Black lawmakers say Alabama GOP’s proposed new congressional map insults the Supreme Court
Alabama Republicans advanced new congressional lines Wednesday, a proposed map that Black lawmakers called an insult after the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the legislature to redraw districts to give Black voters a greater voice in elections. The House of Representatives voted 74-27 to approve the GOP plan, which does not establish the second majority-Black district sought by plaintiffs who won the Supreme Court case. Instead, the GOP would increase the percentage of Black voters to 42% in the district. That’s enough, GOP lawmakers said, to consider it a political swing district — where either a Republican or Democrat could get elected — in compliance with the court. The bill now moves to the Alabama Senate. “This is really a slap in the face, not only to Black Alabamians, but to the Supreme Court,” Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, said during the floor debate. Rep. Prince Chestnut, a Democrat from Selma, said, “Once again, the state decided to be on the wrong side of history.” “We’re fighting the same battles that they were fighting 100 years ago, 50 years ago, 40 years ago, right here today,” Chestnut said. “Once again, the (Republican) super majority decided that the voting rights of Black people are nothing that this state is bound to respect. And it’s offensive. It’s wrong.” State lawmakers face a Friday deadline to adopt new lines after the U.S. Supreme Court in June upheld a finding that the current state map — with one majority-Black district out of seven in a state that is 27% Black — likely violates the federal Voting Rights Act. Republican House Speaker Pro Tempore Chris Pringle argued that the proposed lines satisfy the court requirement to provide greater “opportunity” to Black voters. The GOP-backed House plan would increase the percentage of Black voters in the 2nd Congressional District, now represented by Republican Barry Moore, from about 31% to 42.4%. “We’ve drawn a district that provides an opportunity for the minorities to elect a candidate of their choosing,” Pringle said. “The court said we had to provide an opportunity, and that’s what that district does.” A group of voters who challenged the existing congressional plan said white Republicans drew the map “to maintain power by packing one-third of Black Alabamians” into a single majority-Black district while leaving lopsided white majorities in every other district. Alabama now sends one Black congresswoman to Washington — Rep. Terri Sewell, whose 7th congressional district is majority Black — and six white Republicans. The appellate ruling that struck down the existing congressional map said Alabama should have “either an additional majority-Black congressional district, or an additional district in which Black voters otherwise have an opportunity to elect a representative of their choice.” The language reinforced by the Supreme Court specified that a new map should include two districts in which “Black voters either comprise a voting-age majority or something quite close to it.” Black lawmakers said Wednesday that history shows that Black candidates generally don’t win in Alabama unless they run in a majority-Black district. “We’ve been held back too long. We’re human beings. We’re Alabama citizens. We work. We do things, but we don’t have the representation that we need,” said Rep. Pebblin Warren, a Democratic lawmaker from Tuskegee. Republicans hold a lopsided majority in the Alabama Legislature and will control what ultimately passes. Representatives on Wednesday voted down an effort by Democrats to bring up a plan, backed by plaintiffs who won the Supreme Court case, that would create a second majority-Black district. The Alabama Senate planned to vote later Wednesday on a proposal that’s similar but would put even a lower percentage of Black voters in the 2nd congressional district — 38.31%. Once a new GOP map passes, the fight will shift quickly back to the courts. Republicans, who have been resistant to creating a Democratic district, are wagering that they’ll be successful in a second round of appeals. The three-judge panel could step in and draw up its own plan if they deem it unacceptable. “You can save your time. You can save your money because we’re going to have a special master drawing this map,” Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, said. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
Alabama Legislature passes retail theft bill
The Alabama House of Representatives on Wednesday voted to pass legislation creating the crime of organized retail theft. The new bill will levy heavy criminal penalties on people engaged in organized retail theft. The Senate concurred with the House changes to the bill. Senate Bill 206 (SB206) is sponsored by State Senator Clyde Chambliss (R-Prattville). SB206 is being carried in the House of State by Representative Allen Treadaway (R-Morris). Treadaway explained that cracking down on organized retail theft is necessary to protect the retail industry. “We are trying to keep these stores in the community,” Treadaway said in the House floor debate. “This is a $100 billion problem in America.” Rep. Mary Moore (D-Birmingham) was concerned that people might accidentally be charged with this crime. “When the store