Category: Alabama Legislature
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.
Literacy Act Delay Bill Running Out of Time
A bill to delay next year’s requirement to hold back third grade students who aren’t proficient in reading is running out of time in the Legislature.
The Senate-passed measure was discussed for more than an hour in a public hearing Wednesday in the House Education Policy Committee. Committee Chairwoman Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, opted not to vote on the bill and said the committee may take it up Tuesday. If approved there, it would need a House vote during the two remaining legislative days of this session.
Sponsor Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, said the pandemic has greatly altered education delivery in the state to the disadvantage of students. He argued the holdback requirement, part of the 2019 Literacy Act, should be delayed two years. Otherwise, too many students will be held back. Read more.
More from the Legislature this week:
Bill to Limit State Emergency Declarations Moving in the House
Bill Requiring Accommodations for Pregnant Workers, Other Bills Won’t Get Vote
Bill Puts Into Law Unemployment Benefit Fraud Protections
Bill Would Ban All Chemical Abortions in Alabama
Legislature Nearing Passage of State Budgets as Session Nears End
Bill Puts Into Law Unemployment Benefit Fraud Protections
Earlier this month, Lad Drago received an email notification from the Alabama Department of Labor saying someone had filed an unemployment insurance claim against his Spanish Fort insurance agency.
He went to the state’s online system for more information.
“Lo and behold, Lad Drago was the claimant, and they had my Social Security number, as well as my date of birth,” Drago said.
This began hours of trying to get more information about the fraudulent claim, including telling a Department of Labor representative it was a fake.
He was pointed to a claims dispute webpage.
“That’s where everything really started getting frustrating,” Drago told Alabama Daily News. He said he tried multiple ways to convey to Labor that payments shouldn’t be made to the bank account set up to collect the money. He said there’s an out-of-state phone number attached to the claim and a strange email address.
On Monday, he received a notice of payment on the claim. Read more.
More from the Legislature this week:
Bill Would Ban All Chemical Abortions in Alabama
Legislature Nearing Passage of State Budgets as Session Nears End
Bill Would Ban All Chemical Abortions in Alabama
MONTGOMERY — A bill that would outlaw all chemical abortions, or the use of prescription “abortion pills,” in Alabama will get a public hearing Wednesday in a House committee. House Bill 377, from Rep. Andrew Sorrell, R-Muscle Shoals, would make it a Class C felony for anyone in the state to administer medication that is commonly used to end a pregnancy during the first trimester.
Sorrell said he thought the bill was needed now after seeing a push in some states to increase access to the medications through telemedicine means, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more.
More from the Legislature this week:
Legislature Nearing Passage of State Budgets as Session Nears End
Bill Would Remove Red Tape for Local School Projects, but Contractors Aren’t on Board
MONTGOMERY— A bill in the Alabama Senate regarding the construction of public buildings has some concerned about what it could mean to the safety of school buildings, while proponents see the legislation as a way to help education entities save money.
Bill sponsor Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, said House Bill 220 would help decrease building costs for public schools by reducing bureaucratic red tape, enabling money to be better used. He gave an example of a $2.4 million project being reduced to $1.7 million.
“I’ve heard from K-12 and (Alabama Community College System) about the construction costs increasing due to red tape,” Ledbetter, the House majority leader, said. “This bill would help them save money, money that can be better spent elsewhere.” Read more.
