[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6607271,"mediaKeyId","2953467-ade8db064a3a8b02a6a1050e934628b1","parentId",2953467,"title","House restores judges’ ability to accept partial bonds in bail reform change","audioSeconds",1394,"startMs",17386000,"endMs",18780000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2953467-ade8db064a3a8b02a6a1050e934628b1&start=17386&end=18780","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2953467-ade8db064a3a8b02a6a1050e934628b1/thumbnail_17386000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6607271/Alabama/House-restores-judges-ability-to-accept-partial-bonds-in-bail-reform-change","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607271-9af8e83a62366820f312ac9c5ac70c56/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172130&Signature=gKmZdhGXQwyyAqX~YqI-wfcBYW-iH2HtZlhu-4snHk1qXP7QF31vqNpHXpBj-RshTUSJljvs4TbFi1gvOi2cziu5dc3FMln~tiy2lbLmlq8OblLHP4J4r~HnaGtirEowOfyvU63JJ2lZePUE4qE5pWekLnZHn34k62Tqz2nGQGcTsyrhqSFawKwldJymQZLaNklpkrXNB-7TCJvikIK4r6nw7Tk9Qay8~WVmXVW1fYsVApoh1Ut5QOW8HoaW9hC1zlMEl9ixuojlVmvTwHkp2fgs9qA-hXW3TI8n0Cx8x38zl6F5jfEKUfs6dEz-K550~i5URaMOsmohDQje4jAv3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alabama House Sessions","date","2025-04-10T19:55:38.57Z","article","The Alabama House passed HB 42 on April 9, restoring language in state bail law that allows judges to accept partial cash bonds (a percentage of the total bond) to secure a defendant’s release.

Sponsor Representative Mike England said the measure restores three words removed in an earlier amendment to the Alabama Bail Reform Act; restoring the phrase enables courts to accept partial bonds. Supporters said the change gives courts flexibility to secure fines, costs and restitution through partial cash bonds and helps ensure those amounts are available to the courts when defendants later fail to appear.

Several members raised concerns about exploitation by private bail agents and high fees charged to defendants. Representative Kirk Hatcher (questioner) and others said the bill does not address larger bail‑industry practices and called for additional reform. Representative England and others said HB 42 is a narrow technical fix restoring judicial discretion rather than a comprehensive overhaul of bail practices.

The House adopted the measure (final recorded vote was 66 yays, 32 nays) and sent the bill to the Senate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alabama House","oneSentenceSummary","HB 42, which restores language allowing judges to accept partial cash bonds (percentage bonds) instead of requiring full payment, passed amid debate about bail‑bond industry practices.","taxTitle","House, Alabama Legislative Sessions, Alabama","taxId",62182,"location","Alabama","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6607276,"House centralizes vape tax and enforcement; grants ABC authority for licensing fee to fund field enforcement",1499,15624000,17123000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2953467-ade8db064a3a8b02a6a1050e934628b1&start=15624&end=17123","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2953467-ade8db064a3a8b02a6a1050e934628b1/thumbnail_15624000.jpg","/articles/6607276/Alabama/House-centralizes-vape-tax-and-enforcement-grants-ABC-authority-for-licensing-fee-to-fund-field-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607276-537356472920a35ed55ba5e9226fc6c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172130&Signature=l-g-s~PwD0bJg9ZOssnT7DrDMGZV6E~s8DwzrGSFFhN0J0frXI0B8JUnpKNR7SeT0jnrZw7QE4YpJsVmP1A~HkJn47Z1p80RnEr6P2o8jV7bw5w4BNbLp09hxYGeaMCsu4OyepzB4MQ2AVKFyP5toxfTzZV8HqAM41GVPf0jwbQCOnWY-gsZwCuohJP~kGlr2ZUPPXzt2abXIQOu5EYFSKaNyzVDkPD4Yqhmq~BwN-NLbWdbCPTAQGMSITRE7jCyiw3kmsOJq182EWTP1aU21kAja9TgeuuHUIws~7BRRZJIMRlTOY3u24d4TT~yLDfaOrTGsQHWiZsL0Up8Y0f0ZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama House on April 9 approved HB 529, a measure aimed at streamlining vapor product taxation and creating a funding mechanism for enforcement efforts to address illegal vape products sold in the state.

