May 1, 2023 Group Watch: Grocery Tax Cut Supported By Full Senate

All members of the Alabama Senate have signed onto a proposal to cut the grocery tax in half this year, with a full cut on the way. The fact that all 35 Senators have signed on as co-sponsors makes the bill by Sen. Andrew Jones the frontrunner. Alabama has a sales tax rate of 4 percent, and some local jurisdictions impose an additional sales tax of up to 7 percent, making the total sales tax rate in certain parts of the state as high as 11 percent. The bill would begin phasing out the state sales and use tax on food September 1. Jones’ bill comes at a time the state has record budget surpluses and the highest employment rate in the history of the state. The bill does not require any offsetting tax increases, and is estimated to cut taxes by $304 million.

May 1, 2023 Group Watch: Bill Filed to Ban CCP Ownership of AL Land

House majority leader Scott Stadthagen (R-Hartselle) filed The Alabama Property Protection Act last week. The legislation would ban China from buying and owning Alabama land, protecting both the state’s agricultural resources but also the multiple military bases and sites within the state. The bill is similar to legislation being spearheaded by Senator Katie Britt at the federal level. Read more here.

April 24, 2023 Group Watch: News & Views from the State House

Alabama businesses had a great week in the Alabama legislature. Governor Ivey’s four-bill economic development package achieved final passage and was signed into law, which means the priority item on this session’s agenda can be checked “done.” 

Alabama Senator Katie Britt also enjoyed a stellar week thanks to the result of a recent poll showing her to be the most popular Republican freshman senator. She’s a productive senator too: Britt has already authored and /or sponsored more than 60 pieces of legislation.

And, the transgender issue continues to get attention this session. The House easily passed a bill to ban transgender athletes from participating in collegiate sports. 

Read more on these topics and other #alpolitics happenings below.

The House and Senate will reconvene on Tuesday, April 25 
at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. respectively.

April 24, 2023 Group Watch: Tweet of the Week

@thebloomgroup
April 23
Congratulations to our Bloom Group seniors, Walton Norrell and Breland Burnham.

April 24, 2023 Group Watch: Day-by-Day, Play-by-Play

On Tuesday (11th day of regular session): 

• The Senate County and Municipal Government Committee approved bills to further provide for the disposition of unclaimed funds held in a county treasury after being held for a certain number of years and to further specify that the definition of gross receipts does not include and excise tax imposed by the federal, state and local governments. 
• The House approved several bills of local application only and general bills to change the school grading system designation of a failing school to the lowest sixth percent school; expand the membership of the Alabama Job Creation and Military Stability Commission; to require a child to successfully complete kindergarten before being admitted to the first grade; and further provide for appointed attorney’s compensation in a commitment proceeding. 
• The Senate approved several bills of local application only and a number of House-passed sunset bills to continue the operations of boards and commissions.

On Wednesday (12th day of regular session):

• The House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee approved a bill to extend professional license reciprocity to spouses of United States Department of Defense civil servants. 
• The House Health Committee approved a Senate-passed bill to provide that the term “health care provider” as used in the Alabama Medical Liability Act of 1987 would include emergency medical services personnel. 
• The House Education Policy Committee approved two Senate-passed bills to provide and adopt the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact to allow licensed teachers to practice among compact states; and to require local boards of education to install, maintain and operate video cameras in certain self-contained classrooms. 
• The House Ways and Means Education Committee approved Senate-passed bills to authorize the State Industrial Development Authority to make site assessment grants and site development grants to certain companies and to require the Department of Commerce to publish certain information regarding economic development incentives awarded under the Alabama Jobs Act.
• The House Ways and Means General Fund Committee approved the General Fund budget for fiscal year 2024 and a supplemental appropriation for several agencies for the 2023 fiscal year. It also approved a bill to revise the circumstances under which the Alabama Medicaid Agency may revise the ceiling for the Medicaid reimbursement rate to nursing facilities during a given fiscal year. 
• The Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee approved House-passed bills to extend the Alabama Jobs Act sunset date to July 31,2028 and to increase the annualized cap on outstanding Alabama Jobs Act incentives by $25 million each year for five years up to $475 million; and to provide for a name change for the Alabama Innovation Corporation and revise the residency requirements for certain grant recipients. 
• The Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee approved a House-passed bill to require the Department of Commerce to publish certain information regarding economic development incentives awarded under the Alabama Jobs Act. 
• The Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill to increase the compensation for an attorney appointed to serve as guardian ad litem in certain juvenile cases. 

On Thursday (13^th day of of regular session):

• The House passed a large number of bills of local application only and general bills to create the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act requiring the State Board of Education to adopt guidelines and training for staff regarding sudden cardiac arrest.
• The Senate passed bills to authorize the State Industrial Development Authority to make site assessment grants and site development grants to certain companies and to require the Department of Commerce to publish certain information regarding economic development incentives awarded under the Alabama Jobs Act.

April 24, 2023 Group Watch: Economic “Game Plan” Put Into Play By Legislature, Ivey

All four components of the landmark renewal and expansion of Alabama’s economic incentives program passed the Alabama Legislature last week. This marks a key victory for Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, and she wasted no time signing it into law (on a football, no less) and commending the legislature for its work passing the package. (Read the governor’s full statement, here.) 

The core renewal bill strengthens Alabama’s focus on site development by transferring tech accelerators and support for underrepresented businesses to Innovate Alabama and encouraging development of new shovel-ready sites. The other components are poised to be an advantage for Alabama’s ability to recruit companies and create jobs.

The bills had broad approval, including the support of Alabama Big 10 Mayors, who collectively praised their final passage. The Gulf United Metro Business Organization (GUMBO), a coalition of local business leaders, also expressed excitement, noting how essential these laws will be to boost to tourism and travel in the state.

April 23, 2023 Group Watch: House Passes High School Financial Literacy Requirement

The Alabama House passed a bill that would send high school graduates into the real world with a deeper understanding of financial literacy and personal money management. The bill, if approved by the Senate, would implement the standards in ninth-grade classrooms during the 2024-2025 school year. The legislation in its current form specifies the State Board of Education would require high school students to complete a course in personal financial literacy and take an examination before graduating. 

April 24, 2023 Group Watch: House Bill Bans Transgender Athletes From College Sports

A group of 40 Republican lawmakers sponsored a bill to require collegiate athletes to compete on teams based on their gender on their birth certificates. The bill passed 83-5 with 14 members abstaining. In 2021, Alabama lawmakers passed a categorical ban on transgender athletes participating in sports at the K-12 level.

April 24, 2023 Group Watch: Katie Britt Among Most Popular Senators

According to a recent poll, Senator Katie Britt is the most popular GOP senator among the freshman class, with the widest margin between her approvals and disapprovals. Britt maintains the lowest disapproval rating of any member of the Senate overall. Britt has authored and /or sponsored more than 60 pieces of legislation so far. She also holds key committee assignments, including Appropriations and Rules.

April 23, 2023 Group Watch: Senator Scofield Honored as “Guardian of Small Business”

State Senator Clay Schofield received the Guardian of the Small Business Award highlighting his work to expand broadband connectivity. Rosemary Elebash, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, described Senator Schofield as a strong advocate for small business who took the lead in working to expand broadband in rural Alabama. The award is given to legislators for their effort in aiding small business. The Senator has a 100-percent NFIB voting record since being elected in 2010.