Category: Alabama Legislature
As Prison Lease Plan Fizzles, Ivey, Lawmakers Considering Options
As the clock ran out on Gov. Kay Ivey’s plan to lease new prisons, several lawmakers say they want to consider using some of the more than $2 billion in new federal Coronavirus relief money on improved prison infrastructure.
Earlier this year, Ivey signed lease agreements with Tennessee-based CoreCivic to build two large men’s prisons. Tuesday was the deadline for those agreements to be final and Ivey confirmed to reporters Wednesday that the lease route is no longer an option as support from potential underwriters has fallen away.
“To that end, my team and I will meet with legislative leaders again in the coming days to review all that we have learned through this process thus far, including the complexity and depth of the multi-faceted challenge at-hand,” Ivey said in a statement. “Anyone who is serious about these issues understands that replacing our failing prison infrastructure with safer, more secure facilities that accommodate the rehabilitation of incarcerated people is essential. It is not a question of if this will happen, but how. Read more.
More prison debate:
Report: More Data, Tracking Needed on Prison Education Efforts
Lawmakers Considering Federal Covid Relief Money for Prison Fix
As the clock runs down on Gov. Kay Ivey’s plan to lease new prisons, several lawmakers say they want to consider using some of the more than $2 billion in new federal coronavirus relief money on improved prison infrastructure.
Earlier this year, Ivey signed lease agreements with Tennessee-based CoreCivic to build two large men’s prisons. Tuesday was the deadline for those agreements to be final, but CoreCivic’s funding has been in jeopardy as support from potential underwriters as fallen away.
Meanwhile, lawmakers have signaled to Ivey they want another crack at a state-funded prison plan.
Alabama budget makers and leaders are continuing to lay the groundwork for the distribution and spending of Rescue Plan funds. The state this summer will start seeing some of the more than $4 billion allocated to it and local governments in the Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan Act. Separately, there is nearly $2 billion going to K-12 schools in the Rescue Plan.
Read more.
Orr Not Running for Congress, Seeks to Stay in State House
State Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, will seek a fifth term in the Alabama Legislature next year. The Morgan County native had considered a run for Congress in Alabama’s 5th District, the north Alabama seat Mo Brooks is leaving to run for the U.S. Senate.
Orr said he had potential donors and supporters discuss a congressional bid with him.
“I think with the current field of candidates, the race is wide open, but the Lord is just not calling me to do that at this time in my life,” Orr, 57, said. “It was an easy decision.” Read more.
Ivey Vetoes Literacy Act Delay Bill
MONTGOMERY — Gov. Kay Ivey has vetoed a bill that would have delayed until 2024 a requirement that third-grade students who are not reading proficiently repeat the grade.
Senate Bill 94, sponsored by Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, would have delayed the holdback provision in the Alabama Literacy Act from spring 2022 to spring 2024.
Democrats and many Republicans supported the bill arguing that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected students’ education, forcing some out of the classroom, and to test them after next school year under the act would be unfair. Read more.
No Gambling or Transgender Bills on the Last Day: Abortion Bill Passes the Legislature
The Legislature started its session with high hopes that this would be the year a gambling bill would pass, finally. But that hope officially died Monday night when the legislative session ended. Read more.
‘Vaccine Passports’ Ban Passes Final Vote
MONTGOMERY — A bill that would prohibit the issuance of state or local government “vaccine passports” passed its final vote Thursday.
Senate Bill 267 from Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, and Rep. Paul Lee, R-Dothan, says state and local governments “may not require an individual to receive an immunization or present documentation of an immunization as a condition for receiving any government benefit or service or for entry into a government building.” The bill also says an entity or individual doing business in Alabama can’t refuse to provide goods or services or refuse admission or entry to anyone based on their immunization status or lack of documentation. Read more.
Ivey Signs Medical Marijuana Bill Into Law
Alabama will now allow medical marijuana usage for patients with specific conditions.
Gov. Kay Ivey on Monday signed Senate Bill 46, which outlines the usage of medical marijuana along with its regulation and distribution.
“This is certainly a sensitive and emotional issue and something that is continually being studied. … I am interested in the potential good medical cannabis can have for those with chronic illnesses or what it can do to improve the quality of life of those in their final days.” Ivey Signs Medical Marijuana Bill Into Law
Bill to Allow Citations Instead of Arrests Goes to Ivey
The Alabama Legislature moved to allow city police officers to issue citations for some misdemeanor offenses rather than taking offenders into custody. Senate Bill 59 now goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. Read more.
Changes to Civil Asset Forfeiture Law Passes Final Vote
MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Legislature on Monday approved a bill changing how law enforcement can seize and keep property from low-level drug offenders.
The House approved the bill unanimously and sent it back to the Senate with some minor changes that also were agreed upon unanimously. The bill now goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.
The bill is a compromise with law enforcement after several years of failed attempts by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, and advocacy groups to change the law they said disproportionately hurts low-income individuals and minorities.
“This will put better boundaries around the property of people and raise the bar for the government seizing it and forfeiting it for low-level charges,” Orr told Alabama Daily News last month. Read more.
Lawmakers Want Another Shot at State-Owned Prison Plan
MONTGOMERY — As the state’s plan to lease new mega-prisons hit another apparent roadblock Monday, more lawmakers appear ready for the state to instead borrow money to construct its own new facilities.
Some legislative leaders on Monday said lawmakers are ready to approve a state-owned prison plan. At least one said support would be there as early as next Monday, the Legislature’s final day of the regular session.
Multiple sources told Alabama Daily News that lawmakers have discussed taking current legislation that is awaiting final passage and substituting it with language initiating a state prison bond process similar to one former Gov. Robert Bentley pursued in 2016 and 2017. Read more.
