63 new Alabama laws taking effect in July

MONTOGOMERY, Ala. (WHNT) — Starting Friday, over 60 laws that were passed in the Alabama Legislature earlier this year will take effect.

In the 2022 regular session, the legislature passed on over 200 bills to Gov. Kay Ivey for her signature into law. Many of those have already taken effect.

On July 1, 63 of those laws take effect including the Sergeant Nick Risner Act, providing an income tax credit to volunteer firefighters, increasing the number of entertainment districts and requiring public schools to provide designated changing rooms for students based on the sex on their birth certificates.

All the passed laws from the 2022 regular session can be found below:

2022 Laws Already in Effect

HB3: Relating to emergency management, to clarify that they provide public safety services
SB4: Further defines orthosis for the Prosthetics and Orthotics Act
SB9: Provides funds for coastal conservation
SB13: Relating to sales and use tax exemptions for gold, silver, platinum and palladium bullion
SB15: Amends sections relating to the State Textbook Committee, the creation of textbooks
SB17: Provides further for crime of unauthorized entry of critical infrastructure including by unmanned aircraft systems
SB19: Increase the optional standard deduction and adjusted gross income for taxpayers
SB22: Retail wine licensees may dispense wine for off-premises consumption
HB20: Taxation, sale of certain military aircraft parts, exemption extended
SB21: City of Lineville, Clay County authorized the sale of draft or keg beer
HB26: Relating to Judicial Retirement Fund, deadlines removed for certain services
SB28: Provides for the inclusion of the Space National Guard into the Alabama National Guard
SB30: Provides a funded one-time longevity bonus payment of certain Teachers’ Retirement System
SB33: Allows certain nonprofit corporations to be audited or examined by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts
SB36: Adds more gases to be regulated by the state Oil and Gas Board
HB39: Transfer of certain funds from Insurance Department Fund to Strengthen Alabama Homes Fund by the Commissioner of Insurance authorized
HB40: Exempt from crime of possession of a gambling device under certain circumstances for slot machines manufactured before 1960, became law without Governor’s signature
SB41: Amends section relation to entertainment district in Class 1 municipalities, became law without Governor’s signature
SB42: Homeowners or condo associations may not prohibit the displaying of the AL state flag
HB48: Amend sections relating to the AL Board of Funeral Services
SB48: Relating to the credit financing of the sale or lease of motor vehicles
HB52: Judge authorized to use discretion in the length of sentence a defendant must serve if probation revoked
SB52: Defines warrantor for motor vehicle purposes, amends sections relating to motor vehicle dealers
SB59: Requires the Board of Pardons and Paroles to establish a pilot program for small businesses by ex-offenders
SB64: Relating to community development districts, sales and distribution of alcoholic beverages
SB66: Relating to the Study Commission on Interagency Cooperation and Collaboration on the Rehabilitation of former incarcerated
SB67: Amends section relating to AL Federal Aid Highway Finance Authority
SB68: Relating to the construction of wastewater treatment facilities
SB71: Add section relating to motor vehicle registration receipt forms and validation decals
SB72: Authorizes local boards of education to purchase goods related to the Child Nutrition Program
SB75: Provides Probate courts with jurisdiction over more items
SB77: Prohibits any state agency or institution from purchasing certain flags
HB76: Compensation for use of student-athlete’s name, image or likeness
HB77: County tax assessing officials, tax valuation disputes, authorized to defend state
HB78: Relating to insurance policies and other rules
SB81: Authorizes the Alabama Trust Fund to conduct board meetings by virtual means
HB82: Small Business Relief and Revitalization Act of 2022, provided tax relief for small businesses and ensured loan forgiveness under the American Rescue Plan is not treated as taxable income
SB83: Creates the AL Airport Economic and Infrastructure Program
HB91: Motor vehicles, license plates, county licensing officials contract with a third party for print-on-demand validation decals
SB91: Requires the Board of Pharmacy to inform a person before taking disciplinary action
SB92: Continues the AL Surface Mining Commission pursuant to the Alabama Sunset Law
SB93: Continues the Board of Home Medical Equipment pursuant to the Alabama Sunset Law
SB94: Continues the AL State Board of Prosthetists and Orthotists pursuant to the Alabama Sunset Law
SB95: Continues the AL Sickle Cell Oversight and Regulatory Commission pursuant to the Alabama Sunset Law
SB96: Continues the State Board of Registration for Foresters pursuant to the Alabama Sunset Law
SB97: Continues the AL Construction Recruitment Institute pursuant to the Alabama Sunset Law
SB98: Continues the AL Real Estate Commission pursuant to the Alabama Sunset Law
SB99: Relating to the licensed practice of professional counseling
HB92: Authorizes AL Secretary of State to provide only digital copies of bills and resolutions
HB100: Women’s Hall of Fame Board authorized to meet electronically, membership revised
SB102: Authorizes the Board of Pharmacy to issue permits to interns or externs to dispense medicine
SB104: Revises the way a corporation may issue a share of stock
HB105: Shirley’s Law, created elder abuse registry
