Legislature

Legislature / Education

Senate committee approves abstinence-based sex ed bill

An Alabama Senate committee advanced legislation Thursday requiring public schools to exclusively teach sexual risk avoidance, effectively rebranding abstinence-only sex education.

February 12, 2026

Democrats want to give people an opportunity to vote on a state lottery

State Representative Phillip Ensler is planning a new lottery push, and it promises to be popular with voters.

February 12, 2026

House committee considers bill to deny bail based on immigration status

The House Judiciary Committee debated a bill to deny bail for undocumented defendants charged with violent crimes.

February 12, 2026

Senate committee hears public input on bill to regulate police pursuits

Law enforcement officers and family of youths killed as a result of vehicular pursuits shared opposing stances on proposed police chase regulations.

February 12, 2026

Committee passes bill to prohibit vaping in public spaces

Alabama lawmakers moved Wednesday to include electronic nicotine delivery systems in the state’s indoor smoking ban while honoring Senator Vivian Figures.

February 12, 2026

Bill passes Senate allowing UA to reorganize School of Social Work despite public pushback

“HB152 would be a unique action against a nationally ranked, highly productive professional school,” one critic of the bill stated.

February 12, 2026

Tuberville backs PSC change

Sen. Tommy Tuberville said he supports a bill currently being debated in the legislature that would change the way PSC board members are selected.

February 11, 2026

Lawmakers fast-track bill to replace Public Service Commission elections with appointments

An Alabama House committee quickly approved a bill shifting utility regulators from elected to appointed positions despite concerns over corporate influence.

February 11, 2026

Gov. Kay Ivey signs law to limit Mobile Bay dredge dumping

The "Save Our Bay" law requires 70 percent of dredged sediment go towards "beneficial uses" in the Mobile Bay area.

February 11, 2026

Bill allowing removal of library board members advances out of the Senate

The Senate passed a bill allowing local governments to remove library board members, sparking debate over politicization and local control.

February 11, 2026