Matt Woods, a Republican, has represented District 5 in the Alabama State Senate since June 25, 2025, and is on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot for re-election.[1]
According to Ballotpedia, he earned an associate degree from Bevill State Community College in 2002 and a bachelor's degree in business administration from Auburn University in 2004.[1]His career experience includes working as manager of Jasper Auto Sales, and he has served on the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees.[1]
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Republicans voted. How topics are assigned
Lets a Major 21st Century Manufacturing Zone lie within a tax increment district of any size, and lets district property tax revenue reimburse a public entity's costs of acquiring land in the zone before the district was created.
Creates an Office of Occupational and Professional Licensing in the state workforce department, run by a director appointed by the Secretary of Workforce, to take over licensing, fees, records and investigations for licensing boards placed under it. Lets the Sunset Committee recommend moving boards there.
This act amends Sections 11-43-144, 36-30-40, and 36-30-41, Code of Alabama 1975, to add Parkinson’s Disease to the list of occupational diseases for which municipal and state firefighters may receive disability benefits or, in the case of death, for which these firefighters’ dependents may receive line of duty death benefits.
This act adds Articles 2, 3, and 4 to Chapter 5A, Title 16, Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) provide only the governing board of a public institution of higher education may establish a faculty senate; (2) abolish faculty senates established before October 1, 2026, unless in accordance with this act and ratified by the governing board; (3) require governing boards to adopt policies governing the selection and conditions of a faculty senate before establishing such, including ensuring adequate representation of each school or college and numbers of members; (4) authorize removal of faculty senate…
This act adds Section 16-6J-10 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) authorize schools, students, and parents of such students, participating in the CHOOSE Act to bring a civil action to have an interscholastic athletic association enjoined from enforcing rules limiting CHOOSE Act students' participation in sports solely due to their CHOOSE Act participation and enjoined from punishing a CHOOSE Act student for participating in sports pursuant to a court's injunction under this act or for supporting such a student's participation; (2) provide rules governing actions for such injunctions; and…
This act proposes an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama 2022, to require each local board of education to adopt a policy requiring public K-12 schools to broadcast a recording or school-sanctioned performance of the first stanza of the Star-Spangled Banner as archived in the Library of Congress during school hours, at least once a week.
Requires Class 3 municipalities to keep 1.9 full-time officers per 1,000 residents, with a five-year grace period requiring annual 10 percent deficit reductions; after that, the State Law Enforcement Agency may assume oversight of noncompliant police departments and seek restitution of costs.
This act is the Alabama Post-Election Audit Act. This act: (1) requires the judge of probate of each county to audit at least one countywide or statewide race in at least one precinct as selected by the county canvassing board after each general election; (2) establishes the procedures for such audits, including that the audit shall begin not later than 31 days after the election, be done in the presence of an inspector and poll watchers, and at least 30 ballots shall be manually compared to ballot counter results; and (3) requires the Secretary of State to report audit findings to the…
This act adds Section 15-20A-19.01 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) authorize parole or probation officers to restrict adult sex offenders convicted of a sex offense involving a child from using a post office box or possessing any electronic media, including internet connected computers and gaming systems; and (2) provide knowingly violating such a restriction is a Class C felony.
This act amends Sections 11-43-144, 36-30-40, and 36-30-41, Code of Alabama 1975, to add Parkinson’s Disease to the list of occupational diseases for which municipal and state firefighters may receive disability benefits or, in the case of death, for which these firefighters’ dependents may receive line of duty death benefits.
This act amends Section 16-40A-2, Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) require the teaching of sexual risk avoidance and the advantages of avoiding nonmarital sexual activity in public school programs including sex education or human reproduction; (2) prohibit course materials introducing concepts related to sexual behavior to students in kindergarten through fourth grade; (3) require sex education or human reproduction course materials to include certain information, including on abortion, infant adoption, surrendering newborns, unhealthy relationships, exploitation and peer pressure, and impacts…
This act: (1) requires the Alabama Department of Human Resources, upon the approval of a request submitted to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service to exclude candy and soda from the definition of “eligible foods” for purposes of SNAP benefits, to prohibit the purchase of candy and soda with SNAP benefits, subject to one month's notice provided by retailers before becoming effective; (2) requires the Governor to designate an agency to publish a list of items included and excluded under the waiver, including standard point-of-sale identifiers; (3) requires the waiver request to be resubmitted if…
This act prohibits a state agency from adopting or amending a rule that establishes numeric limitations or criteria for certain substances relating to environmental protection that: (1) is more stringent or extensive than federal requirements on the same topic; and (2) if there are no federal requirements on the same topic, is not based on the best available science and weight of scientific research for each substance to which the rule applies.
