Week 8 (Mar 2-4)
Week 8 marks a pivotal moment in the legislative session, with only 10 legislative days remaining before the clock runs out. As the session enters its final stretch, the window for new legislation is rapidly closing, if bills have not been introduced yet, it is becoming increasingly unlikely they will have enough time to move through committee and pass both chambers before adjournment. Be sure to view our Legislative Progress Report below for an update on how our priority bills are advancing and where key battles still remain in the final days at the State House.
PROGRESS REPORT
NEW BILLS THIS WEEK
Article V Convention Selection of Delegates
HB443 (Rep. Oliver)
DESCRIPTION in a nutshell: This bill would establish a process for the appointment of commissioners (or delegates) and alternate commissioners to serve as Alabama’s delegation to an Article V Convention. And would establish qualifications for commissioners, provide for duties of commissioners, and provide for the recall and removal of commissioners.
STATUS: This bill was heard in House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections Committee and a public hearing was held. Ultimately the opposition prevailed and the bill was “carried over indefinitely”.
OUR POSITION: We testified in opposition at the public hearing during the House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections Committee. Read the three testimonies we read below:
- Iva Hendon
- Becky Gerritson
- Col John Eidsmoe (Read by Julia Cleland.)
Pledge & Prayer in School
HB511 (Rep. Ingram)
DESCRIPTION in a nutshell: This bill is a Constitutional Amendment allowing citizens to vote whether to require school boards to mandate daily reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance and time of prayer. (Student participation is voluntary.) Basically HB511 is the same bill as HB43 without the amendments that were adopted in Week 7.
STATUS: This week HB511 was introduced and debated (including a public hearing) in the House State Government Committee. During that meeting a substitute was adopted and was given a favorable report. It is now headed to the House floor. It is unclear which version, HB43 or the adopted substitute of HB511, will be picked for debate on the House floor.
Public Display of 10 Commandments
HB216 (Rep. Gidley)
DESCRIPTION: This bill would require each local board of education to display the Ten Commandments and a context statement in each history classroom serving students in fifth through twelfth grade and a common area of each school that serves only students in fifth grade or above.
STATUS: This bill passed out of House Education Committee and is headed to the House floor. (The Senate companion bill (SB99) is awaiting debate on the Senate floor.)
OUR POSITION: We support this bill.
Previous Bills That Moved This Week
HB347 (Rep. Harrison) : Bill would allow web developers or providers to be held civilly liable in certain cases involving illicit material and content generated by publicly accessible nudification apps. Passed the House is headed to the Senate.
HB183 (Rep. DuBose) Bill allows homeschoolers to attend public school career tech programs in some instances. Passed the full House and the Senate Education Budget Committee and is headed to the Senate floor.
HB43 (Rep. Ingram) This bill proposes a Constitutional Amendment allowing citizens to vote whether to require school boards to mandate daily reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance and a time of prayer. (Student participation is voluntary.) It passed out of House Education Committee and is headed to the House floor. It is unclear which version, HB43 or the adopted substitute of HB511, will be picked for debate on the House floor.
