MONTGOMERY — Bills in the Alabama Legislature would allow student-athletes at Alabama institutions of higher education to be compensated whenever their name, image or likeness is used in promotional material. Read more. More About the Legislature Bill Would Create Sexual Assault Survivor ‘Bill of Rights’ Leadership Pleased With First Two Weeks of Session
MONTGOMERY — Legislation moving through the Legislature would create a sexual assault survivor “bill of rights” and set a requirement for how long law enforcement must preserve evidence from sexual assault cases. Rep. Chip Brown, R-Hollinger’s Island, is sponsoring House Bill 137, which is scheduled to be considered in the House Tuesday. “My whole purpose of this legislation is to try and protect sexual assault victims and help bring perpetrators and criminals to justice,” Brown told Alabama Daily News. Read more.
A delay in U.S. Census Bureau data until this fall could mean an odd situation for the state’s elected officials and those who wish to unseat them in 2022. State campaign finance law allows candidates to start fundraising in late May of this year. But the required redrawing of legislative and congressional districts based on the new Census data now won’t be complete likely until late in the year. Read more.
The City of Birmingham has received nearly $6.3 million in federal funding to assist residents who are unable to pay rent and utilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding comes as part of a $25 billion program from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, which began allocating money to states, territories, local governments and Indian tribes last month. Funding for the Emergency Rental Assistance program was approved by the City Council during Tuesday’s regularly scheduled meeting. It was initially announced last month by Mayor Randall Woodfin, who said his administration had made the funding a “priority.” Read more.
UPDATED May 18, 2021 — Six people so far have lined up to challenge Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin for a chance to lead the city. Read more.
MONTGOMERY — House Speaker Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, says he is pleased with what has been accomplished so far in the legislative session and expects the same amount of productivity when lawmakers come back in a week. “What we’ve gotten done over these last two weeks is phenomenal," McCutcheon told reporters upon the House's adjournment Thursday. "We’ve even done better than I thought we would." Three priority bills — renewing and revamping economic development incentives, untaxing COVID-19 relief funds and providing limited liability to businesses, schools and organizations from COVID-19 related lawsuits — all passed in short order and have been signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey. Increased safety precautions, including limiting public access to the State House, will still be in place when legislators come back, McCutcheon said, but there could be a loosening of restrictions as time moves on. Read more.
Alabama’s senators voted to acquit former President Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial, both citing the constitutionality of the prosecution. “The Constitution speaks of removing a sitting president, not a private citizen,” Sen. Richard C. Shelby said in a statement posted to his website and social media. “I recently voted to dismiss this case based on its questionable constitutionality. The framers were clear in limiting impeachment to the president, vice president, and civil officers of the United States. That is why today, I voted to acquit,” Shelby said. Sen. Tommy Tuberville also said in a statement that he had concerns about the constitutionality of the trial. “But I had a duty as a juror to listen to the arguments of both sides and keep an open mind, which I did,” he said. “After hearing the arguments presented, I voted to not convict for a number of reasons, including the fact that I don’t think the Senate has the authority to try a private citizen.” Read more. Also read: Alabamians and Politicians Connect to the Insurrection From Start to Finish Democrats Gearing Up for Effort to Oust Mo Brooks in 2022 ‘For everything there is a season’: Richard Shelby Declines Senate Reelection Run in 2022
Joe Knight didn’t want Fultondale tornado victims to miss out on help from whomever that aid might come. The District 4 Jefferson County Commissioner suggested that a resolution on today’s commission agenda be tweaked to broaden the scope of entities that could come to the north Jefferson County city to assist in cleanup. Read more.
The Senate on Thursday approved a bill to allow home delivery of beer, wine and alcohol. Sen. Jabo Waggoner’s Senate Bill 126 sets up a delivery license process, fees and rules This legislation is the same as Rep. Gil Isbell’s House Bill 229, which has received committee approval. Isbell, R-Gadsden, last month said the legislation would allow companies such as Birmingham-based Shipt that bring people their groceries to also bring alcohol. “It’s about the convenience; we’re in a busy world,” Isbell said. The bills are separate from legislation to allow direct shipment of wine from wineries and retailers to Alabamians’ homes. Read more.
MONTGOMERY — A bill to require Alabama public school students to attend kindergarten or take an assessment to go directly to first grade received its first vote of approval, passing the House Education Policy Committee Wednesday. Bill sponsor Rep. Pebblin Warren, D-Tuskegee, said her goal is to offer a complete education to students. "Pre-K is not available for every child in the state of Alabama, so if there is a child who misses pre-K and kindergarten, that child is not ready for the first grade," Warren said. "So my whole thing is in support of the student being completely ready to go into the first grade when they get there." Read more. Also in the Legislature Thursday House Approves Improved Benefits for Newer Teachers Legislative Briefs: Alcohol Delivery, License Plate Data Among Bills Gaining Approval Earlier This Week Tax Reform, Economic Development Bills Sent to Ivey Broadband Expansion Bill Passes First Vote in Legislature AI in Crime Fighting, Wine Shipments, Memorial Preservation, Other Topics Discussed in the Legislature Wednesday School Funding Change on the Move in the Legislature PTSD Coverage for First Responders, Wiretapping Bill Passes House Read more on the legislative session.
