Rodger M. Smitherman represents District 18 (Jefferson County) in the Alabama Senate.[1]
According to the Alabama Legislature's profile, he was born in Montgomery, Alabama, on March 2, 1953, and earned a B.B.A. from the University of Montevallo and a Juris Doctor from Miles Law School.[1]The profile describes him as a practicing attorney who was elected President Pro Tempore of the Alabama Senate on February 5, 2009, and served until November 2, 2010.[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 Democrats voted. How topics are assigned
This act substantially amends Chapter 11 of Title 28, Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) impose a $150 fee to obtain a retail permit to sell tobacco, tobacco products, and non-vapor based alternative nicotine products, which permit also authorizes the permitholder to sell certain FDA-approved electronic nicotine delivery systems and e-liquids; (2) increase the fines and administrative penalties for retailers who violate the sale, advertising, and permitting requirements; (3) further provide for the ABC Board’s authority to seize and dispose of prohibited tobacco and ENDS products; (4) establish…
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.
As introduced, requires money transmitters to charge $7.50 plus 1.5% of any amount over $500 on outgoing international wire transfers, funds sheriffs' immigration enforcement costs from the fees, and allows an income tax credit for fees paid, up to $5,000.
Lets people serving life without parole under the habitual felony offender act, sentenced before May 26, 2000, and with no homicide, sex, attempted murder or injury offenses, ask a court to reduce their sentence starting October 1, 2025.
This act amends Sections 31-13-3, 31-13-12, and 31-13-18, Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) require jail administrators to make reasonable efforts to verify if a confined individual is an illegal alien if charged with certain crimes; (2) to provide procedures to make a query to Immigration and Customs Enforcement if the administration is unable to make a determination; and (3) further provide for an administrator's response to a detainer and administrative warrant for a detainee.
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 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.
This act substantially amends Chapter 11 of Title 28, Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) impose a $150 fee to obtain a retail permit to sell tobacco, tobacco products, and non-vapor based alternative nicotine products, which permit also authorizes the permitholder to sell certain FDA-approved electronic nicotine delivery systems and e-liquids; (2) increase the fines and administrative penalties for retailers who violate the sale, advertising, and permitting requirements; (3) further provide for the ABC Board’s authority to seize and dispose of prohibited tobacco and ENDS products; (4) establish…
Changes how Escambia County's medical examiner is chosen: a committee of the county commission chair, district attorney, sheriff and state chief medical examiner submits candidates, and the Region IV senior state medical examiner appoints one, with the department director's approval, to a six-year term.
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 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.
Sets the Marion County Public Water Authority board at five directors from October 1, 2025: the county commission chair (ex officio) and one each appointed by the firefighters association, the county's mayors, its House members and its Senate members.
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.
Invalidates driver licenses of a class issued only to people who did not provide proof of lawful U.S. presence, requires citations for drivers holding one unless they carry other proof, and removes the nonresident license exemption for such licenses.
This act amends Section 32-6-10.1, Code of Alabama 1975, to prohibit the use of a foreign national driver license as a photo identification for purposes of voting.
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…
This act is the Financial Innovation and Market Expansion Act. This act adds Chapter 7B to Title 8, Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) prohibit issuing payment stablecoins without a permit, subject to exceptions; (2) beginning 2028, prohibit digital asset service providers from offering payment stablecoins not issued by permittees, subject to exceptions; (3) authorize the Alabama Securities Commission to establish a license application process according to specified requirements; (4) require licensees to implement anti-money laundering and economic sanctions programs; (5) authorize and require the…
Requires app stores to verify users' ages and get a parent's consent before minors download or buy apps, and developers to check age and consent data through the stores; makes knowing or reckless violations deceptive trade practices with Attorney General penalties up to $50,000 each.
This act: (1) requires certain tablets and smartphones to automatically activate an obscene material filter if the user is a minor upon set up; (2) provides requirements for use and deactivation of the filter; (3) provides civil liability for persons other than a minor's guardian who deactivate a filter, resulting in a minor's access to obscene material; and (4) authorizes the Attorney General to bring an action against a person or manufacturer that violate these requirements.
This act substantially amends Chapters 5 and 5A of Title 31, Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) require the Governor to appoint the Commissioner of the State Department of Veterans Affairs to serve at his or her pleasure; (2) authorize the commissioner to prescribe qualifications for the officers and employees authorized to be appointed to the department; (3) remove the requirement that the commissioner receive approval from the board before engaging in certain actions; (4) further provide for the membership of the board; (5) revise the duties of the board to that of an advisory capacity; and (6)…
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,…
Sex offenders; restrictions for certain sex offenders further provided, Board of Pardons and Paroles authorized to adopt rules
What it does: 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…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 2–6, Republicans 24–0
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
What it does: 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 facult…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 1–7, Republicans 26–0
Office of Occupational and Professional Licensing established within Alabama Department of Workforce, powers and duties of Secretary of Workforce and executive director specified, Sunset Committee to consider transfer to office in recommendation for modification
What it does: 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 l…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 2–3, Republicans 26–1
Public K-12 schools; sex education (sex ed) curriculum further provided for, sexual risk avoidance established as sex ed curriculum, policies of local boards of education related to sex ed further provided for, parent or guardian notice of sex ed curriculum required, Attorney General authorized to enforce
What it does: 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…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 1–3, Republicans 25–0
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
YesVOTED
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
YesVOTED
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
NoVOTED
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.
