Kay Ivey

Governor Ivey signed House Bill 381, also known as the Sarah Marsh Heaven's 27 Act, into law following its passage through the Alabama Legislature with nearly unanimous support during the 2026 Regular Legislative Session. The legislation establishes licensing and safety requirements for overnight summer camps in Alabama, including mandates for adequate safety plans, staff background checks, and the creation of an expert-led advisory council to assist the Alabama Emergency Management Agency in implementing these requirements. The bill was named in memory of Sarah Marsh of Birmingham, a young camper who died in Texas floods at Camp Mystic the previous summer.

Gov. Kay Ivey paused executions for several months in Alabama after officials called off the lethal injection of Kenneth Eugene Smith in 2022, which was the third failed execution attempt in the state since 2018 due to intravenous line complications. The pause represented the state's response to recurring difficulties in establishing IV access required for lethal injection procedures. This action occurred as part of broader national concerns about execution protocols and the qualifications of medical personnel involved in capital punishment procedures.

Governor Ivey signed legislation into law that temporarily suspended Alabama's state grocery tax at 2 percent for a two-month period as part of a legislative package introduced by State Rep. James Lomax and State Sen. Arthur Orr. The temporary suspension was designed to provide relief to taxpayers during a period of elevated gasoline costs. Ivey's action enabled the state-level elimination of the grocery tax on a temporary basis, with discussions ongoing regarding the possibility of making such a suspension permanent in future legislative sessions.

Ivey signed a proclamation on Tuesday calling a Special Primary Election for August 11, 2026 in Alabama's 1st, 2nd, 6th, and 7th Congressional Districts. This action followed a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Louisiana v. Callais and the subsequent vacating of lower-court injunctions in Allen v. Milligan, Allen v. Caster, and Allen v. Singleton regarding congressional redistricting in Alabama. The special primary election was scheduled to fill congressional seats in the affected districts.

Governor Ivey set the date for special congressional primary elections in Alabama's 1st, 2nd, 6th, and 7th districts following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that paused a lower-court order requiring the state to use a court-drawn map with two majority-Black districts. The special primary election was scheduled for Tuesday, August 11, with major-party candidate qualifying opening May 20 and closing May 22. This action cleared the way for Alabama to use the state legislature's 2023 congressional map, which had previously been blocked by courts.

Ivey called a special legislative session in anticipation of the Supreme Court lifting its injunction on Alabama's congressional redistricting, which resulted in the passage of two bills calling for special elections in multiple U.S. House and state senate districts. Ivey signed both bills on Friday following their passage in the special session. The special elections were scheduled to proceed before the midterm elections, allowing the state to implement new congressional maps under the changed legal circumstances.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced an August 11 special primary for four of the state's seven congressional districts following a U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned an order mandating use of a redistricting map with two largely Black districts. The state plans to switch to a map passed in 2023 that contains only one majority-Black district. This action was taken in response to the Supreme Court's invalidation of the previous map on racial gerrymandering grounds.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday halted a judicial order requiring Alabama to use a congressional House map containing two largely Black districts, directing a lower court to reconsider the case in light of a separate Supreme Court ruling that struck down a majority-Black district in Louisiana. Following this decision, Alabama officials proceeded with a law enacted in anticipation of the court reversal that allows the state to void the results of a May 19 primary election for some congressional districts. Governor Kay Ivey was charged with setting a date for a special primary election under revised district boundaries that would include only one majority-Black district, with the election required to occur by August.

Ivey was granted authority by the Alabama Legislature during a special session to call a special primary election for congressional districts affected by the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to vacate lower-court redistricting injunctions in Allen v. Milligan, Allen v. Caster, and Allen v. Singleton. The May 19 primary will proceed under existing maps, with Ivey likely to exercise her delegated authority to schedule the special primary for the impacted districts. The Alabama Legislature's 2021 and 2023-drawn maps, reauthorized through the special session, are positioned to be in effect for the November 2026 general election.

Governor Ivey signed House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 1, legislation that authorizes her to call a special election in congressional and state senate districts contingent upon passage of redistricting legislation. Following these signings, Alabama petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the redistricting matter. The actions were taken in preparation for potential redistricting changes to the state's congressional and state senate districts.

Ivey called a special legislative session after the U.S. Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling in Louisiana v. Callais struck down race-based redistricting. The Alabama House debated SB1, the Senate companion redistricting bill, which would create contingency plans triggering special replacement primaries if federal courts lift injunctions blocking the use of Legislature-drawn maps. The bill passed the Senate and was taken up by the House during the special session.

Alabama lawmakers approved legislation authorizing new U.S. House primaries contingent upon court permission to use revised congressional districts in the 2026 elections. Governor Ivey signed the measure into law on Friday following legislative passage. The law would set aside results of the May 19 primaries if courts lifted an injunction requiring the state to maintain a map containing two districts with large Black populations.

Ivey dedicated more than $7.6 million in state funding to road projects across Alabama in 2026 under the Annual Grant Program established by the Rebuild Alabama Act, which Ivey signed into law in 2019. The 2026 grant program awarded a total of $15 million in state funds, exceeding the $10 million minimum required by the legislation, with projects in all 67 counties and an additional $1.9 million contributed through local matching funds. All awarded projects are required to commence within one year of receiving funds, and since the Rebuild Alabama Act's passage, the program has distributed more than $78 million in state transportation funding for local projects.

Ivey called a special legislative session to address redistricting contingencies, directing lawmakers to complete their work within five days. The session advanced companion bills HB1 and SB1, which establish procedures for special primary elections in congressional and state Senate districts if federal courts lift injunctions blocking the use of legislature-drawn maps previously enacted in 2023 and signed by Ivey. The bills project costs of approximately $5 million in election administration expenses across affected districts.

Ivey called Alabama legislators into a special session beginning Monday to consider redistricting plans in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that weakened the Voting Rights Act. The special session could enable a new date for congressional primaries in the state. This action followed similar announcements by Republican governors in Tennessee and Louisiana, who also convened special legislative sessions to redraw congressional districts.

Governor Ivey signed legislation into law that temporarily suspends Alabama's 2% grocery tax for two months, a measure introduced by State Rep. James Lomax and State Sen. Arthur Orr as part of a legislative package. The grocery tax holiday is now in effect as of the time of this article's publication. The suspension is temporary in duration, with no permanent elimination of the tax enacted through this measure.

In response to the Louisiana v. Callais ruling on congressional redistricting, Ivey called a special session for Alabama to redraw the state's congressional map, which currently includes two Democratic representatives. Ivey's action proceeded despite an existing injunction against mid-decade redistricting in the state, with Alabama's Attorney General challenging the injunction in court. The special session was among several Republican-led redistricting efforts across Southern states following the Supreme Court decision.

Ivey officially called a special session to redraw the state's congressional maps following a recent Supreme Court ruling on redistricting. The special session was convened to address the need to update Alabama's congressional district boundaries. The article notes that discussion has included consideration of the Ainsworth map as a potential option for the redistricting effort.

Attorney General Marshall filed an emergency motion with the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals on May 4, 2026, requesting that federal judges vacate or stay injunctions blocking Alabama from using its 2021 State Senate map, citing the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision in Louisiana v. Callais. Marshall sought a ruling by May 8, eleven days before Alabama's May 19 primary election, arguing that the state's districts are race-neutral and can serve as the foundation for future redistricting. The motion was filed in the case Alabama State Conference of the NAACP v. Secretary of State, which had previously resulted in a court-imposed map that modified State Senate District 25 in the Montgomery area.

Ivey called Alabama legislators into a special session beginning Monday in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that weakened the Voting Rights Act, enabling consideration of redistricting plans and potential changes to the state's May 19 congressional primaries. The special session was convened to develop contingency plans for special primary elections rather than canceling existing primaries outright. This action occurred as Republican lawmakers across several southern states moved to redraw congressional districts following the Supreme Court decision.

Ivey awarded nearly $460,000 in grants through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to agencies throughout north Alabama that provide services to domestic violence victims, with funding sourced from the U.S. Department of Justice. Domestic Violence Crisis Services in Marshall County received $20,110 of the total grant amount, designated for maintaining a victim advocate position in DeKalb County. The grants were distributed to both domestic violence agencies providing shelter and victim advocacy services and to county governments for law enforcement training on domestic violence investigations.

Following a U.S. Supreme Court decision limiting the use of race in drawing voting districts, Ivey called a special legislative session to begin Monday to consider changes to Alabama's U.S. House districts. The Supreme Court ruling struck down a majority Black congressional district in Louisiana, prompting redistricting actions across multiple states. Ivey's special session was convened contingent on the Supreme Court allowing Alabama to modify its congressional districts.

Governor Ivey called a special legislative session in Alabama to redraw the state's congressional districts following a U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down Louisiana's second majority-Black congressional district. The special session, scheduled to begin on Monday and conclude within five days, was called to address legislation for a special primary election in districts whose boundary lines may be altered by court action. Ivey's decision reversed her earlier position that Alabama should wait until after the 2030 census to redistrict, coming after the state Attorney General and Secretary of State filed emergency motions seeking to lift injunctions on three Alabama redistricting cases.

Governor Kay Ivey issued a statement expressing support for emergency motions filed by Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen and Attorney General Steve Marshall seeking to lift injunctions on three Alabama redistricting cases: Allen v. Singleton, Allen v. Milligan, and Allen v. Caster. The motions were filed following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Louisiana v. Callais that struck down Louisiana's congressional map which had created a second majority-Black district. Ivey stated that Alabama should have the authority to draw its own districts rather than have maps determined by federal courts.

Ivey announced Friday that she is calling a special legislative session to begin Monday in hopes that the state can change its U.S. House map ahead of the November midterm elections following a Supreme Court decision that limited the use of race in drawing voting districts. The special session was requested in response to the court's ruling that struck down a majority Black congressional district in Louisiana, which provided Republican officials in several states new grounds to redraw voting districts. Ivey's announcement came as other Republican governors, including those in Tennessee and Louisiana, also announced or implemented special sessions and actions to redistrict their states following the Supreme Court decision.

Governor Ivey called a special legislative session to redraw Alabama's congressional map following a U.S. Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais that addressed the use of race in redistricting under the Equal Protection Clause. The special session provides Alabama lawmakers an opportunity to revise district lines ahead of the 2026 elections in response to the Supreme Court's ruling. Alabama's congressional maps have faced repeated legal challenges in recent years, including losses on both Voting Rights Act grounds and separate Equal Protection Clause claims.

Governor Ivey released a statement on April 30, 2026, responding to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which held that Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments neither require nor allow states to use race when drawing voting districts. Ivey stated she applauded the ruling but noted that Alabama remains bound by a federal court order prohibiting new congressional districts until after the 2030 census and that Alabama's own challenge to that order is still pending before the U.S. Supreme Court. Ivey ruled out calling a special legislative session to redraw Alabama's congressional map while the federal injunction remains in effect, though she expressed hope the Supreme Court would soon rule favorably on Alabama's pending case.

Ivey signed Alabama House Bill 415, which establishes new regulatory requirements for captive insurance companies operating in the state. The law raises capital requirements for pure and protected-cell captive companies from $100,000 to at least $250,000 and requires at least $1 million in capital for risk retention groups, while also updating statutory language on captive formation and renewal and granting the state insurance commissioner expanded authority over captive managers and reserve funding levels. The Department of Insurance indicated it would use the law, effective in June 2026, to determine the timing for lifting the moratorium on new captive insurance companies that had been in place since March 2025.

Governor Ivey signed SB248, the Alabama Released Time Credit Act, which establishes a mandatory requirement for public school boards to permit students to be excused from school for off-campus religious instruction, effective July 1, 2026. The legislation shifts state policy from a permissive standard to a mandatory one, allowing school districts to deny released time only if objective evidence demonstrates substantial risk of physical harm or if participation would cause students to miss minimum instructional time or required academic interventions. The law specifies that religious instruction must be conducted off school property by private entities such as churches, with transportation and missed schoolwork responsibilities assigned to parents or sponsoring organizations.

Governor Kay Ivey signed state-level app store accountability legislation into law earlier in 2026, making Alabama one of the first states to establish requirements for app marketplaces to support parental oversight. The state law requires app stores to verify users' ages, standardize age ratings across apps, and provide mechanisms for parental approval of downloads by minors. This Alabama legislation served as a model for the federal App Store Accountability Act, which advanced out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and seeks to establish nationwide standards for similar app store practices.

Ivey signed Senate Bill 342, the "Let the Kids Play!" Act, into law on Tuesday. The legislation establishes a mechanism for students and schools to challenge violations of the Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students' Education (CHOOSE) Act's nondiscrimination provision and prevents students from being denied athletic eligibility solely based on their CHOOSE Act status. The bill clarifies existing state law while allowing interscholastic athletic associations to continue enforcing rules regarding transfers and residency that apply regardless of CHOOSE Act participation.

The Shoals Economic Development Authority received more than $3 million in funding through Alabama's Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy (SEEDS) program to acquire approximately 70 acres within the Barton Riverfront Industrial Park in Colbert County. The grant will be used for site preparation, clearing, rough grading, and seeding to create a 131-acre job-ready development site intended to attract advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and defense industries. Governor Ivey stated that the investment represents a collaboration between state and local partners to enhance the region's competitive position for large-scale industrial projects.

Ivey signed House Bill 95, the Alabama Post-Election Audit Act, into law on Monday. The legislation requires every county in Alabama to conduct post-election audits following each general election, with one countywide and one statewide race from one precinct in each county selected for audit within a specified timeframe, with results to be reported to the Secretary of State's Office and made publicly available online. The law takes effect immediately and is designed to evaluate the accuracy of election equipment and procedures without changing certified election results.

Ivey signed House Bill 303, the Cryptocurrency Kiosk Fraud Prevention Act, into law. The legislation requires cryptocurrency kiosk operators to disclose fees and exchange rates, display scam warnings, provide detailed receipts, implement daily and monthly transaction limits, and establish customer service and law enforcement contact requirements. The law was designed to address fraud involving cryptocurrency kiosks, which criminals have used to deceive victims into depositing cash under false pretenses.

Ivey signed SB99, legislation requiring Alabama public schools to display the Ten Commandments in U.S. history classrooms serving fifth through twelfth grade students and in common areas of schools serving fifth grade and above, with displays measuring at least 11 by 14 inches and accompanied by historical context statements approved by the state superintendent. The requirement takes effect in January 2027 and does not mandate the use of public funds for the displays. Ivey stated in her signing statement that the Ten Commandments are critical to understanding the founding of the United States alongside documents such as the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights.

Governor Ivey was credited by the Alabama Policy Institute for steering a conservative legislative agenda through the 2026 regular session, during which 29 of 30 proposed BluePrint items were enacted into law. Among the measures that reached the governor's desk were the CHOOSE Act with full funding for Alabama's universal school choice program, the App Store Accountability Act establishing parental-consent requirements for app store downloads by minors, the Religious Release Time Act creating a statewide framework for off-campus religious instruction during the school day, and measures promoting the Ten Commandments in K-12 classrooms and improving civics instruction. Ivey had previously sued the Alabama High School Athletic Association in 2025 and secured a Temporary Restraining Order blocking a rule that would have disqualified students using Education Savings Accounts from athletic eligibility.

Governor Ivey signed "Lulu's Law" in 2025, establishing a shark alert system for Alabama's Gulf Coast beaches in Baldwin and Mobile counties that became officially operational in April 2026. The system uses FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) to send notifications to mobile devices and first responders when a confirmed unprovoked shark attack occurs near the shoreline, with local emergency management agencies issuing alerts within designated geographic areas. The legislation was inspired by a 2024 shark attack involving Mountain Brook teenager Lulu Gribbin and established safety protocols that limit alerts to confirmed unprovoked attacks rather than shark sightings.

The Alabama Building Renovation Finance Authority voted to designate the state office building at 501 Washington Avenue in Montgomery as the Kay Ivey Office Building, acting on joint resolution HJR253 that Ivey signed earlier in the week. The five-story, 115,648-square-foot building, which houses the Alabama Attorney General's Office and was originally constructed in 1937, joins a short list of designated buildings in the Capitol complex named after state officials. The Legislature's resolution noted Ivey's tenure as Alabama's 54th governor and longest continuously serving governor in state history, citing accomplishments including $69 billion in new capital investment, the Rebuild Alabama infrastructure program, and broadband expansion initiatives.

