Representative Laura Hall is proud to serve the citizens of District 19 in Madison County and the State of Alabama. First elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in August 1993 by special election, Hall has been re-elected each election cycle since. For the 2023 Legislative Session, Hall is serving on the House committees on Ways and Means General Fund (ranking minority member), Health (ranking minority member), Internal Affairs (ranking minority member), Technology and Research (ranking minority member), and Madison County Local Legislation (former Vice Chair). Representative Hall’s commitment to public education is demonstrated by 40 years in the field with stints as a science teacher and 25 of those years at J.O. Johnson High School in Huntsville. Prior to her retirement in 2008, Hall was Assistant to the President for At-Risk Students and Special Projects at Calhoun Community College in Decatur. Laura has fought to provide funding for individuals who would like to start their own business after being released from prison, as well as to provide funding that will ensure enough money is for AIDS Drug Assistance Program, so there is no waiting list. Representative Hall has collaborated with the City of Huntsville and Madison County Commissioner, District 6 to co-sponsor the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which gives residents access to free tax return preparation. During this time, more than $16 million have been returned to our community.

Representative Hall worked with Representative Jack Williams in co-sponsoring a bill to strengthen Alabama’s fight against human trafficking. She also continues to fight for the rights and well-being of those with mental illness and cognitive disorders, access to healthcare particularly for individuals affected by HIV/AIDS, and the rights of incarcerated and previously incarcerated persons.

Recognized by her peers as an exceptional servant leader, Representative Hall has served in a number of leadership roles with national organizations having recently taken the helm as President of The National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) for 2023-2025. In addition, she served as the President of the National Organization of Black Elected Leaders-Women (NOBEL-Women), Alabama Education Association (AEA, state affiliate of the National Education Association), and Huntsville Education Association (affiliate of the AEA).

Her leadership roles, past and present, also include serving on numerous boards, executive committees and commissions. Some of those organizations consist of the Governor’s Commission on AIDS for Adults and Youth-Chair, Community Faith Partners, Alabama Alzheimer’s Task Force – Co-Chair, Women in Government – Board of Directors, Black AIDS Institute Board of Directors – Treasurer, Alabama State Democratic Executive Committee, Madison County Democratic Executive Committee, Alabama Democratic Conference, Alabama Legislative Black Caucus, Alabama New South Coalition, Rosa Parks Committee, Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. Social Action Commission, Hope Place (Crisis Services), AIDS Action Coalition (Thrive Alabama), Alabama Constitution Village (The Early Works Family of Museums), Community Development Committee (CCDC) of Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University, Central North Alabama Health Services, and former Assistant Girl Scout Troop Leader.

In addition, Representative Hall is a member of the American Association of University Women, Tennessee Valley League of Women Voters, Huntsville Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta, Greater Huntsville Chapter of The Links, Inc., and St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Born and raised in Pendleton, South Carolina, Representative Hall attended Anderson County (SC) Public Schools, Anderson County (SC) Training High School, and Riverside (SC) High School. She received a Bachelor’s in biology from Morris College, a Master’s degree in science education from Ohio State University, and certification in K-12 administration from Alabama A&M University. On December 3, 2022, Laura received an honorary doctorate degree of humanities from Trinity International University of Ambassadors. On May 5th, 2023 she will receive an honorary doctorate from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University. Her hobbies are reading, swimming, and singing.

She and her husband John (deceased) are the parents of a son, Ato (deceased), and daughter, Janeka, and the grandparents of Darren, Breana, Justasia, and Mia.

During her tenure in the legislature, Representative Hall has authored many bills advancing the rights and wishes of Alabamians of all walks of life. Some of her legislative highlights include:

● HB 427: Created a system of “Silver Alerts” for which all missing persons with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease are eligible, regardless of age, as well as requiring law enforcement personnel to undergo specialized training regarding such cases.

● HB 474: Designated December 1st as Rosa Parks Day in honor of the “First Lady of Civil Rights.”

● HB 475: Provided for an income tax credit for the rehabilitation, preservation, and development of public colleges and universities.

● HB 278: Established a program to issue non-driver ID to resident parolees upon release.

● HB 115: Created a policy by which newborns can be brought to hospitals within 72 hours of birth instead of being abandoned.