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2010 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature
Committee Action Schedule
Week of March 8, 2010
Committee Vote Set on ACCA Bill
On Tuesday, March 9, the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee is scheduled to act on the ACCA bill requiring the State Board of Adjustment to pay county claims unless the state agency denying the payment has procedures on timely filings. This bill, HB146 by Rep. Richard Laird, was included as priority legislation after several counties were denied repayment of election expenses.
Please contact the members of the Governmental Affairs Committee BEFORE Tuesday to encourage their SUPPORT of HB146: Chair Sen. Wendell Mitchell; Sens. Beason, Benefield, Coleman, Denton, Dixon, Dunn, Figures, Means, Penn, Preuitt, Ross, Smith, Z. Little and Waggoner.
Oil Lease Revenue for Road Construction
The Senate could be poised to again consider the constitutional amendment, SB121 by Sen. Lowell Barron, which would utilize $1 billion in revenue from the Alabama Trust Fund to finance road and bridge construction projects. The bill failed earlier in the session, but Sen. Barron this week announced his intentions to bring it back to the floor as early as Tuesday.
County governments will receive 22.5 percent of the revenue for construction projects, but will lose interest revenue from the money withdrawn from the trust fund. The Association has sought commitments to replace this lost interest, but supporters of the legislation have opposed making county and city budgets “whole.” County officials are encouraged to contact their Senators to seek their SUPPORT for restoring the lost interest revenue for county governments.
Committee Hearing on Bill to ByPass Subdivision Regulations
A bill allowing developers to enter into contracts to sell lots without securing approval of subdivision plats is scheduled for a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, March 10. The Association strongly OPPOSES this bill, SB412 by Sen. Quinton Ross, which would bypass the current authority to impact the design of subdivision before lots are sold.
County officials and engineers are encouraged to contact the members of the Judiciary Committee to encourage AMENDMENT of the legislation so that it will not impact county subdivision regulations. Chair Sen. Myron Penn; Sens. Bedford, Benefield, Brooks, Figures, Keahey, T. Little, Marsh, Pittman, Sanders, Singleton, Smitherman, Z. Little and Orr.
Litter Bill Again Ready for Vote
Both the House and Senate version of the ACCA legislation that would allow litter laws to be enforced by license inspectors and/or solid waste officers are awaiting final passage. House members should be encouraged to SUPPORT SB195 by Sen. Ted Little, which could reach the floor of the House on Tuesday, and Senate members should be asked to vote IN FAVOR OF HB211 by Rep. Cam Ward. If passed, either bill would go to Gov. Bob Riley for his signature.
Autopsy Transportation Legislation also Ready
Sen. Bobby Denton continues to push for floor consideration of his bill, SB232, which would resolve the dispute over the cost of transporting bodies for the purpose of conducting autopsy. After session-long negotiation between ACCA, coroners, district attorneys and the Department of Forensic Sciences, the legislation is ready for passage. County officials are urged to contact their SENATORS in SUPPORT of this measure.
The House version, HB312 by Rep. Leslie Vance, could reach the floor of the House as early as Thursday, as well.
Week of March 1, 2010
Litter Bill Ready for Final Vote in Both Chambers
Both the House and Senate are posed to pass the ACCA legislation that would allow litter laws to be enforced by license inspectors and/or solid waste officers. This legislation was recommended for introduction this year by the ACCA Environmental Steering Committee. House members should be encouraged to SUPPORT SB195 by Sen. Ted Little, and Senate members should be asked to vote IN FAVOR OF HB211 by Rep. Cam Ward. If passed, either bill would go to Gov. Bob Riley for his signature.
Sheriffs Removed from Internal Investigation Bill
Association staff has reached a compromise with those pushing legislation that would establish requirements for internal investigations conducted by law enforcement agencies in Alabama. HB86 by Rep. Spencer Collier is expected to be amended during a Wednesday committee meeting. Please contact the committee members and urge them to OPPOSE the legislation unless sheriffs are removed from the provisions of the bill.
