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This Week in the Alabama Legislature…Feb. 8, 2008
Download a printer friendly version of the Feb. 8 Weekly Report.
On Thursday the Alabama Legislature completed what turned out to be a very eventful first week for county government. Both chambers are expected to return to work on Tuesday, with a number of county-related activities on tap.
Litter — The ACCA-initiated resolution establishing a study commission on the enforcement of litter in Alabama, SJR13 by Sen. Hinton Mitchem, was passed by the Senate on Thursday. The bill is now pending in the House Rules Committee and could, barring unforeseen difficulties, be on the House floor on Tuesday, Feb. 12. Appreciation is expressed to Sen. Mitchem for his leadership in passing the resolution so early in this year’s session.
Reappraisal of Property — The year’s first skirmish over the annual reappraisal of property broke out on the Senate floor Thursday when a bill requiring reappraisal every four years was reassigned to a different Senate committee. The Association joined AEA in encouraging the Senate to reassign SB 103 by Sen. Scott Beason to the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Fund Committee, which can consider this issue from an overall perspective.
Appreciation is expressed to the 17 Senators who voted to support the ACCA position: Sens. Barron, Bedford, Benefield, Coleman, Denton, Figures, Griffith, Lindsey, Ted Little, Zeb Little, McClain, Mitchell, Mitchem, Poole, Sanders, Singleton and Smitherman.
Road and Bridge Funding — The bill establishing a second County Road and Bridge Bond Issue (sponsored by Rep. Mike Hill) and the legislation indexing the statewide gasoline taxes to the cost of road construction and allowing each county commission to levy a local gasoline tax (sponsored by Rep. Mac Gipson) will be introduced next Tuesday.
This week the ACCA staff worked on the collection of “co-sponsors” for the legislation before its introduction. County officials, engineers and others are strongly encouraged to contact their House members to ask for their commitment to vote in favor of these two bills on the House floor.
County Modernization — The House version of the second County Modernization Act (HB 110 by Rep. Richard Lindsey) is expected on the committee agenda of the House County and Municipal Government Committee. It is important that committee members be contacted BEFORE Wednesday and asked to support this legislation.
The members of the House County and Municipal Government Committee are: Rep. Bill Dukes, chairman; Reps. Wood, McMillan, Curtis, Drake, England, Hilliard, Laird, McClendon, McDaniel, McLaughlin, Oden, Scott, Warren and Williams.
The Senate version (SB 211 by Sen. Hank Sanders) is assigned to the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. The members of the committee are: Sen. Wendell Mitchell, chairman; Sens. Beason, Benefield, Coleman, Denton, Dixon, Figures, Lindsey, Means, Penn, Preuitt, Ross, Smith, Zeb Little and Waggoner.
9-1-1 Communication — The Legislation that would allow local 9-1-1 districts to contract with the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center for network communication access (HB 253 by Rep. Mike Curtis) is on tap for committee consideration next Wednesday by the House Government Operations Committee. The legislation is not mandatory and would simply give 9-1-1 districts another option to secure their network services.
County officials are asked to contact the members of the House Government Operations Committee before Wednesday: Rep. Oliver Robinson, chairman; Reps. Fite, Payne, Boyd, M. Coleman, Gaston, Hill, Howard, Hubbard, Letson, P. Moore, Morrow and Shiver.
The Senate version (SB 220 by Sen. Ted Little) is pending action in the Senate Fiscal Responsibility Committee. The members of that committee are: Sen. Ted Little, chairman; Sens. Mitchell, Beason, Benefield, Coleman, Griffith, Penn, Singleton, Zeb Little and Waggoner.
Mandated Raise for Sheriff — The unfunded mandate that would provide each sheriff with a $3,650 increase in salary (SB 102 by Sen. Bobby Singleton) could be voted on as early as next week. A public hearing was held on the legislation this week, but a vote was delayed.
Appreciation is expressed to the many county officials who made quick contact with committee members this week. Quick action delayed the vote on this legislation. However, county officials should contact the committee members this weekend to secure a commitment to vote to “indefinitely postpone” this bill. The members of the Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee are: Sen. Roger Bedford, chairman; Sens. Singleton, Griffith, Barron, Benefield, Bishop, French, Glover, Lindsey, McClain, Mitchem, Orr, Penn, Preuitt, Sanders, Mitchell, Zeb Little and Beason.
Release of Sex Offenders — Both the Senate and House version of the bill designed to reduce the number of sex offenders who are arrested immediately upon their release from the Alabama Department of Corrections were introduced this week. HB 332 by Rep. Blaine Galliher and SB 110 by Sen. Myron Penn have been assigned to the Judiciary Committee in each chamber. County officials will be notified when the bills are scheduled for a vote.
Correction of Education Tax Constitutional Amendment — Rep. Charles Newton introduced ACCA legislation (HB 349) this week to correct a problem with the administration of the 2006 constitutional amendment requiring that at least 10 mils of ad valorem tax be levied in each school district. The change, which will require another constitutional amendment, is necessary to ensure the costs of reappraisal are distributed between those receiving the proceeds of the ad valorem taxes. County officials will also be advised when this bill is scheduled for committee action.
County Presence in Montgomery — The first County Commission Days begin on Feb. 19. Officials and employees are encouraged to participate in their assigned day. Also, this year’s County Day at the Legislature is set for April 16 and 17. It is important that all counties be represented at this event.
The real-time status of all ACCA, Danger and local bills can be found by going to www.acca-online.org and following the steps under “Legislative News.” Please make copies of this report for all county officials and employees. And remember, ACCA staff frequently update the Association’s web site — www.acca-online.org — with the latest information on the activities in Montgomery.
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