Category: Alabama 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.
State Budgets, Legislative Authority, Gambling Bills in State House This Week
MONTGOMERY — The Alabama House is expected to vote this week on the 2022 General Fund budget while the Senate’s priorities include gambling legislation and bills that could blur the lines of authority between the legislative and executive branches of state government.
After moving fast through the first four weeks of the 2021 session, lawmakers are expected to slow down to a more normal pace as the mid-point approaches.
“We’re hopeful by spring break we’re going to move (the budgets) out of the house of origin,” Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield, R-Guntersville, told reporters on Thursday. Read more.
Concealed Carry, Law Enforcement Checks, Jail Issues Taken Up Thursday by Legislature
MONTGOMERY — Here’s the latest notable legislative activity from the State House.
Concealed Carry Bill Advances
Rep. Proncey Robertsons’ House Bill 477, the Alabama Uniform Concealed Carry Permit Act, was approved Thursday in the Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. It would standardize across the state the concealed carry permit process, create a “prohibited person database” and allow for a lifetime permit. Read more.
Ban on Curbside Voting Passes, Special Session Bill Dies
MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Legislature continued its 2021 Regular Session Wednesday, when most of the work was in committee. Here’s the latest notable legislative activity from the State House.
Paying Voters
A bill that would prohibit people from being paid for voting after an election passed a House committee vote on Wednesday. Read more.
Monuments Bill Killed; Lawmaker Calls Members Racist
MONTGOMERY — An Alabama legislative committee on Wednesday voted down a proposal that would have given counties and municipalities more flexibility in removing historical monuments, including Confederate statues. Afterward, the Democratic sponsor of the bill accused Republicans who voted against it of being racist.
Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, sponsored the bill that would have amended the 2017 Monument Preservation Act. It was voted down by the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.
“Many of those individuals who voted against this bill are members of the Republican Party, they are ‘Trumplicans’, and they have their beliefs because they are in power and they actually exude white supremacy here in the state of Alabama, especially in the House of Representatives so it doesn’t surprise me that they voted against the bill,” Givan told reporters. Read more.
Bill to Delay Rules That Would Fail Third Graders Who Don’t Read Well Enough Advances
A bill that would delay by three years a provision to require holding back third graders who don’t read at a sufficient level received unanimous support in the Senate Education Policy Committee on Wednesday.
The provision is in the Alabama Literacy Act, which was approved by lawmakers in 2019. It aims to increase reading skills in young students. The act currently requires that, starting at the end of the 2021-2022 school year, third grade students demonstrate specific reading skills before being promoted to fourth grade. Smitherman’s bill delays that retention requirement until the 2024-2025 school year.
He said the delay is needed because the COVID-19 pandemic led to remote learning for many students, and they’re not getting the educational support they need. He also said teachers haven’t been able to get the training they need. Read more.
More from the Legislature This Week:
Bill to Close ABC Stores Gets Committee Approval
Concealed Carry, Law Enforcement Checks, Jail Issues Taken Up Thursday by Legislature
Ban on Curbside Voting Passes, Special Session Bill Dies
Monuments Bill Killed; Lawmaker Calls Members Racist
Special Session, Oversight Bills Advance
MONTGOMERY — A bill to allow the Legislature to call itself into a special session was approved Tuesday in the Senate Government Affairs Committee. The House version of the bill is in committee Wednesday. Read more.
