This week began on a sad note, as news of the sudden passing of Rep. Terri Collins (R—Decatur) husband, Tom, filtered out early in the week. Rep. Collins is one of the most dynamic members of the Legislature, and a good friend to the members of Manufacture Alabama, and our staff. We hope you will join us in praying for the Collins Family. 

Congratulations to our own Robin Ricks, Director of Special Programs and Workforce Development, on her confirmation to the Alabama Apprenticeship Council.

Robin will serve as part of the governing council of the newly established Alabama Office of Apprenticeship. 9 total representatives of business, industry, and employee organizations were selected from across Alabama, appointed by Governor Ivey and confirmed by the Alabama Senate. We are proud to see Robin selected for this position.

“It is a pleasure to serve as a voice for Alabama’s Manufacturers and to support the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship in providing a more streamlined and accessible path towards registering the apprenticeships that many of our members already have in place. I look forward to sharing updates and providing feedback between our membership and the Office of Apprenticeship team.”

As anticipated, Senator Tim Melson (R – Florence) introduced Senate Bill 165, dealing with legalizing Cannabis for Medical Purposes. The bill was assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Cam Ward (R—Alabaster), who announced his intention to hold a public hearing on the bill, which will be held on Wednesday of next week. Ward has said that the passing of this bill depends on resolving liability issues – which are also critical to MA’s membership, and our staff is working with the sponsor and others to make sure our members’ concerns are reflected in the bill. 

Senator Gerald Allen (R – Tuscaloosa) pre-filed Senate Bill 1 to allow the storage of guns in cars on private property where the carrying of a weapon is prohibited – including on the premises of a worksite or employer facility. This bill received a first reading, and was assigned to the Senate Judiciary committee, which is set to be the committee for several pieces of controversial legislation this session. 

Senate Bill 45, Senator Cam Ward (R – Alabaster)’s bill received a second reading, and a favorable report out of committee on Thursday. This bill is expected on the Senate floor as early as Tuesday of the coming week. This legislation one of Manufacture Alabama’s key pieces of legislation for this session. 

The House version of this legislation, HB36 sponsored by Rep. Chip Brown (R—Mobile) was on hold this week due to Tom Collins’ funeral.

Both the Senate version, SB 117, sponsored by Sen. Greg Albritton (R—Atmore) and the House version, HB 140, sponsored by Rep. Allen Baker (R – Brewton) received second readings, and were passed out of committee with favorable reports this week. One or both versions are expected to be on the floor of their respective houses for final passage as early as next week. 

Senate President Pro Tempore Del Marsh (R—Anniston) said in a press conference post-adjournment that he did not think a standalone lottery bill will pass the legislature this session. The prevailing thought seems to be that until the Governor’s study committee reports, and a “package” of bills can be written, that no gaming legislation will move forward. 

Senator Arthur Orr (R—Decatur) introduced legislation that would make noncompliance with federal immigration law a class C Felony. SB 108 would extend this punishment to public officials themselves. This would mean no city or county can declare their area a sanctuary city or not enforce federal immigration laws. This bill was carried in committee by Senator Steve Livingston (R—Scottsboro) (Orr was in Decatur for Tom Collins’ funeral) and received a favorable report. Livingston did allow that Orr intends to amend the bill when it gets to the senate floor to lower the penalty to a misdemeanor, to lessen the fiscal note on the bill. 

Rep. Rex Reynolds (R—Hazel Green) introduced HB 59 which will add law enforcement officers as a protected class under state hate crimes legislation. Reynolds’ legislation was prompted by a rash of crimes involving the injuring or killing of members of law enforcement. Attorney General Steve Marshall (R—Guntersville) held a press conference decrying what he termed an “epidemic” of targeted violence aimed at law enforcement. 

Representative Chris Sells (R—Greenville) sponsored HB 147, which will outlaw municipalities from enacting an occupational, should they not already have one, passed the House of Representatives and received a first reading in the senate.