Representative Mac Faulkner, sponsor of sections of the broader package, told the House that a large share of vape products sold in Alabama are unlawful or unregistered. The bill establishes a single statewide tax rate for vapor products and authorizes the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to create a licensing fee for wholesalers and retailers; proceeds are intended to support field enforcement to remove illegal products from shelves.

Representative Troy Stubbs offered a floor amendment that grandfathered two counties with existing local excise taxes or pending constitutional amendments to maintain their local tax treatment; the amendment was adopted with support from municipal and county associations. The House adopted the substitute and passed final passage (final tally for the substituted bill recorded 86 ayes, 10 nays).

Faulkner said the bill sets a single, streamlined wholesale tax collection mechanism to avoid uneven tax burdens across retailers and to provide ABC with resources for enforcement. Supporters framed the measure as necessary because an estimated 80–85% of vape products in the state are illegal (not on the federal registry). Questions during debate focused on the relationship between the new fee, how counties and cities would participate, and whether the bill fairly preserves home‑rule authority for jurisdictions that have already adopted local taxes; the Stubbs amendment addressed some of those concerns by grandfathering two counties that had local measures in place or pending.

The bill passed the House and moves to the Senate. Implementation will require ABC fee rule‑making and coordination with the Department of Revenue to administer the single tax collection framework.","HB 529 directs a single statewide tax rate for vapor products, allows the ABC board to set a new licensing fee to fund enforcement, and includes a grandfathering amendment for two counties with existing or pending local taxes.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6607280,"House approves bill to regulate heated‑tobacco products, creates lower tax rate and restricts youth access",2043,14028000,16071000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2953467-ade8db064a3a8b02a6a1050e934628b1&start=14028&end=16071","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2953467-ade8db064a3a8b02a6a1050e934628b1/thumbnail_14028000.jpg","/articles/6607280/Alabama/House-approves-bill-to-regulate-heatedtobacco-products-creates-lower-tax-rate-and-restricts-youth-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607280-bf8af73858c8881aa73b9fbc0928a9a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172130&Signature=DIi9iNlqwmY74vSIos64lDU0ZCtOAGBJZ2yn5vDvL-wrjLFQ2agvclNsXIyNuSXUNzvCf60C6NRJRKiSYIdKG6sTBO59ZSo~CwTc2qxgVd0VOm~CJski9wU5KuFI1D1mTRUGhHdUFos8ECTU5BEsfQeei~ZStdQB1a~nPVtSL2c-qBh5LKxUzkbDSFPm1nA~vfRQEHl3y3aTx7AGvJoIrFLdnUxlVKR5Zxmux00cq42p8dTplQhAwMhh3~FkUzBPVAg~mcbzaSyARPfpYvCb7ayHT99W67mRUgTDXnPPmsRDoaXZ0etMDawqX14Hz7P4Gww9ITbTIIyThmVkbHNXQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama House on April 9 passed HB 357, a bill that treats heat‑not‑burn tobacco products as a distinct product category from conventionally burnt cigarettes and establishes a reduced excise tax rate for the new category. Sponsor Representative Mary Hollis said the measure recognizes that heated‑tobacco devices deliver nicotine via heated tobacco rather than combustion, and she described them as “harm reduction alternatives” for adult smokers.

The substitute the House adopted made technical changes requested by the Department of Revenue; it also established tax treatment and regulatory details. Representative Hollis and other supporters said the products produce no smoke and therefore avoid secondhand smoke risks associated with combustion. Opponents and some questioners cautioned that reduced taxes could make the products more attractive and urged caution given incomplete long‑term data; Representative Klaus said he would oppose a lower tax rate because it would reduce state excise revenue and possibly encourage use.

