April 7, 2026
We're heading into the final week of the 2026 Alabama Legislative Session, and I'm heading to Montgomery with one goal: get as many bills across the finish line as possible. It's been a productive session - from the signing of Trey's Law to the Senate passage of the Sarah Marsh Heaven's 27 Camp Safety Act - and I'm determined to close it out strong for the families of District 46.
As I write this, I have three bills up for a vote on the Senate floor today. Each one addresses a different need, but they all share the same goal: making Alabama a better place to live, learn, and do business.
The first is my computer science graduation requirement for Alabama high schools. If we're serious about preparing our students for the modern workforce, we need to make sure they're leaving high school with the skills that today's economy demands. This bill does that.
The second is an Alabama Law Institute bill modernizing our guardianship and conservatorship laws. These are protections that matter to families across the state, and the updates bring Alabama's framework in line with best practices for protecting vulnerable individuals.
The third extends the sales tax exemption for community foundations across Alabama. Community foundations do critical work in our state, and keeping this exemption in place ensures they can continue investing in the communities that need it most.
Education has been a bright spot this session. The education budget passed unanimously, which is a testament to the collaborative work happening in Montgomery. And I'm proud to report that we passed a 2% pay raise for Alabama's teachers - that's the seventh teacher pay raise in the twelve years I've served in the legislature.
Seven pay raises in twelve years. That's not an accident - it's a commitment. Our teachers show up every single day for our children, and we need to keep showing up for them.
The final week of session is always busy, but it's also a time to reflect. This year, that reflection comes with some bittersweet goodbyes. Two colleagues who have had a major influence on my time in the legislature are retiring: Chairman Jim Hill, who leads the Judiciary Committee, and Representative Terri Collins, who has been our education czar in the House.
Jim and Terri worked in very different areas of the law, but they share something in common: they made Alabama better, and they made the people around them better. Jim's steady leadership on judiciary issues taught me how to navigate some of the most complex policy questions we face. Terri's tireless work on education shaped the progress I described above - she's been a champion for Alabama's students and teachers for years.
I want to publicly say what I'll say to them privately this week: thank you. Thank you for your friendship, your mentorship, and your service to the people of Alabama. You will be missed.
We have today, tomorrow, and Thursday to wrap up this session. I still have several bills waiting for Senate floor votes, and my entire focus this week is getting them across the finish line. It's been an eventful session - one I'm proud of - and I plan to finish it the same way I started: working hard for the people of District 46.
Once session concludes, I'll be sharing a full recap of everything we accomplished this year. Stay tuned.
From a third-grader advocating for her teachers with a PowerPoint to three high school students landing $250,000 to bring debate to schools across Alabama, Week 10 was a reminder of why this work matters. The Camp Safety Act cleared another unanimous vote, the Education Trust Fund budget headed to the Senate with a teacher pay raise included, and the Mountain Brook Fire Department received a grant for state-of-the-art paramedic training equipment.
The Camp Safety Act is headed for its Senate vote this week. One of David's bills clears the full legislature and reaches the Governor's desk. And with three weeks left in the session, the homestretch is officially underway.
Alabama passed Trey's Law. Now Congress is following our lead. I was on Capitol Hill this week as Senators Ted Cruz and Katie Britt filed the federal version of the bill - here's what that moment meant.
Crime victims are getting their funding restored, a Homewood pedestrian bridge is underway, and several of my bills are one step from final passage. A busy week in Montgomery - here's the full update.
A long Tuesday night in Montgomery produced three unanimous votes, and a major self-defense bill cleared its biggest Senate hurdle. Here's everything that moved in Week 7 - from arson reform to protecting houses of worship.
We had our weekly call with the Governor this morning, and she confirmed she will be giving a report to the people of Alabama Tomorrow
do expect the Governor to BEGIN lessening the restrictions and limitations imposed by the latest State Health Order as of May 1st.
The Governor and Alabama State Health Officer, Dr. Scott Harris, shared Alabama’s most recent numbers and updates...
Organizing for Action: We’re the people who don’t just support
Organizing for Action: We’re the people who don’t just support
Organizing for Action: We’re the people who don’t just support