is having a sale and goes through and marks through the price with a pen, a shopper could be accused of having marked through the price themselves,” Moore argued. “You have to show intent,” Treadaway said. “That applies right now.” “This bill is trying to put the whole neighborhood in jail,” Moore said. “In my community, if we just walk through the store, people think we are trying to steal something.” “I don’t want us passing bills that may cause harm to innocent people accused of stealing something,” Moore said. Treadaway is a retired deputy chief of police for the City of Birmingham. “Mainly, what we are seeing is the organized crime that has infiltrated this kind of activity,” Treadaway said. Treadaway said this legislation “allows the law to reach out and hold the folks accountable when they are working together in this kind of activity.” Rep. Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham) said, “In the urban area, we are losing a lot of businesses. We are seeing where those storefronts are now abandoned.” “How do we identify the theft? How are we identifying the thief?” Givan asked. Treadaway explained, “The organized retail theft you are getting into now involves people working together.” Treadaway explained that organized crime then sells the stolen merchandise online or in a brick and mortar businesses that they operate. “It is happening everywhere,” Treadaway said. “We have seen a tenfold increase.” Rep. Prince Chestnut (D-Selma)asked, “Is legislation alone going to make the difference?” Treadway answered, “No, but it is a part of it.” Chestnut offered an amendment to the bill. “This is a (Judiciary) committee amendment,” Chestnut said. The House voted to adopt the first amendment in a 102 to 0 vote. Rep. Jeremy Gray (D-Opelika) brought a second amendment that was adopted by the House. This legislation is supported by the Alabama Retail Association. The Retail Theft Crime Prevention Act provides for the crime of retail theft in various degrees, provides for the crime of organized retail theft, and provides criminal penalties for a violation. Retail theft in the first degree would be a Class B felony. Retail theft in the second degree is a Class C felony. Retail theft in the third degree is a Class A misdemeanor. A fourth or subsequent conviction for an offense under this article is a Class C felony. Organized retail theft is a Class B felony. The House of Representatives voted 76 to 27 to pass the legislation. It had already passed the Senate. Late on Wednesday afternoon, the Alabama Senate voted 34 to 0 to concur with the House changes to the legislation. SB206 now goes to the governor for her consideration. Thursday will be day 29 of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama House to consider ambitious special-order calendar on Wednesday
The Alabama House of Representatives will meet on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. to consider a very ambitious proposed special-order calendar. Senate Bill 206 (SB206) is sponsored by State Senator Clyde Chambliss (R-Prattville). It is being carried on the floor by State Representative Allen Treadaway (R-Morris). SB206 creates the crime of organized retail theft and turns what used to be misdemeanor shoplifting into a felony. Senate Bill 261 (SB261) is sponsored by Sen. Dan Roberts (R-Mountain Brook). It is carried in the House by Rep. Chip Brown (R-Hollinger’s Island). The anti-ESG legislation would prohibit state and local governments from entering into certain contracts that boycott businesses in certain sectors or based on certain environmental or corporate governance criteria. Senate Bill 279 (SB279) is sponsored by Sen. Randy Price (R-Opelika) and carried in the House by Rep. Matt Woods (R-Jasper). SB279 deals with elected county superintendents of education. Under existing law, the salary for an elected county superintendent of education is required to be set by the county board of education before the beginning of the term of office. This bill would remove that requirement retroactive to July 1, 2021. Senate Bill 94 (SB94) is sponsored by Sen. April Weaver (R-Briarfield) and is carried in the House by Rep. Corley Ellis (R-Columbiana). SB94 would move the Shelby County juvenile probation services and probation officers into the state court system. Senate Bill 99 (SB99) is sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville) and carried in the House by Rep. Prince Chestnut (D-Selma). SB99 would increase the mileage reimbursement rate received by jurors Senate Bill 56 (SB56) is sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) and carried in the House by Rep. Allen Baker (R-Brewton). SB56 would require the use of video cameras in certain special education classrooms. Allen is bringing a substitute version of the bill. Senate Bill 292 (SB292) is sponsored by Sen. Roberts and carried by Rep. Joe Lovvorn (R-Auburn). SB292 would provide for the Department of Revenue to grant certificates of exemption from sales and use taxes to contractors and subcontractors licensed by the State Licensing Board for General Contractors for the purchase of building materials and construction materials to be used in the construction of a project for an entity that is exempt by law from paying sales and use taxes. Senate Bill 223 (SB223) is sponsored by Sen. Vivian Figures (D-Mobile) and