Over the past three years serving the people of House District 20, I’ve learned that every legislative session brings a mix of progress, setbacks, and lessons. But each year, I grow more committed to the work and more optimistic about what Alabama can accomplish.
One thing has become clear: even the best ideas sometimes take time to gain traction. Good policy doesn’t always become law in a single session — but persistence pays off. That’s certainly true of my bill to ban foreign influence in Alabama’s elections.
Alabama has led the way in prioritizing election integrity. Just last year, our elections were ranked the third most secure in the nation — a reflection of the strong foundation we’ve built. But we can’t let that success lull us into complacency.
While current law rightly prohibits foreign nations from donating to political candidates, a loophole remains: those same foreign entities can still spend money to influence ballot measures, including constitutional amendments. That’s a vulnerability we must close.
My bill aimed to fix that. While it ultimately ran out of time in the Senate, the momentum is there, and I plan to reintroduce it in 2026. This isn’t just about policy — it’s about protecting the voice of Alabama voters.
Of course, the session also brought meaningful wins that will strengthen our economy, improve education, and support our law enforcement.
One of the highlights was the Alabama Energy Infrastructure Bank Act, which I was proud to sponsor in the House. This forward-looking initiative helps accelerate power generation and transmission projects by providing financing tools and streamlining equipment procurement. It positions Alabama to meet rising power demands and compete for major industrial projects — all while ensuring transparency and statewide access.
We also advanced The Back the Blue Protection Act, a landmark bill that ensures law enforcement officers can do their jobs without fear of frivolous lawsuits. In a time when other states are pulling back support for law enforcement, Alabama has set the national standard. This legislation has been described as the most pro-law-enforcement bill in the country — and I believe it makes us the most pro-law-enforcement state in the nation.
Our progress wasn’t limited to public safety. We took bold action to reform how we fund public education. For decades, school systems were funded based solely on headcount—ignoring the unique challenges different communities face.
The passage of the Renewing Alabama’s Investment in Student Excellence (RAISE) Act marks a historic shift. It allows us to direct resources to where they’re needed most, factoring in student poverty, English language learning, and special needs. Paired with long-overdue wins like paid parental leave and workers’ compensation for educators, this package represents a renewed commitment to Alabama’s teachers and students.
Tax relief remains a top priority for me and for conservatives across the Legislature. While Alabama already ranks among the lowest-taxed states, we believe families deserve more breathing room. This year, we passed over $137 million in tax cuts, including a reduction in the state grocery tax and the repeal of the so-called Pink Tax — relieving costs on essential feminine and maternity products.
While several additional tax cuts didn’t cross the finish line this session, I’ll continue pushing for meaningful, broad-based relief in future sessions. Our budget chairs, state finance director, and House leadership deserve immense credit for giving us the fiscal discipline to make these tax cuts possible.
As with any session, there were disappointments. But overall, 2025 was a step forward marked by smart and strategic wins that will serve Alabama well in the years to come.
We’re moving the needle. The results are taking shape. And while the work is far from over, I’m more motivated than ever to keep showing up, to keep standing up, and to keep fighting for an Alabama that does the hard work today to create a brighter tomorrow for all.
Republican Rep. James Lomax of Huntsville is the District 20 representative in the Alabama House of Representatives.
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