The 2025 legislative session will begin at noon on Tuesday to be followed by Gov. Kay Ivey's State of the State address.
Lawmakers are flooding into the state's capital to gavel in for the legislative session and hear Ivey's address. Lawmakers have yet to pre-file any momentous bills, a stark contrast from last year, which started and ended with a massive gambling push and had a brief rejoinder in the middle to address the national controversy surrounding in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
Despite gambling fizzling out by the end of the 2024 session, some have speculated that some form of gambling would make a comeback in 2025.
With recent priorities from the new Trump administration combined with statewide controversies surrounding both legal and illegal immigration, some legislative immigration package is expected.
The Trump administration has also taken on government diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. Alabama already passed a law banning DEI programs in all institutions that receive state funding, which is currently being challenged in court. However, with some institutions already spurning the law or merely giving it lip service, Republican lawmakers are also expected to enact further DEI restrictions.
Ivey's office previously stated that the governor likely planned to roll out a comprehensive public safety package, which would include priorities like "backing the blue," "combatting crime" and "making smart on crime reforms."
Additionally, Ivey is expected to continue supporting education programs like the CHOOSE Act, the state's 2024 school choice legislation. She is also likely to continue advocating for programs like the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, the Literacy Act, the Numeracy Act, and the Turnaround Schools initiative.
"We are working hard to prepare for another productive legislative session," Ivey said. "A safe Alabama is a secure future for Alabama, and this year, we will take bold steps to protect our communities, strengthen our future and ensure our state remains the best place to live, work and raise a family. I look forward to working with our Legislature to achieve these critical goals and create a better Alabama for all."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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