MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Legislature on Wednesday held a committee-only day.
Because this is a two-day legislative week, a legislative day was not burned.
However, the committee schedule for both chambers was packed.
The Senate Judiciary Committee got things kicked off at 8:30 a.m. On that agenda included a public hearing on SB 165, Sen. Arthur Orr’s (R-Decatur) proposed Alabama Public Records Act. That bill was ultimately given a favorable report as amended once, although more work is said to be on the horizon regarding this legislation.
Other bills considered included Rep. Mike Holmes’ (R-Wetumpka) HB 2 related to tianeptine and Rep. Jeremy Gray’s (D-Opelika) HB 246 to legalize yoga being offered in public schools. HB 2 was given a favorable report as amended, while HB 246 was carried over after stalemating on a motion to give the bill a favorable report.
Senate Education Policy met at 9:30 a.m.; the agenda contained HB 391, which is sponsored by Rep. Scott Stadthagen (R-Hartselle). This bill would require athletes in public schools to compete in athletic competitions based on the gender on their birth certificate. HB 391, on a bipartisan basis, was given a favorable report. The committee also took up Rep. Pebblin Warren’s (D-Tuskegee) HB 208, which would mandate kindergarten completion or demonstrating readiness via testing in order for a child to enter the first grade. The bill received a favorable report on an 8-2 vote.
At 2:00 p.m., the Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry advanced Rep. Danny Crawford’s (R-Athens) HB 458, which would establish the permitted hunting of feral hogs and coyotes at night.
The Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development then met at 3:00 p.m. That must-watch agenda included HB 167 by Rep. Chris Blackshear (R-Phenix City). This bill was opposed by Democrats in the House and would make it a crime to vote in multiple states in the same election. HB 167 was given a favorable report as amended on Wednesday, Also on the docket — and not to be overshadowed — were SBs 338 and 339, both by Pro Tem Greg Reed (R-Jasper). The two bills are based on recent recommendations from the Alabama Innovation Commission and are considered major pieces of legislation to advance a 21st-century Alabama economy that promotes entrepreneurship. The bills were carried over.
The House also had a busy committee schedule on Wednesday.
Health met at 9:30 a.m. and considered HB 521 by Rep. Debbie Wood (R-Valley). This bill requires health care facilities to allow at least one caregiver or visitor to patients or residents. HB 521 as amended received a favorable report.
Judiciary at 1:30 p.m. was a meeting to watch closely. On the agenda was Sen. Tim Melson’s (R-Florence) SB 46 to legalize medical marijuana. The bill was anticlimactically carried over. Rep. Chris England’s (D-Tuscaloosa) HB 107 was also up for consideration. This bill would repeal the habitual felony offender act and provide for the resentencing of defendants whose sentences were based on the habitual felony offender. The legislation received a favorable report.
At the same time, House Education Policy met; Rep. Tommy Hanes’ (R-Bryant) HB 9 was carried over. This legislation is intended to ban Chinese Confucius Institutes from public school campuses in Alabama, including colleges and universities.
On Thursday, the Senate will convene at 9:00 a.m., while the House gavels in at 10:00 a.m.
Livestreams are available for certain committee rooms and both chambers here.
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
