Via @annabjournalist.bsky.social: The bill comes as conservatives and right-wing organizations in Alabama continue to target library books, particularly those with LGBTQ+ themes.

Via @annabjournalist.bsky.social: The Alabama Senate passed a bill Tuesday that would require all health benefit plans to cover breast cancer screenings for women over 40 years old.

Keeping an eye out for this one this week.

Alabama Reflector turns three years old on Saturday. We wouldn't be here without your support, which allows us to keep reporting on the stories that matter most to you. Will you join the celebration today? https://alabamareflector.com/donate

Via Anna Barrett: The Alabama Senate gave final approval to a bill Thursday that would allow prosecutors to seek the death penalty for those convicted of sexual assault of a child under the age of 12, setting up a possible court battle over its constitutionality.

Via Anna Barrett: The Alabama Senate passed a bill Thursday that would require app stores to have age verification for minors. A similar law in Texas has been blocked by a federal judge as unconstitutional. https://ow.ly/jjU550Y9CbX

Via Anna Barrett, Ralph Chapoco and Andrea Tinker: Here's our weekly round-up of the bills that passed the Alabama Legislature.

alabamareflector.com/2026/02/05/a... Sen. Weaver told me they'd wait on Rep. Simpson to recover from his illness before the bill signing with Gov. Ivey. Simpson was taken to a hospital right before the bill was up in committee Tuesday. Praying for his speedy recovery.

The Alabama Senate just passed HB 41, which would allow prosecutors to seek the death penalty for those convicted of sexual assault of a child under the age of 12, on a 33-1 vote. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey to be signed into law.

Via Anna Claire Vollers and Stateline: Alabama and other states are moving to outlaw the use of non-disclosure agreements against victims of sexual abuse. https://ow.ly/1zcK50Y8UIa

Via Anna Barrett: An Alabama Senate committee Tuesday approved a bill that would allow prosecutors to seek the death penalty for those convicted of sexual assault of a child under the age of 12.

Via Anna Barrett: The Alabama Senate Tuesday approved a bill that would prohibit the state from having stricter environmental regulations than the federal government. Democrats said the bill would leave the state vulnerable as the Trump administration weakens protections. https://ow.ly/ZYob50Y8xSZ

Via Anna Barrett: Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, was taken to a hospital Tuesday afternoon after becoming ill prior to committee meeting where he was scheduled to present a bill. https://alabamareflector.com/briefs/rep-matt-simpson-taken-to-hospital/

Via Andrea Tinker: Members of the Alabama Legislature heard budget proposals from various education agencies Monday. https://ow.ly/xr2850Y7XuW

Via Anna Barrett and Andrea Tinker: Here's our round-up of bills that passed the Alabama Legislature this week.

Via Anna Barrett: An Alabama Senate committee Wednesday heard but did not vote on a bill that would require all hospital emergency departments to have a physician on site at all times. https://ow.ly/GCMZ50Y58EF

HB 290, sponsored by Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, is slightly different from federal law. The federal law considers a bathroom to be a “reasonable” location, but Givan’s bill specifies the location to be a room other than a bathroom.

Via @annabjournalist.bsky.social :“Public reporting and available records raise serious and unresolved questions as to whether Senator Tuberville has been a continuous resident citizen of Alabama for the seven years immediately preceding the upcoming election,” GOP candidate Ken McFeeters wrote.

Via Anna Barrett: The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) Monday extended a stay on a dispensary due to ongoing litigation.

Via Anna Barrett: Republican gubernatorial candidate Ken McFeeters said Monday that he plans to challenge primary opponent U.S. Tommy Tuberville’s candidacy with the Alabama Republican Party. https://ow.ly/jMEH50Y468z

Legislature will come in tomorrow as planned. Senate at 3, House at 1. It's also a two-day week. I will be bundled up for my walk in from the mooseum.

Via Anna Barrett, Ralph Chapoco and Andrea Tinker: Here's our weekly round-up of what passed in the Alabama Legislature.

Alabama candidate qualifying ended Friday with Democrats appearing to have their largest slate of candidates since 2018; AL GOP Chair John Wahl jumping into the lieutenant governor race after a Trump endorsement and former U.S. Rep Mo Brooks running for Alabama House.

Via Anna Barrett: The Alabama Legislature passed two bills this week prohibiting civil courts from issuing nondisclosure agreements against survivors of sexual assault.

Via Anna Barrett: The Alabama Legislature has altered its meeting schedule next week in the face of winter weather that could impact north Alabama and make it dangerous for legislators from the area to travel.

