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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
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
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
February 26, 2020

House vote to raise age of marriage to age 18

Tuesday, the Alabama House of Representatives voted to raise the age that an Alabamian can marry without their parents’ consent from age 16 to age 18. House Bill 48 is sponsored by State Representative Laura Hall (D-Huntsville). The bill was carried on the floor by Rep. Artis “A.J.” McCampbell (D-Livingston). HB48 as introduced would raise … Continued
February 26, 2020

Paper lottery said to be close to having votes for House passage

A yet to be submitted paper only lottery bill by Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, the House budget chairman, reportedly has over 60 co-sponsors, according to those familiar with the legislation. Any lottery measure requires a constitutional amendment that can only pass with a three-fifths vote of the membership in both chambers, which equates to 63 … Continued
February 25, 2020

Bill unlocks the “revolving door” for public employees

After a brief introduction lasting approximately three minutes, SB177 passed out of the Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee with a favorable report. If the legislation sponsored by Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, becomes law, it will radically alter the “revolving door” statute permitting any public employee to leave a government job and immediately return … Continued
February 24, 2020

Ethics are dying and you don’t care

Alabamians don’t care about ethics.  Just admit it. Or, actually, don’t even bother admitting it, because the evidence is quite clear.  You don’t really care that much.  Oh, sure, you say you do. Each election, when the pollsters start making calls asking you to rank what’s most important to you, you list ethics right up … Continued
February 24, 2020

McCutcheon says public opinion is driving gambling debate

Thursday, Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, told reporters that public opinion is driving the debate on gambling. Speaker McCutcheon praised Alabama Governor Kay Ivey’s (R) working group on gambling and said that a lot of good people had been appointed to that group. At Gov. Ivey’s State of the State address, she told … Continued
February 24, 2020

House passes Tier III retirement for education employees

Tuesday, the Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill to expand retirement benefits for education employees. House Bill 76 is sponsored by State Representative Alan Baker (R-Brewton). Baker said that Tier III benefits for educators is necessary to encourage teachers to stay in education and to recruit new teachers to the state. Rep. Thomas Jackson … Continued
February 24, 2020

Weekly Legislative Session Report: Week Three

The Alabama Legislature met in session for Day 5 of the annual Regular Session on Tuesday, February 18. Twenty-eight committee meetings were held during the week to consider legislation. Both Houses met in session on Thursday, February 20 for Day 6. 535 bills have been introduced so far this Session. The Legislature will return to … Continued
February 24, 2020