SB108: Makes a supplemental appropriation for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2022
SB110: Provides a cost-of-living adjustment of four percent for state employees
SB111: Provides funded longevity bonuses for retirees and beneficiaries of the Employees’ Retirement System
SB116: Authorizes children of military families to transfer to Alabama public schools prior to being a resident of the state
SB119: Provides that the Alabama G.I. Dependets’ scholarship benefits can be used at any college or university in the state
SB123: Increases the minimum threshold for internet service under the Connect Alabama Act of 2022
SB124: Revises grant eligibility and award caps for the Alabama Broadband Accessibility Act
SB126: Requires the Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission to hold meetings
SB133: Relating to public deposits, composition and operation of the SAFE Program board of directors
HB134: Teachers Retirement System allow for 30-year service retirement
SB135: Authorizes the Administrator of the Alabama Credit Union Association to set internal policies for travel expenses of examiners
HB136: Provides for a revision for State Minimum Salary Schedule for public education employees
HB138: Makes appropriations from Education Trust Fund to various state agencies for fiscal year 2022
SB141: Relating to military spouses, provides reciprocal occupational licenses
HB144: Municipal runoff elections eliminated when only two candidates run and there is a tie, county and precinct elections, tie votes decided by probate judge by lot
SB152: Individual taxpayers’ federal income tax paid without consideration
HB153: Board of Trustees for University of West Alabama authorized to conduct meetings by video or phone
SB154: Provides a maximum vehicle restriction for vehicles on state highways
SB159: Authorizes the Alabama State University board of trustees to meet electronically
SB162: Authorizes the Department of Revenue to issue writs of garnishment by mail
HB163: Amends sections to increase the optional standard deduction and expand adjusted gross income
SB167: Authorizes licensed occupational therapists to practice in any Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact state
SB168: Authorizes fentanyl testing equipment to be sold
SB170: Exempts certain English language learners from proficiency assessments in public K-12 schools
HB171: Amends sections related to first-time and second-chance home buyer’s savings account
SB171: The Alabama Numeracy Act, prohibits the use of the Common Core State Standards in public K-12 schools
SB175: Classifies the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering as a public school
SB178: Authorizes the investment of municipal and county funds into commercial paper
SB179: Provides the sales of alcoholic beverages within certain community districts
SB183: Declares emergency medical services as essential public services
SB184: The Alabama Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act, prohibits the performance of a medical procedure or a prescription of meds to a minor that alters their gender or delays puberty
SB185: To adopt and incorporate into the Code of Alabama 1975 laws enacted during the 2021 Regular Session
SB191: Makes appropriations from the American Rescue Plan Act – Small Business Fund for fiscal year 2022
SB198: Provides a county board of registrars approval to reallocate unused working days from one registrar to another to accomplish public business
SB200: Postpones implementation of the third grade retention requirement of the AL Literacy Act
HB216: Authorizes AL Board of Examiners in Marriage and Family Therapy to establish various training designations
HB220: Relating to AL Literacy Act, provides further definitions of duties
HB231: Relating to federal taxes and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
HB235: Travel Insurance Act, establishes sales practice standards and other requirements
HB250: Expands Alabama Port Authority’s jurisdiction, authorizes building of intermodal and multi-modal transfer facilities
SB256: Provides that wills filed for probate on or after Jan. 1, 2023, probate courts have jurisdiction over the will
SB260: Defines geographical areas for tax purposes relating to tax increment districts
SB261: Allows taxpayers to claim a credit on money given to educational scholarships
HB262: Limits the annual license tax fees for trucks related to harvesting
SB262: Requires the Secretary of State to maintain and update an official website
HB267: Appropriates funds from the Education Trust Fund Advancement and Technology Fund
SB274: Amends section related to sales tax, exempts producer value-added products from sales tax
HB285: Amends section relating to the privilege assessment for nursing homes
HB287: Adds sections relating to emergency medical transport providers
HB308: Modifies Employees’ Retirement System for Tier II plan members
HB313: Authorizes AL Board of Chiropractic Examiners to acquire, convey and hold real property
HB315: Creates the crime of misrepresenting the police jurisdiction
HB335: Authorizes limited closing fees on certain small loans
HB346: Removes deadline for passing a resolution for local employers participating in the Employees’ Retirement System providing Tier I benefits to Tier II
HB347: Creates an additional class of community development district
HB371: Authorizes and provides procedures for an online auction of delinquent property tax
HB395: Creates a Hospitality Management Program license
HB400: Exempts grain bins from ad valorem taxation
HB415: Prohibits a county from charging a farmer a license or other fee for the sake of farm products

