Abatements; local governments, power to abate revised

Incarceration; supervised pre-incarceration probation for certain pregnant women provided for, self-surrender 12 weeks after birth required, criminal penalties for failure to surrender provided

Teacher certification; American History and Civics Initiative, created within the Department of Education; online course of study and endorsement for high school teachers, provided for; one-time stipend, provided for; State Board of Education, required to adopt rules

Jefferson County; noise ordinance for unincorporated areas authorized

This act is the College and Higher Education Excellence and Results (CHEER) Act. This act adds Chapter 5B to Title 16, Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) establish the CHEER Fund in the State Treasury to be administered by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) to consist of all funds appropriated to ACHE for outcomes-based funding for four-year colleges and universities and other funds; (2) establish an outcomes-based higher education funding program beginning in the fiscal year beginning on October 1, 2026, through which institutions of higher education meeting specific eligibility criteria may receive bonus funding for achieving performance outcome category goals; (3) establish the Outcomes-Based Higher Education Funding Coordinating Committee to select, in discussion with institutions, the performance outcome category goals, collect data needed from institutions to award funds, make recommendations to the Legislature regarding the funding, and annually publish a report on the implementation and impact of the program; (4) require all bonus funds be used for achieving performance outcome category goals, subject to exceptions. This act also supersedes any previous outcomes-based funding program, including those developed by the Alabama Community College Advisory Council on outcomes-based funding under Act 2017-217.

Highways; Department of Transportation required to reimburse certain utilities for required facility relocation, subject to conditions

Lawrence County; sheriff, use of credit card or debit card authorized

Cryptocurrency; governmental entities authorized to use stablecoins as payment to vendors and contractors

This act adds Articles 2, 3, and 4 to Chapter 5A, Title 16, Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) provide only the governing board of a public institution of higher education may establish a faculty senate; (2) abolish faculty senates established before October 1, 2026, unless in accordance with this act and ratified by the governing board; (3) require governing boards to adopt policies governing the selection and conditions of a faculty senate before establishing such, including ensuring adequate representation of each school or college and numbers of members; (4) authorize removal of faculty senate members by a university president under certain circumstances; (5) provide that a faculty senate is only advisory in capacity and may not issue public statements on behalf of an institution; (6) prohibit any accrediting agency from requiring a public institution of higher education to violate this act; (7) require governing boards to adopt policies governing faculty tenure; (8) authorize the dismissal of tenured faculty members, after providing due process, upon committing specified actions and require governing boards to adopt policies authorizing such dismissals; (9) require periodic review of tenured faculty members at least every six years but not more than annually; and (10) require that each governing board approve the courses and curriculum required to obtain a degree from the respective institution and control the courses taught at the institution. This act also designates Section 16-5A-1 as Article 1 of Chapter 5A, Title 16, Code of Alabama 1975.

Child support; to require an individual convicted of driving under the influence to pay child support for the child of a victim under certain circumstances

Guardians ad litem; duties further provided for

Foster parents; rights further provided for, right of intervention granted in certain circumstances

Class 2 municipalities; sale of alcoholic beverages, restrictions amended

Mobile County; certain boards of water and sewer commissioners required to convey conservation easements on certain real property

Taxation; Tigers for Tomorrow Exotic Animal Preserve, Incorporated, exempt from sales and use taxes