Rick Rehm

This bill appropriates $9.3 billion from the Education Trust Fund, a 6.25% increase from the previous year to fund various wasteful program and higher education. The bill includes many higher education scholarship and loan repayment programs, an additional $200 million for the state's pre-K program, and over $87 million to the Department of Commerce for industrial development training programs. This budget provides an increase of $110 million for colleges and universities and funds a litany of entities that exceed the scope of government. While it is a necessary role for government to provide quality K-12 education - ideally through school choice - college and university-level education should be funded through user fees (i.e., tuition) by those who wish to pursue their selected career path. Oppose is the Limited Government Position.

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending Through a $9.3 Billion (a 6.25% Increase from Prior Year) Education Trust Fund Budget to Fund Higher Education and Wasteful Programs.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to authorize a state lottery and certain types of electronic gaming. Specifically, the bill creates the Alabama Education Lottery and allows electronic games of chance at seven locations, to be taxed between 20-28%. Support is the Limited Government Position.

Strengthening Individual Liberties by Amending the State Constitution to Legalize Gambling.

This bill enacts the "Alabama Gambling Control Act," establishing a gaming license framework and creating the Alabama Lottery Corporation. This act creates gaming licenses ranging from 10 to 20 years with a capital investment from $15 to $200 million. Under the act, the tax rate for gaming is set at 24% for the first five years, then subject to adjustment. Individuals - not bureaucrats - should have decision rights over how to utilize the fruits of their labor - even when it comes to risky endeavors such as betting. Support is the Limited Government Position.

Strengthening Individual Liberties and Growing the Tax Base Through by Establishing a State Lottery and Legalizing Electronic Gambling.

This bill provides immunity to IVF providers for the death or damage to an embryo, stipulating that no criminal or civil action can be brought against entities or individuals providing goods or services related to IVF, "except for an act or omission that is both intentional and not arising from or related to IVF services." Support is the Limited Government Position.

Ensuring Continuation of the In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Industry Through Civil Liability Protections for Providers.

This bill reduces frivolous litigation in the bovine industry by limiting liability for owners of buffalo, bison, cattle, or oxen. The bill stipulates that an owner is not liable for any injury, loss, damage, or death of a person resulting from an inherent risk of a bovine activity. Support is the Limited Government Position.

Reducing Frivolous Litigation in the Bovine Industry Through Limited Liability for Owners of Buffalo, Bison, Cattle, or Oxen.

This bill stipulates that a minor may not give consent to receiving a vaccination without the written consent of a parent or legal guardian. Support is the Limited Government Position.

Protecting Children and Strengthening Parental Rights by Prohibiting the Vaccination of Minors Without Parent Consent.

This bill strengthens property rights by allowing homeowners to have an unauthorized individual removed by law enforcement from their property after 24 hours if the homeowner provides a sworn affidavit. Additionally, the bill creates penalties for falsifying real estate documents claiming to be a lease agreement or deed and criminalizes remaining in a home and intentionally causing $1,000 or more in damage. Support is the Limited Government Position.

Strengthening Property Rights by Creating New Penalties for Falsifying Real Estate Documents and Establishing a Legal Process for Property Owners to Remove Squatters.

This bill prohibits the use of ranked-choice voting in determining the election or nomination of any candidate in any local, state, or federal election. Support is the Limited Government Position.

Strengthening Election Integrity by Banning the Use of Ranked Choice Voting in Alabama Elections.

Under previous law, the Alcoholic Beverages Control (ABC) board was required to rent all warehouses and retail spaces it used. This bill allows the ABC board to own real property solely for the purpose of owning or operating a warehouse or warehouses. Oppose is the Limited Government Position.

Expanding Authority of the Alcoholic Beverages Control (ABC) Board by Permitting Board Ownership of Warehouses.

This bill advances fiscal responsibility by stipulating that no benefit increases for retirees or beneficiaries under the Employees' Retirement System (ERS) and Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) could be paid unless granted by a separate act of the legislature. The act must establish the amount of the increase and eligible retirees. Support is the Limited Government Position.

Advancing Fiscal Responsibility by Requiring a Legislative Act to Increase Benefits for Public Retirees.

This bill would allow students who are in the U.S. illegally to attend one of Alabama's post-secondary institutions, which receive billions in taxpayer funding. The student must have applied for legal status, attended high school, and have a high school diploma to be eligible. Lawmakers must eliminate all incentives that may encourage illegal immigration, including taxpayer-funded benefits surrounding housing, education, and other welfare programs. Oppose is the Limited Government Position.

Further Encouraging Illegal Immigration by Allowing Unlawful Immigrants to Attend Taxpayer Funded Public Universities.

This bill creates the Agriculture Exhibition Center Corporation to operate the Alabama Farm Center, tasked with promoting, showcasing, and facilitating education regarding all facets of the agricultural industry. Oppose is the Limited Government Position.

