February 5, 2018 Group Watch: News & Views from the State House

• On Tuesday (7th day of session): The House worked late into the evening, passing several bills of local application only and general bills to require youth sports personnel to complete a youth injury mitigation course annually; to require transportation network companies to meet minimum requirements by the Public Services Commission; and a Senate-passed bill to bring the Alabama Family Trust Corporation in compliance with federal Social Security law. The Senate passed several bills of local application only, and general bills to require the Department of Revenue to employ auction companies to sell state land; sunset legislation to continue the State Pilotage Commission; to provide grants with a local match for educational programs for gifted/talented children; and to increase the penalties for human trafficking.
• On Wednesday (a committee day): The House Judiciary Committee approved bills to provide for the use of deadly force in churches in defense of self or others and to authorize police powers for Poarch Creek Indians. The House Ways and Means General Fund Committee approved bills for appropriations to Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Children First Trust Fund. The House County and Municipal Government Committee approved bills that further provide for municipalities who chose to have council-manager form of government. The House State Government Committee approved a bill to require the Department of Transportation to have competitive bidding on road projects in excess of $250,000. The Senate Education and Youth Affairs Committee approved bills to establish a revised school bus depreciation schedule and to provide a tax credit for private intrastate adoptions.
• On Thursday (8th day of session): The House passed a few bills of local application only and a significant general bill to provide for licensing of church based child care facilities with floor amendments. They also gave final approval to Senate-approved measures to continue the following agencies: Board of Home Medical Equipment, Sickle Cell Oversight and Regulatory Commission, State Board of Prosthetists and Orthotists, Surface Mining Commission and State Oil and Gas Board and Elevator Safety Review Board. The Senate passed several bills of local application only before adjournment.

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