2025 Legislative Conference Overview
The upcoming 2025 Legislative Conference marks my second term representing House District 16, which includes Fayette, Northern Tuscaloosa County, and West Jefferson County. After winning this seat in a competitive special election in 2024, I’ve dedicated my efforts to a single goal: enhancing the lives of over 48,000 residents in Western Alabama.
Every day, I aim to promote high-wage jobs, ensure safer roads and bridges, and advocate for well-funded educational opportunities—essentially, what our children truly deserve.
In Montgomery, each vote I cast aligns with these commitments. I’ve seen the passage of conservative, common-sense policies that have positively influenced House District 16 and our entire state.
Looking back at the 2026 presidential election, it produced highly favorable outcomes for Americans, but Alabama’s initiatives for election integrity remain robust.
I felt honored when Secretary of State Wes Allen invited me to sponsor House Bill 479, which permanently removes Alabama from the electronic registration information center, known commonly as Eric. Until 2023, we used the Eric System to track voters who had changed addresses during elections to maintain accurate voter rolls. While that goal is certainly important, there are concerns surrounding the organization’s governance and operations.
The voter rolls contain sensitive personal information that must be secured. Yet, when Secretary Allen asked Eric officials a straightforward question about where this data was stored and who had access, he got no clear answers. He even visited Eric’s Washington, DC headquarters, only to find that the locations listed were just virtual workspaces, and there was no physical HQ there.
Following this revelation, Alabama has officially exited the Eric system. My bill, signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey, aims to strengthen our election integrity, ensuring that our citizens aren’t inadvertently re-registered.
Another significant measure this session was championed by the Alabama Farmers Federation, also known as Alfa, to create more affordable healthcare options for farmers and workers in agriculture. Making it easier for these individuals and their families to access quality coverage at reasonable prices will help sustain the industry and preserve Alabama’s agricultural heritage for generations to come.
Alfa has assured that those in the health insurance program will remain covered and successfully added an amendment to the bill. This ensures that people with pre-existing conditions, like cancer or pregnancy, will still be able to receive necessary care.
I believe my amendments have made a stronger bill that truly benefits Alabama farmers, which was the whole point.
On the last day of the session, the Senate faced a lengthy Democrat-led filibuster that lasted nearly 12 hours. This started when one of my local bills from Fayette County was brought to the floor. Although the filibuster wasn’t directly related to my legislation, it stalled many important local bills.
I managed to prioritize my Fayette County bills as the first two considered in the Senate calendar that day, ensuring their passage amid the chaos.
HB511 and HB512 may not have statewide implications, but they are crucial for the Fayette County revenue commissioners and sheriffs. Local bills might not make headlines, but they are vital for the communities we represent and highlight the need for advocates in Montgomery.
During the 2026 Legislative Conference and beyond, I remain committed to producing results that reflect the values, needs, and priorities of the citizens I’ve promised to serve.
My focus will continue to include strengthening elections, supporting agriculture, improving local governance, and more—all through practical, principled policies that foster community growth.
