Government

The Alabama Legislature is returning. Here’s what to expect.

The Alabama Legislature will kick off the 2024 session on Tuesday with work on the state’s two budgets and a host of other issues awaiting them. Lawmakers this year are expected to take up legislation that would create a voucher-like program for schools in the state and possible legislation creating mandatory kindergarten or something very close to it. Legislators may also consider bills on gambling; ethics and trafficking and kidnapping. Read more.

Givan Bill Would Require Fathers to Pay for Abortions or Have Vasectomies

UPDATED — Alabama Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham is introducing a bill in the upcoming session that would require a father either to pay in the rare case that a woman has an abortion in Alabama or to have a vasectomy. Addressing more common issues, Givan’s bill would add exceptions to the state's abortion law in cases of incest and rape and to preserve the health of the mother. Now, the state’s law allows an abortion only to prevent a serious health risk to the mother. Read more.

Birmingham Council Approves $50K for Arts Program at Juvenile Detention Center

The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved $50,000 to establish an arts enrichment program at a juvenile detention center. The project, a partnership between the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the F. Ross Bell Detention Center, is to include activities such as music, visual arts, expressive writing and dance to address educational disparities. Read more.

A Call to Call: BSC Alumni Again Urged to Appeal to Legislators to Save Their School

Alumni of Birmingham-Southern College have again received a call to contact state legislators, this time to seek a rewrite of last year’s legislation that had been designed to provide a reprieve from the college’s possible closing. Read more.

Tune In Next Time: Jefferson County Democratic Party Awaits Ruling Before Declaring Its Nominee for Treasurer

Daytime soap operas have nothing on politics in Alabama when it comes to drama. After seeing both candidates for Jefferson County treasurer removed from the ballot for the March 5 primary, the Jefferson County Democratic Party is awaiting a ruling from the state Ethics Commission to determine whom it can — or can’t — nominate. Read more.

New Alabama Law Aims to Improve Police Interactions With People With Disabilities

Some advocates said the law’s requirement of an hour-long training on working with people with “invisible” disabilities and sensory needs is a good start. Read more.

Commissioners Endorse Amendment 1, Say It’s Needed to Address Local Issues

The Jefferson County Commission on Thursday passed a resolution endorsing Amendment 1 on the March 5 ballot, but not before two commissioners gained greater understanding of the measure. Joe Knight explained during Tuesday’s committee meeting that the amendment would make it easier for legislators to pass local legislation earlier in the session. It would allow legislators to take up bills that are specific to one county before it takes up the state’s budgets. Normally, the legislators must have 3/5 of a quorum vote to OK a budget isolation resolution, which allows them to take on other bills before the budgets. It often is late in the session before the budgets are passed. Read more.

Earlier This Week: JeffCo Commission Considers Backing Amendment to Make Passing Local Laws Easier

County Works With Cities for Quicker Emergency Response Times in Unincorporated Areas

Jimmie Stephens said the decline in complaints about lengthy emergency response times in Jefferson County is no accident. The president of the Jefferson County Commission said it is because the county has established agreements to partner with municipal fire and rescue departments throughout the county to provide service beyond the limits of their town or city. Read more.

Birmingham Council Approves Legislative Agenda Without Measure Allowing It to Opt Out of County Personnel Board

The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved its 2024 legislative agenda minus one item: a proposal asking for state legislation that would allow the city to drop out of the Jefferson County Personnel Board, if it so chose. The rest of the agenda centers on laws to make it easier for the city to address blight in neighborhoods. Read more.

JeffCo Commission Considers Backing Amendment to Make Passing Local Laws Easier

The Jefferson County Commission on Thursday will be considering its support for an amendment on the March 5 ballot that would make it easier for legislators to pass local legislation earlier in the session. The resolution supporting the adoption of Amendment 1 was discussed in the commission’s committee meeting Tuesday. District 4 Commissioner Joe Knight, president of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama, explained following the meeting that the amendment simplifies matters that are specific to individual counties. “The commission is saying we’re in support of voting for Amendment 1, which is an amendment that will take off the BIR (budget isolation resolution) requirement hurdle before you can get to your local legislation if the budgets haven't passed,” Knight said. “And they're never passed until late.” Read more.