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Linda Coleman-Madison

News / Legislature / State

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
February 19, 2020

Health Committee gives favorable report to bill to mandate vaccination reporting

Wednesday, the Senate Health Committee gave a favorable report to a bill that would require that all medical providers share their vaccination records with the State of Alabama. Senate Bill 56 is sponsored by State Senator Tim Melson (R-Florence) Sen. Melson said that SB56 would require medical providers to report vaccinations in the registry. “This … Continued
February 13, 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

One human trafficking bill signed, another pocket vetoed

Tuesday Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill that would require students at trucking schools to take classes on identifying human trafficking. A second bill that would have exposed the men who purchase sex was pocket vetoed by the Governor. House Bill 261 was sponsored by House Assistant Minority Leader Merika Coleman (D-Midfield) and State … Continued
June 14, 2019

Kamala Harris campaigns in Birmingham

U.S. Sen. and presidential candidate Kamala Harris, D-California, campaigned Friday in Birmingham as part of a Southern tour through that included stops in Montgomery and South Carolina. “This is an inflection moment in the history of our country,” Harris said. “Who are we? I think we all know part of that answer, and that is … Continued
June 10, 2019

Two human trafficking bills pass the Legislature

The Alabama legislature unanimously passed two bi-partisan human trafficking bills Friday. House bills 261 and 262 were sponsored by State Representative Merika Coleman (D-Birmingham), and State Senator Cam Ward (R-Alabaster) guided both through the Senate. The bills are now in Governor Kay Ivey’s (R) office for her consideration. HB261 requires that all new commercial driver … Continued
June 4, 2019

Senate to consider abortion ban Thursday

The Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee gave a favorable report Wednesday to a bill that would ban most abortions in the state of Alabama following a public hearing. The full Senate is expected to consider the bill Thursday. House Bill 314 is sponsored by state Representative Terri Collins, R-Decatur. Rep. Collins asked the Senate to pass … Continued
May 9, 2019

Heated lottery debate revealed the secrets of the Alabama Legislature

In the debate Thursday in the Alabama Senate over a proposed lottery bill, there was one conversation that stood out. Yeah, there were plenty of arguments and creative amendments pushed. There were angry senators and accusations of nefarious intentions tossed around. But the back and forth between Sen. Bobby Singleton and Sen. Greg Albritton, the … Continued
April 26, 2019

Committee considers bill allowing optometrists to increase their scope of practice

Wednesday, the Alabama Senate Health Committee debated a bill that would allow optometrists to add minor surgical procedures to their scope of practice. Ophthalmologists, doctors with a medical degree who treat the eye as a specialty, oppose the legislation. Sen. Tom Whatley, R-Auburn, is the sponsor of Senate Bill 114. Whatley said that he has … Continued
April 25, 2019

Senate Committee approves bonus for retired state employees

The Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee gave a favorable report Wednesday to Senate Bill 206, which would give a one-time bonus to retired state workers. SB206 is sponsored by state Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster. Ward said that under his bill each retired state employee would receive $24 per year of service in a … Continued
April 11, 2019