MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Legislature on Wednesday worked through a packed slate of committee meetings amid its 2021 regular session.
Neither chamber gaveled in, and a legislative day was not burned.
Here is a rundown of the day’s proceedings:
Alabama Senate
The upper chamber’s day began, as is typical every week, with Judiciary at 8:30 a.m.
Two bills were carried over during the meeting: SB 241, the Medicaid False Claims Act sponsored by Sen. Jim McClendon (R-Springville), and SB 165, Sen. Arthur Orr’s (R-Decatur) Alabama Public Records Act.
The committee, in a narrow 5-4 vote, ultimately gave a favorable report to Sen. Rodger Smitherman’s (D-Birmingham) SB 265. This bill, in part, would prohibit an employer from discriminating against an applicant or employee based upon the applicant or employee’s hairstyle or hair texture and would create a new cause of action against an employer who violates the statute. Judiciary also favorably report Sen. Randy Price’s (R-Opelika) lifetime carry permit bill. That vote was unanimous.
In Finance and Taxation Education, Orr’s SB 298 was given a favorable report, among other important bills. That piece of legislation would update the Alabama Innovation Act. Another item especially of note to advance from that committee Wednesday was SB 11 by Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville) relating to tax exemptions for airport authorities.
Next, Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development quickly approved HB 103, Rep. Jamie Kiel’s (R-Russellville) bill stipulating that the State of Alabama cannot selectively pick which types of businesses or other entities such as churches can remain open during states of emergency. Rep. Steve McMillan’s (R-Gulf Shores) HB 235 was also given a favorable report. This bill allows the owner of any restaurant to set their own policy on dogs being allowed in outdoor areas of the establishment.
In a lengthy Banking and Insurance meeting, Sen. Tom Butler’s (R-Madison) SB 227 was torn apart in a public hearing. Testimony from public sector and private sector employers revealed that their respective estimates show that the bill would raise costs on each employee participating in self-insured health plans by $1,000 annually on average.
Education Policy saw Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield’s (R-Guntersville) SB 127 given a favorable report as amended, as well as Sen. Shay Shelnutt’s (R-Trussville) SB 280. SB 127 was met with a lot of pushback, and Scofield committed to continuing to work with stakeholders on reaching a compromise before moving the bill on the floor.
Alabama House
The House’s day started with multiple high-profile meetings at 9:00 a.m.
Over in Ethics and Campaign Finance, Rep. Mike Ball’s (R-Madison) HB 105 was given a favorable report as amended thrice.
Ways and Means Education advanced Rep. Terri Collins’ (R-Decatur) HB 487, the Alabama School Choice and Student Opportunity Act.
Public Safety and Homeland Security favorably reported Rep. Tommy Hanes’ (R-Bryant) HB 157 as amended, the Second Amendment Preservation Act.
Judiciary held a public hearing on SB 46, Sen. Tim Melson’s (R-Florence) medical marijuana bill; the committee did not take a vote on Wednesday. Judiciary did approve — among others — SB 113, Orr’s bill to ensure that facial recognition or other artificial intelligence technology is not the only basis for an arrest.
Health held a public hearing on Shelnutt’s SB 10, the Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act. A vote was not conducted.
Looking ahead
Both chambers will convene for the 14th day of the session on Thursday. There can be a maximum of 30 legislative days in a regular session, so the halfway point will be achieved this coming Tuesday.
On Thursday, the Senate is scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m., while the House gavels in at noon.
This will come after Legislative Council meets at 9:00 a.m. The agenda includes a report on the condition of the State House and consideration of building security policies and protocols.
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
