Alabama House passes legislation to protect Alabama farms and businesses from Alabama's state regulators

February 18, 2026 - MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 71 (SB71) on Tuesday. The legislation blocks the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and other state regulators from passing regulations that are stricter than the standards passed by federal regulators like the Environmental Protection Agency or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The bill is sponsored by state Senator Donnie Chesteen (R-Geneva) and was carried in the House by State Representative Troy Stubbs (R-Wetumpka).

Rep. Stubbs said that SB71 will "Provide a framework by which the State of Alabama can operate to provide stability for our businesses, our farmers and others."

Stubbs said that in an area where there is no federal standard, the legislation would allow state regulators to set their own standard. They just can't deviate from an existing federal standard.

SB71 bars the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) and other state agencies from enacting environmental rules that go beyond federal baselines. If no federal rule exists on a given issue state regulators may act only where they are able to demonstrate a "direct causal link" between exposure and harm to human health. It also requires them to use the "best available science."

"This bill provides a way in which the State of Alabama can pass its own regulations related to the environment in the event that the federal government does not address those particular matters," said Rep. Stubbs. "We will, in those cases, use generally accepted scientific practices and sound science rules to do that."

Stubbs warned that states like California and Illinois have set standards higher than the federal government on a number of issues, causing economic hardship for farmers, industry, and other businesses.

Democrats and environmental activists opposed the limited government legislation.

"I don't want to be California or Illinois, but I also don't want to be Mississippi," said House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels (D-Huntsville).

SB71 is supported by the Alabama Farmers Federation, the Business Council of Alabama, and the Alabama Manufacturers Association.

Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), Alabama Rivers Alliance, and Mobile Baykeeper are all in opposition to the bill.

SB71 cleared the House by a vote of 68 to 34.

SB71 has already passed the Senate. It now goes to the Governor's office for her consideration.

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