One of Those Strange Weeks
This will be one of those strange weeks in Montgomery. To begin with we are going to have what is known as a three day work week. Usually every week we have two legislative days where we vote on the floor (Tuesday and Thursday) then have a committee day on Wednesday. This week we will have the same schedule except go back into session after committee meetings on Wednesday. This makes for a long week and even longer when you realize that the first bill out of the shoot on Tuesday is HB 577 by Rep. Marcel Black. This bill is commonly referred to as “Bingo for Medicaid.” It is a constitutional amendment that would in essence legalize bingo gambling at certain facilities in Alabama then tax the revenue from those games and have that money dedicated to shoring up Medicaid. This is always the mother of all legislative battles. It takes place every year and every year it is a hard fought campaign on both sides. Rep. Black is probably one of the smarter members of the legislature so it should be a close one again this year. Since you have to have 63 votes for a constitutional amendment to pass it is still an uphill climb and I suspect the supporters of the bill might come up 4 or 5 votes short but it is anyone’s guess.
All of this takes place in light of all of the hoopla still going on about the subpoenas issued last week. Unfortunately there will be more rumor than actual fact floating around the state house for quite some time regarding this issue which is only going to make for a more bitter session as we move forward. One thing is for certain, it is too early for people to start pointing fingers or trying to score political points in this process until the judicial system has had the opportunity to work through this.
Assuming we make it through all of this then below is the next proposed special order calendar for the whenever we make it through the gambling debate. Should be an interesting week.
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Representative Black:
HB474
Architects, State Board for Registration of, responsible control definition altered, title of superintendent changed to on-site observer, restrictive firm ownership and naming requirements removed, disciplinary actions altered, civil penalties, Secs. 34-2-30, 34-2-32, 34-2-33, 34-2-34, 34-2-35, 34-2-36, 34-2-37, 34-2-38, 34-2-40, 34-2-41, 34-2-42 am’d.
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Representative Guin:
HB590
Oil and gas, production regulated, drilling units, oil and gas fields for each oil and gas pool, spacing of wells for each pool, and drainage or production units established, Secs. 9-17-1, 9-17-6, 9-17-12 am’d.
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Representative Coleman:
HB441
Domestic violence fatality review teams established, membership, duties, confidentiality of certain information, immunity from civil and criminal liability, testimony in civil, criminal, or disciplinary proceedings regarding records or information produced or presented to review team prohibited
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Representative Hubbard:
HB162
Motor vehicles, liability insurance, proof required prior to issuance of motor vehicle license tag, insurance company to provide policy data to Revenue Department electronically, penalties, Secs. 32-7A-23 to 32-7A-26, inclusive, added; Secs. 32-7A-2 to 32-7A-22, inclusive, am’d.
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Representative Vance:
HB375
Prosthetics, insurance companies, health maintenance organizations, and health benefit plans, required to offer coverage, Secs. 10-4-115, 27-21A-23 am’d.
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Representative Wood:
HB531
Boats and boating, accident reports, filing with Conservation and Natural Resources Department, amount of damage before filing is required, increased, Sec.. 33-5-25 am’d.
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Representative Moore (P):
HB177
Civil procedure, civil defendants required to inform court of current address and name and address of employer, in contempt for failure to report
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Representative McLaughlin:
HB193
Protection From Abuse Act, issuance and procedures for issuance of protection orders relating to domestic violence and abuse, plaintiffs further defined according to relationships with defendant, jurisdiction, relationship to uniform acts, petitions, Protection Order Registry at Administrative Office of Courts, criminal penalties repealed, Secs. 30-5-1, 30-5-2, 30-5-3, 30-5-4, 30-5-5, 30-5-6, 30-5-7, 30-5-8 am’d.; Secs. 30-5-9, 30-5-10 repealed
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Representative Oden:
HB442
Competitive bids, minimum amount increased, local boards of education included in entities authorized to establish local preference zones, bid bond made permissive, certain joint purchasing agreements exempt, Secs. 41-16-50, 41-16-54, 41-16-55, 41-16-57 am’d.
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Representative Martin:
HB107
Motor vehicles, salvage titles, original owner authorized to rebuild and obtain title under certain conditions, inspection provisions further provided for, approval of Revenue Department regarding valuation of salvage vehicle deleted, Sec. 32-8-87 am’d.
