Alabama
What passed in the Alabama Legislature: March 5-7, 2024 • Alabama Reflector
Here is a list of bills that passed the Alabama Legislature this week.
Tuesday, March 5
House
HB 170, sponsored by Rep. Ed Oliver, R-Dadeville, alters the boundary lines and corporate limits of the Town of Jackson’s Gap in Tallapoosa County. The bill passed 14-0. It goes to the Senate.
HB 231, sponsored by Rep. Ivan Smith, R- Clanton, authorizes the Chilton County sheriff to establish procedures for using a credit card or debit card to make purchases. The bill passed 12-0. It goes to the Senate.
HB 252, sponsored by Rep. Phillip Pettus, R- Killen, establishes a permit fee to carry a pistol in a vehicle or concealed on or about the person in Lauderdale County. The bill passed 8-0. It goes to the Senate.
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HB 138, sponsored by Rep. Rex Reynolds, R-Huntsville, would make a supplemental appropriation of $98 million from the American Rescue Plan Act – State Small Business Credit Initiative Fund to the Alabama Innovation Corporation or other entity so designated by the Department of Finance. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to the Senate.
HB 176, sponsored by Rep. James Lomax, R-Huntsville, bans cities and counties from enacting laws, regulations or ordinances on advanced air mobility and directs the Alabama Department of Transportation to develop a statewide plan to include vertiports, electric aviation charging, and the infrastructure needs of other advances in aviation technology. The bill passed 102-0, and it goes to the Senate.
HB 196, sponsored by Rep. Reed Ingram, R-Pike Road, would authorize the Land Commissioner to sell certain bid-in-land owned by the state by public auction in certain circumstances. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to the Senate.
HB 173, sponsored by Rep. Leigh Hulsey, R- Helena, prohibits the use of the three-cueing system of educational instruction in the curriculum. The bill passed 92-2. It goes to the Senate.
Senate
SB12, sponsored by Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Josephine, removes certain conditions for a retired elected official receiving benefits from the Teachers’ Retirement System or Employees’ Retirement Systems to serve in another elected position to maintain benefits and full compensation. It passed 32-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.
SB31, sponsored by Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills, moves the administration of the Distressed Institutions of Higher Education Revolving Loan program to the executive director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, among other changes. It passed 23-5. It goes to the House of Representatives.
SB95, sponsored by Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, makes it illegal for people under 21 to possess, use, purchase or transport an electronic battery-powered device capable of dispensing substances to individuals in the form of vapor. It passed 31-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.
SB32, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, removes a provision that a case must be assigned to the district’s attorney restitution recovery division for when someone’s pension, annuity or retirement allowance benefits are subject to some recovery actions. A vote total was not immediately available on Friday. It goes to the House of Representatives.
SB72, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, prevents the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners and the Medical Licensure Commission of Alabama from revoking, susping, failing to renew, or taking action against a physician’s license for recommending or prescribing an off-label medical treatment, unless it presents a threat of serious harm. It passed 31-0. It goes to the House of Representatives.
SB114, sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, continues the Alabama Real Estate Appraisers Board until Oct. 1 2028. A vote total was not immediately available on Friday. It goes to the House of Representatives.
Wednesday, March 6
House
SB 159, sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, provides civil and criminal immunity to in vitro fertilization providers and patients, as well as criminal and limited civil immunity to manufactures of goods related to IVF services. The bill passed the House 81-12. It went to the Senate for concurrence.
Senate
HB129, sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, creates a program to allocate up to $7,000 to qualifying students for certain non-public education-related expenses, including private school tuition. The bill passed 23-9. Gov. Kay Ivey signed the bill Thursday.
SB 159, sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, provides civil and criminal immunity to in vitro fertilization providers and patients, as well as criminal and limited civil immunity to manufactures of goods related to IVF services. The Senate concurred with House changes 29-1. Gov. Kay Ivey signed the bill that evening.
Thursday, March 7

House
HB 175, sponsored by Cynthia Almond, R-Tuscaloosa, authorizes Tuscaloosa to increase property tax for public school purposes, subject to approval in a special election. The bill passed 18-0. It goes to the Senate.
HB 190, sponsored by Rep. Jim Carns, R- Vestavia Hills, identifies the Personnel Board of Jefferson County as the civil service system of Jefferson County and clarifies designated beneficiaries. The bill passed 25-0. It goes to the Senate.
SB 48, sponsored by Sen. Greg Reed, R- Jasper, requires the posting of classroom curricula on a school website and allows parents or guardians to request information on instructional and supplemental materials used in the classroom. The bill passed 99-3. It goes back to the Senate for concurrence after House changes.
