Alabama Legislature Approves Farm Center Bill in Final Days of Session | |
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The 2024 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature concluded sine die Thursday evening after an eventful and challenging session for lawmakers. A countless number of topics in the form of hundreds of bills were addressed during the session, including passage of necessary Alabama Farm Center legislation.
SB 219 by Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville, (pictured) gives the state Farm Center the same power and abilities already granted to county ag authorities under current law. The bill also creates the Agriculture Exhibition Center Corporation to operate the Farm Center.
"It's going to be a great project to bring in tourism and bring in education about agriculture," Shelnutt said. "I'm very much for this."
The Alabama Senate concurred with a conference committee report regarding SB 219 Wednesday with a vote of 25-2 with eight not voting. The legislation was passed by the House of Representatives shortly after with a vote of 92-7 with four not voting. Rep. Danny Crawford, R-Athens, carried the bill in the House.
Passage of the legislation was delayed Tuesday when Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Harvest, assigned to a conference committee to address SB 219, did not attend a scheduled committee meeting. Rep. Sam Jones, D-Mobile, also voted against the report in committee. Two members from each chamber must approve a conference report to advance the legislation out of committee.
A filibuster of House bills by Shelnutt followed on the Senate floor Tuesday.
“We appreciate Sen. Shelnutt and Rep. Crawford for sponsoring this important legislation and the members of the Legislature who voted for passage,” said Alabama Farmers Federation Organization Department Director Matthew Durdin. “The Alabama Farm Center will provide educational opportunities for young people and strengthen the local and state economies. We also thank the city of Warrior, Jefferson County, Gov. Kay Ivey and a growing list of corporate supporters for their dedication in making this dream a reality.”
The Alabama Farm Center will be in House District 51 represented by Allen Treadaway, R-Morris, at Hallmark Farm in Jefferson County. Rep. Treadaway spoke in support of SB 219 from the House floor Wednesday.
“This is an economic boom for the state of Alabama,” Treadaway said. “There’s only two locations in the country that have a facility like this; it’s going to create over a thousand jobs initially.”
The Jefferson County Commission issued a statement celebrating passage of the bill.
“The development of this new state agricultural center is not only good for the county, it’s good for the entire region.” said Jefferson County Commission President Jimmie Stephens. “It will make northern Jefferson County a family fun destination for people across the Southeast.”
Federation External Affairs Department Director Brian Hardin said passage of SB 219 wouldn’t have been possible without support from leadership in both chambers.
“We applaud House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, and Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reeed, R-Jasper, for realizing the importance of a central location to promote agriculture in Alabama and for making the Farm Center a priority,” Hardin said. “We also appreciate all of the members of the Senate Agriculture, Forestry and Conservation Committee and the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee for supporting the Farm Center.”
SB 219 has been sent to Gov. Kay Ivey to be signed into law.
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Gambling Legislation Fails as Regular Session Concludes | |
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Controversial gambling legislation that dominated State House conversations failed with the conclusion of the 2024 Regular Session Thursday.
HB 151 and 152 by Rep. Chris Blackshear, R-Phenix City, would have significantly expanded gambling in Alabama with the creation of a state lottery and the introduction of Class III gaming. The Senate version of the bills, which passed March 7, would have authorized all forms of gambling, subject to a compact with the PCI, including at sites beyond the current tribal locations. House versions, which passed Feb. 15, included sports betting and up to 10 Las Vegas-style casinos. HB 151, a constitutional amendment, required a three-fifths vote by both chambers to appear on a ballot.
Alabama Farmers Federation policy opposes all forms of gambling.
Disagreements between the two chambers led to a conference committee to create a compromise of the legislation. The House-passed conference report received enough votes in the Senate to adopt the report, but with a 20-15 vote, did not reach the three-fifths threshold required to pass the legislation.
A last-minute push on the final day of the session to garner support for the gambling bills did not receive enough support to bring the legislation back up for a vote in the Senate.
Federation External Affairs Department Director Brian Hardin said he’s thankful for legislators who respected the organization’s grassroots policy and voted ‘no’ on gambling legislation this session.
“We understand the pressure lawmakers were under to pass gambling expansion this session,” Hardin said. “Our gratitude is with all the senators and representatives who embodied their conservative beliefs with votes against this legislation. We also appreciate all our members who reached out to legislators and encouraged them to vote against these bills.”
Gov. Kay Ivey, a proponent of the gambling legislation, told reporters she did not plan to call a special session to re-address the issue.
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Education Trust Fund Approved to Close Out Session | |
Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Chair Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, speaks from the House floor Thursday about the 2025 Education Trust Fund Budget. Photo by Alexander Willis, Alabama Daily News. | |
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The Alabama Legislature completed its constitutional obligation to pass budgets to direct state spending for the next fiscal year as the regular session concluded Thursday.
Both the Alabama Senate and House of Representatives approved a conference committee report regarding the Education Trust Fund (ETF) budget.
