March 9, 2020 Group Watch: News & Views from the State House
The fifth week of session was a busy one. Multiple local bills were passed, and it ended with one contentious bill being signed into law (see more info below). The governor’s gambling study group also got started on its work. Read our wrap-up of other activity.
- Tuesday, March 3 (9th day of session): The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee approved several bills, including a House-passed bill to exempt from competitive bid certain leases of goods and services by local boards of education, a Senate-sponsored bill on the same matter, and to require nonprofit corporations to get approval from the Public Service Commission before raising water rates and to require the entity to be audited by the Department of Examiners of public Accounts. The House passed general bills to allow for post-adoption agreements for contact between an adopted child and biological relatives; to provide further for the filing of a statement of economic interest by candidates for municipal office; and to authorize financial institutions to refuse to execute or delay execution of certain transactions involving accounts of elderly and vulnerable adults in matters relating to exploitation. The Senate had vigorous debate over procedural matters before adjourning for the day without passing any bills.
- Wednesday, March 4 (committee day): The House Education Policy Committee approved bills to create a Teacher Bill of Rights; to authorize local boards of education to offer yoga to students; and to provide mental health service coordinators for local school systems to a legislative appropriation. The House Insurance Committee approved a bill to require hospitals to bill an injured person’s health insurance and only seek payment from the insurer unless certain circumstances apply. The House Ethics and Campaign Finance Committee approved a bill to allow former public officials/employees to work for the same or other public employer. The House Boards, Agencies and Commissions Committee approved a number of Senate-passed sunset bills to continue the operation of the approved entities. The Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee approved two House-passed bills to authorize economic development of property adjacent to a U.S. Air Force Base and to authorize business and nonprofit entities to elect to become benefit corporations. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill to indemnify design professionals under certain circumstances. The Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee approved and amended a bill to provide for $1 billion for the Public School and College Authority. The committee amendment added $250 million to the original bill.
- Thursday, March 5 (10th day of session): The House passed a few bills of local application only and general bills to create the Alabama STEM Council as an independent state entity within the Department of Commerce and to allow up to $1,500 of interest and dividend on a simplified individual income tax. The Senate passed already passed House bills to further for the definition of landfill cover and to require permanency plans for children when termination of parental rights is being considered by the court. They also passed general bills to provide for nurse practitioners and nurse midwives to serve rural clientele; to require doctors to obtain parental consent regarding a minor in cases involving “do not resuscitate orders,” and to further provide for the deployment of small wireless facilities.
The House and Senate return on Tuesday, March 10, at 1 pm and 2 pm respectively.
