The Home Owners' Association bill was number 11 on Thursday's calendar. Unfortunately, the House adjourned before taking up consideration of HB 241. The bill is scheduled to be number 19 on Tuesday's calendar, but with several bills that may prove controversial at the top of the page, it may be doomed before the day begins. The HBAA is working with the bill's sponsor, Representative Mac McCutcheon (R-Huntsville) to get the bill placed in a better slot for Thursday's calendar just in case time runs out on Tuesday.

HVAC Legislation Receives Favorable Report in Senate Committee

House Bill 231 by Representative Jack Williams (R-Birmingham) received a favorable report in the Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development committee on Wednesday. The bill now awaits consideration by the full Senate. The HBAA is working with Senator Del Marsh (R-Anniston) to get the bill placed on the Senate calendar at the earliest opportunity.

Annexation Bill Passes House

Legislation that changes the requirements governing the extension of police jurisdictions upon annexation of new property by a municipality passed the House on Thursday. Under the provisions of HB 377 by Rep. Ron Johnson (R-Sylacauga), a municipality must provide a thirty day notice that it intends to enforce policing power within the jurisdiction, including permitting of construction activities. Further, the bill states that municipalities that conduct non-contiguous annexation may choose not to enforce the police jurisdiction as a result of the annexation. Any alteration of the police jurisdiction is limited to once a year.

The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Apprentice Tax Credit Bill Offers Employers Incentive to Hire Apprentices

Representative Ritchie Whorton (R-Owens Cross Roads) is sponsoring HB 437, which offers employers a tax credit for hiring apprentices. The bill's goal is to increase the number of qualified tradesmen in the workforce by offering employers a $1,000 incentive for employees in an approved apprenticeship program. The bill is awaiting committee action in the House Ways and Means Education committee. The HBAA is working with the bill's sponsor to get it assigned to an upcoming committee agenda.

Distracted Driving Bill Fails BIR Vote

A bill that would have created a penalty for distracted driving failed in the House this week to pass the required Budget Isolation Resolution (BIR)*. Under the provisions of the bill, any distraction that would have prevented a driver from devoting "necessary" attention to driving would be considered distracted driving and would be subject to a fine.

Although often associated with the growing problem of texting and driving, the broadly written bill would have encompassed everything from using a cell phone, drinking a coke, looking at a passenger in the vehicle, or, potentially, reading a billboard as a person was driving. Builders and contractors who work out of their vehicles could be impacted significantly under the bill's current language. Members of the House suggested reworking the bill to a more narrow definition as a way to move the bill forward.

*Budget Isolation Resolution (BIR) - This procedural step was established by constitutional amendment in 1984 to ensure the State's budgets take precedence over all other matters. The amendment states that in order for either chamber to take up a bill on the floor prior to the budgets being passed, they must pass a resolution preceding the bill. The vote must be a 3/5th vote in the affirmative in order for the chamber to take up the bill.