Alabama Lawmakers

Alabama lawmakers have returned to Montgomery to begin the 2025 legislative session. Republican lawmakers are expected to propose multiple immigration bills as red states look to support President Donald Trump’s mass deportation efforts. Some senators are trying to gauge the interest for addressing lottery and casino legislation this session.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and many lawmakers are supporting a ban on Glock switches and other conversion devices that make semi-automatic weapons fire like a machine gun. The Republican governor is expected to back the proposal in her State of the State address as part of a broader package of bills focused on public safety.

A move is being made to block an Alabama law against diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and restrictions to so-called "divisive concepts." Senate Bill 129 prevents public universities across the state from dedicating funding to DEI programs.

Vaccination bills are popping up in more than 15 states, including in Alabama. This comes as lawmakers aim to potentially resurrect or create new religious exemptions from immunization mandates, establish state-level vaccine injury databases or dictate what providers must tell patients about the shots.

Alabama lawmakers are eyeing an overhaul to Alabama’s method of funding public schools. A panel of lawmakers heard information Monday about possible new formulas for how state money would get divvied among school systems.

Republicans in the Alabama Senate on Tuesday picked Sen. Garlan Gudger of Cullman to be the next Senate president pro tempore. Republicans named Gudger as their nominee after a closed-door meeting. The powerful position is vacant because Senate Pro Tempore Greg Reed is stepping down to join Gov. Kay Ivey’s administration.

A conference to discuss the changing educational landscape in Alabama and explore what’s possible for the future is on the books. More than 400 education advocates, policymakers, school leaders, teachers, students, parents and community stakeholders from across the state are headed to Birmingham for the Alabama Opportunity Summit.

A statewide, member-led nonprofit organization advancing public policies to improve the lives of Alabamians who are marginalized by poverty is recommending a plan of action for local lawmakers. The 2025 roadmap for change in Alabama from Alabama Arise has expanding Medicaid and ending the state sales tax on groceries as top goals on the legislative agenda.

An Alabama bill that impacts college DEI programs, bathroom access has been in effect across the Yellowhammer State for about a week. The SB129 legislation prohibits public universities, K-12 school systems and state agencies in Alabama from maintaining DEI offices.

State lawmakers from Mississippi and Alabama are playing each other in softball this weekend to raise money for charity. The states' Republican governors are placing friendly bets on the outcome.