For one year, bars new large solar farms in counties bordering the Gulf unless the operator first holds a local public hearing after 30 days' notice, bars stricter local solar rules, and bars new carbon dioxide storage sites on public land or covering 50,000 acres or more.
This act amends Sections 40-21-83 and 40-21-103, Code of Alabama 1975, to exempt: (1) furnishing natural gas or electricity for commercial aquaculture aeration systems, commercial greenhouses, and pivot irrigation systems from the utility gross receipts tax; and (2) natural gas or electricity purchased for storage, use, or other consumption used for commercial aquaculture aeration systems, commercial greenhouses, pivot irrigation systems, and poultry houses from the utility service use tax.
This act adds Section 15-20A-19.01 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) authorize parole or probation officers to restrict adult sex offenders convicted of a sex offense involving a child from using a post office box or possessing any electronic media, including internet connected computers and gaming systems; and (2) provide knowingly violating such a restriction is a Class C felony.
Caps data center abatements granted from 2027 at 20 years; for centers drawing 100 megawatts or more, ends state sales tax breaks on buildings and power equipment (except in targeted counties) and state property tax breaks once in service; extends the sunset to 2032.
This act amends Sections 41-9-590, 41-9-594, 41-9-625, and 41-9-650, and adds Sections 41-9-650.1, 41-9-650.2, 41-9-650.3, 41-9-650.4, and 41-9-650.5 to, the Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) require arresting agencies to collect certain biometric identifiers of arrested individuals, authorize detaining agencies to collect certain biometric identifiers of detained individuals, subject to deletion upon the individual's release, and require agencies recovering unidentified human corpses to collect certain biometric identifiers of corpses; (2) require the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)…
This act is the Alabama Work Zone Safety Act. This act: (1) authorizes the Alabama Toll Road, Bridge, and Tunnel Authority and the Alabama Department of Transportation to install certain automated photographic speed enforcement systems, and the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) to use manually operated photographic speed enforcement systems, in active work zones to monitor motor vehicles to assure safety; (2) authorizes ALEA to issue civil traffic citations for speeding violations recorded by photographic speed enforcement systems and to mail notice of citations or warnings to a…
On the version voted Apr 7, 2026: Allows off-road vehicles on public roads in unincorporated areas with speed limits of 45 mph or less if they are registered, insured, and equipped, and operated by a licensed driver.
This act: (1) prohibits operating an unmanned aircraft system within 400 feet of or above a ticketed entertainment event, subject to exceptions; and (2) provides a violation is punishable by a fine of up to $500 and a subsequent violation is a Class A misdemeanor.
This act is the Alabama Property Protection Act of 2026. This act adds Chapter 19J to Title 8 and Chapter 21 to Title 35, Code of Alabama 1975, adds Sections 8-6-61, 12-13-55, and 13A-9-23 to the Code of Alabama 1975, and amends Sections 6-6-540, 6-6-545, 6-6-571, 13A-9-12, 13A-9-22, 36-20-73, and 36-20-73.1, Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) authorize the Alabama Securities Commission to investigate, adjudicate, and take specified enforcement actions, including levying civil penalties, against residential title fraud violators; (2) authorize the commission, in conjunction with judges of probate,…
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
SB341 · AL SENATE
Alabama Work Zone Safety Act; pilot program to establish photographic speed enforcement system in a work zone on interstate highway, provided; civil penalties for violations, provided
Not votingNO VOTE
Motion: Carnley motion to Concur In and Adopt Conference Committee Report
This act is the Alabama Work Zone Safety Act. This act: (1) authorizes the Alabama Toll Road, Bridge, and Tunnel Authority and the Alabama Department of Transportation to install certain automated photographic speed enforcement systems, and the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) to use manually operated photographic speed enforcement systems, in active work zones to monitor motor vehicles to assure safety; (2) authorizes ALEA to issue civil traffic citations for speeding violations recorded by photographic speed enforcement systems and to mail notice of citations or warnings to a…
Recognizing the need for a north-south transportation route in East Alabama
Not votingNO VOTE
Motion: Waggoner Concur In and Adopt
Declares the Legislature's recognition that East Alabama needs a four-lane north-south transportation route connecting it to the Port of Mobile to serve manufacturing, commuting and tourism.
