Working for Alabama Package on Goal Line
Lawmakers in Alabama are making progress on a legislative package called “Working for Alabama” designed to increase the number of people participating in the state’s workforce.
- Streamlining Workforce Development: Gov. Kay Ivey signed SB247, which creates a new state agency to oversee all workforce development efforts. This bill also establishes a cabinet-level position to lead these initiatives.
- Expanding High School Options: SB253, which creates new pathways for students to earn diplomas in Alabama high schools, has passed the legislature and awaits the governor’s signature. This expands educational opportunities to better prepare students for future careers.
- Workforce Housing, Childcare Tax Credits: The House-passed workforce housing tax credit (HB346) is under consideration by the Senate Finance and Taxation Education budget committee. This credit would incentivize the private development of affordable housing for workers. The childcare tax credit passed by the House of Representatives is also before the Senate education budget committee. This credit aims to make childcare more affordable.
- Public-Private Collaboration: The Alabama Growth Alliance bill, which establishes a partnership between the government and private sector to define economic development goals, is being finalized by a conference committee to address minor differences between the House and Senate versions.
- Local Innovation: A proposal focused on empowering local areas to create “Research and Development Corridors” for economic development, SB336 sponsored by Sen. Jabo Waggoner, passed the Senate on Thursday. These corridors could offer specific benefits to attract businesses and jobs.
Lawmakers Allocate Opioid Settlement Funds for Addiction Treatment
Lawmakers in both the House and Senate have proposed bills (HB479 and SB337) to distribute a portion of the money Alabama is receiving from lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and distributors. These bills have already passed their initial committee reviews.
Funding Breakdown:
- $20.5 million to the Department of Mental Health
- $5.5 million to the Board of Pardons and Paroles
- $1 million to the Department of Public Health
- $1 million to the Department of Corrections
Funding Purpose: The money will primarily be used for:
- Prevention programs to reduce opioid addiction
- Treatment programs to help people overcome addiction
- Recovery programs to support individuals in long-term sobriety
- Mental health services to address underlying mental health issues that can contribute to addiction
- Substance abuse services to provide broader support for those struggling with addiction
This represents an initial allocation of $30 million from the over $200 million expected to be received by the state over the coming years.
Alabama Bill to Require Private Ballot Union Vote and Incentives Heads to Conference Committee
A bill (SB231) sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr that restricts union organization for businesses receiving economic development aid has passed the House with amendments. This fast-tracked bill now goes to a conference committee to iron out differences before final approval.
What the Bill Does:
- Limits Unionization: In the event of an effort to unionize a company, businesses that accept government grants, loans, or tax breaks (economic development incentives) would be required to conduct a secret ballot election and would be prohibited from voluntarily granting recognition rights for the employer’s employees solely and exclusively on the basis of signed labor organization authorization cards.
- Protects Employee Privacy: Employers could not disclose employee contact information without written consent.
- Extends Requirements to Subcontractors: Companies receiving incentives would be required to ensure their subcontractors follow the same rules.
- Violation Penalty: Breaching any of these rules would force the company to repay all economic development incentives received.
The Issues:
- Reporting Burden: The House added an amendment requiring the Department of Revenue to track and report on economic incentives provided by counties and local governments. Senator Orr argues this creates a significant workload burden.
- Implementation Timing: Another amendment sets immediate enforcement, which may need adjustment.
Next Steps:
A conference committee will address these amendments. Both chambers will then need to vote again on the revised bill.
New Law Makes Evicting Squatters Easier
Alabama is making it easier for property owners to remove squatters. House Bill 182 (HB182) passed the Senate and is now on its way to Gov. Ivey’s desk for signing.
What the Bill Does:
- Tougher Penalties for Squatters: People who occupy a property they don’t own (squatters) will face harsher punishments.
- New Crime for Damaging Property: Entering a property and causing at least $1,000 in damage will become a separate crime.
- Streamlined Eviction Process: Property owners can now sign a sworn statement (affidavit) confirming ownership and the squatting situation. This allows law enforcement to remove the squatters more efficiently.
