Friday Five: April 18, 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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Two bills advanced this week that would expand local law enforcement’s role in federal immigration enforcement.
The House passed the Laken Riley Act (HB7), sponsored by Rep. Ernie Yarbrough (R-Trinity), which would authorize local officers to arrest and detain individuals for immigration violations when permitted by federal law. It also allows agencies to enter enforcement agreements with federal entities — a role currently limited to the Alabama Attorney General’s Office. Yarbrough introduced a substitute version that softened some provisions, making reporting requirements for jails and the attorney general discretionary rather than mandatory and changing references to a person’s “nationality” to “immigration status.”
Supporters point to the 2024 killing of Georgia college student Laken Riley by an undocumented immigrant as reason for the bill. Yarbrough argued her death could have been prevented. Critics, including Reps. Phillip Ensler (D-Montgomery) and Neil Rafferty (D-Birmingham), raised concerns about its impact in practice.
Also advancing: SB53, which would require officers to verify immigration status during stops when there’s “reasonable suspicion” and make it a felony to knowingly transport undocumented individuals into the state. Exemptions were added for attorneys, educators, health care workers and others, but advocates say it could still discourage victims of crimes — including trafficking and smuggling — and witnesses from coming forward.
Both bills now move to the full House.
Read More: Alabama House passes bill allowing local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws (Alabama Reflector); House committee advances a bill criminalizing transporting undocumented immigrants (Alabama Political Reporter)
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Following last week’s passage of a historic $12.1 billion education budget and a student-centered funding overhaul, lawmakers turned their attention to a wave of school policy proposals that moved swiftly through both chambers.
Several high-profile measures advanced:
SB13 would require public K–12 schools to play or perform the first stanza of the national anthem at least once per week. The bill passed the Senate on a party-line vote and now heads to the House. If approved there, the proposal would go before voters through a referendum for a constitutional amendment.
HB179, which cleared the House 91–4, would allow certified chaplains to volunteer as confidential support for teachers upon request. Chaplains must hold credentials from a recognized program and pass background checks.
HB178 would mandate the display of the Ten Commandments in school entryways and classrooms where U.S. history is taught. The legislation outlines specific language and placement requirements. It passed the House and is now under Senate consideration.
HB231 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools. It would also direct local school boards to vote on whether to allow voluntary student prayer or scripture readings outside instructional time. Noncompliance could result in state funding reductions.
HB246 would prohibit educators from using a student’s preferred name or pronouns without written parental consent. It also would provide legal protections for those who use legal names or sex-assigned pronouns in school settings.
All five bills are now in motion, with debate expected to continue in both chambers.
Read More: National anthem, school chaplain bills advance (Alabama Daily News); Bill to require Ten Commandments displays in Alabama public schools passes House (AL.com); House Education Committee passes bills to bring culture war issues to Alabama classrooms (Alabama Political Reporter)
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Three bills affecting LGBTQ+ Alabamians advanced this week, with two passing the House after limited floor debate.
HB67, sponsored by House Majority Leader Scott Stadthagen (R-Hartselle), would prohibit public K–12 schools and libraries from hosting drag performances in the presence of minors without written parental consent. It defines “drag” as any performance where a person presents, through clothing or physical markers, a gender identity different from their sex assigned at birth. The bill also bars minors from sharing overnight accommodations with individuals of the opposite sex, following scrutiny last year over a transgender Space Camp employee. It passed 76–9 and would take effect this October.
HB244, filed by Rep. Mack Butler (R-Rainbow City), would expand the state’s “Don’t Say Gay” law from K-5 to all grade levels and ban classroom instruction on gender identity or sexual orientation. It would also prohibit pride flags and related symbols in classrooms. An earlier provision restricting pronoun usage was removed, and a clarification was added allowing age-appropriate discussion aligned with state standards. The bill passed 74–15 and would take effect in July.
Supporters framed both bills as parental rights legislation. Opponents argued they could stigmatize LGBTQ+ students and restrict inclusive learning environments. Rep. Neil Rafferty (D-Birmingham) told students watching, “You’re not flawed… You’re not meant to be hidden.”
In the Senate, SB5 passed 26–5. It would shift appointment power for the Archives & History Board of Trustees to elected officials, following criticism of a 2023 department-hosted lecture on LGBTQ+ history. Supporters say the change increases oversight. Opponents worry it politicizes a nonpartisan institution.
All three bills now move to the opposite chamber with six legislative days remaining.
Read More: House passes bill to expand “Don’t Say Gay” law through 12th grade (Alabama Political Reporter); Bill giving governor power over Archives board passes Alabama Senate (Alabama Reflector)
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A House committee this week advanced HB273, which would create a “hunger-free campus” designation for colleges working to address food insecurity among students.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur), would direct the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) to certify eligible institutions and allow them to apply for competitive grants to support food access initiatives. To qualify, campuses would be required to establish a task force with student input, host awareness events, maintain a food pantry or provide resource referrals and conduct regular student surveys on basic needs.
An amendment adopted in committee would expand eligibility to private two- and four-year institutions, in addition to public colleges and universities.
Although the Legislature declined to fund ACHE’s $200,000 grant request for FY 2025–26, the bill lays the groundwork for future funding, and ACHE says it will move forward with the certification process in the meantime. ACHE Executive Director Jim Purcell described the effort as a way to help jumpstart local food programs, noting that student-driven initiatives like this can scale quickly and make a real difference.
HB273 was inspired by student advocates at the University of Alabama and modeled after similar programs across the nation, including 10 that have passed in other states.
The bill now moves to the full House for consideration. If approved, it would take effect October 1, 2025.
Read More: House committee OKs bill looking to tackle campus food insecurity (Alabama Political Reporter)
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The House approved HB165 this week, moving Alabama one step closer to officially recognizing Juneteenth as a state holiday. The bill passed 85–4 and now heads to the Senate.
Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865 — the day the last enslaved African Americans were freed in Galveston, Texas, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation and months after Congress passed the 13th Amendment. It became a federal holiday in 2021.
Gov. Ivey has recognized Juneteenth as a state holiday each year since 2021, though past efforts to make it permanent have failed. The governor has expressed support for codifying the holiday but has said she wants the Legislature to act first.
Earlier versions of the bill would have allowed state employees to choose between observing Juneteenth or Jefferson Davis’ birthday, but that provision was removed.
Read More: Bill to make Juneteenth a state holiday advances in Alabama House (AL.com)
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.