Today is the last day in the 2025 regular legislative session, and the Alabama House of Representatives has taken an unusual approach: no special order calendar and, at least for now, no major bills on the floor.
The House gaveled in at 1 p.m. Wednesday but recessed less than two hours later at the call of the chair — a clear sign members are in wait-and-see mode as the Senate works through a lengthy slate of legislation. Lawmakers are standing by to see if any final bills will require concurrence before they adjourn sine die.
Across the chamber, the Senate is working through a 10-page calendar, largely filled with local bills originating in the House.
Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) emphasized the importance of addressing those local measures, which number 50. The Senate just started the cloture process on the calendar of local bills, hoping to speed up the process.
The Senate has proposed a Special Order Calendar to set the agenda and order of debate for the Thirtieth Legislative Day of the 2025 Regular Session. If adopted, the agenda will include House Bills 511, 512, 496, 463, 598, 78, 544, 586, 395 … (1/2)
— Alabama State Senate (@AlabamaSenate) May 14, 2025
However, the path to adjournment remains tangled by a handful of contentious bills still in play.
One such bill is HB202, part of Governor Kay Ivey’s anti-crime package, which seeks to enhance legal protections for law enforcement officers. Democrats have expressed strong opposition, with State Sen. Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) indicating plans to propose further amendments.
RELATED: Alabama House passes bill granting legal protections for law enforcement officers
For Governor Kay Ivey, HB202 remains a key priority, alongside HB188 — a largely noncontroversial proposal to create a scholarship program for law enforcement officers and their families. HB188 still awaits a final vote in the Senate.
Another point of contention is SB5, which proposes changes to the Alabama Department of Archives and History Board. After the House amended the bill to remove Senate confirmation for board appointments, it returned to the Senate, where it faces potential filibuster.
Meanwhile, the House remains on standby, prepared to act swiftly should the Senate pass any measures requiring concurrence.
The absence of a special order calendar — the list that outlines which general bills will be taken up for debate — is a strong indicator that the House does not plan to run any more legislation of its own unless absolutely necessary.
At roughly 2:30 p.m. the Alabama Senate began invoking cloture on the first bill on its calendar, which must be done one bill at a time.
Grace Heim is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You can follow her on X @graceeheim or email her at [email protected].
