Alabama lawmakers faced cold weather and icy roads this week as they made their way to the State House where they managed to move a handful of bills in both chambers. The Legislature has now used four of its available 30 meeting days for the 2018 Regular Session, and only 26 meeting days remain. Here are the highlights out of Montgomery this week: In the Governor’s office: Some Medicaid recipients in Alabama may be required to work. As part of her General Fund Budget proposal, Ivey instructed Alabama’s Medicaid Commissioner Stephanie Azar to develop a policy for implementing a work requirement for Medicaid receivers. All work requirements would only be applicable to “able-bodied” adults, with exemptions being made for the elderly, people with disabilities, and children. Ivey’s current plan would also require copay increases for Medicaid recipients. Her goal is to “increase efficiency and decrease costs related to Medicaid, all in an effort to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars.” Alabama’s jobless rate holds steady at record 3.5 percent low. Ivey announced on Friday that 2,093,063 people were counted as employed in December, the most ever recorded. Alabama’s preliminary, seasonally adjusted December unemployment rate is 3.5%, maintaining last month’s record rate. The new figures also indicate the Yellowhammer State is ahead of the national employment average as the U.S. jobless rate is holding at 4.1 percent. Senate news: Tripp Pittman introduces Kay Ivey’s General Fund budget. SB178, otherwise known as the proposed budget, appropriates funds for functions of government, debt service, and capital outlay for fiscal year ending September 30, 2019. According to the Governor’s office, it does so “sensibly” and “funds state government with prudence and care.” Bill to remove marriage licenses passes. The Alabama Senate approved a bill on Wednesday to remove marriage licenses and begin a new process under which probate judges would accept affidavits from couples as an official record of marriage. Under the legislation, the requirement of a ceremony to honor the marriage would be erased. The cost would be the same as the current cost of marriage licenses in the state. Bill introduced to increase penalties for human trafficking. Introduced on Tuesday, the bill would enhance the criminal penalties for obstructing the enforcement of the human trafficking laws in Alabama. Ridesharing bill on the move. The bill, which passed the Senate Tourism and Marketing Committee on Thursday, would create a ridesharing network across the state for companies and place it under the control of the Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC). A single permit issued by the PSC would then allow the companies to operate statewide under uniform regulations rather than requiring each municipality to file for their own permits and regulations. House news: Legislation proposed to scrap partisan primaries. One Alabama lawmaker wants to scrap partisan primaries in favor of open elections that would send the two top vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, on to the general election, thus eliminating the need for run-off elections. Of special note: State Representative George Bandy dies at 72. Longtime Alabama lawmaker, State Representative George Bandy Sr. died early Tuesday morning in a Macon, Ga., hospital, according to Alabama House spokesman Clay Redden.
Alabama lawmakers are officially back to work; the 2018 legislative session kicked off on Tuesday. Because it is an election year, many legislators expect a short session that could end by late April allowing them more time to campaign ahead of the June 5 primaries. Overall, it was a fairly light week. Tuesday was dominated by Gov. Kay Ivey’s first State of the State address and Thursday by Senate Republicans introducing their legislative priorities for the year including an income tax cut, and the House passing a term limits bill. Here are the highlights out of Montgomery this week: In the Governor’s office: Ivey gives her first State of the State address: On Tuesday night, Ivey gave her first State of the State address before a joint session of the Alabama Legislature. She painted an optimistic outlook of the state as she told the crowd the dark cloud over the state has been lifted, the ship of state steadied. She also touched on various policy initiatives she hopes to accomplish in the new year. State of Emergency issued due to widespread flu outbreak: Ivey declared a State Public Health Emergency on Thursday. Healthcare facilities are overwhelmed due to the influx of flu patients, and Ivey’s emergency declaration allows those facilities to implement “alternative standards of care” plans to preserve lives. Senate news: Republican’s 2018 legislative agenda unveiled: The Alabama Senate Republican Caucus announced their legislative priorities for the 2018 legislative session at a press conference on Thursday morning at the Statehouse. The “Fighting for Alabama” agenda will focus on legislation to spur economic growth, encourage infrastructure improvements, and protect children. Bill proposed for state income tax cut: Alabama Senate Republicans on Thursday announced they have proposed a bill that would allow more taxpayers to take the maximum standard deduction on their state income taxes. House news: Bill passed to impose term limits on members of the U.S. Congress: On Thursday, the state House passed a resolution calling for there to be a Article V convention of the states to impose term limits on members of the federal government. The single-issue amendment convention would allow the American people to term limit Congress without needing federal lawmakers’ approval. This process, was designed by America’s Founders specifically to rein in abuses of power coming from members of the U.S. House and Senate.With the success in the Alabama House, the resolution is expected to pass the Alabama Senate this session as well, placing Alabama at the forefront of states proposing an amendment for term limits on the U.S. Congress. Will ridesharing soon be a reality for all of Alabama?: Mountain Brook-Republican State Rep. David Faulkner and Greensboro-Democratic State Sen. Bobby Singleton are soon introducing a bill that would create a ridesharing network across the state for companies like Uber and Lyft, making ridesharing operations available statewide.
