Category: Alabama Legislature
Riot, Voter Bill Taken Up in Legislature
A House Committee passed a bill that would increase penalties for those who participate in riots with several changes. Also, the House passed a bill to allow certain individuals to omit their personal identifying information from the state’s voter registration list. Read more.
Committee-Approved $7.6B Education Budget Includes Multiple Pay Raises
MONTGOMERY — Across the state, there are about 7,500 positions for math and science teachers in public schools. About 4,600 are filled with credentialed educators, Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, said Tuesday.
In an effort to attract and retain more math and science teachers, Orr and other lawmakers are proposing spending about $100 million on a new program to boost qualifying teachers’ pay. The proposal is part of the $7.67 billion 2022 education budget approved Tuesday in the Senate Finance and Taxation Committee.
“We’re being more strategic in our compensation conversations,” Orr told Alabama Daily News. He chairs the committee. Read more.
More from the Legislature:
Riot, Voter Bill Taken Up in Legislature
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‘Doxing’ Ban Passes House
MONTGOMERY — A bill that would create the crime of doxing, or intentionally posting personal information online with the intent to harass or harm a person, passed the Alabama House of Representatives unanimously Thursday.
Rep. Shane Stringer, R-Citronelle, is the sponsor of House Bill 403 and said he developed the bill after seeing judges and public officials harmed or harassed after their private information was released.
“The internet and social media has become the new weapon of our day and age and we’re starting to see people use social media to harm people that they disagree with or don’t like their opinions or views, taking your private information and making it public,” Stringer said. Read more.
Also in the Legislature
Alabama to Receive $4B From Biden Relief and Stimulus Plan
Bill to Increase Charter School Funding Passes Committee
Senate Kills Lottery, Gambling Legislation
Bill to Limit Executive Branch Spending Advances
House Passes General Fund Budget that Increases Funding for State Agencies
Bill Stalled That Would Increase Penalties for Rioting
State Budgets, Legislative Authority, Gambling Bills in State House This Week
Public Records, Hairstyle Discrimination, Marijuana Among Issues Before Legislature
Alabama to Receive $4B From Biden Relief and Stimulus Plan
MONTGOMERY — Alabama is set to receive more than $4 billion from the COVID-19 relief and stimulus package enacted this week.
The bill, titled the American Rescue Plan Act, was passed by Congress this week and signed into law by President Joe Biden on Thursday. Spending in the bill totals $1.9 trillion, including $350 billion directed to state and local governments.
According to the Alabama Department of Finance, Alabama’s share of that will be $4.043 billion. Department spokesman Susan Wilhelm confirmed to Alabama Daily News that of that money: $2.1 billion is earmarked for a state relief fund; $192 million will go toward a state capital projects fund; $417 million will go to metropolitan cities; $362 million will go to non-county municipalities; $951 million will go to counties. Read more.
Public Records, Hairstyle Discrimination, Marijuana Among Issues Before Legislature
MONTGOMERY — Several legislative committees met Wednesday to consider bills and hear from the public. Here’s the latest from the State House.
Public Records Bill Delayed
A bill that would strengthen Alabama’s public records law was delayed Wednesday at the call of the bill’s sponsor to hear concerns from interested parties. Read more.
Bill to Increase Charter School Funding Passes Committee
MONTGOMERY — Legislation advanced Wednesday to change how local tax dollars fund charter schools, a move proponents say is needed to make their funding more equal to that of traditional public schools.
Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, sponsored the 2015 legislation that allows charter schools in the state. “Over the last five years, we’ve learned some things we need to tweak,” Collins told Alabama Daily News. Read more.
Also in the Legislature
Alabama to Receive $4B From Biden Relief and Stimulus Plan
Senate Kills Lottery, Gambling Legislation
Bill to Limit Executive Branch Spending Advances
House Passes General Fund Budget that Increases Funding for State Agencies
Bill Stalled That Would Increase Penalties for Rioting
State Budgets, Legislative Authority, Gambling Bills in State House This Week
Public Records, Hairstyle Discrimination, Marijuana Among Issues Before Legislature
Bill Stalled That Would Increase Penalties for Rioting
A bill that would increase penalties for those who participate in riots was slowed down in a House committee today after some lawmakers expressed concerns that the bill is limiting First Amendment rights to protest. Read more.
Senate Kills Lottery, Gambling Legislation
The Alabama Senate on Tuesday defeated a plan to start a lottery and allow casinos in the state by two votes. Twenty-one votes were required to approve the constitutional amendment, but the Senate vote was 19 to 13 in favor.
Gov. Kay Ivey said the defeat just meant more work needed to be done on a gambling proposal, and she still supported giving Alabamians a vote on whether they want a lottery and gaming.
“This issue is too important to not get it right,” Ivey said in a statement. “No doubt gambling is complex and challenging, but I remain committed to giving the people of Alabama the final say.” Read more.
Also in the Legislature
Bill to Limit Executive Branch Spending Advances
House Passes General Fund Budget that Increases Funding for State Agencies
Bill Stalled That Would Increase Penalties for Rioting
State Budgets, Legislative Authority, Gambling Bills in State House This Week
House Passes General Fund Budget that Increases Funding for State Agencies
MONTGOMERY — The Alabama House of Representatives passed the General Fund budget Tuesday, sending a bill to the Senate that increases funding across the board for state agencies and programs for the next fiscal year.
As passed, the $2.47 billion budget is an increase of $78.9 million over the current fiscal year’s General Fund and $15 million more than Gov. Kay Ivey’s original budget proposal from February. It includes a 2% pay raise for state employees.
Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, who chairs the House General Fund budget committee, said he felt lawmakers arrived at a good budget, which was reflected in the 101-1 vote in the House. Rep. Andrew Sorrell, R-Muscle Shoals, cast the lone no vote.
“All in all, I felt like this was a good budget that leaves some money on the table that will help us get ready for any other surprises that are coming down the road,” Clouse said.
Read more.
Lawmaker: During Pandemic ‘Compassionate Care’ Needed in Health Facility Visitor Policies
On Oct. 21, Bonnie and Harold Sachs entered a north Alabama emergency room because, despite a negative COVID-19 test, Harold Sachs’ symptoms, including decreased blood oxygen levels, were worsening.
He was tested again and, when the results were positive, he was admitted to the hospital. Bonnie Sachs kissed her husband of 50 years before he was taken to the COVID unit. She wouldn’t see him in person again until he died Nov. 9.
“He didn’t know me, he was on a ventilator,” Bonnie Sachs told Alabama Daily News.
Harold and Bonnie Sachs’ and many similar stories in the past year are the reason Sen. Garlan Gudger said he filed Senate Bill 307, which says that, during public health emergencies, health care facilities shall continue to allow visitors under certain conditions.
“I think everyone needs compassionate care at the end of life,” Gudger, R-Cullman, told Alabama Daily News. “And I think they need their family to be there to help patients get over whatever illness or virus.” Read more.
