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 Last Updated May 18, 2009.

Tier I  Ban on PAC to PAC Transfers HB154, Rep. McLaughlin. Campaign contributions, PAC to PAC transfers, prohibited, Sec. 17-5-15 am'd.  LWVAL supports HB154. Status:  Passed House (98-0) 2/12/09 & sent to Senate. 4/16/09 1st reading and sent to CCFE&E as the result of League President Mary Lynn Bates’ discussion with committee members and press who were unaware that bill was still in Senate Rules Comm.. SB207, Sens. Orr, Butler and Erwin. Bans Pac-to-PAC transfers and includes principle campaign committees in this ban; explicitly states PACs may give to a principle campaign committee. LWVAL supports SB207. Status:  2/3/09 read for the first time and referred to the Senate committee on Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics, and Elections. No bills monitored at this time other than bills above supported. Tax Reform, including ending sales tax on groceries HB116, Rep. Knight (18 cosponsors). Federal income tax deduction eliminated from Alabama gross income, state sales tax on food removed, individual income tax standard deductions, personal exemptions, and dependent exemptions, increased, const. amend. LWVAL supports HB116. Sub. 107046-1 is being considered. Status:  Prefiled 2/3/09, assigned to House Committee on Education Appropriations (EA).  2/5/09 read for the second time and placed on the calendar with 1 substitute (Sub. 107046-1) and Pending third reading on day 3 Favorable from EA with 1 substitute EA first Substitute Offered. May 7 Indefinitely postponed. Also, see Monitored Legislation to read about HB16, HB53, SB6 and HB79 which address Tax Reform. Constitutional Reform & Constitutional Convention HB30, Rep. Newton Constitutional Convention, election for calling to amend and replace Constitution of Alabama of 1901, delegates, election for ratification or rejection  LWVAL supports HB30. Status:  Prefiled 2/3/09, assigned to House Committee on Constitution & Elections (C & E). SB18, Rep. Coleman. Local constitutional amendments, subject to statewide referendum, requirement for number of dissenting votes in the Legislature increased, Amendment 555 (Section 284.01, Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended), am'd., const. amend. LWVAL supports SB18. Status:  Read for the first time 2/3/09 and referred to the Senate committee on Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics, and Elections (Senate CCFEE). 5/5 LWVAL email to House Rules Committee urging action on HJR 91. HJR91, Rep. Newton (D) and SJR20, Sen. Little (T) - "Let the People Vote" on calling a Constitution Convention to rewrite the 1901 Alabama Constitution. LWVAL supports both HJR91 & SJR20. Status:  Each resolution sent to its respective Rules Committee. HJR91 5/6 reported from Rules Comm., carried over. Also, see Monitored Legislation to read about HB77 which addresses Constitutional Reform. Government Transparency & Accountability HB73, Rep. Ward. Campaign finance disclosure reports, electronic filing authorized, Secs. 17-5-8, 17-5-9 am'd. LWVAL supports HB73. Status:  Prefiled 2/3/09, assigned to House Committee on Constitution & Elections (C & E). 2/19/09 pending third reading on day 7 Favorable from Constitution and Elections. 5/7 Indefinitely postponed. SB257, Sens. Dixon, Marsh, Waggoner, Erwin, and Glover. Original bill extended the period between sunset reviews from 4 years to 8 years; substitute changes the period to 6 years. LWVAL supports SB257, now Sub. 110530. Status:  Intro 3/05/09; Passed with amendment (107264) on 3/10/09 and sent to House; Sent to House Boards and Commissions; 4/01/09 1st substitute (110530) offered and passed in B&C; pending 3rd read and favorable from B&C. SB504, Sen. Dixon. Public records, official required to provide copy within five working days of request, reasonable fees authorized, Sec. 36-12-41 am'd. LWVAL suppors SB504. Status:  3/24 1st read; 3/31 pending 3rd read and favorable from Govermental Affairs (GA). 5/14 Indefinitely postponed. Also, see Monitored Legislation to read about HB2, HB3, & HB9 which address Government Transparency & Accountability. Ethics in Government Lobbying expenditure reports Ethics Commission authority HB76, Reps. Ward and Ball - Would amend Sec. 36-25-3 Code of 1975 to give subpoena power to the Ethics Commission. LWVAL supports HB76. Status: 2/12/09 Substitute 107259 pending 3rd read & favorable from Judiciary. HB262, Rep. Black & SB177, Sens. Ross, Butler, Denton, Benefield, Penn, Means, and Preuitt - Ethics, statement of economic interests, filing, minimum threshold increased, certain employees exempt, Sec. 36-25-14 am'd. 4/16/09 2nd reading and placed on calendar; 3rd reading pending. Favorable from CCFE&E. LWVAL supports HB262 / SB177. Status HB262:  3/5/09 passed House (95-0) and sent to Senate. 