Supporters said the FDA has reviewed some heated‑tobacco products and concluded they can reduce exposure to harmful combustion products. Supporters also argued a lower tax and regulated adult retail channel could encourage adult smokers to switch from cigarettes. The House adopted the substitute (vote on sub adopted) and then passed final passage (58 yeas, 37 nays recorded). The measure now moves to the Senate for consideration.","Lawmakers passed HB 357, which recognizes heated‑tobacco products as distinct from conventional cigarettes and establishes regulation and a reduced excise tax; supporters say it offers a harm‑reduction alternative for adult smokers.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6607285,"House places psychoactive cannabinoid products under ABC control, limits retail availability",9436,3931000,13367000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2953467-ade8db064a3a8b02a6a1050e934628b1&start=3931&end=13367","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2953467-ade8db064a3a8b02a6a1050e934628b1/thumbnail_3931000.jpg","/articles/6607285/Alabama/House-places-psychoactive-cannabinoid-products-under-ABC-control-limits-retail-availability","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607285-dcc3c6d412e5b6864c5ff381a3fffda2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172130&Signature=V1AkWclWhR~eJXtA0SDLAED~NGSpEiksJYwNZll-G3jEo9ysTKyBnNZY4o-RvhZmMZGfhbohBrkrmNBbl-kp9AtmwBkD3PKnhYXGmb2t7VaM3Ct~fBlMy25A8ZmBBlEXwATENz~RsTPUcYEZMPwcXRYXjDeStUbY3Z0B6GCtqYh~t6S50L4VYneY-rOJP-4yvxxU3X7SU8lHl1fUjifKk2enyrlaZ4ce6GD1JCO87uGxBXnS5HOcdoMwZ54RlNN0i1cbOSKGFnknhwKXzByL0TYCm6Vq~fBo-sWgLvzS0qVCcCfP6~T9io4PKWdGE80zWnnRZWhojubrVzs5qCvVZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama House on April 9 adopted a substitute to HB 445 that places several psychoactive cannabinoid products under the state Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) licensing framework and restricts retail sales to 21‑and‑older licensed outlets.

Representative Matt Witt, sponsor of the bill, told the House the measure is intended to “replace … an unregulated, unchecked, and dangerous industry” by licensing and restricting the sale of psychoactive cannabinoid products such as delta‑8 and delta‑9 products and THC‑infused drinks.

The substitute requires ABC licensing for retailers, limits sales to stores that verify customers are 21 or older, caps THC levels in beverages and gummies (the substitute specified a 5‑milligram cap for certain THC drinks and gummies) and bans inhalable/vape products under the language adopted. Witt said the bill excludes vapes and inhalable products from the legal retail channel and would remove those items from convenience‑store shelves.

Supporters described the package as a public‑health measure to keep products out of the hands of youth, limit product potency in certain formats and create a regulated retail channel. The substitute was adopted by the House (84 yeas, 1 nay on the substitute) and final passage passed later in the day (76 yeas, 15 nays recorded for final passage). The bill now advances to the Senate for consideration.

Representative Witt said the bill would require ABC to license vendors, set labeling and limit requirements, and take several products off general retail shelves. Lawmakers who supported the measure said regulated adult retail with potency limits is preferable to the unregulated market now operating across the state. Opponents warned the bill could push consumers to black‑market channels if legal products are restricted; supporters said licensing and limits were necessary to protect public health and youth.

