Alabama legislative session

Starting July 1, paid parental leave for eligible public employees, including teachers and state workers, will go into effect. This comes as Gov. Kay Ivey signs SB199, also known as the Alabama Public Employee Paid Parental Leave Act of 2025, into law.

Alabama lawmakers have approved legislation aimed at creating a path for people who experience suicidal thoughts to voluntarily store their weapons with licensed gun dealers. The bill would provide lawsuit immunity to licensed firearm dealers who agree to hold someone’s weapon for a period of time.

Alabama lawmakers have approved a bipartisan bill that would make teachers and state employees eligible for paid parental leave. The Republican dominated House of Representatives passed the legislation 94-2 on Thursday. It now goes to Republican Gov. Kay Ivey, who has endorsed the legislation.

Alabama lawmakers on Thursday advanced proposed regulations on pharmacy benefit managers. Supporters said the bill is needed to protect independent pharmacy stores. The Alabama Senate voted 32-0 Thursday to advance legislation to require minimum reimbursement rates to community pharmacists.

Grocery shoppers would get a slight tax cut under an Alabama bill. State representatives who passed the bill Tuesday said families are being hurt by soaring grocery prices. The largest proposed tax cut would reduce the state sales tax on food from 3% to 2%.

Alabama lawmakers approved a ban on Glock switches and other conversion devices that convert semi-automatic weapons into machine guns. A bipartisan coalition pushed the Alabama legislation after several multiple mass shootings last year. The bill now goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

A Republican-led bill that would allow resentencing for prisoners serving life sentences for nonviolent offenses has narrowly advanced in the Alabama Senate. The 17-8 vote Tuesday was a rare demonstration of bipartisanship as nationally both Democrats and Republicans push for tough-on-crime policies.

Alabama lawmakers are advancing a bill that would make it harder to sue police who use excessive or lethal force. Sponsors of the bill said the legislation will increase officer recruitment and improve officer safety.

Alabama lawmakers are advancing a ban on Glock switches and other conversion devices that make semi-automatic weapons fire like machine guns. The conversion devices that speed the firing of semi-automatic weapons are already banned under federal law, but there’s currently no state law that bans them.

Advocates are urging Alabama lawmakers to reconsider their long-held reluctance to expand Medicaid. The push comes at the same time there is gathering uncertainty about possible cuts and changes to Medicaid, the safety net program that provides health care to 80 million U.S. adults and children.