Expanding Cronyism Through the Creation of a Corporation to Promote the Agricultural Industry.

This bill legalizes fully autonomous vehicles for personal use in Alabama and prohibits localities from taxing or regulating these self-driving vehicles. While the bill does impose insurance regulations on fully autonomous vehicles, this measure overall advances innovation and spurs economic growth. Support is the Limited Government Position.

Advancing Innovation and Economic Growth by Establishing a Framework to Enable the Personal Operation of Fully Autonomous Vehicles within the State.

This bill expands the ethic laws applied to public officials and public employees to include spouses and dependents. Additionally, the bill raises ethics violations from a Class C felony, punishable up to 10 years in prison, to a Class B felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Support is the Limited Government Position.

Ensuring the Integrity of Elected Officials by Expanding Ethics Laws to Spouses and Increasing Violations to a Class B Felony.

This bill denies economic incentives to employers that voluntarily recognize a union "solely and exclusively on the basis of signed labor organization authorization cards" if a secret ballot election could have been conducted. The bill also denies incentives to an employer who voluntarily discloses an employee's personal contact information to a labor organization without the employee's prior written consent (unless otherwise required by state or federal law). Such economic incentives include grants, loans, or tax credits provided by the state or local government. Support is the Limited Government Position.

Strengthening the Right to Work by Withholding Government Incentives for Employers Who Voluntarily Recognize Unions Without a Private Ballot Election.

This bill expands access to healthcare by allowing physical therapists to conduct initial screenings of patients and eliminating the requirement that physical therapy be practiced only upon a referral from a licensed physician. Support is the Limited Government Position.

Expanding Access to Healthcare and Reducing Costs by Allowing Physical Therapists to Practice Without a Referral from a Physician.

This bill provides a sales and use tax exemption for the purchase of diapers, baby supplies, baby formula, maternity clothing, and menstrual hygiene products. While well intentioned, this measure ultimately dilutes the tax base and shifts tax burdens onto other products and individuals not favored by government. Oppose is the Limited Government Position.

Diluting the Tax Base by Exempting Baby Products and Menstrual Hygiene Products from Sales and Use Tax.

This bill, the Alabama Post-Election Audit Act, requires the judge of probate of each county to conduct a post-election audit after every county and statewide general election to determine the accuracy of the results. The audit must be conducted after 31 days following statewide general elections and completed within 30 days of commencement. Support is the Limited Government Position.

Strengthening Election Integrity by Requiring Audits of Each County and State Election.

This bill sets specific timelines that public entities in the state must follow when responding to public records requests. A public entity must acknowledge a public records request within 10 days of receiving it and must provide a substantive response fulfilling or denying the request within 15 business days of acknowledging receipt. Support is the Limited Government Position.

Strengthening Government Transparency and Accountability by Implementing Timelines for Public Records Requests.

Under current law, if a qualified individual with a four-year bachelor's degree (that don't have teaching degrees) completes an approved alternative program, they will be issued a professional educator certificate which will allow them to teach in the state. This bill adds an additional certifying organization for alternative teacher preparation program organizations, allowing the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation to certify teachers. Support is the Limited Government Position.

Ensuring Schools Can Hire the Most Effective Educators by Allowing an Additional Organization to Certify Teachers Through an Alternative Preparation Program.

Under previous law, an additional sales tax of 2% was imposed on ABC stores (government-owned liquor stores). This bill changes the additional sales tax rate on alcohol sold at ABC stores to an amount equal to the combined county and municipal general sales tax rate where the purchase is made. According to the bill's sponsors, this bill is designed to "make it easier for independently owned liquor stores to compete with ABC stores." Rather than raise prices on consumers to remedy a problem created by government interference in the free market, lawmakers should instead remove government from the marketplace entirely. Oppose is the Limited Government Position.

Further Manipulating the Alcoholic Beverage Market by Hiking the Sales Tax at Government-Owned Liquor Stores.

This bill is designed to expand cronyism by extending the definition of a "qualified production" that is entitled to a rebate for production expenditures to include music album productions. The bill renames the Alabama Film Office as the Alabama Entertainment Office to reflect this expansion. Oppose is the Limited Government Position.

Expanding Cronyism and Enriching Woke Media Companies by Expanding Entertainment Rebates to Include Music Album Productions.

This bill expands a quasi-governmental Capital Improvement Cooperative District to include property near the Eastern Shore Centre, allowing for the properties to be acquired and placed in the district. As a result, local governments may issue bonds (debt) to finance improvements in the area, which will be funded by licenses, fees, and other revenue sources of the district. This measure is in response to Spanish Fort's Mayor, Mike McMillan, wanting to build a baseball complex on the property adjacent to the Eastern Shore Centre. Oppose is the Limited Government Position.

