Friday Five: April 25, 2025
Alabama’s legislative session is underway, and the trail ahead is full of decisions that will shape the state’s future.
Each week, our #FridayFive maps out the key developments from the State House. We’ll track legislation that is gaining momentum, facing obstacles or coming to a halt. Stay informed as we break down what’s moving, what’s stalled and what it all means for Alabama.
For the full picture, explore our 2025 Alabama Legislative Guide and get ahead of the twists and turns this session.
THIS WEEK’S FRIDAY FIVE
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The House approved a $12.1 billion education budget this week, moving the state closer to implementing its most significant public school funding overhaul in decades.
A key piece of the plan is the three-year, $375 million rollout of the RAISE Act (SB305), a new funding formula that directs more dollars to schools serving students with greater needs — including those living in poverty, receiving special education services or classified as English language learners. The first-year allocation includes $166 million, with strict accountability requirements tied to how funds are spent. To see how much new funding each district is projected to receive under the RAISE formula, view the interactive breakdown here.
The budget also includes $180 million for the CHOOSE Act (HB129) education savings accounts, $9.6 million for paid parental leave for educators and $15.6 million to establish workers’ compensation coverage for school employees. While it doesn’t include a teacher pay raise, lawmakers say investments in benefits, math instruction and literacy support reflect a broader educator retention strategy.
While the RAISE Act heads to the governor’s desk, the budget itself still awaits a vote for final approval from the Senate, which is expected to happen next week.
Read More: Alabama House committee approves record $12.1B education package, adds $80M for school choice (Alabama Daily News); Alabama lawmakers approve new school funding formula aimed at student needs (Alabama Daily News)
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The Senate passed SB330 this week, advancing a major overhaul of the Birmingham Water Works Board. The bill would convert the utility service into a regional system, redistribute board appointments and impose new qualifications and oversight requirements. Though broadly written, the bill targets Birmingham’s system, which serves five counties and has faced scrutiny over billing issues and infrastructure failures.
The bill’s supporters argue the change is necessary to improve accountability, citing a 50% water loss rate, longstanding customer complaints and limited representation for suburban users. If passed, it would reduce Birmingham’s board majority and reallocate appointments to Jefferson, Blount and Shelby counties, as well as state leaders. The bill has gained a couple of amendments, adding two Jefferson County-based appointments and requiring that “Birmingham” remain in the utility's name.
The measure passed 30–0 in the Senate, but not without controversy. Birmingham’s legislative delegation has opposed similar efforts for years, warning that it would strip control from the majority-Black city and shift it to majority-white suburban counties. Critics also questioned how the bill moved through the process, saying the delegation was left out of early discussions.
The Birmingham Water Works Board called the bill a “hostile takeover” and said it could stall recent progress, including reducing monthly billing errors from 10,000 to 500 in recent months. The bill now moves to the House, where Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) has named it a top priority.
Read More: Alabama Senate passes bill overhauling Birmingham Water Works Board (Alabama Reflector)
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Lawmakers advanced several health-related bills this week, each with implications for access, oversight and provider roles:
HB477 would allow the Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA) to offer health plans exempt from state insurance regulations. Supporters say it gives farmers more affordable options. Critics argue it weakens consumer protections and could limit coverage for those with pre-existing conditions. The bill is now one Senate floor vote away from the governor’s desk.
SB101 would require minors under 16 to get parental consent for most medical services, including mental health care. Proponents frame it as a parental rights measure. Opponents warn it could block access for vulnerable youth. The bill now moves to the House floor for consideration.
HB8 would regulate vaping products by adding licensing fees, restricting sales and requiring schools to adopt prevention policies. Supporters say it addresses underage use. Industry groups argue it hurts responsible retailers more than it helps youth. The bill now moves to the full Senate.
