Bill > SB167

This bill amends the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act to change how courts review an agency's interpretation of laws. Previously, courts would generally defer to an agency's interpretation of a statute or rule, meaning they would assume the agency's understanding was correct unless there was a strong reason to believe otherwise. This bill removes that presumption of correctness, stating that courts can consider an agency's interpretation but will not automatically defer to it. Instead, courts will interpret the meaning and effect of statutes and rules themselves, and if any doubt remains after using standard interpretation methods, that doubt will be resolved in favor of a reasonable interpretation. This change aims to give courts more independent authority in interpreting laws when reviewing agency actions, rather than relying heavily on the agency's own understanding. The bill also makes minor technical changes to existing language and sets an effective date of October 1, 2026.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/bill-search