[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6602448,"mediaKeyId","3001320-110834b62f58a952a215e1e5c441f97c","parentId",3001320,"title","Votes at a glance: House passes multiple bills including tax-tribunal changes, vehicle rules and retirement fixes","audioSeconds",8437,"startMs",2153000,"endMs",10590000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3001320-110834b62f58a952a215e1e5c441f97c&start=2153&end=10590","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3001320-110834b62f58a952a215e1e5c441f97c/thumbnail_2153000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6602448/Alabama/Votes-at-a-glance-House-passes-multiple-bills-including-tax-tribunal-changes-vehicle-rules-and-retirement-fixes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6602448-18105141aa9cadf4acfef18534d82824/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177664&Signature=f0wC-v7VGlTNNQnKKUQS~gV7WT60OSZBPdKbk-dyBeOz0GXi3zLDc6El6iqVs4bXc5Bhcw~qx~K15z~0V8HNzDQeCLj9GuOFALdGNq2pD9Lgg3aiQYHwTyAVKTFVE34mnYpsa6g8pT4-BB6VOa6CTH~4VY9CeV6i-v5jn7Saf2knK4GDvEBnqThVcyTiP4jq5xMixmQAtdh2I8~iHCTuHpPT6bxmBm2iAR~Tp8Nx7keJ1eyjIV21ktEoccL6o8mv4aUsg6cRWb1mSWC3dGTpZpOXITVCd2a9tRFU4HKcitM03OmKrsgGssRDa7LEpGRW95oeMdYDJUVTGDiMn1rzqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alabama House Sessions","date","2025-04-15T21:26:15.097Z","article","The Alabama House completed floor action on a series of bills and resolutions during the session. Many items drew brief floor explanation and recorded votes; several were passed with large majorities and little floor debate.

Key outcomes recorded on the floor (vote totals from the transcript):

- HB 549 (Butler County local bill): Final passage recorded as passed (vote recorded as 14 ayes, 0 nays in the final tally reported on the floor for the item listed). The BRR and final passage were taken in sequence on the calendar.
- HB 550 (Butler County local bill): Passed (recorded 10 ayes, 0 nays at final passage as reported).
- HB 551 (Butler County local bill): Passed (final passage recorded 9 ayes, 0 nays).
- HB 552 (Covington County local bill): Passed (final passage recorded 14 ayes, 0 nays).
- HB 526 (Alabama 21st Century Fund) — covered in a separate article due to extended debate and amendment activity.
- HB 506 (off-road vehicle operations, substitute adopted): Passed as substituted (final recorded vote 101 ayes, 0 nays). The sponsor said the bill aligns state law to allow first responders to operate ATVs for official duties when policies and insurance requirements are met.
- HB 447 (school-bus rider rules; substitute clarifies that non-K–12 adults may not ride school buses for community college travel): Passed as substituted (final recorded vote 99 ayes, 0 nays). Sponsor said this repeals a decades-old requirement that allowed adults to ride K–12 buses to community college. Dual-enrolled students remain eligible.
- HB 505 (Alabama Tax Tribunal): Passed (final recorded vote 101 ayes, 0 nays). The bill extended the appeal period from 30 to 60 days and adjusted tribunal judge pay to remain competitive with other administrative law judges.
- HB 255 (employee retirement system adjustment for law enforcement leave payout): Passed as substituted (final recorded vote 97 ayes, 0 nays). The substitute made all covered law enforcement officers eligible for the leave payout provision.
- HB 492 (juvenile offenders / marine-related driving provision): Passed (recorded 70 ayes, 0 nays, 22 abstentions on final passage as reported); the sponsor opened the bill for cosponsors on the floor later.
- HB 480 (foreign national ID cannot be used for voting): Final passage recorded 76 ayes, 5 nays, 21 abstentions earlier in floor sequence; the measure clarifies that foreign national driver IDs issued by the state may not be used as valid photo identification for voting.
- HB 465 (state EMA spending on education/public-awareness materials): Passed (final recorded vote 100 ayes, 0 nays).

Other procedural actions: several joint and memorial resolutions were announced and adopted by voice; some senate bills were carried over for later consideration. A number of bills were carried over on request or by motion when chair or sponsors asked for additional time.

