2022 Legislative Session
Party match-ups go to the voters in balloting on Tuesday
The Alabama primary elections are May 24th. Do you know who's on the ballot? Check out the complete list and sample ballots.
EXPLAINER: What do new Alabama laws say about transgender kids?
Alabama has become the first state to criminalize the use of puberty blockers and hormones to treat transgender people under age 19. So what do these laws mean?
Transgender issues dominate end of the legislative session. Second special session to come
Alabama now has its own version of a Florida law derided by opponents as the "Don't Say Gay" bill.
Trans kids fear Alabama laws targeting medicine, bathrooms
Transgender kids and their parents say they feel attacked by a wave of Republican-sponsored legislation and policies aimed at trans youth. Bills have been introduced to ban gender-affirming care and block transgender children from using school restrooms or playing on sports teams that don’t match their sex at birth.
‘Divisive concepts’ bill passes Alabama House
The measure faced a questionable future just a week ago when a House committee failed to act on it.
Alabama lawmakers roll the dice on a new lottery bill
The constitutional amendment would authorize a state lottery, sports betting, eight full casinos and two smaller gambling operations.
Alabama’s ‘ultimate school choice’ bill gets complicated when considering race and poverty
Parents could get about $5,600 per kid in state money to use for other schooling options. The proposal is currently in a legislative study committee. But experts told WBHM school choice brings up concerns around equity.
Alabama lawmakers advance a record-setting education budget
Legislators also took up measures to improve math education and attack what's known as "period poverty."
Alabama educators push back on bill banning ‘divisive concepts’ from the classroom
Lawmakers also took action this week on a delay to a school reading requirement and a ban on transgender treatments for youths.
House votes to allow concealed handguns without permit
The Alabama House of Representatives approved legislation ending the requirement for a person to get a permit in order to carry a concealed handgun in public.
Alabama lawmakers advance transgender students bathroom ban
The effort by Alabama legislators comes after the U.S. Supreme Court last year rejected a Virginia school board's appeal to reinstate its transgender bathroom ban.
Bill that would ban concealed carry permits in Alabama advances
Lawmakers also advanced a so-called bathroom bill but delayed a bill increasing penalties for rioters.
Alabama Republicans pass bill to hike penalties for removing Confederate monuments
Republicans also advanced a bill that would require jail time for those who participate in a riot, plus another banning certain therapies for transgender youth.
EXPLAINER: How Alabama congressional map got to high court
A divided Supreme Court is allowing Alabama to use re-drawn congressional districts for the 2022 elections that a lower court found had improperly diluted the votes of Black residents.
School choice and permitless carry bills face rocky road in the Alabama legislature
Legislative committees passed both measures this week, but not before speakers at hearings expressed criticism of the proposals.
Congressional map ruling a ‘bombshell’ for Alabama lawmakers
A panel of federal judges ordered lawmakers to redraw congressional maps approved last year by Feb. 11.
COVID relief funding package passes Alabama legislative committees
A plan to spend about $772 million is set for final passage as early as next week.
Ivey calls special session on relief funds
Alabama lawmakers will put the 2022 regular legislative session on hold to start a special session beginning Jan. 19, according to an announcement by Gov. Kay Ivey.
Alabama lawmakers already planning a special session just days into the regular one
Legislators would use the special session to discuss appropriating COVID relief funds. We have more in our weekly legislative update.
Ivey: State must be ‘smart’ about pandemic relief funds
Governor Kay Ivey called on state lawmakers to use pandemic relief money to expand broadband access, hospitals, and water and sewer infrastructure.
The 2022 Alabama legislative session starts Tuesday. Here’s what to expect
The COVID-19 pandemic will be an undercurrent to this year's legislative session. So too will the fact it's an election year.
Special session possible on relief fund spending
The 2022 Alabama Legislative Session starts this week. But state lawmakers say there may be a special session on how to spend the state's remaining pandemic relief funds.
Issues to watch in the 2022 legislative session
Alabama lawmakers return to Montgomery on Jan. 11 for the 2022 legislative session. Here are some issues to watch as the session begins.
Lawmakers face decisions on $1.5 billion in relief funds
Legislative leaders say infrastructure projects — such as broadband and sewer projects — are expected to be a spending priority.
