Senate Remains Silent on Gambling Legislation | |
|
The Alabama Senate did not address the Alabama House of Representatives' decision to non-concur and go to conference committee on Senate-passed versions of gambling legislation this week. If the Senate appoints members to a conference committee, the joint group could begin working on a compromise of the House- and Senate-passed versions as early as next week.
Senate versions of HB 151 and 152 by Chris Blackshear, R-Phenix City, would expand gambling in Alabama by providing for a state-run lottery, the establishment of a gaming enforcement division and licensing existing gambling establishments operating under local constitutional amendments. The bills passed the Senate March 7. House versions, which passed Feb. 15, included sports betting and up to 10 Las Vegas-style casinos.
Alabama Farmers Federation policy opposes legalizing gambling in all forms.
House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, appointed Reps. Blackshear; Sam Jones, D-Mobile; and Andy Whitt, R-Ardmore; to a conference committee last week. If the Senate follows suit in appointing conferees, the committee would be charged with drafting a conference report which is then voted on by both chambers without the possibility for amendments. HB 151, the constitutional amendment, would require a two-thirds vote by each chamber. If the Senate does not appoint committee members, the legislation fails.
Federation External Affairs Department Director Brian Hardin encouraged members to contact their senators.
“Gambling is not dead for this legislative session ,” Hardin said. “Despite major differences in House and Senate versions, a compromise could still pass. Pro-gambling groups have not stopped working, and we can’t either. It’s important for members to contact their legislators and affirm their opposition to any gambling bill.”
| |
Strong Messaging from Federation Leadership, Members Pushing Health Plan Vote | |
|
Alfa Health Plan legislation was not taken up in the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee for the second week despite increasing need for affordable healthcare.
SB 232 by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, would allow the Alabama Farmers Federation to offer quality healthcare at a reasonable price as a member benefit option.
Federation External Affairs Department Director Brian Hardin (pictured) said Alfa Health Plans could give some Federation members the opportunity to grow their operations while relieving financial burdens.
“A common issue we’ve heard from farmers and small business owners is the financial strain of healthcare is hurting their business opportunities,” Hardin said. “Alfa Health Plans are designed to save money and allow more time and investment to grow small businesses and operations.”
Alfa Health Plans are modeled after plans offered by other farm bureaus. These plans have proven to be successful at helping an underserved group of members.
A recent Federation study showed the average cost of health insurance at $780 with some paying as high as $2,400 among full-time farmers. Sixty-five percent of full-time famers said they had made business decisions solely based on healthcare costs, like having a spouse work an off-farm job for health coverage.
Hardin said getting the plans reported favorably out of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee is a priority in the coming days.
“We want to encourage Federation members to reach out to their state senators and ask them to vote 'yes' on SB 232,” Hardin said. “We’re thankful for Sen. Orr’s forethought to provide an affordable healthcare option to our farmers and small business owners. Now is the time to make that a reality.”
Members of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee are Chair Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville; Vice Chair Jack Williams, R-Wilmer; Ranking Minority Member Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham; Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road; Sen. Josh Carnley, R-Ino; Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Pleasant Grove; Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Josephine; Sen. Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery; Sen. Jay Hovey, R-Auburn; Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre; Sen. Wes Kitchens, R-Arab; Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro; Sen. Randy Price, R-Opelika; Sen. Dan Roberts, R-Mountain Brook; Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro; and Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills.
Hardin addressed attendees at the Federation’s State Women’s Leadership Committee’s Annual Conference Thursday. He discussed the Health Plans and shared young farmer testimonies.
To learn more about Alfa Health Plans, view the “Closing the Gap” information sheet below. Watch the video below to hear from Clay County Young Farmer Jordyn Upchurch on the need for Alfa Health Plans for her family and others.
Members are urged to contact their senators and ask them to vote “yes” on SB 232. Senators can be quickly reached at the Voter Voice link below.
| |
Movement Started on State Budgets | |
Photo by: Craig Monger, 1819 News | |
|
The Alabama Legislature began moving state budgets this week after completing over two-thirds of the regular session.
