A Conversation with Rep. David Faulkner: Vision, Victories, and the Road Ahead

by Dr. Heath W. Padgett, Executive Director of the Young Republican Federation of Alabama

Birmingham, AL – July 17, 2025 – The Greater Birmingham Young Republicans gathered for their monthly meeting featuring Alabama State Representative David Faulkner. The room was full of energy as Rep. Faulkner reflected on the legislative victories of the past year and the personal convictions that fuel his work.

Faulkner launched into what became a heartfelt, wide-ranging conversation, including discussion on healthcare policy, shark attacks, computer science education, and the principles that led him into public service.

ALFA Healthcare Bill (HB477)

Faulkner began with what he described as the most time-consuming legislation of his career: the ALFA Healthcare bill (HB477). Designed to address the needs of small business owners, farmers, and others who lack employer-sponsored health insurance, the plan opens the door to affordable health coverage through the Alabama Farmers Federation. Based on similar initiatives in Tennessee and other states, the plan promises to reduce insurance costs by 30–60% for qualifying individuals (1819 News, 2024).

Though initially controversial—especially regarding consumer protection standards—Faulkner helped steer the bill through bipartisan negotiations. Key additions included a $2 million annual benefit cap, clearer oversight mechanisms, and an emphasis on transparency. The bill passed the Alabama House 98–1 and cleared the Alabama Senate with similar support before being signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey (Alabama Farmers Federation, 2024; Associated Press, 2024a).

Importantly, the legislation also introduces competition into a market dominated by a single player which controls 94% of Alabama’s individual health plans (Kendall, 2025). “For folks going without coverage or facing sky-high deductibles,” Faulkner said, “this gives them another option that actually works.”

Lulu's Law (HB437)

The discussion soon turned from health policy to something far more personal: Lulu’s Law (HB437), a bill sparked by a traumatic event that hit close to home. Lulu Gribbin, a teenager from Faulkner’s church and a former acolyte in the ministry he co-led, was attacked by a shark in the Gulf, losing her right leg and left hand. The tragedy left a lasting impression on Faulkner, who became frustrated that no real-time warnings were available to notify beachgoers of shark activity.

“Flags don’t mean anything to most people. They think it’s about jellyfish,” he explained. “We needed something better.”

Lulu’s Law enables geo-targeted Amber Alert-style notifications in the event of a nearby shark attack. The legislation passed with bipartisan support and was signed into law earlier this year (Associated Press, 2024b). Senator Katie Britt introduced a federal version in the U.S. Senate to allow a similar system to be used nationwide (WRAL, 2025).

Faulkner revealed that Florida lawmakers have expressed interest in replicating the model there. “It’s rare to get a call on the House floor from another state’s Speaker of the House,” he said, smiling, “but that’s exactly what happened when we passed this bill.”

Other Thoughts and Legislative Priorities

From public safety, the conversation shifted back to public health, where Faulkner took aim at youth vaping. He underscored his commitment to protecting minors by supporting legislation that gave Alabama’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board more tools for enforcement (Faulkner, 2025). “We’ve got to make it harder for young people to access this stuff,” he insisted.

Another issue close to home was the troubled Birmingham Water Works Board, which has long drawn criticism for mismanagement and lack of accountability. Faulkner supported legislation to reform the board’s structure and increase public oversight. Though lawsuits followed the bill’s passage, he called them “frivolous” and voiced confidence in the legislation’s durability (Faulkner, 2025).

Education reform, one of Faulkner’s consistent legislative priorities, was also a major focus. “No matter your zip code,” he said, “every child deserves a college- or career-ready education.” Years ago, Faulkner sponsored the state’s landmark computer science bill, which required computer science to be taught in all public schools. Thanks to that legislation—and collaboration with Code.org and the Governor’s Office—Alabama became the first state to meet all nine of Code.org’s standards (Alabama Reflector, 2024).

Now, he’s working on follow-up legislation to make computer science a graduation requirement, underscoring the state’s ambition to lead nationally in STEM readiness. “I didn’t know a lot about computer science when I started,” he admitted. “But I knew that’s where the jobs were.”

Other legislative victories also drew attention. Faulkner’s Senior Property Tax Freeze—which allows residents aged 65 and older to lock in property taxes for life—has become one of his most popular initiatives (Faulkner, 2025). He also pointed to his early success in passing a bill that prevents Alabama cities from setting their own minimum wages, preserving uniformity across the state (Faulkner, 2025). Additionally, he supported legislation aimed at protecting local pharmacies, which he sees as vital community assets increasingly threatened by large healthcare networks.

Reflections on Conservative Leadership

Throughout the evening, Faulkner emphasized his conservative values and limited-government philosophy. “I believe in small government, low taxes, and giving people control over their own money,” he said. He also called for inclusiveness within the Republican Party, urging members not to become single-issue voters. “We are a big tent. Let’s keep it that way.”

He closed with reflections on his path into public service, describing it as a “calling” rather than a career goal. Though once shy and unsure of himself, he said his faith and family encouraged him to step into leadership. “Now, I can speak in front of thousands,” he said. “The only time I still get nervous is in church.”

The evening ended with laughter, photo ops, and an open invitation to stay engaged.

As members filed out, it was clear they hadn’t just received a policy update—they’d seen a powerful example of values-driven leadership in action.

References

1819 News. (2024, April 11). ALFA healthcare plan bill passes with only one no vote from far-left Marilyn Lands. https://1819news.com/news/item/alfa-healthcare-plan-bill-passes-with-only-one-no-vote-from-far-left-marilyn-lands

Alabama Farmers Federation. (2024, May 2). ALFA Health Plans wins final passage. https://alfafarmers.org/alfa-health-plans-wins-final-passage

Alabama Reflector. (2024, April 3). Alabama House committee debates Farm Bureau health plan bill. https://alabamareflector.com/2025/04/03/alabama-house-committee-debates-farm-bureau-health-plan-bill

Associated Press. (2024a, May 1). Alabama lawmakers approve bill to let Alfa sell health benefit plans. https://apnews.com/article/e25212fce9254bc07f33664196d6d9f9

Associated Press. (2024b, May 6). Alabama governor signs shark bite alert system into law named after teen who survived attack. https://apnews.com/article/f91d8bde74deefc09136ca3b50ba4288

Faulkner, D. (2025, July 17). Remarks at Greater Birmingham Young Republicans Meeting [Transcript]. Greater Birmingham Young Republicans.

Kendall, B. (2025, July 15). How health insurance monopolies affect your care. Time. https://time.com/7302346/health-insurance-monopolies-patient-care

WRAL. (2025, July 10). U.S. Senate passes Lulu’s Law for nationwide shark attack alerts. https://www.wral.com/news/local/us-senate-lulus-law-shark-alerts-nationwide-july-2025