3/24/09 referred to CCFE&E. 4/16 Pending third read and favorable from CCFE&E.  Status SB177:  2/19/2009 read for the second time and placed on the calendar. Pending third reading on day 7. Favorable from CCFE&E. 5/15 third reading carried over. 5/05 LWVAL email to House Rules Committee urging action on HB582 & HB594 with preference for HB594. 5/06 Action Alert to contact House Rules Committee requesting immediate placement of HB582 & HB594 on Special Order Calendar, noting preference for HB594. HB582, Reps. DeMarco, Canfield, Ward, McLaughlin, Collier, Black - Ethics law, statement of economic interests, categories revised, Ethics Commission, appointment and confirmation of members, complaints further provided for, definition of lobbying, family members of public employees, personal gain, confidential information, filing of electronic reports, mandatory ethics training, Many Secs. amended, 36-25-18, 36-25-19, 36-25-20 am'd. LWVAL supports HB582 Substitute. Status:  2/26/09 read for second time and placed on the calendar with 1 substitute (108490-1). Favorable from Judiciary. Pending 3rd read. 4/16/09 2nd read and placed on calendar, pending third read and favorable from Jud.  Also on 4/16/09 Speaker removed bill from calendar and recommitted to Jud. on request of Rep. De Marco. 4/30 Jud Substitute (111743-2) pending 3rd read and favorable from Jud. 5/07 indefinitely postponed. HB594, Reps Gipson Hubbard, McClurkin, Love, Ball, Hill, Drake, Moore (P), Galliher, Morrow, Allen, Laird, Williams, Baker (A), Shiver, Collier, Wood, Ward, Bentley, Mask, Ison, Gaston and Fincher - Ethics Code, Chapter 25 of Title 36, substantially revised and reorganized, Many Secs. amended and renumerated LWVAL supports HB594. Status:  2/24/09 read for the first time and referred to the House of Representatives committee on Judiciary. 4/30 Jud. Substitute (112269-2) pending 3rd read and favorable from Jud. SB238, Senators Barron, Means, Penn, Figures, Benefield, Little (Z), Mitchem & SB298, Sen.Barron - Ethics Commission, complaints, investigation within certain period of filing, Sec. 36-25-4 am'd. LWVAL opposes SB238 / SB298. Status SB238 prefiled 2/3/09, referred to Senate Constitution & Elections.   Status SB298 filed 2/5/09, referred to Senate Governmental Affairs. Public hearing 3/10/09. Committee is re-writing  SB298. Action:  3/9/09 LWVAL wrote letter to GA in opposition to SB238/SB298. SB250 - Sponsored by Senators Little (T), Bedford, Mitchem, Barron, Coleman, Figures, Benefield, Means, Little (Z), Penn LWVAL supports SB250. Status:  Passed Senate 2/17/09 25-0. Read for first time in House 2/19/09 and referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. 3/26/09  3rd read pending favorable from Judiciary with one substitute (110051-1). Also, see Monitored Legislation to read about HB235, SB419 (companion to HB582), and HB652 which address Ethics in Government.     Tier II Voting Access & Practices HB38, Rep. Hurst - Elections, election officers, Legislature by local law authorized to appoint alternate election officers, Sec. 17-8-1 am'd. LWVAL supports HB38. Status:  2/19/09 pending third reading on day 7. Favorable from Constitution and Elections. 3/3/09 passed House (91-0-0). First read in Senate, no committee listed. HB55, Rep. England & SB99, Sen. Smitherman - Campaign contributions, limited for candidates for Alabama Supreme Court, Court of Civil Appeals, Court of Criminal Appeals, circuit courts, district courts. LWVAL supports HB55 and SB99. Status HB55:  Prefiled 2/3/09, assigned to House Committee on Constitution & Elections (C & E). Status SB99:  Prefiled 2/3/09 and assigned to the Senate Committee on Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics & Elections (Senate C&E). 3/10 Pending 3rd read and favorable from CCFE&E. 5/14 indefinitely postponed. HB72, Rep. Ward - General elections, independent candidates, ballot access and petition procedures and requirements, Sec. 17-7-3 am'd. LWVAL supports HB72. Status:  2/19/09 pending third reading on day 7. Favorable from Constitution and Elections with 1 substitute 107129-2. 3/10/09 2nd read, 3rd read pending favorable from CE. HB140, Rep. Hinshaw - Electioneering communications and paid political advertising, disclosure of source of funding required, exceptions, contributions by political committees further provided for, Secs. 17-5-2, 17-5-8, 17-5-12 am'd. LWVAL supports HB140. Status:  2/12/09 passed the House (100-0) and sent to the Senate. 2/19 sent to Senate Committee for Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics, and Elections. 