SB 45 by Sen. Cam Ward (R-Alabaster) was “carried over at the call of the chair” on Thursday, as there were some issues that the bill’s sponsor wanted to get worked out before pushing for final passage. The good news is that the Budget Isolation Resolution, or “BIR” passed, so once terms have been satisfied by the interested parties, this bill should come up for a vote and final passage is likely. 

HB 140 sponsored by Rep. Allen Baker (R – Brewton) was passed by the Senate on Thursday by a 26-2 vote, and now goes to Governor Ivey for her signature. This bill is a signature win for Manufacture Alabama and its members. 

Senate Bill 172, by Senator Arthur Orr (R—Decatur) passed the Senate by a 30-0 vote, and now heads to the House for debate. This bill sets a statewide standard for how much cities and counties can charge phone companies and others for access to deploy the new “fifth generation” cellular technology. Clearing up these issues is critical for the eventual deployment of 5G throughout the state – an infrastructure that seeks to revolutionize the “internet of things” and connected device usage. 

Tuesday March 3 was Primary Election Day in Alabama. In the race for the Republican nomination to take on Senator Doug Jones (D-Birmingham), former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville (R—Florida) lead former US Senator Jeff Sessions (R—Mobile) by 2% -- setting up a runoff. 

In Congressional District 1, Mobile County Commissioner Jerry Carl and former State Senator Bill Hightower were virtually tied, and head to a runoff. 

In Congressional District 2, Jeff Coleman (R—Dothan) held a commanding lead over former State Representative Barry Moore (R—Enterprise) who made a big leap in the final week of the race to make the runoff