House Government Operations Committee: Chair Rep. O. Robinson; Reps. Letson, Payne, Beech, Boyd, Coleman, Fields, Gaston, Hill, Howard, Hubbard, McCutcheon, Moore, Morrow and Shiver.
ACCA Works on Revisions to Pay-as-you-go Bill
In an effort to secure committee support of the bill (HB501 by Rep. Craig Ford) to allow county-by-county referendum on an increase in gasoline and diesel fuel tax, ACCA staff this week surfaced a draft substitute that included many changes requested by committee members.
County officials and employees should voice their SUPPORT of this bill to the committee members: Reps. Dukes, Curtis, Laird, Taylor, Wood, McMillan, Drake, England, McClendon, McDaniel, McLaughlin, Oden, Scott, Warren and J. Williams.
Autopsy Transportation Legislation also Ready
A House committee this week approved the bill would resolve the dispute over the cost of transporting bodies for the purpose of conducting autopsy. The House Government Appropriations Committee approved HB312 by Rep. Leslie Vance, sending it to the full House for a vote. The Senate version, SB232 by Sen. Bobby Denton, is expected on the Senate floor as early as Tuesday. County officials are encouraged to ask their SENATORS to vote IN FAVOR OF SB232 by Sen. Denton.
Legislation Seeks to End Appeal Bonds
Legislation aimed at reversing a recent court ruling that requires counties to post “bond” when appealing civil cases is expected on the docket of the House Judiciary Committee in the coming weeks. Sponsored by House Speaker Pro Tem Demetrius Newton, HB548 was introduced after a Jefferson County Circuit Judge ruled the bonds would be necessary in all cases involving counties. Please contact the members of the House Judiciary Committee and encourage their SUPPORT of HB548.
House Judiciary Committee: Chair Rep. Marcel Black; Reps. C. Newton, McMillan, Collier, DeMarco, England, Hall, Irons, Ison, J. Robinson, Salaam, Sanderford and Ward.
No Compromise on 9-1-1 Legislation
This week ACCA staff was unable to reach a compromise with the Alabama Broadcasters Association on the bill that would restrict the release of copies of recordings of 9-1-1 tapes (HB159 by Rep. Ron Johnson and SB186 by Sen. Hinton Mitchem). More serious discussions on a timetable for moving this legislation in the Senate will begin this week.
The legislation gained national attention this week, including stories in the major newspapers carried by the Associated Press, as well as several national syndicated radio shows. County officials are encouraged to express SUPPORT for the passage of legislation that would protect the rights of 9-1-1 callers without placing an undue burden on the 9-1-1 districts.
Week of Feb. 22, 2010
Criminal Littering (SB195): ACCA's criminal littering bill is sponsored by Sen. Ted Little. Alabama has a strong criminal littering statute with stiff penalties for litter violations. However, the enforcement of this law is severely lacking, in part because law enforcement does not have adequate interest and/or resources for issuing citations. This bill would amend Alabama law to authorize the county license inspector or solid waste officer to enforce Alabama’s litter laws and to issue citations against violators of those laws, allowing another avenue of enforcement. Please contact your legislators and ask them to SUPPORT this legislation.
County and Municipal Government Committee: Chair Bill Dukes; Reps. Wood, McMillan, Curtis, Drake, England, Laird, McClendon, McDaniel, McLaughlin, Oden, Scott, Taylor, Warren and Williams. Please call (334) 242-7600 to reach your legislators before noon Wednesday.
Fee for Driving a Boat Trailer on County Roads (HB337): HB337 will be in the House Government Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 1:30 p.m. This bill would establish a new fee accessed for the privilege of driving a boat trailer on
Alabama's roads and bridges. Although revenue from such fees is constitutionally reserved
for road and bridge construction, this bill would allocate half of the revenue to
a private association and the remainder for boat ramps, retirement benefits for law
enforcement officers and state troopers.