SB 1, sponsored by Sen. Garlan Gudger, R- Cullman, makes it illegal for someone to knowingly provide an absentee ballot application with pre-filled information, with exceptions for emergency medical care. It would also make it a Class B felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, to provide or receive assistance for help with voting. The bill passed 75-28. It goes back to the Senate for concurrence after House changes.
SB 129, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, bans the public funding of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and leaves teachers or employees who use “divisive concepts” subject to potential termination. The bill passed 75-28. It goes back to the Senate for concurrence after House changes.
HB 253, sponsored by Rep. Chip Brown, R- Hollinger’s Island, makes the Alabama State Port Authority is a body corporate with the ability to employ non-merit system employees. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to the Senate.
HB 194, sponsored by Rep. Phillip Pettus, R- Killen, exempts purchases made by volunteer fire departments and rescue squads from the requirements of the state procurement code and subjects them to local competitive bid law requirements. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to the Senate.
HB 95, sponsored by Rep. Troy Stubbs, R- Wetumpka, authorizes full-time students to complete required state required assessments through closed browser remote testing. The bill passed 99-2. It goes to the Senate.
Senate
HB151, sponsored by Rep, Chris Blackshear, R-Smiths Station, which proposed a constitutional amendment to legalize and enforce some forms of gambling in the state. It passed 22-11. It returns to the House of Representatives with changes.
HB152, sponsored by Rep. Chris Blackshear, R-Smiths Station, which is the enabling legislation to create the Alabama Gaming Commission and outlined legalization under HB151, if it passes on the ballot. The bill passed 22-11. It returns to the House of Representatives with changes.
Alabama
Florida man arrested in 2011 New York murders of Alabama veteran, toddler once linked to serial killer
The New York Times is reporting that a 66-year-old man from Florida has been charged in the death more than two decades ago of a woman born in Alabama and her two-year-old child.
Andrew Dykes of Ruskin, Fla., was indicted this week by a grand jury on charges of murdering Tanya Denise Jackson and her two-year-old, Tatiana Marie Dykes.
Tanya Jackson was known as Jane Doe No. 3, or “Peaches,” after a tattoo on her torso of a heart-shaped peach with a bite taken out of it. She was identified in April.
According to The New York Post, Jackson’s torso was discovered in 1997 stuffed in a container in a wooded section of Hempstead Lake State Park, along a remote stretch of Long Island oceanfront, several miles from the New York City border.
In 2011, more of Jackson’s remains were found in the Gilgo area, along with the body of her daughter.
Tatiana was found in a thicket, wrapped in a blanket and wearing gold jewelry.
Tanya Jackson had been born in Alabama and served in the U.S. Army from 1993 through 1995, when Tatiana was born. Jackson later moved to Brooklyn, where she may have worked as a medical assistant, according to police.
Jackson had never been reported missing and was reportedly estranged from family members.
She and her daughter were buried at the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort.
Dykes was the father of Tatiana Marie Dykes, according to police. He was arrested on Wednesday in Florida on a felony fugitive warrant.
Both Jackson and Tatiana Dykes had initially appeared to be possible victims of the Gilgo Beach serial killer, in part because of their proximity to where other victims were discovered, but investigators eventually ruled this out.
Rex Heuermann, a Massapequa Park, N.Y., architectural consultant, faces charges of killing seven women, six of whom were found in the Gilgo Beach area.
Alabama
Comparing Alabama Final CFP Resume Against Notre Dame, Miami
It’s been said for years that teams playing in conference championship games won’t be penalized for losses when it comes to College Football Playoff rankings. That might be put to the test on Sunday when the 12-team 2025-26 tournament bracket is set and announced (11 a.m. CT, ESPN)
Following Saturday’s results, when just about everything didn’t go the Crimson Tide’s way, chances are the committee will end up picking two just teams between Alabama, Notre Dame and Miami for the final at-large spots.
Did Alabama do enough to get in after being the first team out last year? Will the committee switch it and Notre Dame in the rankings after moving the Crimson Tide ahead of the Fighting Irish last week? Might Miami leapfrog one or both despite not playing this week?
This is to put the team resumes next to each other to make them easier to compare, but before doing so we’re going to make two assumptions:
- That No. 11 Brigham Young (12-2) is out of the mix after getting routed in the Big 12 Championship Game to Texas Tech. Why? Their only win against a ranked opponent this season was 24-21 over then-No. 24 Utah.
- Unranked Duke won’t be seriously considered by the selection committee despite winning the ACC Championship Game in overtime against Virginia. Even with the win, the Blue Devils finished 8-5.
That means the ACC will be out of the playoff if Miami doesn’t get in.
To fill in a couple of details, one of the changes from last year was that only the top five conference champions in the rankings secure the automatic bids. Consequently, James Madison will squeeze in instead. In case you missed, it, Duke played in the ACC title game in Charlotte after a five-way tie for second place in the league standings, which was finally broken by the sixth tiebreaker.
