Alabama legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Alabama SB138: Franchises; prohibit franchisor from requiring franchisee to operate on a religious day, exceptions provided
Status: Signed into law, April 17, 2026
What the bill says
An Act, Relating to franchises; to prohibit a franchisor from requiring a franchisee that asserts a sincerely held religious belief to operate on a religious day under certain circumstances; and to provide a cause of action for violations.
From the enrolled text:
An Act, Relating to franchises; to prohibit a franchisor from requiring a franchisee that asserts a sincerely held religious belief to operate on a religious day under certain circumstances; and to provide a cause of action for violations. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA: Section 1. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings: (1)FRANCHISE AGREEMENT. A written agreement or an amendment or renewal of a written agreement, or in the absence of a written agreement, a course of practice, in which a person grants to another person a license to use a trade name, trademark, service mark, or related characteristic in exchange for the payment of a franchise fee. The term includes a sales and service agreement other than a sales and service agreement regulated by Chapter 20 of Title 8, Code of Alabama 1975, The Motor Vehicle Franchise Act; Chapter 8A of Tile 28, Code of Alabama 1975; or Chapter 9 of Title 28, Code of Alabama 1975. (2) FRANCHISEE. a. A person with which a franchisor has agreed or permitted, in writing or in practice, to purchase, sell, or offer for sale a product manufactured, produced, represented, or distributed by the franchisor in exchange for the payment of a franchise fee from the franchisee to the franchisor. b. The term …
Sponsors
- Roberts, Dan (R, SD-015) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Enacted
- : Signature Requested
- : Delivered to Governor
- : Enrolled
- : Ready to Enroll
- : Gudger Motion to Concur In and Adopt House Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1260
- : Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1306
- : Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1305
- : Blackshear 1st Amendment Offered
- : Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1304
Votes
- Senate Roll Call #1260 (April 8, 2026): 33 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Roll Call #1306 (April 8, 2026): 101 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Roll Call #1305 (April 8, 2026): 105 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Roll Call #1304 (April 8, 2026): 105 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Roll Call #1303 (April 8, 2026): 105 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Roll Call #388 (February 12, 2026): 30 yea, 1 nay, passed
Subjects: Businesses & Financial Institutions
Common questions
- What is SB138?
- SB138 is a bill in the Alabama Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Franchises; prohibit franchisor from requiring franchisee to operate on a religious day, exceptions provided.
- What does SB138 do?
- In its own words: An Act, Relating to franchises; to prohibit a franchisor from requiring a franchisee that asserts a sincerely held religious belief to operate on a religious day under certain circumstances; and to provide a cause of action for violations.
- What is the status of SB138?
- Signed into law as of April 17, 2026. Latest action: Enacted (April 17, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB138?
- Roberts, Dan (R, SD-015).
- Where is the official record for SB138?
- On the Alabama Legislature website: https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/instrument/2026RS/SB138
Source: official Alabama record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.