Americans for Prosperity-Alabama is applauding the Alabama House of Representatives for passing of a bill that attempts to add another check on the state’s emergency powers during a crisis.

The House passed HB136 unanimously Tuesday.

The bill would require Alabama’s governor to certify that an immediate danger to public health, safety, or welfare exists before emergency rules can take effect. Moreover, a requirement to demonstrate unforeseen danger would protect against prolonged emergency regulations.

“AFP-AL thanks Speaker Pro Tem Chris Pringle for sponsoring this important legislation,” FP-AL State Director Adam Thompson said. “Emergency rules should be the exception, not the norm.”

The issue of the state government’s emergency powers received renewed attention during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21. Some critics believe that leaders took advantage of their roles during the crisis.

Thompson said he doesn’t want emergency powers to go away completely, but does believe there need to be some “appropriate checks and balances.”

“This commonsense reform will promote responsible governing by ensuring that emergency authority is exercised with appropriate checks and balances,” Thompson continued. “With House passage behind us, we encourage the Senate to take up this bill quickly.”

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee