This Information Pertains To The 2024 Alabama Legislative Session
HELPFUL LINKS:
- Find Your Legislators
- Watch Live-Stream AL Legislative Committee Meetings and Floor Debates
- Watch Archived Legislative Committee Meetings and Floor Debates
- View EFA’s 2024 Legislative Priorities
- Join our “2024 Club” to support our legislative efforts. (Donate $20.24/month)
WEEK 1 (Feb. 6-8)
Starting The Session Off With Prayer!
Thanks to ALCAP’s Greg Davis for hosting a time of prayer on Wednesday on the State House steps. Dozens of legislators joined citizens from all over the state who came to pray for and with our legislators. Thanks to all of the Eagles who showed up to support this important event. (A few pictured below)
Bills Introduced This Week
Ballot Harvesting Bill
BILL: SB1 SPONSOR: Sen. Gudger
DESCRIPTION: This bill would prohibit any person from ordering, requesting, collecting, prefilling, obtaining, or delivering an absentee ballot application or absentee ballot of a voter in certain circumstances and would provide for exceptions. This bill would prohibit any person from receiving a payment or providing a payment to another person for distributing, ordering, requesting, collecting, prefilling, completing, obtaining, or delivering an absentee ballot application or absentee ballot of a voter in certain circumstances.
STATUS: The bill passed out of Senate Government Affairs Committee and is headed to the Senate floor.
EF’S POSITION: We support this bill. EFA’s Executive Director testified in favor of the bill in committee.
Review K-12 Periodicals
BILL SB54 SPONSOR: Sen. Orr
DESCRIPTION: This bill would require the State Textbook Committee to review periodicals regularly used in public K-12 schools; and to authorize the State Board of Education to adopt rules.
STATUS: SB54 passed the full Senate and is headed to the House Ed Policy Committee.
EF’S POSITION: We support this bill.
School Transparency
BILL SB48 SPONSOR: Sen. Reed
DESCRIPTION: Relating to public preK-12 education; this bill would require the posting of classroom curricula on the website of the school; to permit parents or guardians of enrolled students, upon request, to request information on instructional and supplemental materials used in the classroom; and to provide a complaint process.
STATUS: SB48 passed the full Senate and is headed to the House Education Policy Committee.
EF’S POSITION: This is a good bill, but it has no enforcement mechanism. We support an amendment to remedy this problem otherwise the bill is just for show.
The CHOOSE Act (Universal Ed Saving Accts)
BILL SB61 SPONSOR: Sen. Orr
DESCRIPTION: Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students’ Education Act (CHOOSE Act) is a universal Education Savings Account bill. This bill would provide up to $7,000/student to attend an accredited, non-public, participating school or $2000/homeschooling student or $4,000/homeschooling family. Read the Governor’s 1 pager here.
STATUS: This bill was introduced and could be in Senate Education Policy Committee on Wednesday, although it is not listed yet.
EF’S POSITION: Since the bill doesn’t provide details of how the mechanics would work, it is hard to say how it will actually be run. We are seeking clarification before we take a position.
Comprehensive Gambling
BILL HB152 SPONSOR: Rep. Blackshear
DESCRIPTION: This bill would allow for at least TEN Class III Casinos, online sports betting and a statewide lottery.
EF’S POSITION: We adamantly oppose the expansion of gambling in Alabama. This bill would transform our state. Please watch The National Director of Stop Predatory Gambling Les Bernal discuss the facts about gambling and how it effects communities. This talk is based on truth and data and is very eye-opening. Alabama Policy Institute has an initial analysis of the bill here.
ACTION: Please make your voice heard by coming to the public hearing scheduled at 3:00Pm Tuesday, Feb. 13th in Room 200. (State House, 11 S. Union Street, Montgomery.) House members are getting bombarded by the gambling industry. Many legislators have asked us to tell you that they NEED to hear from you on this issue! Contact your member and urge a “NO” vote. Find your House member here.
