While Agenda May Look Full, One Issue Stands Out…
Below is a list of bills that are proposed to be debated when the legislature convenes on Tuesday. While the upcoming Special Order Calendar for the Alabama House of Representatives might look like a full plate of debates one issue continues to loom large for everyone watching the legislative debate– the Constitution Reform Act sponsored by Rep. Newton (Birmingham) promises to dominate the House debates. The bill is 5th on the calendar and it promises a lot of fireworks. The real question will be whether or not it gets the BIR (Budget Isolation Resolution) vote or not. If it does not, we might as well not plan on passing any other bills on the calendar that day because it guarantees a shut down of the process by proponents of constitutional reform. This is somewhat ironic because for those advocating constitution reform one of their biggest arguments is how slow and unwieldy our legislative process is and therefore we need to have reform. If the BIR fails you can expect those same proponents to be opponents of the system in place from moving quickly and smoothly. On the flip side of this (and I believe this is very likely the case) the BIR could pass and if it does I would recommend every House member to plan on a late on the House floor full of lots of debate.
Whatever scenario plays out one thing is for certain, it is rare when a debate over an issue as big as this occurs in the legislature.. It will be fun and sure to generate some real political discussion in our state.. Both sides have made some very good arguments lately and I expect this to be one of the better and more productive political discussions we have had in a while primarily since it covers everything from taxes to education to how we hold elections.
While I do not want to downplay the other bills on the calendar (I am particularly supportive of Rep. Grimes, Rep. Keahy and Rep. Johnson’s bills) I do think all the media and public’s attention will be drawn to the constitution reform debate.
Here is the proposed list of bills to be voted on, of course the calendar still has to be approved by the full House before actual voting begins on each bill–
Representative Grimes:
HB23
Firearms, sale or delivery to nonresidents and acceptance of delivery by residents, authorized in and from all states, Sec. 13A-11-58 am’d.
Representative Newton (D):
HB441
Security Regulatory Board, established, licensure, certification, and regulation of security companies, officers, trainers, fees, firearms, identifying insignia, penalties, subject to Sunset Law
Representative Johnson:
HB318
Commercial mobile radio service, E-911 charge, procedures for collecting and distrib. of funds altered, Commercial Mobile Radio Service Emergency Telephone Services Board subject to Senate confirmation, Enhanced 911 Implementation Fund established, Sec. 11-98-7.1 added; Secs. 11-98-6, 11-98-7, 11-98-8 am’d.
Representative Morrison:
HB284
Contract Review Permanent Legislative Oversight Committee, contracts subject to review, time period to review, emergency contracts treatment, Secs. 29-2-41, 29-2-41.1, 29-2-41.3, 41-16-72 am’d.
Representative Newton (D):
HB98
Constitutional Convention, election for calling to amend and replace Constitution of Alabama of 1901, delegates, election for ratification or rejection
Representative Hilliard:
HB564
School safety, plans and protocols, local boards of education to adopt, principals required to instruct students regarding various school safety matters and employ certain procedures
Representative Thomas (E):
HB352
Motor vehicles, failure to stop at railroad grade crossing, fines increased, distribution to Public Safety Department
Representative Allen:
HB27
Alabama Boxing Act, Alabama Boxing Commission, established, medical advisory panel, licensure of promoters, standards for buildings for matches, boxing under the influence prohibited, age requirements, civil and criminal penalties
Representative Keahey:
HB557
Ethyl alcohol used as alternative fuel, certain regulations regarding sale, manufacture, and transportation, eliminated, Secs. 28-3-3, 28-5-1 am’d.
[…] Yesterday afternoon and evening, Representatives Randy Hinshaw and Cam Ward gave us two more Posts from the Legislature. Rep. Hinshaw (D - Meridianville) still trusts the people, and Rep. Ward (R - Alabaster) sees one issue standing out among others on next week’s Special Order Calendar. […]
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