MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Lawmakers in Alabama reconvened in Montgomery on Tuesday to kick off the legislative session for 2025. Various pivotal issues are anticipated to shape the discussions ahead.

**Public Safety**

Republican Governor Kay Ivey is backing a series of public safety initiatives that aim to introduce a ban on Glock switches, which enable semiautomatic firearms to operate similarly to machine guns. This legislative package also seeks to support local police departments in their efforts to recruit and keep officers. Plans are in place for these bills to be presented in committee, with potential floor votes anticipated as early as next week. Some members of the Democratic Party have called on their Republican counterparts to consider further measures, such as reinstating the permit requirement for carrying concealed firearms.

**Immigration**

Multiple bills focused on immigration are expected to be introduced by Republican lawmakers, as red states align with former President Donald Trump’s efforts for increased deportations. Republican Representative Ernie Yarbrough has brought forward legislation that would empower local law enforcement to partner with federal agencies to enforce immigration laws. Additionally, Republican Senator Lance Bell has proposed a bill requiring law enforcement to gather DNA samples, along with fingerprints, from individuals apprehended for unlawful immigration.

**Gambling**

Senator Greg Albritton, a Republican, is exploring the potential interest in revisiting gambling legislation after a comprehensive proposal regarding lottery and casino operations was rejected last session. The previous bill encountered setbacks in the Alabama Senate. House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter expressed his desire for any new gambling initiatives to originate in the Senate this year. The state has not conducted a statewide vote on gambling since Governor Don Siegelman’s lottery proposal was defeated back in 1999. Recent gambling bills have encountered roadblocks stemming from a mix of opposition to casinos and conflicts over casino licensing.

**Education Funding**

A legislative committee is working on a novel funding structure for schools that will determine the state financial support for local education systems. This committee is projected to deliver proposals for a hybrid model that distributes funds based on enrollment figures while also incorporating student-specific needs. “Alabama is one of five states without a student-weighted funding formula that considers individual student requirements,” stated Republican Senator Arthur Orr, who leads the Senate education budget committee.

**Defining Gender**
The proposed “What is a Woman?” legislation aims to codify the definitions of “man,” “woman,” “boy,” and “girl” within state law, basing these definitions on individuals’ reproductive anatomy at birth. Republican Representative Susan Dubose, the bill’s sponsor, contends that these definitions are crucial for safeguarding “women’s spaces,” such as dormitories. Critics, however, argue that such legislation attempts to erode legal rights for members of the LGBTQ+ community, asserting that the bill would legally exclude transgender women from being recognized as women. Another proposed bill seeks to mandate parental consent for public schools before presenting or hosting drag performances.