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This Week in the Alabama Legislature…Jan 15, 2010
Download a printer friendly version of the Jan. 15 Weekly Report.
The first week of the 2010 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature has come to an end with the introduction of 263 bills in the Senate and 303 bills in the House. ACCA staff is still assessing the impact of these bills on county government, and will update members in the coming days on important issues. Unfortunately, we have already identified several bills that could negatively impact counties if passed in their current form. For a complete list of “Danger Bills,” check out the updated page.
The good news is that many of the bills in ACCA’s legislative package have been introduced during the first week and two bills have already received a favorable report from committee. HB62 by Rep. Wood, which would set the fees for government tags at the rate paid for standard passenger vehicles, has received a favorable report from the House Public Safety Committee, and SB174 by Sen. Benefield, which would require the Board of Adjustment to pay county claims unless the agency denying the claim has procedures on timely filings, has received a favorable report from the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. Many thanks are extended to Rep. Wood and Sen. Benefield for making these bills priorities this year.
A complete listing of ACCA Bills and their status is also available under Legislative News on the ACCA Web site.
As anticipated, ethics and campaign reform appear to be the top issues for legislators this year with the introduction of roughly 25 bills on these issues in the first two days. ACCA staff will monitor each of these carefully and keep counties posted on any major developments.
Unauthorized immigrants is the second most popular subject, with about 15 bills introduced to address concerns related to employment and provision of services to persons not legally residing in the state. Again, we are watching each of these bills closely to make sure counties are not harmed by these measures.
Next Week in the Legislature
The first week of the legislative session is generally reserved for the introduction of bills and a few committee meetings. The real work and the passage of bills will begin this coming week.
In the Senate
Road and Bridge Funding from Alabama Trust Fund — It is anticipated that the first priority in the Senate will be consideration of SB121 by Sen. Barron. This is the bill that proposes a constitutional amendment to provide for road and bridge projects for 10 years with principal from the Alabama Trust Fund. In its present form, counties will receive 25 percent of the monies distributed each year under the plan. It is important that ALL counties contact their Senators to ask they protect the share of monies to be distributed to counties under this legislation.
ACCA Bills in Senate Committees
Litter Enforcement — SB195 by Sen. Ted Little: The bill to 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 will be considered in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 11 a.m. Passage of this bill would be tremendous help
to counties interested in pursuing litter problems more aggressively.
Please contact Senate Judiciary Committee members and ask for their SUPPORT on this important legislation: Chair Myron Penn; Sens. Bedford, Benefield, Brooks, Figures, Keahey, Little (T), Marsh, Pittman, Sanders, Singleton, Smitherman; Little (Z), Orr.
There are several other bills that could be considered in committee next week, and we will provide updates as more committees are scheduled in the coming days. Bills which could be considered are:
Pending in Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee
Government Tags and Registration — SB261 by Sen. Smith: This bill provides that governmental entities will not pay more for vehicle tag and registration fees than the fees charged for standard passenger vehicles. This legislation will actually decrease the cost paid by state and local governments.
Exemptions on Real Property — SB132 by Sen. Sanders: This bill 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.
Pending in Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee
Pay-as-you-Go Road Funding — SB229 by Sen. Marsh: This bill would authorize counties to hold a local referendum for approval to impose a temporary gas tax for specified local road and bridge projects, which could be renewed every five years in subsequent local referendums on renewal.
Pending in the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee
Autopsy Transportation Costs — SB232 by Sen. Denton: This bill would amend Alabama law related to autopsy transportation costs to provide that the person, agency, or governmental entity requesting the autopsy shall be responsible for the cost of transporting the body to the forensic laboratory that will perform the autopsy.
Pending in the Senate Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics
Local Constitutional Amendment Votes — SB88 by Sen. Coleman: Current law requires a statewide vote on a proposed local constitutional amendment if there is one dissenting vote in either chamber of the Legislature. This is a proposed constitutional amendment to increase the number of negative votes from the membership of the House of Representatives or Senate necessary to require a statewide vote on a local amendment.
In the House
The House of Representatives is expected to work from the regular order calendar for the next few weeks. There is at least one ACCA bill, HB62 by Rep. Wood, which is in good position to be considered during this period. This bill, discussed above, will lower the cost of tags for county vehicles. Please contact your House members and ask them to SUPPORT HB62 when it comes up for consideration on the House floor.
ACCA Bills in House Committees
House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 20, at 9 a.m.
Litter Enforcement — HB211 by Rep. Ward: This is the companion bill to SB195, reported above.
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.
At press time, there were no Danger Bills scheduled for consideration in House or Senate committees next week, but things can change quickly, so please check daily for updates from the ACCA office. ACCA Staff will keep you posted as things change. As always, please call if you have any questions.
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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