The Alabama Legislature passed SB361, known as Beau's Law, which prohibits the unlawful tethering of dogs to stationary objects without providing adequate shelter, food, and water, and sent the bill to Governor Ivey for her signature. The legislation establishes escalating criminal penalties ranging from a Class C misdemeanor for a first offense to a Class A misdemeanor for a third offense, and authorizes law enforcement to remove dogs believed to be in danger or order owners to provide care. If signed by Ivey, the law takes effect on October 1.

In late March, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced the distribution of approximately $1.14 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Justice to law enforcement agencies throughout the state, administered by the Alabama Department of Community and Economic Affairs. Valley Head received $48,000 from this grant program, which the Valley Head Police Department designated for the purchase of a new Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicle to replace aging fleet equipment. Ivey stated in the announcement that the grants would help local law enforcement agencies address critical needs and enhance public safety.

Governor Ivey signed the Power to the People Act (HB475) into law two days after substitute legislation was filed in committee. The bill expands the Alabama Public Service Commission from three to seven members appointed by the governor, creates a Secretary of Energy position with broad authority over the commission, and freezes base retail rates through January 2029. The legislation also includes a provision allowing Democrats to submit candidate lists for vacancies in districts with Democratic congressional representation.

The Alabama Legislature passed HB98, the Alabama Law Enforcement Officers' Family Scholarship Act, which Governor Kay Ivey indicated she would sign into law. The bill provides up to $2,500 in tuition assistance per academic period to spouses and children of long-serving law enforcement officers for undergraduate study at Alabama public or private technical schools, colleges, or universities. The legislation establishes the Alabama Law Enforcement Officers' Family Scholarship Fund, to be administered by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, and authorizes the Department of Revenue to create a blackout license plate with proceeds directed to the fund.

The Alabama Legislature passed HB475, the Power to the People Act, and sent it to Governor Ivey for consideration on April 2, 2026. The bill restructures the Public Service Commission by expanding it from three statewide elected commissioners to seven commissioners elected from congressional districts, creates a governor-appointed Secretary of Energy, and extends a freeze on retail base electric rates through 2029 while requiring annual public hearings on rates. A formal rate case under the new structure requires either a vote of five of the seven commissioners or an order from the Secretary of Energy.

Governor Kay Ivey received HB266 from the Alabama House and Senate, legislation formally designated the "Amy Dicks Act" that establishes enhanced felony penalties for recklessly firing weapons into crowds. The bill passed the Alabama Senate on Wednesday and the House concurred with Senate modifications before sending it to Ivey for signature. The legislation addresses criminal penalties related to random gunfire incidents in Alabama municipalities.

Governor Kay Ivey announced approval of Alabama's Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program proposal by the Trump Administration, unlocking nearly $460 million to expand high-speed internet access to approximately 92,000 unserved locations across 63 projects spanning nearly every county in the state. The program represents one of the largest single commitments to broadband expansion in Alabama's history and aims to achieve full broadband coverage as defined by federal standards. The investment is intended to support workforce development by enabling remote job applications, virtual interviews, online skills training, and telehealth access in rural and underserved communities.

Governor Ivey supported the completion of the Billy Goat Hole Ramp renovation project on Dauphin Island through her administration's partnership with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The $3 million project, funded with GOMESA revenues from offshore oil and gas production, included new boat ramps accommodating four vessels simultaneously, relocated docks positioned further from Bienville Boulevard to reduce traffic impacts, ADA-compliant facilities including a lift and wheelchair ramp, improved parking, and an upgraded concession area. The renovated facility officially reopened in March 2026 and serves as one of the most heavily used boat ramps in south Alabama.

The Alabama Senate passed House Bill 7 with an amendment on March 24, 2026, a bill that increases penalties for school threats by elevating first-degree terroristic threats from a Class C to a Class B felony and requiring psychological evaluations for students charged with making threats. The Senate removed a mandatory one-year student suspension and replaced it with classroom removal and placement in an alternative setting pending a hearing within 30 days, in order to maintain alignment with federal protections for students with Individual Education Programs and 504 plans. The bill now returns to the House for concurrence before proceeding to Governor Ivey's desk for final approval.

Governor Ivey announced that the Trump administration approved Alabama's final Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program proposal, unlocking approximately $460 million in federal grants for broadband expansion. The approval by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration funds 63 projects designed to serve approximately 92,000 unserved locations across the state using fiber, satellite, and hybrid technologies. Upon completion of these projects, Alabama will achieve full broadband coverage as defined by federal standards.

Governor Ivey and Alabama Department of Workforce Secretary Greg Reed called on Alabama employers to participate in the HIRE Vets Medallion Award Program, a federal recognition initiative of the U.S. Department of Labor that honors employers for veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. The application period for the program ran from January 30 through April 30, 2026, with no application fee required. In 2025, 48 Alabama companies received the award, and nearly 160 Alabama businesses have received the honor since the program's inception.

The Alabama Legislature passed HB138, sponsored by State Rep. Kenneth Paschal and State Sen. Chris Elliott, which allows retired public employees to return to work as school bus drivers and public safety officers without losing their retirement benefits. The bill permits eligible retirees from the Employees' Retirement System and Teachers' Retirement System to work in positions including school bus driver, school resource officer, sheriff's deputy, municipal and state police officer, correctional officer, and assistant district attorney while continuing to receive retirement benefits, subject to existing earnings limits with exceptions for certain positions up to $52,000. The legislation was sent to Governor Kay Ivey for her consideration and includes a sunset provision set for December 31, 2032.

Ivey announced that Lockheed Martin reached an agreement with the state of Alabama to invest more than $150 million over five years at its production facility in Pike County. The investment is expected to create new full-time positions at the facility, which currently employs more than 800 people and has added over 300 jobs since 2019. Ivey stated that Lockheed Martin's continued investment demonstrates the company's role in Alabama's aerospace industry.

Governor Ivey commuted the death sentence of a convicted murderer, an action that generated significant discussion regarding executive authority and capital punishment in Alabama. The commutation represented a specific exercise of gubernatorial power to reduce a capital sentence. The decision prompted debate among state residents about the application of clemency authority in death penalty cases.

Governor Ivey commuted the death sentence of Charles "Sonny" Burton on March 10, 2026, just days before his scheduled execution, converting his sentence to life without parole. Burton had been on Alabama's death row for over 30 years for his role in a 1991 robbery and killing at an AutoZone store in Talladega, despite not being the person who fired the fatal shot. Ivey stated she could not "proceed in good conscience" with the execution.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey commuted the death sentence of Charles "Sonny" Burton on Tuesday, reducing his sentence to life imprisonment without possibility of parole. Burton, age 75, was scheduled to be executed that week for his role in a 1991 robbery and shooting death, despite not being present when the fatal shot was fired. Ivey stated that executing Burton would be unjust given that the individual who actually fired the fatal shot had his death sentence reduced to life imprisonment on appeal.

Governor Kay Ivey commuted the death sentence of Charles "Sonny" Burton, who had been on death row for 34 years and was scheduled for execution two days after the commutation. Burton was convicted in connection with a 1991 armed robbery at an AutoZone in Talladega during which customer Doug Battle was killed; Burton organized the robbery and pointed a gun at an employee but was outside the store when the murder occurred. This commutation marked only the second time Ivey has granted clemency to a death row inmate, and Burton will remain incarcerated for life.

Ivey commuted the death sentence of Charles "Sonny" Burton to life in prison without parole on March 10, 2026, two days before his scheduled execution for a 1991 murder. Ivey stated that Burton "did not shoot the victim, did not direct the triggerman to shoot the victim and had already left the store by the time the shooting occurred," citing these facts as the basis for the commutation. Burton had been convicted in 1992 of felony capital murder under Alabama's accomplice liability law for his participation in an armed robbery at a Talladega AutoZone store during which another person was killed.

Ivey signed into law the Healthy Early Development and Screen Time Act, which limits screen time for young children in certain early childhood education settings and licensed child care facilities. She also referenced the FOCUS Act passed in the previous year, which removed cell phones from use during instructional time in schools. Ivey stated that Alabama's national assessment rankings in fourth grade math and reading have improved to 32nd and 34th respectively since 2017, and that the state now leads the country in student attendance rates.

Governor Ivey commuted the death sentence of Charles "Sonny" Burton to life imprisonment without parole on March 10, 2026, two days before his scheduled execution for a 1991 murder. Burton had been convicted in 1992 of felony capital murder in the death of Doug Battle during an AutoZone robbery, despite having left the store before the shooting occurred and not being the triggerman. Ivey stated the commutation was based on the disparate treatment between Burton and Derrick DeBruce, the actual shooter who received the same life sentence without parole, finding it unfair to execute Burton under such circumstances.

The Alabama Legislature passed SB242 and sent it to Governor Ivey for consideration in March 2026. The bill codifies existing federal English proficiency requirements for commercial drivers into state law and establishes criminal penalties for violations, including fines of $1,000 to $2,000 for English proficiency failures and Class D felony charges for presenting fraudulent foreign commercial driver licenses or operating without required federal entry documents. The measure is scheduled to take effect October 1, 2026 if signed by Ivey.

Governor Ivey signed the Healthy Early Development and Screen Time Act into law on March 4, 2026, fulfilling a legislative priority for her administration. The law requires the Department of Human Resources and the State Department of Education to establish screen-use guidelines for early education programs including daycares and kindergartens, and mandates the Department of Early Childhood Education to create a training program for teachers and staff supervising children. The legislation takes effect January 1, 2027.

Governor Ivey recommended funding the Public Education Employees' Health Insurance Plan employer contribution rate at $1,073 per month in her fiscal 2027 Education Trust Fund proposal. The PEEHIP board had requested an increase to $1,209 per month to address a projected $380 million shortfall in the health plan's funding for that fiscal year. Ivey's recommendation falls $136 per employee per month below the board's actuarial request, leaving lawmakers to determine how to address the gap between the governor's proposal and the funding needed to maintain the program that covers approximately 104,000 active education employees and 350,000 total individuals.

Ivey signed Alabama's version of Trey's Law on February 19, 2026, after the legislation passed unanimously through the state Legislature. The law voids non-disclosure agreement provisions that silence survivors of child sexual abuse, making such restrictions unenforceable regardless of when the NDA was signed. The federal version of Trey's Law, formally titled the Terminating Restrictive Enforcement of Youth Settlements Act, was subsequently introduced in Congress by U.S. Senator Katie Britt and Senator Ted Cruz, building on Alabama's passage of the state bill.

The Alabama Legislature passed HB254, sponsored by State Rep. Shane Stringer and carried in the Senate by Sen. Chris Elliott, which prohibits law enforcement officers from stopping or boarding vessels for safety or marine sanitation equipment inspections without probable cause. The legislation extends to Alabama waterways the same probable cause standard that applies to vehicle stops on public roadways. The bill now awaits Governor Ivey's signature, with an effective date of June 1, 2026, if enacted.

Ivey's office announced that the Alabama Department of Corrections received a $598,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to fund Residential Substance Abuse Treatment programs at eight prisons. The grant will support six-month residential programs followed by at least one year of group sessions designed to address inmate drug addiction and behavioral change. The grant will be administered through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

The Alabama Legislature passed HB38, legislation creating the Alabama Seagrass Restoration Task Force, which subsequently was sent to Governor Ivey for signature. The task force will be charged with developing cost-efficient and environmentally sustainable technologies to restore coastal seagrass ecosystems along Alabama's Gulf Coast, with co-chairs from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and the University of South Alabama. The task force is required to produce a 10-year Alabama Seagrass and Sea Oats Restoration Plan and provide progress updates to lawmakers at the beginning of each legislative session.

Governor Ivey signed HB161, the App Store Accountability Act, into law in February 2026. The legislation requires app stores to verify users' ages, link minor accounts to parent accounts, and obtain parental approval before children and teens can download new apps. The law establishes a centralized system allowing parents to approve or deny app downloads across platforms.

Ivey signed into law on February 19, 2026, a bill that increased the penalty for those who physically injure or kill people while driving under the influence from a misdemeanor to up to 20 years in prison. Ivey also signed House Bill 41, which expanded the death penalty to certain child sex abuse crimes. These signings occurred as the Alabama House passed multiple bills upgrading criminal charges to felonies during the 2026 legislative session, prompting some Democratic lawmakers to raise questions about prison capacity.

Ivey signed legislation on February 25, 2026, that restricts Alabama state agencies from adopting environmental regulations that exceed federal standards. The law permits state agencies to set new rules only in areas where no federal standard exists and only when there is a demonstrated direct causal link between exposure to harmful emissions and manifest bodily harm to humans. The legislation takes effect immediately.

Governor Ivey and the Amendment 666 Bond Commission approved the issuance of bonds and pledged $40 million in state funding to Jackson Hospital on the condition that the hospital emerges from its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. The funds would be designated for capital expenses at the hospital, which filed for bankruptcy the previous year following financial and management difficulties. Ivey stated that the commitment was made in response to funding pledges from local elected leaders and that maintaining the hospital was necessary for the Montgomery metropolitan area and the state.

Ivey signed Senate Bill 71 into law on February 19, 2026, which prohibits state environmental agencies from adopting rules stricter than federal environmental regulations. The legislation requires that Alabama's environmental standards be on par with or less restrictive than federal requirements, and removes state agencies' ability to establish independent limitations on chemical substances, pollutants, and hazardous substances where no federal regulation exists. The bill passed the Alabama House 68-34 and the Senate on party lines, taking effect immediately upon the governor's signature.

The Alabama House of Representatives passed SB71 on a 68-34 vote, sending the legislation to Governor Kay Ivey's desk for consideration. The bill would prohibit state environmental agencies from adopting rules more stringent than federal requirements, except in areas where no federal standard exists, in which case agencies could set rules based on "best available science" and the "weight of scientific evidence." SB71 also bars agencies from using the EPA's Integrated Risk Information System as a default source for developing water quality standards and requires agencies currently using it to revise their rules within nine months.

Ivey signed Senate Bill 70 into law during the 2025 legislative session, which appropriated $5 million from the state's General Fund to establish the Alabama Veterans Resource Center as a public-private partnership. In July 2025, Ivey appointed an 11-member board to oversee the center, which opened its Montgomery office in February 2026 to provide services including benefits navigation, employment and training, education support, and referrals to health and housing services for Alabama's veterans and their families. The center was designed to serve as a statewide hub connecting more than 400,000 veterans with available resources through both physical offices and an online platform.

Governor Ivey mentioned camp safety in her State of the State address and issued a press release in support of HB381, the Sarah Marsh Heaven's 27 Camp Safety Act, which the Alabama House unanimously passed on February 17, 2026. The bill, named after an 8-year-old Alabama girl killed in a 2025 camp flooding disaster, establishes a statewide camp safety and emergency preparedness framework administered by the Alabama Emergency Management Agency. Requirements for residential camps include emergency action plans, mandatory safety systems, real-time weather monitoring, alert systems independent of cell phones or internet, staff training and background checks, and prohibitions on cabins in floodplain areas.

Ivey signed the Child Predator Death Penalty Act into law on February 12, 2026, which expands Alabama's capital punishment statutes to include convictions for first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, and first-degree sexual assault of victims under age 12. The legislation, sponsored by State Representative Matt Simpson and State Senator April Weaver, passed both chambers of the Alabama Legislature with overwhelming majorities before reaching Ivey's desk. The act becomes effective on October 1, 2026.

Ivey endorsed the three-bill "Affordability Protection Plan," a bipartisan utility reform package advancing through the Alabama Legislature. The plan includes SB268/HB392, which would restructure the Public Service Commission from an elected body to an appointed one by 2030; SB270/HB403, which would require data centers to pay the full cost of grid and infrastructure upgrades; and SB265/HB399, which would reform data center incentives and reduce the property tax exemption from 30 years to 20 years. The House versions passed committee in February 2026, while the Senate versions were referred to the Senate Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development.

