Senator Garlan Gudger (R)
Profile
Bio
Garlan Gudger, Jr. proudly represents District 4 in the Alabama State Senate, which includes Cullman, Marion, and Winston counties. A successful small businessman from Cullman, Senator Gudger was overwhelmingly elected to the Alabama State Senate in 2018 and re-elected in 2022.
Senator Gudger was unanimously elected in 2025 by his colleagues to serve as the Senate President Pro Tempore.
Senator Gudger has been the recipient of numerous awards including:
• Alabama Republican Party Defender of Freedom Award (2025)
• Youth Leadership Development Program Great American Hero Award (2025)
• Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association Ironman Award (2025)
• Alabama Restaurant & Hospitality Association Legislator of the Year (2024)
• AL Association RC&D Councils State Senate Leadership Award (2023)
• Alabama Tourism Advocate Government Award (2023)
• Economic Development Association of Alabama (EDAA) Legislator of the Year (2023)
• Guardian of Small Business Award from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) (2022)
• The American Conservative Union Foundation Conservative Achievement Award (2021)
• ALGOP Chairman’s Commendation award (2021)
• National Alliance on Mental Health Legislator of the Year (2019)
• “Hometown Hero Award” from the Alabama League of Municipalities (2019)
• Dr. Gary W. Porier Leadership Award (2018)
• Top 50 “Up and Coming” Political Figures to Watch by Yellowhammer News (2018)
• Top 40 over 40 by Alabama magazine (2018)
• Honored as City Council Member for The Link of Cullman County Dream Big Award (2017)
• Small Business of the Year Silver Award from the Alabama Retail Association (2016)
• “Hero of the South” Award from Southern Living magazine (2012)
• Leadership Alabama Graduate (2011)
• Small Business of the Year Bronze award from the Alabama Retail Association (2002)
Senator Gudger was born and raised in Cullman, Alabama. After high school, he received a football scholarship to attend Samford University. He later transferred to Auburn University where he graduated with a BS in building science and a minor in business.
In 2004, Gudger became the youngest member in the history of the City of Cullman to be elected to the Cullman City Council. He served on the council for 14 years and was elected to serve as its president for the last ten years.
Senator Gudger is married to Heather Pierce Gudger of Huntsville. They have two sons: Tripp, a student at Samford University and Pierce, a student at The University of Alabama. He is a member of Daystar Church and has participated in numerous mission trips throughout the world.
| Committee | Position |
|---|---|
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry | Pro Tempore |
County and Municipal Government | Pro Tempore |
Education Policy | Pro Tempore |
Finance and Taxation Education | Pro Tempore |
Finance and Taxation General Fund | Pro Tempore |
Healthcare | Pro Tempore |
Judiciary | Pro Tempore |
Local Legislation | Pro Tempore |
Rules | Pro Tempore |
Sunset Committee | Pro Tempore |
Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Safety | Pro Tempore |
Permanent Joint Legislative Advisory Committee on Economic Incentives | Pro Tempore |
Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Finances and Budget | Pro Tempore |
| Legislation | Title | Status | Last Action | Last Action Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
SJR42026 Regular Session | Dorothy Lee Hatcher, death mourned | Enacted | Enacted | 1/29/2026 |
SB122026 Regular Session | Community development district; 2025 act repealed, which authorized annexation of certain district by a wet municipality | Enacted | Enacted | 1/23/2026 |
SB232026 Regular Session | Elections; special primary election for redistricting authorized in certain circumstances | Indefinitely Postponed in House of Origin | Currently Indefinitely Postponed | 4/7/2026 |
SJR582026 Regular Session | Alabama Rural Roadmap initiative, extended | Enacted | Enacted | 3/5/2026 |
SJR1052026 Regular Session | Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth, commended | Enacted | Enacted | 4/9/2026 |
SJR1092026 Regular Session | Alabama Boating Safety Task Force, established | Enacted | Enacted | 4/15/2026 |
SJR1192026 Regular Session | Senator Tom Butler, commended | Enacted | Enacted | 4/15/2026 |
SJR1202026 Regular Session | Senator John W. Williams, commended | Enacted | Enacted | 4/15/2026 |
SB3612026 Regular Session | Dogs; tethering and confinement requirements provided; persons and activities exempted; criminal penalties for, animal control officer enforcement of, violations established | Enacted | Enacted | 4/13/2026 |
SB2 (c. HB8)2025 Regular Session | Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, regulation of retail sale of certain tobacco products and electronic nicotine delivery systems, further provided | Pending Committee Action in House of Origin | Pending Committee Action in House of Origin | 2/4/2025 |
SB252025 Regular Session | Community development districts; alcoholic beverage tax in certain districts, distribution of proceeds provided for | Enacted | Enacted | 4/9/2025 |
