The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Alabama Authorizes Seafood Testing, Revises Country-of-Origin Labeling Rules, and Sets Penalties for Violations
Last action · April 7, 2026: Read for the Second Time and placed on the CalendarSponsor: Chip Brown
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Would Do
Alabama authorizes the Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries to test seafood for country-of-origin compliance, updates mandatory labeling and menu disclosure methods for food service establishments, and establishes a graduated fine schedule for violations beginning October 1, 2026.
Food service establishments across the state face specific signage dimensions, menu disclosure rules, and financial penalties ranging from written warnings to $1,000 fines for failing to properly label imported seafood.
- Country-of-origin labeling requirements for food commodities ensure consumers are informed about where food products are sourced. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Food Service Establishments
Restaurants, delis, and food providers must comply with specific menu and signage labeling rules for imported seafood or face fines, health score reductions, and public listing.
Seafood Suppliers
Suppliers must provide the country of origin for covered commodities supplied to food service establishments.
Alabama Department of Public Health
The department is responsible for investigating complaints, inspecting establishments, collecting fines, and publishing a quarterly list of violators.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What signage is required for restaurants that do not use menus?
What happens if a restaurant relies on incorrect information provided by its supplier?
How are repeat offenses penalized?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently passed chamber. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.
Procedural history
16 actions- Apr 7, 2026SenateRead for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
- Apr 7, 2026SenateCommitteeReported Out of Committee Second House
- Mar 31, 2026SenateCommitteePending Committee Action in Second House
- Mar 31, 2026SenateIntroducedRead for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry
- Mar 19, 2026HouseEngrossed
- Mar 19, 2026HouseFloorMotion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 997
Show 10 earlier actions
- Mar 19, 2026HouseMotion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 996
- Mar 19, 2026HouseWays and Means General Fund Engrossed Substitute Offered
- Mar 19, 2026HouseThird Reading in House of Origin
- Feb 25, 2026HouseRead for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
- Feb 25, 2026HouseCommitteeReported Out of Committee House of Origin
- Feb 19, 2026HouseCommitteeRe-referred to Committee in House of Origin
- Feb 19, 2026HouseRead for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
- Feb 18, 2026HouseCommitteeReported Out of Committee House of Origin
- Feb 12, 2026HouseCommitteePending Committee Action in House of Origin
- Feb 12, 2026HouseIntroducedRead for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Health
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
alison.legislature.state.al.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy15Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools