|
This Week in the Alabama Legislature…April 4, 2008
Download a printer friendly version of the April 4 Weekly Report.
Perhaps the calmest week of the session for county government concluded Thursday afternoon with the Senate again locked in a filibuster — this time because of disagreements regarding a constitutional amendment some say would pave the way for electronic bingo gaming throughout the state. Thursday’s session was the 17th work day of this year’s session, meaning no more than 13 meeting days remain on the legislative calendar for the regular session.
Next week’s activity begins with the Senate resuming work with a rare Tuesday morning session. Many see the 9 a.m. start time as an attempt to end the filibuster on the gaming legislation and open the door for consideration of other items as next week progresses.
The House has scheduled Tuesday’s work session for the state’s 2009 General Fund Budget, setting up debate over legislation designed to clean problems with the state’s tax on the severance of natural gas and produce enough revenue to keep the budget on the positive side of the ledger. Action on other legislation, including at least one ACCA bill, could come in the House following votes on the budget and the accompanying funding measures.
ACCA LEGISLATION
Four of ACCA’s bills have passed the House of Representatives and are ready for consideration in the Senate. Each bill is outlined below. Please contact your Senate members and ask that they give these bills PRIORITY CONSIDERATION at the earliest opportunity.
Administrative Fee for Educational Taxes — The House version of the bill designed to correct a problem with the so-called 10-mil constitutional amendment for education (HB349 by Rep. Charles Newton) was approved by the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Fund Committee this week. This bill is ready for a final passage vote on the floor.
Amendments to Sex Offender Notification Act — HB332 by Rep. Blaine Galliher has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has approved the Senate version of this legislation. The ACCA staff will be requesting this bill for the committee agenda this week.
County Modernization — The House-passed version of the 2008 County Modernization Act, HB110 by Rep. Richard Lindsey, was given a “favorable report” by the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee on Tuesday and is now ready for floor consideration.
Bid Law Amendments — The House version of the bill that expands the local bid preference to 5 percent (HB100 by Rep. Pebblin Warren) has been approved by a Senate committee and remains poised for consideration on the Senate floor.
Trust Funds Bill in Line for Possible House Consideration — The House version of the bill allowing counties to establish trust funds to finance the cost of providing benefits to retirees (HB481 by Rep. Bill Dukes) is in position to be placed on the House Special Order Calendar following consideration of the General Fund Budget. This bill would enhance counties’ ability to provide benefits to retired employees and will help counties comply with the so-called GASB 45 rules. Please ask your House member to SUPPORT this bill.
Bridge Bond Issue Gains Committee Approval — The Senate Economic Expansion and Trade Committee approved the bill authorizing a second county bridge bond issue. As approved by the committee, the legislation (SB357 by Sen. Larry Means) would allow for the issuance of the bonds when a funding source is identified by the Alabama Legislature. The bill is now ready for floor consideration.
The other three bills in this year’s highway funding package — HB470 and HB471 by Rep. Mac Gipson, and HB518 by Rep. Johnny Mac Morrow, continue to be delayed in the House Government Appropriations Committee. ACCA staff is scheduled to meet on Monday with representatives of several groups in an effort to resolve the final disagreements regarding HB518, which alters the collection point for motor fuels.
OTHER LEGISLATION IMPACTING COUNTIES
Sheriffs’ Legislation Still Needs Work — One Senator reported receiving “dozens” of calls this week in opposition to the legislation designed to allow the sheriffs to sidestep the county budget, SB242 by Sen. Steve French. But, it is important that county officials utilize every opportunity to solidify commitments to OPPOSE this bill on the Senate floor.
It is important that all Senators be contacted and asked to OPPOSE this bill. However, special emphasis should be placed on the members of the Senate Rules Committee, which must approve the bill before it can reach the floor for a vote. The members of the Senate Rules Committee are: Chairman Sen. Lowell Barron; members: Sens. Pat Lindsey, Ted Little, Roger Bedford, Tom Butler, Bobby Denton, Vivian Figures, Steve French, Parker Griffith, Hinton Mitchem, Quinton Ross, Harri Anne Smith, Rodger Smitherman, Wendell Mitchell, Zeb Little and Charles Bishop.
Sales Tax on Food — Both House and Senate committees this week approved legislation that would remove the STATE sales tax on unprepared food, replacing the lost revenue with an increase in state income taxes. The legislation does not remove the local sales taxes on food. ACCA has opposed any language in this legislation that would “allow” counties to also remove the local sales tax on food because the bill DOES NOT include any mechanism for replacing the lost local tax revenue.
It is important that county officials voice concern to their legislators. Providing counties with the ability to remove this tax would result in almost-certain financial disaster for counties. Without the ability to replace the lost revenue, counties would suffer severe financial consequences.
Unionizing of County Employees — Very dangerous legislation requiring cities and counties to enter into collective bargaining agreements with their employees was introduced this week in the House. The legislation, HB800 by Rep. Joseph Mitchell, has been assigned to the House County and Municipal Government Committee. If passed, this legislation would impact all counties, generating increased employee costs and litigation.
Please contact the members of the House County and Municipal Government Committee to urge their opposition to HB800. The members of the committee are: Chairman Rep. Bill Dukes; members, Reps. Randy Wood, Steve McMillan, Mike Curtis, Owen Drake, Chris England, Richard Laird, Jim McClendon, Frank McDaniel, Jeff McLaughlin, Jeremy Oden, Rod Scott, Butch Taylor, Pebblin Warren and Jack Williams.
County Presence in Montgomery — More than 220 county officials and employees have registered for County Day at the Legislature, which is April 16-17. It is not too late to register. Click here for more information about County Day at the Legislature. Special thanks
to those county employees and officials who took part in this year’s County Commission Days, which were once again a very important part of ACCA’s legislative effort.
The real-time status of all ACCA, Danger and local bills can be found by going to acca-online.org and following the steps under Legislative News. Please make copies of this report for all county officials and employees. And remember, the ACCA staff will update the Association's web site with the latest information on the activities in Montgomery.
|