The Education Trust Fund (ETF), HB 145 by Alabama House of Representatives Ways and Means Education Committee Chair Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, and General Fund (GF) budget, SB 67 by Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee chair Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, would direct state funding by Alabama’s government for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25).
Alabama Farmers Federation External Affairs Department Director Brian Hardin said securing level or increased funding for agriculture and forestry programs is a priority as the session quickly moves to the end.
“We have several important pieces of legislation we’re watching and fighting for, including our priorities in both budgets,” Hardin said. “We appreciate Chairman Albritton and Chairman Garrett for their commitment to supporting agriculture in Alabama through the budgets.”
SB 67 passed the Senate Thursday by vote of 29 to 2 with four not voting. The legislation was substituted in the Senate Finance and Taxation GF Committee. SB 67 is awaiting action in the House.
HB 145 was substituted and reported favorably out of the House Ways and Means Education Committee Tuesday. The House is expected to take up HB 145 next week.
Funding in the current legislation for Federation priorities includes:
General Fund (SB 67)
· Sweet Grown Alabama: $300,000, level-funded
· North Alabama Agriplex: $100,000, level-funded
· Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO): $575,000, level-funded
· Forest Products Economic Specialist: $200,000, level-funded
Education Trust Fund (HB 145)
· Alabama Agriculture in the Classroom: $100,000, level-funded
· Alabama TREASURE Forest Association: $60,000, level-funded
· FFA Affiliate Membership: $275,000, level-funded
· Agriscience Education Program Improvement Specialist: $233,900, level-funded
· North Alabama Agriplex: $58,000, level-funded
· National Livestock Competition Coordinator: $250,000, level-funded
· 4-H Youth Development and Animal Science Extension Specialist: $125,000, level-funded
| |
Alabama Farm Center Bills Awaiting Action | |
|
Required legislation to establish the Alabama Farm Center's governing structure is expected to be voted on in the Alabama Senate and a House of Representatives’ committee next week.
SB 219 by Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville, would give the state Farm Center the same powers and abilities that county ag authorities already have under current law. It simply designates this entity as the statewide Farm Center to serve the entire state. The bill also creates the Agriculture Exhibition Center Corporation to operate the Farm Center. SB 219 is expected to be voted on by the Senate next week.
A companion bill, HB 417 by House Agriculture and Forestry Committee Chair Danny Crawford, R-Athens, is expected to be on the agenda in the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee Tuesday.
Alabama Farmers Federation Agricultural Legislation Director Preston Roberts said he’s thankful to the sponsors’ for working to make the Farm Center a reality.
“The Alabama Farm Center will be the culmination of hard work and dedication of promoting agriculture by many state ag organizations, departments and partners,” Roberts said. “We appreciate Sen. Shelnutt, Rep. Crawford and all the co-sponsors for helping see this dream become a reality.”
SB 219 is co-sponsored by Sens. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham; Dan Roberts, R-Mountain Brook; and Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills.
HB 417 is co-sponsored by Reps. Ron Bolton, R-Northport; Napoleon Bracy, D-Prichard; Susan DuBose, R-Hoover; Brett Easterbrook, R-Fruitdale; David Faulkner, R-Homewood; Jennifer Fidler, R-Fairhope; Bob Fincher, R-Woodland; Travis Hendrix, D-Birmingham; Rolanda Hollis, D-Birmingham; Leigh Hulsey, R-Helena; Reed Ingram, R-Pike Road; Arnold Mooney, R-Birmingham; Mary Moore, D-Birmingham; Neil Rafferty, R-Birmingham; Mike Shaw, R-Hoover; Van Smith, R-Clanton; David Standridge, R-Oneonta; Ontario Tillman, D-Bessemer; Curtis Travis, D-Tuscaloosa; and Allen Treadaway, R-Morris.
| |
Property Tax Cap Passes House | |
|
Legislation capping annual ad valorem tax increases on Class II and III properties passed the Alabama House of Representatives Tuesday.
