Week 9 (Mar 10-12)
Week 9 was an especially busy and eventful week for Eagle Forum of Alabama. (To underscore that, view the news hits at the bottom of this post.) In addition to three legislative days at the State House, we took action on several fronts beyond the legislature. One Tuesday, we filed a federal lawsuit against the Tuscaloosa Public Library over unconstitutional religious discrimination, and on Thursday we testified before the Alabama State Board of Education regarding serious concerns about bias in the proposed social studies textbooks. Unfortunately, despite these concerns, the board voted to adopt the new textbooks, meaning they will likely remain in use in Alabama classrooms for at least the next six years.
Lawsuit Filed Against Tuscaloosa Public Library for Religious Discrimination
NEW BILLS THIS WEEK
Frenzy Over The PSC
HB475 (Rep. Butler)
DESCRIPTION: would also prohibit an electric utility from including costs incurred by the utility and related to giving grants, lobbying, or advertising for the utility from being included in the determination of a schedule for rates or service regulations.
STATUS: HB475 will be debated on the House floor, Tuesday, March 17th.
OUR POSITION: We support this bill as it provides transparency, prohibits non-utility costs from being factored into utility rates and it doesn’t not disrupt the current election process or duration of terms for the three statewide-elected commissioners.
SB360 (Sen. Chambliss)
DESCRIPTION: This bill would increase the number of public service commissioners from three to seven. The four new positions would be appointed by the Governor in July 2026 and not up for election (staggered) until 2028. The new elected term would be increased from four years to six years. The bill would prohibit an electric utility from including costs incurred by the utility and related to giving certain grants, lobbying, or advertising for the utility, other than advertising for public safety purposes approved by the commissioners, from being included in the determination of a schedule for rates or service regulations. This bill would create the position of Secretary of Energy to serve as the administrative director of the Public Service Commission. The Secretary of Energy would be a cabinet member and be appointed by the Governor.
STATUS: This bill was rushed from a Senate committee on Wednesday and then voted on and passed the Senate the next day. It is headed to the House.
OUR POSITION: We prefer HB475 over SB360.
Closed Primaries
HB541 (Rep. Yarbrough)
DESCRIPTION in a nutshell: This bill would allow an elector to register a political party affiliation. This bill would require an elector to be registered with a political party in order to vote that party’s ballot in a primary election or primary runoff election. The bill would prohibit an elector from switching his or her political party affiliation to another political party during a blackout period starting 60 says before a primary election.
STATUS: A public hearing was held on Wednesday, March 11 and the bill will be voted on in the same committee at 10:30 Tuesday, March 17th.
OUR POSITION: We support this bill.
Saying Good-Bye To Pennies
HB545 (Rep. Crow)
DESCRIPTION: This bill would authorize the rounding of the total amount of any in-person cash transaction to the nearest five cents.
STATUS: This bill passed out of House Financial Services and is headed to the House floor.
OUR POSITION: We support this bill.
Previous Bills That Moved This Week
SB41 (Sen. Kelley/Rep. Gidley) Relating to Elder Abuse: This bill would provide that any individual who is convicted of elder abuse or financial exploitation of an elderly person may not receive any benefits under the abused or exploited individual’s will or through intestate succession. CONGRATULATIONS! This bill passed both chambers and is awaiting the Governor’s signature.
SB209 (Sen Shelnutt) Sex Education Curriculum: Sexual Risk Avoidance established as sex ed curriculum, policies of local boards of education related to sex ed, parent or guardian notice of sex ed curriculum required. STATUS: A public hearing was held in House Education Policy committee. A vote will be taken in the same committee at 12:15 on Tuesday March 17th (Rm 601). If passed, it will head to the House floor.
HB511 (Rep. Ingram) Constitutional Amendment- Pledge/Prayer in school. STATUS: Passed the House floor and is headed to the Senate.
EFA In The News This Week
Mar. 10 (World Magazine) No library bookings for Alabama nonprofit
Mar. 11 (Alliance Defending Freedom) Eagle Forum of Alabama v. Tuscaloosa Public Library Board of Trustees
Mar. 11 (Alliance Defending Freedom) Tuscaloosa library closes its doors to Christian nonprofit
Mar. 11 (Alabama Gazette) Alliance Defending Freedom Files Lawsuit On Behalf Of Tuscaloosa’s Eagle Forum
Mar. 12 (Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc.) Alabama Christian Group Denied Library Space Files Suit
Mar. 12 (AL.com) Eagle Forum of Alabama sues Tuscaloosa library over meeting policy
Mar. 12 (Tuscaloosa Thread) Tuscaloosa Library, Governments Sued Over Alleged Discrimination
Mar. 12 (WVTM 13) Conservative Christian group files federal lawsuit against Tuscaloosa Public Library
Mar. 13 (Newsmax-Todd Starnes) Library Bans Christian Group From Using Room
Mar. 13 (AL Daily News) Alabama Board of Education approves social studies textbooks in 5-4 vote – Alabama Daily News
Mar. 13 (AL.com) Alabama approves new textbooks after teachers called outdated material ‘junk’
Mar. 13 (AL Reflector) Alabama State Board of Education approves new textbooks after months-long dispute
Mar. 13 (WBRC) Tuscaloosa Public Library, city faces federal religious discrimination lawsuit over meeting room policy
Mar. 15 (1819 News) Eagle Forum of Alabama sues Tuscaloosa Public Library Board for violations of First, 14th Amendments
Mar. 15 (Chattanooga Times Free Press) Alabama education board approves new textbooks after months-long dispute
