House Committee Supports Mandate: Few Will Bear Brunt of Payments | | |
Members of the Alabama House Insurance Committee kept legislative attention on health coverage mandates this week by approving a measure threatening affordability.
SB 269 by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, was reported out of the committee on a voice vote March 17 following a public hearing. The bill would establish payment rates from health insurers to ambulance service companies and force insurers to contract with any willing ambulance provider.
Alabama Farmers Federation Assistant External Affairs Department Director Preston Roberts testified against the bill.
“Rural EMS is in a crisis – we don’t dispute that – but this bill by its own design does not solve that problem, and it puts another mandate on a single group of insureds,” Roberts said. “This is the same group that is struggling now to afford the premiums. The committee is asked to mandate a statewide rate structure without knowing how much it actually generates, who gets the money or whether it actually solves the problem it’s meant to solve.”
Roberts fielded questions from committee members and offered ideas to solve the problem without affecting policyholders' out-of-pocket costs.
The House is expected to debate the bill March 31 following the legislative spring break next week.
Federation External Affairs Department Director Brian Hardin encouraged members to contact their representatives.
“Legislators overwhelmingly approved Alfa Health Plans last year to combat affordability issues while offering coverage outside the standard, overregulated options on the current market,” Hardin said. “Legislatively mandated health coverage threatens that affordability for not only Alfa Health Plans but all insurance plans offered throughout the state. Lawmakers need to hear from members about how increased costs compound the problem.”
A companion, HB 400 by Rep. Ed Oliver, R-Dadeville, awaits action in the House Ways & Means General Fund Committee. The Legislature will resume the regular session March 31 for Day 25 of 30.
| |
| Dog Bill Raises Concerns for Farmers, Rural Alabama | |
Legislation threatening private property rights and creating subjective standards for animal care passed the House Agriculture & Forestry Committee Thursday on a voice vote.
SB 361 by Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, as amended, would make it a crime to keep a dog tied or confined outside, except under certain situations. The bill also gives broad authority to appointed investigators, who are not required to be certified law enforcement officers. A previous version of the bill passed the Senate last week. SB 361 awaits a vote in the House of Representatives.
Alabama Farmers Federation and Alabama Cattlemen’s Association are among agriculture groups expressing concerns about the proposed legislation.
“Although exemptions are made in the bill for herding dogs, this vague and intrusive bill could have far-reaching implications for farmers and property owners, especially in rural Alabama,” said Federation External Affairs Department Director Brian Hardin. “The bill leaves the interpretation of adequate food, water, shelter and movement to hand-picked animal control officers with no law enforcement background. These individuals would have the authority to seize animals with impunity and could not be held liable for their actions.”
Hardin noted animal cruelty is already against the law, but SB 361 would criminalize humane care that’s commonplace in rural areas.
By requiring shelters to have a roof, walls and solid floor, the bill could prohibit dogs sleeping in pole barns. The bill doesn’t take into account nutrition or dietary requirements when requiring “continuous access at all times” to food. It fails to recognize natural boundaries when requiring fully fenced enclosures, and its provision for trolley-style tethering systems would be costly, Hardin said.
“SB 361 is a bad bill. This is the kind of government overreach farm groups have been fighting in Washington and liberal states for decades,” Hardin added. “This legislation uses language identical to laws that banned agricultural practices in other states. Animal rights groups are unapologetic about their agenda to dictate how families and farmers care for their animals. We urge all members to call their representatives and ask them to oppose bringing SB 361 to the House floor for a vote.”
| | Senate Approves Utility Tax Exemption | |
Alabama farmers are one step closer to receiving a tax exemption on certain utility uses following Senate approval of a bill March 17, but legislators must hear from Alabama Farmers Federation members for it to become a reality.
