MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Legislature gaveled in Tuesday for its final session in the State House it has occupied for 40 years.
Next year, the legislative branch will operate out of the new about $325 million structure under construction across the street from the current State House.
Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger said the new building will improve access for Alabamians in multiple ways. Committee rooms will have live streaming capabilities, something not available currently in every room. Meanwhile, portions of the old building, the former Alabama Department of Transportation headquarters, aren’t accessible to lawmakers or members of the public with physical disabilities.
“This is the people’s house and we want everyone throughout the state to have access,” Gudger said.
The Legislature moved from the Capitol in 1986 to make room for renovations there.
“It was just going to be temporary, just temporary, and that was 40 years ago,” Ledbetter said. “But because of this body and the Senate body and their leadership, next year we will begin the quadrennium in a brand new state
In this election year, Gudger and Ledbetter agree that the House and Senate will focus early in the session on some of the work it has to do, confirming Gov. Kay Ivey’s appointments to various state boards, reauthorizing about a dozen state occupational boards and then passing local bills. Those are the ones specific to one county or municipality.
More than two dozen such bills died late in the 2025 session amid filibusters.
“We want to make sure that we come in and make those a priority this year,” Gudger said.
Asked about the possibility of more filibusters, Gudger said yes, as they’re part of the legislative process.
While the session could last until late April, some members of both chambers have primary opponents on the May 19 ballot. Leadership wants to give them time to focus on their campaigns.
“We’ll give them a chance to get back as much as we can and move the session along,” Ledbetter said about a speedier session. “…We’ll make that a priority and try to do it as quickly and as in a timely manner as we can, to give the members, both sides of the members, a chance to get back into districts.”
Senate and House committees start meeting today and the two chambers can start passing bills today. One priority in both is legislation from Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, and Sen. April Weaver, R-Brierfield, to allow prosecutors to pursue the death penalty when an adult is convicted of the rape or sodomy of a child under 12.
The bills are in both the House and Senate judiciary committees today.
Gudger said a floor vote isn’t expected in the Senate this week.
“We’re going to make sure we take our time and go through that so everyone understands what that bill does,” he said. “If there are any changes to it, we’re going to do that in committee before it gets (to the Senate.) We’re not anything like that.”
Later in the session, lawmakers will deliberate on the state’s 2027 operating budgets.
“I feel real good about where we’re at,” Ledbetter said. “The budgets are going to be strong. I think the legislative bodies from the Senate, House, has done a really good job being conservative on spending the funds. I think that this year will be good, so I’m very excited to get that process started.”