Alabama Legislature Archives - Page 31 of 44 - BirminghamWatch
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Alabama Legislature

Bill Would Create Sexual Assault Survivor ‘Bill of Rights’

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.

by Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

Census Data Delay Puts Redistricting on Hold, Could Impact Candidates

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.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Leadership Pleased With First Two Weeks of Session

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.

by Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

Legislative Briefs: Alcohol Delivery, License Plate Data Among Bills Gaining Approval

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.

by Glenn Stephens

COVID-19 Makes Kindergarten Requirement Bill ‘Priority’

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.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

House Approves Improved Benefits for Newer Teachers

The Alabama House on Thursday approved a bill to modify retirement benefits for newer teachers in the state. Advocates say more attractive benefits, including the ability to roll over sick leave and collect retirement after 30 years, will help with the state’s teacher shortage. The bill is a scaled-back version of legislation that has previously passed the House and died in the Senate. Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, told Alabama Daily News that House Bill 93 will reduce disparity between the older Tier I and newer Tier II retirement tracks and help keep young teachers in the state. Read more.

by Mary Sell and Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

AI in Crime Fighting, Wine Shipments, Memorial Preservation, Other Topics Discussed in the Legislature Wednesday

MONTGOMERY — Here's what happened in the State House on Thursday. Artificial Intelligence Senate Bill 113 was approved in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Sen. Arthur Orr’s bill would put limits on how law enforcement agencies can use artificial intelligence and facial recognition to make arrests. Other factors or evidence must be used, as well. Read More.

by Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

Tax Reform, Economic Development Bills Sent to Ivey

The Alabama Senate on Wednesday gave final passage to bills preventing the taxing of federal relief funds and revamping the state's economic development incentives, sending the first two of three priority bills to Gov. Kay Ivey for her signature. Read more. More from the Legislature this week 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.

by Mary Sell and Todd Stacy, Alabama Daily News

Broadband Expansion Bill Passes First Vote in Legislature

Legislation to organize and fund greater broadband internet expansion across the state passed its first committee vote on Wednesday with no opposition. Senate Bill 215 is sponsored by Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, who is also sponsoring a large gambling bill that if passed would be able to partially fund broadband efforts. “It was very clear that there was a strong emphasis that if we were able to get a gaming package, we need to address broadband,” Marsh told Senate Tourism Committee members. He chairs that committee. Read more. School Funding Change on the Move in the Legislature Legislative Briefs Read more on the legislative session.

by Caroline Beck and Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News
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