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Governor Signs Agritourism Liability Bill
On Wednesday, Gov. Robert Bentley signed into law a bill providing liability protection for farmers against frivolous lawsuits brought by agritourism participants.
HB 459, sponsored by Rep. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, and Sen. Gerald Allen, R-Tuscaloosa, covers agritourism operations including farmers' markets, self-pick farms and farm animal exhibitions.
The law requires warning notices be posted at the entrance to the agritourism site and stipulates employees must be properly trained. It becomes effective in August. |
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General Fund, Education Trust Fund Budgets Finalized
Gov. Robert Bentley signed the General Fund (GF) and Education Trust Fund (ETF) budgets Thursday.
The GF will provide $350,000 to offset farmer fees for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO). Funding for the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) is set at $90,000.
In the ETF, funding for the Career Tech initiative will be set at $2.3 million with an additional $5 million for Career Tech Operations and Maintenance. Auburn University's Poultry Technology Center will receive $250,000. The University of Alabama's Rural Medical Scholars program will receive $441,000.
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Special Session Wrap-Up
In his call for a special session, Gov. Robert Bentley included five items on the agenda.
Redistricting Legislation, SB 25 and HB 19, sponsored by Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, and Rep. Jim McClendon, R-Springville, passed their second houses early Thursday morning. The Senate and House redistricting plans must now be approved by the governor and the U.S. Justice Department. The Legislature is required to redraw district lines based on the 2010 census data.
Bonds Constitutional Amendment, HB 12, sponsored by Rep. Jay Love, R-Montgomery, and Sen. Phil Williams, R-Rainbow City, is a technical amendment to correct the double counting of bonds against the state's debt limit, according to the governor's office. The bill will be voted on as a state-wide amendment.
Disposition of Funds, HB 13, sponsored by Rep. Jay Love, R-Montgomery, and Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, will allocate 75 percent of use taxes collected from "remote sellers," such as out-of-state catalogs or Internet sales, to the General Fund, with the remainder going to the Education Trust Fund.
Immigration Law Revisions, HB 658, sponsored by Rep. Micky Hammon, R-Decatur, and handled in the Senate by Sen. Scott Beason, R-Gardendale, was signed by Bentley May 18. Originally, the governor hoped to address some parts of HB 658 during the special session; however, in a statement released by the governor's office, Bentley said the bill "represented substantial progress" in revising the immigration law, and by signing HB 658, the legislature could move on to other business in the special session. The immigration law still requires employers to register with and use the E-Verify system.
Tobacco Settlement Funds Appropriation, HB 25, sponsored by Rep. Jim Barton, R-Mobile, and Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, will allow the state to reallocate funds from a previous settlement with tobacco manufacturers. |
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For questions or comments regarding newsletter content, e-mail:
Brian Hardin - Asst. Director of Governmental and Agricultural Programs
or
David Cole - Director of Agricultural Legislation
For questions or comments regarding newsletter distribution or media inquiries, e-mail:
Mary Johnson - Director of News Services |
