Alabama Senate confirms textbook committee members and clears broad slate of bills ahead of weather concerns
January 23, 2026 | Senate, Alabama Legislative Sessions, Alabama
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The Alabama Senate convened and moved swiftly through confirmations and a full calendar on Jan. 25, confirming five appointees to the State Textbook Committee and approving a range of local and statewide measures before adjourning early because of an approaching weather system.
The chamber confirmed Ralph Foster, Andre Harrison, Katie Randall, Donna Jones and Rita McCannon to the State Textbook Committee for social studies. Ralph Foster’s confirmation was put to a long roll call and recorded as 30 ayes, 0 nays; subsequent confirmations were adopted by unanimous consent in later roll calls and voice votes.
Senators cleared a long list of local bills affecting counties across the state, repeatedly invoking the previous rule or BR/BRR procedures to expedite final passage. Examples read into the record and passed included House Bills 84, 200, 201, 184, 203, 204, 205, 133, 134, 193 and 112, among others; most were passed with recorded tallies ranging from 31–32 ayes and no recorded nays.
Among statewide measures adopted were:
- Senate Bill 104 (boards and commissions): Passed as amended; the amendment clarified the bill would not apply to county and municipal boards. Senator Kelly described the bill as requiring certain members under the Alabama sunset law to complete a five-hour training within 150 days to better understand their duties.
- House Bill 59 (Certified Public Accountants board): Passed by unanimous consent; described on the floor as a cleanup and pathway update for the board.
- Senate Bill 8 (Emergency Management Agency): Passed unanimously; sponsors said the bill authorizes the agency to spend public dollars to inform the public about preparations and safety steps during emergencies.
- Several education-related bills: Notably, Senate Bill 66 (University of Montevallo governance changes) passed with a grandfathering amendment for existing trustees; Senate Bill 149 established a temporary teaching certificate pathway for military veterans, and Senate Bill 168 would codify a ban on a ‘‘3-cueing’’ reading approach, aligning instruction with what supporters called the "science of reading." All were reported adopted without recorded opposition.
- Senate Bill 46 (driver’s license designation for invisible disabilities): Senator Coleman, identifying the bill as ‘‘EJ’s bill’’ after his son, successfully moved final passage. Supporters said the designation will help law-enforcement interactions and public safety for people with invisible disabilities.
After completing the calendar, senators received multiple messages from the House referring additional local bills to committee, and leadership outlined a weather contingency schedule. The Senate adjourned with a motion to reconvene Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 3 p.m. if conditions allow, leaving the journal open to receive further house messages.
Votes and formal motions recorded in the day’s session were entered into the Senate journal and reflected the body’s unanimous or near-unanimous consent on most items.
The chamber confirmed Ralph Foster, Andre Harrison, Katie Randall, Donna Jones and Rita McCannon to the State Textbook Committee for social studies. Ralph Foster’s confirmation was put to a long roll call and recorded as 30 ayes, 0 nays; subsequent confirmations were adopted by unanimous consent in later roll calls and voice votes.
Senators cleared a long list of local bills affecting counties across the state, repeatedly invoking the previous rule or BR/BRR procedures to expedite final passage. Examples read into the record and passed included House Bills 84, 200, 201, 184, 203, 204, 205, 133, 134, 193 and 112, among others; most were passed with recorded tallies ranging from 31–32 ayes and no recorded nays.
Among statewide measures adopted were:
- Senate Bill 104 (boards and commissions): Passed as amended; the amendment clarified the bill would not apply to county and municipal boards. Senator Kelly described the bill as requiring certain members under the Alabama sunset law to complete a five-hour training within 150 days to better understand their duties.
- House Bill 59 (Certified Public Accountants board): Passed by unanimous consent; described on the floor as a cleanup and pathway update for the board.
- Senate Bill 8 (Emergency Management Agency): Passed unanimously; sponsors said the bill authorizes the agency to spend public dollars to inform the public about preparations and safety steps during emergencies.
- Several education-related bills: Notably, Senate Bill 66 (University of Montevallo governance changes) passed with a grandfathering amendment for existing trustees; Senate Bill 149 established a temporary teaching certificate pathway for military veterans, and Senate Bill 168 would codify a ban on a ‘‘3-cueing’’ reading approach, aligning instruction with what supporters called the "science of reading." All were reported adopted without recorded opposition.
- Senate Bill 46 (driver’s license designation for invisible disabilities): Senator Coleman, identifying the bill as ‘‘EJ’s bill’’ after his son, successfully moved final passage. Supporters said the designation will help law-enforcement interactions and public safety for people with invisible disabilities.
After completing the calendar, senators received multiple messages from the House referring additional local bills to committee, and leadership outlined a weather contingency schedule. The Senate adjourned with a motion to reconvene Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 3 p.m. if conditions allow, leaving the journal open to receive further house messages.
Votes and formal motions recorded in the day’s session were entered into the Senate journal and reflected the body’s unanimous or near-unanimous consent on most items.
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