The 2022 Regular Session reached its halfway point last week. Lawmakers continued their work on both the General Fund and Education Trust Fund budgets as well as a number of other issues. Read below for details!<\/p>\n
ARPA Tax Relief<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Gov. Kay Ivey signed legislation last week that changes the state tax code to ensure Alabama taxpayers do not pay higher state income taxes due to certain credits received under the American Rescue Plan Act (\u201cARPA\u201d).\u00a0 The new law would align the state code with the ARPA federal child, earned income, and child and dependent care tax credits to reduce the amount due on state returns.<\/p>\n Budgets<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Both the General Fund and Education Trust Fund are expected to use recent surpluses to pay significant outstanding obligations and to fund reserve savings accounts.\u00a0 According to the Legislative Services Agency, repayment efforts include:<\/p>\n The Senate overwhelmingly approved a $2.7 billion General Fund budget Thursday that includes a 4% pay raise for state employees and a $17 million increase for the Department of Mental Health.\u00a0 That budget now moves to the House for consideration.<\/p>\n Concealed Carry<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n The House passed a bill Tuesday that would eliminate the requirement that gun owners obtain a permit to carry a concealed handgun.\u00a0 While permits would still be available for carrying in other states, HB 272 would allow for concealed carry of handguns on the body, in a purse, or in a vehicle without a permit.\u00a0 The bill was modified to clarify that private property owners would retain their right to restrict firearms on private property. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.<\/p>\n Transgender Medical Treatment<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n The Senate passed a bill Wednesday that would prohibit \u201cthe performance of a medical procedure or the prescription or issuance of medication, upon or to a minor child, that is intended to alter the appearance of the minor child’s gender or delay puberty, with certain exceptions\u201d and establish felony criminal penalties for so doing.\u00a0 SB 5 would also provide for the disclosure of certain information concerning students to parents by schools.\u00a0 The bill now moves to the House for consideration.<\/p>\n School Bathrooms<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n The House passed a bill Tuesday night after two hours of debate that would \u201crequire public K-12 schools to designate the use of rooms where students may be in various stages of undress upon the basis of biological sex.\u201d\u00a0 HB 322, which passed the House by a 74-24 vote, would \u201crequire every multiple occupancy restroom or changing area designated for student use to be used by individuals based on their biological sex\u201d and would include but not be limited to school restrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, or shower rooms.\u00a0 The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.<\/p>\n Literacy Act<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Both chambers approved legislation last week related to the Alabama Literacy Act.\u00a0 The Senate passed SB 200 on Tuesday, which would delay the third-grade holdback requirement of the 2019 law until 2024.\u00a0 On Wednesday, the House unanimously passed HB 220, as amended, that would clarify that:<\/p>\n HB 220 originally included a one-year delay to the holdback requirement, but the delay language was dropped altogether in favor of the two-year delay language in SB 200.\u00a0 Both bills now move to the second chamber for consideration.<\/p>\n Kindergarten<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n The House passed a bill Wednesday that would require children to successfully complete kindergarten or take a test to demonstrate entry readiness before being admitted to first grade.\u00a0 HB 331 now moves to the Senate for consideration.<\/p>\n Retiree Bonuses<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would provide a one-time bonus to retired teachers and employees based on years of service.