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‘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.

by Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

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

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tracy_olson/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode

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.

by Mary Sell and Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

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.

by Mary Sell and Todd Stacy, Alabama Daily News

Woodfin Won’t Resign in Controversy Over Police Shooting

Mayor Randall Woodfin said he will not resign despite Black Lives Matter Birmingham’s calls for him to do so following last month’s police killing of Desmon Montez Ray Jr. Ray, 28, was killed by police on Easter Sunday as they responded to a domestic dispute call in north Birmingham. After a chase, officers say Ray fired a gun at police as he exited his vehicle; they returned fire, killing him. After criticism from Ray’s family and local activists, Birmingham Police Chief Patrick D. Smith released three videos — from officers’ body cameras and a neighbor’s security camera — showing the shooting. On Monday, Black Lives Matter Birmingham called the release of the videos “unacceptable.” Read more.

by Sam Prickett

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.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

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 Read complete coverage of the Legislature

by Mary Sell, Todd Stacy and Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

Wes Allen Announces Run for Secretary of State

MONTGOMERY — A Republican state lawmaker and former probate judge from Troy wants to be Alabama's top election official. State Rep. Wes Allen announced his campaign for the Republican nomination for secretary of state on Thursday. He has served in the Alabama House of Representatives since 2018 and before that as Pike County Probate Judge for nearly a decade. Read more.

by Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News
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