carried in the House by Rep. Matt Simpson (R-Daphne) would include a child witness in the definition of “a physical offense, sexual offense, or violent offense” for the purpose of the Child Physical and Sexual Abuse Victim Protection Act. Senate Bill 309 (SB309) is sponsored by Sen. Chambliss and carried by Rep. Wood in the House. SB309 is related to contracts for professional services to provide for the procurement of certain professional service contracts based on competitive, qualification-based policies and procedures, as well as to provide for the advertisement of such contracts; and to subject such contracts to a fee schedule established by the Division of Construction Management of the Department of Finance. Senate Bill 198 (SB198) is sponsored by Sen. Orr and carried in the House by Rep. Cynthia Almond (R-Tuscaloosa). It would add additional offenses that would be subject to the presumptive sentencing guidelines; to modify the criminal penalties for criminal solicitation, attempt, and criminal conspiracy; to give a judge discretion when sentencing a person convicted of a Class C or Class D felony offense. Senate Bill 184 (SB184) is sponsored by Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Atmore) and carried in the House by Rep. Kyle South (R-Fayette). SB184 would authorize the Department of Corrections to expend funds for the recruitment and training of law enforcement officers and to further the mission of the department. South will introduce a substitute version of the bill. Senate Bill 224 (SB224) is sponsored by Sen. Figures and carried in the House by Rep. Simpson. It provides for the age of a child for the crime of transmitting obscene material to a child by computer, to establish jurisdiction for a violation of distributing a private image, and further provides for the crime of incest. Senate Bill 281 (SB281) is sponsored by Sen. Albritton and carried by Rep. Margie Wilcox (R-Mobile). SB281 creates a new distinctive license plate to benefit the USS Alabama Battleship Commission. Senate Bill 285 (SB285) is sponsored by Sen. Jones and carried in the House by Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur).SB285 will allow nonprofit organizations to host wine festivals. Senate Bill 176 (SB176) is sponsored by Sen Orr and carried by Rep. Collins. SB176 is the Student Right to Know Act of 2023. It requires the Alabama Commission on Higher Education to collect and make available online data for students to plan for their educational and professional futures; and for the Workforce Division of the Department of Commerce to share data and information with ACHE. Senate Bill 192 (SB192) is sponsored by Sen. Albritton and is carried in the House by Rep. Donna Givens (R-Loxley). SB192 would allow private corporations to limit access to industrial facilities and that industrial access roads to continue to be maintained as a public corporation. Senate Bill 263 (SB263) is sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen (R-Dothan) and carried in the House by Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur). SB263 makes changes to the Alabama Accountability Act of 2013. It revises the law to change the term failing school to priority school and nonfailing to qualifying school to make other changes. Senate Bill 258 (SB258) is sponsored by Sen. Andrew Jones (R-Centre). It deals with nonprofit corporations that provide water services to the public authorizing a one-time audit by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts. There is a substitute version of this bill. Senate Bill 103 (SB103) is sponsored by Sen. Orr: and carried by Rep. Almond. It would require the Alabama Ethics Commission to provide exonerating evidence to persons accused of ethics wrongdoing. Almond will introduce a substitute. Senate Bill 76 (SB76) is sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road). It is carried in the House by Rep. Lovvorn. SB76 establishes the Rural Logging Support Act, funding supporting rural economic Development. Wednesday will be Day 28 of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama House votes to align Alabama gun law with federal law
On Wednesday, the Alabama House of Representatives voted to pass controversial legislation that would largely align Alabama’s criminal possession of a firearm with its federal law equivalent. House Bill 392 (HB392) is sponsored by Cynthia Almond. “This adopts the federal law on gun possession as it is currently,” Rep. Almond explained. Rep. Mary Moore asked, “I don’t understand why we need this bill. Why do you think we need to be redundant passing this law?” Almond explained, “Federal law says that if you have ever been convicted of a felony, you can’t carry a gun. Alabama law says that if you have ever been convicted of a crime of violence, you can’t carry a weapon.” Moore said, “This is a redundant bill that does not need to be clarified.” Almond replied, “There are some felonies that are in the gap.” Moore said that instead of debating this bill, the Legislature should take up her assault weapons ban. “We passed enough laws that cover what you try to do,” Moore said. “We ought to be focused on true laws.” “AR15s are weapons of war that were made for the battlefield of Vietnam,” Moore said. “They shoot up babies so bad you can’t even identify them.” Almond explained, “theft and possession of