Governor Ivey responded to a New York Times opinion column highlighting Alabama's post-pandemic academic recovery by characterizing the state's gains in math and reading proficiency as the result of deliberate policy choices rather than circumstance. The column, written by Nicholas Kristof, identified Alabama's school accountability systems, early literacy initiatives, and attendance enforcement as factors in the state's ranking as number one nationally in math recovery from pandemic learning losses. Ivey stated that the continued focus on accountability and attendance demonstrates that raising academic standards produces measurable student achievement gains.

In November 2025, Ivey removed all 18 members of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame board after state auditors discovered 35 violations including over $236,000 in misspent funds and unauthorized vehicle sales. The removal action prompted state House leadership to introduce HB220, legislation that would establish that all appointees to state boards, authorities, and commissions serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority, granting the Governor, Speaker of the House, and Senate President Pro Tem explicit removal power. The House passed HB220 in February 2026, with leadership citing Ivey's action as evidence of the need for clearer statutory authority to remove board members who fail in their duties.

Governor Ivey announced support for a utility reform package consisting of HB403, HB399, and HB392 making its way through the Alabama Legislature, stating the legislation aims to protect energy costs for Alabama residents while maintaining the state's cost-of-living advantage for business recruitment and economic development. The bills, which received committee consideration in February 2026, include provisions requiring large-load data centers to bear full infrastructure costs, mandating annual public rate meetings, and preventing ratepayer funds from being used for lobbying or political activity. Ivey cited her appointments of PSC President Cynthia Almond and PSC Commissioner Chris Beeker as examples of strengthening regulatory oversight through the Public Service Commission.

Governor Ivey appointed Ashley W. Siebert of Fairhope as Circuit Judge in the 28th Judicial Circuit in Baldwin County, filling a vacancy left by the January retirement of Circuit Judge Jody Bishop. Ivey appointed J. Chad Floyd of Cullman as Circuit Judge in the 32nd Judicial Circuit in Cullman County, succeeding Circuit Judge Gregory Nicholas who retired in January. Both appointees had previously served as District Judges, with Siebert appointed to that position over a year prior and Floyd appointed to his District Judge role in 2020.

The Alabama Senate passed HB41, the Child Predator Death Penalty Act, in a 33-1 vote on February 5, 2026, sending the legislation to Governor Ivey for consideration. The bill, which had previously passed the House, permits prosecutors to seek capital punishment in cases of first-degree rape or sodomy involving victims under the age of 12. Governor Ivey had previously called for passage of the legislation during her State of the State address and pledged to sign it into law.

Ivey established the Alabama Rural Health Transformation Advisory Group by executive order to oversee implementation of the Alabama Rural Health Transformation Program following the state's receipt of $203.4 million in federal funding. The advisory group, composed of state legislators, held its first meeting on February 5, 2026, to discuss policy development, implementation timelines, and potential legislative action related to the program's 11 targeted initiatives. The program aims to improve healthcare access and outcomes in Alabama's rural communities through a five-year federal initiative authorized by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

The Alabama Legislature passed HB181 on February 4, 2026, legislation that prohibits the dumping of dredged sediment in Mobile Bay, a practice known as "mud dumping." The bill, sponsored by State Senator Chris Elliott and State Representative Rhett Marques, explicitly prohibits mud dumping from qualifying as a beneficial use under existing federal requirements for dredged sediment placement. The legislation now awaits Governor Ivey's signature.

House Bill 41, a Republican-sponsored bill that would expand capital punishment to include child rape, sodomy, and sexual torture of children under 12 years old, advanced through the Alabama Senate's Judiciary Committee in February 2026 and was scheduled to proceed to the full Senate chamber for a vote on whether to send it to Governor Ivey for signature. The bill directly challenges the 2008 Supreme Court decision in Kennedy v. Louisiana, which prohibited capital punishment for child rape under Eighth Amendment protections. The legislation received support from some lawmakers while drawing criticism from others who raised concerns about its constitutional viability and potential psychological impacts on victims and their families.

Governor Ivey called for the Alabama Legislature to pass House Bill 37 and Senate Bill 233, companion legislation that would elevate the base offense of Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer from a misdemeanor to a felony and establish enhanced penalties for aggravating circumstances such as eluding with children in the vehicle or striking law enforcement officers. The bills would also require mandatory jail time for repeat offenders. Ivey announced her support for the legislation during her state of the state address and reiterated the call for its passage, stating she looked forward to the bill reaching her desk.

Governor Ivey made numerous judicial appointments during her tenure, including 42 District Court Judges, 33 Circuit Court Judges, 12 Probate Judges, one Judge to the Court of Criminal Appeals, two Judges to the Court of Civil Appeals, and five Justices to the Alabama Supreme Court. Notable appointments included Judge Bill Lewis to the Alabama Supreme Court in 2024, followed by his subsequent appointment as a federal judge, and Will Parker, her General Counsel, to the State Supreme Court in November 2025. Ivey also appointed cabinet-level officials including State Senator Greg Reed as head of the newly created Workforce Transformation department and State Representative Cynthia Lee Almond as President of the State Public Service Commission.

Ivey signed the CHOOSE Act into law in 2024, which created state-funded education savings accounts allowing eligible families to use funds for private school tuition and other qualified education expenses. In her January 2026 State of the State address, Ivey proposed increasing funding for the CHOOSE Act to $250 million for the 2027-2028 academic year, noting the program was already supporting more than 23,000 students. Ivey stated the program would become fully universal in its third year and indicated the funding increase would help more families access education options suited to their children's needs.

Ivey highlighted a Mobile family utilizing the CHOOSE Act education savings account program, featuring fourth-grader Charlie Perkins and his grandmother Susan Stacy as beneficiaries of the initiative. The CHOOSE Act provides refundable tax credits through education savings accounts to eligible K-12 students, offering up to $7,000 annually for participating schools or $2,000 for home education programs. Since applications opened in January 2025, 36,873 students statewide have applied for the 2026-27 school year, with the application deadline set for March 31, 2026.

Governor Ivey endorsed the Child Predator Death Penalty Act during her State of the State address at the beginning of the 2026 legislative session, urging lawmakers to pass the legislation so she could sign it into law. The bill, filed by State Rep. Matt Simpson and State Sen. April Weaver, amends Alabama's criminal code to make certain violent crimes against children including first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, and sexual torture of victims under age 12 eligible for the death penalty. The Alabama House passed the measure, and it advanced to the Senate for consideration.

Governor Ivey opened applications for the Governor's Office Summer Internship Program, a nine-week opportunity running from June 2 through July 31, 2026, for college students to work within the executive branch alongside professional staff on special projects and policy issues. The program places interns in various offices within the Governor's Office, where they assist with administrative work and gain exposure to state government operations. The application deadline is March 13, 2026.

Ivey directed the activation of 350 Alabama National Guard service members to respond to winter weather conditions affecting the state during the weekend of January 24-25, 2026. The National Guard established mobility support teams across north Alabama under the direction of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency to assist citizens potentially impacted by ice and snow. The deployment was intended to support public safety and emergency access during the winter weather event.

Governor Ivey announced support for Senate Bill 149, legislation that would authorize the Alabama State Department of Education to issue temporary teaching certificates to military veterans who meet specified service, education, and testing requirements without first earning a bachelor's degree. The bill, sponsored by State Senator Matt Woods and State Representative Rick Rehm, would establish a nonrenewable Military Veteran Temporary Teaching Certificate valid for up to five years for applicants with 48 months of active-duty service, a 2.5 minimum grade point average in at least 60 college credit hours, and a passing score on the Praxis test. Ivey highlighted the legislation during her State of the State address as part of her legislative priorities.

On January 16, 2026, Governor Ivey signed an executive order opting Alabama into participation in the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit program, a newly created federal initiative included in President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill. The executive order authorizes the Alabama Department of Revenue to administer the program and certify eligible scholarship granting organizations within the state, with implementation scheduled for January 2027. Under the program, federal tax credits provided to contributors to approved scholarship organizations will fund scholarships for eligible elementary and secondary students, with funds usable for tuition, books, fees, supplies, tutoring, and special needs services at public, private, and religious schools.

Ivey signed Act 2024-426, which allocated $3 million in funding for pilot programs to support veterans' behavioral health needs in Alabama. The law enabled the Veterans Mental Health Steering Committee to award a grant to Uwill, a national mental health platform, to provide 24/7 mental health support services to Alabama veterans ages 18 to 34. The program aims to serve more than 40,000 veterans across the state and provide confidential access to licensed counselors, teletherapy, crisis services, and prescription management.

Ivey announced during her State of the State address the launch of a statewide flood notification system to be implemented by summer, citing recent flooding events in the region that resulted in fatalities. The governor called on the Alabama Legislature to provide funding for the system's ongoing operation and maintenance. Currently, Alabama residents receive flood warnings through the National Weather Service and local emergency management agencies, with the state experiencing flooding on average every 12 days due to its geography and annual rainfall of approximately 56 inches.

During her State of the State address on January 14, 2026, Governor Ivey announced her support for HB 41, the Child Predator Death Penalty Act, sponsored by Representative Matt Simpson and Senator April Weaver, which would authorize capital punishment for individuals convicted of child rape or sodomy. Ivey also endorsed HB 37, legislation led by Representative Reed Ingram and Senator Lance Bell that would impose a minimum 60-day confinement sentence for individuals convicted of fleeing from police, in addition to existing driver's license suspension requirements. Additionally, Ivey proposed a two percent pay raise for state employees including state troopers and announced increased law enforcement presence in Montgomery through the Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit and Alabama State Troopers.

Governor Ivey urged the Alabama legislature to pass legislation protecting student-athletes who use CHOOSE Act funds from being required to sit out a year of competition, referencing a lawsuit she and Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter filed against the Alabama High School Athletic Association over the issue. Ivey specifically called for passage of the Let the Kids Play Act, to be carried by Representative Danny Garrett and Senator Clyde Chambliss, which would prevent the AHSAA from enforcing sit-out rules against transfer students utilizing school choice program funds. The CHOOSE Act, signed into law in 2024, established state-funded education savings accounts that families can use for qualified education expenses including private school tuition.

Governor Kay Ivey appointed former State Representative Cynthia Lee Almond to serve as President of the Alabama Public Service Commission, creating a vacancy in Alabama House District 63. The special election to fill the seat representing portions of Tuscaloosa County was scheduled for January 13, 2026. Manufacture Alabama, the state's manufacturer association, endorsed Tuscaloosa City Councilman Norman Crow as a candidate in the election.

Ivey announced that Alabama submitted a rural health transformation plan to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in fall 2025, which qualified the state for $203.4 million in first-year funding under the Trump administration's state-led rural health initiative established through the Working Families Tax Cuts legislation. Alabama's submitted plan outlined 11 coordinated initiatives designed to improve financial viability of rural facilities, expand access including telehealth services, and strengthen healthcare workforce pipelines. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs will administer the program as funding is distributed over multiple years.

Ivey championed the passage of the "Rebuild Alabama" gasoline tax increase in 2019, which generated over one billion dollars in revenue for infrastructure improvements across the state's 67 counties. The legislation funded 500 new road and bridge projects and improvements to state waterways and docks. During her tenure as governor, Ivey's administration reported attracting 55 billion dollars in new capital investment and creating over 93,000 jobs.

Governor Ivey signed an executive order on December 19, 2025, establishing the Alabama Rural Health Transformation Advisory Group to prepare for implementation of the state's Rural Health Transformation Program if approved by federal authorities. The advisory group comprises ten state legislators selected by the governor, the director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, and the division chief administering the program, and is designed to coordinate eleven healthcare initiatives including telehealth expansion, workforce development, and emergency services improvements. The program was submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in November as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which authorized a fifty-billion-dollar federal Rural Health Transformation Program.

Governor Ivey signed legislation in 2021 that authorized Alabama's medical cannabis program, establishing the legal framework for the state's medical marijuana initiative. The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission approved licenses for three dispensary companies on December 16, 2025, with additional licenses under consideration, marking a significant milestone in implementing the program after years of delays and litigation. The commission estimated that medical marijuana products would become available to patients in spring 2026, following the certification of physicians to issue cannabis cards and the establishment of a patient registry.

Governor Ivey supported the Alabama Department of Transportation's $730 million bond sale to finance the West Alabama Corridor, a four-lane highway project connecting Mobile and Tuscaloosa, which was completed in December 2025. The project is financed entirely through state gas tax revenue and Rebuild Alabama funds without federal matching dollars, unlike typical state road projects that receive approximately 80% federal funding. Ivey characterized the initiative as both a transportation improvement priority and an economic development effort for the region.

Governor Kay Ivey signed legislation in 2025 that expanded Alabama's entertainment tax incentive program to include music productions, establishing the Alabama Music Incentive designed to provide financial reimbursement to music creators who record in the state. The legislation also rebranded the Alabama Film Office as the Alabama Entertainment Office and raised the annual incentive cap to $22 million beginning in Fiscal 2026, with $2 million specifically allocated for music albums. The program allows unused incentives to carry forward into the next fiscal year up to $3 million, a provision intended to enhance the program's long-term effectiveness.

Governor Ivey appointed Ronald Smith to serve as a Madison County Circuit Court judge in Alabama's 23rd Judicial Circuit, effective immediately. Smith had been serving as District Judge since his appointment by Ivey in 2023 and subsequently became Presiding District Judge in 2025, with over two decades of legal experience including prosecutorial work and private practice. In addition to Smith's appointment, Ivey announced 17 additional appointments to various state boards and commissions across entities including the State Board of Auctioneers, Motorsports Hall of Fame, and Department of Youth Services.

Governor Ivey announced the 2026-2027 timeline and eligibility requirements for Alabama's CHOOSE Act education savings account program on December 3, 2025. The program will open renewal applications on December 15, 2025, and new applicant applications on January 2, 2026, with both closing on March 31, 2026, and award notifications scheduled for April 15, 2026. For the 2026-2027 school year, new applicants must have adjusted gross income at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level, with priority given to students with special needs, participating students and their siblings, and dependents of active-duty service members.

Governor Ivey announced a partnership between the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that resulted in the detention of 82 individuals during Commercial Motor Vehicle inspections over a one-month period beginning in November 2025. The enforcement effort included two Strike Force operations on rural interstate corridors and integrated ICE personnel into ALEA's routine commercial vehicle enforcement assignments. Ivey stated that the partnership aimed to address illegal immigration and illegal operators in the trucking industry.

In 2022, the Alabama legislature passed a law that Governor Ivey signed abolishing the Mobile County treasurer's office, effective at the end of the 2024 term. The abolition transferred the duties previously held by the elected treasurer to the Mobile County Commission. The change was estimated to save taxpayers approximately $52,000 annually.

Ivey filed a motion for a temporary restraining order against the Alabama High School Athletic Association's rule requiring student-athletes who transfer schools using funds from the Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students' Education Act (CHOOSE Act) to sit out one year before competing. A Montgomery County Circuit Court judge granted the restraining order earlier in November 2025, and the court maintained the order on November 21, 2025, allowing CHOOSE Act student-athletes to continue competing. Ivey stated that the decision allows the state to work toward a permanent solution while ensuring that transfer students are not unlawfully discriminated against.

Governor Ivey directed the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to conduct "Troop Zero," an enforcement detail in Montgomery County, and expanded the Capitol Patrol Unit's operations following shootings that occurred in downtown Montgomery on October 4. Between October 25 and November 5, ALEA Highway Patrol Troopers conducted 1,608 vehicle stops, issued 2,006 citations and 681 warnings, while Capitol Patrol members made 2 felony arrests and 1 DUI arrest across 12 targeted enforcement days in the downtown area. These coordinated enforcement operations were designed to deter dangerous driving behaviors, reduce criminal activity, and enhance security in Montgomery and surrounding areas.

Governor Ivey urged the Alabama Educational Television Commission on Monday to slow down and follow state law before taking any action toward disaffiliation from PBS. On Tuesday, the commission voted to maintain its PBS affiliation by approving payment of programming dues through June 2026 and directed Executive Director Wayne Reid to develop a proposed study committee to examine issues raised by Ivey regarding future disaffiliation considerations. The committee is expected to include public, legislative, financial, legal, and broadcasting expertise and will outline options and requirements related to any potential future consideration of disaffiliating from PBS.

