The Alabama Legislature has completed its first week of the 2025 Legislative Session. Both chambers met three times this week, meaning that 27 legislative days remain.
House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) commented on the first of many productive weeks the legislature expects to complete.
“I am excited to have our 105 members of the Alabama House of Representatives back in Montgomery for what will be another productive Legislative Session,” said House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter. “Each session presents a great opportunity to address the challenges facing our state, and I believe we have the wind at our backs here in Alabama. Just last week, the nation’s report card was released, showing that our state has made remarkable gains in fourth-grade math and reading. We also now have a president in office who prioritizes issues like a strong economy and secure borders, which undoubtedly places our state in a much stronger position.”
Ledbetter added that in the coming week, the House will begin working on the Safe Alabama Package through committee, which includes priority legislation such as the Back the Blue Protection Act and the Law Enforcement Dependent Scholarship Act.”
In Governor Kay Ivey’s State of the State Address on Tuesday, several members of the House were recognized as sponsors of some of her top legislative priorities.
Rep. Ed Oliver (R-Dadeville) filed legislation to establish the Alabama Veterans Resource Center (AVRC), a comprehensive, one-stop hub designed to provide holistic support for the state’s veterans, military personnel, and their families.
“Returning to civilian life after serving our country can be challenging for America’s heroes,” said Rep. Oliver, who chairs the House Military and Veteran Affairs Committee and served over 31 years in the military. “Supporting Alabama’s 400,000 veterans will always be a top priority, and I fully believe the Alabama Veterans Resource Center has the power to uplift the men and women who have made great sacrifices for our country.”
Rep. Rex Reynolds (R-Huntsville) will carry the Back the Blue Protection Act. This legislation would provide additional legal protections for law enforcement officers acting within the scope of their duty.
“Alabama’s police officers, sheriff deputies, and highway patrolmen should be able to focus solely on protecting our communities,” said Rep. Reynolds. “The Back the Blue Protection Act would ensure that our state’s law enforcement professionals can continue carrying out their duties with full confidence that they have our support. As a former police officer, I believe this is one of the most impactful public safety initiatives in the history of our state.”
Rep. Ginny Shaver (R-Leesburg) will carry HB309, which would provide paid parental leave for education professionals and state employees.
“It is becoming increasingly difficult to recruit and retain quality classroom teachers and state employees who are willing to build long careers in public service,” said Rep. Shaver. This parental leave legislation will provide state employees and teachers with the opportunity to properly bond with their children without the added stress of worrying about their jobs.”
Rep. Leigh Hulsey (R-Helena) will carry HB166. This legislation aims to implement a statewide ban on the use of cell phones on public school campuses during instructional time. It also requires each local board of education to adopt an internet safety policy that addresses student access to the internet on district-owned devices.
“Thanks to the dedication of our teachers and the hard work of our students, Alabama is making remarkable progress in public education,” said Rep. Hulsey. “It is crucial that we capitalize on this momentum, and I believe that addressing cell phone use in the classroom will better position Alabama’s students for success. Numerous studies indicate that cellphone use in schools not only leads to decreased academic performance but also results in constant disciplinary issues. The bottom line is that while cell phones can be valuable tools for students, we must ensure they do not hold them back from receiving a quality education.”
The House will convene on Tuesday, February 11, at 1:00 p.m. for week two of the legislative session.