Tulane, No. 20 in last week’s CFP rankings, will be the No. 11 seed.
Two of these teams will be in the top 10 and still alive for the national championship. Unless the selection committee makes a change with the teams that were idle this week (Ole Miss without Lane Kiffin?) the No. 9 team will visit Oklahoma, and the No. 10 team will draw Texas A&M.
SEE ALSO: Kalen DeBoer Makes Final Pitch to CFP Committee After SEC Championship Loss
Alabama Crimson Tide
CFP Ranking Last Week: 9
Record: 10-3
Did it play in conference championship: Yes, but not well, losing to No. 3 Georgia.
Wins over ranked teams: at then-No. 5 Georgia 24-21; No. 16 Vanderbilt 30-14; No. 14 Missouri 27-24; No. 11 Tennessee 37-20
Losses: at Florida State in season opener, 31-17; No. 11 Oklahoma 23-21; No. 3 Georgia in SEC Championship Game 28-7.
Note: First team in SEC history to beat four ranked opponents on four subsequent Saturdays. Went 2-2 over final four games.
Strength of schedule last week: 11
Strength of record last week (ESPN): 8
BCS computers last week: 8
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
CFP Ranking Last Week: 10
Record: 10-2
Did it play in conference championship: No.
Wins over ranked teams: Then-No. 20 USC 34-24; at No. 22 Pitt 37-15
Losses: 27-24 at then No. 10 Miami in season opener, 41-40 to No. 16 Texas A&M
Note: Won 10 straight, but didn’t beat a top-15 team.
Strength of schedule last week: 42
Strength of record last week (ESPN): 13
BCS computers last week: 10
Miami Hurricanes
CFP Ranking Last Week: 12
Record: 10-2
Did it play in conference championship: No.
Wins over ranked teams: Then-No. 6 Notre Dame 27-24 in season opener; No. 18 South Florida 49-12; at No. Florida State 28-22; at No. 22 Pitt 38-7
Losses: Louisville 24-21; at SMU 26-20 OT
Note: Beat Notre Dame, and a team that defeated Alabama, Florida State.
Strength of schedule last week: 44
Strength of record last week (ESPN): 14
BCS computers last week: 13
Texas Longhorns
CFP Ranking Last Week: 13
Record: 9-3
Did it play in conference championship: No.
Wins over ranked teams: Then-No. 6 Oklahoma 23-6; No. 9 Vanderbilt 34-31; No. 3 Texas A&M 27-17
Losses: at then-No. 3 Ohio State 14-7; at Florida 29-21; at No. 5 Georgia 35-10
Note: It had three regular-season losses, which was the difference for the Crimson Tide not making it last year. Texas is arguing that it shouldn’t be penalized for its season-opening loss against Ohio State. You could say the same then for Alabama and Notre Dame.
Strength of schedule last week: 8
Strength of record last week (ESPN): 12
BCS computers last week: 15
Vanderbilt Commodores
CFP Ranking Last Week: 14
Record: 10-2
Did it play in conference championship: No.
Wins over ranked teams: Then-No. 11 South Carolina 31-7; No. 10 LSU 31-24; No. 15 Missouri 17-10; at No. 19 Tennessee 35-24
Losses: at then-No. 10 Alabama 30-14; at No. 20 Texas 34-31
Note: Best team in Vanderbilt history? The problem is the Commodores lost to two other teams in this group, Alabama and the one directly ahead of it, Texas.
Strength of schedule last week: 22
Strength of record last week (ESPN): 11
BCS computers last week: 12
Alabama
Alabama vs. Georgia live updates: Start time, TV channel for SEC championship
Is Kalen DeBoer’s record the key to Alabama beating Georgia?
Is Kalen DeBoer’s undefeated record against Georgia the key to Alabama’s SEC title win?
Georgia football will look for revenge when it rematches Alabama in the SEC championship game.
Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart has a 1-7 record against the Crimson Tide, though, including an 0-2 mark against second-year Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer. Smart was 1-5 against former Alabama coach Nick Saban, whom he coached under as a defensive coordinator from 2008-15.
Watch the SEC championship game on Fubo (free trial)
Alabama upset Georgia 24-21 on the road in their last outing on Sept. 27. Both teams also still have plenty to play for in the College Football Playoff race, with Alabama looking to avoid bubble status and Georgia aiming to lock up a first-round bye.
The two teams have developed a rivalry as the two most dominant teams in the SEC in the last decade, with Georgia and Alabama winning 10 of the last 11 SEC championships.
