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Alabama Senate adopts special‑order calendar, advances dozens of bills and adopts multiple ceremonial resolutions
Summary
The Senate set a special order calendar, received numerous committee reports and introductions of bills, and adopted several resolutions recognizing individuals and observances. Senators also debated representation and the calendar process.
The Alabama Senate moved through a packed session that included adoption of a special order calendar, referral of many introduced bills to committees, and the adoption of multiple ceremonial and commemorative resolutions.
Lawmakers voted on procedural and recognition items throughout the day. A motion to set aside sunset for a special order calendar passed on a long roll call (recorded as 23 ayes, 0 nays at one point), and the chamber later recorded votes adopting the special order calendar in subsequent procedural steps (including a recorded 21 ayes, 0 nays). The chamber also adopted several resolutions recognizing community leaders, anniversaries and statewide observances, and received a large number of committee reports that placed bills on the calendar for future consideration.
Senator Gudger moved the initial long‑roll call to set aside sunset for a special order calendar. Senator Wagner, speaking for the Committee on Rules, presented a special‑order calendar listing bills that the committee prioritized for the legislative day, including several bills addressing business taxes, health care providers, and entity code updates. The Senate adopted the rules committee report and the special order list without objection when called for final adoption.
The body received a long list of bill introductions and referrals. Sponsors introduced bills on topics including income tax (SB 289), campaign practices (SB 290), state superintendent appointment language (SB 291), Lee County matters (SB 292), health insurance (SB 293), pipeline underground damage prevention (SB 294), off‑road vehicles (SB 295), water resources (SB 296), and others. House messages also arrived on multiple subjects, including K‑12 computer science graduation requirements (House Bill 332) and changes to district attorney compensation (House Bill 353 and other measures). Committee reports sent dozens of bills to the calendar with favorable or amended reports.
The Senate adopted multiple resolutions by voice or roll call. Among them were: - Senate Joint Resolution 55 commending Charles C. Anderson for earning a Business Alabama Lifetime Achievement Award (adopted). - Senate Joint Resolution 56 recognizing April 8, 2025, as Scouting America Day in Alabama (adopted by roll call). - Senate Joint Resolution 57 commemorating the 70th anniversary of the nationwide polio eradication campaign (adopted). - Additional rules committee resolutions creating interim study commissions and commending local winners of sporting events were adopted.
The session also included an extended floor statement by Senator Smitherman, who objected to what he described as the calendar making it difficult for senators representing Black-majority constituencies to get bills placed on the agenda. Smitherman said his district had been shortchanged and urged colleagues to address perceived disparities; his remarks focused on representation in the legislative process rather than a single bill text.
Several committee reports received favorable votes and were placed on the calendar for second reading or future consideration. The Senate also confirmed multiple gubernatorial appointments by referral to the confirmations committee.
Senators said they expected continued, and often lengthy, work in committee and on the floor as the session progressed. The Senate adjourned to reconvene at its stated time for the next legislative day.
