Legislature Convenes 2026 Session | | |
Alabama lawmakers stepped back into Montgomery Monday to convene the 2026 regular session as officials enter the final year of the quadrennium.
Alabama Farmers Federation External Affairs Department Director Brian Hardin said his team was primed to protect and promote agriculture priorities.
“After a great 2025 session which saw legislative approval for Alfa Health Plans, we are working to ensure those remain an affordable option for Federation members,” Hardin said. “Our members appreciate House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville; Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman; Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur; and Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, for their support in passing Alfa Health Plans legislation. We look forward to working closely with leadership to assist Alabama farmers again this year.”
Other Federation priorities include level or increased funding for agriculture and forestry budget line items.
Legislators are expected to debate other issues including career technical education, rural health care, mental health, health insurance costs for the state, crime, property rights and utility tax exemptions for farmers.
| | Ivey Outlines Priorities in Final Year | |
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey addressed a joint session of the Alabama Legislature for the final time Tuesday night, Jan. 13, detailing her executive and legislative successes and priorities.
Ivey gave her ninth and final State of the State address as legislators, judges, constitutional officers and guests gathered on Goat Hill for the historic event. Ivey, who is the longest-serving female governor in state history, outlined her accomplishments while laying out a plan for the Legislature’s 2026 regular session.
“The state of our state is strong, and the future is even stronger,” Ivey said.
Ivey touted business growth, revenue increases, updated infrastructure and access to broadband over her terms as governor.
She also pointed to legislative priorities this session including increased funding for the CHOOSE Act and a record Education Trust Fund budget, rural health care expansion, disaster preparedness and pay increases for state employees.
| | FarmPAC-Endorsed Candidates Win Special Elections, Begin Legislative Session | | |
Five Alabama FarmPAC candidates endorsed for a slate of special elections in 2025 began their first legislative session after being sworn in this week.
Sen. Matt Woods, R-Jasper; Rep. Heath Allbright, R-Holly Pond; Rep. Greg Barnes, R-Jasper; and Rep. Cindy Myrex, R-Bremen, were sworn in to their respective chambers Tuesday, Jan. 13, as the Alabama Legislature began the 2026 regular session. Rep. Norman Crow, R-Tuscaloosa, was sworn in Jan. 14, after winning a special election Tuesday night.
Woods, who had served in the Alabama House of Representatives since 2022, was elected to Senate District 5. He will serve on the Senate Banking & Insurance Committee. Woods represents Fayette, Lamar and Walker counties, plus parts of Jefferson and Tuscaloosa counties.
Allbright was elected to House District 11. A forester, Allbright will serve on the House Agriculture & Forestry Committee. He represents parts of Blount and Cullman counties.
Myrex, a real estate agent, was elected in House District 12 to represent a section of Cullman County.
Barnes was elected to House District 13 and represents areas in Walker County.
Crow was elected to represent House District 63 and will serve on the House Ways and Means Education Committee. He serves part of Tuscaloosa County.
| | Rep. Heath Allbright, R-Holly Pond, during his swearing-in ceremony to the Alabama House of Representatives Tuesday, Jan. 13. | Rep. Greg Barnes, R-Jasper, was sworn into the Alabama House following a special election victory in House District 13. | | Rep. Norman Crow, R-Tuscaloosa, (center) with his family and House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville. | Rep. Cindy Myrex, R-Bremen, (center) with her family and House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, following her swearing in. | | Sen. Matt Woods, R-Jasper, (left) joined Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, on the first day of 2026 regular session. | | Ivey Releases Budget Recommendations | | |
Governor Kay Ivey released recommendations for Fiscal Year 2027 Education Trust Fund and General Fund budgets this week as the Legislature convened its regular session.
With budgets expected to tighten in coming years, Ivey’s recommended General Fund saw significant decreases to several state agencies including the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.
However, Ivey proposed a record Education Trust Fund budget, which she promoted during the State of the State. Alabama Farmers Federation priorities in the proposed Education Trust Fund received level or increased funding.