HB 73 by Rep. Phillip Pettus, R-Killen, would cap the year-to-year property tax assessment values for Class II commercial and business property and Class III residential, agricultural, forestry and historic property at 7% after amendment.
Another amendment adopted in the House of Representatives would sunset the legislation after three years, meaning the bill would have to be reapproved at that time.
HB 73 passed the House by a vote of 97 to 1 with five not voting.
A companion, SB 110 by Sen. David Sessions, R-Grand Bay, is awaiting action in the Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee.
Federation policy supports capping annual value assessments for calculating property taxes.
| |
Alabama FarmPAC-Endorsed Dobson Faces Runoff for CD-2 | |
|
Alabama FarmPAC-endorsed candidate Caroline Dobson (pictured) will face Dick Brewbaker in the Republican runoff election for newly drawn Congressional District 2.
The runoff election will take place April 16. The winner will face either Shomari Figures or Alabama House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels in November.
Federation members in CD-2 are encouraged to get out and vote April 16.
Listen to Caroleene on the Alabama AgCast below.
| |
Working For Alabama Package Advancing | |
|
Several bills from the “Working for Alabama” legislation package were debated and voted on in the Alabama Senate Tuesday.
Three of seven bills from the package passed the Senate Tueday, with another bill being carried over for further review.
SB 242 by Sen. Bobby Singleton, R-Greensboro, would create “innovation districts.” The districts would be public corporations that several legislators argued would have too many undefined powers and fall outside of the scope of the Legislature. The bill was carried over in the Senate.
SB 252 by Sen. Greg Reed, R-Jasper, would create the Alabama Growth Alliance Act, a public-private partnership focused on the state’s long-term economic development efforts. Five amendments were added to the bill aimed at expanding the Alliance board to include legislative minority leaders, create more at-large positions, place the board under the oversight of the Alabama Ethics Commission and direct the business of the group.
SB 247 by Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, renames the Secretary of Labor and Department of Labor the Secretary of Workforce and Department of Workforce and expand the duties under them. SB 247 passed with amendments.
SB 253 by Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, would create an alternative diploma pathway for students focused on career education. Three amendments were added to the bill to remove language around students not attending postsecondary institutions and address assessment requirements by higher education institutions and for students grades in school.
SB 247, SB 252 and SB 253 passed the Senate Tuesday by a vote of 34-0.
Alabama Farmers Federation Director of State Legislative Programs Russ Durrance said the Federation is committed to helping grow Alabama’s workforce participation and is monitoring all the bills in this package.
| |
Community Colleges, Coca-Cola UNITED and RC&D partner with Alabama PALS for 2024 “Don’t Drop it on Alabama” Spring Cleanup |  | |
The annual Alabama PALS (People Against a Littered State) “Don’t Drop It On Alabama” Statewide Spring Cleanup and recycling event continues to expand, this year welcoming more community colleges to the initiative through a partnership with the Alabama Association of Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils.
Alabama PALS is supported by Alfa Insurance and funding through state budgets is supported by the Alabama Farmers Federation.
During Community College Month in April, Alabama’s 24 community and technical colleges will work alongside city, county and community officials to complete projects that help beautify Alabama through litter pickup and recycling activities. The projects are in collaboration with Alabama People Against a Littered State (Alabama PALS), Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED and Alabama RC&D Councils, and range from picking up litter along roadways to helping beautify entrances and exits into local parks, cities or facilities.
In 2023, the event resulted in over 600 tons of litter and debris being removed from Alabama's roadways, highways, and communities.
Federation Communications and Public Relations Director Jeff Helms (above right) serves as chairman for Alabama PALS and spoke during a press conference announcing the partnership. Helms thanked legislative leaders for their commitment to keeping Alabama beautiful.
Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (pictured above) applauded the spring cleanup initiative during the conference.
“From Little River Canyon in my home district to the beaches in coastal Alabama that visitors travel from far and wide to experience, our state truly has it all. We’re blessed to live in Alabama the beautiful, and it’s our responsibility to protect it for future generations,” Ledbetter said.
Click the link below to read the official press release and statements from Alabama legislative leaders.
| |
|
Lawsuit Fairness Act – Bills to prevent unfair legal practices that inflate litigation costs were introduced last week in the Senate and are expected to be addressed in committee during the coming days. SB 293 by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, and HB 420 by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Birmingham, would reform Alabama tort laws to protect Alabama citizens from lawsuit abuse by companies and organizations. The Federation is supportive of these efforts.
Bee Sales Tax - SB 94 by Sen. Josh Carnley, R-Ino, would exempt the gross proceeds from the sale of honeybees, their inputs and byproducts from state sales and use tax. SB 94 passed the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee Wednesday.
Livestock Fencing - SB 73 by Sen. Jack Williams, R-Wilmer, is on the House Ways and Means Education Committee agenda for Wednesday. SB 73 would exempt the sale of fencing materials used in agricultural livestock operations from the state sales tax. The amendment exempts up to $25,000 in materials per year and will end in 2029. A companion bill, HB 124 by Rep. Danny Crawford, R-Athens, passed the House Ways and Means Education Committee Wednesday. SB 73 is championed by the Alabama Cattlemen's Association and is supported by the Federation.
Bovine Liability - SB 164 by Sen. Randy Price, R-Opelika, would provide limitations of liability for certain actions taken by bovines and their owners. The bill was reported out of the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee Wednesday and awaits action in the Senate.
Carbon Sequestration – HB 327 by Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, and a companion, SB 230 by Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, officially recognizes an ownership interest in "pore space," defined as small pockets of space located deep in the ground. These bills attach that ownership interest to the surface owner of the property. This legislation creates the right for the surface owner to sell that pore space and creates a new economic use of land (pore space) that was otherwise being unused. These bills also allow for carbon dioxide storage in underground pore space. The legislation provides for forced pooling of storage sites so long as at least 66% of the owners agree to have CO2 stored under their property. After 10 years and a set of inspections, title to the CO2 under the land would transfer to the State of Alabama. HB 327 passed the House as amended Tuesday by a vote of 95 to 5 with three not voting. The amendment raised the consent threshold from 60% to 66%. Rep. Ben Robbins, R-Sylacauga, questioned the bill and the affect it would have on the rights of property owners.
Animal Disposal - SB 202 by Sen. Josh Carnley, R-Ino, would allow for the disposal of dead animals in accordance with rules adopted by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries. Under existing law, animals that are killed or otherwise die must be burned or buried within 24 hours of death. The bill was reported out of the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee. A companion bill, HB 297 by Rep. Matthew Hammett, R-Dozier, awaits action by the full house.
| |
|
Rural Economic Development Spotlight:
Planned Coosa County Sawmill to Create New Jobs
| |
|
Governor Kay Ivey announced the creation of a state-of-the-art sawmill in Coosa County Thursday.
Two Rivers Lumber Company, LLC. plans to invest $115 million to build the sawmill as the companies’ second location in Alabama, per the governor’s announcement.
Two Rivers Lumber is based out of Demopolis and said the new sawmill will create over 130 new jobs. The mill will specialize in the production of Southern Yellow Pine dimensional lumber.
Gov. Ivey praised Two Rivers Lumber for growing local economies and promoting Alabama forest products.
“This growth project will have a significant impact on Coosa County and cast many economic ripples throughout the region,” said Governor Ivey. “Alabama’s forest products industry is a national powerhouse, and it’s great to see Two Rivers Lumber continue to grow in its home state.”
The press release from Gov. Ivey’s office can be read at the link below.
| | | | |
