Volume 13 - May 22, 2017

A Publication by the Franklin Resources Group

THE LEGISLATURE

Sine Die SINE LEGISLATION

Passed DIE

LEGISLATION

Died

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Ryan deGraffenried, III • Johnny Crawford • Susan Hansen • David Rogers 4120 Wall Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36106 • Email: [email protected]

Week 13 May 22, 2017

A

THE LEGISLATURE

Sine Die

The 2017 Regular Legislative Session is now in the books after a long 4-day marathon that ended Friday evening.

Thursday, the Statehouse resembled a ghost town while much of the day was spent reading the reapportionment bills in both chambers. Things then took a turn to the negative when racial tensions exploded over an email forwarded by Rep. Lynn Greer (R-Rogersville) that upset black House members. In the end, the e-mail was explained, there was much discussion in caucuses, apologies were made and the House members came together and finished its business, passing several significant pieces of legislation before adjourning Sine Die.

LEGISLATION Passed

Legislation required by a federal court order to redraw legislative districts passed, but not without controversy. HB571 is 584 pages long and SB403 is 273 pages long. Both bills were read at length before the final vote in both the House and Senate.

Sen. Arthur Orr’s (R-Decatur), SB257 which allows for irrigation credits also passed. The bill increases the caps on an existing tax credit for farm irrigation equipment. Sen. Orr created the credit several years ago as a way to help farmers pay for the expensive equipment.

House Bill 315 by Rep. Ken Johnson (R-Moulton) passed allowing for the practice of midwifery under certain conditions. The bill would remove misdemeanor charges for certified professional midwives that practice in Alabama.

Rep. (R-Tuscaloosa) sponsored HB24 allowing faith-based adoption agencies to discriminate when placing children with families. Gov. Ivey has signed the legislation into law.

Legislation known as the "Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2017," SB60 sponsored by Sen. Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa), will prohibit removal or alteration of statues and monuments on state, city, and county properties, and prohibit removal and renaming of buildings, schools, streets and bridges older than 40 years.

The Historical Tax Credit, HB284 by Rep. (R-Mobile), which expired in 2016, for the rehabilitation, preservation or development of certified historic structures passed.

Week 13 May 22, 2017

A House bill by Rep. Jim Patterson (R-Meridianville) and the Senate version by Sen. Tom Whatley (R- Auburn) mandating insurance companies cover autism therapies for some insurance plans passed. Alabama is one of just a few states that do not require insurance to coverage therapies.

In a bipartisan effort, Rep. Chris England (D-Tuscaloosa) and Sen. Dick Brewbaker (R-Pike Road) saw success in passing SB16, judicial override bill, which ends the practice of allowing judges to override a jury’s sentencing recommendation in death penalty cases.

LEGISLATION Died

Legislation attacking the Forever Wild Program sponsored by Rep. Mark Tuggle (R-Alexander City) hit a roadblock and never got beyond committee approval in the House. The constitutional amendment would have required Forever Wild to annually reimburse lost ad valorem taxes to affected counties.

The Accountability Act by Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh (R-Anniston) died in the House Friday by a 28-59 vote. The bill would have expanded the credits so more corporations could take advantage and make it possible to get to the $30 million annual cap.

Several bills were introduced this session increasing the gas tax to provide monies to improve Alabama roads and bridges, but none were successful in passing.

Legislation to build new prisons emerged several times in different forms during the session, but failed to receive the needed support, especially after the resignation of Gov. Bentley, who was the original backer of the bill. Gov. Ivey has not ruled out the possibility in calling a special session to deal exclusively with Prison reform.

Rep. (D-Tuskegee) introduced legislation that would have provided some regulation of church-affiliated day care centers. These are currently exempt from inspection and most regulations. There was a push on the final legislative day to pass the bill in the Senate, but time ran out and the legislation died.

Rep. (R-Dothan) introduced legislation requiring tickets to concerts, sporting events and other entertainment acts be transferrable, meaning a ticket purchased for an event could be resold by that person using any means, including a secondary ticket sales website, sometimes resulting in fraudulent tickets. After several amendments were added to the legislation it died without a final vote.

Legislation repealing certain restrictions against carrying a concealed pistol in a car or on oneself as well as fewer restrictions against carrying a pistol on certain property found success in the Senate, but never received a final vote in the House.

Franklin Resources Group hopes the weekly newsletter gives you a little information during the Legislative Session. Please

let us know if we can be of any help to you.

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