SB 159 by Sen. Jack Williams, R-Wilmer, would amend Alabama’s utility gross receipts tax and utility service tax statutes to exclude the use or purchase of natural gas and electricity consumed as fuel or energy in commercial greenhouses, pivot irrigation systems and poultry houses. An amendment also includes catfish production in the exemption. The bill would sunset Aug. 31, 2029. The bill was referred to the House Ways & Means Education Committee. A companion, HB 244 by Rep. Danny Crawford, R-Athens, awaits action in the Senate Finance & Taxation Education Committee.
Federation State Legislative Programs Director Russ Durrance said a vote can only happen with member engagement.
“Federation members are urged to contact their senators and ask for passage of HB 244 in the Senate. They also need to contact their representatives for passage of SB 159 in the House,” Durrance said. “Tax payments are a major expense for farmers throughout the year, and this exemption would go a long way in making farming more affordable. Passing either HB 244 or SB 159 is the goal, but time is running out. To have any chance to become law, one of the bills must advance out of committee as soon as lawmakers return from spring break.”
| | Budget Update: CAFO, Swine Funding Concerns Continue | | |
The Alabama Legislature did not address budgets this week following passage of the General Fund and Education Trust Fund (ETF) budgets out of their originating chambers March 11 and 12.
Adequate funding for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) is a continuing concern, said Alabama Farmers Federation External Affairs Department Director Brian Hardin.
“Our CAFO operators, especially many poultry producers, are faced with more increased costs affecting their bottom line because adequate funding isn’t secured in a record General Fund budget,” Hardin said. “As it stands, this regulatory program is set to lose another $175,000 in funding this year, a total decrease of $375,000 from 2025. The lost funding will shift costs onto farmers already facing a tough farm economy, forcing them to cover the loss out of pocket.”
Another concern is decreased funding for the Statewide Feral Swine Program operated through the Agricultural & Conservation Development Commission. Current budgets decreased funding by 50%, from $675,000 to $337,500. Federation Wildlife Division Director William Green said wild pigs continue to destroy fertile land and crops, and budget decreases threaten to hinder preventative measures.
“Our farmers continue to lose profits from wild pig destruction,” Green said. “Programs like this offer landowners avenues for protection while researching new ways to address the issue. Sustained funding is essential for farmers fending off wild pigs.”
Federation members are encouraged to contact House Ways & Means General Fund Committee members and request sustained funding for CAFOs and the Statewide Feral Swine Program.
The General Fund budget, SB 146 by Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, awaits action in the House Ways & Means General Fund Committee. State expenses not related to education are appropriated through the General Fund budget.
HB 238 by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, represents the Education Trust Fund budget, and awaits action in the Senate Finance & Taxation Education Committee.
| | Solar Panel Bills Raise Property Rights Concerns | |
Discussions regarding the increased appearance of solar panels on Alabama farmland and other open areas were prominent in committees this week.
The Senate Finance & Taxation General Fund Committee debated SB 372 by Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Tuscumbia, Wednesday. The bill would set a one-year moratorium on new solar farm construction in the TVA region with incorporated areas excluded. SB 372 was carried over by the committee.
Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison questioned the bill and its effect on private property rights for farmers.
“It seems to me that is limiting individual property owners and farmers and the right to use their property,” Coleman-Madison said. “This seems like this is denying the farmers the right to use their property. They should be the ones to make that decision.”
Other bills regarding solar energy were also discussed this week. SB 354 by Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, which would prohibit the development of any solar power facility not currently operating or under construction for one year, was carried over in the Senate March 17. A public hearing was held March 17 in the House Transportation, Utilities & Infrastructure Committee on HB 617, a similar bill by Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne. No vote was taken.
HB 618, also by Simpson, was approved by the same committee. It would give the county commissions of Baldwin and Mobile counties the ability to regulate solar farms. SB 358 by Albritton, which passed the Senate Fiscal Responsibility & Economic Development Committee Tuesday, would provide regulatory powers to those county commissions.
