Tag: Alabama Legislature
Medical Marijuana, Alcohol Delivery, COVID Liability Bills Pass First Tests
Bills that would allow the use of medical marijuana and the home delivery of alcohol, plus a long-anticipated lawsuit liability bill, were some of the major legislation to advance Wednesday in the Legislature.
It was the first committee day of the new session, and lawmakers are working fast for fear of another COVID-19 slowdown, as happened last year.
The day was not without some glitches. While the public has been encouraged to stay out of the State House and watch action online, at least three committees had technological difficulties and at least part of their meetings couldn’t be seen.
Read more.
More from the Legislature:
5G Infrastructure Bill Clears Senate
Legislative Session Starts With Caution, Big Bills
Bill Would Filter Emergency Health Orders Through Layman Board in Jefferson County
Read more on the legislative session, which began Tuesday.
Report: Changes to Habitual Offender Law Needed
A new report urges Alabama leaders to change state laws that mean “death in prison sentences” for inmates convicted of crimes in which victims were not injured.
“Condemned,” from the Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, details how Alabama’s Habitual Felony Offender Act is more punitive than most other Southern states’ laws and how keeping these men — many of them now senior citizens — in prisons is costing the state millions of dollars in medical care.
“We hope (lawmakers and other officials) realize that hundreds of people are still trapped in life without parole sentences for crimes where there was no physical injury and who if sentenced today would do a fraction of their current sentences,” Appleseed Executive Director Carla Crowder told Alabama Daily News. Read more.
More from the Legislature:
Legislative Session Starts With Caution, Big Bills
Marsh Steps Down, Reed Steps Into Pro Tem Role in the Senate
Bill Would Filter Emergency Health Orders Through Layman Board in Jefferson County
Read more on the legislative session, which began Tuesday.
Gambling Proposals Must Pass the ‘Smell Test’ Before Going to Voters, Ivey Tells Lawmakers
Gov. Kay Ivey challenged Alabama lawmakers on Tuesday to be transparent, thoughtful and deliberate as they debate proposals to expand gambling, and said it will be up to voters to make the final decision.
“I look forward to working with the men and women of the House and Senate to give Alabamians an opportunity to decide, once and for all, if a different approach to gambling is in the best interest of our state,” she said during her State of the State address.
“This must be a transparent process,” she said. “And if something does not pass the smell test, I’ll sure let you know.”
The governor said more than 180 gambling bills have been introduced for the legislative session that began Tuesday, but the voice of the people has not been heard.
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Marsh Steps Down, Reed Steps Into Pro Tem Role in the Senate
MONTGOMERY — After ten years of leading the Alabama Senate as president pro tempore, Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, officially stepped down from the upper chamber’s top job Tuesday, relinquishing the role to Sen. Greg Reed, R-Jasper.
The friendly leadership transition, first reported in November, became official as lawmakers opened the 2021 legislative session. Turning in his letter of resignation to the secretary of the Senate, Marsh thanked his colleagues, staff and family for their support during his tenure as pro tem, the longest in Senate history.
“It has been a privilege to serve as pro tem of this body since 2010,” Marsh said from the Senate floor, choking up at moments. “I believe we’ve accomplished some great things together.” Read more.
Bill Would Filter Emergency Health Orders Through Layman Board in Jefferson County
Lawmakers are proposing legislation that would require an advisory board to weigh in on decisions made by the Jefferson County health officer before new rules are enacted.
Since March, many leaders in the medical community faced challenges after putting mandates in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus. There were mask mandates and the stay-at-home order which led to several business closures.
Republican state Rep. David Wheeler has introduced legislation that would require public input on the Jefferson County health officer’s decisions. That office is currently held by Dr. Mark Wilson. Wheeler said his bill would allow a board of nine people to provide any recommendations on public health policies before orders are issued to residents. The board would have 10 days to respond
Read more..
Legislative Session Starts With Caution, Big Bills
MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Legislature gaveled in Tuesday for the first day of what leadership hopes are productive early weeks of the session, despite COVID-19 protocols that will slow their businesses.
One House member was sent home after testing positive for COVID-19. Representatives were encouraged but not required to take a rapid virus test upon entering the State House. The member was not identified by leadership. One staff member who had come into contact with the lawmaker also was sent home to quarantine.
House Speaker Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, said that, despite the positive test, he is encouraged by the cooperation and attitudes of members.
“We’ve just got to learn to function in a little different environment and we’ve just got to be willing to take on all the safety precautions,” McCutcheon said. Read more.
More from the Legislature today:
Marsh Steps Down, Reed Steps Into Pro Tem Role in the Senate
Bill Would Filter Emergency Health Orders Through Layman Board in Jefferson County
Read more on the legislative session, which began Tuesday.
COVID-19 Protocols Limiting Public Access to Legislative Session
Watch the Legislature remotely
The Legislature’s external website has been upgraded to add enhanced streaming video of all business in the House and Senate chambers, as well as the meetings and hearings in committee rooms around the State House. There now are video links to both chambers and five committee rooms. You can watch proceedings on the Legislature’s video services page.
In-person public access to the legislative session that starts Tuesday will be severely limited, and State House leaders are asking people to watch the action online and communicate with representatives electronically.
“We need public input in what we do down here because the things we do make decisions on taxpayer dollars and public welfare,” Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, said. But in-person interactions with House or Senate members will require appointments.
“You won’t be able to just walk through the front door and go up to the seventh floor,” McCutcheon said. “What we’re telling people is, don’t come to the State House anticipating to meet someone unless you have made some phone calls and you have a prior appointment.” Read more.
Read more on the legislative session, which begins Tuesday.
Ivey Signs Leases for Two Prisons, Part of $3 Billion Plan
Gov. Kay Ivey signed lease agreements for two men’s prisons on Monday, part of her plan for three new facilities the state will lease for 30 years at an estimated total cost of about $3 billion.
Construction for the two facilities is expected to begin later this year or the beginning of 2022.
The two lease agreements are with entities of prison builder CoreCivic. They will construct, own and maintain the facilities. It will be the Alabama Department of Corrections that staffs and administers the prisons.
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Broadband Expansion to Underserved Areas Could Cost $4B-$6B
It will cost around $4 billion to $6 billion to bring broadband access to underserved areas of the state, Alabama lawmakers were recently told.
The information, along with an updated map of those underserved portions of the state, was presented by CTC Technology and Energy, which has a contract to develop a statewide plan for broadband access.
Joanne Hovis, CTC president, said the cost estimate was based on providing the best level of technology.
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Ivey to Sign Prison Lease Deal, Lawmakers Bristle at Higher Cost Revelation
Gov. Kay Ivey is set to sign lease agreements for two new men’s prisons as part of a long-negotiated plan to overhaul Alabama’s dilapidated corrections infrastructure. However, some state lawmakers are unhappy with the project after being told it will cost more each year than originally estimated.
On a call with state lawmakers Friday, Department of Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn said Ivey would soon sign contracts with CoreCivic, one of the developers bidding for the massive prison project.
Asked to confirm the news, Ivey Press Secretary Gina Maiola said the contracts were scheduled to be signed on Monday.
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