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AlabamaHB3072026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Military spouses; preference in hiring and promoting in state service further provided for; preference authorized for political subdivisions, private employers

Sponsored By: Rick Rehm (Republican)

Enacted

Military

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More state job preference for military families

Beginning January 1, 2027, Alabama expands military-family preferences for state jobs covered by its personnel system. Eligible veterans, veterans’ spouses, and active-duty members’ spouses get five extra examination-rating points. Veterans must have served in the National Guard, reserves, or active military and received an honorable discharge. Veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities and their spouses get 10 points, with official records required to establish disability eligibility. The disability must qualify the veteran for a pension, compensation, or disability allowance. Qualifying widows or widowers receiving related benefits also receive the disability preference. Surviving spouses of active-duty members who died in the line of duty get 10 points. The law also provides veteran ranking preferences and procedures when a veteran is bypassed for an equally or lower-rated nonveteran. Veterans with military preference remain the last discharged or reduced during workforce reductions.

Optional local job preferences for military families

Beginning January 1, 2027, Alabama counties, cities, and other local governments can offer military-related hiring and promotion preferences. Covered applicants include eligible veterans, their spouses, active-duty members’ spouses, and surviving spouses of deceased eligible veterans. Eligible veterans must have served in the National Guard, reserves, or active military and received an honorable discharge. Each local government chooses whether to offer a preference and can put it in an ordinance.

Optional private job preferences for military families

Beginning January 1, 2027, Alabama private employers can choose written military-related hiring and promotion preferences, applied uniformly. Veterans must provide their Department of Defense Form 214 or a replacement form or record. Veterans’ spouses must provide that military record and proof of marriage. Active-duty members’ spouses must provide proof of active status and marriage. Their preference lasts during active duty and up to 180 days after discharge or separation. Participating employers must notify the Alabama Department of Workforce, which maintains a public online employer registry and submission page. These voluntary policies do not authorize violations of state or local law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Rick Rehm

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Allen Treadaway

    Republican • House

  • Bill Lamb

    Republican • House

  • Chip Brown

    Republican • House

  • Chris Blackshear

    Republican • House

  • Craig Lipscomb

    Republican • House

  • Ed Oliver

    Republican • House

  • Ivan Smith

    Republican • House

  • Jeana Ross

    Republican • House

  • Jerry Starnes

    Republican • House

  • Kenneth Paschal

    Republican • House

  • Mack Butler

    Republican • House

  • Margie Wilcox

    Republican • House

  • Mark Gidley

    Republican • House

  • Parker Moore

    Republican • House

  • Patrick Sellers

    Democratic • House

  • Paul W. Lee

    Republican • House

  • Randy Wood

    Republican • House

  • Rhett Marques

    Republican • House

  • Steve Hurst

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 341 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/9/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1325

Yes: 29 • No: 0

House vote • 3/3/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 712

Yes: 103 • No: 0

House vote • 3/3/2026

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 105 • No: 0

House vote • 3/3/2026

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 711

Yes: 104 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Enacted

    4/17/2026House

  2. Ready to Enroll

    4/10/2026House

  3. Enrolled

    4/10/2026House

  4. Signature Requested

    4/10/2026Senate

  5. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1325

    4/9/2026Senate

  6. Delivered to Governor

    4/9/2026House

  7. Reported Out of Committee Second House

    3/11/2026Senate

  8. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    3/11/2026Senate

  9. Third Reading in House of Origin

    3/3/2026House

  10. Military and Veterans' Affairs Engrossed Substitute Offered

    3/3/2026House

  11. Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 711

    3/3/2026House

  12. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 712

    3/3/2026House

  13. Engrossed

    3/3/2026House

  14. Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety

    3/3/2026Senate

  15. Pending Committee Action in Second House

    3/3/2026Senate

  16. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    1/29/2026House

  17. Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

    1/28/2026House

  18. Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Military and Veterans' Affairs

    1/21/2026House

  19. Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

    1/21/2026House

Bill Text

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