Skip to content

Legislature

News / Legislature / State

Gas tax takes effect Sept. 1.

Sherwood Sparks sure would like to see some of Alabama’s new gas tax increase, set to hit the pumps on Sept. 1,  go toward improving safety on the roads leading to his hometown of Piedmont.  “Paying the tax doesn’t bother me,” Sparks said. “As long as I can see some results from my taxes for … Continued
August 15, 2019

New human trafficking law requires trucker training

With the stroke of her pen on Monday, Gov. Kay Ivey ceremonially signed a law that aims to reduce human trafficking by training truck drivers to spot it.  Sponsored by Rep. Merika Coleman, D-Birmingham, the law requires that new commercial drivers licensees be trained on how to detect and respond to human trafficking.  Truckers Against … Continued
August 14, 2019

Gov. Ivey holds ceremonial bill signing

Gov. Kay Ivey held a ceremonial bill signing on Monday morning at the State Capitol for 10 pieces of legislation approved during the 2019 Regular Session.  The bills ceremonially signed by Ivey included:   HB549 – This bill, sponsored by Rep. Laura Hall and Sen. Greg Albritton, authorizes the Department of Public Health to provide education … Continued
August 13, 2019

Merrill and APR columnist dispute over voter ID laws

Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill and Alabama Political Reporter investigative reporter and featured columnist Josh Moon continue to trade words on Alabama photo ID laws.  In an op-ed published on July 31, Moon claimed voter ID laws “disproportionately impose hardships on those minorities being able to cast votes. Merrill issued a response later that … Continued
August 7, 2019

Sheriffs: Concealed carry permits should not be used for firearms purchases

The Alabama Sheriffs Association announced Wednesday that they have adopted the position that Alabama concealed carry permits should be not be used as an alternative to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System for firearms sales. Prior to last week, Alabama CCP holders could go to Wal-Mart, or another federal firearms licensee, and purchase a … Continued
August 2, 2019

Alabama Forestry Association endorses House candidate Van Smith

The Alabama Forestry Association endorsed State House candidate Van Smith, R-42, on Tuesday. “We believe that Van Smith is the best candidate to represent District 42,” said Chris Isaacson, AFA executive vice president. “He is a tree farmer as well as a cattle and hay farmer. We believe he understands the issues that the people … Continued
July 31, 2019

Sheriffs working on a fix to ATF’s rejection of Alabama concealed carry permit

On Wednesday, Federal Firearm Licensees (FFL’s) began receiving phone calls and letters from the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms instructing them that they could no longer accept Alabama Concealed Carry Permits (CCPs) issued by Alabama’s Sheriffs as an alternative to completion of a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check … Continued
July 30, 2019

Study shows many thousands died without Medicaid expansion

Around 15,600 Americans died over a five-year period because they lived in states that chose not to expand Medicaid, according to a recent study.  Between 2012 and 2017, those 15,600 or so Americans died because they didn’t have the same access to care as those living in states that expanded Medicaid, according to the study … Continued
July 24, 2019

“Fair tax” legislation would replace income, sales tax with consumption tax

Alabama Rep. Mike Holmes, R-Wetumpka, prefiled “fair tax” legislation for the 2020 regular session that replaces state income and sales taxes with a statewide consumption tax.  The legislation, called the Alabama Economic Freedom Act, would create a uniform 8.03 percent tax on all purchases of goods and services in the state. The tax is designed … Continued
July 23, 2019

Van Smith picks up endorsement in House District 42 special election

Autauga County Commissioner Van Smith received an endorsement Wednesday from the Business Council of Alabama’s political action committee, ProgressPAC.  Smith is running in the special August 20 primary to fill House District 42 seat, left vacant upon the death of Rep. Jimmy Martin, R-Clanton. Martin died in May after battling cancer. He had served as … Continued
July 18, 2019