ICYMI: This week at the Statehouse
What happened at the statehouse this week? Glad you asked! Here are a few things you might have missed from week eight of the 2015 legislative session. •Sen. Cam Ward’s proposal to reform Alabama prisons is inching closer to the finish line. •Victims of domestic violence would have stronger protection under House Bill 320. The legislation passed out of committee this week. •A House panel on commerce considered a bill to add term limits, pay caps, and new members to the Birmingham Water Works Board. •Still no answer on whether ride share services like Uber and Lyft will be coming to Alabama. •Alabama finally has an official crustacean, thanks to legislation passed in the House on Thursday. That was the only bill to come out of the House before lawmakers adjourned for the weekend. Still no word on whether the queen honey bee will become Alabama’s official agricultural insect.
Not so puny anymore: Alabama set to honor brown shrimp
Alabama has an official bird, official folk dance and official nut. Now the state is poised to have an official crustacean. The Montgomery Advertiser reports state lawmakers passed legislation Thursday to give brown shrimp the title of official crustacean. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Trip Pittman, a Republican of Montrose, passed the Senate earlier in the session and will now move to Gov. Robert Bentley for signing. The Seafood Association of Alabama says brown shrimp account for more than half of the domestic catch in the state. AL.com reports lawmakers are considering two other state symbols this session: the queen honey bee as the state’s agricultural insect, and the Lane Cake as the state’s official dessert. Louisiana, Maryland and Oregon are the only three states to have official crustaceans. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
