The second regular session of the quadrennium began at noon on
Tuesday February 4th. Governor Ivey gave her State of the State address
later that day. She touched on prison reform, education, and pay raises
for state employees and teachers among other subjects.
Several bills have been introduced that AGC will be working on:
HB23 by Pringle would allow the Examiners of Public Accounts to charge
an agency “a reasonable” fee for sunset reports. Without a maximum this
really means whatever they choose to charge. Should this bill begin to
move AGC will work against its passage.
Your Licensing board is up for sunset this year. SB23 would continue the
board until October 1, 2023. AGC will work for the passage of this
legislation.
There are two bills that deal with Toll Roads and Bridges. The first, SB151
would require The Department of Transportation to complete “an
economic impact study on any proposed Toll Road, Bridge or tunnel”.
Second, SB152 is a Constitutional Amendment that would require a
“referendum before a proposed toll may be fixed, changed, or collected
for the construction, renovation, or use of a public road, bridge or tunnel
project on and existing interstate or highway”.
And finally, what may be the burning issue to face the legislature this
session is SB98. This bill would make the Sweet Potato the official state
vegetable. Alabama is the 6th; largest producer of the beloved spud and
the crop brings an estimated $9 million to the state annually. The bill is
on the fast trick as it is already out of committee.
We are sure that there will be more to come.
Until next time…..
Chris Williams
Director, Governmental Relations