HB70 Alabama 2017 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Bill Poole
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2017
Title: Age of majority, lowered to 18 years, to retain the age limitation for tobacco sales, Secs. 26-1-1, 13A-12-3
Summary: This bill lowers Alabama's age of majority from 19 to 18, keeps the tobacco sale age limit at under 19, and adds several exceptions and updates to related laws.
What This Bill Does
It changes the age at which a person is considered an adult from 19 to 18. It adds specific exceptions (such as allowing certain contracts for veterans under 19, consent to participate in college research at age 18, and other rights related to health, guardianship, education, and juvenile matters). It preserves the prohibition on selling tobacco to minors by keeping the under-19 limit, with penalties for violations. It also updates references in various laws to reflect the new age, and sets an effective date for the changes.

Who It Affects
Individuals who turn 18 will become legal adults and gain most adult rights, subject to listed exceptions (e.g., contracts for vehicle purchases for veterans, research consent, health and guardianship provisions).
Tobacco retailers and anyone under 19: sales of cigarettes and tobacco products remain illegal to anyone under 19, with fines and possible jail time for violators; 18-year-olds are still treated as minors for tobacco sales under this bill.

Key Provisions
Amends 26-1-1 to lower the age of majority to 18; 18-year-olds are relieved of minority disabilities, with several exceptions noted.
Adds exceptions (e)–(l) for things like motor vehicle contracts for veterans under 19, research participation at 18+, health insurance, guardianship, school records, abortions, youth offender status, and other protections; (m) clarifies that some sections do not amend certain other statutes.
Amends 13A-12-3 to retain the prohibition on selling tobacco to minors, keeping the limit at under 19 and imposing fines of $10–$50 and up to 30 days in jail for violations.
Updates cross-references in laws to replace references like 'under age 21' or 'under age 19' with the new 18–19/18 threshold where appropriate.
Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor’s approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Age of Majority