Legislative Week 3: Momentum Continues for Montgomery

After a flurry of activity in its opening two weeks, the Alabama Legislature convenes today for a three-day work week. 

Of particular note are the military bills, put forward by the Alabama Military Stability Commission under the leadership of Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth and supported by the Chamber to strengthen Montgomery’s ability to support Maxwell Gunter Air Force Base.

The Alabama Innovation Commission holds meetings this week as well. Senate pro tem Greg Reed shared information about the vision and scope of this committee in his remarks to Chamber members in February, and Charisse Stokes, Executive Director of the Chamber’s TechMGM initiative, serves on the Commission. This Commission is shaping legislation that is supported in the Chamber’s state legislative priorities.

 Remaining Legislative Schedule:

• Weeks of March 8 and 15 will be two-day work weeks
• Leadership plans to move the budgets by the week of March 15
• Legislative Spring Break is currently planned for the week of March 22. 

 
Based on this schedule, the Legislature will be more than halfway through the Regular Session before their leave for Spring Break.

While all the bills listed are not included in the Chamber’s list of Legislative Priorities, Chamber staff monitors pending and proposed legislation for situational awareness and any impact to business, economic development, education, military, and quality of life. 
 
Historic Tax Credit Program
A bill that would extend the Historic Tax Credit Program from 2022 to 2027 passed the House on Thursday.  HB 281 by Rep. Victor Gaston of Mobile ensures that the successful program will continue to revitalize historic properties in both rural and urban areas across the state.

Call Center Bill
Sen. Clay Scofield passed SB 249 through the Senate on Thursday.  The legislation reins in unintended consequences from a 2019 law that instituted harsh penalties for any call center that moved its operation without notifying the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.  The bill clarifies that the mandate applies only to call centers that have received economic development incentives and move their operations out of the State of Alabama.

Capital Credit Program
Sen. Bobby Singleton filed a bill Thursday that would suspend the employment and wage requirements under the capital credit program, Alabama’s old economic development incentive program.  SB 274, the “COVID-19 Recovery Capital Credit Protection Act of 2021,” would extend employment and wage requirements for certain companies for a maximum of two years for qualifying projects that have experienced hiring delays due to the pandemic.  The bill has been assigned to the Committee on Finance and Taxation Education.
 
Gambling
Senator Del Marsh decided to hold his lottery/casino package for at least two weeks to make changes after talking with various members during last week’s recess.  While he believes he already has the votes for the Senate to pass SB214, Marsh is contemplating additional changes to the constitutional amendment to shore up support and address concerns. The potential changes include the addition of two casinos that would be selected through a competitive process.  Revenue from a state lottery, the casinos, and sports betting is estimated at $450 million to $670 million per year.

Military
Below is a list of the Military Stability Commission bills supported by the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce.  The House leadership has prioritized these bills for passage this week.  Three bills were amended and approved in house committees last week, and once passed in the House, will need to return to the Senate for final approval.  The bills below enhance the experience of military families as they transition into new communities, often on short notice.
 
SB 0130 | Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact, established to authorize licensees to practice among compact member states 
Feb 10, 2021 - Health first Amendment Offered 
House Committee: Health 
Senate Committee: Veterans and Military Affairs   
 
SB 0124 | Sen. Donnie Chesteen
Board of Medical Examiners and Medical Licensure Commission, providing further for confidentiality of board meetings, updating of approved accreditation organizations, and requirements for a certificate of qualification, qualifications and procedures for issuance of temporary certificates of qualification and licenses to physicians and assistants to physician applicants who are in state under military orders, Secs. 34-24-70.1, 34-24-301.1 added; Secs. 34-24-60, 34-24-70, 34-24-297, 34-24-302, 34-24-337, 34-24-361 am'd. 
Feb 10, 2021 - Pending third reading on day 6 Favorable from Health 
House Committee: Health 
Senate Committee: Veterans and Military Affairs   
 
SB 0104 | Sen. Will Barfoot
Conservation and Natural Resources Dept., disabled veteran lifetime hunting and fishing licenses, fees, disposition, Sec. 9-11-65.3 added. 
Feb 25, 2021 - Pending third reading on day 10 Favorable from Military and Veterans Affairs 
House Committee: Military and Veterans Affairs 
Senate Committee: Veterans and Military Affairs   
 
SB 0103 | Sen. Will Barfoot
School Choice and Student Opportunity Act, formation of charter schools on or near military installation, with focus on serving military dependents, authorized, Sec. 16-6F-5 am'd. 
Feb 25, 2021 - Pending third reading on day 10 Favorable from Military and Veterans Affairs with 1 amendment 
House Committee: Military and Veterans Affairs 
Senate Committee: Veterans and Military Affairs   
 
SB 0102 | Sen. Andrew Jones
Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, established to authorize licensed psychologists to practice on a limited basis among compact member states 
Feb 10, 2021 - Health first Amendment Offered 
House Committee: Health 
Senate Committee: Veterans and Military Affairs   
 
SB 0084 | Sen. Rodger Smitherman, Sen. Will Barfoot
Alabama Job Creation and Military Stability Commission, membership, to include one senator and one representative appointed by Lt. Governor from the minority caucus, Sec. 31-14-3 am'd. 
Feb 25, 2021 - Pending third reading on day 10 Favorable from Military and Veterans Affairs 
House Committee: Military and Veterans Affairs 
Senate Committee: Veterans and Military Affairs   
 
SB 0083 | Sen. Thomas Whatley
Higher education, public institutions, provides resident student status to minor children of military service members stationed in Ala., provides that resident student status is valid even if the parent is reassigned out of state, so long as the student maintains continuous enrollment at the institution, Sec. 16-64-2 am'd. 
Feb 24, 2021 - Pending third reading on day 9 Favorable from Ways and Means Education 
House Committee: Ways and Means Education 
Senate Committee: Veterans and Military Affairs   
 
SB 0082 | Sen. Thomas Whatley
Physical Therapy Licensure Compact, established to authorize licensed physical therapists and assistants to practice among compact member states 
Feb 10, 2021 - Health first Amendment Offered 
House Committee: Health 
Senate Committee: Veterans and Military Affairs   
 
SB 0081 | Sen. Thomas Whatley
Armory Commission, membership increased from nine to 15 members, Secs. 31-4-1, 31-4-3 am'd. 
Feb 04, 2021 - Read for the first time and referred to the House of Representatives committee on Military and Veterans Affairs 
House Committee: Military and Veterans Affairs 
Senate Committee: Veterans and Military Affairs   
 
SB 0080 | Sen. Tom Butler
Military installations, land use planning, counties and municipalities to give notice re tall structures and wind energy facilities, Sec. 11-106-6 added; Secs. 11-106-3, 11-106-4 am'd. 
Feb 25, 2021 - Military and Veterans Affairs first Amendment Offered 
House Committee: Military and Veterans Affairs 
Senate Committee: Veterans and Military Affairs   
 
SB 0016 | Sen. Andrew Jones
Teachers, St. Board of Education, authorized to issue alternative teaching certificates to qualified former members of Armed Forces, Sec. 16-23-3 am'd. 
Feb 10, 2021 - Pending third reading on day 6 Favorable from Education Policy 
House Committee: Education Policy 
Senate Committee: Veterans and Military Affairs