The Alabama Legislature convened for Week 12 of the 2026 Regular Session, meeting Tuesday through Thursday. Committees met Tuesday, and both chambers held floor sessions all three days.
The Legislature adjourned sine die on Day 30, Thursday, April 9, ending the 2026 Regular Session. Unless Governor Kay Ivey calls a special session, lawmakers will next meet for the 2027 Organizational Session on January 12, 2027. The 2027 Regular Session begins February 2, 2027.
As the session ended, Week 12 brought final passage of budget bills, criminal justice legislation, education policy changes and regulatory reforms.
This week at a glance
- Total bills introduced: 1,046
- Passed house of origin: 549
- Passed both chambers: 402
- Pending governor’s signature: 1
- Bills enacted: 361
- Constitutional amendments pending referendum: 40
What stood out this week
Lawmakers spent the final week passing the General Fund and Education Trust Fund budgets and approving a large volume of legislation. They advanced measures on criminal penalties, education policy, economic development and regulatory oversight, closing out a high-volume legislative session.
Notable bills enacted
- Senate Bill 12 — Senator Garlan Gudger: Repeals prior law on annexation of certain development districts. Act No. 2026-2.
- House Bill 41 — Representative Matt Simpson: Expands capital offenses to include certain sexual crimes against children younger than 12 and sets parole restrictions. Act No. 2026-55.
- House Bill 161 — Representative Chris Sells: Establishes requirements for app store providers related to age verification and parental controls. Act No. 2026-59.
- Senate Bill 169 — Senator Gerald Allen: Creates the Devinee Rooney and John Wesley Holt Safe Streets Act, increasing penalties related to fatal vehicle incidents. Act No. 2026-64.
- Senate Bill 71 — Senator Jack Williams: Limits state environmental regulations that exceed federal standards without scientific justification. Act No. 2026-81.
- House Bill 300 — Representative Ben Robbins: Requires insurance coverage of breast exams without cost-sharing. Act No. 2026-190.
- House Bill 238 — Representative Danny Garrett: Enacts the $10.4 billion Education Trust Fund budget. Act No. 2026-380.
- Senate Bill 146 — Senator Greg Albritton: Enacts the $3.7 billion General Fund budget. Act No. 2026-383.
Floor action to watch
House floor
- House Bill 475 — Representative Randall Shedd: Creates the “Power to the People Act,” restructuring utility oversight and rate-setting policies.
Senate floor
- Senate Bill 63 — Senator Arthur Orr: Regulates how insurers use artificial intelligence in coverage determinations.
Committee movement
House committees
House committees advanced a wide range of legislation in the final week, including measures on education policy, tax incentives, public safety and municipal governance. Lawmakers substituted or amended several bills before final passage.
Senate committees
Senate committees focused on final consideration of pending legislation, including criminal justice reforms, regulatory measures and fiscal policy bills. They cleared key items for floor votes before adjournment.
Newly introduced legislation
House
With the session ending, House bill introductions slowed sharply. Lawmakers focused instead on final passage and concurrence.
Senate
Senate introductions also were minimal in the final week as lawmakers worked to resolve differences between the chambers and move remaining bills to final passage.
Budget watch
Key budget measures enacted include:
- General Fund: $3.7 billion for core state operations
- Education Trust Fund: $10.4 billion for K-12 and higher education
What’s next
With the 2026 Regular Session adjourned, attention now turns to Ivey’s review period. Ivey has 10 days from adjournment to act on bills passed in the final days of the session.
The Legislature will reconvene January 12, 2027, for the Organizational Session. The 2027 Regular Session begins February 2, 2027.
This report is based on official legislative records and materials provided by Beth Marietta Lyons of Lyons Law Firm.