With winter weather looming for North Alabama, Sen. Gudger told senators that budget hearings on Monday are postponed to Thursday. Should there still be ice/snow, the legislature will not convene on Tuesday. I’ll post updates when lawmakers decide if they will come to Montgomery on Monday & Sunday.

Via Anna Barrett: An Alabama Senate committee approved a bill Wednesday that would require the Alabama Medicaid Agency and Department of Human Resources to cross-check eligibility for assistance programs.

Via Anna Barrett: SB 128, sponsored by Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison, moves the state Sickle Cell Commission under Alabama Department of Public Health oversight. The senator said the move will improve access to care. https://ow.ly/e08K50Y0pXo

Via Anna Barrett: The Alabama Senate Thursday approved a bill that would require health insurance companies to cover prostate cancer screenings for all high-risk patients. https://ow.ly/4WXC50XYOir

And the first week of session is over! @andreadotweb.bsky.social and I survived! Catch up on what passed with the (most likely) shortest bill roundup we'll have all year.

Via Anna Barrett: The Alabama Senate Thursday voted to repeal a controversial law passed in 2025 that would have allowed the city of Cullman to annex part of Cullman County for a resort-style conference center on Smith Lake.

Via Anna Barrett: An Alabama Senate committee unanimously approved a bill Wednesday morning that would require health insurance companies to cover prostate cancer screenings for all high-risk patients.

Via Anna Barrett: Gov. Kay Ivey Tuesday called for expansions to a voucher-like school program and broader use of the death penalty in her State of the State address. https://ow.ly/MN8F50XWvzj

Gov. Ivey’s final State of the State has just wrapped. More soon

*Mariah Carey voice* it’s time!!! Excited for my fourth (!) legislative session (two partial, second full)! Let’s get this show on the road! Endlessly thankful for how much my life has changed since 18-year-old Anna entered the State House in 2023 🫶

Via Anna Barrett: The Alabama Legislature will begin its 2026 legislative session Tuesday, with Gov. Kay Ivey delivering her final State of the State Address later in the evening. Legislators are hoping for a quick session, but issues like health care are looming. https://ow.ly/ikT250XVJpk

One! More! Day!

Via Anna Barrett: Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, kicked off his lieutenant governor campaign Saturday, promising to use the constitutionally weak office to bring people together.

On today’s episode of Friday breaking news:

Via Anna Barrett: The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) is investigating two pediatric deaths possibly related to influenza. https://ow.ly/IwiX50XTePM

Via Anna Barrett: The association representing state physicians wants some of Alabama’s allocation from a federal program to go towards addressing the state’s physician shortage. https://ow.ly/7ZMw50XSJNg

Via Anna Barrett: A commission studying post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in first responders plans to submit a report that will outline efforts to improve communication about mental health resources to first responders and address gaps in care. https://ow.ly/nRYq50XSflZ

Via Andrea Tinker: Collins, first elected in the Republican wave of 2010, sponsored Alabama's near-total ban on abortion in 2019, which went into effect in 2022. She also sponsored the 2019 Literacy Act and a 2024 law aimed at protecting IVF services in the state.

I’m back from a much needed vacation and ready for the chaos of 2026! Part of my 2026 Bingo card (25 goals because one New Year’s resolution makes too much sense) is to post more on here. So here I am! Happy New Year! Please enjoy this photo from my vacation 🫶

Via Anna Barrett: An Alabama lawmaker has pre-filed a bill for the 2026 legislative session that would allow a voter with a disability to have assistance with filling out an absentee ballot. https://ow.ly/Ayxv50XMEp1

Via Anna Barrett: An Alabama lawmaker has pre-filed a bill that would prohibit the use of the term West Bank in all government documents when referring to the Palestinian territory on the Jordan River. https://ow.ly/FgLJ50XMQaH

Via Anna Barrett: Alabama Medicaid enrollees led the nation in receiving contraceptives from public health departments in 2023, according to a recent report. https://ow.ly/X6z350XKsfx

Via Anna Barrett: Phillip Ensler is running for Alabama lieutenant governor in part because Doug Jones is running for Alabama governor. https://ow.ly/GoF050XMKYz

In a family of carpenters, crafters and bakers, we did a handmade White Elephant gift exchange this year. Came away with a beautiful table from my dad. It was quite the commodity among us young folks with half-furnished homes. Merry Christmas everybody!

Via @annabjournalist.bsky.social: The Alabama Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Board Thursday approved an emergency, temporary rule regulating the sale of consumable hemp products, over the opposition of a state representative who sponsored the law leading to the regulation.