Governor Ivey wraps up legislative session, reflects on State of the State goals-turned-wins

On Tuesday, Governor Kay Ivey marked the end of a chapter: “The last of the bills on my desk today have been signed, and the 2025 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature is officially a wrap!”

In her remarks earlier this year during the State of the State address, delivered on February 4, Governor Ivey emphasized several priorities for the session.

Those included public safety, veterans, education, family values, and stronger governance. The newly signed laws reflect success on nearly all fronts.

Public Safety as a Top Focus

Ivey declared public safety her primary objective for 2025, unveiling a package that included a variety of criminal justice and law enforcement reforms that became law. Key measures include:

A statewide ban on Glock switches (trigger-conversion devices that turn pistols into fully automatic weapons), making possession a Class C felony under state law.
Enhancement of police recruitment incentives and expanded protections (Back the Blue Legal Protections Act), providing legal support to officers and scholarships for their dependents.
A limited sentencing reform, known as the “Second Chance” bill, allows nonviolent offenders to seek review of habitual-offender sentences.

Education and Student Environment Reforms

Consistent with her State of the State call to foster a supportive school environment, Ivey backed these legislative advances:

A prohibition or restriction on the use of cellphones during instructional hours across all public K‑12 schools, requiring devices to be turned off and stored away, was signed into law following recent Senate approval.
The FOCUS Act introduced reforms to enhance school learning environments, which are tied to her earlier emphasis on effective education tools.

Strengthening Veterans’ Services

During her February speech, Ivey highlighted Army veteran Jae Barclay’s journey to underscore the need for better veteran support. Correspondingly, lawmakers passed reforms restructuring how Alabama serves veterans and their families—no longer rhetoric, but action delivered as law.

Family Values and Social Priorities

“What is a Woman” Act: A measure codifying biological definitions of gender reached her desk early in the session and was among the first to be signed, reflecting her priority to reinforce “Alabama family values.”
Paid Parental Leave: A milestone bill now grants paid parental leave to teachers and state employees, fulfilling another of her announced goals.

Broader Measures: Tax Relief, Immigration, Coast Protection

Ivey continued her push for tax relief and directed appropriations toward core government functions and public education, highlighting fiscal responsibility.
The Legislature approved strengthened immigration enforcement and election security laws, aligning with themes from her State of the State address.
Coastal safety bills equip officials in Baldwin and Mobile counties with expanded authority to protect Gulf Coast tourists, supporting her administration’s focus on local safety and tourism.

Sherri Blevins is a writer for Mountain Valley News and a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].