Skip to content

Tom Whatley

News / Legislature / State

Senate Health Committee bill advances despite clash between ophthalmologists, optometrists

The Alabama Senate Health Committee last week narrowly voted to give a favorable report to a bill that would allow Alabama optometrists to expand their scope of practice to include seven procedures that are currently performed exclusively by ophthalmologists. Senate Bill 66 is sponsored by State Senator Tom Whatley (R-Auburn). Whatley said that he has … Continued
February 14, 2020

Tuberville officially qualifies with Republican Party for Senate race

Wednesday, former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville officially qualified to run for Senate at Alabama Republican Party headquarters in Hoover. Tuberville said that he has enjoyed going out and speaking to the people over the last six months and now that he is officially a candidate he will go out and speak to the people. … Continued
October 10, 2019

Shinhwa Group will open Auburn operation with $42 million investment

Tuesday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) announced that the Shinhwa Group is opening manufacturing operation in Auburn. “Shinhwa’s decision to invest $42 million and create 95 jobs in Auburn is great news for Alabama,” Governor Ivey said. “Alabama has become an important player in a changing automotive industry, and Shinhwa’s plans to open its first … Continued
October 2, 2019

Whatley appointed to chair Joint Legislative Study Committee on Driverless Vehicles

Thursday, the Joint Legislative Study Committee on Driverless Vehicles chose State Senator Tom Whatley (R-Auburn) as its chairman. State Representative Barbara Drummond (D-Mobile) was elected Vice-Chairman. The two had worked together on last year’s study committee as well. Sen. Whatley said that he was old enough to remember when we didn’t have cell phones. “We … Continued
September 27, 2019

State Sens. Whatley, Price commend USDOT for funds to replace six bridges on I-85

Two state lawmakers expressed gratitude over recent news that the U.S. Department of Transportation will fund bridge replacements that both say are sorely needed.  State senators Tom Whatley, R-Auburn, and Randy Price, R-Opelika,  both issued statements Thursday thanking U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao for setting aside $10.8 million to replace three sets of bridges along … Continued
September 9, 2019

Bill updating sex education curriculum fails on the last day of session

The Alabama House of Representatives ended the 2019 Legislative Session Friday without addressing legislation to remove language from the Alabama public schools sex education curriculum that the LGBTQ+ community finds objectionable. Sponsors said the bill would have also made the curriculum more scientifically and medically accurate. Senate Bill 140 was sponsored by State Sen. Tom … Continued
June 3, 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

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