SB87 would limit midwives to performing only the heel stick portion of newborn screenings. After a contentious public hearing, advocates said the bill was “hijacked” and undermines safe, timely and accessible care for home birth families. Medical groups support the narrowed version, citing safety standards. The bill now heads to the full House for a floor vote.
Together, the bills reflect a broader conversation about who delivers care in Alabama, how it's regulated and what safeguards or tradeoffs come with reform.
Read More: ALFA health plan bill clears Senate committee, one step away from final passage (Yellowhammer News); Bill advancing parental consent in minors’ healthcare moves to House (Alabama Political Reporter); Proposed Alabama vaping regulation, fees pass Senate committee (Alabama Reflector); House committee approves bill that would restrict midwives in the state (Alabama Political Reporter)
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A Senate committee held a public hearing this week on HB202, a proposal that would raise the legal threshold for prosecuting or suing law enforcement officers. The bill passed the House last month in a party-line vote and remains a top priority in the governor’s Safe Alabama package.
The legislation would entitle officers to a pre-trial immunity hearing and shield them from prosecution or civil suits unless their actions are both reckless and in clear violation of state law. Supporters say the bill aligns Alabama law with federal standards and provides clarity for officers making split-second decisions in the line of duty. “If [the use of force is] unconstitutional, they have no coverage under this piece of legislation, said sponsor Rep. Rex Reynolds (R-Hazel Green), a retired police chief.
Critics argued the bill would reduce accountability and make it harder for communities to seek recourse. “It is a green light for Black folks to get killed,” said Sen. Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham). “That is just the bottom line…and the [officer] has the opportunity to not be held accountable.”
House Democrats pushed back hard before the bill passed the lower chamber, pointing to data showing officers are already rarely prosecuted or held liable for misconduct. The Senate hearing drew a packed room and testimony on both sides.
A Senate committee vote is expected April 30, with a possible floor vote the following day.
Read More: Divide on Alabama police immunity bill seen in public hearing (Alabama Daily News)
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The House State Government Committee advanced SB5 this week, reviving efforts to restructure the Alabama Department of Archives and History’s board in response to a 2023 program on LGBTQ+ history. The latest version of the bill would expand the board to 17 voting members and shift appointment power from the board itself to elected officials.
Under the bill, the governor would appoint the majority of members and now hold a voting seat, giving the office effective influence over nine votes. The remaining eight appointments would be split between the House Speaker, Senate President Pro Tem and the minority leaders of both chambers. Appointees would serve “at the pleasure” of their appointing authority, a detail critics say opens the door to political pressure. “This makes it an extremely hyper-political board,” said Rep. Prince Chestnut (D-Selma).
Supporters argue the change increases public accountability. Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine), the bill’s sponsor, has repeatedly criticized the department for what he sees as a lack of oversight and transparency, calling the current board structure a “unicorn.” Past efforts to either defund or restructure the department have failed, but this version now heads to the full House for a floor vote.
Read More: House committee approves bill allowing Archive board members to be removed at will (Alabama Political Reporter)
OUR PUBLISHED BY PERITUS TAKEAWAY
The session moves fast, and the path isn’t always clear. Some bills will race ahead, others will hit rough terrain and a few may never leave the trailhead.
That’s why Peritus PR is here with Friday Five—to help you stay oriented as the session unfolds. We’ll mark the milestones, flag the detours and keep an eye on what’s coming next.
Follow along on our socials and check back here every Friday to stay on course. Double-knot your laces—this session won’t wait for stragglers.
At Peritus Public Relations, we know you want to make an impact. To do that you need confidence and clarity to take action. Tell us what’s keeping you up at night and stop letting fear of a misstep get in the way of driving your mission forward. We believe you deserve to get it right. For over a decade, organizations like yours have trusted us to navigate the best path forward.
Peritus specializes in issue advocacy, stakeholder engagement, government affairs and strategic consulting. Let’s connect if you want to learn more about how state policy affects your mission and bottom line.
Check out the 2025 Peritus PR Alabama Legislative Guide here.