Governor Ivey commented on Alabama's submission of a Rural Health Transformation plan to the federal government under the One Big Beautiful Bill, a Trump-backed initiative providing $50 billion in funding for rural healthcare redesign. Ivey stated that "making meaningful improvements in how we deliver health care in rural Alabama is critically important" and noted that the program presents an opportunity for transformational change benefiting communities for generations. The state's plan includes 11 initiatives such as regional telehealth networks, shared IT systems, and rural workforce pipelines to address closure risks facing the state's rural hospitals.

Governor Ivey appointed Will Parker, her General Counsel since 2019, to the Alabama Supreme Court as an Associate Justice to fill the vacancy created when Judge Bill Lewis was nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. Parker was sworn in on Monday morning effective immediately. Prior to his appointment, Parker had served nearly ten years as Assistant Attorney General in the Constitutional Defense Division and had presented oral arguments before the Alabama Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

Ivey highlighted the Walker family, a military household with seven children, as beneficiaries of the CHOOSE Act, Alabama's education savings account program launched in January 2025. The family relocated to Alabama in 2023 and decided to remain permanently in the state due to the program's availability, with four of their children attending Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's St. Bede campus using CHOOSE Act funds. Since its launch, the program has approved over 23,000 students statewide for more than $124 million in educational support, with eligible students receiving up to $7,000 annually for private school tuition or $2,000 for homeschooling expenses.

Governor Ivey issued a proclamation designating November 5–11, 2025, as Veterans Week in Alabama to honor the state's more than 400,000 veterans. The proclamation recognized the service and sacrifice of military members and called on Alabamians to acknowledge their contributions to the nation. The week culminates in the national observance of Veterans Day on November 11, with ceremonies and community events scheduled throughout Alabama.

On November 6, 2025, Governor Ivey announced that Alabama officially submitted its Rural Health Transformation Program plan to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, positioning the state to receive federal funding from the $50 billion program established in Congress's One Big Beautiful Bill. The plan encompasses 11 coordinated initiatives designed to improve financial viability, access, and health outcomes in Alabama's 58 rural counties, where approximately 1.6 million residents live and rural hospitals face elevated closure risks. Implementation will be managed by ADECA upon CMS funding approval, with an advisory group to be established by executive order to advance complementary policy reforms including telehealth parity and EMS reimbursement changes.

Governor Ivey attended a ceremony in Camden, Alabama on November 5, 2025, to mark a milestone in the Alabama Fiber Network's middle-mile broadband expansion, specifically the crossing of the J. Lee Long Bridge on Alabama Highway 29. The Alabama Fiber Network, a rural-electric-co-op-led consortium that received $82.45 million in federal funding through a competitive grant process administered by ADECA in September 2022, achieved service availability in all 67 counties as of October 2025, with full project completion expected in February 2026. The approximately 3,500-mile statewide backbone is designed to reduce transport costs and enable last-mile internet service providers to extend connectivity to unserved and underserved areas throughout the state.

Governor Ivey directed $2 million in state emergency funds to eight food banks serving all 67 Alabama counties in response to delayed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during a federal government shutdown. The Alabama Department of Human Resources redirected an additional $3 million to the Feeding Alabama food bank network and authorized $300 payments to caregivers of 11,434 children in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. Ivey stated that while the state was taking action to assist residents, the federal government needed to reopen to provide a sustainable solution.

Governor Ivey awarded HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology over $2 million through the Alabama Research and Development Advancement Fund to support three initiatives focused on agricultural and forestry biotechnology. The three projects are TRIALS (Technology & Research for Innovation Ag Leaders) at $309,576, Biotech to Accelerate Crops for Alabama at $938,992, and Safeguarding Alabama Wild Forests at $999,803, with each combining state investment with matching funds from collaborating organizations, federal grants, and private donors. The funding supports research on agricultural technology adoption, crop genetics and plant biotechnology, and forest genetic diversity to enhance Alabama's agriculture and forestry sectors.

Ivey requested the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to review and strengthen state alcohol regulations following an October 4 shooting in downtown Montgomery that injured multiple people. ABC Administrator Curtis Stewart responded with proposals for administrative rule changes including prohibiting package stores in entertainment districts from selling cups or ice that could facilitate off-premises consumption and limiting alcohol sales by special retail licensees. Stewart also identified legislative proposals requiring approval, including imposing curfews for minors in entertainment districts, restricting public entities from giving away alcohol at large events, and allowing the state to suspend or terminate entertainment districts that fail to meet public safety standards.

Governor Kay Ivey appointed Bill Lewis to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals in 2024 and subsequently to the Alabama Supreme Court in May 2025, making him the first Black Republican justice in state history. Lewis was nominated by President Donald Trump in September 2025 to serve as a U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Alabama. The U.S. Senate confirmed Lewis to the federal judgeship on October 28, 2025, by a vote of 58-40.

Governor Kay Ivey attended the unveiling of statues honoring Rosa Parks and Helen Keller on the grounds of the Alabama Capitol on October 24, 2025. The statues, approved by Alabama lawmakers in 2019 and completed by the Alabama Women's Tribute Statue Commission, represent the first monuments to women installed on the Capitol lawn. Ivey stated that Parks and Keller "rose to shape history through quiet strength and unwavering conviction" and characterized the statues as symbols of courage.

Ivey declared the third week of October "Alabama Woods to Goods Week" to coincide with National Forest Products Week, marking the fifth consecutive year she has made this designation. The week-long celebration, occurring October 19-25, 2025, promotes the state's forest products industry and its economic contributions, which total more than $36 billion annually and support over 123,000 jobs across logging, trucking, milling, and related sectors. The observance includes mill tours, log site visits, educational demonstrations, and children's book donations organized to highlight the industry's environmental, community, and economic impact.

Ivey called for an expansion of Aniah's Law following the bond release of a teen charged in a Montgomery mass shooting. Ivey stated that the bond release was a setback and expressed the need to extend the law to cover alleged murderers who are currently eligible for bond release. Ivey's position aligned with statements from Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed and Police Chief Jim Graboys on the matter.

Ivey introduced the Carbonell family of Birmingham as beneficiaries of the CHOOSE Act, Alabama's education savings account program that provides refundable income tax credits for K-12 students. The program, which opened applications in January 2025, has approved more than 23,000 students representing over $124 million in education savings accounts, with funding of $7,000 per eligible student in participating schools and $2,000 for home education students. Ivey highlighted how the CHOOSE Act enabled the Carbonell family to enroll four of their five children at St. Rose Academy after economic pressures had threatened their enrollment.

Governor Ivey announced the launch of the Alabama Digital Education Network, a $16 million public-private initiative designed to expand technology training and broadband access to rural communities across the state. The program, delivered by Alabama-based nonprofit Ed Farm in partnership with Apple and Alabama Power, will establish learning spaces through schools, libraries, and community centers, with Alabama State University serving as the Montgomery hub. The initiative aims to provide digital skills training and workforce development to students and adults in underserved regions, particularly in the Black Belt area.

Governor Ivey attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences in Demopolis on October 15, 2025, and announced that the school had secured $26.4 million in funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies as part of a national initiative to establish healthcare-focused career and technical education high schools. Ivey also announced that Dr. Selwyn Vickers, president and CEO of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, agreed to serve as special advisor to the school and its foundation. The residential specialty school, which will be the fourth state-supported residential specialty school in Alabama, is scheduled to open in August 2026 at a temporary campus at the University of West Alabama before relocating to its permanent campus in Demopolis in August 2027.

Ivey spoke by telephone with Montgomery Mayor Stephen Reed on Wednesday to discuss state support for addressing crime in the city following a downtown shooting that resulted in two deaths and twelve injuries. During the call, Ivey reiterated her offer of state assistance and stated that Alabama would support local crime prevention efforts through partnership. Ivey announced expanded Alabama Law Enforcement Agency patrols as part of the state's response to the violence in Montgomery.

Following a mass shooting in downtown Montgomery that killed two people and injured twelve others on Saturday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey stated on Monday that the state would increase its role in public safety efforts in the capital city. The shooting occurred in a crowded area near bars, hotels, and restaurants, less than a mile from the Alabama Capitol. Montgomery Police Chief James Graboys indicated that one victim was targeted and that additional gunfire erupted as other individuals discharged weapons in the congested area.

Governor Ivey issued state directives following a mass shooting in Montgomery that killed two people and wounded 12 others, authorizing the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to expand its Capitol Patrol presence into downtown corridors and increase trooper visibility and enforcement in the capital city. Ivey attempted to contact Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed by phone on Monday morning to offer state assistance, leaving a voicemail requesting that the mayor's police chief coordinate with ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. The governor stated that all available state assets were prepared to stabilize Montgomery and called for unified leadership in addressing crime in the city.

Following a mass shooting in downtown Montgomery on Saturday night that resulted in two deaths and twelve injuries, Governor Ivey announced a series of immediate state-level interventions on Monday morning. She directed Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Secretary Hal Taylor to expand Capitol Trooper patrols into additional downtown areas beyond their existing Montgomery Area Crime Suppression Unit operations and requested legislative support for additional state law enforcement resources in the capital city. Ivey also instructed ABC Administrator Curtis Stewart to review state alcohol licensing laws and requirements for establishments in heavily populated downtown areas and special event venues where alcohol sales occur after 5:00 p.m.

Ivey posted on social media encouraging Alabama residents to visit state historic sites, including a replica of Independence Hall at American Village in Montevallo, while federal government sites remained closed during a federal funding lapse. The post referenced the closure of national landmarks such as Independence Hall in Philadelphia and suggested residents explore Alabama's historical attractions instead. Ivey identified multiple state destinations available to visitors, including Constitution Village in Huntsville, Old Cahawba Archaeological Park, Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson Park, Horseshoe Bend National Military Park, and Fort Conde in Mobile.

Ivey's administration, through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, submitted the state's final Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program proposal to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration on October 2, 2025, following a public comment period. The proposal aims to provide high-speed internet access to more than 101,000 eligible locations across Alabama through a combination of wired construction and low earth orbit satellite service. Through competitive bidding, the state secured commitments averaging $5,100 per eligible location, representing savings of more than $800 million from Alabama's original $1.4 billion federal allocation.

In March 2025, Governor Ivey signed an adjustment to the State Health Plan that added 60 substance-use treatment beds to Shelby County, following approval by the Statewide Health Coordinating Council. The adjustment was intended to address the county's lack of residential addiction-treatment facilities. Bradford Health Services subsequently filed a formal challenge to a Certificate of Need application by Longleaf Recovery & Wellness for a 60-bed residential treatment facility, which diverted the matter to administrative proceedings before a Certificate of Need Review Board.

Governor Ivey announced on September 26, 2025, that she would not call a special legislative session to redraw Alabama's 2021 State Senate map following a federal court ruling that the Montgomery-area districts violated the Voting Rights Act. Ivey stated that legal uncertainty surrounding the pending U.S. Supreme Court case Louisiana v. Callais created a situation that would not justify the time and expense of a special session at that time. The Governor indicated she would reconsider this decision if a satisfactory map was identified and called on the U.S. Supreme Court to clarify the law regarding redistricting and the Voting Rights Act.

Governor Ivey signed Parker's Law during the 2025 legislative session, legislation that exempts nursing mothers from jury duty for up to two years. The bill was carried in the House by State Rep. Susan DuBose and in the Senate by State Sen. April Weaver following a Facebook post by Kandace Brown describing her experience being required to report for jury duty while breastfeeding a three-month-old child. Parker's Law took effect on October 1, 2025.

In 2025, Governor Ivey signed legislation authorizing the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to own its own warehouse facility rather than leasing multiple spaces. The ABC Board is considering increasing the Central Warehouse Bailment Fee from the current $0.72 per case to as high as $1.50 per case to fund the $98 million, 250,000-square-foot warehouse under construction in Montgomery, which is scheduled to open next year. The fee increase, if implemented, would be passed to consumers through retail alcohol prices in the state.

Governor Ivey stated that Alabama stands ready to deploy the state National Guard if called upon by the federal government to assist with crime suppression efforts in cities including Birmingham and Montgomery, though no such deployment has been requested. Ivey indicated that Alabama is currently maintaining the Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit, a multi-agency task force, to address crime in Montgomery and expressed interest in implementing a similar approach in Birmingham. The governor's office confirmed that Alabama is in contact with White House officials and prepared to respond if the president determines that federal National Guard deployment to Alabama cities is necessary.

Gov. Ivey indicated that National Guard troops would not be deployed to Alabama cities, such as Birmingham, in the near term, following President Donald Trump's announcement of a National Guard deployment to Memphis. This statement came in response to the Trump administration's plan to send troops to address crime in the Tennessee city. Ivey's position reflected a decision not to request similar deployments for Alabama municipalities at that time.

In June 2025, Governor Ivey appointed State Representative Cynthia Lee Almond to serve as President of the Alabama Public Service Commission, following the departure of incumbent Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh to a position in the Trump Administration. Almond is an attorney and legislator from Tuscaloosa who previously served four terms on the city council and two terms in the state House, where she sat on the Ways and Means Education Committee, Judiciary Committee, and Rules Committee. Ivey stated that Almond had proven herself an effective public servant and expressed confidence in her ability to lead the Public Service Commission.

Ivey issued a statement responding to the Trump Administration's announcement that Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama had been selected as the permanent headquarters for U.S. Space Command, with an estimated 1,400 Space Command jobs to transition to the location over five years. Ivey stated that Huntsville was the optimal location for the headquarters and commended local and state officials for their efforts to secure the selection. Ivey noted that Alabama's historical support for national defense and Huntsville's existing aerospace infrastructure made the state well-suited to host the command's operations.

President Donald Trump announced that U.S. Space Command headquarters would be relocated to Huntsville, Alabama, marking the reversal of a Biden administration decision that had temporarily moved the headquarters to Colorado. The selection of Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville followed an earlier 2021 Air Force determination that the location offered superior workforce capacity, infrastructure, and cost efficiency compared to competing sites in New Mexico, Nebraska, Colorado, Texas, and Florida. The relocation decision concluded a multi-year process that had alternated between administrations regarding the permanent location of Space Command's headquarters.

Ivey supported legislation that created a three-year exemption removing the 4% state sales tax from baby formula, diapers, wipes, bottles, breast pumps and pumping equipment, maternity clothing, and menstrual hygiene products, which took effect on September 1, 2025. The exemption was part of a broader package of tax cuts passed by the Alabama Legislature in 2025 with support from both the House and Senate. Combined with a reduction in the grocery sales tax from 3% to 2%, the tax changes resulted in approximately $135 million in additional annual tax relief.

Ivey signed a memorandum of understanding on behalf of Alabama to establish MAGNET, the Mississippi-Alabama-Georgia Network for Evolving Transportation, a tri-state economic development initiative headquartered at the University of Alabama. The partnership coordinates resources from three state universities, their governors, and Southern Company subsidiaries to support automotive and battery manufacturing infrastructure, workforce development, and innovation in the region. MAGNET is competing as one of 29 semifinalists in the National Science Foundation's Regional Innovation Engines competition for federal funding.

A federal judge ordered Alabama lawmakers to redraw the state Senate district map to include a new majority-Black district near Montgomery, ruling that the existing 2021 State Senate districting plan violated the Voting Rights Act by diluting Black voters' political influence. The court blocked use of the current map in the 2026 elections and required a new map to be implemented. Governor Ivey stated she was reviewing the decision and would consult with necessary parties regarding the required redistricting.

Governor Kay Ivey's administration, through the Alabama Department of Commerce, awarded a $2.7 million SEEDS grant to the Macon County Economic Development Authority to support acquisition and development of a 360-acre industrial site with rail access and proximity to Interstate 85 and Moton Field Airport. The state also provided nearly $1.3 million in funding through the Alabama Industrial Access Road & Bridge Corp. for highway improvements and an industrial entryway at REAL Park, a 700-acre master-planned industrial development at Exit 42 on I-85. These investments were designed to enhance industrial readiness in Macon County and support job creation in the region.

Ivey signed the Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students' Education Act of 2024 in March 2024, establishing a program that provides refundable income tax credits called education savings accounts to support eligible K-12 students in Alabama. The program launched for the 2025-26 school year and is set to expand to all students by 2027-28, with over 36,000 students applying in its first full cycle and more than $124 million in ESA funding distributed to date. Education savings accounts can be used to pay for tuition, fees, and other qualified education expenses at approved Education Service Providers throughout the state.

