May 8, 2017 Group Watch: News & Views from the State House
The Alabama Legislature returned to work on Tuesday, May 2 for the 22nd day of the session. Here are a few highlights of what was accomplished.
- On Tuesday (22nd day of session): The House passed general bills to establish the Alabama Space Authority within the Department of Economic and Community Affairs, to authorize municipalities to rehire retired law enforcement officers and firefighters under certain circumstances and to exempt from state sales and use tax the sale of photographs and commissioned portraits. The Senate passed House-passed bills to authorize the rehire of retired public safety officers in Jefferson County under certain conditions and to revise and create forest products severance and manufacturers tax on wood residue used in conjunction with forest products manufacturing processes. They also passed general bills to allow for the payment of awards in condemnation proceedings under certain circumstances and to expand the adjusted gross income range for maximum standard deductions.
- On Wednesday (a committee day and the 23rd day of session): The House Judiciary Committee approved Senate-passed bills to permit capital defendants to choose a firing squad and to clarify the process of hearings and service process requirements in domestic violence cases. The House Jefferson County Legislation Committee approved Senate-passed bills governing the salary of the Birmingham City Council and to further the boundaries of authority to operate Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee approved a House-passed General Fund Budget with amendment and the Children First Trust Fund budget. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved a House-passed childcare facilities licensing bill with amendment. The House passed the Senate-passed appropriation bills for the Education Trust Fund, Lyman Ward Military Academy, Tuskegee University and Talladega College. The Senate passed a number of bills of local application only before adjourning for the day.
- On Thursday (24th day of session): The House passed a general bill to further define the practice of Marriage and Family Therapy practitioners and a Senate-passed bill to further define the boundaries of authority to operate the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The Senate passed the House-passed appropriation bills for General Fund Agencies and the Children First Trust Fund.