What to watch next: Most passed bills will be transmitted to the Senate for its consideration (or, if they are local bills, proceed according to the regular interchamber process). Sponsors and staff will prepare implementing guidance or rulemaking where the bill text directs an agency to set procedures or fees.

This roundup lists recorded final passage tallies captured on the House floor; for bills that drew extended debate (HB 526, HB 509, HB 8), separate articles provide detailed coverage of the floor discussion, amendments and implementation questions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alabama House","oneSentenceSummary","The House recorded final action on a range of bills during the floor session, including passage of several county-related local bills, changes to tax-tribunal appeal timelines, off-road vehicle rules, school-bus rider rules, and retirement system adjustments.","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},6602454,"House passes vaping bill with enforcement funding, education and juvenile penalties",1124,10754000,11878000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3001320-110834b62f58a952a215e1e5c441f97c&start=10754&end=11878","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3001320-110834b62f58a952a215e1e5c441f97c/thumbnail_10754000.jpg","/articles/6602454/Alabama/House-passes-vaping-bill-with-enforcement-funding-education-and-juvenile-penalties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6602454-1de442d4b503d7c0f24c940edcfd1e61/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177664&Signature=ChwvDa8U570xO6~Eg-CM6-j2PCgb4s~IKlvZDcdV9Pm4dJ7lUAbriFuZu4Y9V2Cq-mIP0SjL0u4eklN94DCpv8OCL6TgRwru-s3H-6QsfEP1VZ9wJt8k25C5co8WDF1g5heRLDVDs8YD1pXgJSRk78~BU1yHqza6xHexVQgAStFdrZ-A0luDQWqsy51PdvhhhuGkwz5ci9s99U54rD7Sz8-cdkNM-kcYAu134naliz5hnMA2~4yPhbIiYEIA9aRuQ-5zY28OxDY0~JCLVlGluKg7aebNHhytMR65CA4-wcwZUUfpJOd-1qeWB2I-YcXwDvYBBhN9jVUrVcETI3D3Kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama House passed House Bill 8, a measure to tighten controls on e-liquids and alternative nicotine products and to fund enforcement and education efforts. Representative Drummond, the bill sponsor, said the measure aims to protect children and direct industry funds toward enforcement and prevention.

\"This is a vaping bill,\" Drummond told the chamber, framing the legislation as a public-health response to youth vaping and citing cases in which devices were laced with other substances. The bill requires manufacturers to register, creates fee revenue to fund enforcement at the Alcoholic Beverage Control and other agencies, and establishes school-based responses for juvenile possession on campus. Under the measure, first and second offenses on school grounds are handled with warnings and education; a third offense carries a $50 fine and mandated attendance at a curriculum established by the Department of Education. Representative Collin said the community is asking for accountability and training for courts and schools to handle juveniles appropriately.

The House adopted a committee amendment that imposes an initial fee structure and creates an enforcement fund; that amendment was adopted 86–9. Representative Pettis offered an amendment to require age-restricted placement of products in stores (i.e., placement in an area restricted to persons 21 and older or in convenience-store areas behind an age-restricted counter). The sponsor opposed adding that amendment on the floor and members voted 59–36 to table the Pettis proposal.

Supporters emphasized enforcement and education. Representative Drummond said the bill will create roughly $2.5 million for enforcement and direct much of the revenue to ABC and Aaliyah (state enforcement agencies named in debate) and to curricular development for schools. Representative Warren commended the sponsor’s persistence and said the measure addresses a growing youth-health problem.

Final passage: The House passed HB 8 as amended; the final recorded vote was 89 yeas and 9 nays. The House also adopted an amendment on fees and enactment language during floor consideration. The bill moves to the Senate for further consideration.

