As the 2026 Legislative Session evolves, do not expect much in the form of substantive legislation. It is an election year and historically, legislators do not address any controversial legislation. The election primaries are right around the corner on May 19, and voters have short memories, but they can remember what just happened yesterday.
Although, my observation is that legislative seats have become analogous to U.S. Congressional Seats in that incumbents are very seldom challenged. In most of our 105 State Legislative and 35 State Senate Seats, the majority are held by incumbent Republicans and Democrats and less than 20 percent are being challenged.
However, the irrelevancy of this election year 2026 Session does not matter to two major groups who have had spectacular success in 2024 and 2025. The Association of County Commissions and the Alabama Education Association have had major legislative accomplishments this quadrennium.
The Alabama Association of County Commissions has been led by Executive Director Sonny Brasfield for the past 16 years. He has done a tremendous job. Prior to that, Sonny was the chief lieutenant for legendary Executive Director Buddy Sharpless, who was the director of the powerful organization for 35 years from 1974 to 2009.
To say that Sonny Brasfield has done a sterling job is an understatement. The presidency of the organization is elected each year by the membership of all county commissioners from throughout all 67 counties in the state. They have had several especially outstanding commissioners, who have been instrumental in securing passage of significant and important legislative accomplishments.
In 2023-2024, Jefferson County Commissioner Joe Knight was president. Knight set the stage for success and was successful. He spearheaded and was enabled by Sonny Brasfield in passage of major legislative initiatives for the county commissions.
In 2025 alone, county government priorities took aim at a broad range of issues from strengthening county involvement in mental health delivery services to improving professionalism and representation in the local voter registration process. In addition, the county leaders were involved with the statewide prohibition of Glock switches.
A bill passed by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, and Rep. Alan Baker, R-Escambia, streamlines the sales tax exemption process. This act establishes a process by which county commissions may opt in to applying state sales and use tax exemptions to county sales and use taxes.
Speaking of sales tax, Alabama’s Simplified Sellers Use Tax, SSUT, has been a salvation for the State General Fund, as well as for county governments. The SSUT Act allows Alabama to collect online sales tax. It is a nationally recognized model for online use tax collection that has provided the state and local governments nearly $4.5 billion in total revenue, including almost $1 billion in fiscal year 2025, alone. The Association of County Commissions has been steadfast in defending the SSUT.
The Alabama Education Association has been very successful over this quadrennium under the leadership of Amy Marlowe. The AEA has quietly achieved historic accomplishments that would parallel the years of “King” Dr. Paul Hubbert’s reign as the ruler of Goat Hill. There have been unparalleled pay increases for teachers.
However, if nothing else was accomplished, the passage of the historic K-14 Worker’s Compensation Bill was monumental. This accomplishment achieves what the legendary Dr. Hubbert only dreamed of decades ago.
Beginning no later than Oct. 1, 2026, the new worker’s compensation law replaces the Board of Adjustment’s outdated system with a compensation program offering direct payment of medical bills through the Public Education Employees Health Insurance Program, PEEHIP.
This long overdue law covers full-time public education employees, including teachers, bus drivers and lunchroom workers. Before its passage, public educators injured on the job had no access to worker’s compensation.
This worker’s compensation accomplishment was spearheaded and championed by Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville. When Senator Givhan became aware that Alabama teachers had no relief for on-the-job injuries, Givhan made it his mission to remedy this wrong. It became a priority and was Senate Bill number one in 2025. He was assisted in the House of Representatives by Tuscaloosa Rep. Cynthia Almond, who was appointed by Governor Ivey in 2025 to president of the Alabama Public Service Commission.
See you next week.
