Category: Alabama Legislature
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.
Legislation to Untax Rescue Plan Relief May Have to Wait
Legislation is needed to ensure Alabama families and restaurant owners aren’t penalized on their state income taxes for credits and grants they receive under the federal American Rescue Plan Act. But with one day left in this year’s regular legislative session, a proposed bill on the matter isn’t likely to pass. That means it probably will have to wait until later in the year.
The $1.9 trillion federal rescue plan’s enhanced child tax credit, earned income tax credit and child and dependent care tax credit will be worth about $1.7 billion to Alabama taxpayers, and payments will begin this summer, Sen. Dan Roberts, R-Mountain Brook, said. Additionally, Alabama restaurants are expected to receive about $426 million in grants.
If lawmakers don’t act, Alabamians could be taxed more than $100 million in state income taxes, he said. Read more.
Broadband Bill Passage a ‘Milestone,’ but Funding Questions Remain
MONTGOMERY— The Alabama Legislature gave final approval this week to a bill creating a new state authority to oversee the expansion of high-speed broadband internet services throughout the state.
There’s no specific revenue stream for the effort that experts have said would take billions of dollars. Thursday evening, an expanded gambling proposal, part of which was intended to fund broadband, seemed to be stalled in the House.
But advocates say they expect significant federal funding in the near future.
Read more.
More from the Legislature:
Legislative Briefs: Raising Age for Nicotine Purchases, Extend Daylight Saving Time
Judicial, DA Pay Changes Go to the Governor
Bill Would Allow Police to Issue Citations Rather Than Make Arrests
‘John-Shaming’ Bill Advances to Senate With Change
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday approved a bill allowing the public release of photos of those who solicit prostitutes, but members requested a significant change.
As written and passed by the House, House Bill 271 by Rep. Merika Coleman, D-Birmingham, would allow the release of law enforcements’ mugshots of those arrested for hiring or seeking to hire prostitutes. The Senate committee wants it changed on the Senate floor to allow for the release of photos only upon convictions.
“It’s as simple as this: you’re innocent until proven guilty,” Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham said. Read more.
Legislature Takes Up Wine Delivery, Budgets, Bonds for Parks and More Bills as Session Winds Down
MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Legislature met for the 27th legislative day of its 30-day regular session Thursday. Here’s what happened at the State House.
Home Delivery of Wine
Alabamians could start ordering wine shipped directly to their homes starting Aug. 1 if Gov. Kay Ivey signs a bill sent to her Thursday. Read more.
More from the Legislature this week:
Literacy Act Delay Bill Running Out of Time
Bill to Limit State Emergency Declarations Moving in the House
Bill Requiring Accommodations for Pregnant Workers, Other Bills Won’t Get Vote
Bill Requiring Accommodations for Pregnant Workers, Other Bills Won’t Get Vote
MONTGOMERY — The House Judiciary Committee heard Wednesday about Democrats’ bills to protect pregnant employees in the workplace, prevent discrimination based on hairstyles and alter some of the state’s parole rules.
But committee chairman Rep. Jim Hill, R-Moody, didn’t have the committee vote on any of the proposals, saying it was too late in the session. With four legislative days left, bills would have to be fast-tracked to clear both chambers. Read more.
Bill to Limit State Emergency Declarations Moving in the House
MONTGOMERY — A bill to shorten state of emergency orders and take away the governor’s power to restrict activities during a public health emergency passed a House committee Wednesday. Read more.
