Legislative Update - Week 9
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Last Week at the Legislature
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The Legislature reconvened on Tuesday afternoon and got right to work. Similar to last week, multiple committees met Tuesday morning before they even went into session that day. I expect this to continue as we near the end of session. After nine weeks, the Legislature has used 23 of its 30 working days and nearly 900 bills have been introduced.
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Changes to Licensure Board Passes House & Senate
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Both versions of the bill (SB292 & HB418) amending the GC Licensure Board passed their respective chambers this week, the Senate on Tuesday and the House on Thursday. To refresh, these bills do two things: (1) increases the monetary threshold required for licensure from $50k to $100k, and (2) adds an exemption from licensure for labor brokers and staffing agencies. The bills now head to opposite chambers for consideration and which one passes first will be a race worth watching. AGC worked with the Licensure Board on the legislation and supports the bills.
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GC Board Reauthorization Passes House Committee
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On Wednesday, another bill (SB115) related to the Licensure Board for General Contractors passed the House Boards, Agencies, and Commissions Committee. This legislation simply renews the Board for another 3 years of operations. This renewal, also known as “Sunset”, is standard for nearly all state boards and is typically a non-controversial process. However, this year has not been the norm and many bills related to the various licensure boards have been held up in both chambers, some for political reasons and some for actual issues. The bill now awaits final passage by the entire House.
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AGC Amends Competitive Bidding Bill to Remove Title 39
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Another bill (HB382) we’ve been highlighting over the past few weeks passed the House on Tuesday afternoon. Although it relates to competitive bidding, the bill also expanded the financial disclosure requirements under Title 41 to include all Title 39 contractors. AGC caught this addition, was able to amend the bill in committee, and the final version that passed removes the reference to Title 39. It now heads to the Senate and we are longer opposed.
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Local Housing Authorities Seek Alternative Delivery Methods
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The two bills (HB405 & HB406) authorizing alternative delivery for public housing authorities were back in committee on Wednesday after being carried over last week. To review, these amend the powers of city and county housing authorities and would allow the entities to undertake construction projects using alternative delivery methods (design-build, design-build operate maintain, etc.). Of particular concern to AGC, ACA, and other construction organizations is the fact that each authority (there are 14 across the state) would develop their own procurement procedures for implementing the act AND would do so on a project-by-project basis. While AGC supports the use of ADM in certain circumstances, we believe that the procurement procedures should be clear, applicable to all projects, and developed by competent individuals with construction experience. These bills would do the opposite. Both bills were carried over (again) by the committee and their possibility of passing this year is slim.
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"Working For Alabama" Package Passes House
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On Thursday, The House of Representatives passed the “Working for Alabama” package, which has the support of Gov. Kay Ivey and legislative leaders from both parties, and aims to increase access to work through a combination of education programs and tax credits encouraging the expansion of housing and child care. The House passed:
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HB 346, sponsored by Almond, which would establish the Alabama Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act and provide tax credits to developers for housing projects. The bill passed 103-0 and goes to the Senate.
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HB 358, sponsored by House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, would establish an employer tax credit, child care facility tax credit and nonprofit child care provider grant program aimed at incentivizing employers to fund childcare for their employees. The bill passed 103-0 and heads to the Senate.
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SB 247, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, would rename the Secretary of Labor and Department of Labor the Secretary of Workforce and Department of Workforce and expand duties to include oversight of all current workforce development programs. The bill passed 102-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.
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SB 252, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed, R-Jasper, would establish the Alabama Growth Alliance, a public corporation to provide economic development recommendations, such as increasing private investment and promoting opportunities for minority-owned businesses. The bill passed 97-0 after it was amended, and it goes back to the Senate for consideration.
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SB 253, sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chasteen, R-Geneva, would create an alternative diploma pathway for students focused on career education, which faced some criticism for decreasing math requirements. The bill passed 102-0.
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Summary of Other Legislation
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As for what else is going on, I’ve put together a few bullet points to bring you up to speed.
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Unionization & Economic Incentives: Senator Arthur Orr’s bill (SB231) that would make companies’ eligibility for economic incentives contingent upon refraining from specific practices related to employee representation by a labor organization has been a hot topic. It would also require companies to repay the state for economic incentives received for the duration of the given incentivized project for violation of the law. Similar legislation recently passed in neighboring Georgia. This legislation comes on the heels of current unionization efforts by UAW at Mercedes, Hyundai, and Toyota-Mazda plants. It passed a House committee this week and will be debated on the floor Tuesday.
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Consolidation of Licensure Boards: A bill (SB224) by Sen. Elliot that would consolidate 25 licensing boards into a new office within the Dept. of Labor created some drama on Thursday in the Senate. The legislation would establish the Office of Occupational and Professional Licensing within the Department of Labor to "serve as a centralized entity providing leadership, support, and oversight to certain professional or occupational licensing boards operating within the state.” While Governor Ivey, Treasurer Young Boozer, and Senate leadership have all expressed support, Senate Democrats are not excited about the idea and threatened to filibuster the bill on Thursday. Ultimately, the bill was carried over but Sen. Elliot said he expects it to be back next week.
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Political Snippets from Alabama & DC
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Check out the stories that we have been following this week:
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MSHA issues their final rule (AGC of America)
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PFAS Superfund Liability Is One Step Closer (AGC of America)
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EEOC Issues Final Regulation on Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (AGC of America)
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Capitol Journal – Week In Review (APT)
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Gov. Ivey announces Foley Beach Express bridge to become toll free immediately after acquisition. (AL Governor)
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New state economic growth plan under development (AL Governor)
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Legislative briefs for April 11 (ADN)
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BCA announces new ‘Working for Alabama’ promotional video and billboard campaign (ADN)
- Ivey signs anti-child trafficking bill, strictest in the nation signed into law (ADN)
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Lawmakers advance bills to ensure Joe Biden is on the state’s ballot (ADN)
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How Alabama’s US House members voted on aid for Ukraine (AL.com)
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Alabama House modifies, passes five workforce development bills (AL.com)
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AG Marshall says he would vote against both gambling bills (Yellowhammer)
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Alabama 2024 Legislative Report: Week Nine (APR)
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What happened? Analysis of AL-2 run-off election — Dobson, Figures now the nominees to fight for the seat in November (1819)
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House passes bill package aimed at bolstering workforce development (1819)
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First-timer Caroleene Dobson wins GOP congressional nomination in AL-2; Faces Democrat Shomari Figures Nov. 5 (1819)
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Upcoming Meetings & Events
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Alabama AGC
Voice of the
Construction Industry
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