Although the Association is supportive of many of these activities, fees levied for the privilege of utilizing our state's major transportation system must be reserved for the repair and maintenance of that system. More than 1,200 people lost their lives on Alabama's roads and bridges last year, and it is important we maintain the safety of our transportation system. The passage of a statewide tag fee to fund non-transportation expenses would only worsen the condition of our road-and-bridge system while establishing a dangerous
precedent that could make it more difficult to focus our transportation resources
on transportation expenses. The Association strongly OPPOSES this legislation and
encourages your opposition as well.
PLEASE CONTACT THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEE MEMBERS before Wednesday to ask that they OPPOSE this legislation: Chair Rep. John Knight, Jack Page, Victor Gaston, Gerald Allen, Locy Baker, Billy Beasley, Greg Canfield, Ron Grantland, Laura Hall, Jody Letson, Jay Love, Charles Newton, Yusuf Salaam, Tommy Sherer and Elwyn Thomas.
Autopsy Transportation Legislation (HB312): HB312 by Rep. Vance will be in the House Government Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 1:30 p.m. This ACCA bill would provide for the law enforcement entity responsible for the investigation of a death to pay the expenses incurred by the coroner for transportation and storage of the body to and from the Department of Forensic Sciences. ACCA staff has been working with coroners, Department of Forensic Sciences and the DAs to address concerns in the bill and plans to have a substitute for committee that has been agreed to.
This is an important piece of legislation that will make clear in the law who is responsible for these storage and transportation costs by requiring those seeking an autopsy to pay the costs. It is important that the legislators on this committee hear from the counties asking that they SUPPORT this legislation.
PLEASE CONTACT THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEE MEMBERS before Wednesday to ask that they SUPPORT this legislation: Chair Rep. John Knight, Jack Page, Victor Gaston, Gerald Allen, Locy Baker, Billy Beasley, Greg Canfield, Ron Grantland, Laura Hall, Jody Letson, Jay Love, Charles Newton, Yusuf Salaam, Tommy Sherer and Elwyn Thomas.
It is important that the committee members hear from you! If they express any concerns about the bill, please ask them to contact us – and please share their concerns with us.
Week of Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010
Pay-As-You-Go Bill (HB501):
The House Committee on County and Municipal Government has set a vote on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. on the ACCA bill to allow county-by-county referendum on the levy of a local gasoline and/or diesel fuel tax for the purpose of repairing county roads and bridges. It is important that county officials and employees contact the members of the committee to urge their SUPPORT of HB501 by Rep. Craig Ford. Please advise the ACCA staff if any members express opposition to the legislation.
County and Municipal Government Committee: Chair Bill Dukes; Reps. Wood, McMillan, Curtis, Drake, England, Laird, McClendon, McDaniel, McLaughlin, Oden, Scott, Taylor, Warren and Williams. Please call (334) 242-7600 to reach your legislators before noon Wednesday.
Feeding of Prisoners:
Legislation has again been introduced to address questions surrounding the feeding of prisoners in county jails. HB407 by Rep. Allen Treadaway will be considered in House County and Municipal Government Committee this week. As introduced, the bill represents the compromise forged last year between ACCA and sheriffs.
Although ACCA is not “supporting” the legislation, committee members should be encouraged to OPPOSE any amendments that would require county commissions to provide funding for the feeding of prisoners. Should any such amendments be added, the Association will oppose the passage of HB407. This week the Association also began discussions with sheriffs concerning other alternatives to address this issue, which will likely require the introduction of separate legislation.
Vote Nears on Trust Fund Legislation
The House version of the bill allowing the use of $1 billion from the Alabama Trust Fund to finance road and bridge construction projects, including $225 million for county roads, is expected on committee agenda this week. HB237 by Rep. Billy Beasley is awaiting action in the House Government Appropriations Committee. County officials are encouraged to push for SUPPORT of this bill ONLY IF counties are “held harmless” for the interest income that would be lost by the withdrawal of the revenue from the Trust Fund, and county revenue is not reduce below $225 million.
