Legislature passes bill to prevent municipalities from adding to state building codes
On Thursday, the Alabama Legislature passed legislation that would prevent municipalities from adding additional requirements for homebuilders that are not found in the state building code. Senate Bill 40 (SB40) is sponsored by State Senator Chris Elliott. The legislation was carried in the Alabama House of Representatives by State Representative Reed Ingram. Rep. Ingram told the Legislature that extra demands from municipalities were driving up the cost of new home construction. “A lot of municipalities are making them do extra work,” Ingram said. “They are making that add extra support for roof solar panels and add extra wiring for electric stoves in homes in a subdivision that are built for gas stoves.” SB40 prohibits the adoption or enforcement of certain building codes requiring the installation of certain latent, non-operable features in a residential structure.” “It is not what the builder wants or what the homeowners want,” Ingram explained. “They are making them run a 220 line and do a lot of extra work for electric stoves that are not needed. It affects every home in the entire subdivision. You have never had to do that before.” “This is a bill from the Homebuilders Association,” Ingram explained. “This is happening all over the state. It is adding extra cost for the homeowner.” Rep. Laura Hall asked if the League of Municipalities opposed this. Ingram said, “It came through my committee, and we had no group opposition.” “Some are also requiring to wire for electric cars,” Ingram said. “The homeowner may not want an electric car. You can always go back and wire in for electric cars.” “When you are building a spec home, if a builder wants to have all gas or electric, that is his choice,” Ingram added. Rep. Scott Stadthagen said, “I want to thank you for your efforts on behalf of the homebuilding industry. Rep. Brett Easterbrook said, “I have been a home builder for 38 years. We are probably spending $25,000 and $30,000 extra on a house in Mobile and Baldwin Counties because of this.” Rep. Curtis Travis said, “I want to thank you for bringing this bill to give some control over the arbitrary decisions of local governments.” Rep. Anthony Daniels said,” This is a good bill that will help consumers. I am supportive of this bill.” Rep. Mack Butler said, “This is a liberty issue.” SB40 passed the House of Representatives 104 to 0 without amendment. It has already passed the Senate, so it now goes to the Governor for her consideration. Tuesday will be Day 14 of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. The Alabama Constitution of 1901 limits the Legislature to no more than thirty days in a regular session. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
House delays vote on medical marijuana bill
Legislation to authorize medical marijuana in Alabama stalled Tuesday in the state House of Representatives after Republican opponents used a filibuster to at least temporarily delay a vote. Representatives adjourned shortly before midnight without a vote after nearly 10 hours of debate on the Senate-passed bill. The bill is expected to return to the House floor on Thursday. The lengthy debate brought impassioned discussion that included lawmakers expressing fervent opposition or how they changed their minds on the issue after the illnesses of family members. The bill would allow people with a qualifying medical condition to purchase marijuana after getting a recommendation from a doctor. More than a dozen conditions, including cancer, a terminal illness, depression, epilepsy, panic disorder, and chronic pain would allow a person to qualify. The bill would allow marijuana in forms such as pills, skin patches, and creams but not in smoking or vaping products. The bill was sponsored by Republican Sen. Tim Melson, an anesthesiologist, and handled in the House by Republican Rep. Mike Ball, a former state trooper and state investigator. “This can change the quality of life for the people that we love,” said Republican Rep. Allen Farley, a former police officer, describing how his 94-year-old mother at the end of her life entered a facility that treats people with dementia. Republican Rep. Brett Easterbrook of Fruitdale said he is “as conservative as they get” but saw the positive impact medical marijuana had on his son. “I watched it … There is not one of you sitting in those chairs, if your child has a brain injury or cancer and this will help, you won’t give a damn what the Legislature says,” Easterbrook said. The bill faced a filibuster from opposed Republicans who worried that it could be a gateway to recreational use or that medical marijuana could end up in the hands