House adopts cap on property tax increases
The Alabama House voted 97-1 Tuesday to place a cap on annual property tax increases that counties are permitted to impose when conducting annual reevaluations of assessed property values.
Under existing law, there is no limit on increases in assessed values of property, which are set by tax assessors on an annual basis based on market data and the condition of properties. House Bill 73, sponsored by Rep. Phillip Pettus, R-Greenhill, would cap the amount that value could increase in a single year to 7% for both residential and commercial properties.
“Today, there is no cap, they can raise your property taxes to any value they want to…. lately, it’s been just skyrocketing, and that’s the reason I brought this bill,” Pettus said on the House floor. “My opinion is they look at how much money they need to bring in and they assess their values based on what money they need to have. My property tax went up 40% this year, in one year.”
The bill had originally capped residential property tax increases at 3%, and commercial at 5%, but through a bill substitute, along with an amendment from Rep. Ron Bolton, R-Northport, those caps were both raised to 7%. Other changes to the bill from Pettus’ substitute and Bolton’s amendment, which Pettus said came from negotiations with the League of Municipalities, were to include a three-year sunset to the bill, and to exclude from the increase cap additions or improvements to properties, both of which were adopted.
Rep. Jim Hill, R–Odenville, had proposed two amendments to the bill, one that would make the property tax increase only apply to the state’s portion of property tax revenue, and another to allow county commissions to opt out of the cap were their community’s growth to exceed 1.5% in a year. Both amendments failed by majority vote.
The bill was ultimately passed 97-1, with the lone no vote coming from Rep. Berry Forte, D-Eufaula.
Education spending bills approved in House committee
The Alabama House education budget committee approved on Tuesday a record $9.3 billion 2025 spending plan.
The proposal is very similar to the proposed budget Gov. Kay Ivey sent lawmakers in February.
Funding is split 68.2% for K-12 education and 25.6% higher education. About 6% goes to other agencies.
The committee also approved a 2% raise in 2025 for K-12 and two-year college educators and support staff. The salary increase will cost an estimated $104.5 million.
Another major spending bill moving to the House is House Bill 147, the proposed Advancement and Technology Fund. The committee recommended a one-time spending plan of $1 billion for this year. The money can be spent on a limited list of expenses including capital projects, security improvements and technology upgrades. Allocations to specific K-12 schools and universities can be seen in the substitute bill.
There’s also a $651.2 million supplemental spending bill for the current year.
The bills were passed quickly on Tuesday and now go to the House. Committee chairman Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, last week highlighted some of the changes between Ivey’s proposals and the committee’s.
Senate agrees to more funding to feed county inmates
The Alabama Senate passed Senate Bill 149, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, which will increase state funding to feed inmates in county jails.
Currently, the state pays counties $2.25 per day to feed each inmate. Orr’s bill would gradually increase that amount to $3 in 2026.
“This bill comes at the request of the sheriffs who have to feed the local prisoners,” Orr said on the Senate floor Tuesday.
Under existing law, $500,000 is deposited into the Emergency Prisoner Feeding Fund each fiscal year and SB149 provides that $750,000 shall be deposited beginning June 1, 2024.
This bill would authorize a sheriff or county commission to use funds from any available source to feed prisoners. Furthermore, SB149 permits a county commission to apply for funds from the Emergency Prisoner Feeding Fund following an unforeseeable emergency cost overrun.
Expanded involuntary commitment bill passes Senate
The Alabama Senate passed a bill Thursday that allows probate judges to consider someone’s substance abuse disorder along with mental illness when deciding involuntary commitments.
Senate Bill 240, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, does not allow people to be committed solely because of addiction, but when it co-occurs with a mental health issue. Under existing law, substance abuse is not accounted for when considering involuntary commitments.
The bill notes that the respondent can be brought before the court for an interview to determine whether to place limits on the respondent’s liberty. When determining limitations on the respondent’s liberty pending a final hearing, SB240 authorizes the judge to interview any other available individuals, seek an evaluation by a licensed medical physician or qualified mental health provider who has willingly consented to treating the respondent.
Senate adds vaping to state smoking ban law
Members of the Senate voted in favor of a bill Tuesday that would prohibit the smoking of electronic nicotine delivery systems in most public places.
Under Senate Bill 37, sponsored by Sen. Gerald Allen, R-Tuscaloosa, smoking electronic nicotine delivery systems is prohibited in the same manner as tobacco products.
Currently, the Alabama Clean Indoor Air Act prohibits the smoking of tobacco products in childcare facilities, health care offices, elevators, public conveyances, public government buildings, restrooms, service lines, public areas, common areas in apartment buildings, polling places, schools, retail establishments and common areas in multiple unit commercial facilities.
If passed, SB37 will go into effect on Oct. 1.