For the second consecutive week, the Alabama Legislature met for three days last week as the leadership continues at a faster than normal pace in order to complete the session early and allow legislators to return home and campaign prior to the May 19 party primary elections.

With six days already used, 24 days remain in the 2026 regular legislative session.

Three real estate related bills that received early committee consideration were fast-tracked to the House floor this week, and each passed unanimously.

Homestead Exemption Increased for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities

House Bill 96, sponsored by Speaker Pro Tem Chris Pringle (R–Mobile), was approved on the House floor on Tuesday. It increases the homestead exemption from $15,000 to $56,400 for seniors age 62+ and individuals with disabilities involved in bankruptcy and debt collection cases. The bill also includes technical updates to better assist eligible individuals in keeping their primary homes during debt collection proceedings. REALTORS® are supportive of HB 96.

The bill now proceeds to the Senate for consideration.

Notice and Liability Protections Related to Abandoned Property After Eviction

House Bill 80 by Rep. Mack Butler (R–Rainbow City), also passed unanimously on the House floor on Thursday and now moves to the Senate.

While current Alabama law does not require notice to tenants regarding personal property left behind after an eviction, this bill would require the district court to include notice that any abandoned property may be disposed of by the landlord and that the landlord has no obligation to preserve the property once it is removed. The legislation also provides civil immunity for landlords and officers for damage to a tenant’s personal property during execution of a writ of possession. REALTORS® are supportive of HB 80.

Catastrophe Savings Accounts Expanded to Include Property Fortification

Rep. Chip Brown (R–Hollinger’s Island) secured House passage on Thursday for House Bill 27, which expands the list of expenses that can be covered using catastrophe savings accounts.

Under current Alabama law, catastrophe savings accounts, which provide tax advantages because deposits are tax deductible, may be used to cover insurance deductibles and uninsured damage resulting from windstorm events.

Brown’s bill expands “qualified catastrophic expenses” to include proactive measures that fortify a property against damage from hurricanes, floodwaters, and other windstorm events, capped at $15,000. REALTORS® are supportive of HB 27.

The bill proceeds to the Senate as well.

Sen. Gerald Allen (R–Cottondale) secured Senate passage on Thursday for SB 8. The bill allows the Alabama Emergency Management Agency (EMA) to use its funds for public awareness campaigns and educational materials to better inform Alabamians about preparing for natural disasters and other emergencies.

Under current law, EMA funding is limited to emergency response and preparedness activities. REALTORS® are supportive of SB 8.

The bill now moves to the House for consideration.

In addition to the bills receiving floor attention, other measures supported by AAR made their way through legislative committees last week.

Property Tax Relief for Disabled Veterans

The House Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee gave a favorable report to legislation by Rep. Paul Lee (R–Dothan) that would remove the requirement for permanently and totally disabled military veterans to reverify their disability status each year to receive a full ad valorem tax exemption on their primary homes. Once a veteran initially establishes permanent disability, the exemption would remain in place without annual renewal.

Extend License Plate Design Cycle

The House State Government Committee approved a bill by Rep. Russell Bedsole (R–Alabaster) that would extend the lifespan of Alabama license plate designs—including specialty plates like the Alabama REALTORS® plate—from five years to ten years. Alabama is among the few states that require a redesign every five years, and Bedsole said the change could cut production costs in half.

Added Requirements Before Municipal Taxes or Fees Take Effect

A bill by Sen. Gerald Allen (R–Cottondale) would limit the ability of municipalities to levy or raise taxes and license fees by requiring a public hearing with 30-day notice and passage of an ordinance before any new tax or fee could take effect. The measure passed the Senate County and Municipal Government Committee on Tuesday and now heads to the full Senate.

The House and Senate reconvened at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM, respectively. Leadership has indicated that both chambers will likely meet for only two days this week so clerks who process the bills passed in committees and on each chamber floor may catch up on their work.

But the heightened and frenzied workload will continue to return throughout the session as lawmakers drive toward an early exit that could occur as early as late March or the beginning of April.