May 6, 2024 Group Watch: Day-by-Day, Play-by-Play
Tuesday, 26th day:
- The House Economic Development and Tourism Committee approved a Senate-passed bill to provide for the establishment of research and development corridors to support economic development activities using state, federal and other public support.
- The House Ways and Means General Fund Committee approved bills to authorize the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to facilitate and coordinate the development, improvement, maintenance, and construction of inland ports and transfer facilities within the state; to provide for a cost-of-living increase for state employees; and passed the General Fund Budget for the support and operation of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government and for non-state agencies such as the Coalition for Domestic Violence.
- The Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee approved the Education Trust Fund budget for the support, maintenance and development of public education to include K-12, Community College System and four-year colleges and universities; to provide for a salary increase for K-12 education employees; a supplemental appropriation to the Advancement and Technology Fund for the current fiscal year; appropriations to non-state institutions such as Talladega College and Tuskegee University; and to create the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences in Demopolis, Alabama.
- The Senate saw a large number of sunset bills clear their final hurdle, including the continuation of the Alabama Real Estate Commission, the Alabama Onsite Wastewater Board and the Department of Insurance. It also passed a bill to abolish The Department of Public Health and the State Board of Health and transfer its duties to the State Committee of Public Health.
Wednesday, a committee day:
- The House Education Policy Committee approved Senate-passed bills to establish a School Security Program for public K-12 schools; to further provide for schools in Class 1 municipalities under the Alabama Accountability Act; and to authorize school chaplains for K-12 public schools.
- The House Ways and Means Education Committee approved Senate-passed bills to further provide for companies under the Alabama Jobs Act; to provide tax considerations of Precious Metal Bullion in Alabama; and to authorize certain state matching capital loans under the Alabama Rural, Agribusiness and Opportunity Zone act, subject to appropriation.
- The Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee approved bills to provide for a benefit adjustment for certain retirees of the Employees and Teachers Retirement Systems; to provide for certain entities to qualify for tax credits under the federal New Markets Tax Credit program; to provide for a sale and use tax exemption for certain infant and feminine hygiene products; and to establish the Alabama Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act.
Thursday, 27th day:
- The House passed the General Fund budget providing for the ordinary expenses of the executive legislative and judicial branches of government and bills to revise the date for submissions to qualify to be on the ballot for the 2024 general election and to increase the civil and criminal penalties for employers who violate child labor laws.
- The Senate passed the Education Trust Fund budget and supplemental appropriations for certain agencies for the current fiscal year; the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences Bill; appropriations for certain non-state entities such as the Southern Preparatory Academy, Talladega College and Tuskegee University; and a teacher pay raise for K-12 public school employees.
