Bills before Alabama lawmakers in 2024

Gambling, education, election bills before Alabama lawmakers in 2024

COMING UP IN JASON. WE’LL SEE YOU COMING UP IN JUST A FEW MOMENTS. WE’RE HOPING TO GET THE FACTS ABOUT THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION HERE IN THE STATE. IT BEGINS TOMORROW. AND FIRST UP, EXPECT EDUCATION TO BE A BIG TOPIC. THE STATE GOP SAYS IT WANTS TO PASS A UNIVERSAL SCHOOL CHOICE BILL, AND ALSO IMPLEMENT SCHOOL TRANSPARENCY. THEY WANT PARENTS TO, QUOTE, HAVE UNRESTRICTED ACCESS TO THEIR SONS OR DAUGHTERS CURRICULUM. THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS SAYS IT WANTS TO INCREASE INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, FOCUS ON SCHOOL SAFETY AND EXPAND RESOURCES TO SCHOOLS AS WELL. ANOTHER TOPIC THAT WILL LIKELY COME UP DURING THE SESSION ELECTIONS. REPUBLICANS WANT TO ESTABLISH POST-ELECTION AUDITS TO, QUOTE, ENSURE THE ACCURACY OF ELECTION RESULTS AND ALSO CREATE TRANSPARENCY IN THE ELECTION PROCESS. THEY GO ON TO SAY THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO COMPARE WHAT THE VOTING MACHINE SAYS WITH A HAND COUNT OF HOUSE DEMOCRATS. THEY WANT TO FOCUS ON VOTING RIGHTS, SAYING THEY WANT TO, QUOTE, ELIMINATE OBSTACLES TO VOTING AND ALSO INCREASE VOTER PARTICIPATION. WE ALSO EXPECT HERE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT HEALTH CARE OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS, THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS SAYS THEY WANT TO FOCUS ON COVERAGE FOR RURAL AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. ALSO, LOOK AT WAYS TO MAKE HEALTH CARE MORE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL, INCLUDING THINGS LIKE TELEHEALTH AND INCREASING PREVENTATIVE CARE, AND, SAY, REPUBLICANS, THEY WANT TO CAP HOW MUCH YOU PAY ON PROPERTY TAXES EACH YEAR. HOUSE DEMOCRATS SAY THEY WANT TO FOCUS ON ADDRESSING GUN VIOLENCE AND EVEN REPEALING PERMITLESS CARRY IAN. THERE’S BEEN MORE THAN 110 BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN PRE FILED. YOU TALKED ABOUT HEALTH CARE. AND HERE’S ONE MORE. WHEN REPUBLICAN LAWMAKER WANTS TO BAN THE GOVERNMENT OR STATE HEALTH OFFICER FROM IMPOSING ANY MASK MANDATES, THE LEGISLATION IS SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE BROCK COLVIN, WHO REPRESENTS DISTRICT 26, IN MARSHALL COUNTY. THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO THE MANDATES SET FORTH DURING THE PANDEMIC. STATE SENATOR APRIL WEAVER IS TAKING AIM AT PORCH PIRATES. SHE HOPES THAT THE THREAT OF A POTENTIAL 20 YEAR PRISON SENTENCE WILL DETER CRIMINALS. IT ADDS TO WHAT’S ALREADY CONSIDERED THEFT IN THE STATE. THE SENTENCE, BY THE WAY, WOULD DEPEND ON THE VALUE OF WHAT’S STOLEN. MORE LEGISLATION THAT COULD BE DISCUSSED WOULD BE TO ALLOW PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO HIRE A VOLUNTEER CHAPLAIN. THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE RELIGIOUS SERVICES FOR STUDENTS. THERE ARE PROTECTIONS IN PLACE, NAMELY AN INTENSIVE BACKGROUND CHECK FOR THE CHAPLAINS. IF PASSED, EACH INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL BOARD WOULD HAVE TO HAVE AN APPROVED CHAPLAIN BEFORE ONE CAN BE APPOINTED. FINALLY, NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS OR NIL COULD BE MOVING FROM COLLEGE RANKS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO HIGH SCHOOL. THE BILL WOULD ALLOW HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES TO BENEFIT AS LONG AS THEY MEET A COUPLE OF REQUIREMENTS. THAT INCLUDES RECEIVING PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE ABOUT THE IMPACTS AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY SUCH DEAL AS WELL. GOVERNOR IVEY GOING TO BE FRONT AND CENTER TOMORROW NIGHT. THAT’S WHEN SHE DELIVERS HER ANNUAL STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS. BY THE WAY, YOU CAN READ MUCH MORE ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDAS FOR BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS. THERE

