2020 legislative session

Medical marijuana bill passes the Senate

Thursday, the Alabama Senate passed a bill that, if passed by the House and signed by the governor, would make Alabama the 34th state in the country to legalize medical marijuana. Senate Bill 165 was sponsored by State Senator Tim Melson, R-Florence. “This is a big step for Alabama,” Melson said. “But there is still … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 13, 2020

Senate committee rejects bill that would have banned smoking in cars with children

Wednesday, the Alabama Senate Health Committee rejected a House bill that would have banned smoking and vaping in motor vehicles if there is a child under 14 years of age present. House Bill 46 was sponsored by State Representatives Rolanda Hollis, D-Birmingham. HB46 as introduced by Hollis would have banned smoking with children in automobiles. … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 13, 2020

Senate delays vote on bill that would reallocate judges

The Alabama Senate delayed a vote on a bill Tuesday that would reallocate judges from areas in decline to areas of the state that are experiencing growth. Senate Bill 255 is sponsored by Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore. “Why is this needed? Some counties in South Alabama and North Alabama have grown rapidly,” and need judges, … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 11, 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

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

Brandon Moseley

February 24, 2020

House votes to outlaw smoking, vaping in automobiles with children present

Tuesday, the Alabama House of Representatives voted for legislation to be smoking and vaping in motor vehicles if there is a child under 14 years of age. House Bill 46 is sponsored by State Representatives Rolanda Hollis, D-Birmingham. HB46 as introduced by Hollis would have banned smoking with children in automobiles. State Representative John Rogers, … Continued

Brandon Moseley

February 19, 2020

Montgomery’s new occupation tax likely to be challenged by the legislature

Tuesday night, the Montgomery City Council voted to impose an occupation tax on everyone who works in the city of Montgomery. Tens of thousands of people would be adversely impacted by the move. The Alabama legislature appears to be on the verge of blocking the controversial measure. Earlier that day that Senate Government Affairs committee … Continued

Brandon Moseley

February 19, 2020

McCutcheon is in “wait and see mode” on medical marijuana bill

Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives Mac McCutcheon (R-Monrovia) last Thursday was asked by reporters where he stood on pending medical marijuana legislation. “I am in a wait and see mode,” McCutcheon told reporters. “The sponsor of the bill has done a lot of work.” On Tuesday, State Senator Tim Melson (R-Florence) introduced a … Continued

Brandon Moseley

February 17, 2020

House passes bill to simplify annexations

Thursday the Alabama House of Representatives passed legislation making it simpler to annex property in overlapping police jurisdictions if both of the municipalities agree and all of the landowners agree with the annexation. House Bill 12 is sponsored by State Representative Terri Collins, R-Decatur. The bill however was carried on the floor of the House … Continued

Brandon Moseley

February 17, 2020

Opinion

As legislative session begins, priority will be resolving prison problems

The 2020 Legislative Session, which began last week, will be the second session of Governor Kay Ivey’s administration. For the second straight year, she and the legislature will be facing a major obstacle. The prison problem is the paramount issue for the year. The state must address and resolve this dilemma or the federal authorities … Continued

Steve Flowers

February 12, 2020