Alabama

After months of campaign advertisements, rallies, and political promises, a lot will be on the minds of Alabama voters as they head to the polls to cast their ballots on November 3. With so many different names and voices pulling voters in different directions, some may find it difficult to get to the bottom of key issues on the ballot this year. But while candidates make their personal pitches, Alabama has several amendments on the table that could implement major changes to school systems within the state and fundamentally change the way the state government operates.

The 2024 regular session of the Alabama House of Representatives has reached the halfway mark. As required by the Constitution of Alabama, lawmakers convened in Montgomery on Feb. 6, in order to pass mandatory spending plans for public education and state agencies. Bills, measures and resolutions filed by lawmakers will be considered as well, but approving the Education Trust Fund and General Fund budgets are the only tasks mandated and required by the state constitution.  

A new state law seeks to drive down motor vehicle-related fatalities caused by distracted driving. In 2022, almost seven percent of all motor vehicle-related fatalities in Alabama were caused by distracted driving. The Alabama Legislature responded in 2023 by passing a law intended to slow the increasing number of people being killed by distracted drivers.

Beginning Sept. 1, the procedure for becoming a notary public or renewing your notary privileges became drastically different.

As of Sept. 1, the sales tax on most food and grocery items was reduced by one percent in Alabama. The Alabama Legislature passed a bill this year that reduced the tax on grocery items, with certain limitations.

The Fayette seven and eight year old All-Star team traveled to Hattiesburg, Miss. to compete as the Alabama representative in the Dixie Youth Baseball World Series. The team represented its city and state well, returning home with the third place trophy in the Division II Tournament.

The municipalities of Fayette and Berry, in conjunction with the State of Alabama, will participate in the annual school sales tax holiday on July 21-23. This is the 18th year that Alabama has held the tax holiday, and the seventh time that the event has been held in July. The sales tax holiday will begin on Friday, July 21 at 12:01 a.m. and end on Sunday, July 23 at 11:59 p.m.

Weddings in Alabama have changed a lot through the years, and especially during the past four years. In fact, you now do not need a wedding ceremony of any type to be legally married within the state.

In 2021, the Alabama Legislature passed the “Alabama Uniform Concealed Carry Permit Act” (Act 2021-246), which went into effect Jan. 1, 2023.

Alabama Secretary of State John H. Merrill issued a reminder to Alabamians that they have less than one week left to register to vote. Monday, Oct. 24 is the last day to register in Alabama to be eligible to vote in the Nov. 8 General Election.