Jim Hill

News / Legislature / State

House Judiciary Committee considers red flag law

The House Judiciary Committee held a public hearing Wednesday for House Bill 265, which would allow a court to order law enforcement to seize a person’s guns if there is evidence that they are a danger to themselves or the community. HB265 is sponsored by State Rep. Merika Coleman, D-Birmingham. Coleman said the legislation creates … Continued

Brandon Moseley

April 18, 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

Brandon Moseley

April 15, 2019

House Committee approves bill to get state out of licensing marriages

Wednesday, the House Judiciary Committee gave a favorable report to a bill that would end the requirement that marriages must be solemnized with some sort of a ceremony. Senate Bill 69 is sponsored by state Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore. Under Alabama law, marriages can only be between one man and one woman. The U.S. Supreme … Continued

Brandon Moseley

April 11, 2019

House committee OKs bill to increase penalties for attorneys that case run

On Wednesday, the House Judiciary Committee gave a favorable report to a bill, HB189, which increases the penalties for unscrupulous attorneys who aggressively seek out potential plaintiffs, by offering bribes, inducements, or by hiring a person to recruit potential clients. The term used for this unscrupulous practice is case running. “Under existing law, an attorney … Continued

Brandon Moseley

April 8, 2019

Lawmakers say tax bill will likely be 12 cents a gallon

Monday night, state Sen. Jim McClendon, R-Springville, and state Rep. Craig Lipscomb, R-Gadsden, addressed the St. Clair Farmer’s Federation in Ashville on their annual legislative day. McClendon said that one of the biggest issue facing the legislature will be a proposed gas tax. “I am not involved in it,” McClendon said. “Everything that I know … Continued

Brandon Moseley

February 12, 2019

Jay Mitchell campaigns in St. Clair County

Republican nominee for the Alabama Supreme Court Jay Mitchell addressed the influential St. Clair County Republican Party at City Market Grill in Pell City Thursday. Mitchell said that he wants to go to Montgomery and be part of, “Restoring confidence in what we do in Montgomery.” Jay Mitchell said that he was born in Mobile … Continued

Brandon Moseley

September 21, 2018

“Zombie Bill:” Thought dead, juvenile justice reform bill resurfaces in Alabama Senate

Previously thought to be dead for this legislative session, a massive rewrite of Alabama’s juvenile justice statutes surfaced in the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday, again raising the possibility that the legislation may make it into the law books this year. The House passed the legislation last week. “For a while there this bill has been … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 23, 2018

House passes bill to increase penalties for Fentanyl trafficking

Thursday, the House passed legislation to increase the penalties for the distribution of Fentanyl. Senate Bill 39 is sponsored by State Senator Cam Ward, R-Alabaster. Weaver said that the biggest problem is the fetanyl is a synthetic opioid being produced in China and Mexico and other countries and then smuggled in to this country. Fentanyl … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 23, 2018

Alabama House OKs juvenile justice reform

Thursday, the Alabama House of Representatives passed a massive reform package of the troubled Alabama juvenile justice system. HB225 was sponsored by state Rep. Jim Hill, R-Odenville. Hill chairs the House Judiciary Committee and was the co-chair of the Juvenile Justice Task Force created by Gov. Kay Ivey. Hill is a retired judge in St. … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 16, 2018

Joint custody bill gets favorable report from Senate committee

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter The Senate Judiciary Committee gave a favorable report to legislation to make joint custody a uniform starting point for all children in divorce/separation cases. Senate Bill 211, known as the Children’s Equal Access Act, is sponsored by State Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Sheffield. Sen. Stutts’ bill would clarify Alabama law … Continued

Brandon Moseley

February 26, 2018