Week 10

May 23 - May 27

There are a lot of things that are different about this particular legislative session than in previous years. The proverbial ‘changing of the guard’ that we saw after last year’s election has been the cause for much of it. But there is one thing that stands out as different and frankly quite interesting. It leads me to this question. Do the State Senators in the Alabama State House long for their college days? I mean, there have been several all nighters during this session and other days that may have been shorter, yet still carried them late into the evening or early morning hours. I can say this, they are getting things accomplished.

After a two week hiatus for mandated public hearings on redistricting, both chambers came back into session on Tuesday with only 7 days left in this year’s legislative session. The general layout of the agenda was to finish the budgets, redistricting, tenure reform, tort reform, and of course many others.

This office, as well as most around the state, was inundated with phone calls regarding tenure reform, SB310, known as the Student’s First Act. I received many phone calls from teachers against the bill, but I also received phone calls from non-teachers that were for the bill. The highly contested bill was up for debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday where it passed by a vote of 56 to 43. The bill reforms the process of fair dismissal and the subsequent appeals as well as the Reduction in Force proceedings (layoffs due to reduction in funds or enrollment). There is much more involved than can be written here, but it is important to note that bill, now signed by Governor Bentley, does not remove tenure from teachers.

As of early Wednesday morning, after pulling an all-nighter, the Senate finalized the Education Trust Fund. When they reconvened later in the day, they passed a series of pro-life bills. Of these 5 bills, one of note allows the state to opt out of the abortion funding requirement in President Obama’s healthcare plan.

T o mention a few other bills, Senator Cam Ward had two important bills pass the Senate this week. The Victim’s Notification Act places priority on victims of crime and brings the notification process up-to-date. SB440, the Indigent Defense Fund Act, also passed the Senate on Wednesday. The inflated costs of indigent defense created a need for change and the new flat rate of $75.00 an hour for attorney fees and giving local Circuits the ability to choose the method of service best suited for their area will help to save the state money while still providing legal aid for those unable to do so themselves.

Lastly, an important date for 2012 was set this week with the Senate passing HB 425. The Presidential and state primaries have been set for March 13, 2012. Having both primaries on the same day will save the state $4 million. Non- presidential year primaries will continue to be held the second Tuesday in June.

The number of days left in the 2011 Legislative Session are becoming fewer and fewer. I will continue to keep you updated until the bitter end. Until next week, have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.