Friday Five: May 19 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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On Thursday, the House unanimously passed HB117, sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville). This legislation would increase the state income tax exemption for citizens 65 and older. The original exemption was passed in April of 2022 and exempted the first $6,000 in income from defined contribution retirement plans. The new proposal, if passed in the Senate and signed into law, will increase that amount to $10,000. A similar bill, SB49, is still under consideration in the Senate.
Read more: Alabama House passes bill to increase tax exemption for 65 and older (AL.com)
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A pair of bills aimed at improving crisis care and mental health resources made movement in the Alabama legislature this week. HB389 from Rep. Rex Reynolds (R–Huntsville) and SB328 from Sen. Garlan Gudger (R–Cullman) both received consideration in their respective committees. HB389 was delayed in committee, while SB328 passed the Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee on Wednesday evening. The legislation would add a $.98 per month fee to phone bills to provide funding for 24/7 crisis care and a 988 network. 988 is designed to act as a “911 for public safety emergencies,” and it was signed into national law by President Trump in 2020. Opponents of the fee from the telecom industry argued against what they consider one of, if not, the highest tax in the country. The House bill will continue in negotiations that have been ongoing for months, while the Senate bill goes to the full Senate for consideration.
Read more: Crisis care, 988 funding bill advances in Senate, work continuing in House (Alabama Daily News)
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A contentious bill that allows for tax credits for voluntary donations to certain pregnancy resource centers passed the House this week. HB208, sponsored by Rep. Jamie Kiel (R-Russellville), drew heavy criticism from House Democrats, particularly Rep. Barbara Drummond (D-Mobile), who told Kiel, “We are strong women in this body, but yet you stand here with the bill that deals with pregnancy.” The bill passed the House 76-26. Pregnancy centers offer services to mothers who have low-income, no support or lack other adequate resources to bring pregnancies to term. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Read More: Pregnancy Resource Act advances, would give tax credits to those who donate to centers (WHNT)
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Alabama State Senators passed a bill to combat what Republicans call “left-wing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies.” SB261 from Sen. Dan Roberts (R-Mountain Brook) requires companies contracting with the State government to provide documentation that they will not refuse to work with “timber, mining, fossil fuel and firearm industries,” and that they will not initiate boycotts over climate issues, transgender care and abortion access in Alabama. The bill passed the Senate along party lines, with a vote of 27-8. “If we are about free enterprise, let’s open up the doors,” said Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro).
Read More: Alabama Senate approves anti-ESG investment legislation (Alabama Daily News)
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HB38, sponsored by Rep. Jim Hill (R-Odenville), creates an amendment to 2016 legislation that allowed for presumptive sentencing guidelines for nonviolent felonies. Under this amendment, those guidelines can be dropped if the defendant decides to go forward with a trial. According to Alabama Political Reporter, since the initial legislation passed in 2016, fewer than one percent of criminal cases in Alabama ever make it to the trial stage. Hill supports the legislation because it “gives the discretion back to the judge.” The bill passed the Judiciary Committee without discussion and now goes to the full House.
Read More: Bill eliminating presumptive sentencing guidelines following trial advances (Alabama Political Reporter)
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.