The House State Government Committee passed HB407 on Wednesday, a bill that would designate Miss Alabama as an official state ambassador for Alabama during her term of service.

The bill, sponsored by State Rep. Susan DuBose (R-Hoover), would create an honorary, unpaid role allowing Miss Alabama to represent the state at ceremonial, educational, civic, tourism, and economic development events upon invitation from state agencies.

“They are talented. They are intelligent, they’re poised, they’re articulate, and they have a heart for service,” DuBose said of Miss Alabama titleholders during committee remarks. “Each one of them has to have a platform for a philanthropy or a service project.”

DuBose noted that serving as Miss Alabama is a full-time role during which the titleholder cannot attend school or work, making the partnership mutually beneficial for the state and the organization.

“We thought this would be a perfect time, mutually beneficial for our state, to partner with Miss Alabama to act as a hostess, by invitation, to represent the state at events or ceremonies,” DuBose said.

Current Miss Alabama Emma Terry, a Leeds native who is from DuBose’s district, was present at the committee hearing. DuBose credited Terry with originating the idea for the legislation.

“This was actually Emma’s idea. She came to me, and I said, I love it. Let’s do it,” DuBose said. “Let’s use our Miss Alabama and get her out there to promote our state.”

The Miss Alabama Organization is part of the Miss America program and provides scholarship funds for higher education to young women in Alabama.

The state has produced four Miss America winners, including Abbie Stockard in 2025. Terry placed as fourth runner-up at Miss America 2026 and was second runner-up for the Quality of Life Award, a public service honor.

Under the bill, the role carries no compensation, salary, stipend, benefits, or expense reimbursement. It also does not grant the ambassador any policymaking, regulatory, or decision-making authority. State agencies may coordinate with the ambassador for appearances and public engagement but are not required to do so.

The committee adopted an amendment from Chairman Chris Sells (R-Greenville) changing the designation from “the” official state ambassador to “an” official state ambassador.

The bill passed on a unanimous voice vote.

If enacted, the bill would take effect June 1, 2026.

Sawyer Knowles is a capitol reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].