Capitol Connection
IN THIS ISSUE
Bentley's Agenda Centers On Job Creation, Education
Alabama Trust Fund Repayment Bill Passes House
Home Rule Recommendations Delayed
Bills Propose Consolidation Of State Agencies
Federation Hosts Annual Legislative Reception
Bills In Brief

February 8, 2013

Contact Legislator  Archives 1 

Bentley's Agenda Centers On Job Creation, Education  
   

Creating jobs and training students to develop appropriate job skills are two major tasks Gov. Robert Bentley laid out in his State of the State address Feb. 6. The governor began with a reflection on his first two years in office, which brought 26,000 new and future jobs to the state.

 

Bentley mentioned the creation of the College and Career Ready Task Force, a joint effort between education and community leaders with the goal of pinpointing skills students need to prepare for college or the workforce.  

Bentley Task Force
Gov. Robert Bentley announces the creation of the College and Career Ready Task Force Jan. 15 at the Shelby County School of Technology in Columbiana.  

 

"People from business, industry and agriculture (sectors) will advise us concerning skills they seek in a workforce," he said. "Educators will be able to tailor their courses to meet that demand. The results will be a constant supply of high school and college graduates who have the skills industries want."


The governor said he hopes this initiative will decreasethe high school dropout rate. Alabama Farmers Federation's Young Farmers Director Jennifer Himburg is serving on the task force.


Bentley mentioned the success of the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program (ATRIP), a federal aid highway program administered by the Alabama Department of Transportation that funds up to 80 percent of construction costs to improve roads and bridges. A total of 439 projects, costing $614 million, are approved.


"When companies build new factories, they look for areas with good roads and bridges. ATRIP is giving them what they need," he said.


News for the Education Trust Fund was positive, with funding projections higher than last year. Bentley's plan would direct some of those additional funds to Alabama's pre-kindergarten program and a 2.5 percent raise for teachers and support staff.

For the General Fund, the governor asked that the first bill on his desk address paying back the $437 million borrowed from the Alabama Trust Fund. He restated his commitment to right-sizing government and applauded state agencies for working efficiently with fewer resources.

 

Bentley expressed a commitment to the U.S. Constitution and protecting citizens' rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; the right to bear arms; and states' rights. He concluded by inviting "the world to look at Alabama again" to see a unified state with economic opportunities.
Alabama Trust Fund Repayment Bill Passes House

Legislators promised to pay back the $437 million borrowed from the Alabama Trust Fund after voters approved the transfer in September 2012. Known as The People's Trust Act, the first bill to pass the House in the 2013 session provides for full repayment by the year 2026.

Under HB94, sponsored by Rep. Jay Love, R-Montgomery, the Legislature would begin repayment from the general fund to the trust fund in fiscal year 2016. Payments must be made for 10 years, and any amount remaining by 2026 must be reimbursed in that year.

The bill passed the House Thursday in an 80-19 vote. The Senate companion, SB13, sponsored by Sen. Bryan Taylor, R-Prattville, passed the Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee Wednesday. 

Home Rule Recommendations Delayed 

 

The Feb. 1 meeting of the Constitutional Revisions Commission ended without a vote on revisions to the local government section of the Alabama Constitution. The commission was expected to vote on potential revisions to the "home rule" policy, but a quorum was not established.    

 

Since the end of the 2012 session, the commission, chaired by former Alabama Gov. Albert Brewer, has discussed the distribution of powers, legislative department and representation sections of the state constitution.   

 

The Alabama Farmers Federation supports an article-by-article process to revising the constitution.   

 

In November, Alabama voters approved amendments revising the banking and corporations sections of the constitution. The commission will resume meetings after the end of the 2013 legislative session.  

Bills Propose Consolidation Of State Agencies  

 

Republican leaders in state government plan to pass legislation making state agencies more efficient by removing duplicative services. Five bills dealing with reorganization of public safety, information technology (IT) and legislative services passed the Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Accountability Committee Wednesday.

 

SB108, sponsored by Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, would consolidate state law enforcement services into a reorganized Department of Public Safety and consolidate investigative services into a new State Bureau of Investigations. Both units would be part of a new Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, which would also take on the functions of the state Department of Homeland Security.

 

"The Alabama Farmers Federation supports law enforcement officers maintaining the resources necessary to preserve law and order," said Federation Director of Agricultural Legislation David Cole. "Rural areas have issues with theft of farm equipment and livestock. It's critical that rural law enforcement units have what they need to prevent and investigate these crimes." 