HB 623 by Rep. Chris Sells, R-Greenville, which sets up a permit process for solar farms by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, passed the House State Government Committee March 18.
| | Top Farm Family Visits State House | |
| Pictured from left: Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville; Drew Wendland with sons Smith and Mills; and Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman. | |
| |
The nation’s top young farm family was honored at the Alabama State House Wednesday where they were presented a joint resolution.
SJR 14 by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, commended the achievement of Drew and Lauren Wendland of Autauga County as the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Achievement Award winners and Alabama’s Outstanding Young Farm Family.
Chambliss and Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, presented the resolution to Drew and sons Mills and Smith.
The Wendlands then visited with House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville; Majority Leader Paul Lee, R-Dothan; House Agriculture & Forestry Committee Chair Danny Crawford, R-Athens; Rep. Van Smith, R-Billingsley; and Rep. Jerry Starnes, R-Prattville.
| |
Pictured from left: Rep. Van Smith, R-Billinglsey; House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville; Drew, Smith and Mills Wendland; and Rep. Jerry Starnes, R-Prattville. | Pictured from left: Rep. Van Smith, R-Billingsley; Rep. Jerry Starnes, R-Prattville; Drew, Mills and Smith Wendland; House Majority Leader Paul Lee, R-Dothan; and House Agriculture & Forestry Committee Chair Danny Crawford, R-Athens. | | |
Rural EMS: SJR 93 by Sen. April Weaver, R-Brierfield, would establish the Alabama Rural Emergency Medical Services and Volunteer Fire Department Study Commission to review emergency medical service delivery in rural areas. The resolution awaits action in the Senate.
Judicial Deference Revisal: SB 167 by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, would modify the judicial review process of agency rulings, ending judicial deference. This bill would provide courts greater authority to independently interpret laws and regulations without automatically deferring to state agency interpretations. SB 167 was passed by the House March 17 and awaits Gov. Ivey's signature.
Data Center Infrastructure Requirements: SB 270 by Sen. Lance Bell, R-Pell City, would prevent utility providers from shifting the costs of infrastructure updates to customers due to increased data center needs. This bill would require the PSC to review contracts between large-load data centers and require the centers to cover increased costs. SB 270 was passed by the House Transportation, Utilities & Infrastructure Committee March 17. HB 403 by Rep. Neil Rafferty, D-Birmingham, is the House companion.
Data Center Incentives: SB 265 by Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre, would reform data center incentives and reduce their property tax exemption. The bill was passed by the House Economic Development & Tourism Committee March 18. A companion, HB 399 by Rep. Leigh Hulsey, R-Helena, was passed by the Senate Fiscal Responsibility & Economic Development Committee March 17.
Commissioner of Ag and Industries Updated Role: HB 444 by Rep. Chip Brown, R-Hollinger's Island, would authorize the Alabama commissioner of agriculture and industries to conduct compliance testing on seafood country-of-origin labeling at food service establishments. The bill was passed by the House March 19 and awaits action in the Senate.
Carbon Sequestration: HB 431 by Rep. Matthew Hammett, R-Andalusia, would regulate carbon dioxide storage facilities by requiring operators to obtain consent for pore space usage, notify local governments of facility petitions, and allow local participation in hearings. In addition, it allows fees to be collected for the state and county and establishes the Study Commission on Carbon Dioxide Storage Facility Fees. The bill was passed by the House March 19 and awaits committee referral in the Senate.
Alabama Public Service Commission: HB 475 by Rep. Mack Butler, R-Gadsden, would require the Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC) to hold formal rate hearings at least once every three years. The bill would also prohibit electric utilities from including costs related to grants, lobbying or advertising in the rates charged to customers. HB 475 was passed by the House March 17 and awaits action in the Senate Fiscal Responsibility & Economic Development Committee.
| |
| Meetings of the Alabama Legislature are livestreamed during the session. Click the link below to view committee meetings, the House chamber or Senate chamber. Then, use the dropdown menus to select the location or meeting name. | | | | |