Implementation: The bill charges agencies with registry, inspection and enforcement duties and assigns the Department of Education responsibility for developing a school-based curriculum tied to juvenile responses. The committee substitute and adopted floor amendment establish manufacturer/producer fees to fund enforcement; the text delegates fee collection and spending authority to the relevant regulatory agencies.","House Bill 8 passed the House to regulate e-liquids and alternative nicotine products, funding enforcement through manufacturer fees, creating a juvenile response framework and requiring education; a Pettis amendment to restrict display in age-21 stores was tabled.",{"_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},6602458,"House passes bill defining ownership and limiting field culling of captive deer after CWD detection",5093,2497000,7590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3001320-110834b62f58a952a215e1e5c441f97c&start=2497&end=7590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3001320-110834b62f58a952a215e1e5c441f97c/thumbnail_2497000.jpg","/articles/6602458/Alabama/House-passes-bill-defining-ownership-and-limiting-field-culling-of-captive-deer-after-CWD-detection","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6602458-532015bddff476f3aa44b0cdfe4fca5e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177664&Signature=ffzZhufSI-lGTbrwga5-N7iV9KWCOPxr0iAJoJHapBSIgA~7t7AoiVSQL00vKMY2kheMdQj2HnR5RA9Zkl0dkuxGdNjfPyAiOAEBjgG4pSJIBAAdBsnOfvak7hS1HZwQ~hpQCeKh18OJQ8QHUuXH1kqp-7swc~D8wImyIyX2egoN2~xschd3zHGdUgzi9L8BpzZOS6fvDgwbwNBiBO4Wjf03xTgxZZgpcYc94L0vGrvwj-UHNH5pM6SojOJ07KBy17ZuT-kyiuvbNPAMuzrzGenU~U6uWI-fYy--6fE-HuOA1ahPneuaGszj8yv4P3e6g55Z6bBM-gRarmpm4TmeJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama House passed House Bill 509, which clarifies that licensed game breeders own animals in their possession and restricts the authority to kill breeder animals inside facilities solely because of a CWD detection outside the facility.

Representative Sorrells, sponsor of the bill, told the House that HB 509 \"does establish that the licensed breeder is the owner of the animals in possession, that these animals that they have bought, cared for, and bred are their personal property and not owned by the state of Alabama.\" He framed the measure as protecting businesses and livelihoods from what he called \"government overreach.\" Sorrells also said the bill \"does not restrict the killing of deer for additional testing due to a positive test outside the facility in the wild.\"

The debate focused on two core issues: (1) ownership of animals in breeding facilities and (2) how state conservation rules allow disease management interventions after CWD is detected in the wild. Sponsors and many supporters said the department’s emergency rule that drew a 25-mile radius around a positive wild deer and authorized culling within that area could lead to breeders losing animals without evidence of infection inside their facilities.

Lawmakers and breeders described CWD monitoring practices and testing limits. Several representatives noted that licensed breeders have voluntarily tested many animals over decades and that no CWD positives had been detected in breeder facilities in Alabama during long-term testing. Representative McCampbell and others discussed the limitations of available live tests; the sponsor’s floor amendment addressed movement and testing protocols.

Floor amendment: Representative Sorrells offered a floor amendment to allow movement of animals out of a CWD management zone if a live negative test is performed and approved by the state veterinarian; it also provided for movement of genetically CWD-resistant stock once a breeding threshold is reached and allowed movement when animals are behind a double fence. The amendment passed by recorded vote (98 ayes, 1 nay) on the floor.

Opposition and conservation concerns: Representatives and several stakeholders, including the Alabama Department of Conservation, expressed concern about disease spread and urged strong monitoring and the ability to manage herds to protect wild populations and hunting economies. Some members of the House and letters from large landowners urged that conservation professionals retain the authority to monitor and, where necessary, act to limit spread.

Final vote: The bill passed as amended. The final recorded vote on passage as amended was 84 yeas and 8 nays. The adopted language preserves testing and monitoring but constrains conservation’s emergency culling authority inside breeder facilities in the absence of evidence of infection inside the facility; it also creates routes for live-test-based movement and double-fence exceptions.

