Alabama Senate advances immigration DNA check, tightens Jobs Act repayment, limits some out‑of‑state driver licenses; confirms dozens to state boards

The Alabama Senate on Feb. 17, 2025 approved a package of bills that expand DNA collection for a category of noncitizens in custody, require repayment of state incentives when companies are convicted of human trafficking, and limit recognition of certain out‑of‑state driver’s licenses — and it confirmed dozens of appointments to state boards.

The measures were approved after committee reports, debate and a series of roll‑call votes. Several controversial criminal‑law measures and changes to election administration also advanced; one revenue bill was carried over to the call of the chair. The chamber adopted two ceremonial resolutions, including a proclamation for Space Day and a Senate joint resolution supporting a proposed federal Rosa Parks Day.

Why it matters: the votes affect multiple policy areas — criminal investigations and forensic databases, corporate incentives under the Alabama Jobs Act, how Alabama treats out‑of‑state driver’s credentials that do not require proof of lawful presence, and the composition and pay of county registrars. The confirmations will fill seats on boards that oversee workforce policy and higher education.

Key measures and outcomes

- SB 63 (Bell) — DNA collection: Senator Doug Bell said the bill “adds one more class of people that’s getting their DNA testing to put it in our database,” describing an expansion of the group whose DNA is taken when an arrestee lacks identification. The Senate passed SB 63 on final passage, 24 ayes, 7 nays.

- SB 22 (Coleman) — Alabama Jobs Act amendment: Senator Chris Coleman said the committee amendment requires companies that received state incentives and are later convicted of human trafficking to repay those incentives to the state. The Senate passed SB 22 as amended, 30 ayes, 0 nays.

- SB 55 (Elliott) — out‑of‑state driver’s credentials: Senator Tim Elliott said the bill makes invalid in Alabama certain out‑of‑state licenses that were issued without proof of lawful presence. The chamber adopted a senator‑offered amendment to allow a driver who presents other documentation of lawful presence to avoid a citation, and the Senate agreed to language directing an online notice mechanism and to require educational signage; SB 55 passed 25 ayes, 3 nays.

- SB 53 (Kitchens) — verification time for arrested individuals: Senator Will Kitchens described the bill as setting parameters to allow law enforcement time to verify an arrestee’s identity and legal status. Members debated and adopted a substitute and subsequent amendments that, sponsors said, narrow the bill’s scope and exempt certain professionals (for example, attorneys and educators transporting clients or students) to avoid unintended consequences. SB 53 passed final passage, 24 ayes, 8 nays.

- SB 32 (Schmitteman) — weapons language: Senator Schmitteman and Senator Elliott offered and adopted amendments to clarify statutory language around what constitutes an automatic or machine gun. The Senate passed SB 32 as amended, 31 ayes, 1 nay.

- SB 48 (Singleton) — boards of registrars: Senator Singleton said the bill, negotiated with county officials and the Board of Registrars Association, raises the per‑diem for registrars (committee language adjusted the amount) and clarifies that registrars serve in a state capacity rather than as county employees. The Senate passed SB 48, 29 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstention.

- SB 77 (Weaver) — international wire transfers: Senator Linda Weaver explained the measure is part of a package on wire transfers but noted revenue provisions require House origination; the Senate carried SB 77 over to the call of the chair for further consideration.

Confirmations and committee reports

The Senate considered a large block of gubernatorial and other appointments. Committee reports forwarded dozens of nominees to floor consideration, including multiple confirmations to the Alabama Workforce Board and the University of Alabama Board of Trustees. Senator Smitherman observed on the floor that the chamber was processing “close to 40 confirmations.” Several nominees were confirmed by roll calls that recorded between 30 and 32 ayes and no recorded nays on many of the individual confirmations; the transcript records individual confirmation results for each nominee as they were called.

Resolutions and other actions

The Senate adopted several resolutions on unanimous or voice votes, including a House joint resolution recognizing an Alabama Family, Career and Community Leaders of America project and a Senate resolution designating Feb. 25, 2025, as Space Day. Senators also approved a Senate joint resolution supporting the proposed national Rosa Parks Day.

Procedure and next steps

Senators debated the special‑order calendar and one member urged leaders to give earlier priority to local bills to reduce repeated advertising costs for counties. By the close of the day the chamber adopted the special‑order calendar, carried SB 77 to the chair’s call, and set adjournment until 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18.

Quotes

“[The bill] just adds one more class of people that’s getting their DNA testing to put it in our database,” Senator Doug Bell said while explaining SB 63 on the floor.

“When the amendment is adopted,” Senator Chris Coleman said of SB 22, “any company that was incentivized and then found guilty of human trafficking, that money has to be paid back to the state.”

Senator Tim Elliott, sponsor of the driver’s‑license bill, described the measure as aimed at credentials “issued by other states that don’t require you to prove that you’re here legally,” and supported a colleague’s amendment to place a public notice and clarification on the state website.

Votes at a glance

- SB 63 — Final passage: passed, 24–7 (Sen. Bell; adds a class for DNA sampling for individuals in custody lacking identification). - SB 22 — Final passage as amended: passed, 30–0 (Sen. Coleman; requires repayment of incentives if a company is convicted of human trafficking). - SB 55 — Final passage as amended: passed, 25–3 (Sen. Elliott; limits recognition of some out‑of‑state driver credentials; adds exception when other proof of lawful presence is provided and requires notice). - SB 53 — Final passage (substitute/amendments adopted): passed, 24–8 (Sen. Kitchens; allows verification time for law enforcement; includes exemptions for certain professionals). - SB 32 — Final passage as amended: passed, 31–1 (Sen. Schmitteman; clarifies weapon‑related definitions). - SB 48 — Final passage: passed, 29–0–1 (Sen. Singleton; adjusts registrars’ pay and clarifies status). - SB 77 — Carried to call of the chair (Sen. Weaver; international wire transfers/revenue provisions). - Confirmations — Multiple nominees to the Alabama Workforce Board and University of Alabama Board of Trustees confirmed by roll calls recorded throughout the session (committee favorable reports; many final tallies recorded as 30–32 ayes, 0 nays on individual confirmations). - Resolutions — Space Day proclamation and a joint resolution supporting a proposed federal Rosa Parks Day: adopted (voice votes/consent).

Ending

The Senate concluded the legislative day after adopting the special‑order calendar and a series of final votes and set the next convening for 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18. Several senators asked staff to continue negotiations and technical drafting on amendments and signage language tied to SB 55 and other bills.