drugs are two” of the felonies where a felon is prohibited from ever possessing a firearm ever again’ but not prohibited under current Alabama law. “Our state and local law enforcement do not have the authority to arrest them, even though they are already in the prohibited person’s database,” Almond explained. Rep. Laura Hall asked, “You don’t have to have a permit to carry a gun, so how do you get that data?” Almond said, “If they have ever been convicted of a felony, they are in a database.” Hall said there are other disqualifiers for gun possession besides being convicted of a felony. “We are not dealing with any of the other items in this bill,” Almond said, “We can see that they are in the database, but we can’t arrest them (for being a felon in possession of a gun).” Almond explained that this bill changes state law to mirror federal law. Almond cautioned that this only has to do with felons. “We are not at all changing or addressing any of those others,” Almond said. Rep. Matt Simpson explained, “A lot of time, the federal government and federal prosecutors say they are not going to enforce this. All this does is give (state) prosecutors the authority to.” Almond said, “We are not changing any rights, but we are allowing our police and prosecutors to make arrests and prosecutions.” Almond said the current law “puts our law enforcement in predicaments on the streets.” Rep. Prince Chestnut said, “I am going to support your bill.” Rep. Pete Rehm asked, “Has anyone asked if the NRA or any Alabama gun rights organization endorsed this bill.” Almond said, “We have worked with the NRA.” Rep. Rehm asked if a woman in her 70s defends herself from a home invasion with a gun, but she had a drug possession conviction fifty years ago, would she be arrested under this? Almond said that if she had a felony conviction and has a gun, she is already breaking the law. “We would be basically enforcing federal law,” Almond said. Rehm said, “In my scenario, the lady defended her home from a home invasion. Right now, the state or local law enforcement cannot arrest her. “ Rehm said, “My issue is that the federal government needs to be enforcing their own laws.” Almond replied. “If your position is that felons should have guns, that has not been the case for over 60 years.” Rehm responded, “In all that time, the state of Alabama has not done anything to enforce this federal law.” Rep. Corey Harbison said, “I come from a law enforcement background myself, and I am not for putting good people in jail because they made a mistake 20 years ago. This example right here is why we have a separation between federal and state.” Harbison said, “The NRA is not in support of this bill. They are not against, but they are not taking a stance.” “We do not have to align our state law with federal law,” Harbison said. “People make mistakes in life. They can be rehabilitated.” Almond said, “There is a process where someone can have their gun rights restored.” Harbison warned that there will be “unintended consequences” if this passes. “I, as law enforcement, do not want to take them to jail.” Moore said, “We as a body should not care what the NRA thinks.” Rep. Alan Treadaway said, “There was a time where we routinely could make these arrests, and federal authorities would come get them. Now, they are pressed as hard as we are. People don’t realize how bad it is out there now with violent crime. There are now 500 less officers in Jefferson County alone.” Treadaway blamed “the demonization of police over the last ten years.” “I have talked with them (the NRA) several times,” Treadaway said. “If they were opposed, you couldn’t answer your phones.” “Your DAs want this. The judges want this,” Treadaway said. “The (prohibited persons) database will work ten times better than any permit.” Treadaway said he talked with one assistant DA in St. Clair County who has arrested one person “nine times for breaking into vehicles, has a gun, and you can’t arrest him.” Almond said, “This bill was brought to me by Tuscaloosa DA Hays Webb. He is a former Marine. He is pro-law and order, and he is pro second amendment. The person who brought this to me is about as a pro second amendment as possible. He is a big gun guy.” One Republican Representative said, “I don’t trust the federal government as far as I can throw them.” Rep. Tim Wadsworth warned that the federal definition of a firearm under federal law doesn’t include shotguns or sporting rifles, but that could change. Almond said that this bill
House passed legislation banning employers from requiring that employers be microchipped
