Commentary Special to the Times Journal
The Alabama Legislature completed its eighth week of the 2025 Legislative Session. Both chambers met three times last week, meaning nine legislative days remain.
“This was without a doubt our most comprehensive week of the session,” said Speaker of the House Nathanial Ledbetter (R-Rainsville).
“The House passed six pro-military bills that will go a long way in ensuring our active-duty service members and their families have the best possible quality of life in Alabama.
“We delivered an important victory to our 40,000+ educators by passing the first-ever teacher’s workman’s compensation bill. Community pharmacies, which have been struggling for far too long, will now be fairly compensated for filling prescriptions and serving patients,” he said. “We also passed legislation establishing a tax credit for rural hospitals - vitally important as they navigate difficult financial situations due to low reimbursements,” the speaker continued.
“As we move closer to Sine Die, we still have several priorities left to address, and I look forward to picking up where we left off (this) week.”
On April 8, members of the House and Senate held a Joint Session celebrating Military Appreciation Day. Speakers included Alabama National Guard Adjutant General David Pritchet, Army Materiel Command at Redstone Arsenal Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Kevin Meisler, Maxwell AFB Wing Commander Col. Shamekia Toliver, among others. Six pro-military pieces of legislation were passed following the ceremony.
Rep. Ed Oliver (R-Dadeville), a veteran with 30 years of service, touted the Military Stability Commission’s work to make Alabama the most pro-military state in the nation. “Each year, the Legislature prioritizes passing a package of pro-military bills to ensure our active duty servicemembers, veterans, and their families have the best possible quality of life here in Alabama,” said Oliver.
“Alabama currently ranks as the second most military friendly state in the nation, and this session’s package undoubtedly gets us closer to number one.”
The House secured final passage of SB1 on April 8, which provides school workers access to compensation for on-the-job injuries. SB1 was carried by Rep. Cynthia Almond (R-Tuscaloosa) in the House.
“This legislation is long overdue and will provide our teachers – who are some of Alabama’s most dedicated and hardworking employees – well deserved financial compensation in the event they are injured on the job,” said Almond. “Teachers deserve our full support, and I appreciate my colleagues recognizing this need and voting unanimously to support it.”
Rep. Phillip Rigsby (R-Huntsville) carried SB252, The Community Pharmacy Relief Act, in the House and touted the bill as a compromise benefiting Alabama.
“In many parts of our state, the local pharmacist is the only healthcare provider in town, and it’s vitally important they continue serving our communities,” said Rigsby. “SB252’s only goal is to ensure pharmacists are fairly compensated for services they provide, which has unfortunately not been the case for quite some time. This legislation is the result of countless conversations and compromises that, in the end, allowed us to pass a bill supporting community pharmacies across our state. I’m proud of the work we’ve done on this important issue and confident it will have an immediate, positive impact in Alabama.”
Also on April 8, the House passed HB86 by Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur), which would create a tax credit to incentivize individual donors and businesses to support rural hospitals.
“For me, the motivation to develop this legislation stemmed from the fact that rural hospitals all across the state are shutting their doors, with the most recent closure of Thomasville last fall,” said Collins.
“From education to recruiting industry to maintain a healthy workforce, a community’s success is heavily dependent upon access to healthcare.
“My hope is that this initiative can offer an additional resource for these struggling facilities and help them continue treating patients.”