Ivey awarded a $100,000 grant to the Rainsville Police Department to upgrade its radio communications system to P25 digital standards. The grant, administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs using funds from the U.S. Department of Justice, will enable the department to communicate more quickly and seamlessly with other first responders in the area. P25 represents a standardized radio system widely used by emergency responders throughout Alabama that allows communication across different equipment manufacturers.

Governor Ivey appointed Bill Lewis to the Alabama Supreme Court in May 2025. Lewis was subsequently nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as a federal judge on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. Lewis must now undergo Senate confirmation before assuming the federal judgeship.

Governor Ivey filed a motion in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama to dismiss a lawsuit brought by former Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Kent Davis, who alleged that his removal from office violated his constitutional rights to free speech and due process. Ivey removed Davis from his position in October 2024, citing mismanagement of the department and mishandling of federal funds for veterans services. In her filing, Ivey argued that the Governor possesses the executive authority to remove appointed agency heads and that Davis's lawsuit lacked legal merit, characterizing it as a political dispute rather than a valid constitutional claim.

Governor Ivey signed legislation in 2023 that reduced Alabama's state sales tax on groceries from 4% to 3%, with a second phase reducing the rate further to 2% effective September 1, 2025. The bill passed the legislature unanimously and also removed restrictions preventing county and municipal governments from lowering their local grocery tax rates. The reduction continues Alabama's rollback of grocery taxation, though the state will remain one of the few in the nation that continues to levy a state-level tax on groceries after the change takes effect.

Governor Ivey issued a statement of support for legislation that would authorize capital punishment for anyone convicted of first-degree rape or sodomy involving a child under 12, stating she looked forward to fully supporting the bill pre-filed by State Rep. Matt Simpson and State Sen. April Weaver for the 2026 legislative session. The bill had previously passed the Alabama House with bipartisan support earlier in 2025 before stalling in the Senate. Ivey's statement came during a press conference in which state officials including Attorney General Steve Marshall aligned behind the renewed legislative effort following the discovery of a child sex trafficking ring in Bibb County.

Governor Ivey announced the allocation of more than $25.9 million in Growing Alabama funding to support economic development projects across 15 Alabama communities through the 2025 Growing Alabama program. The allocations, approved by the Renewal of Alabama Commission, were directed toward site preparation, infrastructure improvements, and industrial park development, with over 27 percent of the funds designated for Targeted Counties in rural areas. The program provides tax credits to eligible taxpayers who contribute to approved economic development organizations in exchange for funding that supports industrial site readiness and business expansion initiatives statewide.

Ivey posted on social media in July 2025 stating that Alabama is the appropriate location for Space Command Headquarters and that the state is prepared for an official announcement of the relocation to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. Ivey's statement followed meetings between other Alabama political leaders and Trump administration officials regarding the potential move of the headquarters from Colorado. The relocation would reverse a 2023 decision by the Biden administration to keep Space Command Headquarters in Colorado despite prior Air Force assessments favoring the Huntsville location.

Ivey signed HB445 into law, legislation that bans smokable hemp products and establishes regulations on other consumable hemp items including prohibitions on sales to those under 21, restrictions on online sales, requirements for independent lab testing and THC labeling, and licensing through the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. The law imposes a 10% excise tax for enforcement and establishes penalties including fines, felony charges for repeat violations, and possible license suspension. The smokable hemp ban took effect July 1, 2025, with full implementation scheduled for January 2026.

Ivey announced the distribution of $3.7 million in state funding to cities and counties for 12 road projects across Alabama on Friday. The grants represent the second round of funding distributed in 2025 under the Alabama Department of Transportation's Annual Grant Program, which was established by the Rebuild Alabama Act that Ivey signed in 2019. Since the Rebuild Alabama Act's passage, ALDOT's Annual Grant Program has awarded more than $66 million in state transportation funding for local projects.

Gov. Ivey responded to a request from State Rep. David Faulkner for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to release body camera footage from the Jabari Peoples shooting to the family. Ivey's response to the request was non-committal regarding the footage release. Ivey praised the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's handling of the matter.

Governor Ivey announced her selection of Hal Nash to serve as chair of the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles, choosing him from a list of five candidates nominated by a board consisting of the lieutenant governor, Speaker of the House, and President Pro Tempore of the Senate. Nash, a former chief corrections deputy with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office with more than three decades of law enforcement experience, was sworn in by Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles Director Cam Ward and began presiding over parole board meetings. The Board of Pardons and Paroles is a three-member entity of Alabama's legislative branch with sole legal authority to approve or deny parole applications.

Governor Ivey appointed attorney Bo Offord as commissioner of the Alabama Medicaid Agency on July 11, 2025. Offord, who served as assistant general counsel, deputy general counsel, and general counsel to the agency over approximately 15 years, replaced Stephanie McGee Azar in the role. Azar transitioned to become chief executive officer of the State Employees' Insurance Board of Directors.

Governor Ivey appointed Hal Nash, Chief Corrections Deputy of the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, to chair the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles, effective immediately. Nash, a law enforcement veteran with experience in multiple jurisdictions including the United States Marshal Service, was selected from a list of five qualified candidates nominated by the Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, and President Pro Tempore of the Senate, as required by Alabama law. Ivey stated that Nash's law enforcement background and commitment to public safety made him well-suited to lead the board, which was reformed in 2019 to prioritize public safety in pardon and parole decisions.

Governor Kay Ivey signed House Bill 479, sponsored by State Rep. Bryan Brinyark, which permanently removed Alabama from the Electronic Registration Information Center System (ERIC), a multistate voter registration database. The legislation was introduced after Secretary of State Wes Allen raised concerns about data security practices and the physical location of ERIC's operations. The bill ensures that Alabama cannot reenroll in the system.

Governor Ivey signed the Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act into law in 2022, which criminalized the prescription of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and gender-transition surgeries for patients under 19 years old. Alabama's Attorney General Steve Marshall defended the law in federal court litigation beginning in 2022, conducting discovery that examined medical records and practices of organizations providing gender-transition treatments to minors. The litigation resulted in the plaintiffs withdrawing their legal challenge to the law in May 2024.

Governor Ivey signed House Bill 445 in May, legislation that regulates the sale of hemp-derived products containing delta-8 and delta-10 THC by implementing restrictions on smokeable hemp products, establishing age limits of 21 and older, requiring retailer licensing through the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, and imposing a 10% excise tax on retail sales. The law took effect on July 1, 2025, following a Montgomery County Circuit Court judge's denial of a request to delay implementation. The legislation also limits individual servings to 10 milligrams of THC, restricts packages to four individually wrapped items, and mandates independent product testing and labeling requirements by January 1, 2026.

Governor Ivey signed House Bill 366, the Lakyn Canine Act, into law in May 2025, which authorizes emergency medical services personnel to provide care and transport to police K9s injured in the line of duty without legal liability. The legislation, sponsored by State Representative Rick Rehm, permits EMS to transport injured police dogs by ambulance or helicopter to veterinary facilities for emergency treatment. The law applies statewide immediately and removes previous legal obstacles that prevented first responders from rendering aid to police K9s in critical situations.

Governor Kay Ivey designated a 30-hour execution window beginning at 12:00 a.m. on June 10, 2025, for death row inmate Gregory Hunt, who was convicted in 1990 of the 1988 capital murder of Karen Lane in Walker County. Hunt was executed by nitrogen hypoxia on the evening of June 10 at William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, marking Alabama's second nitrogen gas execution in 2025. The execution proceeded after the Alabama Attorney General's office rejected Hunt's final appeal, which had sought a stay based on claims that prosecutors misrepresented evidence during trial.

Ivey signed Lulu's Law in May 2025, legislation that establishes shark alert systems in Mobile and Baldwin Counties in Alabama. The law creates a notification system using FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System to send alerts to wireless devices in coastal areas when unprovoked shark attacks occur. The alerts are set to become operational by summer 2026, with the law taking full effect on October 1, 2025.

Governor Ivey invited the public to participate in Alabama's Free Fishing Day on June 7, 2025, an event that waives fishing license requirements for residents and non-residents on most public waters throughout the state. The exemption covers freshwater and saltwater fishing areas, with the exception of state public fishing lakes, which still require permits, and private ponds, which require owner permission. The event coincides with National Fishing and Boating Week and occurs during Alabama's red snapper season, when saltwater anglers are also exempted from licensing requirements.

Governor Kay Ivey appointed State Representative Cynthia Lee Almond to serve as President of the Alabama Public Service Commission on June 6, 2025, filling the vacancy left by Twinkle Cavanaugh's departure to join the Trump administration. Almond, an attorney and Republican lawmaker representing House District 63 since 2021, was scheduled to be sworn in on June 16 and planned to resign her legislative seat the day before. The Public Service Commission regulates utilities across Alabama, including electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications, with the president leading the three-member commission that sets energy and infrastructure policy for the state.

Governor Ivey signed Senate Bill 63, which requires local law enforcement agencies to collect fingerprints and DNA samples from undocumented immigrants in their custody before release, with samples submitted to the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency and Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for entry into state databases. The law took effect in June 2025 and applies statewide to individuals who come into contact with the legal system based on immigration status. Enforcement is funded through new court fees, and the measure was sponsored by Senator Lance Bell with bipartisan legislative support.

Ivey signed the Speedy Trial Act in May 2025, legislation that authorizes Alabama's chief justice to assign sitting or retired judges to criminal cases involving violent offenses upon request from the state attorney general or a district attorney. The law went into effect on June 1, 2025, and was first invoked in the capital murder case of Ibraheem Yazeed, accused in the 2019 death of Aniah Blanchard. The statute was designed to prevent prolonged delays in serious criminal proceedings by supplementing judicial capacity in the state court system.

Governor Ivey signed the Speedy Trial Act into law in May 2025, legislation designed to expedite backlogged criminal cases and complex cases that burden judges' dockets. Under the new law, Alabama Chief Justice Sarah Stewart entered the first expedite order for the capital murder trial of Ibraheem Yazeed, who is accused of kidnapping and killing Aniah Blanchard in 2019. The chief justice appointed retired Circuit Judge Tom Young, Jr. to preside over the case and set a special trial date outside the circuit's regularly scheduled trial weeks.

Governor Ivey signed SB330, which dissolved the previous Birmingham Water Works Board and led to the creation of a newly appointed regional board. At its June 2 meeting, the new board voted to rescind the contract of Deputy General Manager and General Counsel Mark Parnell, whose agreement had been approved by the prior board one day before its dissolution under the terms of Ivey's legislation. The board subsequently appointed interim leadership, hired outside law firms to serve as general counsel, and authorized financial and forensic audits of the utility.

Ivey signed legislation sponsored by State Representative Paul Lee that eliminated a 100-hour annual volunteer service requirement for retired physicians participating in Alabama's Retired Senior Volunteer Program at free clinics. The previous requirement had prevented many retired doctors from volunteering due to time constraints despite their willingness to contribute. The change allows retired physicians to volunteer at free clinics serving uninsured and low-income residents without the mandatory hour commitment.

Twinkle Cavanaugh, President of the Alabama Public Service Commission since 2012, was appointed by the Trump administration as Alabama's State Director for Rural Development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with the appointment announced by USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins on May 27, 2025. Cavanaugh will step down from the Public Service Commission effective June 1 to assume her new position overseeing rural development initiatives focused on economic prosperity and infrastructure in rural Alabama communities. Governor Kay Ivey is expected to appoint Cavanaugh's replacement as Public Service Commission President.

Governor Ivey advocated for anti-crime legislation in her State of the State address at the beginning of the 2025 legislative session, making crime reduction in Birmingham and Montgomery a priority. The Republican legislature advanced a package of bills including legislation to appropriate additional funds for the Alabama Metro Crime Suppression Unit, criminalize glock switch gun possession as a Class C felony, and enact the Back the Blue Protection Act to shield law enforcement officers from certain lawsuits. These measures were designed to address violent crime in the state's metropolitan areas.

Ivey signed legislation during the 2025 Alabama legislative session that included a statewide ban on Glock switches as a Class C felony, the Back the Blue Legal Protections Act providing legal support and scholarships for law enforcement officers, and the "Second Chance" bill allowing nonviolent offenders to seek review of habitual-offender sentences. She also signed measures addressing education, veterans' services, family values policies including the "What is a Woman" Act and paid parental leave for teachers and state employees, as well as laws on tax relief, immigration enforcement, election security, and coastal safety. Ivey concluded the 2025 Regular Session by signing the final bills on her desk, marking completion of legislative action on priorities she outlined in her February State of the State address.

Ivey signed SB43, legislation sponsored by State Senator Tim Melson that prohibits "gag clauses" in contracts between physicians and health insurers or healthcare facilities, effective October 1, 2025. The law renders legally unenforceable any contract provision that restricts physicians from discussing medical costs, treatment effectiveness, or alternative treatments with patients. The Medical Association of the State of Alabama stated the legislation preserves transparency in healthcare by ensuring physicians can communicate openly with patients without fear of penalty.

On May 21, 2025, Governor Ivey appointed Judge Benjamin M. Bowden to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals, effective immediately, replacing Judge Bill Lewis who had been appointed to the Alabama Supreme Court. Bowden has served as circuit judge of the 22nd Judicial Circuit in Covington County since 2016 and previously served as the county's probate judge from 2008 to 2016. The appointment term will expire in January 2027, and Bowden will be required to run for a full six-year term in the November 2026 general election.

Governor Ivey attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Heman Drummond Center of Innovation in Jasper, Alabama, a $80 million workforce development facility designed to serve approximately 2,100 high school students beginning in fall 2026. The center will offer hands-on training in high-demand fields including cybersecurity, robotics, healthcare, automotive, and construction, along with industry certifications and apprenticeship opportunities. Ivey's administration provided financial support for the project, which is being developed by the Walker Area Community Foundation and will eventually transfer to the Walker County School System.

Little joined 20 Republican governors in sending a letter to President Donald Trump expressing support for Trump's tax and spending bill that was pending consideration in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill under consideration included provisions that would reduce federal spending on Medicaid and food assistance programs. Little's signature on the letter indicated alignment with the governors' collective position regarding the proposed legislation.

Ivey signed legislation banning and regulating certain sales of hemp products within Alabama. The bill encountered significant opposition from both those who sought stricter regulations and those who sought fewer restrictions on hemp product sales. According to State Senator Sam Givhan, the legislation represented a reasonable regulatory step despite not satisfying either side of the debate.

Governor Ivey signed House Bill 202, known as the "Back the Blue Act," into law on May 15, 2025, as part of the "Safe Alabama" public safety package. HB202 strengthens legal protections for law enforcement officers when exercising force in the field. Ivey also signed House Bill 199, the Juvenile Accountability and Monitoring Act, which enhances pretrial detention and electronic monitoring options for juveniles involved in criminal cases.

Ivey signed a proclamation designating Municipal Government Week in Alabama in conjunction with the Alabama League of Municipalities' 90th anniversary celebration. The proclamation emphasized the critical role local governments play in quality of life and encouraged Alabamians to be involved in their local municipal government. Ivey stated that good government at every level is important, but especially on the local level.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced her intention to sign House Bill 202, legislation approved by the Alabama Legislature that establishes legal standards for police use of force and creates an immunity hearing process in both criminal and civil cases. The bill permits officers to use physical force provided it does not constitute constitutionally excessive force or recklessly exceed their discretionary authority, and requires law enforcement departments to collect data on use of force complaints. Ivey stated on social media that "There is NO question Alabama backs the blue" following the bill's passage by the Alabama Senate on a 25-6 vote.

On May 14, 2025, Governor Ivey signed the "Powering Growth" legislation into law, a multi-bill energy infrastructure package that establishes the Alabama Energy Infrastructure Bank and streamlines permitting processes for energy projects across the state. The law allocates funding to make industrial sites "power ready" and provides flexible financing tools designed to attract job-creating industries by reducing regulatory delays and improving access to energy infrastructure. The legislation addresses long-term energy supply chain challenges and aims to enhance Alabama's competitiveness in industrial recruitment without raising taxes.