On Thursday, the Alabama House of Representatives passed legislation that would prohibit employers from requiring that their employees have microchips inserted in their bodies. House Bill 4 (HB4) is sponsored by State Representative Prince Chestnut. Chestnut said that this bill’s purpose is “preventing the microchipping of employees by employers.” State Rep. Kenneth Paschal said, “I love your original bill as written, but I have a problem with an amendment in the committee substitute.” Chestnut said, “My plan is to table the committee substitute and pass the original bill.” “What are we doing?” Rep. Laura Hall (D-Huntsville) asked. “What is the intent?” “I read a lot, and one of the things that concerned me is a push in certain areas to microchip people in some places in the workplaces,” Chestnut said. “It is really catching on in Europe. It is taking place in parts of this country.” Hall asked where it was being done. “I did find where it is happening at a tech company in Wisconsin,” Chestnut said. “Wisconsin passed legislation after the fact. Nevada has passed legislation prohibiting it, and Arkansas has passed legislation.” Hall asked if it was occurring in Alabama. Chestnut said that it wasn’t happening in Alabama to his knowledge, but this legislation is being proactive rather than waiting until it does happen and legislating after the fact. “If somebody wants to voluntarily get microchipped, you still can,” Chestnut stated. Chestnut explained that the technology exists so people can access a secure building by having a microchip implanted into the body or the hand. There are even applications where people are getting a microchip installed in their body that functions as a debit or credit card; you just put your hand in front of the scanner, and the funds for your purchase are deducted from your purchase account electronically. This bill does not prevent people from voluntarily being microchipped. “What I want to do is stop it from being mandated,” Chestnut said, “That is everyone’s personal body integrity.” Chestnut explained that the committee substitute would “allow prisoners in the Department of Corrections can be microchipped. I talked with Mr. (Cam) Ward at Pardons and Paroles, and he said that the surveillance in place is sufficient. They don’t want it. I don’t want to see it on inmates because sooner or later, it will work its way up to us.” Rep. Matt Simpson said, “I am completely in support of taking off the committee amendment.” Simpson said that the whole Judiciary Committee favored tabling the committee substitute. Rep. Thomas Jackson said, “I understand microchipping a pet so that if it gets lost that it can get back to its master. How does microchipping an inmate ever make sense?” The House voted 105 to 0 to table the House Judiciary Committee substitute and consider HB4 as originally introduced. Rep. Ritchie Whorton said, “I agree with you that we should have a right to decide what goes in our bodies. My bill, HB31, the Healthcare Freedom Act, would have prevented an employer from requiring that employees take vaccines against their will.” Violating this act would be a Class D felony in Alabama. Whorton said that business interests in Alabama blocked his bill and asked where they were on Chestnut’s bill. Chestnut said, “I don’t know who is against it, but I had to work it really hard to get it to the floor.” HB4 passed the Alabama House of Representatives 104 to 0. The legislation now goes to the Alabama Senate for their consideration. It has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Tuesday will be day 16 of the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Ten pre-filed bills to watch
Winter is almost over. The coming of Spring means flowers, cutting grass, weekend trips to the beach, lazy days on the lake fishing, turkey hunting, and baseball. It also means the Alabama Legislature is returning for the 2023 Alabama Regular Legislative Session. The constitutional purpose of the legislative session is to pass the state budgets for 2024. However, Alabama has 105 members of the State House of Representatives and 35 members of the Alabama Senate, and all of them have their own ideas about laws that they want to change. Thirty-six bills have already been pre-filed ahead of the session. Some of these bills will be dead on arrival and won’t even get a hearing in committee. Some bills, like increasing the scope of practice for podiatrists to include procedures on the ankle, are debated almost every year. This year that bill is being carried by Sen. Greg Albritton as Senate Bill 8 (SB8). The podiatrists’ scope of practice is limited by state law. This bill would make Alabama more in line with other states regarding podiatry. In the past, this legislation has been staunchly opposed by orthopedic surgeons and the Alabama Medical Association. One bill on a fast track toward passage increases the criminal penalties for drug traffickers who sell and distribute fentanyl. House Bill 1 is sponsored by State Representative Matt Simpson. This bill “would provide for mandatory terms of imprisonment for a person who engages in the unlawful sale, manufacture, delivery, or possession of one or more grams of fentanyl as a single component. This bill would also impose additional criminal penalties for subsequent violations.” As introduced, HB1 would make the sale, manufacture, or possession of one gram or more of fentanyl “trafficking” under Alabama Law. The penalty for one to less than two grams of fentanyl would be a mandatory minimum sentence of three years in prison and a minimum fine of $50,000. If two grams, but less than four grams, the mandatory minimum sentence would be ten years and a fine of $100,000. For four grams or more but less than eight grams, the sentence would be at least 25 years and a fine of $500,000. If eight grams or more life and $750,000. 