Week 3 Session Recap: Major Progress on Key Legislation

As we wrapped up the third week of the 2026 Legislative Session, I'm pleased to report significant movement on several bills that have been priorities for me and for the families who inspired them.

Trey's Law Nears the Finish Line

The most exciting news this week is that Trey's Law has now passed both chambers and is on track for final passage. My bill passed the House on Tuesday and is now ready for a Senate committee hearing. Meanwhile, the identical Senate version carried by Senator Matt Woods passed out of House committee and will be up for final House floor vote on Thursday.

Once we achieve final passage Thursday, the bill goes to Governor Ivey. I have every reason to believe she will sign it quickly, and I expect Trey's Law will become Alabama law within about 30 days.

I want to take a moment to recognize Elizabeth Phillips, who is the reason this bill exists. Elizabeth came to Birmingham last fall, sat down with me, and explained what Trey's Law would do and why it matters. She has been traveling the country, state by state, working to address the problem of non-disclosure agreements that silence survivors of sexual abuse. Her work honors her brother Trey, and I commend her for her tireless advocacy. I fully expect other states will pass Trey's Law because of her efforts.

For those wondering what the law actually does: it prohibits agreements that prevent someone from disclosing the facts of sexual abuse they experienced. You can still have confidentiality around settlement amounts and other provisions, but you cannot be legally silenced about the abuse itself. This is straightforward policy that protects survivors while still allowing parties to reach settlements. The law applies to agreements going forward after the effective date.

Camp Safety Legislation Gets Official Name

I had planned to file our camp safety bill this week, but we made the decision to take a few extra days to address concerns raised by camp owners and the Alabama Emergency Management Agency. That collaboration has been productive, and I will be filing the bill on Tuesday.

The bill now has an official name: the Sarah Marsh Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act. Sarah was the only member of Heavens 27 who was not from Texas. Heaven’s 27, of course, refers to all the young girls who lost their lives in the tragic flood at a camp in Texas. This legislation will honor Sarah's memory by helping ensure Alabama's overnight camps have proper emergency preparedness measures in place.

I want to thank Emily Schultz, who has been invaluable in helping me develop this bill and serving as a liaison with Patrick and Jill Marsh, Sarah's parents. I also appreciate the camp owners who have taken time to work with us. They share our goal of keeping children as safe as possible when they attend overnight camp.

The bill will require all overnight camps to obtain an emergency preparedness license from the Alabama Emergency Management Agency. This includes having approved emergency response plans for situations like tornadoes, severe weather, and floods. It will also require criminal background checks on camp staff as a matter of state law. Most camps already conduct these checks for insurance purposes, but this codifies the requirement.

An important distinction: this applies to overnight camps where campers stay the night, not day camps where you drop off and pick up your child the same day.

Governor Ivey has offered her full support, and I expect she will issue a press release when we file the bill Tuesday.

Self-Defense Bill Ready for Floor Vote

My bill addressing self-defense and the rebuttable presumption regarding disposed weapons was on the calendar for Friday but we adjourned before reaching it. It will be back on the calendar Tuesday and I expect it to move forward.

The Sabans Visit Montgomery

One of the highlights of this week was a joint meeting of House and Senate members with Nick and Terry Saban. Both Democrats and Republicans gathered to hear about the Saban Center and what it will mean for Alabama education.

I want to be clear about what the legislature is funding versus what the Sabans have contributed. Nick and Terry, along with private donors, have funded the building itself, all the state-of-the-art technology, and everything that will make it a first-class facility. The legislature is funding the teacher training programs that will take place there. This is about giving our teachers access to experts from around the country who can share best practices in STEM education.

What struck me most was Coach Saban's message. He talked about how his father instilled in him the importance of giving back and helping young people become the most successful they can be. That was his message to his players, and it is the mission he wants to carry forward through Nick's Kids Foundation and the Saban Center long after he and Terry are gone.

The Sabans already have given over 100 scholarships through Nick's Kids Foundation to help students attend the University of Alabama. This center continues their legacy of investing in Alabama's future.

I was particularly impressed by their commitment to being there. They were at a conference in San Diego on Tuesday and had to be in New York on Wednesday afternoon. They said they were not going to miss the opportunity to speak to the legislature about this. They flew in from San Diego, drove to Montgomery, spoke to us, and then flew to New York. That kind of dedication says everything about who they are.

Weather and Session Update

I am thankful that the severe weather that affected our neighboring states, particularly Tennessee and the Oxford, Mississippi area, did not significantly impact Alabama. Our session started as scheduled at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

We remain on pace for an early adjournment, likely in the first half of April. Our three-day session weeks are helping us complete the people's business more efficiently.

Looking Ahead

Next week brings several important votes. I expect final passage of Trey's Law on Thursday, the filing of the Sarah Marsh Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act on Tuesday, and continued progress on my self-defense bill. I will keep you updated as these and other matters develop.

As always, thank you for the opportunity to serve District 46.
David