Ivey signed legislation legalizing and regulating the sale of certain THC-products in Alabama. The bill received support from a coalition including business owners, cannabis advocates, and the Alabama Policy Institute. The measure established a regulatory framework for the specified cannabis products in the state.

On May 14, 2025, Governor Ivey signed HB445 into law, establishing comprehensive regulations on hemp-derived THC products in Alabama, including delta-8 and delta-10 compounds. The law bans smokable hemp products entirely, requires independent laboratory testing and THC content labeling beginning January 1, 2026, restricts sales to individuals 21 and older, prohibits online sales and direct shipments, and mandates retailer licensing through the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. The legislation imposes a 10 percent excise tax on retail sales, authorizes penalties including fines up to $10,000 and felony charges for repeat violations, and takes effect July 1, 2025.

House Bill 445, passed by the Alabama Legislature in early May 2025, awaits a decision from Governor Ivey regarding hemp-derived product regulations in the state. The bill would ban smokable hemp products, limit THC in edibles to 10mg per serving, prohibit online sales, impose a 10% excise tax, require a $1,000 annual retailer license, and establish criminal penalties of up to 10 years for non-compliance, with enforcement to begin January 1, 2026. Ivey may sign the legislation, veto it, or allow it to become law without her signature.

Ivey signed legislation to legalize medical cannabis in Alabama more than four years before the events described in this article. The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, established to implement the program, has faced ongoing legal disputes regarding its licensing process. A federal lawsuit was filed in May 2025 against AMCC commissioners by Alabama Always, LLC, an applicant alleging constitutional violations related to the licensing decisions.

Governor Ivey signed the FOCUS Act into law on May 14, 2025, requiring all Alabama public school systems to ban cell phones from students during school hours, with exceptions for educational purposes, emergencies, and students with medical needs such as diabetes monitoring. The law mandates that students turn off their phones and store them away from their person during the school day, with individual schools determining storage methods. The FOCUS Act also requires the Alabama State Department of Education to provide social media safety training to all students before eighth grade.

Ivey included House Bill 202 as part of her anti-crime package, which seeks to enhance legal protections for law enforcement officers and remained a key priority during the final day of the 2025 regular legislative session. The bill faced opposition in the Senate, with Democratic lawmakers indicating plans to propose amendments. Ivey also prioritized House Bill 188, a proposal to create a scholarship program for law enforcement officers and their families, which awaited a final Senate vote.

Ivey signed HB386, legislation that further reduces Alabama's state sales tax on groceries. The bill was signed in Montgomery on May 13, 2025, following Ivey's announcement of her intention to sign it during a stop on her Rebuild Alabama Road Tour in Limestone County. HB386 continues a bipartisan legislative effort to gradually phase out the state's sales tax on food items.

Governor Ivey appointed Thomas C. Hudson, Jr. to a reformed regional water works board established by the newly enacted SB330, which replaced the Birmingham Water Works following action by state lawmakers in the 2025 legislative session. Ivey's appointment completed the full slate of board positions required by the legislation, joining appointees previously named by the Lieutenant Governor, Jefferson County Commission, Shelby County Commission, Blount County Commission, Birmingham Mayor, and Birmingham City Council. Hudson was selected based on his general business background and experience in private, public, and nonprofit business affairs.

Governor Ivey signed House Bill 307 on Tuesday, establishing the Speedy Trial Act in Alabama. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Will Barfoot and Representative Jim Hill, expedites trials for violent criminal cases and reduces court backlogs. Attorney General Steve Marshall and Chief Justice Sarah Stewart joined Ivey in her office for the signing.

A bill regulating vaping products, including age restrictions and sales location limitations, was pending on Ivey's desk as of May 2025. The legislation faced intense lobbying efforts from various interests. No action by Ivey on the bill had been taken at the time of reporting.

Governor Ivey signed SB330 into law on May 7, 2025, which restructured the Birmingham Water Works Board from a nine-member board with six appointees controlled by Birmingham officials to a seven-member regional board with appointments distributed among state and local authorities including the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Jefferson County Commission, Birmingham Mayor and City Council, and governing bodies of Blount and Shelby counties. The new law requires appointees to possess specific professional qualifications in areas such as financial expertise, engineering proficiency, and experience managing complex business operations comparable to water or sewer systems. Following the enactment, Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth and Jefferson County Commission President Jimmie Stephens announced their initial board appointments within 24 hours, with all appointments required to be completed within 20 days of the law's enactment.

The Alabama Senate voted 30-2 on a bill to prohibit K-12 public school students from using cellphones during the school day, requiring devices to be turned off and stored in lockers, cars, or similar locations during instructional hours. Governor Kay Ivey had previously urged lawmakers to pass the cellphone ban during her State of the State address earlier in the year. The bill now awaits Ivey's signature and will require all school systems in the state to implement the restriction, though schools retain discretion over storage methods.

Governor Ivey presented the 2025 Governor's Trade Excellence Awards to five Alabama companies at a ceremony at the State Capitol to recognize their international business achievements. The honorees were Central Steel Service, SEA Wire and Cable, Silver Ships, Special Shapes Refractory Co., and System Studies & Simulation Inc., each of which conducts substantial export operations across multiple countries. Ivey also proclaimed May as "World Trade Month" in Alabama and acknowledged Mercedes-Benz U.S. International for its export activity.

Governor Ivey is expected to sign HB 166, known as the FOCUS Act, which implements a statewide ban on cell phone possession and use during instructional hours in Alabama public schools beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year. The legislation, sponsored by State Rep. Leigh Hulsey and State Sen. Shay Shelnutt, requires each school system to adopt policies consistent with the ban by July 1, 2025, while permitting exceptions for students with medical needs or individualized education plans. Ivey previously endorsed the measure during her State of the State address.

The Alabama Legislature passed House Bill 152, which exempts baby and menstrual hygiene products from the state's 4% sales and use tax beginning September 1, 2025. The bill, sponsored by State Rep. Neil Rafferty and carried in the Senate by State Sen. Arthur Orr, received unanimous passage in both chambers and applies to items including diapers, baby wipes, formula, breast pumps, maternity clothing, tampons, pads, and menstrual cups, with the exemption set to expire on August 31, 2028. The measure now awaits Governor Ivey's signature.

Ivey signed House Bill 437, known as "Lulu's Law," on May 7, 2025, establishing a shark alert system for Alabama's Gulf Coast beaches in Baldwin and Mobile counties. The legislation authorizes the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to implement the alert system, which enables Emergency Management Agencies in those counties to send targeted notifications to mobile devices and first responders upon shark sightings or attacks. The law was named after Birmingham teenager Lulu Gribben, who was present at the bill signing ceremony alongside the legislation's sponsors, Representatives David Faulkner and Senator Dan Roberts.

Ivey signed Senate Bills 118 and 119, legislation addressing public safety and criminal penalties in Alabama. Senate Bill 118 expanded Aniah's Law by adding solicitation, attempt, or conspiracy to commit murder, and discharging a firearm into occupied structures to the list of crimes for which judges may deny bail pending trial approval by voters in the 2026 primary election. Senate Bill 119 elevated the offense of discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling, building, vehicle, or watercraft from a Class B felony to a Class A felony and prohibited persons charged with certain felonies from possessing firearms while awaiting trial.

Ivey signed HB 477, legislation authorizing the Alabama Farmers Federation to offer Alfa Health Plans as a health coverage option for its members. The bill was sponsored by Senator Arthur Orr and Representative David Faulkner. Ivey stated the legislation creates a health coverage option intended to help farmers address healthcare costs.

House Bill 346, sponsored by State Rep. Paul Lee, eliminates the requirement that retired physicians log a minimum of 100 hours of service per year to volunteer at free health clinics and other approved facilities. The bill reached Governor Ivey's desk for final approval in May 2025. The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners publicly stated the legislation would expand patient access to healthcare by removing regulatory barriers that discourage retired physicians from volunteering.

Governor Ivey received HB307, the Speedy Trial Act, passed by the Alabama Legislature, which allows district attorneys and the Attorney General to request temporary judicial appointments for backlogged violent crime cases. The legislation establishes the Speedy Trial Fund to provide financial resources for special judges, court reporters, and juries to remove barriers causing trial delays. The bill was sponsored by State Rep. Jim Hill and State Sen. Will Barfoot and received backing from Attorney General Steve Marshall's office.

Ivey signed House Bill 1593 on May 6, 2025, which renamed the Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center Commission. The legislation updated the original statute governing the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, which had been in effect since 1965, modernizing procedures and protocols including how artifacts are classified and managed. The changes also provided greater operational flexibility for the Space & Rocket Center's board of directors.

Ivey signed legislation creating the Alabama Development Fund, a new economic development initiative designed to provide sustainable, long-term funding for Alabama's economic growth efforts. The fund will generate revenue by retaining a portion of sales and property taxes abated in qualified economic development projects, becoming effective on June 1, 2026. The legislation passed both the Alabama House of Representatives and Senate with broad-based support and was sponsored by State Senator April Weaver and State Representative Andy Whitt.

The Alabama House of Representatives passed the Powering Growth package, a three-bill initiative designed to modernize the state's energy infrastructure and accelerate industrial development. The legislation includes SB304, which creates the Alabama Energy Infrastructure Bank to finance projects such as substations and power lines, and was carried by State Senator Arthur Orr and State Representative James Lomax. The bill now proceeds to Governor Ivey's desk for signature.

Ivey expressed support for SB118 and SB119, a pair of bills passed by the Alabama House of Representatives that propose expanding the offenses for which judges may deny bail and establishing new firearm restrictions for violent offenders. SB118, a constitutional amendment, would allow judges to hold without bail individuals charged with crimes including attempted murder, first-degree kidnapping, rape, human trafficking, and aggravated child abuse, subject to voter ratification in the 2026 primary election. SB119, the companion bill, increases penalties for discharging a firearm into an occupied structure to a Class A felony, establishes a new Class C felony for firearm possession while released on bond for violent charges, and expands the category of individuals prohibited from possessing firearms.

Governor Ivey announced the distribution of more than $7.6 million in state funding to cities and counties for 26 road and bridge projects across Alabama through the Annual Grant Program established by the Rebuild Alabama Act, which Ivey signed in 2019. The grants represent the first round of funding made available in 2025 under the program, which requires the Alabama Department of Transportation to set aside a minimum of $10 million annually from the state's share of gas tax revenue for local infrastructure projects. Local governments contributed more than $5.6 million in matching funds, and all awarded projects are required to commence within one year of funding.

Governor Ivey signed a proclamation officially declaring April as Community College Month in Alabama, recognizing the Alabama Community College System's role in the state's economic growth and workforce development. The proclamation noted that Alabama's 24 community and technical colleges serve over 140,000 individuals annually and generate more than $8.1 billion for the state's economy while supporting one of every 26 jobs. According to the proclamation, 96% of community college students in Alabama are state residents, and 70% of graduates remain in Alabama to work and invest in their communities.

House Bill 477, sponsored by State Rep. David Faulkner, passed the Alabama Senate Banking and Insurance Committee on a 12-2-1 vote and is awaiting consideration by the full Senate before moving to Governor Ivey's desk for final approval. The bill would allow the Alabama Farmers Federation to offer farm bureau health plans to its members without enforcement oversight by the Alabama Department of Insurance. If the Senate passes the legislation without amendments, Ivey will receive the bill for signature or veto.

Governor Ivey signed a proclamation declaring April as Community College Month in Alabama, recognizing the role of the state's 24 public community and technical colleges in education and workforce development. According to the proclamation, Alabama's community colleges generate over $8.1 billion annually for the state's economy and support approximately 1 out of every 26 jobs in the state. The proclamation acknowledged that 96 percent of community college students in Alabama are state residents, with 70 percent of graduates remaining in the state after completion.

The Alabama House of Representatives passed a $12.1 billion Education Trust Fund budget for Fiscal Year 2026, which includes $180 million in total funding for the CHOOSE Act school choice program and $58 million for the RAISE Act, a student-weighted funding model that allocates resources based on individual student needs rather than headcount. The budget also allocated $27 million for the Numeracy Act to support math instruction improvements, $14.4 million for afterschool and summer programs, and $25.2 million combined for educator benefits including paid parental leave and workers' compensation enhancements. The legislation was sent to the Senate for concurrence and will proceed to Governor Ivey's desk upon Senate approval.

Ivey signaled her intent to sign HB437, known as "Lulu's Law," which would establish a shark alert system for Alabama beaches modeled after the Amber Alert system. The legislation would authorize emergency management officials to send alerts to cell phones when a shark attack is confirmed in nearby waters. The bill passed the Alabama House of Representatives and was expected to advance to the Senate for consideration.

Governor Ivey appointed Board of Pardons and Paroles chair Leigh Gwathney in 2019. The Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee approved SB324, legislation that would restructure the Board of Pardons and Paroles by expanding membership from three to five members, requiring Senate confirmation of all board appointments, and transferring chairperson selection authority from the governor to the board itself. Ivey stated that public safety remains her top priority and indicated she will review all legislation reaching her desk with that consideration in mind.

Ivey honored winners of the 2025 Governor's App Challenge during a luncheon ceremony at the Alabama Computer Science Summit held in Montgomery on April 15, 2025. The summit brought together students and educators to showcase computer science education initiatives across the state, with participation in computer science courses having tripled over the preceding five years. Alabama has established a requirement that all high school students complete a computer science course to graduate beginning in 2032.

Governor Ivey signed Senate Bill 252, the Community Pharmacy Relief Act, into law on Tuesday. The legislation establishes new regulations on pharmacy benefit managers to address reimbursement practices that have contributed to the closure of independent pharmacies across Alabama. The bill passed unanimously in the Legislature on April 8 and aims to ensure fair reimbursements and increase transparency in how pharmacy benefit managers determine compensation to pharmacies.

Governor Ivey appointed Reed as Secretary of the newly-created Alabama Department of Workforce earlier in 2025, a position Reed transitioned into after spending 14 years in the Alabama State Senate. Reed has prioritized restructuring the agency, which consolidates functions from the Department of Commerce and Department of Labor, while establishing divisions with clearer responsibilities and leadership. Reed's stated mission includes promoting workforce development strategies statewide, supporting regional apprenticeship initiatives and career pathways, and addressing structural employment barriers including childcare, housing, healthcare, and transportation.

Ivey signed Senate Joint Resolution 63, a joint resolution urging the Trump administration to establish the United States Space Command headquarters permanently at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. The resolution noted that Redstone Arsenal was designated as the preferred location by the United States Air Force in 2021 and ranked highest among candidate sites across workforce, infrastructure, educational quality, and cost factors, with findings affirmed by both the Department of Defense Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office. The resolution called on President Trump, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of the Air Force to proceed immediately with establishing the headquarters in Huntsville.

Gov. Ivey awarded nearly $297,000 in grants from U.S. Department of Justice funds administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to seven law enforcement agencies across north Alabama to purchase equipment and improve public safety infrastructure. The Sylvania Police Department received $41,095 to purchase firearms, bulletproof vests, and radios. The grants were distributed among municipalities and one county sheriff's office to enable the purchase of communications systems, weapons, protective equipment, and technology infrastructure deemed necessary by individual departments.

Governor Ivey announced 29 appointments across Alabama, including judicial and law enforcement positions. Among the appointments, Ivey named Matthew McCullars as District Judge for the 7th Judicial Circuit in Calhoun County, Falon Hurst as Sheriff of Calhoun County, Tiffany McCord as Circuit Judge for the 15th Judicial Circuit in Montgomery County, and Roy Fikes as Sheriff of Perry County. The appointees replaced retiring judges and sheriffs across the state.

Ivey signed legislation in 2024 requiring pornographic websites to verify users are at least 18 years old through valid photo identification before granting access to Alabama residents. Ivey signed the Alabama Child Protection Act in 2024, which made computer-generated child pornography illegal in the state. Ivey signed the What is a Woman Act in February 2025, which codified biological sex-based definitions of terms including "man," "woman," "male," and "female" into state law.

Governor Ivey expressed support for HB 437, legislation that would establish a geofenced wireless alert system to notify residents and tourists of unprovoked shark attacks or credible shark threats near beaches in Mobile and Baldwin counties. The bill, sponsored by State Rep. David Faulkner and named in honor of shark attack survivor Lulu Gribbin, directs the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to implement the alert system, with activation authorized by trained emergency professionals and an implementation date of October 1, 2025. Ivey stated her intention to sign the bill into law once it reaches her desk.

