Energy Bills & The General Fund Budget Advance
March 16, 2026 Group Watch: News & Views from the State House
With only a few weeks left in the 2026 regular session of The Alabama Legislature, last week in both the House and Senate was action-packed. And this week should be no different. Buckle up, and find more details on bill movement and other #alpolitics information below.
Looking Back: Last Week in the Alabama Legislature
The General Fund Budget was one of the major measures advancing last week. The Alabama Senate unanimously passed a $3.7 billion budget for next year. The number is $8.1 million above the 2026 budget and is almost $40 million more than Governor Ivey asked for. While most agencies will receive the same funding as last year, this budget’s funding for a few agencies, including the Department of Corrections and Department of Human Resources, is tied to certain conditions being met. Read more here. Read more here.
Sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, SB228 changes the name of the Alabama Space Authority to the Alabama Aerospace Authority and is now a law going into effect on October 1 after the legislature approved a change from the governor. Governor Ivey removed language in the bill that mandated the authority push for an Alabama-based spaceport. With the change, the law now requires the authority to advocate for the development of the state’s defense industry.
A bill targeting those who prey on Alabama’s seniors is now going to Governor Ivey after unanimous approval in the House last week. SB41 prohibits anyone convicted of elder abuse from benefiting from their victim’s estate.
Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger’s bill to protect dogs passed the Senate on a 28-1 vote and heads to the House. SB 361 makes wrongfully tethering a dog to a stationary object a Class C misdemeanor that is punishable by up to three months in jail.
Find a full list of all bills passed last week, here.
Looking Ahead: Bills Looking to Rein In Rising Energy Costs Making Progress
Image via Unsplash by Doris Morgan
The legislature has taken several steps to address rising energy prices in response to Alabamians’ increasing power bills. One bill designed to lower costs passed the Senate last week. After passing without a single “no” vote, SB360 now goes to the House. The legislation makes some changes to the structure of The Alabama Public Service Commission but does not shift the body from being elected to being appointed as a previously introduced bill, now dead, aimed to do. Instead, the bill expands the PSC from four to seven members, and it also prohibits Alabama Power from passing along their costs for lobbying and marketing efforts to their customers. Senate leaders noted they were open to amendments that could come about once the bill hits the House floor, likely this week. A measure in the House, HB475, also targets ballooning energy costs by proposing rate cases and by capping Alabama Power’s profits. It was approved by a House committee last week and should also be taken up by the House this week. Read more here.
Bill Allowing Retirees to Re-Enter Workforce Without Losing Benefits Awaits Ivey’s Signature
Image via Unsplash by Robin Jonathan Deutsch
HB138 allows retired Alabamians collecting state retirement benefits to begin working again in certain critical positions while still drawing their benefits. The measure passed both the House and Senate and awaits Governor Ivey’s signature. The original bill focused on bus drivers as multiple public school districts struggle to fill open bus-driver positions, but in its final form, the bill also allows retirees to work in other public safety and legal system jobs, including school resource officers, municipal and state police officers, police officers at state colleges and universities, assistant district attorneys, sheriff’s deputies and corrections officers. The measure includes restrictions on earnings and prohibits retirees from accruing additional benefits from their new jobs. Read more here.
Quick Hits
Hours of discussion finally led to the passage of HB511 in the House. The measure says students can participate in and/or initiate prayer in public schools and requires public-school students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. It heads to the Senate, and if passed there, would be voted on by Alabamians.
The legislation making drone fly-overs of large events like concerts and football games illegal passed the legislature last week. There are exemptions; someone with legal authority over an event covered under the law can provide permission for drone flights.
X Post of the Week
Meet The Bloom Group: (left to right) John Guthrie Jr., Harris Sanderson, Stephanie Norrell, Hal Bloom (principal/founder), Allen Sanderson (principal), Sara Elizabeth Burnham (vice president), James Dupree Jr., John Floyd.