Friday Five: April 5, 2024
The Alabama Legislature is in session, and Peritus PR is back with our fan-favorite #FridayFive legislative highlights series.
Every Friday, we’ll delve into the legislative “specials” of the week to help you digest the issues legislators have been chewing on at the Alabama State House. Grab your fork and knife, and dig into some of the bills that were introduced, debated, passed, failed or signed this week.
If you’re hungry for more, get the full course with our 2024 Alabama Legislative Guide.
THIS WEEK’S FRIDAY FIVE
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A bill proposed in the House aims to redefine "material harmful to minors" under the Alabama Anti-Obscenity Enforcement Act, potentially implicating librarians who provide such materials to minors. The new definition would restrict materials that “knowingly exposes minors to persons who are dressed in sexually revealing, exaggerated, or provocative clothing or costumes, or are stripping, or engaged in lewd or lascivious dancing, presentations, or activities in K-12 public schools, public libraries, and other public places where minors are expected and are known to be present without parental consent.” Critics argue the bill is overly vague and could infringe on free speech, with concerns particularly raised about its impact on LGBTQ literature. Despite opposition from various groups, the bill has garnered significant support in the legislature.
Read more: House committee advances bill to criminalize librarians (Alabama Political Reporter)
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A bill has advanced in the Senate that would establish statewide disciplinary standards for K-12 public schools, including rules for student removal from classrooms. SB157 addresses the process for allowing teachers to remove unruly students from class. The bill intends to provide a minimum standard across all school systems, although concerns have been raised regarding exemptions for students with special needs.
Read more: Alabama Senate approves bill establishing student exclusion policies (Alabama Reflector)
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Alabama lawmakers took action on proposed lottery and gambling legislation after a four-week hiatus, with the House of Representatives voting not to concur with the Senate's version passed on March 7. The bills will now head to a conference committee comprised of three representatives and three senators to reconcile differences and potentially secure approval from both chambers. If successful, voters will decide via constitutional amendment ballot measure, with both House and Senate plans emphasizing a gambling commission's regulation and a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
Read more: Alabama House sends lottery, gambling bill to conference committee to seek compromise (AL.com)
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An Alabama Senate committee approved SB231, which would withhold economic incentives from companies not holding secret ballots in union elections. The bill, passed on an 11-3 party-line vote, aims to prevent coercion from both companies and unions during elections. While proponents argue for fairness and prevention of intimidation, opponents fear the bill will harm workers' rights and potentially lead to job losses. The bill will now proceed to the full Senate.
Read more: Alabama Senate committee OKs bill that could punish voluntary union recognitions (Alabama Reflector)
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The Senate Judiciary Committee approved SB240, allowing probate judges to consider substance abuse disorders alongside mental illness for involuntary commitments, a factor not addressed in current law. The bill requires co-occurring substance abuse and mental health issues for consideration, addressing concerns raised by the Association of County Commissions of Alabama and probate judges. Additionally, the bill facilitates the transfer of commitment orders between counties, aiming to expedite treatment for individuals in mental health crises, although concerns about the current shortage of commitment beds were also raised during the debate.
Read more: Legislative briefs (Alabama Daily News)
OUR PUBLISHED BY PERITUS TAKEAWAY
Like curating your perfect plate at Nana’s Thanksgiving, we all have the right to saddle up to the table with our idea of what’s right for Alabama. With this legislative menu in hand, it’s time to decide what is going to hit the spot for our communities, our organizations and our lives.
Our team has brewed the perfect pairing with our #ALPolitics Guide, helping you identify and contact the representatives serving as head chefs in your communities’ kitchens, explore media resources to keep you informed throughout the session and bridge the gap between policymakers and your community’s table.
Whet your appetite for a better Alabama — we will see ya here next Friday!
At Peritus Public Relations, we know you want to make an impact. To do that you need confidence and clarity to take action. Tell us what’s keeping you up at night and stop letting fear of a misstep get in the way of driving your mission forward. We believe you deserve to get it right. For over a decade, organizations like yours have trusted us to navigate the best path forward.
Peritus specializes in issue advocacy, stakeholder engagement, government affairs and strategic consulting. Let’s connect if you want to learn more about how state policy affects your mission and bottom line.
Check out the 2024 Peritus PR Alabama Legislative Guide here.