HB 445 passed the House substitute and then passed final passage as substituted. The House debate included discussion of tax and licensing details and the exact product definitions placed under ABC authority.","The House passed HB 445 substituting a regulatory framework that places certain psychoactive cannabinoid products under the state Alcoholic Beverage Control licensing regime, restricts sales to 21+ licensed stores and caps THC in drinks and gummies.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6607290,"House approves bill allowing Farmers Federation to offer members a self‑funded health plan",9771,3600000,13371000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2953467-ade8db064a3a8b02a6a1050e934628b1&start=3600&end=13371","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2953467-ade8db064a3a8b02a6a1050e934628b1/thumbnail_3600000.jpg","/articles/6607290/Alabama/House-approves-bill-allowing-Farmers-Federation-to-offer-members-a-selffunded-health-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607290-0e7d0227fd88e2416d81304c949a322a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172130&Signature=OAblNlkt3WDPAZMHf6AaWr7HZISKmKXNPI72kd2Y5FDuk8LyGXFlPTbG~1IZbmOTinHHFqyZIIbAuBraI11rZLfb9hw9s~06OJL-c-WsuzzhmBgoZFRJq1Q0tvUo9OiB7wy88Vg3jv0qrcsa~EMTFFEzJtzpNKKrb4nMH2o2APVOV6MePRRk2wgHYxFQbh-puxpr-0C2VHBdwu480cTXOdO0I2dtTFTFtmesKJTArVVCD~azb~Zs9pskJyZzHg4YiiIa~rheLe3gj9LL8SeOUUfMLnNa0PKaO~LeoMZZt~1WOOU2hYJgpp4-i4wKIGKfErDW9Lv8qG70ZRDLrv1I0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama House of Representatives on April 9 approved HB 477, a bill authorizing the Alabama Farmers Federation (commonly called the Farm Bureau) to offer a self‑funded health plan to its members, with statutory guardrails that sponsors say exceed protections in similar plans in other states.

Supporters said the plan aims to help farmers and other self‑employed people who fall into a coverage gap — earning too much for Medicaid but too little to afford unsubsidized private insurance. Representative Chris Faulkner, the bill sponsor, said the plan “is not a plan for everyone. This is a plan that is offered to the members of the Farmers Federation.”

House members who backed the bill described it as a targeted option that has operated in other states for decades and produced cost savings. Faulkner said the substitute before the House added mental‑health and substance‑use benefits, prescription drug coverage language, a licensed‑agent sales requirement, protections to prevent cancellation or premium increases after an individual health event, emergency out‑of‑network payment rules and an ombudsman/complaint process tied to the Alabama Department of Insurance. “We have put in the federal No Surprises Act and prompt pay law,” Faulkner said during debate.

Opponents pressed for stronger outside oversight of a self‑funded program and asked whether the Department of Insurance could or should be given explicit enforcement authority. Representative Laura Hall and others urged keeping a written enforcement role for the Department of Insurance; Faulkner argued the department does not regulate self‑funded plans and that the bill already contains more consumer protections than other states’ laws. Representative Angelique Vann pressed whether the plan would be available only to Farm Bureau members; Faulkner and other supporters confirmed eligibility is limited to members.

The House approved the substitute and final passage. The substitute added the benefits and oversight language described by the sponsor and included a floor amendment that set a $2,000,000 per‑enrollee floor for aggregate annual benefits language at hospitals’ request. House action: substitute adopted, then final passage (vote recorded 98 ayes, 1 nay).

Supporters said the plan could substantially lower premiums for eligible members, citing other states’ experience with savings commonly described as 30–60% in some cases. Representatives on the floor repeatedly emphasized the bill’s limits: it does not use state funds, will be offered only to Farm Bureau members, and is structured as a self‑funded benefit plan rather than traditional insurance.

The House debate also produced several amendments and concessions that sponsors said addressed hospital and insurer concerns, including an independent reinsurance requirement, actuarial reserve reporting and explicit patient protections for emergency out‑of‑network care. Several members called for follow‑up work to monitor implementation and to consider additional consumer safeguards later.

HB 477 now moves to the Senate for consideration.","The Alabama House passed HB 477 after several hours of debate on April 9, approving a law that lets the Alabama Farmers Federation offer a self‑funded health plan to its members with state-level guardrails and consumer protections.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House restores judges’ ability to accept partial bonds in bail reform change

House centralizes vape tax and enforcement; grants ABC authority for licensing fee to fund field enforcement

House approves bill to regulate heated‑tobacco products, creates lower tax rate and restricts youth access

House places psychoactive cannabinoid products under ABC control, limits retail availability

House approves bill allowing Farmers Federation to offer members a self‑funded health plan