HB174 • 2026

Video games; age rating, required; penalties for violations, provided

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Robbins
Last action: 2026-02-24
Official status: Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official text states an effective date of October 1, 2026, but metadata indicates the bill was re-referred to committee on February 24, 2026. This creates uncertainty about whether the bill will actually become law by that date.

HB174: Video Game Age Rating Requirements

This bill requires video game manufacturers to get an age rating for games sold in Alabama if they sell at least 25 units, and display that rating clearly.

What This Bill Does

Requires video game makers to ensure their games have an age appropriateness rating from the ESRB or a similar nationally recognized organization if they sell at least 25 units in the state.
Mandates that physical copies of rated games must show the rating printed on the packaging.
Requires digital sales to display the rating clearly where customers buy the game.
Requires makers to put information explaining why a game received its specific rating on a website for consumers.
States that breaking these rules counts as a violation of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

Who It Names or Affects

Manufacturers who sell video games in Alabama
Consumers buying or playing video games in the state

Terms To Know

ESRB: The Entertainment Software Rating Board.
Video Game: Any electronic, interactive game played using a specialized gaming device, computer, smartphone, tablet, or other electronic device designed to interact with an electronic display screen.

Limits and Unknowns

The rules only apply if the manufacturer sells at least 25 units of the game in Alabama.
It is unclear which organizations besides ESRB count as 'similar nationally recognized video game rating organization'.
Specific fines are not listed; violations are treated under existing Deceptive Trade Practices Act laws.

Bill History

2026-02-24 House
Re-referred to Committee in House of Origin
2026-01-13 House
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
2026-01-13 House
Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Children and Senior Advocacy

Official Summary Text

Video games; age rating, required; penalties for violations, provided

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB174 INTRODUCED
Page 0
HB174
EJFL42C-1
By Representative Robbins
RFD: Children and Senior Advocacy
First Read: 13-Jan-26
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EJFL42C-1 01/12/2026 CMH (L)CMH 2025-2703
Page 1
First Read: 13-Jan-26
SYNOPSIS:
This bill would require manufacturers of video
games sold in the state to ensure that the games are
rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board or
similar organization for suggested age appropriateness
as a condition of sale in this state.
This bill would also provide that a violation of
this act is a violation of the Deceptive Trade
Practices Act.
A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
Relating to consumer protection; to require video games
sold in this state to be rated for age appropriateness; and to
provide penalties for a violation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
Section 1. (a) As used in this act, the following terms
have the following meanings:
(1) ESRB. The Entertainment Software Rating Board.
(2) VIDEO GAME. Any electronic, interactive game played
using a specialized electronic gaming device, computer, smart
phone, tablet, or other electronic device and that is designed
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HB174 INTRODUCED
Page 2
phone, tablet, or other electronic device and that is designed
to interact with a television, computer monitor, or other
electronic display screen.
(b) If 25 or more units of a video game have been sold
within this state, the manufacturer of the video game shall
ensure that, prior to the continued sale of the video game,
the game is rated by the ESRB or a similar nationally
recognized video game rating organization and has a suggested
level of age appropriateness.
(c) The manufacturer of a video game required to be
rated pursuant to this section shall do both of the following:
(1) Ensure that the video game rating required under
this section is physically printed onto the packaging of the
game, if physically sold in this state, or is otherwise
displayed in a conspicuous place at the point of purchase.
(2) Ensure that additional information describing why
the game has its rating is available on a website accessible
by consumers in the state.
(d) Any violation of this act shall be considered a
violation of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, Chapter 19,
Title 8, Code of Alabama 1975.
Section 2. This act shall become effective on October
1, 2026.
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