Alabama Lawmakers Conclude 2026 Legislative Session

 Guest Opinion by State Rep. Tim Wadsworth (R-Arley)

Overview

Alabama lawmakers and I wrapped up the 2026 Regular Legislative Session, approving major budget packages and a wide range of policy changes. The session focused heavily on strengthening rural healthcare, supporting educators and state employees, improving accountability in government, addressing public safety, education choice, healthcare and workforce issues. Controversial bills were passed including the Public Service Commission bill and Dog tethering legislation. For an election year, the session was controversial and stressful with a lot of outside influences trying to dictate policy.   However, the lawmakers worked hard on their statewide bills and local bills.

Below is a summary of some of the legislation passed by the Senate and House during this 2026 legislative session.  There were 666 House bills introduced and 380 Senate bills introduced. Below is a highlight:

Budget Highlights

Historic Funding Levels

The Legislature approved two cornerstone budgets for the upcoming fiscal year:

·      General Fund Budget (GF): $3.74 billion, supporting non-education agencies across the state.

·      Education Trust Fund (ETF): $12.4 billion, funding public education and related initiatives.

Key General Fund Allocations

·      Medicaid: $1.18 billion

·      Department of Corrections: $868 million

Supplemental appropriations were also included using revenue collected between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, that had not been appropriated in the prior legislative year.

Rural Health Transformation Initiative

To address healthcare access and stability in rural Alabama, lawmakers formally appropriated $203.4 million in federal funds for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), which will be administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). RHTP allocates $50 billion in Federal money to the states over 5 years. Alabama’s share will be used to improve access, preventive care, technology & innovation, and workforce stability. Below are the allocations directed.  ADECA will administer the applications and approvals.

Program Allocations Include:

·      Rural Workforce Initiative: $57.9 million to combat physician shortages and support the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences.

·      Rural Health Initiative: $55.9 million for telehealth expansion and development of regional healthcare hubs.

·      Information Technology & Cybersecurity: $31.4 million for electronic health record (EHR) integration.

·      Maternal and Fetal Health: $6.1 million to stabilize labor and delivery services in rural hospitals.

Support for State Employees and Retirees

Recognizing inflationary pressures, lawmakers approved several measures aimed at supporting state employees, educators, and retirees:

·      Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA): A 2% raise for state employees and 2%  for educators, effective in the 2026–2027 fiscal year.

·      Retiree Longevity Bonus: A one-time payment of $1 per month for retirees of the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) and Employees’ Retirement System (ERS). A retiree with 30 years of service will receive $360, scheduled for October 2026.

·      Health Insurance Offset: $18 million allocated to the State Employees Insurance Board to help prevent rising healthcare costs from reducing take-home pay for state employees.

·      Health Insurance Offset:  Educators were allocated  $190 million to offset the $388 million increase for educators' insurance.  It is up to the Peehip Board to step up.  The Peehip Board has $2.5 billion in reserves.

Education and Workforce Legislation

Several education-related bills were approved during the session:

·      Allows teachers to accumulate and donate unused sick leave to other teachers.

·      Permits teachers who previously worked as federal employees to purchase retirement service credits.

·      School Displays: Ten Commandments displays are now permitted in public schools.

·       Removes hair braiding and weaving from the definition of cosmetology, exempting natural hair styling from regulation.

The CHOOSE Act

The budget included $251.2 million for the CHOOSE Act, representing more than a 30% increase from the prior year. The program provides $7,000 per qualifying student for non-public education expenses, including private school tuition. The Act further provides for homeschooled students to receive $2000 per student with a family cap of $4,000.00.

Additional legislation established:

·      Athletic eligibility protections for students using CHOOSE Act funds while homeschooling or attending charter schools.

·      Athletic eligibility protection for students for military families transferring into Alabama.

Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Lawmakers passed several measures related to public safety and criminal justice:

·      Penalties for Fleeing Law Enforcement: Increased penalties, including felony charges.

·      Scholarships: Expanded eligibility for dependents of law enforcement officers.