107,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2021 – most of them from fentanyl. In Alabama, high schools dealing with overdoses during the school day is becoming a real problem for teachers and administrators. New Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter told reporters during the organizational session in January that Simpson’s legislation will be a top priority for the House Republican Caucus this session. Expect early movement on this bill. Senate Bill 12 (SB12) would make Law Enforcement Memorial Day, which is celebrated on the first Friday in May of each year, a state holiday. The bill was sponsored by State Sen. Will Barfoot. State Rep. Russell Bedsole has introduced similar legislation in the House as HB5. House Bill 4 (HB4) would make it a felony for employers to have their employees microchipped. HB4 “would prohibit employers and certain other individuals from requiring another individual to be implanted with a microchip. This bill would also make a violation of this act a Class D felony.” HB4 is sponsored by State Rep. Prince Chestnut. House Bill 24 (HB24) would ban persons “from loitering on a public roadway or in the right-of-way of a public roadway.” HB24 is sponsored by Rep. Reed Ingram. The legislation would also ban fishing from bridges. House Bill 6 (HB6) is a parental rights bill sponsored by Rep. Kenneth Paschal. HB6 would “provide that the government may not burden certain fundamental rights of parents unless the burden is narrowly tailored to a compelling state interest.” The bill affirms that fit parents have a fundamental right “to direct the education, upbringing, care, custody, and control of their children.” State Rep. Ed Oliver has introduced a bill to ban the teaching of divisive concepts. That legislation is House Bill 7. “This bill would prohibit certain public entities, including state agencies, local boards of education, and public institutions of higher education, from promoting or endorsing, or requiring affirmation of, certain divisive concepts relating to race, sex, or religion.” Banned concepts would include: a. That any race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin is inherently superior or inferior. b. That individuals should be discriminated against or adversely treated solely because of their race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin. c. That the individual moral character of an individual is solely determined by his or her race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin. d. That solely by virtue of an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin, the individual is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or subconsciously. e. That individuals, by virtue of race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin, are inherently responsible for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin. f. That fault, blame, or bias should be assigned to a race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin, or to members of a race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin, solely on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin. g. That any individual should be asked to accept, acknowledge, affirm, or assent to a sense of guilt, complicity, or a need to apologize solely on the basis of his or her race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, or national origin. House Bill 14 (HB14) by Rep. Chris England would require that a death penalty sentence can only be applied when there is a unanimous vote of the jurors to impose the death penalty. Presently all it takes is a majority of the jurors. House Bill 12 (HB12), also sponsored by England, would make it a class A misdemeanor if a person carrying a concealed firearm fails to inform law enforcement upon request that he or she is in possession of a concealed pistol or firearm. This
Alabama Farmers Federation announces newest round of legislative endorsements
The Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA) announced its 11th slate of endorsements for candidates seeking election to the Alabama House of Representatives, Yellowhammer News reported. FarmPAC, ALFA’s political arm, helps determine who to endorse. ALFA is Alabama’s largest farm organization representing agricultural and associate members in all 67 Alabama counties. State reps. Phillip Pettus (R-Killen), Jeremy Gray (D-Opelika), and Prince Chestnut (D-Selma) are all incumbents now endorsed by FarmPAC. ALFA also announced its endorsement of Helena City councilwoman Leigh Hulsey for House District 15. “Rep. Pettus is a good public servant for our district,” commented Lauderdale County Farmers Federation president Joe Dickerson. “He cares about the needs of his constituents and represents them well in Montgomery.” Jamie Lazenby, Lee County Farmers Federation president, praised Gray’s work ethic. “Rep. Gray is a leader in the House of Representatives, and we appreciate his service to our district,” advised Lazenby. “He works hard to make sure our needs are represented in Montgomery.” Dallas County Farmers Federation president Jimmy Holliman commented, “Rep. Chestnut is a hard-working representative, and he does a fine job for us at home and in Montgomery representing our needs. We are honored to support his reelection bid.” John DeLoach, president of the Shelby County Farmers Federation, praised Hulsey’s leadership skills, stating, “Leigh Hulsey is a strong business leader who understands the needs of the people of this district. She is also a strong conservative who will work hard representing the needs of our district in the Legislature.”
