LEAGUE NEWS
LWVAL Take Action Tuesday
Tuesday February 3, 2026
First... Cheers to us for a BIG success!
The Good News: Alabama Rivers Alliance fully expected the very bad SB71 to get to the floor for a vote last week. But 840+ concerned Alabamians intervened with calls, emails, and visits to their legislators and our efforts worked! The bill did not get on the floor.
The Bad News: it is likely that bill will hit the Senate floor this week. Alabama needs to keep the pressure up to oppose HB162 and SB71.
As a result, the League is again amplifying a Call to Action by Alabama Rivers Alliance to oppose these bills.
Alabama Rivers Alliance
OPPOSE SB71 & HB162
These companion bills prohibit Alabama from adopting environmental protection criteria stricter than federal requirements even though our needs are different.
SB71 (Sen Donny Chesteen)
HB162 (Rep Troy Stubbs)
Alabama Rivers Alliance says,"These bills threaten Alabama's ability to protect our water, air and soil quality, and they would strip the state of its ability to set its own rules for water quality."
The idea that Alabama, of all places, would willingly allow the federal government to dictate what is best for Alabama, our water, and the health of our families, is bizarre.
The current status of these bills:
SB71 was passed out of the Senate's County and Municipal Government Committee.
HB 162 is in the House's State Government Committee.
Actions to Oppose HB162/SB71 for Today
1.Click HERE to use the ARA form to send an email to your representatives. If you are especially interested in this bill, consider checking the box to receive ARA updates as there could be urgent actions needed between Tuesdays.
Pro Tip: The email text provided can be revised with more personalized language of your choosing.
2. Phone calls are always better. Click HEREto look up your representatives and their phone numbers.
Pro Tip: Think about what you're going to say before calling, and have your script ready.
LWVAL and Read Freely Alabama
OPPOSE SB26
Library Boards serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority.
SB26 (Sen Chris Elliot)
SB26 passed out of the Senate Committee of County and Municipal Government, and it's going to the full Senate for a vote. It's time to call our state senators and ask them to oppose this bill.
Why we oppose this bill:
Weakens the independence of Alabama’s public library boards,
Strips local boards of stability by making every member “serve at the pleasure” of their appointing authority, and
Requires every library board in the state to file annual book removal reports directly to the Governor, Speaker of the House, and Senate Pro Tem detailing every action related to reviewing or removing materials.
Actions to Oppose SB26 for Today
Call your state senator and communicate your strong opposition to SB26.
Click HERE if you need to locate your district and senator's name.
Click HERE if you need your senator's phone number.
Prework For Action -
Learn About Alabama Prison Conditions
FREE Online Screening of
THE ALABAMA SOLUTION
Since the U.S. Department of Justice found Alabama’s prisons unconstitutional in 2019, MORE THAN 1,300 Alabamians have died in our prisons. The League expects a bill during the 2026 session that will establish much-needed independent oversight. Alabamians need to be motivated and ready to support that legislation when it is presented.
To accomplish this, the League of Women Voters of Alabama has worked with several organizations (Alabama Appleseed, One for Justice, The Campaign for Safety and Accountability) to offer a free, online screening of the Oscar-nominated film,The Alabama Solution,on Thursday Night, February 5 at 6:00 pm.
Click HERE to register for the FREE online screening of The Alabama Solution.
And if you can't bear to watch the film, consider reading Alabama Appleseed's summary of the federal investigation of Alabama men's prisons.
ACTION REQUESTED
Whether you will watch the film or not, please share this unique, important, and FREE opportunity with your circle by email or sharing on social media. Right click and save the graphic below. Some have had trouble with the QR code. If you want to include the direct registration link, it is: https://watch.eventive.org/thealabamasolution/play/69690380e2610e59fd0508e7
