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Merika Coleman

Legislature

Committee tasked with removing racist language from Alabama Constitution

A plan presented Wednesday, and largely agreed upon by committee members, would remove three sections from the Alabama Constitution.
October 14, 2021

House carries over bill to allow law enforcement to impound vehicles of drivers without a license

Thursday, the Alabama House of Representatives failed to act on a bill giving law enforcement the authority to tow and impound a motor vehicle driven by a motorist who has never attempted to get a driver’s license. House Bill 34 is sponsored by State Representative Scott Stadthagen, R-Mount Hope. State Representative Tim Wadsworth, R-Arley, said … Continued
March 9, 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

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

House passes “hands free” bill

On Tuesday, the Alabama House of Representatives voted to ban motorists from driving a motor vehicle with a cell phone or other handheld device in their hands. House Bill 404 is sponsored by State Representative K.L. Brown, R-Jacksonville. Brown told members of the House, “This is the third time I have stood before you on … Continued
May 27, 2019

Sex trafficking expert says House bill that shames buyers is an effective tool

Friday, the Alabama Political Reporter spoke to Geoff Rogers, the CEO and co-founder of the U.S. Institute Against Human Trafficking (USIAHT) about the growing human trafficking problem in our society and the best methods to combat the booming sex trafficking industry. The USIAHT fights sex trafficking and seeks to end trafficking through education and by … Continued
May 27, 2019