Friday Five: February 14, 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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Gov. Ivey has signed SB79 – also known as the “What is a Woman?” bill – into law, defining sex in state law based on biological characteristics at birth. The bill defines a female as someone whose reproductive system produces ova and a male as someone whose reproductive system produces sperm.
Supporters argue that it provides legal clarity and reinforces existing language in Alabama statutes regarding sex-based terms. Opponents, including transgender advocates, have expressed concerns that the bill could contribute to discrimination and harassment, while excluding transgender people from legal recognition.
A similar bill was introduced in the Alabama Legislature in 2024 but failed to advance before the session ended. That version included language addressing single-sex spaces such as restrooms and changing facilities, which was later removed in the 2025 bill to focus solely on defining sex-based terms in state law. The renewed effort this year gained more traction and ultimately passed both chambers with strong Republican support.
Read More: ‘What is a woman’ bill now law: ‘In Alabama, we believe there are 2 genders,’ Gov. Ivey says (AL.com)
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The House has passed HB29, which proposes increasing the weekly job search requirement for unemployment benefit recipients from three to five employer contacts. Proponents argue that this measure will encourage more diligent job-seeking efforts and address the state's low labor participation rate, which is currently 57.5% compared to the national average of about 62%.
Opponents, however, contend that the bill imposes unnecessary burdens on individuals who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own, suggesting that it treats unemployed individuals as if they are unwilling to work.
The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Read more: House Adopts stricter requirements on unemployment recipients (Alabama Daily News)
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The House passed a bipartisan measure aimed at improving maternal and infant health outcomes by granting presumptive Medicaid eligibility to pregnant women. The legislation, HB89, tackles Alabama’s dire maternal health crisis. Given a failing grade by leading maternal and infant health non-profit March of Dimes, Alabama ranks among the nation's worst for both mother and infant deaths.
Sponsored by Rep. Marilyn Lands (D-Huntsville) and co-sponsored by Rep. Susan DuBose (R-Hoover), the bill seeks to eliminate delays in accessing critical early prenatal care that can identify and manage health conditions. The measure, which includes a 2028 sunset provision for evaluating its effectiveness, now advances to the Senate.
Read more: Alabama House passes presumptive Medicaid for pregnant mothers but only until 2028 (AL.com)
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An Alabama legislative committee has endorsed a hybrid model for school funding that responds to calls for education budget reform. The plan would maintain the current Foundation Program while introducing additional funding based on student needs, such as English learners, special education students and other specific student populations. The move addresses criticisms that the current 30-year-old formula leaves students in need of additional support without the resources necessary to give it. Alabama is one of six states that use a resource-based education funding formula, with most states having shifted to a student-based formula that is geared towards meeting individual student and district needs.
Read more: Alabama legislative committee recommends hybrid K-12 funding model (Alabama Reflector)
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The Senate advanced three bills aimed at curbing undocumented immigration as part of an ongoing effort to address illegal immigration in the state. The legislation has sparked significant debate over the potential impact on individuals and local communities.
SB53, passed 24-8, grants law enforcement the authority to detain individuals for up to 48 hours to verify their immigration status. It also would seek to criminalize knowingly transporting undocumented individuals. Critics argue this provision could lead to racial profiling and punish those offering humanitarian aid, while supporters assert the bill is crucial for public safety.
Initially, SB53 included language making it a crime to "harbor" individuals without legal status, drawing comparisons to the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 – revised in 1850, the law forced officials to assist slaveowners in recapturing people who escaped slavery and threatened those who assisted with those escapes with jail time and fines. However, that provision was removed in a subsequent version of the bill.
SB63, passed 24-7, requires DNA samples and fingerprints from non-citizens in custody. This measure aims to help law enforcement track and identify individuals with uncertain immigration status. Opponents argue that it could lead to overreach and violations of civil liberties, threatening privacy and promoting racial profiling. Proponents contend that it will help better manage the state's immigration issues.
SB55, passed 24-4, prohibits Alabama from recognizing driver’s licenses issued in states where it is not required that the license holder show proof of lawful presence in the U.S. Critics argue this could create unnecessary obstacles for undocumented immigrants and impact businesses in Alabama by disrupting the supply chain and damaging immigrants’ ability to go to work safely.
All three bills are now poised to be reviewed in the House, where they will face additional debate and potential revisions.
Read more: Alabama Senate passes slew of immigration bills (CBS 42)
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.