Sex offenders; restrictions for certain sex offenders further provided, Board of Pardons and Paroles authorized to adopt rules
YesVOTED
Motion: Gudger motion to Concur In and Adopt Conference Committee Report
This act adds Section 15-20A-19.01 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) authorize parole or probation officers to restrict adult sex offenders convicted of a sex offense involving a child from using a post office box or possessing any electronic media, including internet connected computers and gaming systems; and (2) provide knowingly violating such a restriction is a Class C felony.
Public institutions of higher education; faculty senates limited to advisory role, tenure policy required, review and dismissal of tenured faculty authorized, governing board authority over courses and curriculum provided
YesVOTED
Motion: Waggoner Petition to Cease Debate
This act adds Articles 2, 3, and 4 to Chapter 5A, Title 16, Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) provide only the governing board of a public institution of higher education may establish a faculty senate; (2) abolish faculty senates established before October 1, 2026, unless in accordance with this act and ratified by the governing board; (3) require governing boards to adopt policies governing the selection and conditions of a faculty senate before establishing such, including ensuring adequate representation of each school or college and numbers of members; (4) authorize removal of faculty senate…
Public institutions of higher education; faculty senates limited to advisory role, tenure policy required, review and dismissal of tenured faculty authorized, governing board authority over courses and curriculum provided
YesVOTED
Motion: Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass
This act adds Articles 2, 3, and 4 to Chapter 5A, Title 16, Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) provide only the governing board of a public institution of higher education may establish a faculty senate; (2) abolish faculty senates established before October 1, 2026, unless in accordance with this act and ratified by the governing board; (3) require governing boards to adopt policies governing the selection and conditions of a faculty senate before establishing such, including ensuring adequate representation of each school or college and numbers of members; (4) authorize removal of faculty senate…
Montgomery County; legislative delegation, office and fund established
YesVOTED
Motion: Third Reading in Second House
Directs the Montgomery County Commission to create a fund for the county's legislative delegation office, deposits certain state money distributed to the county into it, and requires the county's largest city to provide the office space and utilities, starting October 1, 2026.
Montgomery County; legislative delegation, office and fund established
YesVOTED
Motion: Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass
Directs the Montgomery County Commission to create a fund for the county's legislative delegation office, deposits certain state money distributed to the county into it, and requires the county's largest city to provide the office space and utilities, starting October 1, 2026.
Dogs; tethering and confinement requirements provided; persons and activities exempted; criminal penalties for, animal control officer enforcement of, violations established
YesVOTED
Motion: Gudger motion to Concur In and Adopt House Amendment
This act: (1) prohibits tethering a dog to a stationary object unless a trolley system is used in accordance with specified criteria, including the tether is not unreasonably heavy, only one dog is connected to the tether and is attached to a properly fitted collar or harness using swivels on each end, and the tether allows access to food, water, and shelter; (2) prohibits using a logging chain or choke or pinch collar to tether a dog; (3) prohibits restricting a dog within an enclosure unless in accordance with specified criteria, including the enclosure must have space for the dog to freely…
Solar power facilities; new facilities prohibited for one year
Not votingNO VOTE
Motion: Carnley motion to Adopt
For one year, bars new large solar farms in counties bordering the Gulf unless the operator first holds a local public hearing after 30 days' notice, bars stricter local solar rules, and bars new carbon dioxide storage sites on public land or covering 50,000 acres or more.
