Alabama Legislature

School Funding Change on the Move in the Legislature

Between the fall of 2019 and fall 2020, 59 public school systems’ enrollment grew by nearly 6,500 students. But under the state’s current funding structure, systems have to fund most of that growth, including hiring the needed teachers, out of their local tax revenue, and state funding is slow to catch up, if it ever does, educators say. For some of the systems with the largest growth, that’s hundreds of students and millions of dollars. Senate Bill 9 would amend the state’s Foundation Program to calculate growth so systems don’t have to wait a year for per-student funding, which this year is about $6,271. It would estimate non-virtual enrollment based on the previous years’ growth. Read more.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

5G Infrastructure Bill Clears Senate

MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Senate on Thursday approved legislation to create a statewide standard for deploying 5G cellular infrastructure and setting limits on how much money local governments can charge providers for access to utility structures. “This legislation provides a consistent framework for the deployment of small cells, giving providers some certainty as they invest in local communities to expand this very necessary infrastructure,” bill sponsor Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, said. Read more. More from the Legislature: Medical Marijuana, Alcohol Delivery, COVID Liability Bills Pass First Tests 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.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Pay Raises, Targeted Funding Increases in Ivey’s Budgets

Gov. Kay Ivey submitted her budget proposals to the Legislature Wednesday, asking for modest pay raises for teachers, school support staff and state workers, along with targeted funding increases for several programs, including the state's troubled prison system. Ivey's proposed Education Trust Fund for fiscal year 2022 totals $7.65 billion, an increase of more than $440 million from the current fiscal year. Her General Fund budget totals $2.45 billion, which is a decrease of $31 million from the current year's budget. Both budgets are based on state tax revenue projections, which state finance officials are cautiously optimistic about at the moment. Both budgets also have mechanisms that direct excess revenue to "rainy day" accounts to prevent future budget cuts known as proration. Read more.

by Todd Stacy, Alabama Daily News

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.

by Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

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.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

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. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

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.

by Todd Stacy, Alabama Daily News

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..

by Janae Pierre, WBHM

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.

by Mary Sell and Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

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.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News