Alabama Legislature Advances Bills on Tax Exemptions, Criminal Penalties, and More

The Alabama Legislature passed numerous bills this week, addressing issues ranging from tax exemptions for seniors to enhanced penalties for criminal offenses.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 3:07pm

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The Alabama Legislature advanced a wide range of bills this week, including measures that would alter municipal boundaries, repeal laws, allow new tax levies, establish constitutional amendments for tax exemptions, require ignition interlock devices for DUI convictions, and increase penalties for certain criminal offenses like eluding law enforcement and making terrorist threats. The bills now move to the opposite chamber or the governor's desk for further consideration.

Why it matters

The bills passed by the Alabama Legislature this week cover a diverse set of policy areas that impact Alabama residents, from public safety and criminal justice to taxation and government operations. These legislative actions demonstrate the ongoing efforts by state lawmakers to address issues of importance to their constituents and shape the laws governing the state.

The details

Key bills that passed include HB 297 altering municipal boundaries in Monroeville, HB 330 repealing a law on filling county office vacancies in Etowah County, HB 331 allowing Blount County to levy a hotel tax, HB 310 proposing a tax exemption for senior homeowners in Limestone County, HB 1 requiring ignition interlock devices for first-time DUI offenders, and HB 37 increasing penalties for eluding law enforcement. Other bills addressed higher education reporting requirements, vessel registration fees, school district mergers, use of force in self-defense, and more.

  • The bills were passed by the Alabama Legislature during the week of February 3-5, 2026.
  • HB 297, HB 330, HB 331, HB 310, HB 1, HB 165, HB 79, SB 35, HB 178, HB 192, HB 254, HB 91, HB 255, SB 134, HB 214, HB 183, HB 156, HB 37, HB 111, and HB 308 were passed on February 3-5, 2026.

The players

Thomas Jackson

A Democratic state representative from Thomasville who sponsored HB 297 to alter municipal boundaries in Monroeville.

Mack Butler

A Republican state representative from Rainbow City who sponsored HB 330 to repeal a law on filling county office vacancies in Etowah County.

David Standridge

A Republican state representative from Hayden who sponsored HB 331 to allow Blount County to levy a hotel tax.

Danny Crawford

A Republican state representative from Athens who sponsored HB 310 proposing a tax exemption for senior homeowners in Limestone County and HB 139 adding corn masa flour to the list of products that must be enriched with folic acid.

Barbara Boyd

A Democratic state representative from Anniston who sponsored HB 1 requiring ignition interlock devices for first-time DUI offenders.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This legislation demonstrates Alabama lawmakers' efforts to address a range of issues impacting the state, from public safety and criminal justice to taxation and government operations. The bills passed cover a diverse set of policy areas that will have implications for Alabama residents.