Career Tech Package Approved by House

A package of bills promoting career and technical education passed the Alabama House of Representatives Thursday. 

HB 517 by Rep. James Lomax, R-Huntsville, would authorize companies to partner with eligible educational institutions to provide career and technical education (CTE) instruction. Also known as the Talent Readiness and Industry Needs (TRAIN) Act, the bill would allow businesses to loan qualified employees as CTE instructors while establishing a tax credit for participating employers.

HB 520 by Rep. Marcus Paramore, R-Troy, would establish an expedited certification pathway for CTE professionals from other states to obtain an Alabama teaching certificate, expanding the pool of eligible instructors statewide. 

HJR 189 by Rep. Frances Holk-Jones, R-Foley, requests a $150 million funding appropriation to promote and support CTE in Alabama. 

This package represents an effort by House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, to grow CTE options and opportunities throughout the state. HB 517 and HB 520 passed the House March 5 and await Senate action. 

These bills reflect priorities outlined in the A.L.F.A. Leaders Class VI capstone project “Go Grow Alabama.” Two of the projects’ goals aimed to inform Alabamians about career opportunities in the state’s agriculture industry and prepare workers for those roles. 

Alabama Farmers Federation State Legislative Programs Director Russ Durrance said this package aligns with the organization’s priorities of supporting young people while training them for agriculture jobs.

“We are thankful for Speaker Ledbetter’s leadership and continued support for career tech,” Durrance said. “One of the Federation’s goals is to ensure young people are aware of the abundant career opportunities available to them while connecting them directly with employers. These bills will expand those options and strengthen career tech pathways.” 

The Alabama Farmers Federation is urging members to contact their senators in support of HB 244, which would provide utility tax exemptions for farmers. 

HB 244 by Rep. Danny Crawford, R-Athens, and a companion, SB 159 by Sen. Jack Williams, R-Wilmer, 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.

HB 244 awaits action in the Senate Finance & Taxation Education Committee. SB 159 was reported out of the Senate Finance & Taxation Education Committee March 4 after receiving a favorable report Feb. 18. It now awaits a full Senate vote. An amendment to the bill would sunset the measure Aug. 31, 2029.

Alabama Farmers Federation External Affairs Department Director Brian Hardin said members' engagement will determine if HB 244 moves forward next week. 

“Affordability is a pressing issue for our farmers, and these bills could make farming more affordable,” Hardin said. “Federation members are encouraged to reach out to senators on the Senate Finance & Taxation Education Committee and explain why putting HB 244 on their agenda next week is necessary to protect farmers from rising costs.”

Members of the Senate Finance & Taxation Education Committee include:

Chair Arthur Orr, R-Decatur

Vice Chair Gerald Allen, R-Tuscaloosa

Ranking Minority Member Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham

Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore

Sen. Tom Butler, R-Madison

Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva

Sen. Vivian Figures, D-Mobile

Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville

Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman

Sen. Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery

Sen. Jay Hovey, R-Auburn

Sen. Keith Kelley, R-Anniston

Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence

Sen. Dan Roberts, R-Mountain Brook

Sen. David Sessions, R-Grand Bay

Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro

Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills

Legislation mandating health care coverage continued to dominate discussions this week as affordability concerns grow entering the final stretch of the regular session. 

The Alabama Senate passed a measure Tuesday to increase reimbursement rates for ambulance service providers – a move that could drive up health coverage premiums for policyholders statewide. 

SB 269 by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, would establish payment rates from health insurers to ambulance service companies. Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Tuscumbia, (pictured) raised concerns during floor debate March 3. 

“We’re looking at the big picture of health care costs and insurance premium costs,” Stutts said. “I’m for rural areas having ambulance services, but my problem with the bill is health care costs in general. We’ve kind of decided that anybody gets care, and they all get the same level of care whether they pay for it or not. And the ones paying have to bear the brunt of those costs. This bill unduly shifts the cost to a very small percentage of people.”

Stutts was joined by Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Josephine, in voting against the measure. Senators who were absent or took a pass on voting for the bill were Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville; Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road; Jack Williams, R-Wilmer; David Sessions, R-Grand Bay; Merika Coleman, D-Birmingham; and April Weaver, R-Brierfield, who abstained. All other senators voted to support the mandate.

While a companion bill, HB 400 by Rep. Ed Oliver, R-Dadeville, would exempt certain policyholders such as PEEHIP and State Employees Insurance Board (SEIB) consumers, SB 269 would include those groups, broadening the potential cost impact. 

SB 269 was referred to the House Insurance Committee. Alabama Farmers Federation External Affairs Department Director Brian Hardin encouraged members to contact committee members and oppose the bill. 

“We know affordability is an issue for all farmers and small business owners,” Hardin said. “This is not the time to continue layering on costs that directly harm their bottom lines. As producers suffer through a tough economy, they shouldn’t have to choose between staying afloat and affording health care.”

Hardin said Alfa Health Plans were established in 2025 to promote affordable coverage. Instead, coverage mandates functioning as hidden taxes threaten to undo that progress. 

“We support viable ambulance services in rural areas,” Hardin said. “But the answer cannot be pulling more dollars from the pockets of policyholders.” 

Members of the House Insurance Committee include:

Chair Corley Ellis, R-Columbiana

Vice Chair Brett Easterbrook, R-Fruitdale

Ranking Minority Member A.J. McCampbell, D-Linden

Rep. Chris Blackshear, R-Smiths Station

Rep. Chip Brown, R-Hollinger's Island

Rep. Brock Colvin, R-Albertville

Rep. Kelvin Datcher, D-Birmingham

Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery

Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook

Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville

Rep. Patrick Sellers, R-Pleasant Grove

Members of the Shelby County Farmers Federation (SCFF) visited with legislators at the Alabama State House Thursday. 

SCFF President Phillip Hunter and board members Lance Byrd, Brooks Wall and Jimmy Bice, along with Area Organization Director David Heflin, met with local lawmakers to discuss the session. 

Alabama Farmers Federation External Affairs Department Director Brian Hardin said county leaders are welcome to visit the capitol and interact with elected officials. 

“It’s important for lawmakers to spend time with their constituents, especially during the session,” Hardin said. “The support is appreciated and provides our members an opportunity to share important issues.”

Poultry Export Stabilization and Market Access: HB 550 by Rep. Curtis Travis, D-Tuscaloosa, would support Alabama’s poultry industry by creating a grant program for poultry producers, processors and exporters affected by trade disruption. The bill was introduced in the House March 3 and referred to the House State Government Committee. 

Rural Impact Report: HB 558 by Rep. Curtis Travis, D-Tuscaloosa, would require the Legislative Services Agency to produce a Rural Impact Report when requested by any legislator for a bill under consideration. The report evaluates the potential effects of proposed legislation on rural communities, farmers, agricultural businesses and rural school districts. The bill was introduced in the House March 3 and referred to the House Urban & Rural Development Committee. 

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). The bill passed by the House Agriculture & Forestry Committee March 4 and awaits action in the House. 

Alabama Agricultural Enhancement Program: HB 523 by Rep. Thomas Jackson, D-Thomasville, would set a framework for the Alabama Agricultural Enhancement program by obligating the commissioner of Agriculture and Industries to publish a report to the governor and the Legislature detailing a cost-share program that farmers could use to make improvements to their operations and to invest in certain agriculture sectors. The bill was reported out of the House Ways & Means General Fund Committee March 4. 

The Legislature will convene the 20th day of 2026 regular session March 10.

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

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