Increasing Government Central Planning by Expanding Properties Included in the Quasi-Governmental Capital Improvement Cooperative District.

This bill grants localities the ability to create designated research corridors with appointed boards that can collect fees and spend funds as a public corporation. Under the bill, corridors are exempt from state competitive bid laws, which require competitive bids for any contract to be entered into by any public entity, and from some state oversight requirements. Oppose is the Limited Government Position.

Further Growing Government and Unnecessary Spending by Permitting Localities to Establish Designated Research Corridors.

This bill provides $50 million in additional tax credits to owners of projects under the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. The LIHTC program subsidizes the acquisition, new construction, and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing for low- and moderate-income tenants. Under the bill, eligible owners may receive up to $2 million annually for each qualified project. Oppose is the Limited Government Position.

Expanding Cronyism and Diluting the Tax Base by Spending $50 Million Annually in Workforce Housing Tax Credits.

This bill creates a state income tax credit for taxpayers that make voluntary cash contributions to an eligible pregnancy center or residential maternity facility. The amount of credit that may be claimed by a taxpayer in a taxable year shall not exceed 50% of the taxpayer's total state income tax liability. While this measure is well intentioned, all state and local tax codes should be constructed in a broadly applied manner with the lowest rates possible for everyone. Oppose is the Limited Government Position.

Shifting Tax Burdens and Expanding Cronyism Through an Income Tax Credit for Donations Made to Pregnancy Centers.

This bill would allow post-tax deductions from state employee salaries for financial instruments offered through membership associations. Currently, these deductions are limited to membership dues, voluntary contributions, and insurance premiums. According to the bills fiscal note, this would increase the obligations of the State Comptroller's Office, resulting in higher costs for additional staffing. While the bill was amended to provide a $300 monthly cap on post-tax withholdings, it is not the role of taxpayers and the state to serve as a collector for unions. Oppose is the Limited Government Position.

Expanding Government's Role as a Dues Collector for Public Employee Unions by Allowing Deductions for Financial Instruments.

This bill expands the definition of critical infrastructure facilities related to the crime of unauthorized entry to include electric power lines and power storage equipment, a natural gas distribution facility, wireline or wireless communications infrastructure, gas processing plants, steelmaking facilities, and more. Protecting property rights and ensuring public safety serve as essential components of government. Support is the Limited Government Position.

Strengthening Law and Order by Expanding Facilities Considered Critical Infrastructure in the Crime of Unauthorized Entry.

This bill authorizes the use of automated traffic enforcement systems to detect and record traffic violations such as burnout, speed racing, sideshows, and other reckless driving maneuvers. This measure represents a significant increase in automated traffic systems, which brings up valid concerns regarding civil liberties and the growth of government tracking and surveillance. Oppose is the Limited Government Position.

Growing the Surveillance State by Allowing the Use of Automated Traffic Enforcement Systems to Catch Exhibition Drivers.

This bill harms employment opportunities for minors by increasing penalties on employers who violate state regulations under the Child Labor Act. The bill raises civil penalties from $1,000 to $5,000 per violation to $5,000 to $10,000 per violation. The bill also raises violations that result in a minor's death or injury from a Class A misdemeanor or Class C felony to a Class B felony or Class C felony. Oppose is the Limited Government Position.

Harming Employment Opportunities for Minors by Imposing Excessive Additional Penalties on Employers Who Violate State Regulations Under the Child Labor Act.

The Lovvorn amendment #1 to the Creating Hope & Opportunity for Our Children (CHOOSE) Act. This amendment stipulates that nothing in the act shall affect or change the athletic eligibility of student athletes governed by the Alabama High School Athletic Association. Support is the Limited Government Position.

Protecting School Choice by Ensuring Eligibility for Student Athletes Under the Education Savings Account (ESA) Program.

This bill, the Creating Hope & Opportunity for Our Children (CHOOSE) Act, enacts an Education Savings Account (ESA) Program to allow eligible students to receive funding of up to $7,000 for educational expenses such as private school tuition, homeschool expenses, textbooks, and other personalized learning costs. The bill appropriates a minimum of $100 million to fund the program. Support is the Limited Government Position.

Improving Educational Outcomes by Establishing an Education Savings Account (ESA) Program to Provide School Choice.

This bill prevents all state agencies, local boards of education, and institutions of higher education from sponsoring diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs or offices, and prevents staff, students, and faculty organizations from hosting DEI events. The teaching of "divisive concepts" is prohibited and no public entity may compel students, employees, or contractors to affirm these concepts, including training, orientations, or coursework that "advocates, acts upon, or promote divisive concepts." Employees who violate this bill may be disciplined or terminated. Support is the Limited Government Position.

Protecting Taxpayer Funds by Prohibiting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs and Offices in Public Entities.

