Capitol Connection l January 23, 2026

January 23, 2026

Taste of Alabama Hosts State Leaders

Alabama Farmers Federation members welcomed 150 leaders from across state government to the home office Jan. 21 for the annual Taste of Alabama legislative reception.

Attendees included Gov. Kay Ivey, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth and Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman. A host of judges and justices also joined Secretary of State Wes Allen, Attorney General Steve Marshall and State Treasurer Young Boozer in attendance.

Federation External Affairs Department Director Brian Hardin said this opportunity allowed farmers to interact with their local legislators to voice praises, concerns and needs.

“We appreciate every member of the Legislature and all the constitutional officers who were able to attend Taste of Alabama,” Hardin said. “Our farmers recognize how busy the legislative session is and are thankful to their local representatives for taking time to visit with them at an enjoyable event.”

Click here to view event photos.

Senate Confirms Federation Members

From left: Sen. Randy Price, R-Opelika; Thomas Ellis; Senate Confirmations Committee Chairman April Weaver, R-Brierfield; Jamestican Parham.

Two Alabama Farmers Federation members were confirmed by the Alabama Senate Jan. 20 to serve on boards.

Lowndes County native Thomas Ellis was confirmed for a four-year term to the Agriculture Exhibition Center Corporation (AECC) board of directors. The AECC oversees the Alabama Farm Center. Ellis is the owner of Priester’s Pecans and raises cattle and poultry.

“I appreciate your confidence in me to perform this role,” Ellis told the Senate Confirmations Committee.

Jamestican Parham of Clarke County was confirmed for a four-year term to the Alabama Forestry Commission Board of Commissioners. Parham is a past-president of the Alabama TREASURE Forest Association and a forest landowner.

“Thank you for this opportunity to serve and for your consideration,” Parham told the committee.

Left: Sen. Robert Stewart, D-Selma, joined Alabama Forestry Commission appointee Jamestican Parham and his wife, Angela, during Parham's confirmation to the Commission. Right: Lowndes County native Thomas Ellis visited with Stewart prior to the confirmation hearings.

Alabama FFA, 4-H Highlighted in Legislature

Alabama FFA and 4-H members were highlighted in the Legislature Jan. 20 as Alabama FFA State President Alyx Johnson and 4-H Ambassador Charolette Bell led the pledge and prayer in the House.

This opportunity highlights the continued promotion and support of career technical education (CTE) programs by House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville.

Ledbetter joined Capitol Journal to discuss initiatives and legislation to increase and expand CTE availability across the state.

“What we’re trying to do with career tech is expand those programs, make sure we get programs that are positive...and expand and build new facilities,” Ledbetter said. “It’s exciting to me to see us starting to give kids an opportunity to be successful in a pathway. We’re trying to figure out what we can do to make sure that we can make them successful in whatever trade they decide to go in.”

Click here to listen to Speaker Ledbetter discuss CTE priorities.

Resolutions Honor Students, Ag Professionals

America’s top farm family was commemorated Jan. 20 with SJR 14 by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, following Autauga County farmers Drew and Lauren Wendland’s Achievement Award win at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual conference. Honoring the 2025 Outstanding Young Farm Family, the resolution will now be considered by the House.

The Lauderdale County FFA String Band was recognized by Rep. Ben Harrison, R-Elkmont, in HR 32 Jan. 20 as the National FFA Talent contest winner.

“They were the first band ever to win the title and the first from Alabama to take home that national honor,” Harrison said on the House floor. “Earlier this morning, they had the opportunity to perform a couple of selections for the governor, and I truly wish that you could have been there. They were outstanding.”

HR 36 by Rep. Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, also praised the longstanding service and achievements by Alabama A&M University (AAMU) Dean and Extension Research Director Dr. Lloyd Walker.

Alabama Farmers Federation External Affairs Department Director Brian Hardin said the Federation thanked Dr. Walker for his years of service to Alabama agriculture.

Douglas LaVergne was named interim dean following Walker’s retirement Jan. 1.

Click here to learn more about the Wendlands.

Alabama Agribusiness Council, Sweet Grown Alabama Host Legislative Luncheon

The Alabama Agribusiness Council (AAC) and Sweet Grown Alabama co-hosted a legislative luncheon Jan. 20 to promote farmers and the state’s agriculture industry.

AAC member organizations, including the Alabama Farmers Federation, welcomed lawmakers and constitutional officers while providing a meal highlighting Sweet Grown Alabama products.

Federation State Legislative Programs Director Russ Durrance said the event was a well-attended success and called attention to Alabama agriculture.

“Lawmakers and state leaders were able to enjoy a great meal of Alabama-grown products while sitting with farmers and industry professionals to discuss the importance of agriculture,” said Durrance, an AAC board member. “Our goal is to expose legislators to our farmers, their way of life and needs.”