\u00a0 Bonuses under SB 30 and SB 111 would be set at $2 per month for each year worked, and neither bill includes minimum or maximum amounts.\u00a0 Municipalities are not required to provide similar bonuses; in the event they do, however, the localities would have to pay the full cost.\u00a0 Both bills now move to the House for consideration.<\/p>\n Rioting<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n The House passed an anti-rioting bill Tuesday that would define a \u201criot\u201d as \u201cthe assemblage of five or more persons engaging in conduct which creates an immediate danger of and\/or results in damage to property or injury to persons.\u201d\u00a0 HB 2, the Anti-Aggravated Riot Act, would also prescribe a \u201cminimum term of imprisonment of 30 days without consideration of probation, parole, good time credits, or any other reduction in time\u201d if convicted of rioting or inciting to riot, and anyone arrested for rioting could be held for up to 24 hours without bail.\u00a0 The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Other bills being tracked by ABA’s legislative team include:<\/p>\n SB 0257 | Will Barfoot<\/strong><\/p>\n Banking and financial institutions, small loans, authorizing limited closing fees, Sec. 5-18-15 am’d.<\/a><\/p>\n Feb 23, 2022 – Read for the first time and referred to the Senate committee on Banking and Insurance<\/p>\n House Committee:<\/p>\n Senate Committee: \u00a0Banking and Insurance<\/p>\n<\/div>\n HB 0391 | Steve Clouse<\/strong><\/p>\n Business privilege tax, to provide reduced minimum business privilege tax for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022, and to provide a full exemption on amounts due of $100 or less for taxable years begining after December 31, 2023, Section 40-14A-22 am’d.<\/a><\/p>\n Feb 22, 2022 – Read for the first time and referred to the House of Representatives committee on Ways and Means General Fund<\/p>\n House Committee: \u00a0Ways and Means General Fund<\/p>\n Senate Committee:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n HB 0335 | Chris Blackshear<\/strong><\/p>\n Banking and financial institutions, small loans, authorizing limited closing fees, Sec. 5-18-15 am’d.<\/a><\/p>\n Feb 16, 2022 – Pending third reading on day 12 Favorable from Financial Services<\/p>\n House Committee: \u00a0Financial Services<\/p>\n Senate Committee:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n SB 0211 | Chris Elliott<\/strong><\/p>\n Vessels, certificate of title, uniform act, requirements, issuance by State Law Enforcement Agency, security agreement, perfection<\/a><\/p>\n Feb 23, 2022 – State Government third Amendment Offered<\/p>\n House Committee: \u00a0State Government<\/p>\n Senate Committee:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n HB 0289 | Steve Clouse<\/strong><\/p>\n Supplemental Appropriations, from the American Rescue Plan Act – State Small Business Credit Initiative Fund for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022.<\/a><\/p>\n Feb 08, 2022 – Read for the first time and referred to the House of Representatives committee on Ways and Means General Fund<\/p>\n House Committee: \u00a0Ways and Means General Fund<\/p>\n Senate Committee:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n SB 0191 | Greg Albritton<\/strong><\/p>\n Supplemental Appropriations, from the American Rescue Plan Act – State Small Business Credit Initiative Fund for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022.<\/a><\/p>\n Feb 24, 2022 – Read for the first time and referred to the House of Representatives committee on Ways and Means General Fund<\/p>\n House Committee: \u00a0Ways and Means General Fund<\/p>\n Senate Committee:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n HB 0272 | Shane Stringer<\/strong><\/p>\n Firearms, offenses against public order, concealed pistols, concealed carry permit, constitutional carry, pistol permits, Secs. 9-11-304, 13A-11-50, 13A-11-55, 13A-11-73 repealed; Secs. 13A-11-7, 13A-11-52, 13A-11-61.2, 13A-11-62, 13A-11-71, 13A-11-74, 13A-11-85, 13A-11-90 am’d.