FAIRHOPE — State Rep. Jennifer Fidler (R-Fairhope) spoke to residents in a series of panel discussions in Baldwin County last week.

Fidler, who represents District 94, spoke to residents in Magnolia Springs on May 28 at Magnolia Springs Community Hall, followed by another session the next day on May 29, held in Fairhope in the Baldwin County Commission Chamber located on the second floor of the Baldwin County Courthouse. During her discussions, she updated residents on what happened in Alabama's legislative session, which was followed by a Q&A session with the audience.

"This is something I make sure I do to make sure you all know I'm here to listen and to be able to figure out what we can do to represent the district," Fidler told those in attendance.

During her town hall meeting, Fidler called this year's legislative session a success, beginning her discussion about the state budget. The budget includes an Education Trust Fund ($9.91 billion) and a General Fund ($3.71 billion), but this does not include federal funds that come through to the state. Fidler highlighted parts of the Education Trust Fund, including benefits for teachers and $100 million added for increased employee health insurance coverage.

In taxes, Fidler mentioned legislation that passed such as the Rural Hospital Investment Tax Credit, which allows individuals, businesses and corporations to receive 100% tax credits for donations they make to rural medical centers. The Business Exemption was also raised from $40,000 to $100,000, intended as a relief for small businesses.

Issues and topics affecting the nation were also brought up, with Fidler highlighting legislation that passed such as the What is a Woman Act, which codifies biological definitions such as "man" and "woman," and tighter restrictions on voting requirements and eligibility, which includes the creation of the Alabama Voting Integrity Database, which tracks voting eligibility among Alabama residents. Other legislation passed includes the DNA collection of illegal immigrants, and knowingly transporting illegal immigrants being classified as a class C felony with exceptions for health, charitable or legal/government purposes.

Fidler also expressed support for THC regulations recently signed into law, which will restrict, regulate and tax the sale of consumable hemp products containing psychoactive chemicals and authorizes the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to issue licenses and regulate all consumable hemp products sold within the state. With the legislation set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, Fidler said the regulations were much needed and implied during her discussion of the legislation that THC regulations in Alabama will potentially become stricter in the near future.

Local issues were also discussed during her meetings. When asked about the ongoing mud dumping in Mobile Bay that has raised concerns with local groups, such as Mobile Baykeeper, Fidler said she has been in communication with Chris Blankenship, commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, about the situation but as of her Fairhope meeting on May 29, she had not received an official response from him about his or the department's stance on the mud dumping.