·      Parole Reform: Allows the Board of Pardons and Paroles to impose sanctions rather than automatic revocation for certain parole violations.

Work Zone Safety Act (SB 341)

A pilot program authorizing automated speed enforcement cameras in work zones was approved despite opposition from some lawmakers, who raised constitutional concerns related to a defendant’s right to confront their accuser.  I voted against the bill due to constitutional concerns and the bill invades our constitutional rights.

Public Service Commission Changes

The Legislature passed a bill expanding the Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC) from three to seven members by allowing the Governor to appoint four additional commissioners. Less government is preferred.  The expansion takes effect in July 2026. Provisions related to rate hearings were removed from the final bill. When the 2026 elections are over, there will be 2 voted on by the people and 4 appointed by Governor Ivey.  I voted against the bill.  I believe that all elected officials, particularly ones that govern our utility rates, should be accountable to the voters.  Again, no rate hearings under oath.

Government Oversight and Legislative Structure

·      Accountability Commission: Lawmakers approved a resolution to reestablish the Alabama Commission on the Evaluation of Services as a permanent legislative department to strengthen oversight of state agencies.

·      Lieutenant Governor Authority: Senate rule changes and Senate bills reduced some committee assignment and appointment powers traditionally held by the Lieutenant Governor.  In the past, the Lt. Governor assigned Senate bills to Senate Committees, and the Pro-Temp assigned House bills to Senate Committees.  The Senate's change of rules took away the assignment authority of the Lt Governor.  A Senate bill took away some appointment power of the Lt Governor to the other boards, agencies and other areas.   You wonder whether the Senate was concerned about the Lt. Governor candidates on the ballot this year or attempting to reduce the Executive Branch's influence in the Legislative process.

Elections, Veterans, and Senior Citizens

·      Municipal Elections: State law  was claried to require a runoff election in the event of a tie such as Guntersville’s Mayor race.

·      Veterans: Veterans are now exempt from annual homestead exemption verification. (Reduces time and expense for Veterans.)

·      Senior Citizens: Citizens over the age of 80 received new consideration regarding jury duty requirements.  Seniors should serve.  Their judgment and life experiences are important.

Additional Legislation

·      Animal Welfare: New dog tethering regulations require proper shelter, food, water, and mobility.

·      Food Assistance: Certain sodas and sugary processed foods are no longer eligible for purchase using food assistance benefits. (SNAP)

·      Business Licenses and Taxes: Municipalities may charge business license fees either as a flat rate or based on income earned locally in that municipality.

·      Sales and Use Taxes for Credit Card Sales: Sales and use taxes are limited to the purchase price and may not include credit card transaction fees.

Closing Summary

The 2026 Regular Session produced sweeping investments in education, healthcare, and workforce support, along with notable changes to government structure, public safety, and education choice. There were 666 House bills and 380 Senate bills introduced, and not all bills made it out of committee or were enacted as originally drafted.  Defeating bad bills and fixing legislation to avoid unintended consequences are just as important or more important than passing bills.

Always communicate with your State Senator and State House Representatives concerning State legislation, and the US Senators and US House Representatives for Federal issues. Let them know your opinions. It matters.     

On May 19, 2026, there will be an election in Alabama. Research your candidates for each office and try to find out if they have a servant’s heart.  You will be bombarded with mailings, emails,  texts and other election information that will attempt to influence you.  You will see numerous online blogs that are pay-to-play sites and their articles many times are paid for by tax dollars, by campaigns for those candidates, lobbyists, dark money or gambling interests.   They are designed to sway the voter.  ALWAYS RESEARCH YOUR CANDIDATE AND MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE.  YOU CONTROL YOUR VOTE, NOT A LOBBYIST, CAMPAIGN PERSON, DARK MONEY SITES. BE INFORMED AND MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION ON MAY 19, 2026.  YOU HAVE ONE CHANCE ON MAY 19, 2026, TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Rep. Tim Wadsworth (R-Arley) is a current member of the Alabama House of Representatives. He is a practicing attorney, small business owner, and husband of Dr. Nicole Jones Wadsworth for Lt. Governor. 

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