain voters affiliation on voter registration form

Human Resources Dept., child abuse and neglect, mandatory reporting requirements, military status of parent or guardian to be determined, notification to United States Department of Defense family advocacy program, required, Sec. 26-14-3 am'd.

National Guard, including national guard members from other states, rights to reemployment, Sec. 31-12-2 am'd.

Municipalities, municipal governing body, salary, expense increases, introduced at least 30 day before adoption

Admission tickets, resale of, issuers, primary ticket sales platforms and secondary ticket exchanges prohibited from engaging in certain activity, use of certain software to bypass security measures on a platform or exchange prohibited, Sec. 8-19E-2 am'd.

Water basin areas, defined in Alabama for purposes of water resource planning and management activities under the Alabama Water Resources Act

Protection orders, issuance of temporary and permanent orders against sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking by circuit court, procedures, hearings, criminal penalties for violations

Class 5 municipalities, organized under Act 71, 1977 Reg. Sess. (Phenix City), operation of council manager form of government, further provided, Act 71, 1977 Reg. Sess., am'd.

Elected state officials, Legislature authorized to recall by general law, const. amend.

Revenue Dept., sale of state land, employment of auctioneer, Sec. 40-10-134 am'd.

Dependent children, guardianship or conservatorship of, visitation action by isolated family members, procedure, Secs. 26-2A-112 to 26-2A-117, inclusive, added; Sec. 26-2A-108 am'd.

Retirement Systems of Alabama, annual report and actuarial report of Bds. of Control of ERS and TRS, additional information required, adoption of investment reporting standards required, Secs. 16-25-19, 36-27-23 am;d.

Homicide, crime of homicide by vehicle or vessel, created, penalties, Marshall James Walton Highway Safety Act

Unmanned aircraft systems or drones, use of prohibited under certain conditions, criminal penalties, injuctive relief, use by governmental agencies authorized under certain conditions, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act

Baldwin Co.,judge of probate required to be an attorney, probate court authorized to exercise equity jurisdiction in probate cases, const. amend.

Baldwin Co., toll road authority, authorize by local law, bonds, const. amend.

Student journalists at public institutions of higher education, freedom of speech and freedom of the press provided with certain exceptions

Retirement Systems of Alabama, certain provisions of the Alabama Uniform Trust Code to apply to Boards of Control, Secs. 16-25-19, 16-25-20, 36-27-23, 36-27-25 am'd.

Bingo, White Hall and Lowndes Co., legalizing certain operations of electronic bingo for prizes or money for charitable or educational purposes, const, amend.

Drivers license, suspension, prohibited for failure to pay fines, fees, or court costs, Sec. 32-5A-195 am'd.

Taxation, sales and use tax, exemption from the sale of certain adaptive devises for the blind

Municipality, telecommunication services, right-of-way, compensation required to be cost based, Sec. 11-50B-3 am'd.

Deputy circuit clerk, serving the Bessemer Cut-off Division of the Tenth Judicial Circuit, renamed as the Circuit Clerk of the Bessemer Division, Secs. 12-17-80, 12-17-98 am'd.

Governor's appointed cabinet members, salary ranges set by State Personnel Board, salaries of new appointees capped, Sec. 36-6-6 repealed

Education, Education Savings Account program, created

Pharmacy, State Board of, facilities providing dialysate, drugs, or devices for home rental dialysis exempt from regulation, Sec. 34-23-77 added

Medicaid Agency, regional care organization, full and probationary certification, time period extended, Secs. 22-6-156, 22-6-159, 22-6-162 am'd.

Bingo, White Hall and Lowndes Co., legalizing certain operations of electronic bingo for prizes or money for charitable or educational purposes, const, amend.

Lenders, requiring photo identification of applicant for loan offered over the Internet

Chiropractic Examiners, St. Bd. of, licensed chiropractors, continuing education requirement, board to provide by rule, Sec. 34-24-165 amd.

Individual tax preparers, registration, penalties for violations, Alabama Taxpayer Protection and Assistance Act Advisory Council estab.

Defamation, showing of actual malice required, Sec. 13A-11-163 am'd.

Planning and zoning subdivisions, jurisdictional limits revised, municipality's authority to override county's enforcement of regulation of subdivisions, revised, Secs. 11-52-30, 11-52-33.1 am'd.

Baldwin Co., municipalities, toll road authority, Legislature by local law may provide for, issuance of bonds, const. amend.

Bingo, White Hall and Lowndes Co., legalizing certain operations of electronic bingo for prizes or money for charitable or educational purposes, const, amend.

Courts, enforcement of fine and court costs payment, constitutional safeguards

Birmingham, city council, salary and expenses of the members, const. amend.

Minority Affairs, Office of, Advisory Board on Minority Affairs created, director position created as cabinet level position

Taxation, sales and use taxes, Southern Research Institute exempt from state, county, and municipal taxes

Medical malpractice, administrative Patient Compensation System created to provide for an administrative process for certain medical injuries, Patient Compensation Board established, annual contributions by certain health care providers required

Russellville, Franklin Co., civil service board, members, salary to be set by city council, Sec. 45-30A-50.03 am'd.

Traffic violations, court authorized to order deferred payments or installments to pay fines or costs, court prohibited from suspending or revoking driver's license if violator making payments

Traffic violations, misdemeanors, court authorized to order deferred or installment payments or community service, court prohibited from suspending driver's license for failure to appear or pay fines or court costs

Courts, fines and fees, Fairness in Enforcement of Fines and Fees Act, required to comply with basic constitutional principles of due process, equal protection, and right to counsel when enforcing fines and fees

Russell Co., sheriffs, additional qualifications, continuing education

Russell Co., sheriff, Sheriff Service of Process Fund, created, service of process, further provided for, sheriff may contract for service, fees, disposition of funds

Municipal courts, judicial immunity for discretionary judicial acts provided for, const. amend.

Taxation, Prince Hall Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons and Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge F. and A.M., exempt from sales, county and municipal taxes

Baldwin Co., municipalities, toll road authority, Legislature by local law may provide for, issuance of bonds, const. amend.

Public property, national motto, In God We Trust, authorized to display

Common law marriage, abolished, on or after January 1, 2017, prior marriages recognized

Banks and Banking, delinquency procedure regarding federal home loan banks, Sec. 27-32-27.1 added

State Board of Education, model evaluation system for teachers, principals, and assistant principals, report to Legislature during 2017 Reg. Sess.

Domestic violence, protection orders, definitions clarified, notice of hearing and service of process requirements clarified, fines and penalties for violations clarified, Sec. 13A-6-139.1 repealed; Secs. 13A-6-130, 13A-6-131, 13A-6-132, 13A-6-134, 13A-6-138, 13A-6-142, 15-10-3, 15-13-190, 15-23-68, 30-5-2, 30-5-3, 30-5-5, 30-5-8 am'd.

Education, public and nonpublic K-12 students, participation in extracurricular activities, not to be prohibited based on participation on community athletic teams