USA TODAY is bringing you live updates, scores and highlights from the game. Follow along:
Alabama vs Georgia score
| TEAM | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | FINAL |
| Georgia | — | — | — | — | — |
| Alabama | — | — | — | — | — |
Alabama vs Georgia live updates
This section will be updated.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart has a 116-20 record in 10 seasons with the Bulldogs, although seven of those losses have come against Alabama, where he was the defensive coordinator from 2008-15.
Smart has a 1-7 record against the Crimson Tide in his career, with his lone win coming in the 2021 national championship game. He’s also 0-2 against Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer.
Alabama tight end Josh Cuevas isn’t expected to play, according to ESPN. He’s listed as questionable on the SEC availability report due to a foot injury.
Cuevas, who has 30 receptions for 341 yards with four touchdowns this season, also didn’t play against Auburn or Eastern Illinois to finish the regular season. He had six receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown against Oklahoma in his last outing.
Here’s a look at the most recent SEC availability report for the SEC championship game:
Georgia
Out:
- WR Colbie Young
- TE Ethan Barbour
- RB Bo Walker
- DB Kyron Jones
- DL Jordan Hall
- OL Drew Bobo
Questionable
Alabama
Out
- DB Kameron Howard
- LB Kelby Collins
- LB Jah-Marien Latham
- DB Dre Kirkpatrick Jr.
- DL LT Overton
- RB Kevin Riley
- OL Mal Waldrep Jr.
- DL Jeremiah Beaman
Questionable
- RB Jam Miller
- OL Kam Dewberry
- TE Josh Cuevas
- TE Danny Lewis Jr.
What time does Alabama vs Georgia start?
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 6
- Time: 4 p.m. ET
- Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Alabama vs Georgia will kick off at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 6 from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
What TV channel is Alabama vs Georgia on today?
The SEC championship game between Alabama and Georgia will be broadcast on ABC. Streaming options for the game include Fubo, which carries ABC and offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Alabama vs Georgia predictions, picks, odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, Dec. 5.
- Spread: Georgia (-2.5)
- Over/under: 47.5
- Moneyline: Georgia -140 | Alabama +115
Austin Curtright, USA TODAY Sports: Smart wins his second game ever against Alabama as Georgia’s head coach, getting revenge on the Crimson Tide to lock up a top-four seed in the CFP. Alabama falls to bubble status, hoping BYU doesn’t beat Texas Tech in the Big 12 championship game to potentially steal a bid from the Crimson Tide.
Alabama football schedule 2025
Here’s a look at Alabama’s schedule in 2025, including past scores.
- Saturday, Aug. 30: Florida State 31, Alabama 17
- Saturday, Sept. 6: Alabama 73, UL Monroe 0
- Saturday, Sept. 13: Alabama 38, Wisconsin 14
- Saturday, Sept. 20: BYE
- Saturday, Sept. 27: Alabama 24, Georgia 21 *
- Saturday, Oct. 4: Alabama 30, Vanderbilt 14 *
- Saturday, Oct. 11: Alabama 27, Missouri 24 *
- Saturday, Oct. 18: Alabama 37, Tennessee 20 *
- Saturday, Oct. 25: Alabama 29, South Carolina 22 *
- Saturday, Nov. 1: BYE
- Saturday, Nov. 8: Alabama 20, LSU 9 *
- Saturday, Nov. 15: Oklahoma 23, Alabama 21 *
- Saturday, Nov. 22: Alabama 56, Eastern Illinois 0
- Saturday, Nov. 29: Alabama 27, Auburn 20 *
- Saturday, Dec. 6: Alabama vs Georgia | ABC, 4 p.m. ET **
* – denotes SEC game
** – denotes SEC championships game
Georgia football schedule 2025
Here’s a look at Georgia’s schedule in 2025, including past scores.
- Saturday, Aug. 30: Georgia 45, Marshall 7
- Saturday, Sept. 6: Georgia 28, Austin Peay 6
- Saturday, Sept. 13: Georgia 44, Tennessee 41 (OT) *
- Saturday, Sept. 20: BYE
- Saturday, Sept. 27: Alabama 24, Georgia 21 *
- Saturday, Oct. 4: Georgia 35, Kentucky 14 *
- Saturday, Oct. 11: Georgia 20, Auburn 10 *
- Saturday, Oct. 18: Georgia 43, Mississippi 35 *
- Saturday, Oct. 25: BYE
- Saturday, Nov. 1: Georgia 24, Florida 20 *
- Saturday, Nov. 8: Georgia 41, Mississippi State 21 *
- Saturday, Nov. 15: Georgia 35, Texas 10 *
- Saturday, Nov. 22: Georgia 35, Charlotte 3
- Saturday, Nov. 29: Georgia 16, Georgia Tech 9
- Saturday, Dec. 6: Alabama vs Georgia | ABC, 4 p.m. ET **
* – denotes SEC game
** – denotes SEC championships game
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