<\/a><\/p>\n Feb 23, 2022 – Read for the first time and referred to the Senate committee on Judiciary<\/p>\n House Committee:<\/p>\n Senate Committee: \u00a0Judiciary<\/p>\n<\/div>\n HB 0259 | Prince Chestnut<\/strong><\/p>\n Education, personal finance literacy, personal rights, and good citizenship in grades 6-12, Sec. 16-40-12 added.<\/a><\/p>\n Feb 03, 2022 – Read for the first time and referred to the House of Representatives committee on Education Policy<\/p>\n House Committee: \u00a0Education Policy<\/p>\n Senate Committee:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n HB 0238 | David Faulkner<\/strong><\/p>\n Courts, Garnishment proceedings, service of garnishment notice further provided, Sec. 6-6-394.1 added.<\/a><\/p>\n Feb 23, 2022 – Judiciary first Amendment Offered<\/p>\n House Committee: \u00a0Judiciary<\/p>\n Senate Committee:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n HB 0181 | Roderick Scott<\/strong><\/p>\n Relating to the Department of Revenue; to all writs of garnishment to be issued by mail; to amend 40-2-11, as amended by Act 2021-148, 2021 Regular Session<\/a><\/p>\n Feb 16, 2022 – Pending third reading on day 12 Favorable from State Government<\/p>\n House Committee: \u00a0State Government<\/p>\n Senate Committee:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n SB 0162 | Linda Coleman-Madison<\/strong><\/p>\n Relating to the Department of Revenue; to all writs of garnishment to be issued by mail; to amend 40-2-11, as amended by Act 2021-148, 2021 Regular Session<\/a><\/p>\n Feb 16, 2022 – Pending third reading on day 12 Favorable from State Government<\/p>\n House Committee: \u00a0State Government<\/p>\n Senate Committee:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n HB 0145 | Reed Ingram<\/strong><\/p>\n Motor vehicle, financing and lease agreements, lease waiver agreements to pay deficiency balances at end of lease, motor vehicle value protection agreements to reduce deficiency balances, Secs. 8-37A-1 to 8-37A-6, inclusive, added; Sec. 8-37-2 am’d.<\/a><\/p>\n Feb 16, 2022 – Pending third reading on day 12 Favorable from Financial Services<\/p>\n House Committee: \u00a0Financial Services<\/p>\n Senate Committee:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n HB 0127 | Andrew Sorrell<\/strong><\/p>\n Virtual currency, exemption from ad valorem taxation provided, Sec. 40-9-1 am’d.<\/a><\/p>\n Jan 13, 2022 – Read for the first time and referred to the House of Representatives committee on Ways and Means General Fund<\/p>\n House Committee: \u00a0Ways and Means General Fund<\/p>\n Senate Committee:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n SB 0084 | Donnie Chesteen<\/strong><\/p>\n Education, Prepaid Affordable College Tuition Program board, may meet electronically, Sec. 16-33C-4.1 am’d.<\/a><\/p>\n Feb 02, 2022 – Read for the first time and referred to the House of Representatives committee on State Government<\/p>\n House Committee: \u00a0State Government<\/p>\n Senate Committee:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n SB 0081 | Donnie Chesteen<\/strong><\/p>\n Alabama Trust Fund, virtual meetings, provided for, operation of board provided for, Sec. 36-17-21 added.<\/a><\/p>\n Feb 15, 2022 – Rereferred from BA&C to SG<\/p>\n House Committee: \u00a0State Government<\/p>\n Senate Committee:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n HB 0085 | Danny Garrett<\/strong><\/p>\n Public deposits, Security for Alabama Funds Enhancement (SAFE) Program board, to allow for virutal meetings, Sec. 41-14A-6 am’d.<\/a><\/p>\n Feb 09, 2022 – Pending third reading on day 9 Favorable from State Government<\/p>\n House Committee: \u00a0State Government<\/p>\n Senate Committee:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n HB 0084 | Danny Garrett<\/strong><\/p>\n Alabama Trust Fund, virtual meetings, provided for, operation of board provided for, Sec. 36-17-21 added.<\/a><\/p>\n Feb 09, 2022 – Pending third reading on day 9 Favorable from State Government<\/p>\n House Committee: \u00a0State Government<\/p>\n Senate Committee:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n HB 0083 | Danny Garrett<\/strong><\/p>\n Education, Prepaid Affordable College Tuition Program board, may meet electronically, Sec. 16-33C-4.1 am’d.