SR532025 Regular Session | 79th Southern Legislative Conference, commemorated | Passed by House of Origin | Gudger Motion to Adopt - Adopted Voice Vote | 4/1/2025 |
SJR922025 Regular Session | Development of recommendations for the enhancement of rural Alabama through the Alabama Growth Alliance and the Alabama Rural Roadmap initiative, encouraged | Enacted | Enacted | 5/21/2025 |
SB2532025 Regular Session | Massage Therapy Licensing Board temporarily under Board of Nursing; authorize Executive Director of the Board of Nursing, or designee to perform certain functions; define and provide for emergency order; clarify status of practice with a temporary permit; provide for annual meeting; require a majority vote to discipline licensee; provide further for the qualifications for licensing and the contents of an application; outcall massage therapy services and inspections of massage therapy establishments; to authorize the board, by rule, to establish and collect reasonable fees; to provide further for investigations, discipline, and fingerprinting of licensees and applicants for licensing; and to provide further for massage therapy schools. | Enacted | Enacted | 5/14/2025 |
SB2972025 Regular Session | Office of Water Resources; division chief as exempt service employee, established; duties further provided | Enacted | Enacted | 5/6/2025 |
SJR42026 Regular Session
Senate Joint Resolution
Dorothy Lee Hatcher, death mourned
Status: Enacted
Last Action: 1/29/2026 Enacted
SB122026 Regular Session
Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco
Community development district; 2025 act repealed, which authorized annexation of certain district by a wet municipality
Status: Enacted
Last Action: 1/23/2026 Enacted
SB232026 Regular Session
Elections, Voting, & Campaigns
Elections; special primary election for redistricting authorized in certain circumstances
Status: Indefinitely Postponed in House of Origin
Last Action: 4/7/2026 Currently Indefinitely Postponed
SJR582026 Regular Session
Senate Joint Resolution
Alabama Rural Roadmap initiative, extended
Status: Enacted
Last Action: 3/5/2026 Enacted
SJR1052026 Regular Session
Senate Joint Resolution
Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth, commended
Status: Enacted
Last Action: 4/9/2026 Enacted
SJR1092026 Regular Session
Senate Joint Resolution
Alabama Boating Safety Task Force, established
Status: Enacted
Last Action: 4/15/2026 Enacted
SJR1192026 Regular Session
Senate Joint Resolution
Senator Tom Butler, commended
Status: Enacted
Last Action: 4/15/2026 Enacted
SJR1202026 Regular Session
Senate Joint Resolution
Senator John W. Williams, commended
Status: Enacted
Last Action: 4/15/2026 Enacted
SB3612026 Regular Session
Animals
Dogs; tethering and confinement requirements provided; persons and activities exempted; criminal penalties for, animal control officer enforcement of, violations established
Status: Enacted
Last Action: 4/13/2026 Enacted
SB22025 Regular Session
Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, regulation of retail sale of certain tobacco products and electronic nicotine delivery systems, further provided
Status: Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
Last Action: 2/4/2025 Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
Companion: HB8 - Drummond
SB252025 Regular Session
Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco
Community development districts; alcoholic beverage tax in certain districts, distribution of proceeds provided for
Status: Enacted
Last Action: 4/9/2025 Enacted
SR532025 Regular Session
Senate Resolution
79th Southern Legislative Conference, commemorated
Status: Passed by House of Origin
Last Action: 4/1/2025 Gudger Motion to Adopt - Adopted Voice Vote
SJR922025 Regular Session
Senate Joint Resolution
Development of recommendations for the enhancement of rural Alabama through the Alabama Growth Alliance and the Alabama Rural Roadmap initiative, encouraged
Status: Enacted
Last Action: 5/21/2025 Enacted
SB2532025 Regular Session
Occupational Licensing Boards
Massage Therapy Licensing Board temporarily under Board of Nursing; authorize Executive Director of the Board of Nursing, or designee to perform certain functions; define and provide for emergency order; clarify status of practice with a temporary permit; provide for annual meeting; require a majority vote to discipline licensee; provide further for the qualifications for licensing and the contents of an application; outcall massage therapy services and inspections of massage therapy establishments; to authorize the board, by rule, to establish and collect reasonable fees; to provide further for investigations, discipline, and fingerprinting of licensees and applicants for licensing; and to provide further for massage therapy schools.
Status: Enacted
Last Action: 5/14/2025 Enacted
SB2972025 Regular Session
Government Administration
Office of Water Resources; division chief as exempt service employee, established; duties further provided
Status: Enacted
Last Action: 5/6/2025 Enacted