House Government Appropriations Committee: Chair John Knight; Reps. Page, Gaston, Allen, Baker, Beasley, Canfield, Grantland, Hall, Letson, Love, C. Newton, Salaam, Sherer and E. Thomas.
9-1-1 Legislation: Work continues on the legislation restricting the release of copies of the recordings of 9-1-1 tapes, HB159 by Rep. Ron Johnson and SB186 by Sen. Hinton Mitchem. County officials and 9-1-1 directors are encouraged to contact the members of the committee below to ask that they SUPPORT this legislation. A committee vote is expected as early as Feb. 24.
Senate Judiciary Committee: Chair Myron Penn; Sens. Bedford, Benefield, Brooks, Figures, Keahey, Ted Little, Marsh, Pittman, Sanders, Singleton, Smitherman, Zeb Little and Orr.
Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010
Last week, the House Government Operations Committee held a public hearing on HB86 by Rep. Collier, which would require law enforcement agencies to have a written internal investigations policy. Local government and law enforcement officials are concerned that some of the more stringent requirements in the legislation will greatly increase the liability exposure to the counties. ACCA and several law enforcement officials spoke in opposition to this legislation, which was carried over following the hearing.
It is anticipated that HB86 will be back on the committee agenda on Wednesday, Feb. 3, so it is imperative that county officials and administrators contact members of the committee to ask that they OPPOSE this legislation which will be harmful to county government and the sheriff’s office.
Committee members are: Chair Oliver Robinson; Letson, Payne, Beech, Boyd, Coleman, Fields, Gaston, Hill, Howard, Hubbard, McCutcheon, Pat Moore, Morrow, Shiver.
Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010
Two bills will be on the House Government Appropriations Committee agenda on Wednesday beginning at 1:30 p.m. Please contact the committee members and ask for their SUPPORT on these bills:
Board of Adjustment Appeals – HB146 by Rep. Laird would require the Board of Adjustment to pay county claims unless the agency denying the claim has procedures on timely filings. This legislation is important for counties to get reimbursed for certain expenses, such as jail or election expenses. This bill will be on the House Government Appropriations Committee Agenda on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.
Exemptions on Real Property – HB162 by Rep. Lindsey would amend Alabama law to make clear that, when a person eligible for an age or disability exemption owns property jointly with persons not eligible for the exemption, the exemption shall only apply to his or her proportionate share of the homestead. This bill will be on the House Government Appropriations Committee Agenda on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.
House Government Appropriations Committee Chair John Knight and Reps. Page, Gaston, Allen, Baker, Beasley, Canfield, Grantland, Hall, Letson, Love, Newton, Salaam, Sherer and Thomas.
Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010
Two ACCA bills could be considered in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 20, at 9 a.m.
Litter Enforcement — HB211 by Rep. Ward: This is the companion bill to SB195.
Release of 9-1-1 Audio Tapes — HB159 by Rep. Johnson: This bill would require a court order for release of 9-1-1 audio tapes except for law enforcement investigations, although 9-1-1 records on the call would be available for public inspection.
Please contact the members of the House Judiciary Committee and ask for their SUPPORT of these important bills: Chair Marcel Black; Reps. Charles Newton, Steve McMillan, Spencer Collier, Paul DeMarco, Chris England, Laura Hall, Tammy Irons, Jamie Ison, John Robinson, Yusuf Salaam, Howard Sanderford, Cam Ward.
Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010
The ACCA legislation that will reduce the charges counties pay for automobile tags is set for a committee vote on Wednesday, Jan. 13. The House Public Safety Committee will consider HB62 at its 9 a.m. meeting.
The House Public Safety Committee members are: Thad McClammy, Chair; Elwyn Thomas, Vice Chair and Ranking Minority Member; Alan Baker, Mike Ball, Mike Curtis, Owen Drake, Steve Hurst, John Knight, Benjamin Lewis, A.J. McCampbell, Demetrius Newton, Henry White, Phil Williams, Randy Wood
If you have questions about any legislation, please contact the ACCA staff at (334) 263-7594.
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