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Bill lets small local farm wineries compete for business

A Senate bill sponsored by Sen. Tom Whatley, R-Auburn, would allow small farmer-owned wineries the ability to sell and distribute their products more competitively. In a time when more consumers are clamoring for locally sourced produce, it might seem odd that Alabama’s homegrown wine industry is grossly prohibited from selling its products to Alabamians. For … Continued
April 16, 2019

House committee considers legislation allowing cyclists to go on red

The House Public Safety and Homeland Security held a public hearing Wednesday on a bill that would allow motorcyclists and bicyclists to go on red at a slow traffic light if there was no oncoming traffic. HB103 is sponsored by House Speaker Pro Tem Victor Gaston, R-Mobile. Motorcycle enthusiast Fred Wheeler said HB103 would allow … Continued
April 16, 2019

During payday presser, two Alabama Republicans break with Trump, side with liberal advocates

In the media room on the third floor of the State House, a self-identified group of liberals and conservatives took the stage to introduce legislation to restrict small consumer payday loans further. In a surprising move, Republican lawmakers at the event voiced their disagreement with President Donald Trump with one stating he is not a … Continued
April 15, 2019

Speaker: Don’t expect House action on comprehensive ethics reform

On Thursday, Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon, R-Monrovia, addressed reporters about the week’s legislative accomplishments. On Wednesday, a controversial rewrite of state ethics laws appeared to stall in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Reporters asked McCutcheon if the House of Representatives would introduce their own comprehensive ethics reform bill. “No, I don’t see any comprehensive … Continued
April 15, 2019

Committee approves bill to allow retired law enforcement to work as school resource officers

The Alabama House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee approved a bill Wednesday to allow retired law enforcement officers to be hired as school security guards and school resources officers. House Bill 209 is sponsored by state Rep. Phillip Pettus, R-Killen. Pettus is a retired state trooper. Pettus said the bill would allow a sheriff … Continued
April 15, 2019

Heifner releases issue priorities in HD 74 seat

Local family law attorney Jesse Heifner released a list of his issue priorities in his campaign for the open House District 74 seat on Friday. Heifner qualified for the seat in the Alabama House of Representatives formerly held by Rep. Dimitri Polizos, R-Montgomery, who died suddenly from a heart attack. “After much thought, prayer and … Continued
April 15, 2019

House passes bill to allow the hunting of deer and hogs over bait

Thursday, the Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill that would allow hunters to purchase a special license from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources so that they can shoot feral hogs and whitetail deer over bait. State Representative Danny Crawford, R-Athens, sponsored House Bill 97. Alabama has a major problem with a … Continued
April 12, 2019

The bill that would have killed Alabama ethics laws is dead

The worst bill this legislative session (so far) is dead. Sen. Greg Albritton’s rewrite of state ethics laws — which all but eliminated ethics laws — will apparently never leave the Senate Judiciary Committee, chairman Cam Ward said Wednesday afternoon. “It’s dead in my committee,” Ward told APR. It was an odd turn of events … Continued
April 11, 2019

Senate Committee rejects ABC store privatization

The Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development committee Wednesday voted against giving a favorable report to a bill that would have privatized the state’s liquor stores. Senate Bill 77 was sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur. A public hearing was held on the eighth floor of the Statehouse on Wednesday, but the bill failed in committee … Continued
April 11, 2019