Friday Five: April 28, 2023
The Alabama Legislature is in session, and Peritus PR is back with our fan-favorite #FridayFive legislative highlights series.
At the end of each week, we’ll take a pit stop to help make sense of the bills that were introduced, debated, passed, failed or signed at the Alabama State House.
If you missed our 2023 Alabama Legislative Guide, start there.
THIS WEEK’S FRIDAY FIVE
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Alabama is one of 13 states that tax groceries. A bipartisan bill co-sponsored by all 35 senators would incrementally reduce the state’s grocery tax rate from 4% to 2% by 2026. SB257, primarily sponsored by Sen. Andrew Jones (R-Centre), is the most favorable of three grocery tax bills that have been introduced during this session. While lawmakers on both sides of the aisle agree about reducing the grocery tax, there remains debate about revenue replacement and which foods qualify for the reduction.
Read More: New Alabama grocery tax reduction bill would cut state rate to 2% (Alabama Reflector)
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The House unanimously passed the largest General Fund budget in state history at $3 billion, about a 6% increase compared to FY23. According to reporting by Alabama Daily News, areas that saw significant increases include law enforcement and corrections, mental and public health, and environmental management. You may be wondering, “what about education?” Well, in Alabama, education has an entirely separate budget.
Read more: House approves record-high $3 billion budget (Alabama Daily News)
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SB154, a bill that would slow drivers license suspensions in cases of non-dangerous traffic violations, unanimously passed the Senate. According to research by Alabama Appleseed, nearly 170,000 drivers licenses in Alabama are suspended because of missed payments. Less than 9,000 licenses are suspended for dangerous driving. “All court cost fines have to be paid it’s just that we give a little grace when it comes to a post-adjudication review if somebody misses that,” said the bill’s sponsor, Sen. William Barfoot (R-Pike Road).
Read More: Bill to end debt-based suspension of driver’s license passes Senate (Alabama Political Reporter)
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A bill aimed at bolstering Alabama’s physician workforce passed the House. The Physician Workforce Act would establish measures to address the state’s doctor shortage by attracting out-of-state physicians to relocate here. According to Dr. Mark LeQuire, a Montgomery area radiologist, “The shortage of physicians in Alabama is a critical issue that affects the health and well-being of every community … Long term, the state needs to train more physicians in Alabama residency programs and then convince them to stay, but the Physician Workforce Act is an important first step.”
Read More: “Alabama Needs More Doctors”: House passes Physician Workforce Act (Alabama Political Reporter)
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In an 88-11 vote, the House passed a bill that would extend the potential for a manslaughter charge in cases of death by drug overdose. Rep. Chris Pringle (R-Mobile), the bill’s sponsor, said, “What this bill says is if you are selling a controlled substance – oxycodone or any narcotic – and you are not a doctor or a pharmacist and you kill somebody, you can be charged with manslaughter.” HB82 was hotly contested by Democrats including Rep. Chris England (D-Tuscaloosa) who said, “The practical implication of what your bill will do is incarcerate more people addicted to substances, and also make it less likely that that person seeks help when they need it the most.”
Read More: Drug overdose manslaughter bill passes House (Alabama Daily News)
OUR PUBLISHED BY PERITUS TAKEAWAY
State public policy shapes our communities, our organizations and our lives. In return, we all have the right and privilege to shape public policy. The driver’s seat has your name on it.
We know life gets in the way, and there are a number of roadblocks to following the legislative session. That’s why Peritus’ public affairs team created a handy-dandy #ALPolitics Guide with all the tools you need to identify and contact your local representatives, explore media resources to keep you informed throughout the session and bridge the gap between policymakers and your community. If you’re reading this, you’re off to a good start.
See ya next Friday!
Check out the 2023 Peritus PR Alabama Legislative Guide here.