 

SB116 and SB117, sponsored by Sen Phil Williams, R-Rainbow City, would reorganize state non-educational IT departments into the Alabama Technology Authority and create the Office of the Secretary of Information Technology.

 

Sponsored by Sen. Jimmy Holley, R-Elba, SB122 and SB112 would abolish 10 agencies and committees which currently serve certain legislative functions, including the Legislative Fiscal Office. In place, the Legislative Services Agency, the Joint Legislative Operations Committee, the House Administration Committee and the Senate Administration Committee would be created to share the workload.

Federation Hosts Annual Legislative Reception  
   

More than 150 Alabama Farmers Federation leaders joined state government officials at the "Taste of Alabama" legislative reception Feb. 6 at the organization's home office in Montgomery.   

cropped reception pic
From left, Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, visits with Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell and Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey during the "Taste of Alabama" legislative reception Feb. 6.   

 

Food produced in Alabama was served as farmers mingled with state legislators, constitutional officers, judges and state school board members.

 

Gov. Robert Bentley, First Lady Dianne Bentley, Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey, 25 state senators, 78 state representatives and other elected officials attended the event. Farmers used the opportunity to speak with state leaders about laws and regulations concerning agriculture.

 

"Agriculture really is showcased by having the Taste of Alabama," said Alabama Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn. "Agriculture is such an important part of our state and economy, but the best part of the event is seeing people from all counties of the state."


The menu for the event included pecans, organic milk, pork barbecue, grits, peanuts, honey, roast beef, catfish, fried chicken, goat, lamb, squash, fried green tomatoes, cornbread, turnip greens, sweet potato fries, ice cream and fruit cobblers.
Bills In Brief

 

Public Assistance Benefits Enforcement, SB7, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, would prohibit using public assistance benefits to purchase alcohol, tobacco products or lottery tickets. It requires violaters to repay the Alabama Department of Human Resources (ADHR) for the purchase. Multiple violations would lead to the loss of public assistance. Fines would be enforced on businesses violating the bill with funds collected going to ADHR for enforcement. The bill passed the Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund with a 10-2 vote. AFF supports. 
 
Right To Work, SB41, sponsored by Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, would protect the right of employees to either join or decline membership in labor unions. The bill is assigned to the Senate Business and Labor Committee. AFF supports.

Alabama Firearms, SB43, sponsored by Sen. Gerald Allen, R-Tuscaloosa, would exempt firearms manufactured and retained in Alabama from federal regulations. The bill is assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee. AFF supports.

School Flexibility Bill, SB54, sponsored by Sen. Bill Holtzclaw, R-Madison, would establish the Local Control School Flexibility Act. Schools could apply to the Alabama State Board of Education for waivers to certain program and budget requirements. Schools must show how changes would improve the level of education students receive. The bill is assigned to the Senate Education Committee. The House companion, HB84, sponsored by Rep. Chad Fincher, R-Semmes, passed the House Education Policy Committee. AFF monitoring.

Rural Physician Tax Credits, SB73, sponsored by Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, would increase the rural physician tax credit from $5,000 to $6,000 and allow the credit to be claimed for six consecutive years instead of the current limit of five years. The bill is assigned to the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee. AFF monitoring.

Property Appraisals, SB91, sponsored by Sen. Paul Sanford, R-Huntsville, would limit required reappraisals of property to every four years. The bill passed the Senate Taxation General Fund Committee. AFF supports.

Gun Rights, SB120, sponsored by Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, would ensure gun rights could not be infringed by international treaty or law. The bill is assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The House companion, HB8, sponsored by Rep. Mike Jones, R-Andalusia, passed the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee. AFF supports. 
 
Garrett Coliseum Renovations, HB21, sponsored by Rep. Jay Love, R-Montgomery, would create an appropriation of $800,000 from the general fund budget to the agricultural center board for renovations to Garrett Coliseum. As long as there is a renovation agreement established, a total of $30 million will be appropriated through 2042. The bill is assigned to the House Ways and Means General Fund Committee.
AFF supports. 

 

Environmental Management Commission, HB49, sponsored by Rep. Jack Williams, R-Birmingham, would limit Environmental Management Commission members to serving two terms. It would also update certification requirements to include the National Ground Water Association, the successor to the National Water Well Association Certification Program. The bill passed the House Commerce and Small Business Committee. AFF supports.

Career Tech Bonds, HB102, sponsored by Rep. Mac Buttram, R-Cullman, is known as the 21st Century Workforce Act. It would allow the Alabama Public School and College Authority to sell up to $50 million in bonds for purchasing career and technical education equipment. The bill passed the House Ways and Means Education Committee. AFF supports.

 

 

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

 
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