Alabama lawmakers hope to make state hands-free for drivers
Alabama could become the 17th state to ban holding cell phones while driving. A bill that would ban holding a phone while driving has been pre-filed ahead of the 2019 session in the State House, and a similar bill will soon be filed in the State Senate. McCalla-Republican, State Rep. Allen Farley filed a bill last week. Springville-Republican, State Sen. Jim McClendon says he will sponsor a simliar bill in the Senate. Under existing law, a person is prohibited texting while driving, but they are allowed to hold a phone. Farley’s bill, HB6, put an end to that. Specifically, it would “prohibit a person from holding or otherwise using his or her body to support a wireless communication device or standalone electronic device while operating a motor vehicle.” It would also prohibit drivers from watching, recording, or capturing photographs or videos while operating a vehicle. “It’s not called a no texting law, or a no emailing law, it’s called a distracted driving law,” Farley told WHNT-19. The first violation will carry a $50 fine; $100 for the second; and $150 for third and subsequent offenses. Violations with convictions will also result in points on people’s license.
GOP House member pre-files bill to nix waivers for able-bodied SNAP work requirements
On Alabama state rep is working to get more able-bodied Alabamians off of the government rolls and back to work. Ahead of the 2018 Legislative session, State Rep. Tommy Hanes (R-Bryant) pre-filed HB6, which prohibits the Alabama Commissioner of the Department of Human Resources from requesting a waiver of federal work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents who are applicants or recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly known as food stamps. In 2009, the Obama administration passed a stimulus bill that allowed states to apply for waivers from regulations requiring able-bodied adults without dependents to work. Throughout former President Barack Obama‘s tenure, food stamp usage soared. In 2017, Alabama implemented laws requiring food stamp recipients work at least 20 hours per week, enroll in school, or take part in state-approved job training if they receive benefits for more than three months. Turns out the work requirements worked and the state saw large decreases in SNAP enrollment as a result of the work requirements. According to National Review, after Alabama reinstated food-stamp work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents, the rolls dropped by 85 percent. Now, Hanes is looking to drop the ability to ask for waivers, to require all SNAP recipients, who don’t have dependents, to meet work requirements to continue to receive benefits — which will hopefully encourage more Alabamians to go back to work. This bill requires all able-bodied adults without dependents who are applicants or recipients of SNAP benefits to participate in minimum work requirements, provide documentation of engaging in work training, or participate in volunteer community service and would provide limited exemptions from these work requirements. If passed, it will become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by Governor Kay Ivey.
