WEEK 5 (Mar4-6)
Governor's Bill to Strip Rule Making Authority from State Board of Veterans Affairs Passed
SB67, a bill that strips the State Board of Veterans Affairs (SBVA) of its rule-making authority, its ability to choose the Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and its direct oversight of the Commissioner was passed on March 6th.
The handling of this bill has been nothing short of disrespectful to Alabama veterans. For instance, veterans and the SBVA were given very little input before the bill was introduced. The Senate had less than 10 minutes to read a new 21-page substitute bill before voting. The sponsor did not allow any motions or amendments, nor did he permit a one-day delay of the vote even after fellow senators asked. The bill then moved to the House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, where Chairman Rep. Ed Oliver denied veterans a public hearing on the hastily passed Senate substitute.
SB67 has rendered the SBVA a toothless, powerless, board whose 80 year-long authority has been stripped away and given to one person who will be appointed solely by the Governor with no input or say from the SBVA.
Eagle Forum in the News this week regarding this bill:
REPS ARE BACK IN THEIR DISTRICTS THIS WEEK - THANK THEM FOR THEIR "NO" VOTE - CLICK BUTTON TO SEND MESSAGE
PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
BILL: SB166 / HB178 SPONSORS: Sen. Kelley/ Rep. Gidley
DESCRIPTION: This bill would require each local board of education and the governing body of each public institution of higher education to display the Ten Commandments and a context statement in a common area of each school under its jurisdiction.
STATUS: On Wednesday, the Senate Education Committee held a public hearing on SB166. A vote is planned during the next committee meeting.
OUR POSITION: We testified in support of this bill at the public hearing.
Eagle Forum in the news this week regarding this bill:
RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS FOR VACCINES
BILL: SB85 SPONSOR: Sen. Orr
DESCRIPTION: Under existing law, a student at a public K-12 school may be exempt from vaccination or testing requirements for religious or medical reasons. Existing law does not provide for vaccination or testing requirements for students at a public institution of higher education. This bill would specify that a parent or guardian’s written declaration is sufficient documentation to exempt his or her child from a vaccine requirement for religious reasons.
STATUS: The Senate Education Committee held a public hearing on SB85. A vote is expected at the next committee meeting.
OUR POSITION: We support this bill.
GOLD BILL PASSED THE SENATE ON TUESDAY
BILL: SB130 SPONSOR: Sen. Melson
DESCRIPTION: This bill would provide that refined gold and silver bullion, specie, or certain coins may be recognized as legal tender.
STATUS: SB130 passed the Senate and is waiting to be heard in the House Financial Services Committee.
OUR POSITION: We support this bill. See flyer here and more resources here.
VIEW STATUS OF BILLS WE'RE TRACKING
Click button to view bill list sorted by category. Click on a bill to see the sponsor, description and current status.
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