The ETF budget, HB 145 by House Ways and Means Education Committee Chair Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, will direct state education funding for Fiscal Year 2025 and totals $9.3 billion, a 6.8% increase over FY24. HB 145 unanimously passed the Senate and House.
The General Fund budget, SB 67 by Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee Chair Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, directs non-educational state funding and totals $3.4 billion. SB 67 passed the House unanimously with amendments last Thursday and was unanimously concurred with by the Senate Tuesday.
Gov. Kay Ivey said she was pleased to pass another record ETF budget.
"Ensuring every Alabama student receives a quality education is my number one priority, and I am proud we are once again, for a sixth straight year, investing a record amount in
Education,” Ivey said. “Education is every Alabama child's ticket to a successful future, and I am proud this year's budget is exactly that - an investment in the future of Alabama."
Alabama Farmers Federation State Legislative Programs Director Russ Durrance thanked the budget chairs and Gov. Ivey for their commitment to agriculture and forestry.
“Properly funding agriculture and forestry programs in the state is one of our highest priorities every session,” Durrance said. “We’re thankful to Chairman Albritton, Chairman Garrett, Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee Chairman Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, House Ways and Means General Fund Chairman Rex Reynolds, R-Huntsville, and all the members of the Legislature for their dedication to these important industries.”
All Federation priorities received level or increased funding.
Gov. Ivey said she looks forward to signing both budgets.
2025 agriculture and forestry appropriations include:
Education Trust Fund:
- Alabama Agriculture in the Classroom, $100,000, level-funded
- Alabama TREASURE Forest Association, $60,000, level-funded
- FFA Affiliate Membership, $275,000, level-funded
- Agriscience Education Program Improvement Specialist, $233,900, level-funded
- North Alabama Agriplex, $58,000, level-funded
- National Livestock Competition Coordinator, $250,000, level-funded
- 4-H Youth Development and Animal Science Extension Specialist, $125,000, level-funded
- Auburn University – Poultry Science Program, $250,000, level-funded
- Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, $42,970,803, up $1.95 million
- Alabama Cooperative Extension System, $45,243,995, up $2 million
- Irrigation Research & Outreach Initiative, $500,000, level-funded
- Auburn Rural Health Program, $144,155, level-funded
- Tuskegee University Rural Health Program, $89,815, level-funded
- Rural Medical Scholars Program at UA, $962,500, level-funded
- Rural Health Program at UAH, $799,417, up $56,000
- Alabama Cattlemen’s Youth Program, $40,000, new
- Agriscience Teachers, $1,000,000, level-funded
- Farm to School Program, $550,000, up $150,000
- Alabama Agricultural Land Grant Alliance, $6,491,283, level-funded
- Soil and Water Conservation Committee Program, $2,923,376, up $100,000
- Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D), $7,037,744, up $1.05 million
- Liberty Learning Foundation, $1,000,000, up $300,000
- Jones Valley Teaching Farm, $500,000, level-funded
- Career Tech Initiative, $38,707,239, up $2.54 million
General Fund:
- Sweet Grown Alabama, $300,000, level-funded
- North Alabama Agriplex, $100,000, level-funded
- Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO), $575,000, level-funded
- Forest Products Economic Specialist, $200,000, level-funded
- Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, $20,799,246, up $2.7 million
- Industrial Hemp Program, $50,000, level-funded
- Applied Research for Emerging Cellulose Based Products, $400,000
- Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D), $7,956,242, up $1.05 million
- Statewide Feral Swine Program, $675,000, level-funded
- Alabama Forestry Commission, $17,626,844, up $2.7 million
- Soil & Water Conservation Committee Program, $3,956,995, up $337,000
- People Against a Littered State (PALS), $200,000, level-funded
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Legislature Approves Bill Capping Property Tax Increases | |
From left to right: Rep. Phillip Pettus, R-Killen; Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth; Sen. David Sessions, R-Grand Bay. | |
Legislation capping annual ad valorem tax increases on Class II and III properties passed the Alabama Senate Thursday and awaits Gov. Kay Ivey’s signature.
HB 73 by Rep. Phillip Pettus, R-Killen, will cap the year-to-year property tax assessment values for Class II commercial and business property and Class III residential, agricultural, forestry and historic property at 7% after amendment. Sen. David Sessions, R-Grand Bay, carried a companion bill in the Senate.
HB 73 passed the Senate Thursday by a vote of 30-3 with two not voting.
“In some areas across Alabama, annual reappraisals have resulted in property taxes increasing by as much as 68% year-to-year, which can be financially crippling to homeowners and business owners alike,” Pettus told Alabama Daily News. “Capping those increases at 7% allows cities and counties to acknowledge the rising value of property while, at the same time, shielding both families and employers from unfair, unexpected, and unconscionable property tax increases.”
Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, who championed the legislation, praised Sen. Sessions and Rep. Pettus for their work.
“Unexpected double-digit property tax increases are no longer a threat to home and business owners thanks to passage of our tax cap legislation,” Ainsworth said. “Your taxes resulting from reappraisals may not increase more than 7%. Thanks to Sen. Sessions and Rep. Pettus for carrying this bill.”