Laws Taking Effect in July

SB2: Provides prohibitions on the enforcement of certain presidential orders relating to firearms
HB15: To exempt the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons from taxes
SB31: Requires employers to provide paid leave to adoptive parents
HB37: Relating to motor vehicles, to further provide for the requirements of autocycles
HB48: Amend sections relating to the Alabama Board of Funeral Services
HB46: Establishes State Seal of Biliteracy to recognize graduates with proficiency in English and at least one world language
HB54: Termination of alimony upon cohabitation with another adult in a romantic relationship, regardless of gender
SB56: Prohibits law enforcement agencies from using facial recognition as the sole basis to make an arrest or establish probable cause
HB68: Relating to criminal procedure, to allow a person to be offered protection in criminal prosecution
HB70: Relating to mental health, to provide definitions
SB90: Revises the law relating to the crime of assault in the second degree to apply to assaults on those in certain job roles
HB94: Extends AL Commission on Tick-Borne Illness until September 30, 2025
HB95: Provides a grace period for payment of fines, fees and costs upon an inmate’s release from custody
HB104: Authorizes posthumous pardon for any person convicted of a Class A or Class B felony, removes requirement of granting based on racial discrimination
HB119: Allows for the sale of alcoholic beverages through a drive-thru or walk-up window
HB123: Requires public K-12 schools to employ a mental health service coordinator
HB108: Requires the Elevator Safety Review Board to review elevator safety within a certain time
HB143: The Sergeant Nick Risner Act, Crime causing death of another person, defendant not eligible for correctional incentive time, or “good time”
HB147: Relating to meetings of governmental bodies, allows electronic participation
SB150: Relating to industrial relations and labor, excludes definition of employment for marketplace contractors
SB158: Authorizes the State Board of Health to conduct lead inspections and enforce the Alabama Lead Reduction Act of 1997
HB162: Lynn Greer Retirement Income Tax Cut Act of 2022, exempts first $6,000 of taxable retirement income for those 65 years of age or older
HB176: Authorizes minors between 18 and 20 years old to serve alcoholic beverages when employed as a server or busser by a restaurant
SB182: Prohibits the restriction of certain lawful operations of motor fuel retailers
HB191: Relating to end-of-life care, provides for a surrogate to make decisions for the terminally ill
HB194: Prohibits certain public officials responsible for an election to solicit donations
HB199: Renames Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs to Alabama Office of Minority Affairs
SB203: Requires municipal courts to annually submit workload and fiscal data to the Administrative Office of Courts
HB205: Relating to motor vehicle dealers to provide certain supplemental license requirements
SB205: Requires a member of the Legislature to ask the Secretary of State to receive a set of the Code of Alabama of 1975
SB207: Prohibits the operation of a vehicle that contains a false or secret compartment
SB214: Provides the Alabama State Council on the Arts with the authority to provide grants, programs and services
HB215: Increases the number of entertainment districts from five to nine
SB222: Authorizes the AL Board of Examiners of Landscape Architects to provide requirements and set fines
HB230: Prohibits certain practices relating to pregnant female inmates
HB232: Allows access to controlled substance database by medical examiners, coroners and deputy coroners
SB233: Provides further availability for virtual court hearings in criminal cases
HB234: Allows food trucks to sell alcoholic beverages in Class 1 municipality
HB253: Provides an annual state income tax credit to a volunteer firefighter or rescue squad
HB256: Creates the Municipal Audit Clarification Act
HB268: Provides definition to work done by a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
SB272: Repeals section relating to the practice of medicine across state lines
SB282: Limits the money from fines and penalties generated from traffic tickets in municipalities
HB297: Changes the administering agency of the Railroad Modernization Act of 2019 from the Department of Commerce to the Department of Revenue
HB304: Provides approval of solid waste management to sites by local governing bodies
HB322: Requires K-12 schools to designate rooms where students may undress based on biological sex
HB333: Justice Information Commission, membership further provided for probate judges and municipal court judges
HB336: Expands examination options for a journeyman plumber or gas fitter, provides definitions
HB350: Designates the peanut as the official state legume of AL
HB352: Creates the State Employees’ Trust fund Funding Act of 2022
HB382: Provides for the “drive out” exemption for the state sales tax on trailers, campers and house cars
HB385: Removes driver’s license or identification card fees for homeless youth
HB391: To amend the section relating to the levy and amount of business privilege tax
HB403: Expands the definition of serious physical injury
HB413: Dental Scholarship and Loan Awards Board named, Rural Dental Scholars Program eliminated
HB414: Authorizes state 911 board to certify public safety telecommunications and dispatchers, requires certification
HB434: Authorizes the use of video depositions in human trafficking cases
HB435: Increases loan repayment award for Alabama Math and Science Teacher Education Program
HB446: Creates procedures for the release of 911 written transcripts, maintenance of recording 911 calls for two years
HB453: Provide further definitions relating to the AL Board of Massage Therapy
HB487: amends sections to expand the income tax credit available to individuals who adopt a child
HB488: Provides a COVID-19 death benefit for first responders
HB504: Law enforcement officers authorized to remove disabled vehicles from roadway