Renaming Alabama bridge for John Lewis opposed in Selma
Some say renaming the Edmund Pettus Bridge for John Lewis, who died Friday, would dishonor local activists who spent years advocating for civil rights before Lewis arrived in town in the 1960s.
Push for greater equality: Adline Clarke proposes ‘gender pay gap’ bill
It’s a fact: women earn less than men. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, women who worked full-time, year-round in 2014 earned on average, 79% of men’s median annual earnings. That’s not sitting well with one Alabama lawmaker who’s hoping her gender pay gap legislation makes it across the finish line as the 2018 legislative session nears its close. HB368, sponsored by Mobile-Democrat State Rep. Adline Clarke, would prohibit employers from paying their employees less than the wage they would pay a member of the opposite sex for a similar job or responsibilities when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility, as specified. Alabama is one of only two states, along with Mississippi, without an equal pay law. “Nearly every state has a law prohibiting employers differently based solely on gender. I’m disappointed. I would have thought we would have passed a long long before now,” Clarke told AL.com “Timing is everything.” However, HB368, also known as the “Gender Pay Gap,” would not just make wage inequality illegal, but would also add several provisions to the law including: Requires an employer to affirmatively demonstrate that a wage differential is based upon one or more specified factors Prohibits an employer from discharging, or in any manner discriminating against. or retaliating against an employee for the enforcement of these provisions Provides for enforcement of the bill Provides that an employer may not prohibit an employee from disclosing the employee’s own wages, discussing the wages of others, inquiring about another employee’s wages, or aiding or encouraging any other employee to exercise his or her rights under these provisions And requires an employer to maintain a record of wages paid to his 15 or her employee for a certain amount of time. The proposal, filed on Feb. 1, is scheduled to appear before the Alabama House State Government Committee on March 21. Alexander City-Republican State Rep. Mark Tuggle, the committee’s chairman, hopes to have Clarke’s proposal on the committee agenda next week. The bill currently has 26 co-sponsors, both Republicans and Democrats: Autauga County-Democrat Kelvin Lawrence Mobile County-Democrat Barbara Drummond Barbour County-Democrat Barry Forte Perry County-Democrat Prince Chestnut Jefferson County-Democrat Rolanda Hollis Madison County-Democrat Anthony Daniels Jefferson County-Democrat Rod Scott Tallapoosa County-Democrat Pebblin Warren Choctaw County-Democrat Elaine Beech Madison County-Democrat Laura Hall Jefferson County-Democrat Merika Coleman Jefferson County-Democrat Mary Moore Mobile County-Democrat Napolean Bracy Blount County-Republican Connie Rowe Shelby County-Republican April Weaver Talladega County-Democrat Barbara Boyd Jefferson County-Democrat Juandalynn Givan Etowah County-Republican Becky Nordgren Morgan County-Republican Terri Collins Montgomery County-Democrat John F. Knight Montgomery County-Democrat Thad McClammy Tuscaloosa County-Democrat Artis McCampbell Mobile County-Democrat James Buskey Bibb County-Democrat Ralph Howard Lauderdale County-Democrat Marcel Black Houston County-Democrat Dexter Grimsley