Gambling, education, election bills before Alabama lawmakers in 2024

The first Tuesday of February means Alabama lawmakers are getting back to work. The Alabama Republican Party and the Alabama House Democratic Caucus have both released a list of priorities for the upcoming legislative session. To read the full list of priorities from the Alabama Republican Part click here. To read the full list of priorities from the Alabama Democratic House Caucus click here.Several lawmakers have also pre-filed bills aimed at addressing issues like face mask mandates, abortion rights and absentee voting.Here are some issues to watch for as the session begins.Education Vouchers Republican Gov. Kay Ivey will back legislation creating education savings accounts, which typically allow parents to claim public money and use it for private school tuition or other qualified expenses. Ivey will unveil her proposal in her State of the State address Tuesday night. “I’m committed to continuing to make it easier for Alabama families to send their children to the best school of their choice,�� the governor said last month.While Ivey has not unveiled the size of her proposal, she said it must be a sustainable program. Legislation introduced last year, that would have given parents $6,900 per child, was criticized by opponents for estimates that it would drain more than $500 million from public education. “We’ve got to be real cognizant of making wise fiscal choices,�� Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed said Monday.Gambling Lottery and casino legislation will again be introduced, but the bill’s outlook is unclear. A group of House members have been attempting to negotiate a proposed constitutional amendment to put before voters that would authorize a state lottery and a select number of casino sites.“I think a lot of folks in Alabama are ready to vote,�� House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter said of a constitutional amendment. The Republican said the proposal would close illegal gambling operations that have spread across the state.There has not been a statewide vote on gambling since Gov. Don Siegelman’s proposed lottery failed in 1999. Bills have stalled under a mix of opposition and disputes over who would get casino licenses. Republican Sen. Greg Albritton, who proposed legislation previously, said he thought the number of casino sites would be between six and eight. “If we don’t get the gambling bill done this year, it will be another generation before it’s approached,�� Albritton predicted.Absentee Ballot Restrictions Republican lawmakers have renewed a push to make it a crime to help non-family members vote by absentee ballot. Republican supporters say the change is needed to combat voter fraud, but opponents have called it an attempt to make it harder for people to vote.A bill by Republican Sen. Garlan Gudger of Cullman would make it a misdemeanor offense to order, prefill, request, collect or deliver an absentee ballot for someone who is not a household member or close family member. The penalty increases to a felony if the person is paid. The bill provides an exemption for election officials and for people who are blind, disabled or cannot read. The bill will be debated in committee on Wednesday.Archives and Libraries A Senate bill would replace the board that oversees the Alabama Department of Archives and History. The bill by Republican Sen. Chris Elliott would replace the current board with members appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor and legislative leaders. The bill, which will also be in committee Wednesday, comes after Elliott and other lawmakers expressed unhappiness that the department hosted a lecture focused on LGBTQ history. A separate bill would clarify that city and county officials who appoint library board members have the authority to remove a board member at any time.Criminal Justice A variety of bills have been filed seeking either to reform Alabama’s criminal justice system or require stiffer penalties for certain offenses. After a kidnapping hoax in Alabama drew international attention, Republican Sen. April Weaver proposed legislation that would make it a felony offense to fake an abduction. Democratic Rep. Chris England of Tuscaloosa has proposed legislation that would allow certain prisoners serving life sentences for robbery and other crimes under Alabama’s stringent habitual offender law to have their sentences reviewed.Other BilllsThe governor and lawmakers are expected to propose a pay raise for state teachers. Republican Sen. Arthur Orr of Decatur said legislation will be introduced to strengthen the state’s weak public records law. Bills are also expected to try and limit the power of the state health officer to order pandemic-related closures. However, the board that oversees the Department of Public Health this month is expected to finalize rules that would require the governor to sign off on such closures.The session begins Tuesday, Feb. 6 in Montgomery.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. —

To read the full list of priorities from the Alabama Republican Part

To read the full list of priorities from the Alabama Democratic House Caucus .

