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Alabama House passes bail reform bill named for Aniah Blanchard

The Alabama House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly yesterday to pass legislation to give judges more discretion in denying bail to people accused of committing violent crimes. The legislation, House Bill 81, is named for Aniah Blanchard, a 19-year-old Alabama college student who was kidnapped and murdered last year. The man charged with her murder, Ibraheed … Continued

Jessa Reid Bolling

February 28, 2020

Bill to change the process to implement occupational tax advances in the Senate

Thursday, the Alabama Senate passed House Bill 147 which changes the process required to implement the occupational tax. The bill sponsored by Rep. Chris Sells, R- Greenville, was passed in the Senate by a vote of 27-7. House Bill 147 would ensure protection for workers who live outside of the municipality they work and do … Continued

February 28, 2020

Legislature declares pornography a public health crisis in Alabama

Thursday, the Alabama House of Representatives passed a resolution declaring that pornography is a public health crisis in Alabama. SJ7 was carried by State Representative Danny Garret (R-Trussville) in the House. Garret warned that pornography leads to sex trafficking, violence against women and other crimes. When I was young it was in Playboy and other … Continued

Brandon Moseley

February 28, 2020

House passes bill allowing veterans, active-duty military to get free pistol permits

The Alabama House of Representatives passed legislation Tuesday that would allow active-duty military and veterans who received an honorable discharge to pay nothing when they apply for a concealed carry permit House Bill 208 is sponsored by State Representative David Standridge, R-Hayden. Under existing Alabama law, it is a misdemeanor to carry a handgun concealed … Continued

Brandon Moseley

February 28, 2020

Bill would make owning pre-1960 slot machines legal for personal use

Vintage slot machines are highly sought-after by collectors, but owning one for personal use is a crime in Alabama. That could change this year. Rep. Chip Brown, R-Mobile, told APR by phone on Wednesday that he was approached by a group of antiques collectors who asked that he write a bill that would allow a … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

February 27, 2020

Bill strengthening foster parents’ rights in child custody cases clears senate committee

Wednesday, a bill that would require a juvenile court to consider a child’s relationship with his or her current foster parents and the child’s best interests when making a determination of whether to terminate parental rights received a favorable report in the Senate Committee on Children and Senior Advocacy. House Bill 157 is sponsored by … Continued

Brandon Moseley

February 27, 2020

State leaders unveil a major mental health legislative initiative

Wednesday, House Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter, R – Rainsville, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth (R), Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon, R – Monrovia, Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R – Anniston, Alabama Department of Mental Health Commissioner Lynn Beshear, State Education Superintendent Eric Mackey, House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, as well as the … Continued

Brandon Moseley

February 27, 2020

Senate committee gives favorable report to bill abolishing state auditor

Tuesday, the Alabama Senate Government Affairs Committee narrowly voted favorable report for a controversial piece of legislation that would abolish the constitutional office of State Auditor, if passed by the legislature and approved by voters. Senate Bill 83 is sponsored by State Senator Andrew Jones, R-Centre. The Senate Government 6 to 5 vote came after … Continued

Brandon Moseley

February 27, 2020

House committee approves bill allowing law enforcement to tow a vehicle if driver has no license

Wednesday, the Alabama House Public Safety Committee gave a favorable report to a bill that gives officers the power to have a vehicle towed if the driver does not have a valid driver’s license. House Bill 34 is sponsored by State Representative Scott Stadthagen, R-Hartselle. Stadthagen said that under current Alabama law the law enforcement … Continued

Brandon Moseley

February 27, 2020

Medical marijuana bill “is not about getting high” — it’s “about getting well.”

More than half of U.S. states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana in some form. Last week, the Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee passed SB165 on an 8 to 1 vote. If the measure becomes law, it will allow Alabama residents to obtain medical marijuana under rigorously imposed conditions. Known as the Compassion … Continued

Bill Britt

February 26, 2020