The Alabama House of Representatives voted 102-0 to pass legislation requiring pharmacy benefit managers to reimburse independent pharmacists at a minimum rate equal to the state Medicaid reimbursement rate for prescription drugs. The bill was sent to Governor Ivey for consideration following final approval by the legislature. The measure responds to the closure of dozens of independent pharmacies across Alabama, particularly in rural areas, which pharmacy operators attributed to reimbursement rates that fall below their dispensing costs.

Governor Ivey issued a statement on April 9, 2025, expressing confidence that the U.S. Space Command headquarters would be located in Huntsville, Alabama. Ivey credited Alabama's congressional delegation, including Congressman Mike Rogers, Senators Tuberville and Britt, with working to ensure fairness in the selection process. The statement followed Rogers's announcement that a final decision on the Space Command headquarters location was expected in April 2025.

The Alabama Legislature passed SB252, pharmacy reform legislation designed to regulate pharmacy benefit managers by prohibiting reimbursement rates below Alabama Medicaid levels, restricting steering practices that favor affiliated pharmacies, and prohibiting retroactive fees and spread pricing. The bill also requires manufacturer rebates to be passed entirely to health plans or used to offset patient costs unless otherwise negotiated, with an amendment allowing private businesses flexibility in how they receive rebates. The legislation now awaits Ivey's signature, with reimbursement provisions scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Gov. Ivey's team revised a press release to remove Dr. Will Ferniany from a list of appointees to the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences Board after Ferniany published a column comparing Trump's administration to Nazi Germany. The original document naming Ferniany among eight appointees remained unchanged for 231 days before the unacknowledged edit was made following the controversy. The revision occurred without public notification of the change to the official record.

Ivey's office announced the allocation of more than $1.5 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Justice to six Alabama statewide programs addressing domestic violence and human trafficking. The funds were distributed to organizations including the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts, the Office of Prosecution Services, the Alabama Coalition Against Rape Inc., Camille Place, and the Covenant Rescue Group for purposes such as equipment acquisition, training of law enforcement and judicial officials, victim services, and investigation support. Ivey stated that the grants would assist criminal justice agencies in investigating and prosecuting related crimes while providing support services to victims.

Ivey reported that Alabama's CHOOSE Act, signed into law in March 2024, received 22,167 applications representing 36,873 students during its inaugural application window. The program provides $7,000 education savings accounts annually for eligible families to direct toward private or public school tuition, with $2,000 accounts available for homeschooled students. Applications came from all 67 Alabama counties across diverse student populations, including 4,910 special needs students and 124 active-duty military families.

Ivey welcomed the Alabama Department of Corrections' largest graduating class of correctional officers on record at the Governor's Mansion, recognizing 144 officers who completed 10 weeks of training. The graduates were certified to serve in correctional facilities across Alabama as part of efforts to enhance facility safety and security. Ivey's attendance at the graduation ceremony marked recognition of the department's recruitment and training initiatives alongside ongoing construction of the Governor Kay Ivey Correctional Complex in Elmore County, scheduled for completion in 2026.

Ivey publicly supported HB 166, the Freeing Our Classrooms of Unnecessary Screens for Safety (FOCUS) Act, which prohibits the use of wireless communication devices in K-12 classrooms across Alabama and requires local boards of education to develop policies regarding device restrictions by July 1, 2025. The bill passed the Alabama House of Representatives with a 79-15 vote on Thursday and advanced to the Senate for final passage, with Ivey praising the House passage on social media. The legislation includes exceptions for health needs and emergencies and is scheduled to take effect at the start of the 2025-2026 school year if enacted.

Governor Ivey supported legislation passed by the Alabama House that prohibits K-12 students from using cellphones, tablets, and laptops during school hours beginning in the 2026-27 school year. The bill requires devices to be turned off and stored away while mandating the State Department of Education to train students on social media risks. The law includes exemptions for medical needs, emergencies, and supervised educational use.

Governor Ivey signed the Alabama Public Employee Paid Parental Leave Act of 2025 into law on April 3, 2025. The law provides eight weeks of paid parental leave for female public employees and adoptive parents in connection with birth, stillbirth, miscarriage, or adoption of a child aged three or younger, and two weeks for male employees in the same circumstances, with a requirement that employees return to work for at least eight weeks following their leave. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2025, and applies to teachers and state workers across Alabama.

Ivey proposed a $3.7 million Alabama General Fund Budget that included cuts to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute ($100,000) and the Magic City Classic ($200,000). The House Ways and Means General Fund Committee endorsed Ivey's budget stripping these funds. Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Rodger Smitherman, secured assurances from Republican budget chairmen for a review of the proposed cuts.

Governor Ivey issued a memorandum directing the Secretary of Information Technology to ban the artificial intelligence platforms DeepSeek and Manus from Alabama's state IT networks and devices, citing their affiliation with the Chinese government and data-collection capabilities as unacceptable risks to state cybersecurity and citizen data privacy. The action followed recommendations from the Governor's Generative AI Task Force and established a framework for identifying and blocking additional harmful software while protecting state IT infrastructure from nations designated by the Alabama Legislature as foreign countries of concern, including China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. Ivey directed all state executive-branch agencies to immediately implement the policies and emphasized the importance of safeguarding Alabama's IT infrastructure, which houses sensitive citizen data and supports critical government functions including schools, public safety, and emergency response.

Ivey issued a prohibition on the use of DeepSeek and Manus AI platforms on Alabama state government devices and networks following a memo that identified unacceptable risks to data privacy and cybersecurity linked to the Chinese government. The ban was supported by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, who characterized DeepSeek as a serious national security threat. The action aligned with similar restrictions implemented by other states including Tennessee and federal entities such as the U.S. Commerce Department.

Ivey signed Senate Bill 115, the Officer Impersonation Prevention Act, into law on March 21, 2025, as part of her Safe Alabama public safety initiative. The law expands the existing Class C felony statute for police impersonation to also criminalize knowingly accepting a law enforcement position while ineligible under state law or with a suspended or revoked certification from the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission. The measure takes effect on October 1, 2025.

Governor Ivey is expected to sign Senate Bill 199, the Alabama Public Employee Paid Parental Leave Act of 2025, which passed the House on March 20 with a vote of 94-2. Beginning July 1, 2025, the legislation provides eligible full-time state employees and public school educators with up to eight weeks of paid parental leave for female employees and two weeks for male employees following birth, stillbirth, miscarriage, or adoption of a child aged three or younger, compensated at 100% of base salary. The policy applies to state government employees, local education agency staff, and Alabama Community College System employees who have worked at least 12 consecutive months prior to a qualifying event.

Governor Ivey announced the release of the "2024 New & Expanding Industry Announcements Report," which documented $7 billion in new capital investment across 224 projects in Alabama during 2024, generating over 8,500 career opportunities. The report highlighted major expansions including Novelis's additional $1.6 billion investment in its Baldwin County aluminum mill, Meta Platforms's $800 million data center project in Montgomery, and Coca-Cola Bottling UNITED's $330 million investment in a Birmingham headquarters and facility. Ivey noted that rural counties attracted $1.2 billion in investment in 2024, creating nearly 1,700 jobs, with projects including Republic Airways' LIFT Academy establishing a flight training center at Moton Field in Macon County.

Ivey awarded a $225,000 Community Development Block Grant to the town of Ider to fund infrastructure improvements including a sewer line extension. The grant will enable Steel Plus, a fabricated steel processing company, to expand its facility and create 80 jobs, while also supporting Howard's restaurant in meeting its current operational needs and capacity for future expansion. The project involves installing approximately 5,300 feet of sewer line from the town's wastewater treatment plant to serve the two businesses and potentially additional customers in the future.

Ivey signed legislation on March 21, 2025, that makes possession or sale of Glock switches and other gun conversion devices a Class C felony punishable by up to ten years in prison in Alabama. The law took immediate effect and was designed to give state law enforcement the ability to prosecute individuals who possess or sell these devices, which convert semi-automatic firearms to fire automatically. The legislation followed a series of shootings in Alabama involving these conversion devices and was supported by a bipartisan coalition in the state legislature and the Big 10 Mayors organization.

Governor Ivey signed Senate Bill 116 into law, which makes possession of a trigger activator device, commonly known as a Glock switch, a felony offense under Alabama state law. The legislation was part of the "Safer Alabama" package announced in February in coordination with the state's ten largest city mayors and legislative leadership. Trigger activators convert semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic weapons and have been involved in multiple high-casualty shooting incidents across the state.

Governor Ivey signed legislation banning "Glock switches," devices that convert handguns into automatic weapons, despite such devices already being prohibited under federal law. The bill was originally introduced with a "red flag law" provision that would have expanded law enforcement authority to seize firearms from individuals, but that provision was removed by State Senator Will Barfoot before passage. According to supporters, the measure was intended to assist Alabama law enforcement in addressing rising gang-related crime in urban areas.

Alabama lawmakers approved legislation banning Glock switches and other conversion devices that convert semi-automatic weapons into machine guns, with the Alabama Senate voting 24-2 to accept House changes to the bill. The measure, sponsored by state Sen. Will Barfoot, would make possessing or selling such devices a Class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and would take effect immediately upon signature. Gov. Ivey is expected to sign the legislation, which she previously called for in her State of the State address.

The Alabama House unanimously passed legislation reducing the state sales tax on food from 3% to 2%, effective September 1, pending Senate approval and Governor Ivey's signature. This reduction follows a 2023 decrease from 4% to 3% and is part of a broader $192 million tax relief package that also includes retirement income exemptions and increased standard deductions. House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter characterized the measure as the state's largest tax cut, estimating it would save families at least $236 annually.

Governor Ivey signed Senate Bill 116 on Wednesday, legislation that makes possession of Glock switches a Class C felony in Alabama, effective immediately. The bill, which was reintroduced to the State Senate by Sen. Will Barfoot with Rep. Phillip Ensler as co-sponsor, establishes state-level penalties of up to 10 years in prison for possession of the devices, which convert standard handguns into fully automatic weapons. Ivey stated the legislation was needed to empower Alabama law enforcement to remove these devices from the state, complementing existing federal prohibitions on the conversion devices.

Governor Ivey signed SB67 into law, restructuring the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs by shifting the commissioner position from oversight by the State Board of Veterans Affairs to direct appointment and supervision by the governor, making it a cabinet-level role. The law also expanded the governor's authority to appoint State Board of Veterans Affairs members, with veteran service organizations given 60 days to submit nominees or allowing the governor to fill vacancies. Ivey appointed Brigadier General (Ret.) Jeffrey Newton as the new ADVA commissioner, who previously served as interim commissioner and brings 41 years of military service experience.

Ivey met with representatives of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation on Tuesday to discuss the effects of President Trump's tariffs on Alabama's automotive manufacturing sector. The discussion addressed potential impacts on vehicle production, pricing, and investments in the state, which hosts major manufacturing facilities operated by Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Hyundai, and Toyota-Mazda. Ivey stated she would continue working with automakers and federal officials to assess the tariffs' impact on Alabama's economy and workforce.

Governor Ivey stated support for reductions in the size of the U.S. Department of Education following a temporary shutdown of the federal G5 funding portal that prevented Alabama from accessing approximately $9 million in education reimbursements. Ivey expressed confidence in state and local education boards to manage education funding without federal oversight, stating "I'm going to trust President Trump on this one." The portal outage coincided with the Trump administration's announcement of layoffs affecting more than half of the Department of Education's workforce.

Ivey issued a state of emergency declaration for all 67 counties in Alabama on March 14, 2025, in advance of predicted severe weather expected later that day and Saturday. The declaration took effect at 2 p.m. Central Time and will remain in effect for the duration of the emergency, with Alabama law specifying that such declarations ordinarily last 60 days unless terminated earlier by written proclamation. Ivey urged residents to prepare for potentially dangerous severe weather conditions, including the possibility of strong storms and long-track tornadoes.

The Alabama House of Representatives passed HB202, sponsored by State Rep. Rex Reynolds, on a 75-26 vote, advancing legislation that would grant law enforcement officers immunity from criminal prosecution and civil lawsuits if a judge determines they acted within the scope of their official duties when using force during arrests or to prevent escape. The bill now moves to the Alabama Senate for consideration. Governor Kay Ivey and legislative leaders have prioritized the measure as part of a broader public safety package intended to address recruitment and retention challenges in law enforcement agencies.

Governor Ivey announced two grants totaling nearly $600,000 to the town of Mentone, with funding provided through the Appalachian Regional Commission. A $295,000 grant will fund upgrades to Mentone's water system, including replacement of a 4-inch iron water line with 2,300 feet of 10-inch ductile iron pipe along Alabama Highway 117 to improve water pressure and reliability. A separate $300,000 grant will support the restoration and repurposing of the former Moon Lake Elementary School into Moon Lake Village, a community and commercial center intended to house shops, cultural facilities, and meeting spaces.

Governor Kay Ivey commuted the death sentence of Robin D. "Rocky" Myers on March 3, 2025, converting his capital murder conviction to life without the possibility of parole. Ivey cited unresolved questions about Myers's guilt, noting the absence of a murder weapon, DNA evidence, fingerprints, or physical evidence linking him to the 1991 death of Ludie Mae Tucker, and observing that the two eyewitnesses to the crime never identified Myers as the assailant. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall responded with criticism, stating he was surprised by the commutation and noting that no court had reached the same conclusion in the three decades the case had been under appeal.

Alabama Gov. Ivey included legislation expanding legal immunity for police officers in her crime package priorities for the legislative session. The bill, sponsored by Republican Rep. Rex Reynolds, would create an additional immunity hearing in criminal cases where a judge determines whether an officer acted recklessly outside the scope of law enforcement duties, and would allow defense attorneys to present immunity arguments to a jury even after initial judicial denial. The measure would also limit civil liability for officers to match the criminal immunity standards, narrowing the current requirement that officers acted "willfully, maliciously, fraudulently, in bad faith, beyond authority, or under a mistaken interpretation of the law."

Ivey issued a statement backing a joint memo from Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger and House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter directing state agencies to share information relevant to government expenditures for studies by the Alabama Commission on the Evaluation of Services, with non-compliant agencies to be reported to budget committee chairmen. Ivey stated that both executive and legislative branches work as a team to ensure efficient service to citizens and that cabinet members and staff would participate in the effort to keep more money in taxpayers' pockets. The action aligns state-level government efficiency efforts with the federal Department of Government Efficiency framework.

On February 25, 2025, Governor Ivey announced the filing of the Alabama K-12 Public School and State Employee Paid Parental Leave Act of 2025, legislation that would provide paid parental leave to state employees and public school teachers. The bill, designated SB199 and sponsored by State Senator Vivian Davis Figures, grants up to 12 weeks of paid leave for childbirth, adoption, or miscarriage verified by a healthcare professional after 12 weeks of pregnancy, with an eight-week return-to-work requirement. The Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee voted unanimously to advance the legislation to the full Senate.

Governor Ivey called for a state ban on Glock switches and other conversion devices in her State of the State address. The Alabama Senate subsequently voted 28-0 to advance legislation banning these devices, which can convert semi-automatic weapons to fire like machine guns. The bill now moves to the Alabama House of Representatives for consideration.

Ivey voiced support for SB116, known as the Glock switch bill, during her State of the State address and reaffirmed her endorsement by including the measure in the "Safe Alabama" legislative package aimed at enhancing public safety. The Alabama Senate passed SB116 with a vote of 28-0, which would impose stricter state-level penalties on the possession and distribution of Glock switches, illegal firearm modifications that convert semiautomatic pistols into fully automatic weapons. The bill now moves to the Alabama House of Representatives for further consideration.

On February 24, 2025, Governor Ivey announced special election dates to fill Alabama House District 11 following the resignation of Representative Randall Shedd. Ivey set the special primary election for May 13, 2025, the special primary runoff for June 10, 2025, and the special general election for August 26, 2025, with candidate qualifying deadlines established for March 11, 2025 for major parties and May 13, 2025 for independent and minor party candidates. Shedd vacated the seat to serve as constituent services director for Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger.

