What to Watch: Legislative Session Week 9

Today begins the ninth full week of the 2023 regular session; there are 12 legislative days remaining.

Here are some things to watch this week:

Education Budget

After a unanimous passage by the Senate, the $8.8 billion Education Trust Fund budget and its $2.8 billion supplemental makes its way to the House. The base budget varied slightly from the version sent by Gov. Kay Ivey, while the supplemental spending proposal, dealing with the historic surplus, changed drastically. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) hands the process off to House Ways & Means Education Committee Chairman Danny Garrett (R-Trussville).

It’s not a given the budget will make an appearance in House Ways & Means Education this week — much less land on the floor for full passage. There’s still talk of zeroing out the $275 million appropriation for $100 direct rebates to taxpayers to make way for alternate funding discussions that began in Senate deliberations.  

Grocery Tax 

Expect further movement on grocery tax cuts to be a post-ETF undertaking. Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth and Sen. Andrew Jones (R-Centre) proposal to gradually eliminate the tax is signed onto by all members of the Senate. Other variations of a grocery tax cut exist, but it’s currently unclear which House version will emerge as a winner. 

Healthcare Workforce

Adding to the stack of legislation introduced this session to address the healthcare professional shortage in the state, Sen. April Weaver (R-Briarfield) has another proposal making its debut in House committee this week. The Loan Repayment Program for Nursing Education would create another opportunity to attract and retain healthcare professionals in Alabama. This proposal starts earlier in the lifecycle of medical professionals with nursing students. 

School Choice

The PRICE (Parental Rights in Children’s Education) Act will see daylight in Senate committee Wednesday after an initial public hearing last month. Sen. Larry Stutts (R-Tuscumbia) says efforts to create an Educational Savings Account (ESA) of $6,900 for families is being stalled. Rep. Danny Garrett has a different definition in mind for ESAs in his proposed SUN (Students with Unique Needs) Act.  

Divisive Concepts

Rep. Ed Oliver’s bill setting standards for CRT and divisive concepts being taught in classrooms is encountering a back-and-forth between chambers. It received favorable reports from both the House and Senate state government committees. But neither the House nor the Senate seem to be eager to devote an entire calendar day to debate on the issue — despite fundamental support from members of the majority. The next action will take place on the Senate floor. 

Countering China

Expect Chinese influence to be a topic of discussion this week. Majority Leader Scott Stadthagen (R-Hartselle) is taking on China’s ability to own land in Alabama — which has been backed by Attorney General Steve Marshall. 

Overtime Tax

A proposal by Rep. Anthony Daniels (D-Huntsville) to eliminate the state income tax on money earned by individuals working overtime will be referred to a Senate committee after bipartisan support moved the idea through the House (105-0). It might face a roadblock from Sen. Arthur Orr, who said he’s generally hesitant on tax cuts this session and that “hard choices” are ahead. 

Financial Literacy

Legislation brought by Rep. Andy Whitt (R-Harvest) to require financial literacy be taught in Alabama high schools received a fast-track embrace by both chambers. It’s only a matter of time before getting a final authorization from Ivey.

Grayson Everett is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270 for coverage of the 2023 legislative session.