This Information Pertains To The 2024 Alabama Legislative Session
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- View EFA’s 2024 Legislative Priorities
WEEK 11 (April 30-May 2)
Gambling Update
Week 11 was a busy one, to include the Senate staying until almost midnight on Tuesday to vote on whether to concur with the conference committee version of HB151 the proposed constitutional amendment on gambling. It failed by 1 vote. But then strangely was ‘carried over” meaning they could bring it back up. We cannot find this move in the written rules and would not be surprised if this is challenged soon should the bill eventually pass. Carrying the bill over gives pro-gambling interests more time to try to flip one or more of the “NO” votes if the bill is brought back up for a second vote. Thank Senators who voted “NO” and ask them to stand strong. Use our easy smartlink button below.
GAMBLING DYING A SLOW DEATH?
Many in the public don’t realize that the 2 bills that came out of the conference committee were not “lottery only” bills. Rather, they rewarded the 7 illegal gambling operations across the state and gave them authority to have electronic gaming. Electronic gaming is Class III gaming and is NOT the same as Historical Horse Racing (HHR) machines and bingo machines. Electronic table games include games like sportsbook, roulette, keno, poker, craps, slots, and blackjack but without a dealer. Some refer to this as “dealer-less casinos”.
The Republican Senators’ appetite to pass gambling is waning. Most have stated they do not want it to come up again and some have indicated that to leadership. However, there were some new faces on the 7th floor (the Senate hall) this week talking to some of the senators who voted “NO”. Gov. Ivey wants to legalize predatory gambling. Even Donald Trump Jr. weighed in on X (formerly Twitter). Please encourage the senators who voted “NO” to stand strong by using the button below.
BILLS HEADED TO THE GOVERNOR
SB186 Sen. Orr-Prohibit Ranked Choice Voting. We support this bill.
HOPES FOR FINAL WEEK
Next week appears to be the last week of session. We expect legislators to be voting on bills Tuesday-Thursday and to end the session (Sine Die) on Thursday.
PROTECT MINORS FROM ACCIDENTAL PORN ON CELL PHONE/TABLET
HB167 Rep. Sells-Requires that new cell phones or tablets that are activated in Alabama, have their explicit content (porn filter) app toggled to “on”.
STATUS: It passed the House and is ready to be voted on the Senate floor.
NOTES: This is not a silver bullet and doesn’t ensure 100% protection, but it is a very important, common-sense step to stop accidental exposure to porn for young children. See flyer.
ACTION: Use our easy smartlink to send a message to your senator asking him/her to vote “YES”.
PROTECT STUDENTS FROM INAPPROPRIATE SEX ED PROGRAMS
HB195 Rep. Dubose-Ensures healthy sex ed programs are used rather than Comprehensive Sex Ed (CSE) programs like this that contain inappropriate graphic sexual grooming methods. Learn how and why to protect your child from CSE here.
STATUS: We support this bill. It passed the House and is awaiting a vote on the Senate floor.
ACTION: Please use our smartlink to contact your House member and ask him/her to vote “YES” on HB195 to protect students from inappropriate sex ed programs.
AMENDING AL ANTI-OBSCENITY LAW
HB385 Rep. Mooney-This bill updates the AL Anti-Obscenity Law (1989) to include harmful to minors material.
STATUS: We support this bill. It passed the House and is ready to be voted on the Senate floor.
SEX-BASED TERMS DEFINED IN LAW
HB111 Rep. DuBose-Sex based terms defined in law
STATUS: We support this bill. It passed the House and is ready to be voted on the Senate floor.
OFF-LABEL PRESCRIPTIONS
SB72 Sen. Orr-Doctor can prescribe off-label use of medication without repercussions.
STATUS: We support this bill. It passed the House and is awaiting a vote on the House floor.
GENDER-IDENITY DISCUSSIONS IN SCHOOLS
HB130 Rep. Butler-No teacher-led discussion on gender identity K-8
STATUS: We support this bill. It passed the House and is ready to be voted on the Senate floor.
GOLD/SILVER
SB297 Sen. Melson-Gold/precious metals not taxed
STATUS: We support this bill. It passed Senate and is awaiting House floor vote.
VACCINE PERMISSIONS
HB165 Rep. Brown-Parental permission for vaccines
STATUS: We support this bill. It passed the House and is awaiting action in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
SUPPORT DEFUNDING THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
HJR113 Resolution to show support for defunding the World Health Organization at the federal level
STATUS: We support this resolution. It passed the House and could be passed on the Senate floor before the session is over.
ELECTIONS
HB259 Rep. Wood-Post-election audit to ensure machines are working properly.
STATUS: We support this bill. It passed the House and is awaiting a Senate floor vote.
DIVESTING IN CHINA
SB251 Sen. Jones-Prohibits investments with certain enemy countries
STATUS: We support this bill. It passed the Senate and is waiting to be heard in House Ways and Means Committee.
NATIONAL ANTHEM
SB2 Sen. Allen-Constitutional Amendment to mandate first verse of National Anthem played once a week at public schools
STATUS: We support this bill. It is awaiting Senate floor vote.
A FEW PICS FROM THE WEEK
We had Eagle Forum members at the State house all week working on bills, testifying in committees, and even attedning two National Day of Prayer events.
We Are Your Voice at the State House
While you are working hard to provide for and care for your families, we are working for YOU!