This bill extends the current sexual orientation discussion ban in schools from kindergarten through fifth grade to kindergarten through eighth grade. Additionally, the bill bans pride flags in all K-12 classrooms. It is the role of parents - not government bureaucrats - to introduce and discuss these sensitive issues with their children. Support is the Limited Government Position.

Strengthening Parental Rights and Ensuring Healthy Learning Environments by Prohibiting the Display of Pride Flags in Classrooms and Extending the Sexual Orientation Discussion Ban to Eighth Grade.

This bill removes the Department of Insurance from the state's Sunset Law, which requires the legislature to review state boards every four years for their continued operation. Oppose is the Limited Government Position.

Weakening Oversight of Unelected Bureaucrats by Removing the Department of Insurance from Legislative Review Requirements Under the Sunset Law.

Motion to defeat Hall amendment #1 to the bill making appropriations from the Education Trust Fund. The amendment would provide funding for the summer electronic benefit program, taking $13 million from funding originally appropriated for K-12 Capital. Support is the Limited Government Position.

Blocking Effort to Grow Government Dependency by Funneling Taxpayer Funds Meant for K-12 to the Summer Electronic Benefit Program (EBT).

This bill creates a Class B felony for absentee ballot applications or ballots to be distributed, requested, collected, completed, obtained, or delivered by any person other than the absentee voter. The bill does provide exceptions for voters who require assistance. Support is the Limited Government Position.

Strengthening Election Integrity by Establishing a Felony for Fraudulently Handling Absentee Ballots.

This bill grows government regulation on property insurance through various provisions. Most notably, the bill requires property insurers to provide mailed or delivered notice at least 30 days prior to cancelling any coverage and restricts the ability of insurers to cancel a property insurance policy. The bill also implements requirements for replacement policies and policy transfer. Oppose is the Limited Government Position.

Growing Government Regulation on Property Insurance Through New Mandates on Policy Cancellations.

This bill prohibits the sale, manufacture, or distribution of lab-grown meat or "cultivated food product." Violators can be found guilty of a misdemeanor and food sales establishments could have their food safety permits suspended or revoked. Oppose is the Limited Government Position.

Imposing Additional Mandates on the Private Sector by Prohibiting the Sale and Distribution of Lab-Grown Meat.

This bill creates a Class C felony for the possession of a pistol that has a part or combination of parts designed or intended to convert a firearm into a machine gun installed on or attached to the pistol. Oppose is the Limited Government Position.

Weakening Second Amendment Rights Through a Ban on Owning Parts Converting Pistols into Machine Guns.

The "Parents Right to Know Act" requires public schools to post curricula for each class publicly online and requires teachers to allow parents to examine all instructional and supplemental materials and books available to students in the classroom. The bill creates a mechanism for parents to file complaints regarding school material they find objectionable. Support is the Limited Government Position.

Strengthening Transparency and Accountability within the Education System Through the "Parents Right to Know" Act.

This bill prohibits localities from banning or restricting the acquisition or use of appliances based solely on the type of energy used to operate the appliance. Under the bill, appliance includes an item used in the home for perform of domestic chores or tasks, or in a commercial setting, such as cooking, food storage, heating, cooling, washing, and more. Support is the Limited Government Position.

Combatting Government Overreach by Preventing Local Government Bans on Appliances Based on Energy Source.

This bill expands employment opportunities for those without college degrees by requiring the personnel department director to regularly assess state job requirements and remove the college degree requirement when practicable. Support is the Limited Government Position.

Expanding Employment Opportunities by Removing Unnecessary Barriers to State Employment for Those Without a College Degree.

This bill expands cronyism by establishing a grant program to facilitate and coordinate inland port and transfer facility development, improvement, maintenance, and construction. The bill appropriates $2 million annually for 2026 through 2028 and grants are to be awarded on a competitive bid basis, with a minimum participation of 20% of local funds for any project. Oppose is the Limited Government Position.

Expanding Cronyism and Unnecessary Spending by Providing $2 Million in Grants Annually to Fund Inland Ports.

This bill strengthens medical freedom by prohibiting the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners and the Medical Licensure Commission of Alabama from taking adverse action against a physician who prescribes or recommends off-label medical treatments. Off-label use refers to prescribing an approved drug for an unapproved condition, administering it in a different form, or giving it in a different dose than approved. Support is the Limited Government Position.

Strengthening Medical Freedom by Preventing Licensing Boards from Taking Adverse Actions Against Doctors Prescribing Off-Label Drugs.

This bill limits annual property tax appraisals to 7% for both residential and commercial property. The assessment increase cap is set to end in 2027. Support is the Limited Government Position.

Protecting Homeowners and Businesses from Spiking Property Taxes by Limiting Annual Property Assessment Increases.

This bill infringes individual liberties by banning the purchase, possession, or use of a vaping device for anyone under the age of 21. Oppose is the Limited Government Position.

ILA

Rick Rehm