Robert Stewart

This bill allows the Board of Nursing to use funding to provide financial assistance to licensees or applicants for licensing to defray the cost of requiring evaluations. Rather than utilizing taxpayer funds to fund private individuals getting licensing, lawmakers should instead roll back overly restrictive licensing requirements that are largely advocated by special interests seeking to restrict competition in the marketplace. Oppose is the Limited Government Position.

Utilizing Taxpayer Funding to Subsidize the Cost of Nursing License's Instead of Rolling Back Overly Restricting Licensing Requirements.

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 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 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.

This bill removes a provision that prohibited the use of the Education Trust Fund revenue and the General Fund revenue for retiree benefits under the Teachers' Retirement System and the State Employees' Retirement System. Oppose is the Limited Government Position.

Threatening the Solvency of the Education Trust Fund by Allowing Funds to be Used for Public Employee Retirement Benefits.

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 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 hikes taxpayer costs by providing Montgomery City Council members an additional expense allowance of $12,000 and an annual salary of $30,000 (previously $18,000). Additionally, the bill gives the mayor a pay raise by providing an annual salary of $150,000 (previously $95,000) and an expense allowance of $55,000. Oppose is the Limited Government Position.

Hiking Taxpayer Costs Through Salary Hikes and Expense Allowances for City Council Members and Mayors of Montgomery.

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.

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 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 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 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.

The Albritton amendment #2 to a bill that establishes the Alabama Gaming Commission and Alabama Lottery Corporation. This amendment prohibits the use of public assistance benefits for playing any form of gambling activity. Additionally, the amendment allows for contracts relating to lawful gambling. Support is the Limited Government Position.

Protecting Taxpayer Funds from Misuse by Prohibiting the Use of Public Assistance Benefits for Gambling Activities.

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 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. (The bill needed three-fifths approval to pass.)

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

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.

Expanding Government Overreach and Infringing Individual Liberties by Raising the Vaping Age to 21.

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 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.

The Singleton amendment #2 to the Creating Hope & Opportunity for Our Children (CHOOSE) Act. This amendment requires schools participating in the Education Savings Account (ESA) Program to only employ teachers who are certificated by the State Department of Education. Oppose is the Limited Government Position.

Weakening Educational Outcomes Amidst a Teacher Shortage by Requiring ESA Schools to Employ Teachers Certificated by the State.

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 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 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 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.

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.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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, 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 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 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.

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.

ILA

Robert Stewart