By Tanner Hood

The Alabama Farmers Federation External Affairs team stepped into the 2026 legislative session expecting a fast pace focused on looking ahead to primary elections. 

That attention quickly shifted to fighting for Alabama farmers. 

“Our team encountered legislation we didn’t initially anticipate,” said Federation External Affairs Department Director Brian Hardin. “There were significant wins for farmers, including a utility tax exemption for specific operations, sound-science standards for state environmental rules and level funding for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). However, we also had to defend Alfa Health Plans and other coverage from undue mandates, attacks on private property rights and other issues affecting farmers.” 

The Federation supported legislation by Rep. Danny Crawford, R-Athens, and Sen. Jack Williams, R-Wilmer, that excluded natural gas and electricity used for greenhouse, pivot irrigation, poultry houses and catfish farms from the state utility gross receipts and utility service tax statutes.

Support from House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville; Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman; and House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Rex Reynolds, R-Huntsville, ensured CAFO operators would pay no out-of-pocket costs for the program. 

Efforts then turned to defending affordability — such as standing against coverage mandates affecting insurance providers and Alfa Health Plans. 

“Several proposed bills mandating specific health coverage threatened affordability,” Hardin said. “Those bills risked shifting costs from providers to policyholders, increasing plan costs during tough economic times. While three mandate bills passed, including one setting a price for ambulance reimbursements, others were defeated before they could drive up plan costs.” 

Hardin cited private property rights as a key concern. This included supporting proper treatment of all animals while pushing back against a bill outlawing dog-tethering. The Federation argued it amounted to government overreach, as adequate laws already exist. 

Other legislative actions included passing record General Fund and Education Trust Fund budgets; Public Service Commission and judicial reform; data center incentives and protective measures; rural hospital investment; and career tech and education promotion.