Ivey attended a White House meeting with President Trump and other governors where she requested and obtained direct contact information from cabinet officials to facilitate communication between Alabama and the Trump administration. The meeting also included discussion of federal funding policies related to state enforcement of laws concerning transgender athletes. Ivey's action to secure cabinet officials' phone numbers was subsequently reported by South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster during public remarks about the meeting.

Ivey supported Senate Bill 67, legislation that would place the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs commissioner under the governor's direct appointment authority and restructure the state board of veterans affairs. The bill passed the Alabama Senate on February 18, 2025, by a vote of 21-9 and was expected to advance to the House for consideration. Ivey stated that the restructuring would give veterans "an even stronger voice" in the management of the department.

Ivey announced during her state of the state address that 18,000 students had applied for the CHOOSE Act education savings account program across all 67 Alabama counties. Two weeks later, Ivey reported on social media that applications had grown to 20,000 students. The CHOOSE Act provides families with $7,000 education savings accounts to enroll students in private or public schools, or $2,000 accounts for homeschooled students, with funds usable for tuition, tutoring, and other qualified education expenses.

Ivey introduced a public safety package that included legislation to ban machine gun conversion devices, which are already prohibited under federal law but lack state-level restrictions in Alabama. The package advanced through the Alabama Senate's judicial committee with bipartisan support, with two bills introduced by both Democrats and Republicans that would make possession of a machine gun conversion device a felony. The broader public safety package also included provisions to increase penalties for illegal firearm possession, enhance sentencing for firing weapons into occupied structures, expand bail denial criteria, and increase legal protections for police officers in excessive force cases.

Governor Ivey introduced the "Safe Alabama" legislative package in February 2025 alongside state lawmakers and law enforcement officials, a comprehensive set of proposals designed to address violent crime. The package includes provisions for tougher penalties on gun-related crimes, increased firearm possession restrictions for felons, a statewide ban on Glock switches, expansion of Aniah's Law to broaden offenses qualifying for pretrial detention, and the "Back the Blue" Act to expand liability protections for police officers. The legislation received bipartisan support and was unveiled at a press conference with legislative leaders and law enforcement representatives from across Alabama.

Alabama lawmakers gave final approval to legislation that defines sex based on reproductive organs present at birth, excluding transgender people from legal recognition under their gender identity. The state House of Representatives voted 77-12 to pass the bill. Governor Ivey stated she intended to sign the legislation into law.

Governor Ivey endorsed legislation that would make possession of firearm conversion devices a felony under Alabama state law, announcing her support for the measure as part of her "Safe Alabama" legislative package during her State of the State address. The Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the bill, which would enable local law enforcement to prosecute violations of the federal prohibition on machine gun conversion devices under state law. The legislation followed requests from Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and other municipal officials who cited the use of such devices in mass shootings during 2024.

Governor Ivey proposed restructuring the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs through legislation SB67 and HB154, which would convert the agency from an independent, veteran-led entity to one subject to full gubernatorial authority and would establish the Secretary of ADVA as a cabinet-level position. The proposal was announced during Ivey's State of the State address and represents a change to the department's governance structure that has operated under its current system for multiple years. The restructuring followed Ivey's removal of Kent Davis as Secretary of ADVA, which she executed using executive authority under the Alabama Constitution.

On February 10, 2025, Ivey announced appointments to fill four judicial and law enforcement vacancies across Alabama. Ivey appointed William D. Motlow, III as District Judge for the 11th Judicial Circuit in Lauderdale County, Samarria Munnerlyn Dunson as District Judge for the 15th Judicial Circuit in Montgomery County, Scott A. Slate as District Judge for the Eighth Judicial Circuit in Morgan County, and David B. Scruggs as Sheriff of Butler County. These appointments filled positions left vacant by retirement or succession.

Governor Ivey outlined a proposal during her 2025 State of the State Address to establish an eight-week paid parental leave program for Alabama state employees and teachers, citing findings from the Governor's Study Group on Efficiency in State Government that identified parental leave absence as a factor in employee and teacher turnover. The proposed legislation, to be carried by State Senator Vivian Figures and State Representative Ginny Shaver, would provide eight weeks of paid leave to mothers and one parent in cases of adoption. Alabama currently has no state-sponsored parental leave policy, and teachers are limited to ten days of paid sick leave annually.

Governor Ivey announced support for a state ban on Glock switches and other conversion devices that enable semi-automatic weapons to fire like automatic weapons, which she planned to include in a broader public safety package presented in her State of the State address. The proposal aligns with legislation filed by Representative Phillip Ensler that would classify possession of such devices as a Class C felony punishable by up to ten years in prison. Alabama would join approximately two dozen states that have already enacted similar bans on conversion devices.

Ivey announced support for statewide legislation during her State of the State address that would ban smartphones in public school classrooms, with bills HB166 and SB92 filed in both the House and Senate. The legislation would prohibit cell phone use during instructional time, with local school boards determining any exceptions, and would also require school districts to adopt internet safety policies and implement social media education for students before eighth grade. Ivey stated that the ban aims to enhance academic performance and reduce classroom distractions and discipline problems.

Alabama enacted legislation that creates legal definitions of male and female based on reproductive organs at birth, with the measure passing the state Senate in February 2025. The law followed President Donald Trump's executive order declaring there are two sexes and rejecting the possibility of gender transition, which state officials cited as providing a framework for states to enact similar measures. At least nine other states had already enacted comparable laws, and additional GOP-led states including Wyoming, Arizona, Indiana, Missouri, and South Carolina introduced similar legislation during the same period.

Governor Ivey introduced a legislative package focused on public safety and law enforcement protections during her State of the State address, identifying the bolstering of public safety as her top priority for the session. The package includes HB202, the Back the Blue Legal Protection Act, which would expand civil liability protections for police officers and grant immunity from criminal prosecution for on-the-job use of force that does not violate constitutional protections. Ivey stated her intention to partner with legislative leadership on bills that would back the blue and combat inner city gun violence.

Governor Ivey expressed support for legislation to ban cellphones in K-12 classrooms throughout Alabama during her State of the State address. In response to her initiative, lawmakers advanced House Bill 166 and Senate Bill 92, which would standardize a no-phone policy across the state's school districts during school hours. The legislation reflects bipartisan concern regarding student distraction and the effects of social media on student well-being.

Governor Ivey affirmed support for Senate Bill 79, legislation that establishes legal definitions of gender using only the terms man, woman, boy, girl, father, mother, male, and female in Alabama state law. The bill, sponsored by State Senator April Weaver, requires that public multi-occupancy restrooms, changing rooms, and sleeping quarters be designated for exclusive use by either females or males. The Alabama Senate passed SB 79 by a vote of 29-5, and the measure is pending consideration in the House.

Ivey, as chair of the Alabama Growth Alliance, presided over a vote by the 15-member public-private partnership to endorse creation of the Alabama Development Fund, which would generate funding for economic development programs through retained portions of sales and property taxes abated in future qualified economic development projects. The fund would support rural development, international business development offices, global marketing, quality-of-place initiatives, and infrastructure improvements without raising taxes or cutting existing programs. Implementation of the Alabama Development Fund requires action by the Alabama Legislature to modify existing abatement laws, with legislation sponsored by State Senator April Weaver and State Representative Andy Whitt.

Ivey addressed the Business Council of Alabama ahead of her State of the State address, outlining her administration's economic achievements and legislative priorities for 2025. She highlighted $55.7 billion in capital investment, 93,000 new jobs created, improvements in education rankings, and broadband expansion. Ivey's stated priorities included public safety, workforce development, broadband expansion, banning cellphones in schools, and conservative fiscal policies.

Governor Kay Ivey signed Alabama's permitless carry law in 2022, which allows gun owners to carry concealed handguns without a state permit. Representative Ontario Tillman has announced his intention to introduce legislation to repeal the permitless carry law during the upcoming legislative session, citing concerns about gun violence and law enforcement's ability to conduct investigations. Ivey stated at the time of the law's passage that it reaffirmed Alabama's commitment to Second Amendment rights for law-abiding gun owners.

Governor Ivey announced that the Alabama Department of Labor will officially transition to the Alabama Department of Workforce effective February 1, 2025, as authorized by the Working for Alabama legislative package passed during the 2024 state legislative session. Ivey appointed Greg Reed as the inaugural Secretary of Workforce to lead the new department, replacing retiring Secretary Marty Redden who served for 16 years. The reorganized department will maintain traditional responsibilities including workplace safety, child labor enforcement, unemployment administration, workers' compensation, and labor market information while focusing on increasing Alabama's labor force participation rate.

Ivey commented on Alabama's fourth-grade student performance improvements in mathematics and reading as measured by the National Assessment of Educational Progress, with the state ranking 32nd in fourth-grade math in 2024 compared to 52nd in 2019, and 34th in fourth-grade reading in 2024 compared to 49th in 2019. Ivey stated that education was one of the state's most pressing areas to address during her administration and credited students, teachers, and parents for the progress. Ivey noted that while Alabama had made significant progress in elementary grades, additional work remained ahead, particularly in middle school performance.

Ivey signed the CHOOSE Act, also known as the Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students' Education Act, into law after it was passed by the Alabama Legislature. The legislation provides qualifying students with $7,000 annually for Education Savings Accounts that may be used for tuition at private, parochial, or Christian schools, or $2,000 in expenses related to homeschooling. The program launched in 2025 and received over 2,800 applications on its first day.

Ivey signed Senate Bill 129, legislation that bans diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and restricts the teaching of concepts designated as divisive in Alabama schools. The law resulted in the closure of DEI offices and elimination of funding for certain student organizations across the state. Professors, students, and the ACLU subsequently filed a lawsuit challenging the law on constitutional grounds related to free speech and due process rights.

Ivey expressed full support for immigration enforcement actions carried out by ICE agents across Alabama. The governor's position aligned with the enforcement efforts being conducted in the state during the period following President Trump's executive actions on immigration. Ivey's stance was noted in relation to state education officials' communications regarding campus safety during immigration enforcement operations.

Governor Ivey praised Alabama's CHOOSE Act, which provides eligible students with $7,000 annually for private or parochial school tuition or $2,000 for homeschooling expenses, as part of the state's observance of National School Choice Week. The program established special priority for students with special needs and military families. The initiative received substantial initial uptake with over 14,000 applications submitted and $100 million allocated in its first year of implementation.

Ivey appointed Ashley W. Siebert as District Judge for the 28th Judicial Circuit in Baldwin County, replacing retiring Judge Michelle Thomason. Ivey appointed Matthew C. Mitchell as District Judge for the 38th Judicial Circuit in Jackson County, succeeding retiring Judge Robert Donald Word, III. Ivey appointed Rachel M. England as District Attorney for the 17th Judicial Circuit serving Greene, Marengo, and Sumter counties, replacing retiring District Attorney Greg Griggers.

Governor Ivey supported Alabama's broadband expansion initiative that began in 2017, which resulted in decreased lack of high-speed internet access from 16 percent of residents in 2017 to 6 percent by 2024. The state's broadband efforts, conducted in partnership with the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs and the private sector, increased average download speeds from 70 Mbps to approximately 130 Mbps and doubled average upload speeds from 15 to 30 Mbps over the same period. Alabama's broadband expansion strategy has been cited as a national model by policy experts for its effectiveness in extending reliable internet access to rural areas.

In 2023, Governor Ivey signed Senate Bill 39 into law, which authorized the addition of 13 circuit and district judgeships across Alabama circuits determined to have the greatest need based on weighted case load analysis. DeKalb County was designated to receive one of four new district judgeships created through this legislation. On January 17, 2025, Attorney Jeff McCurdy was sworn in as District Judge for District 2 in DeKalb County, the first judge to fill the newly created position in that county.

Governor Ivey appointed Will Sellers to the Alabama Supreme Court as an Associate Justice in 2017. Sellers was elected to the position in 2018 and re-elected in 2024, with his current term concluding in 2031. Sellers was sworn in for his third term as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of Alabama in January 2025.

Ivey directed flags at the Alabama Capitol and all state buildings to be raised to full-staff on January 20, 2025, for Inauguration Day, citing compliance with federal law. The flags had been lowered to half-staff on December 30, 2024, following former President Jimmy Carter's death on December 29, as part of a standard 30-day mourning period. After Inauguration Day, Ivey stated the flags would return to half-staff on January 21 to complete the remainder of the mourning period.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced on Tuesday that U.S. flags across the state would be raised to full height on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2025, pausing a 30-day flag-lowering order issued by President Joe Biden following the death of former President Jimmy Carter. Ivey's announcement specified that flags in Alabama would be relowered on January 21 in honor of Carter. The action aligned with similar decisions made by other Republican governors, including Texas Governor Greg Abbott, to raise flags during the presidential inauguration ceremony.

Governor Ivey declared a state of emergency for 37 counties in Alabama in advance of a predicted winter storm on January 10, 2025. The declaration authorized preparation for activation of the Alabama National Guard if needed, activated the Unconscionable Pricing Act to address price gouging, waived federal motor carrier restrictions for emergency materials, and expedited transportation of emergency equipment and storm-related supplies. The declaration also authorized the closing of state government offices and schools at the governor's direction without loss of income to employees or requirement for schools to make up instructional days.

Ivey joined President-elect Donald Trump and leading Republican governors including Ron DeSantis and Glenn Youngkin for a strategy meeting at Mar-a-Lago focused on advancing Trump's legislative agenda. Ivey, described as a long-time supporter of Trump's immigration policies, aimed to continue aligning Alabama's state efforts with federal initiatives under the new administration. The meeting addressed coordination between state and federal leadership on policy priorities during the incoming administration.

Governor Ivey declared a state of emergency for 37 Alabama counties on January 9, 2025, in response to an approaching winter storm expected to bring heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain to the region. The declaration, effective at 1:00 p.m. Central Time, authorizes state resources to respond to the weather event and remains in effect for up to 60 days unless terminated earlier by written proclamation. Ivey encouraged residents in affected areas to prepare their vehicles and avoid unnecessary travel during the severe weather conditions.

Governor Ivey announced that Alabama received Business Facilities magazine's "Deal of the Year" Impact Award in the Defense Manufacturing category for Austal USA's expansion projects at its Mobile shipyard. The dual projects represent a combined investment of $750 million and are expected to create 2,000 jobs, including a Submarine Module Fabrication Facility and an Assembly Facility for Large Steel Ships. The facilities will support production of Columbia-class and Virginia-class submarines for the U.S. Navy and vessels for the Navy and Coast Guard.

Governor Ivey signed the CHOOSE Act, also known as the Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students' Education Act, into law after it was passed by the Legislature. The act provides qualifying students with $7,000 annually for an Education Savings Account usable toward tuition at private, parochial, or Christian schools, or $2,000 for homeschooling expenses, with initial eligibility limited to families earning under 300 percent of the poverty rate. During its first year of implementation, the program served approximately 15,000 students.

Governor Kay Ivey announced the opening of applications for Alabama's education savings account program established by the CHOOSE Act passed in 2024. The program received more than 2,800 applications for 4,800 children on its first day, with eligible families able to receive $7,000 education savings accounts for private or public school enrollment and $2,000 for homeschooled students. The ESA funds can be used for school tuition, tutoring, educational therapies, and other qualified education expenses at approved education service providers across the state.

Governor Ivey supported the Choose Act, which Alabama lawmakers approved in March 2024 to provide state funding for education expenses including private school tuition, homeschooling costs, and other education-related expenses. Beginning in January 2025, families meeting certain financial requirements could apply for up to $7,000 in funding, with an additional $2,000 available for homeschooling expenses, with the income eligibility requirement set to be eliminated in 2027. The program generated legislative debate, with some lawmakers expressing concerns that diverting state funds to private education would reduce resources available to public schools.

Governor Ivey announced the opening of applications for Alabama's education savings account program established by the CHOOSE Act, which Ivey signed into law in March 2024. Eligible families can receive education savings accounts of up to $7,000 for private or public school enrollment, or $2,000 to $4,000 for homeschooling, with funds usable for tuition, tutoring, and other qualified education expenses at approved providers. In the first year, the initial 500 accounts will be awarded to students with special needs and dependents of active-duty service members, with remaining accounts distributed based on family income not exceeding 300 percent of the federal poverty level.