The legislative session has made considerable progress, and while it has begun to enter its last weeks, that means the activity has picked up all the more! We are at the State House every day working to represent biblical good news and family values. Check out the latest update below for info what bills we anticipate will continue to move.
“From the State House” Interviews
ALCAP president Greg Davis is your host for Priority Talk Radio. Over the course of 2026 Legislative Session, we have done multiple interviews from the State House on a variety of topics. Be sure to check out a few by clicking on the images below!
Legislation ALCAP is Monitoring
School Chaplains (HB 8/SB 305): These companion bills by Rep. Mark Gidley (Gadsden) and Sen. Rodger Smitherman (Birmingham) would authorize each local boards of education to vote on whether to accept a campus chaplain as a volunteer to provide services at the request of a teacher.
Status: HB 8 passed out of the House Education Policy committee on February 4th and passed the House February 24th. SB 305 was referred to the Senate Education Policy committee on February 12th, and made it out of committee on the 18th. It passed the Senate floor on February 25th. Both bills now go to the other house. We expect to see movement on this issue very soon.
| Protection from Non-Consensual Illicit Images (HB 347): This bill by Rep. Ben Harrison (Cartwright) would let people sue tech companies in certain situations, especially if harmful images were carelessly made or shared for money or through public “nudification” apps. It would also require websites and apps to have a clear way to remove illegal images, allow victims to take legal action, give the Attorney General power to enforce the law, and set penalties for breaking. Status: The bill passed the House Judiciary on February 11th, and passed the entire House of Representatives on March 3rd. It passed out of the Senate Judiciary committee on March 11th, it currently awaits a vote by the entire Senate floor. |
The Ten Commandments in Schools (HB 216/SB 99): The companion House and Senate bills sponsored by Rep. Mark Gidley (Gadsden) and Sen. Keith Kelley (Weaver) would require Alabama public schools to post the Ten Commandments with a historical explanation in certain middle and high school classrooms and common areas. Schools would only have to do this if the posters or the money to buy them are donated.
Status: HB 216 was reported out of the House Committee on Education Policy on March 4th, and then put on the calendar for a House floor vote, only to be re-referred back to committee in the Judiciary committee. We are hopeful this legislation continues to move forward. SB 99 was referred to the Senate Education Policy committee on January 13th, reported out of committee on February 11th, and currently awaits a Senate floor vote. We encourage our readers to call your state Senator and ask for this bill to move!
Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance (HB 511): This bill by Rep. Reed Ingram proposes a constitutional amendment requiring public K-12 schools to conduct The Pledge of Allegiance at the start of each school day it also requires local school boards to vote on whether to allow voluntary daily prayer and Bible or other religious text readings with written consent.
Status: The bill was introduced on February 25th in the House committee on State Government, reported out of committee on March 4th, passed the House floor on March 10th, and now awaits a vote in the Senate Education Policy committee.
Prohibiting the Disruption of a Worship Service (HB 363): This bill by Rep. Greg Barnes (Jasper) creates a specific offense for intentionally disrupting a church worship service or harassing worshippers, including actions on church property meant to block entry or exit. Violators would be charged with disruption of a worship service.
Status: The bill was introduced in the House on January 29th and passed the House floor on February 24th. It passed out of the Senate Committee on County and Municipal Government on March 4th, and Sen Chris Elliott moved it forward to the Senate floor, where it currently awaits a vote.
Religious Release Time for Students (SB 248): SB248, by Senator Shay Shelnutt (Trussville), gives parents the freedom to have their public school children participate in off-campus religious instruction during the school day. Students may earn elective credit for taking part in these programs. The programs are run and funded by local religious organizations. We are especially excited about the potential of this bill as a unique opportunity for churches to minister to students across our state through elective school credit.
Status: The bill was introduced on February 3rd, and passed the Senate Education Policy committee on the 11th. The bill passed the Senate with broad support on February 19th, passed the House Education Policy committee on March 11th. It will likely move forward on the Senate floor soon.
