House Passes Alfa Health Plans Bill

Alabama farmers took time out of a busy planting season to support Alfa Health Plans at the State House Thursday.

The Alabama House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed Alfa Health Plans legislation Thursday as farmers from across the state flooded the State House halls for both the final vote and committee meeting earlier in the week. 

HB 477 by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, would authorize the Alabama Farmers Federation to provide Alfa Health Plans as a member-benefit option. The amended bill passed the House with only one 'no' vote from Rep. Marilyn Lands, D-Huntsville. 

“This bill is by far more comprehensive than any Farm Bureau plan,” Faulkner said from the House floor. “Thank you to everyone who helped us work on this bill. These Alfa Health Plans have the potential to save farmers 30-60% on their health care coverage. This is a good bill.”

Amendments to the bill from the House Health Committee and from the House floor provided peace-of-mind measures to ensure enrollees would be protected under the plan. Amendments included language requiring at least $2 million in annual coverage per enrollee plus specified coverage for ambulatory services and essential health benefits such as mental health, prescriptions and out-of-service providers.

One unfriendly amendment in the committee to give regulation and oversight of Alfa Health Plans to the Alabama Department of Insurance (ALDOI) was stripped from the bill Thursday, with Rep. Chris Blackshear, R-Phenix City, and Rep. Frances Holk-Jones, R-Foley, being the only Republicans to vote against stripping the amendment.

The legislation received bipartisan support, with members of both parties rising to the mic to show their backing for the bill and Alabama farmers.

Rep. Neil Rafferty, D-Birmingham, said, "Rep. Faulkner, I know you have worked tirelessly on this bill, and I agree that we need to protect farmers and make sure they have everything they need."

Rep. Troy Stubbs, R-Prattville, discussed why ALDOI oversight would be unnecessary regarding Alfa Health Plans as he expressed support for the bill.

"I think it's important for us to support the farmers," Stubbs said. "This is a gap that has been identified, and I think we have an opportunity to serve these people."

Rep. Mark Shirey, R-Mobile, said passing Alfa Health Plans was a service to farmers.

"I absolutely think we should represent our constituents, and those are the people sitting up there in the gallery right now," Shirey said. "I have received more calls, more texts, more conversations with constituents on this matter. These people are begging for this plan, and we are standing in the way. I think we should listen to those people up there and vote the way they want us to."

Also speaking in support of the bill was Rep. Jennifer Fidler, R-Fairhope, and Rep. Barry Forte, D-Eufaula.

The attention now turns to the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, which is expected to vote on the bill Wednesday, April 16. 

Federation External Affairs Department Director Brian Hardin thanked the representatives who supported the bill and asked members to contact Senate committee members and ask them to vote ‘yes’ on HB 477. 

“We are encouraged by the strong bipartisan support House members showed this week for Alabama farmers,” Hardin said. “We appreciate Speaker Ledbetter and House leadership for bringing this important legislation to the floor and Rep. Faulkner for addressing concerns while preserving its effectiveness. Our members taking time away from their farms during planting season to fill the House gallery demonstrates the need for an affordable, quality health coverage option. We are now urging our members to reach out to senators on the Banking and Insurance Committee and ask them to vote ‘yes’ for HB 477 in committee next week and do their part to support Alabama farmers. We are looking forward to working with Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur – who brought the Alfa Health Plans companion, SB 84 – to get this legislation across the finish line.” 

Senate Banking and Insurance Committee:

The linked version of HB 477 above does not reflect the updated version passed by the House. The current version is expected to be posted early next week.

The final vote count for Alfa Health Plans Thursday reflects the bipartisan support for Alabama farmers.

Farmers from across the state attended the House vote for HB 477 Thursday.

Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, dialogued with Rep. Barry Forte, D-Eufaula, who asked lawmakers to "please help pass this."

House Health Committee Amendment Overview

Prior to final passage of HB 477 in the House Thursday, the House Health Committee reported the bill favorably Tuesday. Amendments (recapped below) were added to the bill during the committee meeting.

Alabama Farmers Federation External Affairs Department Director Brian Hardin said he appreciated committee members who motioned to defeat unfriendly changes to the bill and those who voted to defeat those proposed amendments.

Amendments Opposed by the Alabama Farmers Federation in House Health Committee:

Amendment 1: Requiring an annual report to the Alabama Department of Insurance (DOI) of the number of people enrolled in the plan.

• Offered by Rep. Holk-Jones, R-Foley.
• Rep. Mark Shirey, R-Mobile, made the motion to table and was seconded by Rep. Marcus Paramore, Troy. 
• The Federation supported a tabling motion.
• The amendment was tabled.

Amendment 2: Requiring no annual limits or cap unless notice of 60 days in advance of open enrollment.

