Friday Five: February 21, 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 Alabama Senate has approved SB 156, which would allow certain individuals sentenced under the Habitual Felony Offender Act to petition for resentencing. Sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road), the bill applies to nonviolent offenders sentenced to life without parole before May 26, 2000, provided they have served at least 25 years.
Supporters argue it corrects sentencing disparities, as similar offenders convicted after 2000 serve shorter sentences. Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville) called the current system “fundamentally unfair.” The bill includes safeguards, granting victims’ testimony significant weight and requiring courts to assess prison conduct, age at sentencing and reentry readiness.
The House passed a similar bill in 2023, but it did not advance to the Senate before the session ended. SB 156 now moves to the full Senate for debate.
Read More: Second Chance Bill passes Senate Judiciary Committee (Alabama Political Reporter)
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The Alabama Senate passed SB 102, providing up to 60 days of presumptive Medicaid coverage for low-income pregnant individuals while their application is processed. The bill, led by Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison (D-Birmingham), aims to ensure early access to prenatal care and prevent gaps in coverage. It passed 31-0 and now moves to the House, where it aligns with a similar proposal (HB 89) from Rep. Marilyn Lands (D-Huntsville).
In the House, lawmakers advanced HB 177, which would require some parents to enroll their Medicaid-eligible children in employer-provided health insurance when available. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Ben Robbins (R-Sylacauga) also gives judges discretion to order noncustodial parents paying child support to do the same. If parents fail to comply, Medicaid could seek reimbursement through civil lawsuits.
Robbins described the bill as a cost-saving measure, shifting health care expenses from the state to parents who have access to private insurance. Advocacy groups and policymakers will continue weighing the bill’s financial and legal impact, particularly its effect on low-income families who may struggle with the cost of private insurance. As the legislation moves forward, Medicaid enrollment and state health care spending will remain central to the debate.
Read More: Alabama Senate passes bill to provide prenatal care to low-income Alabamians (Alabama Reflector); Medicaid could sue parents for not enrolling kids in employer health insurance under Alabama bill (AL.com)
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Two bills from Gov. Kay Ivey’s Safe Alabama package passed the Alabama House on Tuesday with unanimous, bipartisan support. HB 188 would establish a scholarship program for the dependents of law enforcement officers, providing up to $3,000 per academic term for those under 27. HB 199 would expand electronic monitoring for juvenile offenders, allowing the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles to oversee tracking in areas that lack local resources.
Bill sponsors Rep. Allen Treadaway (R-Morris) and Rep. Travis Hendrix (D-Fairfield), both former law enforcement officers, praised the bipartisan effort and emphasized that public safety should not be a partisan issue. House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) said the goal is to send the full package to Gov. Ivey’s desk by mid-March.
Read More: Crime bills sail through House in bipartisan showing (Alabama Daily News)
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Alabama legislators are weighing two bills aimed at limiting children's access to social media. HB 235 would require social media platforms to prevent users under 16 from creating accounts and implement age verification measures. HB 276 would mandate additional safeguards for users under 18 and direct the Alabama State Department of Education to develop guidelines on the mental and physical health effects of social media.
Proponents cite growing concerns over anxiety, depression and low self-esteem linked to excessive social media use. Critics argue the bills raise privacy risks by requiring platforms to collect sensitive age verification data. Both measures are set for committee votes as early as next week.
Read More: Alabama House Committee holds public hearing on kids’ social media bills (WSFA 12)
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The Alabama Senate passed SB 40, known as the Houston/Hunter Act, in a 31-0 vote, allowing individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts to temporarily surrender firearms to a licensed gun dealer for safekeeping. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Keith Kelley (R-Anniston), provides liability protection for participating firearm dealers under the Safer Together Program, which aims to delay access to guns during mental health crises.
Named after veterans Houston Lee Tumlin and Hunter Chase Whitley, who died by suicide after returning from active duty, the measure is designed to be voluntary, confidential and temporary. The Senate's passage follows the House approval of a similar bill on Tuesday (HB 216), signaling broad legislative support. SB 40 now moves to the House for final consideration.
Read More: Alabama Senate passes voluntary firearm storage bill (Alabama Reflector)
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.