Casey Rogers, director of State Legislative Programs, for the Alabama Farmers Federation provides a summary of actions by the Alabama Legislature this week.
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Proposed Lottery Amendment Stalls In Senate |
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The Alabama Senate this week debated a statewide lottery and passed enabling legislation but delayed voting on the proposed constitutional amendment.
SB 319 by Sen. Jim McClendon, R-Springville, would put the question of a lottery before voters. The measure cleared procedural hurdles this week, but the sponsor postponed the final vote.
The Senate approved McClendon’s SB 320, which details how the lottery would be implemented and how proceeds would be used. Five amendments were added to the bill, including one raising the minimum age to buy a lottery ticket to 21.
Many lawmakers favor a comprehensive gambling bill, which could result in additional changes to SB 319.
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Medical Marijuana Bill Advances In House |
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The House Judiciary Committee this week approved a bill legalizing medical marijuana and referred it to the House Health Committee.
SB 46 by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, passed the Senate earlier this session. Alabama Farmers Federation continues working to ensure, if adopted, the law would require medical cannabis to be grown by Alabama farmers.
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Agricultural Lime Bill Passes House |
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Legislation requiring agricultural lime to be labeled with its effectiveness in neutralizing soil acidity passed the House of Representatives this week.
HB 11 by Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, passed 75-0. It now heads to the Senate, which unanimously approved the companion bill, SB 173 by Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Sheffield, in February.
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Federation Opposes Feral Hog Transport Bill |
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Alabama Farmers Federation opposes a bill introduced this week which would lift penalties associated with transporting and releasing feral swine. HB 599 by Rep. Brett Easterbrook, R-Fruitdale, would delete the prohibition, which currently is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a $2,500 fine.
Farmers are concerned the measure could exacerbate Alabama’s feral swine problem, as could proposed legislation to allow night hunting permits of wild hogs and coyotes. HB 458 by Rep. Danny Crawford, R-Athens, awaits a final vote in the Senate. The companion, SB 264 by Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, cleared the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee this week and awaits a final vote in the full House.
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Small Farm Winery Bill Passes House |
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A bill allowing small farm wineries to sell their products directly to retailers unanimously passed the Senate this week.
SB 294 by Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre, defines a small farm winery as one which produces fewer than 50,000 gallons of wine a year and uses at least 50% Alabama-grown fruit.
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Lifetime Concealed Carry Bill Heads To Governor |
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Legislation standardizing the process for issuing concealed carry firearms permits passed the House of Representatives this week and now heads to Gov. Kay Ivey.
SB 308 by Sen. Randy Price, R-Opelika, also adds a lifetime option for concealed carry permits and requires creation of a statewide database of individuals prohibited from carrying firearms.
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Open Schools Act Passes Senate Committee |
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A bill that would allow students to enroll in schools outside their designated districts passed a Senate committee this week.
SB 365 by Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, would require students to pay the enrolling school district an amount equal to the per-student share of net local tax revenue as determined annually by the State Department of Education. The measure would exempt schools from providing transportation or altering facilities to accommodate students from outside the district.
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FarmPAC Endorses Hulsey For House District 73 |
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Shelby County Farmers Federation and FarmPAC endorsed Leigh Hulsey in the special election for Alabama House of Representatives District 73.
Hulsey currently serves as President Pro Tempore of the Helena City Council. She has been a small business owner and operator of CrossFit Alabaster for 9 years.
Shelby County Farmers Federation President John DeLoach said Hulsey appreciates the challenges farmers face.
“Leigh Hulsey is a business leader who understands the needs of the people of this district,” he said. “She is a conservative who will work hard representing the needs of our district in the Legislature.”
Hulsey faces Kenneth Paschal in the Republican runoff April 27. The general election for the Republican-leaning district is set for July 13. The HD 73 was previously held by Rep. Matt Fridy, who was elected to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals.
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A Century of Service as the Voice of Alabama Agriculture |
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1949 After nearly a decade long battle, the Alabama Farm Bureau achieved one of its first hard fought victories — a gas tax rebate for farm tractor gasoline. Up to that point, farmers were forced to pay either a 6 cent tax per gallon for efficient highway gasoline or were relegated to use the less efficient farm gasoline at a low cost. The farm tractor gas rebate allowed farmers to purchase gas for their tractors free of the 6 cent tax, allowing them to purchase the more efficient gasoline at a lower cost. |
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Your Voice Is More Important Than Ever
With COVID-19 precautions limiting access to the State House for the public and Alabama Farmers Federation External Affairs team, it's vital members develop and maintain strong relationships with legislators in the district. Contact the External Affairs team (below) if you have questions or need assistance contacting your senator or representative.
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Capitol Connection | Alabama Farmers Federation | (334) 288-3900 | Alfafarmers.org
Questions?
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