Alabama lawmakers advanced legislation to make it a crime for organizers and activists to accept payment for handling absentee ballot applications of non-family members. It also makes it a crime for corporations or nonprofit organizations to pay people to harvest ballots in Alabama. Governor Kay Ivey announced her support for the proposal in her 2024 […]

On Thursday, the Alabama Senate passed a compromise gambling bill that is dramatically different from the one that passed the House of Representatives last month. Senator Greg Albritton (R-Atmore) carried the legislation in the Senate. Albritton insisted that the public wants the opportunity to vote on a gambling bill “They want the opportunity to vote […]

On Tuesday, the Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee voted to give a favorable report to legislation that would give parents across the state additional choice and financial support pathways for school. The CHOOSE Act is sponsored by State Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville) and being carried in the Senate by State Sen. Arthur Orr […]

Alabama moved one step closer to getting a state lottery on Tuesday when the Alabama Senate Committee on Tourism passed legislation that would create an Alabama gambling commission. It creates a lottery, shuts down illegal gambling across the state, ends electronic bingo, even in the six facilities that would remain open, removes sports betting from […]

On Tuesday night, the Alabama Senate voted to authorize a loan program to Birmingham Southern College, currently in financial crisis. Last year, the Alabama Legislature approved a similar measure under the distribution authority of State Treasurer Young Boozer, however he cited concerns over the school’s unlikelihood of being able to meet the conditions of loan […]

On Thursday, the Alabama State Senate and House of Representatives passed legislation to protect in vitro fertilization (IVF) therapy in the state. One of those proposals is expected be agreed upon by both chambers of the Alabama Legislature and signed by Governor Kay Ivey as soon as Wednesday. The approach taken by Republican lawmakers will […]

On Tuesday, the Alabama House of Representatives passed legislation that would dramatically increase the number of Alabama school children who have affordable school choice options. The CHOOSE Act (HB129) aims to provide parents with more control over their children’s education by offering alternatives to the local public schools assigned by their residential zones, such as […]

Last week, over 200 advocates gathered in Montgomery to ask the State Legislature to address public policy concerns and opportunities around childcare in Alabama. Alabama has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the entire nation — but it also maintains one of the lowest workforce participation rates in the nation. One primary reason a […]

Last week, the Alabama Senate Education Policy Committee voted to give a favorable report to a bill that would allow the state to perform a one-time audit of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA). SB99, sponsored by State Sen. Lance Bell (R-Pell City) is a bipartisan bill, cosponsored by 13 of the 35 members […]

The Alabama House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation Thursday approving a Newborn Screening Panel to check for genetic conditions in newborn babies. State Rep. Phillip Rigsby sponsored the bill after meeting a boy who has a rare genetic condition. The bill passed 98-0 and goes to the Senate. “This bill has the namesake for a […]

On Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee gave a favorable report to a bill that would make it illegal for protestors to protest in a neighborhood at a private residence. “This bill allows the locals to bring in whatever local ordinances they want which could be replaced with what the state bill does,” State Sen. Arthur […]

On Thursday, the House Ways and Means Education Committee advanced Alabama’s landmark school choice legislation, the Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students Education (CHOOSE) Act with a favorable report — sending it to a full vote of the House as soon as next week. The proposal would create education savings accounts (ESAs). Governor Kay […]

On Wednesday, the Alabama State Senate County and Municipal Government Committee voted to give a favorable report to legislation that would ban state agencies, public schools, and state colleges and universities from implementing or promoting “divisive concepts” such as critical race theory. It would also prohibit public institutions from maintaining a diversity, equity, and inclusion […]

Last week, the Alabama Senate passed legislation to ban the sale or manufacture of fake meat-like products that are produced through culturing of cells in a laboratory. SB23 is sponsored by Alabama State Senator Jack Williams (R-Wilmer), who chairs the Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Committee. The bill would prohibit and provide criminal penalties for […]

On Tuesday, the Alabama State Senate debated legislation that would exempt baby formula, diapers, and other select baby products as well as feminine hygiene products from sales and use taxes. SB62 is sponsored by State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur). “Under existing law, there are a variety of exemptions and exclusions applicable to state sales and […]

On Tuesday, the Alabama Senate County and Municipal Government Committee advanced a bill that defines gender terms to correspond with the scientific biology of the individual. Senate Bill 92 (SB92) is being sponsored by State Senator April Weaver (R-Briarfield). “I am here today to introduce SB92 which codifies which codifies the time honored definitions of […]

The governor’s plan to improve prison conditions cited in a lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Justice has run into a pair of hurdles – time and money. Gov. Kay Ivey has made building two so-called megaprisons a focus of her plan to improve the living conditions for the state’s inmates. She recently told “Capitol […]

On Friday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey spoke with Capitol Journal’s Todd Stacy about two of her most significant legislative priorities: Passing a landmark school choice bill and putting the question of legal gaming in Alabama back in front of voters for the first time since 1999. Gov. Ivey’s school choice bill will create education savings […]

On Saturday, all three candidates vying for the Republican nomination in Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District spoke to the Alabama Republican Assembly asking for the influential conservative group’s support and endorsement. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) is being challenged in the primary by automotive businessman Garrick Wilkins and insurance agent Ken McFeeters. Garrick Wilkins said he is […]

On Thursday, most of the seven Republican candidates for Alabama’s Second Congressional District addressed voters at a forum in Montgomery at the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Building. Former State Senator Dick Brewbaker (R-Montgomery) said that he has been married to his wife, Ruth, for 35 years. They have 5 children. “I served three terms in the […]

State Rep. Chip Brown (R-Hollinger’s Island) introduced a bill to prohibit the use of environment, social, and government (ESG) criteria when awarding public contracts in Alabama. Opposition to ESG practices has gained traction on the level of public policy in recent years, however, the issue is remains relatively unknown to the general public. ESG is […]

On Wednesday, the Alabama Senate passed legislation allowing local city councils and county commissions to remove members of their local library boards. Senate Bill 10 is sponsored by State Senator Chris Elliott (R-Josephine). “This bill deals with local library boards and how the members are appointed and their appointing authority,” Elliott explained. “In this instance […]

On Wednesday, the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee met for a public hearing on the Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students Education (CHOOSE) Act of 2024. The Choose Act would provide education savings accounts (ESAs) for parents of children to use in providing education services for those children. Senate Bill 61 (SB61) is […]

On Tuesday, opponents to the current legal gaming proposal before state lawmakers held a press conference at the Alabama State House, hosted by Stephanie Smith, President of the Alabama Policy Institute. “The two bills together are over 150 pages,” Smith said. “If it passes, it will completely change the culture of our state,” adding that […]