The HBAA was honored to have Governor Robert Bentley and Chief Justice Charles "Chuck" Malone speak at the Governmental Affairs Committee meeting on Tuesday. Welcomed to the stage by Governmental Affairs Chair Lynn Corder, both men expressed their appreciation for the support the HBAA had provided to them, as well as their desire to see Alabama's continued economic recovery.

In other action, the Governmental Affairs Committee discussed recent meetings between HBAA leadership and the Banking Department and the Appraisers Board. President Todd Slyman is scheduled to address the Appraisers Board at its next meeting to discuss current appraisal issues.

With copper theft remaining an issue throughout Alabama, the Alabama House and Senate adopted legislation aimed at further regulating the recycling industry in an effort to reduce jobsite theft. HB 278 (Poole, Tuscaloosa) and SB 35 (Brooks, Mobile) passed their respective chambers and await action in the other. The HBAA applauds the efforts to strengthen the laws concerning metal theft and will continue to work with the sponsors to move their legislation forward.

Representatives Mac Buttram (Cullman) and Mickey Hammon (Decatur) introduced HB 465 this week in an effort to "fix" issues with the state electrical licensing law. As written, the bill removes the requirement that locally licensed electricians take the state examination prior to being given a provisional license. Current law requires locally licensed electricians to take the exam annually, but does not require that they achieve a specific score or even pass the test. This bill eliminates this unnecessary requirement. The HBAA will continue to work with the sponsors as the legislation moves forward.

This year's legislative reception was a tremendous success. The HBAA played host to 21 Senators, 70 Representatives, and a host of state court, cabinet, and agency officials. Over 700 members and guests were in attendance at the HBAA's largest ever legislative reception. This year's reception was held in conjunction with the inaugural ABLE Conference. Next year's reception will again be held in conjunction with the 2013 ABLE Conference/Winter Meeting, February 25-27 in Montgomery.