Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger declared HB392 officially dead on the Senate floor Wednesday. The bill to strip voters of the right to elect Public Service Commissioners will not move forward this session. Gudger said the bill “moved too fast, addressed the issue too narrowly, and did not provide the public with enough information about why it was even being proposed.”
Gudger was unequivocal: “The right of the people to choose the public officials who govern their lives is sacred and must not be surrendered.” Sponsor Rep. Chip Brown admitted he “did a poor job of actually putting out the message.” The bill collapsed under public pressure after WBRC’s recording exposed Alabama Power’s lobbyist pitching it behind closed doors. Eleven candidates have qualified for two PSC seats in the May primary—those elections will proceed.
The House passed the bill creating a sales tax holiday eliminating taxes on firearms and ammunition. Democrats filibustered; Republicans invoked cloture to force the vote.
Criminalizes disruptions of worship services. Passed the House after extended debate during the same filibuster session.
The House passed a measure to rename Alabama’s portion of the Gulf of Mexico, aligning with a broader national push.
The Senate approved establishing a central office for professional licensing boards, aiming to streamline operations and reduce bureaucratic overhead across state agencies.
The Senate passed a bill emphasizing abstinence-based instruction and restricting discussion of contraceptives in K–12 schools.
Moved out of committee Wednesday. Reduces regulatory barriers for food truck operators across Alabama.
Advanced out of committee. Reforms executive emergency powers—a priority for conservatives since the COVID-era overreach debate.
Sen. Bobby Singleton’s priority bill to expand medical care access and improve emergency response times in rural areas. Advancing as a bipartisan effort backed by the Association of County Commissions.
Rep. Mack Butler introduced HB475, a bill that does what HB392 never did—address actual rate accountability. The bill requires the PSC to hold annual public meetings under the Open Meetings Act, excludes lobbying costs from rate calculations passed to consumers, and includes an impeachment mechanism for commissioners who fail to comply. Alabama hasn’t had open public rate hearings since 1982. This bill forces them.
House Majority Leader Paul Lee filled out his leadership team by appointing Rep. James Lomax as majority whip. Rep. Chip Brown continues as caucus vice chairman. The Alabama GOP also released its Week 6 legislative recap.
The House floor session on Day 17 extended late as Democrats filibustered the special order calendar. Republicans invoked cloture to cut debate on the 2A Sales Tax Holiday and church disruption bills. Rep. Sam McCampbell criticized the cloture votes, saying “nobody got to talk about the merits of the bill.” The partisan tension is running hot with 13 legislative days remaining.
The House Democratic Caucus highlighted rural healthcare improvements, farmer cost-sharing, and AI regulation. Multiple AI oversight bills have been filed. House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels pushed organ donor protections inspired by his personal kidney transplant experience.
A candidate who pushed to expel a powerful lawmaker has dropped out of the race ahead of the March 7 election, narrowing the field for the Alabama Republican Party chairmanship.