Alabama Legislature

Redistricting Process Starts in the Legislature with Contentious First Meeting

MONTGOMERY -- A lack of data and a lot of personalities appear to be specific challenges for the group of lawmakers tasked with redrawing the district maps that will be used in state and federal elections in Alabama for the next 10 years. The Alabama Legislature's Joint Reapportionment Committee on Tuesday met for the first time in this round of post-Census redistricting to discuss a framework for how the process will play out. The panel is charged with developing new maps for Alabama's seven congressional districts, eight state school board seats, 35 state Senate seats and 105 seats in the state House of Representatives. Actual maps are a long way off, however, as the U.S. Census Bureau won't have the district-level data ready until August, committee leaders said. Read more.

by Todd Stacy, Alabama Daily News

Harris: Herd Immunity Possible by Mid-Summer if Vaccine Rate Increases

MONTGOMERY --  Alabama could reach herd immunity from COVID-19 by mid-summer, the state's top doctor told lawmakers on Wednesday. But it could take longer if the vaccination rate continues to decrease. State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said around 70% of the state, or 3.5 million Alabamians, will need to either be fully vaccinated or have antibodies from previous infections in order for the state to reach a level of immunity that will stop significant spread of the disease. “If we reach herd immunity, what we’ll see is a dramatic decrease in cases, but it’s unlikely that it will ever completely disappear,” Harris said. The daily number of vaccinations has been steadily decreasing since the beginning of April, which Harris said could be attributed to several factors, chief among them being vaccine hesitancy. He said that has been evident in the African-American community as will as in white communities, especially in rural areas. Read more.

by Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

Judicial, DA Pay Changes Go to the Governor

MONTGOMERY -- A bill that would change the pay structure for judges around the state and give them a raise has been approved by the Legislature. Senate Bill 292 was amended in the House last week to also change the compensation schedule of district attorneys and the state attorney general. The Senate agreed in a 30-0 vote on Tuesday. The bill now goes to the governor. Current law says circuit judges' salaries are set by statute and then district and appellate judges and Supreme Court justices' salaries are based on circuit judges’ pay. Senate Bill 292 sets separate initial salaries for the various judges, as well as district attorneys and the attorney general, and provides for 7.5% raises each term. Read more.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Revamped Gambling Package Goes to House Floor

MONTGOMERY -- A wide-ranging gambling package advanced in the Alabama Legislature Tuesday and is expected to be considered on the floor of the House of Representatives on Thursday. The plan, which passed the Senate in April, would institute a lottery, authorize sports betting and legalize casinos around the state. It has since been awaiting action in the House of Representatives, where previous gambling legislation has struggled in recent years. There are three pieces of legislation: a constitutional amendment that would go before voters in November 2022 and two enabling bills fleshing out the details of gambling policy and enforcement procedures. Each passed through its respective House committee Tuesday. Read more. More from the Legislature: 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 Todd Stacy, Alabama Daily News

Bill Would Allow Police to Issue Citations Rather Than Make Arrests

MONTGOMERY -- Alabama lawmakers are close to allowing city police officers to issue citations for some misdemeanor offenses rather than taking offenders into custody. Senate Bill 59 by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, would require cities to pass ordinances specifying what offenses could get court summonses rather than immediate arrests.  Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, carried the bill in the House. “The intent is to take what would be minor offenses and give the officer a chance to issue a citation rather than making an arrest,” England said. “…They will still require a court appearance, but we’re not going to take you into custody that day.” Read more.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

In Final Days of 2021 Session, House May Tackle Three Heated Issues

MONTGOMERY – With three voting days remaining in the Alabama Legislature’s 2021 regular session, State House leaders are preparing for a final push on some of the most controversial bills of the session. The House of Representatives has yet to vote on bills allowing medical marijuana, a comprehensive gambling package and a ban on medical treatments, including puberty blockers and surgery, for transgender youth. House Speaker Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, told reporters that the prospect of floor votes on the gambling and medical marijuana bills was “promising” in the House, but wasn’t as certain for the transgender medical bill. “We’re working with Senate leadership, so I can’t speak as firm on that one as we can the gaming or the medical marijuana, but it is being considered,” McCutcheon said. The Legislature has already passed and Gov. Kay Ivey has signed a bill allowing high school athletes to compete only in sports as their gender assigned at birth. Read more. More from the Legislature: Bill Would Allow Police to Issue Citations Rather Than Make Arrests Read complete coverage of the Legislature

by Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

Legislature Takes Up Wine Delivery, Budgets, Bonds for Parks and More Bills as Session Winds Down

MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Legislature met for the 27th legislative day of its 30-day regular session Thursday. Here's what happened at the State House. Home Delivery of Wine  Alabamians could start ordering wine shipped directly to their homes starting Aug. 1 if Gov. Kay Ivey signs a bill sent to her Thursday. Read more. More from the Legislature this week: Literacy Act Delay Bill Running Out of Time Bill to Limit State Emergency Declarations Moving in the House Bill Requiring Accommodations for Pregnant Workers, Other Bills Won't Get Vote Bill Puts Into Law Unemployment Benefit Fraud Protections Bill Would Ban All Chemical Abortions in Alabama

by Caroline Beck and Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Bill Requiring Accommodations for Pregnant Workers, Other Bills Won’t Get Vote

MONTGOMERY — The House Judiciary Committee heard Wednesday about Democrats' bills to protect pregnant employees in the workplace, prevent discrimination based on hairstyles and alter some of the state's parole rules. But committee chairman Rep. Jim Hill, R-Moody, didn't have the committee vote on any of the proposals, saying it was too late in the session. With four legislative days left, bills would have to be fast-tracked to clear both chambers.  Read more.

by Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

Bill to Limit State Emergency Declarations Moving in the House

MONTGOMERY — A bill to shorten state of emergency orders and take away the governor’s power to restrict activities during a public health emergency passed a House committee Wednesday. Read more.

by Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

Literacy Act Delay Bill Running Out of Time

A bill to delay next year’s requirement to hold back third grade students who aren’t proficient in reading is running out of time in the Legislature. The Senate-passed measure was discussed for more than an hour in a public hearing Wednesday in the House Education Policy Committee. Committee Chairwoman Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, opted not to vote on the bill and said the committee may take it up Tuesday. If approved there, it would need a House vote during the two remaining legislative days of this session. Sponsor Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, said the pandemic has greatly altered education delivery in the state to the disadvantage of students. He argued the holdback requirement, part of the 2019 Literacy Act, should be delayed two years. Otherwise, too many students will be held back. Read more. More from the Legislature this week: Bill to Limit State Emergency Declarations Moving in the House Bill Requiring Accommodations for Pregnant Workers, Other Bills Won't Get Vote Bill Puts Into Law Unemployment Benefit Fraud Protections Bill Would Ban All Chemical Abortions in Alabama Legislature Nearing Passage of State Budgets as Session Nears End

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News