Laws Taking Effect in August

HB50: Established a grant to provide feminine hygiene products to students in grades 5-12 at no cost to students

Laws Taking Effect in October

HB102: Requires the Commissioner of Insurance to establish the Center for Risk and Insurance Research
SB106: General Fund Budget
SB109: Makes an appropriation from the State General Fund to the Coalition Against Domestic Violence
HB135: To make appropriations for the support, maintenance and development of public education
HB140: Appropriates money from Education Trust Fund to Tuskegee University
HB141: Appropriates money from Education Trust Fund to Southern Preparatory Academy, formerly Lyman Ward Military Academy
HB142: Appropriates money from Education Trust Fund to Talladega College
SB174: Provides certain reporting requirements of the Chief Procurement Officer
HB286: Private hospital assessment and Medicaid funding program extended
HB419: Relating to the construction of certain property, educational facilities

Laws Taking Effect in 2023

HB10: Relating to ad valorem tax, to exempt all commercial fishing vessels and equipment, takes effect Jan. 1, 2023
HB17: The Billy Clardy III Act, to add a new chapter relating to wiretapping, takes effect Feb. 1, 2023
HB82, Section 5: Small Business Relief and Revitalization Act of 2022, allows for a deposit of certified funds and increases the average monthly state sales tax liability
HB82, Section 4: Small Business Relief and Revitalization Act of 2022, exempts certain business tangible personal property from ad valorem taxes
SB216: Amends section relating to the sale and transportation of tobacco products, takes effect Jan. 1, 2023
SB224: Requires individuals to have made a reasonable and active effort to secure work to receive unemployment, takes effect Jan. 1, 2023
HB272: Restrictions on carrying firearms in motor vehicles creates Local Government Pistol Permit Revenue Loss Fund, takes effect Jan. 1, 2023
HB284: Relates to human trafficking, to provide for definitions associated with human trafficking, takes effect Jan. 1, 2023
HB318: Relating to online marketplaces, requires certain disclosures and provides for civil remedies
HB513: Revises the definition of a shotgun, takes effect Jan. 1, 2023

All bills can be read in their entirety on the Alabama Legislature website.