4/2/09 2nd read and amendment (11001-2) passed; pending 3rd read and favorable from CCFE&E. HB161, Reps. Robinson (O) and Dunn - Elections, any qualified elector authorized to vote an absentee ballot, Sec. 17-11-3 am'd. LWVAL supports HB161. Note:  The LWVAL position on off-site voting was adopted 2/20/09 following a 21-month membership study and consensus. The position calls for no excuse absentee ballots and early voting. Status:  On 02/05/2009 read for the second time and placed on the calendar. Pending third reading. Favorable from Constitution and Elections. HB283, Rep. Ball (& 27 others) & SB205, Sen. Orr - Campaign contributions and expenditures, reports of, required to be filed if candidate has or does not have opposition and required to be filed before all elections, Sec. 17-5-8 am'd. LWVAL supports HB283 & SB205. Status of HB283:  Read for the first time on 2/3/09 and referred to the House Committee on Constitution and Elections (House C&E). Status of SB205:  Passed out of GA favorable and read for second time. 2/5/09 placed on House calendar. 2/26/09 pending 3rd read and favorable from C&E. 5/15 third reading and passed on 101-0-1 roll call vote; sent to the governor’s office. SB145, Sen. Mitchem - Elections, write-in candidates, registration with judge of probate or Secretary of State prior to election required, compliance with Fair Campaign Practices Act and State Ethics Law required, Sec. 17-6-28 am'd. LWVAL supports SB145. Status:  Read for the first time on 2/3/09 and referred to the Senate Committee on Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics and Elections (Senate C&E). 3/10/09 reported favorable with one Substitute (108977-4).  SB206, Sen. Orr - Campaign finance disclosure reports, electronic filing authorized, Secs. 17-5-8, 17-5-9 am'd. LWVAL supports SB206. Status:  Read for the first time on 2/3/09 and referred to the Senate Committee on Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics, and Elections (Senate C&E). 3/10/09 pending 3rd read favorable from CCFE&E. Also, see HB73 under Government Transparency & Accountability which addresses Voting Access & Practices. Also, see Monitored Legislation to read about SB75 & HB279 which address Voting Access & Practices. Judicial Qualifications & Selection including merit selection HB66, Rep. DeMarco, and SB28, Sen. Bedford - Supreme Court Justices, Court of Civil Appeals, and Court of Criminal Appeals, and as circuit court judges and district court judges; minimum times of licensure as attorneys as qualification of office, Secs. 12-2-1, 12-3-1, 12-11-1, 12-12-1 am'd. LWVAL supports HB66 and SB28. Status:   Both HB66 and SB28 prefiled 2/3/09. HB66 passed House 2/17/09 (99-0). 2/19/09 read for the first time in the Senate and referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary. 3/5/09 pending 3rd read and favorable from Judiciary. SB28, Sen. Bedford - Read for the second time 2/19/09. Pending third read & vote by Senate. Favorable from Judiciary.  3/10 third reading and passed unanimously by Senate; 3/12 1st reading in the House, sent to Judiciary. 3/26 2nd reading and placed on the calendar with one substitute (110061-1); 5/07 substitute by Judiciary passed by House on unanimous vote; 5/15 Senate concurrence requested; House version passed Senate on 18-8-1 vote; sent to the governor’s office. Substitute version places the new judicial requirements in effective after January 1, 2010. SB100, Sen. Smitherman - Judicial vacancies, statewide plan for filling vacancies in circuit, district, appellate, and Supreme Court, Section 6.14 as added by Amendment 328, Constitution of Alabama of 1901 (Section 153, Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended), repealed and added, const. amend. LWVAL supports SB100. Status:  Prefiled 2/3/09 and assigned to the Senate Committee on Constitution, Campaign Finance, Ethics, & Elections (Senate C&E). 3/10/09 3rd read pending favorable from CCFE&E. Also, see Monitored Legislation to read about HB15, HB 17, and HB548 which address Judicial Qualifications & Selection. Natural Resources Maintaining water purity and air quality Reservoir addition for state Coastal zone protection Recycling See Monitored Legislation to read about HB13. Public Transportation As a natural resource issue as well as a transportation issue related to the tax structure         Tier III Other legislation relevant to League positions and principles will be reviewed and considered for possible action as opportunities arise.  Other Ethics Issues Health Care Issues See Monitored Legislation: HB48 -  Nursing homes, long-term care insurance policy, canceling or increasing premium, prohibited. HB33 - Emergency Missing Senior Citizen Alert Act established, duties to Public Safety Department, Emergency Missing Senior Citizen Alert Act. 2/17/09 HB33 passed the House (95-0), Sent to Senate, sent to Gov't Affairs Committee. 3/5/09 Substitute 109095-2 accepted and passed (27-0). (This bill not covered by League positions. Posted for public information only.)