• Offered by Rep. Pebblin Warren, D-Tuskegee.
• Rep. Jeremy Gray, D-Opelika, seconded the motion.
• The Federation supported a "no” vote.
• Amendment failed 8-7.

Amendment 3: Giving the Alabama DOI enforcement authority.

• Offered by Rep. Frances Holk-Jones, R-Foley.
• Rep. Jeremy Gray, D-Opelika, made the motion and Holk-Jones seconded the motion. 
• The Federation supported a "no” vote.
• Amendment passed 8-6.

Amendment 4: To not allow consideration of preexisting conditions.

• The Federation supported a tabling motion.
• The amendment was tabled.

HB 477 received a favorable report from the House Health Committee as amended. The Federation began working to ask members of the House of Representatives to remove Amendment 3 adopted in committee. This amendment was removed by the House of Representatives on Thursday (see story above).

Farmers Endorse Heath Allbright for House of Representatives

The Alabama Farmers Federation has endorsed Heath Allbright for Alabama House of Representatives District 11 to replace the vacancy created by the recent resignation of Rep. Randall Shedd, R-Fairview.

Gov. Kay Ivey has set the primary election for Tuesday, May 13.

Allbright is a lifelong native of Cullman County. He graduated from Holly Pond High School and received his associate's degree in agricultural science from Snead State Community College.

He has served two terms on the Cullman County School Board, with his last term ending in December 2024. He owns Brighton Forestry Services, a timber company doing business in north Alabama and eastern Mississippi.

“I am honored to have the endorsement of the Alabama Farmers Federation,” Allbright said. “They represent a strong work ethic and the honesty and integrity that the people of House District 11 are known for having.”

District 11 covers northeast Cullman County and northern Blount County.

Cullman County Farmers Federation President Lee Haynes said, “Heath Allbright has served us well in the past, and he will work hard for us in the Legislature to make sure the people of this county are represented well in Montgomery.”

Blount County Farmers Federation President Jeff Maze echoed Haynes’ support.

“Heath Allbright has a strong work ethic. He knows the needs of fellow farmers and businesses of Blount County, and he will work hard for us in Montgomery,” Maze said.

Allbright and his wife, Breann, have two children and reside on their family farm in Holly Pond.

Bills in Brief:

Cotton Checkoff Assessment Increase: HB 352 by Rep. Danny Crawford, R-Athens, would allow the Alabama Cotton Commission (ACC) to set the yearly assessment at any rate up to $1.30 per bale. It is currently capped at $1. The bill was reported favorably by the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee Wednesday and awaits action on the Senate floor. A companion bill, SB 207 by Sen. Josh Carnley, R-Ino, awaits action in the Senate. The Federation supports this legislation. 

Education Trust Fund: Legislation carrying the proposed Education Trust Fund Budget (ETF) by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, passed the Alabama Senate Thursday. The record-high budget would raise education spending to $9.9 billion in the 2026 fiscal year, a 6% increase from 2025. The ETF budget now goes to the House for consideration. The proposed ETF has level or increased funding for Alabama Farmers Federation priorities.

Public School Funding Formula Update: SB 305 by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, would update the way funding for public schools is assessed. This bill would allow for increased funding for schools to educate children in poverty, English-language learners, and special education or gifted students. SB 305 passed the Senate Thursday and awaits action in the House. The Federation is monitoring this legislation. 

Deer Breeder Private Protection: HB 509 by Rep. Jeff Sorrells, R-Hartford, would prohibit state agencies from killing, testing and prohibiting the transfer of deer due to disease. The bill would view deer in the possession of an individual with a breeder license as that person’s private property. HB 509 is expected in the House Tuesday, April 15. The Federation is monitoring this legislation. 

Foreign License Not Valid I.D.: HB 480 by Rep. Allen Treadaway, R-Morris, would prohibit foreign national driver’s licenses from being used as valid forms of I.D. when voting. The bill was reported favorably out of the House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections Committee Wednesday and is on the House Special Order Calendar for Tuesday, April 15. 

Logging Weights: SB 110 by Sen. Jack Williams, R-Wilmer, was reported favorably out of the House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure Committee. The bill would limit the number of log trucks that could be stopped and weighed on the roadside to five trucks at a time. An amendment in the Senate removed a provision that would have increased the per-axle weight limit for each truck from 34,000 pounds to 44,000. A companion bill, HB 204, is being carried by Rep. Donna Givens, R-Loxley. SB 110 awaits a vote in the House. 

The Legislature will reconvene Tuesday, April 15 for day 22 of a possible 30 days. 

The House will convene at 1 p.m. and Senate will convene at 2 p.m. 

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