Click here to view event photos.

Budget Updates

Following a week full of confirmations and local bills, the Legislature did not address budgets after receiving the governor’s recommendations last week.

HB 238 by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, represents the 2027 Education Trust Fund (ETF) budget, while SB 146 by Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Brewton, carries the 2027 General Fund budget.

While the reported recommendations by the governor showed level-funding for Alabama Farmers Federation priorities in the ETF, state agencies received significantly decreased funding in the General Fund. These decreases reflect reductions for state programs in federal funding, with state level line-item appropriations remaining level-funded.

Alabama Farmers Federation External Affairs Department Assistant Director Preston Roberts said one continuing concern for farmers is a decrease in funding for the concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) line item carried over from the 2026 budgets.

"Farmers with registered CAFOs are encouraged to reach out to their local lawmakers and ask for restored funding to the 2025 budget levels," Roberts said. "Restored funding will prevent increased financial burdens because of the $200,000 cut in the 2026 budgets combined with no increase in funding for the upcoming year."

Bills in Brief

Utility Tax Exemption: HB 244 by Rep. Danny Crawford, R-Athens, would amend Alabama’s utility gross receipts tax and utility service tax statutes to exclude the use or purchase of natural gas and electricity consumed as fuel or energy in commercial greenhouses, pivot irrigation systems and poultry houses from these taxes. HB 244 was introduced in the House last week and awaits action in the House Ways and Means Education Committee. A companion bill, SB 159 by Sen. Jack Williams, R-Wilmer, was also introduced last week and referred to the Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee.

Deer Feed Tax Exemption: HB 87 by Rep. Chris Sells, R-Greenville, would exempt corn sold as deer feed from state sales taxes. The bill was passed by the House Tuesday and sent to the Senate where it awaits action in the Senate Finance and Taxation Education committee.

Water Well Driller License and Fees: HB 69 by Rep. Matthew Hammett, R-Andalusia, establishes unrestricted and restricted licenses for well drillers and related activities. The bill also increases licensing fees, extends license terms and requires continuing education for license renewal. The bill passed the House Thursday and awaits committee referral in the Senate.

Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship: SB 85 by Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Tuscumbia, amends veterinary practice laws to define and regulate the veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR). This bill was referred to the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee last week where it awaits action.

Environmental Standards: HB 162 by Rep. Troy Stubbs, R-Wetumpka, and SB 71 by Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, restricts state agencies from adopting environmental protection rules that are more stringent than federal standards in specific areas, such as drinking water and air quality, ensuring the best available science is used when setting environmental standards. SB 71 received a favorable report in the Senate County and Municipal Government Committee and awaits action in the full Senate.

Rural Hospital Investment Updates: HB 245 by Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, would amend the Alabama Rural Hospital Investment Program to enhance oversight, expand the definition of utility tax eligible for tax credits and modify board composition and administration. The bill was reported out of the House Ways and Means Education Committee Tuesday and passed the full House Thursday. HB 245 awaits action in the Senate.

Cullman Community Development District Repeal: Act 2026-2, by Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, repeals Act 2025-294 which authorized the annexation of a community development district. The bill, SB 12, was voted out of the Senate last week and was carried in the House by Rep. Cindy Myers, R-Bremen, where it received approval Thursday. The act was signed by Gov. Ivey Thursday.

Mandatory Financial Publishing and Tax Ordinance Requirements: SB105 by Sen. Keith Kelley, R-Anniston, would mandate all county commissions and municipal governing bodies in Alabama annually publish comprehensive financial information online, including financial statements, audits, monthly expenditures, and budgets. SB 105 was reported favorably out of the Senate County and Municipal Government (CMG) Committee Tuesday and awaits action by the full Senate. SB 148 by Sen. Gerald Allen, R-Tuscaloosa, requires municipalities to impose new taxes or license fees through an ordinance, eliminating the ability to do so by resolution. The legislation also requires a minimum 30-day public notice and a public hearing on any proposed tax or fee change before it can be adopted. SB 148 was reported favorably out of the Senate CMG Committee Tuesday and awaits action by the full Senate.

State Forester Role and Benefits Update: HB 267 by Rep. Chris Sells, R-Greenville, updates the governance and operational procedures of the Alabama Forestry Commission, particularly refining the role and benefits of the State Forester, removing the commission's authority to appoint forest law enforcement officers, and enhancing regulations around prescribed burns and fire prevention. It establishes stricter permit requirements and penalties related to prescribed burning, redefines wildfire alert authority, and reorganizes the handling and disposition of seized vehicles and equipment related to timber law violations. The legislation also repeals multiple outdated provisions concerning forest fire wardens and fire prevention penalties, aiming to modernize forestry regulation and fire management in Alabama. This bill was reported favorably out of the House Forestry and Agriculture Committee Wednesday.