There were 318 new cases of COVID-19 reported Friday by the Alabama Department of Public Health, continuing an eight-day decline in new cases as the statewide mask mandate expires at 5 p.m. A mask requirement remains in several cities, including Birmingham, where the City Council has mandated masks be worn through May 24. Read more.
MONTGOMERY — The Legislature approved several bills Thursday. Here is a wrap up on action on important legislation. Read more.
The Alabama Senate on Thursday approved a bill to prohibit the issuance of state or local government “vaccine passports.” Senate Bill 267 sponsor Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, said governments shouldn’t allow access to services based on individuals’ immunization status. Orr talked about the current COVID-19 situation, but the bill isn’t specific to the coronavirus. Read more.
Legislative sessions most years bring a bipartisan chorus decrying the grocery tax as a cruel burden for low-income families, who are disproportionately people of color. And yet, the tax remains untouched in Mississippi and Alabama. Along with South Dakota, those states are the only ones charging the full sales tax rate on groceries used for home cooking, from vegetables to flour to even baby formula. “We exempt food for farm animals, but we don’t exempt food for babies,” said Chris Sanders, the communications director at Alabama Arise, a nonprofit advocacy organization. “It offends me, quite honestly.” Read more.
Birmingham will receive just more than $5 million to combat homelessness from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s American Rescue Plan Act, it was announced Thursday. The funding is intended to help cities create affordable and supportive housing and services for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Read more.
MONTGOMERY — A bill that would create a lifetime concealed carry permit and require the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to develop a statewide firearm "prohibited person" database passed its final vote Thursday. Read more. More from the Legislature this week: ‘Vaccine Passport’ Ban Bill Passes Senate Legislature Advances Wine Shipment Bill, Other Health Care and Employer-Related Bills Constitutional Amendment Would Allow $80M Bond Issue for State Park Renovations Passes First Vote House Committee Advances Medical Marijuana Bill; Three More Votes Needed Yoga Bill Going to Senate, Committee Advances Student-Athlete Compensation Bill, More Action in the Legislature Legislature Sends Alcohol Delivery Bill to Governor House Passes CA Prohibiting Legislative Changes Within Six Months of Elections Distracted Driving Bill Fails Bill Increases Tax Credit Limit for Accountability Act Donors
MONTGOMERY — Several state legislative committees met to consider bills Wednesday. Here are the highlights of action from the State House. Read more.
Sen. Tim Melson’s bill to allow medical marijuana with restrictions cleared another hurdle Wednesday when it was approved by the House Judiciary Committee. Read more.
MONTGOMERY —A constitutional amendment that would allow the state to borrow $80 million to improve state parks passed its first vote in the Alabama Legislature on Wednesday. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Christopher Blankenship told Alabama Daily News that the bonds would be used to expand and improve campgrounds and recreational areas. “As we've seen this past year with COVID, state parks and outdoor recreation have been extremely important to people for their physical and mental health,” Blankenship said. “We saw great increases in usage at our parks, and also the federal wild properties in the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.” Read more. More from the Legislature this week: House Committee Advances Medical Marijuana Bill; Three More Votes Needed Yoga Bill Going to Senate, Committee Advances Student-Athlete Compensation Bill, More Action in the Legislature Legislature Sends Alcohol Delivery Bill to Governor House Passes CA Prohibiting Legislative Changes Within Six Months of Elections Distracted Driving Bill Fails Bill Increases Tax Credit Limit for Accountability Act Donors
Alabama is set to transition to a “Safer Apart” order until 5 p.m. on May 5, replacing the statewide mask order that’s been in place since last July. “We are still under a public health order, but it is greatly slimmed down due to everyone doing their part to practice social distancing, wearing a mask and getting a vaccine,” Ivey said at a press conference Wednesday. Ivey’s “Safer Apart” order is the third phase of Alabama’s COVID-19 pandemic health order. The announcement comes days before the statewide mask mandate comes to an end this Friday. Last month, Ivey announced she would not renew the mask order. However, both Gov. Ivey and State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris urged residents to continue wearing masks and social distancing once the mandate expires. Read more.