This law only applies to squatters, not tenants with existing leases or agreements. The law will take effect on June 1 if signed by the governor.
Alabama’s Gambling Debate Goes to the Wire
Lawmakers in Alabama are racing against the clock to decide the fate of gambling in the state.
- The 3/5ths Hurdle: Each chamber passed a different version of the gambling legislation, and both require a supermajority (3/5ths vote) for final approval.
- Last Day Showdown: The committee could meet up to or on the final day of the legislative session. If an agreement is reached, both chambers would need to vote again that same day for final passage.
This means the future of gambling in Alabama likely hinges on what happens in the coming weeks, potentially going down to the very last day of the session.
Alabama Bill Streamlines Public Records Requests
Senate Bill 270 (SB270), sponsored by Sen. Orr, has cleared a House committee last week and is moving closer to becoming law. This bill aims to improve the public’s access to government records by setting deadlines for agencies to respond to record requests.
Key Points of the Bill:
- Faster Responses: Establishes time limits for agencies to respond to public record requests.
- Judicial Branch Exempt: Clarifies that the judicial branch is not required to respond to these requests.
- Technical Refinements: Makes technical adjustments to existing laws for better clarity.
What’s Next:
- House Vote: The bill needs to be voted on by the full House of Representatives.
- Senate Review: If passed by the House, it will go back to the Senate for concurrence (agreement) on the changes made by the House.
- Possible Conference Committee: If the House makes significant changes, the Senate may request a conference committee to reconcile the differences between the two versions of the bill.
This bill could make it easier and faster for people to obtain public records in Alabama.
The Legislature completed its 25th day on Thursday. Lawmakers will return tomorrow for their 26th day out of a maximum of 30 legislative days.
Below are bills currently being tracked by our governmental relations team.
| Bill | Sponsors | Title | Last Action | Latest Version |
| AL 2024rs SB 247 |
Steve Livingston
|
Alabama Workforce Transformation Act FY24 Regular Session SENATE | Senate • Apr 25, 2024: Enacted | Act Number 2024-115 |
| AL 2024rs HB 389 |
Shane Stringer
|
Financial Institutions; to prohibit financial institutions from using a merchant category code to identify firearms transactions; to prohibit disclosure of financial information regarding firearms transactions | House • Apr 25, 2024: Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Financial Services) | Introduced |
| AL 2024rs SB 281 |
Tim Melson
|
Financial Institutions; to prohibit financial institutions from using a merchant category code to identify firearms transactions; to prohibit disclosure of financial information regarding firearms transactions | House • Apr 25, 2024: Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Financial Services) | Engrossed |
| AL 2024rs SB 253 |
Donnie Chesteen
|
Alabama Workforce Pathways Act, different pathways for high school diplomas based on future career plans
Companion bills: HB 373 |
House • Apr 23, 2024: Signature Requested | Enrolled |
| AL 2024rs SB 252 |
Greg J. Reed
|
Alabama Growth Alliance Bill (Conference Committee on SB252 (Senate))
Companion bills: HB 372 |
House • Apr 23, 2024: In Conference Committee | Engrossed |
| AL 2024rs HB 358 |
Anthony Daniels
|
Relating to child care and workforce development; to establish the employer tax credit and child care provider tax credit; to make legislative findings. (Finance and Taxation Education (Senate)) | Senate • Apr 18, 2024: Engrossed | Engrossed |
| AL 2024rs HB 346 |
Cynthia Almond
|
Establishes the Alabama Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act; creates the Alabama Workforce Housing Tax Credit (Finance and Taxation Education (Senate)) | Senate • Apr 18, 2024: Pending Committee Action in Second House (Finance and Taxation Education) | Engrossed |
| AL 2024rs HB 373 |
Kelvin Lawrence
|
Alabama Workforce Pathways Act, different pathways for high school diplomas based on future career plans
Companion bills: SB 253 House Calendar: Regular Calendar (April 25, 2024) Position: 66 |
House • Apr 11, 2024: Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Education Policy) | Introduced |
| AL 2024rs SB 243 |
Dan Roberts
|
Economic development; state law authorizing counties and municipalities to provide for innovation districts as public corporations authorized; innovation district use of public funds for public or private persons authorized; Constitutional Amendment
Senate Calendar: Regular Calendar (April 30, 2024) Position: 46 |
Senate • Apr 09, 2024: Carried Over | Introduced |
| AL 2024rs SB 242 |
Bobby D. Singleton
|
Innovation Districts; establishment of by counties and municipalities as public corporation authorized; provide for the powers of innovation districts
Senate Calendar: Regular Calendar (April 30, 2024) Position: 45 |
Senate • Apr 09, 2024: Carried Over | Introduced |
| AL 2024rs HB 349 |
James Lomax
|
Innovation Districts; establishment of by counties and municipalities as public corporation authorized; provide for the powers of innovation districts.