Implementation: The bill directs movement and testing rules to the state veterinarian and preserves the Department of Agriculture and Industries’ role in testing death losses at facilities. It does not repeal disease surveillance or testing requirements for animals that die in a facility; rather, it limits the circumstances under which conservation staff may enter and cull breeder animals based solely on nearby wild positives. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the state veterinarian will have roles in implementing the live-test exceptions created by the floor amendment.","Lawmakers approved House Bill 509 to clarify breeders’ ownership of captive deer and to limit use of conservation emergency rule powers to cull animals inside breeding facilities following chronic wasting disease (CWD) finds in the wild; a floor amendment added live-test and double-fence exceptions for movement out of a CWD management zone.",{"_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},6602462,"House OKs $5 million one-time transfer to fund overseas trade offices, rural grant-writing staff",1357,2363000,3720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3001320-110834b62f58a952a215e1e5c441f97c&start=2363&end=3720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3001320-110834b62f58a952a215e1e5c441f97c/thumbnail_2363000.jpg","/articles/6602462/Alabama/House-OKs-5-million-one-time-transfer-to-fund-overseas-trade-offices-rural-grant-writing-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6602462-cd3ba83a7747b944080fb07b36b917e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177664&Signature=R61Zd8jJs7u2Ake2bQEyFQpLvgiHkLWJmVyukr~xG62FYRb9AvUOcorAwYgr4At~l1sspIJZza80rB6TEOhSAfyg2VYHNf6kzTalrUd9mxrR5fBVA6HU3uybaMe6XmPLqkX~WuLsX4kP12e0OJB-iCnTU86pxsJeLFmco3Qla1XWzU16EI8YMw9p35C~DGDAI~kfm8wADCVH2MGWejKhhH4LeRmta4ZK55U3wnJZRU~rYIN-aMZMeEZL13HXb~QPVn1BiyB0zT77RfMWVdtexRTLvlcfJjPMzyP3~dRvbXZmg~tht1BvCtTrXYsNECB1jLr9gQUZnyX4iqF~8R7PjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama House approved House Bill 526 on final passage, authorizing a one-time $5 million transfer from the Alabama 21st Century Fund to the Department of Commerce to open overseas trade offices and add rural development grant-writing staff.

Representative Bridal, the bill sponsor, told the chamber the measure would \"allow for a 1 time transfer from the 20 first century fund to the Department of Commerce to establish 3 overseas trade offices in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, and to, to, staff up on the rural development side for grant writing in the more rural areas of Alabama.\" He said the transfer is intended to help Alabama compete with other states that maintain multiple overseas offices and to provide individualized economic development support to under-resourced counties.

Supporters argued the offices would help recruit foreign investment and assist rural counties in preparing grant applications. Representative Bridal said Alabama currently lags other states: \"Georgia has 12. North Carolina has 7.\" He and other proponents said outreach overseas can be particularly important as international relationships and trade patterns change.

Several lawmakers from rural areas pressed for assurances that new jobs and projects would benefit their counties. Representative Campbell said rural communities like hers are still preparing infrastructure and workforce for incoming industry and urged prioritizing direct local support: \"we need everything we got in this account to go to rural communities in Alabama.\" Representative Warren raised questions about whether the fund language allowed uses beyond the transfer; Bridal said the 21st Century Fund originally derived from the tobacco settlement and that this bill is a one-time transfer specifically for the Department of Commerce to open the offices and support rural grant writing.

A committee substitute tightened language on fund retention and clarified that $16 million is the minimum amount to be kept in the fund after transfers. Representatives asked for clarification about which authority would execute the transfer; Bridal said the State Industrial Development Authority is given permission to transfer the $5 million.

Votes on the bill proceeded in multiple steps. The House adopted the committee substitute by voice and recorded votes in committee and on final passage; the final recorded vote for passage as substituted was 96 yeas, 0 nays. The sponsor and other supporters said the measure is intended as a one-time investment to improve Alabama’s competitiveness and to create capacity for rural economic development work.

The transfer will be administered by the Department of Commerce; the bill directs the authority to use the funding to open and staff the three overseas offices and to add grant-writing capacity focused on rural counties. The text adopted on the floor retained a provision specifying a minimum balance to remain in the 21st Century Fund. The bill does not specify which counties will receive grant-writing staff or specific project allocations; those implementation details will be determined by Commerce and the State Industrial Development Authority after the transfer is made.

Lawmakers from both urban and rural districts expressed conditional support but several asked the department to ensure equitable distribution of resulting projects. Representative Bridal said the offices will also staff up an existing part-time office in Germany and would be tailored to each county’s needs.

House action on HB 526 completes legislative approval in the chamber; the bill will proceed to the Senate for consideration per the regular legislative process.","The Alabama House approved a bill transferring $5 million from the Alabama 21st Century Fund to the Department of Commerce to establish three overseas trade offices and expand rural grant-writing capacity, amid questions from rural lawmakers about prioritizing local infrastructure and economic development.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: House passes multiple bills including tax-tribunal changes, vehicle rules and retirement fixes

House passes vaping bill with enforcement funding, education and juvenile penalties

House passes bill defining ownership and limiting field culling of captive deer after CWD detection

House OKs $5 million one-time transfer to fund overseas trade offices, rural grant-writing staff