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Governor Ivey Signs Landmark ‘Working for Alabama’ Legislative Package into Law | |
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Gov. Kay Ivey signed the “Working for Alabama” legislative package into law. This ambitious package of bills is aimed at transforming Alabama’s workforce and getting more Alabamians trained for skilled, high-paying jobs, streamlining Alabama’s economic development efforts and investing into Alabama communities, especially those in rural areas.
“Our state leaders over the past few years have taken up several ambitious challenges to address Alabama’s top areas of need,” said Governor Ivey. “And the results are paying out in dividends. From broadband to infrastructure to The Game Plan we passed last year and now, Working for Alabama, we have come together to put Alabama first and have paved the way for a stronger economy and a better quality of life for all Alabamians.”
One of the primary goals of Working for Alabama has been to solve one of Alabama’s biggest economic challenges, its Labor Force Participation Rate, which is 47th in the nation. Almost half of the state’s working-age individuals are neither employed nor seeking jobs.
Click the link below to read more of Gov. Ivey's official release.
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Senate Confirmations to State Ag-Related Boards
The Alabama Senate confirmed four individuals to the Alabama A&M University Board of Trustees Thursday.
Alabama A&M is one of three land grant universities in Alabama created to improve education and research in agricultural and mechanical studies.
The Alabama A&M board appointments are listed below. Their terms will expire Jan. 31, 2030.
Tiffany Johnson Cole of Tuskegee, Alabama
Robert “Bud” Cramer of Huntsville, Alabama
Scherrie B. Pickett of Midway, Alabama
Reggie Sylvain of McDonough, Georgia
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Bills in Brief: Passed Agricultural Legislation | |
Ag Fencing Sales Tax Exemption: Act 2024-169 by Sen. Jack Williams, R-Wilmer, was signed by Gov. Kay Ivey and will provide tax exemptions on livestock fencing products.
Lab-Grown Meat Prohibition: Act 2024-252 by Sen. Jack Williams, R-Wilmer, will prohibit the manufacture and sale of cultivated or cultured meat products in Alabama.
Seafood Labeling: HB 66 by Rep. Chip Brown, R-Hollingers Island, would require food service establishments to display country of origin for seafood products, use correct/common names for products, and inform consumers if fish and shrimp are farm-raised or wild. HB 66 passed the Senate Thursday and is waiting to be signed by Gov. Ivey.
Animal Disposal: SB 202 by Sen. Josh Carnley, R-Ino, will allow for the disposal of dead animals in accordance with rules adopted by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries. SB 202 was passed the House Wednesday and is waiting to be signed by Gov. Ivey.
Bovine Liability: Act 2024-286 by Sen. Randy Price, R-Opelika, will provide limitations of liability for certain actions taken by bovines and their owners.
Carbon Sequestration: Act 2024-325 by Rep. Allen Baker, R-Brewton, officially recognizes an ownership interest in "pore space," defined as small pockets of space located deep in the ground.
Off-Road Vehicle Title: Act 2024-190 by Rep. Jeff Sorrells, R-Hartford, requires every off-road vehicle manufactured on or after January 1, 2026, to receive a certificate of title at the time of purchase. This bill would also require dealers of off-road vehicles to obtain a master dealer license and would authorize the dealer to issue certificates of title for off-road vehicles.
Highway Truck Weights: Act 2024-248 by Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, amends Alabama code regulating weight restrictions for vehicles on state highways.
Bee Sales Tax - SB 94 by Sen. Josh Carnley, R-Ino, will exempt the gross proceeds from the sale of honeybees, their inputs and byproducts from state sales and use tax. SB 94 passed the House Wednesday and awaits Gov. Ivey's signature.
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Federation Members Visit State House During Legislative Session | |
County Federation leaders from Lee and Jackson Counties visited with the Alabama Farmers Federation External Affairs team at Alabama State House during the 2024 Regular Session. Members are encouraged to reach out to their Area Organization director to schedule a State House visit during legislative sessions. | |
Federation’s Roberts Recognized for Political Prowess and Dedication to Farmers | |
Alabama Farmers Federation Director of Agricultural Legislation Preston Roberts was recognized by Yellowhammer News as part of the next generation of political leaders in Alabama.
Roberts, a five-year State House veteran, was listed with eight others “moving the needle in Montgomery across business, politics and public service — leveraging their influence to the benefit of Alabama.”
Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan spoke to Roberts unwavering commitment to Alabama farmers.
“Preston has distinguished himself as a leader in agriculture and public policy through passionate advocacy for Alabama Farmers Federation members and unshakable integrity,” Pinyan said. “He has excelled professionally while simultaneously earning a juris doctor and being a loving, engaged husband and father. Preston is guided by deep faith and driven by a commitment to give his best in every endeavor. We are proud Yellowhammer has recognized Preston’s servant leadership and are confident he will continue using his influence to benefit Federation members, his colleagues, and the state of Alabama.”
Click the link below to see the full “Who’s Next?” list.
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