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AlabamaSB1382026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Franchises; prohibit franchisor from requiring franchisee to operate on a religious day, exceptions provided

Sponsored By: Dan Roberts (Republican)

Enacted

Businesses & Financial Institutions

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Religious-day protections for Alabama franchise owners

Beginning June 1, 2026, Alabama law protects covered franchise owners whose sincerely held religious beliefs conflict with required operating days. Franchisors generally cannot enforce those requirements, demand them in renewals or amendments, or deny renewal for noncompliance. Exceptions apply when the original or current agreement clearly and prominently requires operation on the conflicting day. Exceptions also apply when owners accept the requirement in a renewal or amendment, or a new agreement expanding their locations includes it. Covered agreements can include written contracts or ongoing business practices involving a franchise fee. Specified motor vehicle and other separately regulated franchise relationships are excluded. If a court finds reasonable cause to believe a violation occurred, it may award actual damages and reasonable attorney fees and costs. It may also issue orders to stop the conduct, temporary restraining orders, or other appropriate relief. Civil penalties against franchisors are capped at $10,000 for a first violation, $25,000 for an additional violation within five years, and $50,000 for an additional violation within seven years. Those repeat-violation periods end on the complaint filing date.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Dan Roberts

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 512 • No: 1

House vote • 4/8/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1306

Yes: 101 • No: 0

House vote • 4/8/2026

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1304

Yes: 105 • No: 0

House vote • 4/8/2026

Third Reading in Second House

Yes: 105 • No: 0

House vote • 4/8/2026

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1305

Yes: 105 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/8/2026

Gudger Motion to Concur In and Adopt House Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1260

Yes: 33 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/12/2026

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 33 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/12/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 388

Yes: 30 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Enacted

    4/17/2026Senate

  2. Enrolled

    4/9/2026Senate

  3. Delivered to Governor

    4/9/2026Senate

  4. Signature Requested

    4/9/2026House

  5. Third Reading in Second House

    4/8/2026House

  6. Commerce and Small Business Engrossed Substitute Offered

    4/8/2026House

  7. Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1304

    4/8/2026House

  8. Blackshear 1st Amendment Offered

    4/8/2026House

  9. Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1305

    4/8/2026House

  10. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1306

    4/8/2026House

  11. Gudger Motion to Concur In and Adopt House Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1260

    4/8/2026Senate

  12. Ready to Enroll

    4/8/2026Senate

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

    2/19/2026House

  14. Reported Out of Committee Second House

    2/18/2026House

  15. Third Reading in House of Origin

    2/12/2026Senate

  16. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 388

    2/12/2026Senate

  17. Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Commerce and Small Business

    2/12/2026House

  18. Pending Committee Action in Second House

    2/12/2026House

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

    1/29/2026Senate

  20. Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

    1/28/2026Senate

  21. Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

    1/14/2026Senate

  22. Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

    1/14/2026Senate

Bill Text

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