Lawmakers continued its session last week completing days 19, 20 and 21 of the 30-day Regular Session. Legislative leaders have indicated that lawmakers will meet two days this week before taking spring break next week.<\/p>\n
Concealed Carry<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill Thursday that will allow for the concealed carry of handguns without obtaining a state permit. The law will take effect Jan. 1. Permits are not abolished under the new law and can still be obtained voluntarily. During a traffic stop or other investigation, an officer who has a reasonable suspicion that a person was about to engage in criminal conduct could temporarily take a handgun and run it through databases to ascertain whether the gun was stolen. The officer could also check the person\u2019s criminal history. Further, an officer could temporarily take a weapon if a reasonable person would believe it is necessary for the safety of the officer or others, but the weapon must be returned unless there is an arrest, or the person is posing a threat to safety. To compensate for the loss of funding from permit fees, the new law directs up to $5 million to sheriffs\u2019 offices. The bill does not change current law as it relates to the rights of individuals and businesses to prohibit firearms on their property.<\/p>\n Education Budget<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n The House approved an $8.17 billion Education Trust Fund budget Tuesday by a vote of 100-1. Education spending would increase by about $502 million under the plan, including increases for classroom materials, the hiring of technology coordinators and reading coaches, and $20 million for implementation of the pending Numeracy Act. Increased pay for teachers, a bonus for retired employees, funding for math and science teacher recruitment, and money for operations and maintenance expenses are also included. The FY23 plan now moves to the Senate for consideration.<\/p>\n Gambling<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n The Senate Tourism Committee approved legislation Wednesday that would propose the authorization of a state lottery, sports betting, eight casinos with slots and table games, and two smaller gambling sites that could have up to 300 slot machines each. SB 293 and SB 294 comprise a legislative package that includes a constitutional amendment proposal and a companion bill that would establish a state gaming commission and rules for operation. The package now goes to the full Senate for consideration.<\/p>\n School Choice<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n The Senate Education Policy Committee approved a bill Thursday that would allow county tax dollars to fund charter schools. SB 302 would let county dollars follow students who enroll in charter schools like state and federal dollars do under current law. The bill currently does not move city funding and would allow charter schools in a county to receive a portion of the county-level tax revenue dedicated to education based on a charter school\u2019s annual enrollment. Conversion public charter schools would continue to get all local funding that the non-charter public school received before conversion. SB 302 has companion legislation in the House, HB 459.\u00a0 SB 302 can now be considered by the full Senate.<\/p>\n Also, the Senate Finance and Taxation Education committee approved SB 261on Wednesday. The bill would essentially increase the amount individuals and corporations may give (and therefore receive a tax credit) to educational scholarship granting organizations under the Alabama Accountability Act. The bill does not increase the current annual cumulative tax credit cap of $30,000,000.<\/p>\n Medicaid<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n A new provision was added to the General Fund Budget Wednesday that would allow the state to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage for women from 60 days to one year.\u00a0 The added provision was introduced as a standalone bill (HB 360) but has been included in the budget proposal moving through the Legislature.\u00a0 The General Fund Budget passed committee Wednesday and can now be considered by the full House.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Our governmental relations team is currently tracking the following bills:<\/p>\n SB 0303 | Arthur Orr<\/strong><\/p>\n Economic tax incentives, reporting requirements of state agencies, Sec. 40-1-50 am’d.<\/a><\/p>\n Mar 09, 2022 – Read for the first time and referred to the Senate committee on Finance and Taxation Education<\/p>\n House Committee:<\/p>\n Senate Committee: \u00a0Finance and Taxation Education<\/p>\n<\/div>\n SB 0258 | Jack Williams<\/strong><\/p>\n Public notices, virtual method, provided for<\/a><\/p>\n Mar 09, 2022 – Banking and Insurance first Amendment Offered<\/p>\n House Committee:<\/p>\n Senate Committee: \u00a0Banking and Insurance<\/p>\n<\/div>\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 Mar 09, 2022 – Pending third reading on day 21 Favorable from 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 Mar 10, 2022 – Read for the first time and referred to the Senate committee on Finance and Taxation General Fund<\/p>\n House Committee:<\/p>\n Senate Committee: \u00a0Finance and Taxation General Fund<\/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 Mar 09, 2022 – Pending third reading on day 21 Favorable from Banking and Insurance<\/p>\n House Committee:<\/p>\n Senate Committee: \u00a0Banking and Insurance<\/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 Mar 09, 2022 – Forwarded to Governor on March 9, 2022 at 4:56 p.m. on March 9, 2022<\/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 Mar 09, 2022 – Pending third reading on day 21 Favorable from Ways and Means General Fund with 1 amendment<\/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 Mar 09, 2022 – Ways and Means General Fund first Amendment Offered<\/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, certain restrictions on carrying in motor vehicle, Local Government Pistol Permit Revenue Loss Fund, created, penalties, provided, Secs. 13A-11-55, 13A-11-73 repealed; Secs. 13A-11-7, 13A-11-50, 13A-11-61.2, 13A-11-62, 13A-11-71, 13A-11-74, 13A-11-85, 13A-11-90 am’d.<\/a><\/p>\n Mar 10, 2022 – Forwarded to Governor at 3:05 p.m. on March 10, 2022.<\/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 Mar 02, 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 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 – Assigned Act No. 2022-53.<\/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 Mar 03, 2022 – Delivered to Governor at 12:54 pm.m on March 3, 2022<\/p>\n House Committee: \u00a0Ways and Means General Fund<\/p>\n Senate Committee:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n SB 0057 | Arthur Orr<\/strong><\/p>\n
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