House Calendar: Regular Calendar (April 25, 2024) Position: 50 |
House • Apr 04, 2024: Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Economic Development and Tourism) | Introduced |
| AL 2024rs HB 372 |
Randall Shedd
|
Alabama Growth Alliance Bill
Companion bills: SB 252 House Calendar: Regular Calendar (April 25, 2024) Position: 40 |
House • Apr 04, 2024: Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Economic Development and Tourism) | Introduced |
| AL 2024rs HB 368 |
Neil Rafferty
|
Economic development; state law authorizing counties and municipalities to provide for innovation districts as public corporations authorized; innovation district use of public funds for public or private persons authorized; constitutional amendment
House Calendar: Regular Calendar (April 25, 2024) Position: 49 |
House • Apr 04, 2024: Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Economic Development and Tourism) | Introduced |
| AL 2024rs HB 344 |
Danny Garrett
|
Alabama Workforce Transformation Act FY24 Regular Session
House Calendar: Regular Calendar (April 25, 2024) Position: 41 |
House • Apr 04, 2024: Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Economic Development and Tourism) | Introduced |
| AL 2024rs HB 227 |
Matt Simpson
|
Ethics; laws pertaining to public officials and public employees revised | House • Apr 03, 2024: Engrossed | Engrossed |
| AL 2024rs HB 366 |
Chris Sells
|
Consumer protection, further provides for data breaches (Judiciary (House)) | House • Mar 21, 2024: Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Judiciary) | Introduced |
| AL 2024rs SB 250 |
Chris Elliott
|
Establishes the Alabama Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act; creates the Alabama Workforce Housing Tax Credit (Finance and Taxation Education (Senate)) | Senate • Mar 21, 2024: Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Finance and Taxation Education) | Introduced |
| AL 2024rs SB 187 |
Merika Coleman
|
Digital assets, regulates digital asset operations (Banking and Insurance (Senate))
Companion bills: HB 214 Public Hearing • Senate Banking and Insurance standing meeting May 01, 2024 09:30am Committee Room 320 |
Senate • Feb 29, 2024: Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Banking and Insurance) | Introduced |
| AL 2024rs SB 151 |
Arthur Orr
|
State Investments and Public Contracts; to prohibit State Treasurer and Board of Control of RSA and TRSA from using ESG factors in investment decisions; may consider pecuniary factors; to prohibit state entities from considering ESG factors when awarding public contracts
Senate Calendar: Regular Calendar (April 30, 2024) Position: 9 |
Senate • Feb 28, 2024: Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Finance and Taxation Education) | Introduced |
| AL 2024rs HB 242 |
Ben Harrison
|
Anti-discrimination against military. (Judiciary (House)) | House • Feb 27, 2024: Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Judiciary) | Introduced |
| AL 2024rs HB 214 |
Mike Shaw
|
Digital assets, regulates digital asset operations (State Government (House))
Companion bills: SB 187 |
House • Feb 21, 2024: Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (State Government) | Introduced |
| AL 2024rs HB 205 |
Prince Chestnut
|
Retail establishments; banning cash as payment source prohibited, exceptions provided (Commerce and Small Business (House)) | House • Feb 20, 2024: Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Commerce and Small Business) | Introduced |
| AL 2024rs HB 61 |
Chip Brown
|
Public contracts; ESG criteria prohibited in public contract. (State Government (House)) | House • Feb 06, 2024: Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (State Government) | Introduced |