Federation External Affairs Department Director Brian Hardin said promoting agriculture and forestry in budgets is a priority.
“Our goals are always to promote farmers and make sure agriculture programs receive proper funding,” Hardin said. “We plan to work with lawmakers and budget committee chairmen to ensure farmers are not saddled with unnecessarily increased financial burdens and that agriculture remains a top priority across the state.”
Funding for the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) line item received a level funded recommendation. This item was decreased in the FY 2026 budgets.
Governor’s Recommendations
General Fund:
Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries
Decrease of $2,164,646 or -9.81% from FY 26
Alabama Department of Environmental Management
Decrease of $12,871,776 or -46.13% from FY 26
Alabama Forestry Commission
Decrease of $3,273,280 or -17.95% from FY 26
Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee
Decrease of $200,000 or -4.98% from FY 26
Education Trust Fund:
National Livestock Competition Coordinator
$250,000, level funded
4-H Youth Development and Animal Science Extension Specialist
$125,000, level funded
Agribusiness Education Program (Including Ag in the Classroom, TREASURE Forest, Agriscience Education Specialist and North Alabama Agriplex) $451,900, level funded
Affiliate FFA Membership Dues
$275,000, level funded
Alabama Cattlemen’s Youth Program
$80,000, level funded
Agriscience Teachers
$1,000,000, level funded
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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. In 2022, poultry production in Alabama contributed $19 billion to the state’s economy and was responsible for 47,000 jobs. Alabama Farmers Federation Poultry Division Director Colton Christjohn said this exemption would bring financial relief for many struggling farmers. Nursery, greenhouse and floriculture production accounted for $510 million while pivot irrigation remains essential for increased production and efficiency for row crop farmers. HB 244 was introduced in the House Wednesday and was referred to the House Ways and Means Education Committee for consideration. A companion bill, SB 159 by Sen. Jack Williams, R-Wilmer, was also introduced Tuesday 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. This bill was introduced Tuesday and referred to the House Ways and Means Education Committee where it received a favorable report Wednesday. HB 87 awaits action in the House.
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).
Farm-to-Food Bank Act: HB 175 by Rep. Ben Robbins, R-Sylacauga, creates an Alabama income tax credit to incentivize farmers and food establishment owners to donate edible farm products to qualifying food banks.
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.
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.
Property Tax Cap: HB 167 by Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, amends existing Alabama property tax assessment law by replacing the fixed 7% cap on annual increases in real property assessed values with a cap tied to the annual percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index.
| | County Farmers Federations Host Legislative Events | | From left are St. Clair County Farmers Federation (SCCFF) FarmPAC Advisory Trustee Jim Tollison; Alabama Farmers Federation External Affairs Department Director Brian Hardin; Rep. Craig Lipscomb, R-Gadsden; Rep. Jim Hill, R-Odenville; Rep. Susan DuBose, R-Hoover; Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville; and SCCFF President Roland St. John. | | |
The St. Clair County Farmers Federation (SCCFF) Women's Leadership Committee hosted local lawmakers for a legislative breakfast Friday, Jan. 9.
Legislators updated members on priorities for the upcoming session and heard farmer needs. Rep. Craig Lipscomb, R-Gadsden, presented SCCFF an American flag with a personal engraving on the pole which reads: "The strength of our farmers is the strength of our nation."
The Alabama Farmers Federation commends county Federations that host local legislative delegations throughout the upcoming session. The Federation encourages and welcomes members to visit with lawmakers in Montgomery at the State House.
| | Federation Hosts Democratic Caucus | | |
The Alabama Farmers Federation hosted the Alabama House Democratic Caucus Thursday, Jan. 8, as legislators prepared for the regular session.
Federation External Affairs Department Director Brian Hardin said it was a productive visit.
"Hosting the House Democrats was a great opportunity to welcome lawmakers back to Montgomery before the session began and discuss what will be important for us and them this year," Hardin said. "We look forward to working with the Legislature to protect and advance member needs and to work on those priorities on both sides of the aisle."
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