of teens. “Don’t ever doubt it, if the state of Alabama gets into the marijuana business, the cannabis business, it will change the very fabric of who we are as a state,” said Republican Rep. Jim Carnes of Vestavia Hills. Other lawmakers expressed concern that marijuana has not gone through the Food and Drug Administration approval process for drugs or that it could lead to traffic accidents. “What makes us think we know more than the FDA. My other thought is what if we’re wrong. What if we approve and pass this bill and it is a gateway like it has been for Colorado,” said Republican Rep. Rich Wingo of Tuscaloosa. The Alabama Senate approved the bill by a 21-8 vote in February after 15 minutes of debate. However, the House of Representatives has traditionally been more skeptical of medical marijuana proposals and required the bill to go through two committees before coming to the floor. A medical marijuana bill in 2013 won the “Shroud Award” for the “deadest” bill that year in the House of Representatives. Representatives on Tuesday voted 69-31 to bring the bill up for a debate, an indicator that the bill could have enough support for final passage if it reaches a vote. “I have no doubt it is going to pass if it is given a vote,” Melson said. Melson, an anesthesiologist who now works in medical research, said he believes medical marijuana can provide relief to patients where other drugs have failed. “It’s the last choice to be used by a doctor so if there is an illness where everything else has failed, why not let them try it,” Melson said. Democratic Rep. Ralph Howard of Greensboro criticized the Republican filibuster against the bill. He described how his father struggled with the pain of cancer that had spread to his brain. “Who am I to tell you how to treat a sick relative. A drug is a drug,” Howard said. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
House nears vote on medical marijuana bill
The Alabama House of Representatives headed to a vote on a medical marijuana bill late Tuesday evening after impassioned debate that included lawmakers expressing fervent opposition or how they changed their minds on the issue after the illnesses of family members. The bill would allow people with a qualifying medical condition to purchase marijuana after getting a recommendation from a doctor. More than a dozen conditions, including cancer, a terminal illness, and chronic pain would allow a person to qualify. The bill would allow marijuana in forms such as pills, skin patches, and creams but not in smoking or vaping products. The bill was sponsored by Republican Sen. Tim Melson, a doctor, and Republican Rep. Mike Ball, a former state trooper and state investigator. “This can change the quality of life for the people that we love,” said Republican Rep. Allen Farley, a former police officer, describing how his 94-year-old mother at the end of her life entered a facility that treats people with dementia. Republican Rep. Brett Easterbrook of Fruitdale said he is “as conservative as they get” but saw the positive impact medical marijuana had on his son. “I watched it … There is not one of you sitting in those chairs, if your child has a brain injury or cancer and this will help, you won’t give a damn what the Legislature says,” Easterbrook said. The bill faced a filibuster from opposed Republicans who worried that it could be a gateway to recreational use or that medical marijuana could end up in the hands of teens. “Don’t ever doubt it, if the state of Alabama gets into the marijuana business, the cannabis business, it will change the very fabric of who we are as a state,” said Republican Rep. Jim Carnes of Vestavia Hills. The bill was added to the day’s debate agenda at the last minute. Republican Rep. Rich Wingo of Tuscaloosa said lawmakers deserve more time to look at the bill. The Alabama Senate approved the bill by a 21-8 vote in February after 15 minutes of debate. However, the House of Representatives has traditionally been more skeptical of medical marijuana proposals and required the bill to go through two committees before coming to the floor. A medical marijuana bill in 2013 won the “Shroud Award” for the “deadest” bill that year in the House of Representatives. Melson has expressed optimism that the bill would win approval. Representatives on Tuesday voted 69-31 to bring the bill up for a debate, an indicator that the bill could have enough support for final passage if it reaches a vote. Democratic Rep. Ralph Howard of Greensboro criticized the Republican filibuster against the bill. He described how his father struggled with the pain of cancer that had spread to his brain. “Who am I to tell you how to treat a sick relative. A drug is a drug,” Howard said.