<\/a><\/p>\n Feb 09, 2022 – Pending third reading on day 9 Favorable from State Government<\/p>\n House Committee: \u00a0State Government<\/p>\n Senate Committee:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n HB 0082 | Danny Garrett<\/strong><\/p>\n Small Business Relief and Revitalization Act of 2022, cancellation of indebtedness income exempt from income tax, financial institution excise tax and corporate income tax due date extension, certain business tangible personal property ad valorem tax exemption, deposit of certified funds with Revenue in lieu of one-time surety bond for licensure, average monthly sales tax liability for estimated payments increased, Secs. 40-16-3.1, 40-18-39.1 added; Secs. 40-9-1, 40-23-6, 40-23-6.1, 40-23-7 am’d.<\/a><\/p>\n Feb 22, 2022 – Delivered to Governor at 3:19 p.m. on February 22, 2022.<\/p>\n House Committee:<\/p>\n Senate Committee: \u00a0Finance and Taxation Education<\/p>\n<\/div>\n HB 0066 | Shane Stringer<\/strong><\/p>\n Firearms, offenses against public order, concealed pistols, concealed carry permit, constitutional carry, pistol permits, Secs. 9-11-304, 13A-11-52, 13A-11-73, 13A-11-74 repealed; Secs. 13A-11-7, 13A-11-50, 13A-11-55, 13A-11-61.2, 13A-11-62, 13A-11-71, 13A-11-85, 13A-11-90 am’d.<\/a><\/p>\n Jan 11, 2022 – Read for the first time and referred to the House of Representatives committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security<\/p>\n House Committee: \u00a0Public Safety and Homeland Security<\/p>\n Senate Committee:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n HB 0044 | Andrew Sorrell<\/strong><\/p>\n Firearms, concealed pistols, concealed carry permit, criminal code, offenses against public order, constitutional carry, pistol permits, Secs. 9-11-304, 13A-11-52, 13A-11-73, 13A-11-74 repealed; Secs. 13A-11-7, 13A-11-50, 13A-11-55, 13A-11-61.2, 13A-11-62, 13A-11-71, 13A-11-85, 13A-11-90 am’d.<\/a><\/p>\n Jan 11, 2022 – Read for the first time and referred to the House of Representatives committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security<\/p>\n House Committee: \u00a0Public Safety and Homeland Security<\/p>\n Senate Committee:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n HB 0027 | Rolanda Hollis<\/strong><\/p>\n Discrimination, to make it unlawful to deny an individual full and equal employment of public accommodations based on certain protected classes, to make it unlawful for a local school board to discriminate against an individual based on certain protected classes, and to make it unlawful for an employer to discriminate against an applicant or employee based on certain protected classes<\/a><\/p>\n Jan 11, 2022 – Read for the first time and referred to the House of Representatives committee on Judiciary<\/p>\n House Committee: \u00a0Judiciary<\/p>\n Senate Committee:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n HB 0007 | James Hanes<\/strong><\/p>\n Firearms, Second Amendment Preservation Act, right to keep and bear arms, provided<\/a><\/p>\n Jan 11, 2022 – Read for the first time and referred to the House of Representatives committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security<\/p>\n House Committee: \u00a0Public Safety and Homeland Security<\/p>\n Senate Committee:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n HB 0006 | Shane Stringer<\/strong><\/p>\n Firearms, permitless carry, process for seized pistols amended, Secs. 13A-11-50, 13A-11-52, 13A-11-74 repealed; Secs. 13A-11-71, 13A-11-73, 13A-11-84 am’d.<\/a><\/p>\n Jan 11, 2022 – Read for the first time and referred to the House of Representatives committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security<\/p>\n House Committee: \u00a0Public Safety and Homeland Security<\/p>\n Senate Committee:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n SB 0067 | Clyde Chambliss<\/strong><\/p>\n Federal Aid Highway Finance Authority, date for payment of principal and interest, further provided, Sec. 23-1-314 am’d.<\/a><\/p>\n Feb 23, 2022 – Pending third reading on day 15 Favorable from Ways and Means General Fund<\/p>\n House Committee: \u00a0Ways and Means General Fund<\/p>\n Senate Committee:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n SB 0057 | Arthur Orr<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
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