February 28, 2022 Group Watch: Legislature Day-by-Day, Play-by-Play

• The House considered and passed three of the most fiercely debated bills of the session thus far: bills to repeal the state’s requirement for a permit to carry a concealed handgun; to create a new definition of a riot and provide tougher penalties, including mandatory jail time; and to require Alabama public school students to use restrooms and locker rooms designated for the sex shown on their birth certificates.
• The Senate made quick work of its calendar, passing bills to provide one-time longevity bonuses for retired teachers and retired state and local government employees; and to delay the implementation of the Literacy Act to the 2023-24 school year.

• The House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee approved several bills to aid military service persons and their families, including bills to establish a program of advanced enrollment for children of military families and to revise requirements for occupational licensing boards to adopt rules that provide for reciprocal occupational licenses for military spouses under certain circumstances.
• The House Ways and Means Education Committee approved several bills, including a measure to require local boards of education to provide feminine hygiene products in women’s bathrooms of certain schools at no cost to students.
• The House Judiciary Committee approved several bills, including bills to establish a registry for individuals who have committed certain acts of abuse against elders and adults in need of protective services and to prohibit state or local law enforcement from using artificial intelligence and facial recognition to engage in surveillance with certain exceptions.
• The House passed two general bills to require a child successfully complete kindergarten before being admitted to the first grade and to further provide for the duties and membership of the Literacy Task Force.
• The Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee approved a number of bills, including bills to extend privilege assessments for hospitals and nursing homes through August 2025; to provide a four-percent pay raise for state workers; and the General Fund budget for FY23.
• The Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee approved a couple of bills, including a bill to further provide for approval of solid waste management sites by local governing bodies.
• The Senate Education Policy Committee approved a House-passed bill to authorize Board of Trustees of the University of West Alabama to hold certain meeting by audio/video conference under certain conditions.
• The Senate passed three of six bills on a Special-Order Calendar, including a bill to increase the membership of the Armory Commission; to further define the sales and use tax exemption for bullion; and to prohibit certain medical procedures for minors who intend to alter gender appearance and provide criminal penalties for violations.

• The House quickly completed work on a six-bill special order calendar containing measures to assist military members and their families in service to the country. They recessed late morning for a joint session to honor those serving or who have served in the military as a part of Military Appreciation Day. Following the recess, the House passed a number of bills of local application only and non-controversial bills including one that would extend the ability to create a first-time and second-chance home buyer savings account.
• The Senate passed the General Fund budget for FY23 and other accompanying bills, including a pay increase for active state employees.

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