Several lawmakers have also aimed at addressing issues like face mask mandates, abortion rights and absentee voting.

Here are some issues to watch for as the session begins.

Education Vouchers

Republican Gov. Kay Ivey will back legislation creating education savings accounts, which typically allow parents to claim public money and use it for private school tuition or other qualified expenses. Ivey will unveil her proposal in her State of the State address Tuesday night. “I’m committed to continuing to make it easier for Alabama families to send their children to the best school of their choice,�� the governor said last month.

While Ivey has not unveiled the size of her proposal, she said it must be a sustainable program. Legislation introduced last year, that would have given parents $6,900 per child, was criticized by opponents for estimates that it would drain more than $500 million from public education. “We’ve got to be real cognizant of making wise fiscal choices,�� Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed said Monday.

Gambling

Lottery and casino legislation will again be introduced, but the bill’s outlook is unclear. A group of House members have been attempting to negotiate a proposed constitutional amendment to put before voters that would authorize a state lottery and a select number of casino sites.

“I think a lot of folks in Alabama are ready to vote,�� House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter said of a constitutional amendment. The Republican said the proposal would close illegal gambling operations that have spread across the state.

There has not been a statewide vote on gambling since Gov. Don Siegelman’s proposed lottery failed in 1999. Bills have stalled of opposition and disputes over who would get casino licenses. Republican Sen. Greg Albritton, who proposed legislation previously, said he thought the number of casino sites would be between six and eight. “If we don’t get the gambling bill done this year, it will be another generation before it’s approached,�� Albritton predicted.

Absentee Ballot Restrictions

Republican lawmakers have renewed a push to make it a crime to help non-family members vote by absentee ballot. Republican supporters say the change is needed to combat voter fraud, but opponents have called it an attempt to make it harder for people to vote.

A bill by Republican Sen. Garlan Gudger of Cullman would make it a misdemeanor offense to order, prefill, request, collect or deliver an absentee ballot for someone who is not a household member or close family member. The penalty increases to a felony if the person is paid. The bill provides an exemption for election officials and for people who are blind, disabled or cannot read. The bill will be debated in committee on Wednesday.

Archives and Libraries

A Senate bill would replace the board that oversees the Alabama Department of Archives and History. The bill by Republican Sen. Chris Elliott would replace the current board with members appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor and legislative leaders. The bill, which will also be in committee Wednesday, comes after Elliott and other lawmakers expressed unhappiness that the department hosted a lecture focused on LGBTQ history. A separate bill would clarify that city and county officials who appoint library board members have the authority to remove a board member at any time.

Criminal Justice

A variety of bills have been filed seeking either to reform Alabama’s criminal justice system or require stiffer penalties for certain offenses. After a kidnapping hoax in Alabama drew international attention, Republican Sen. April Weaver proposed legislation that would make it a felony offense to fake an abduction. Democratic Rep. Chris England of Tuscaloosa has proposed legislation that would allow certain prisoners serving life sentences for robbery and other crimes under Alabama’s stringent habitual offender law to have their sentences reviewed.

Other Billls

The governor and lawmakers are expected to propose a pay raise for state teachers. Republican Sen. Arthur Orr of Decatur said legislation will be introduced to strengthen the state’s weak public records law. Bills are also expected to try and limit the power of the state health officer to order pandemic-related closures. However, the board that oversees the Department of Public Health this month is expected to finalize rules that would require the governor to sign off on such closures.

The session begins Tuesday, Feb. 6 in Montgomery.

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Gambling, education, election bills before Alabama lawmakers in 2024

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