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Bill to help save “man’s best friend” advances to House

The Alabama Senate passed a bill to help save animals in hot cars. Sponsored by Sen. Jimmy Holley, SB67 aims to prevent animal abuse. This bill passed the Senate in a vote of 33-0 and now heads to the House. If enacted, this bill would prevent owners from leaving domestic animals in a motor vehicle … Continued

February 14, 2020

Senate Health Committee bill advances despite clash between ophthalmologists, optometrists

The Alabama Senate Health Committee last week narrowly voted to give a favorable report to a bill that would allow Alabama optometrists to expand their scope of practice to include seven procedures that are currently performed exclusively by ophthalmologists. Senate Bill 66 is sponsored by State Senator Tom Whatley (R-Auburn). Whatley said that he has … Continued

February 14, 2020

Speaker McCutcheon standing with governor on gaming workgroup

During her 2020 State of the State address, Gov. Kay Ivey said she would be signing an Executive Order to establish a small working group to gather all the facts on how much money the State could gain if some form of gaming expansion occurred. She also asked the Legislature to give her time for … Continued

February 13, 2020

Bills could improve access to diversion programs, report notes high fees and roadblocks

Bills recently introduced in the Alabama House and Senate aim to improve access to specialized courts and diversion programs, meant to get people the help they need and keep them from behind bars. Even with more access to those programs and courts, however, many can’t afford the exorbitant fees to remain free, according to a … Continued

February 13, 2020

Committee hears state plan to address student mental health

State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey asked the Senate Finance and Taxation Committee for funding to put more mental health professionals in schools. While addressing the committee, Mackey said that having more counseling available for students will help to not only address student mental health but to also help teachers who are “overwhelmed” with trying to … Continued

February 13, 2020

Business, community leaders call on lawmakers to support Gov. Ivey’s push for more Pre-K funds

Governor Ivey’s push for a $25 million statewide expansion of Alabama’s high-quality, voluntary First Class Pre-K program was endorsed today by business and community leaders from across the state. If approved by the state Legislature, the proposed funding increase would add at least 160 new classrooms next year and help enroll at least 2,889 additional … Continued

February 13, 2020

Deception, subtlety and the wholesale destruction of current ethics laws mark proposed rewrite

Legislation proposed by Rep. Mike Ball, R-Madison, would radically alter the existing State Ethics Act rendering it useless as an effective tool to regulate the behavior of public officials, much less prosecute a rouge lawmaker. Testifying at a pre-trial hearing in the criminal case against then-Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard in April 2015, Ball … Continued

February 12, 2020

Bill to raise penalties for disturbing a historical memorial to $10,000 a day is carried over

Tuesday, the Alabama Governmental Affairs Committee carried over a Senate bill which would have raised the penalty for disturbing a historical monument or building from $25,000 to $10,000 a day. Senate Bill 127 was sponsored by Senator Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa). Allen said that the change was recommended by the Alabama Supreme Court and would raise … Continued

February 12, 2020

Legislation to abolish auditor carried over in committee

The Alabama State Senate Governmental Affairs Committee carried over a bill Tuesday that would abolish the office of state auditor. Senate Bill 83 is sponsored by State Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre. Jones said that the bill would not go into effect until the end of the current state auditor’s term. He is term-limited so he … Continued

February 12, 2020

Legislation to abolish office of the auditor to go before committee

The Alabama State Senate Governmental Affairs Committee will consider a proposed state constitutional amendment Tuesday that would abolish the office of state auditor. Senate Bill 83 is sponsored by State Sen. Andrew Jones, a Republican from Centre. State Auditor Jim Zeigler told the Alabama Political Reporter that he has requested a 14-day postponement to give … Continued

February 11, 2020