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Irrigation Bill Awaits Governor's Signature
A bill improving the irrigation tax credit law awaits Gov. Robert Bentley's signature after unanimously passing the Alabama House of Representatives Tuesday.
Sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, and Rep. Alan Boothe, R-Troy, the bill would give farmers five years from the date of a completed irrigation or reservoir construction project to claim the one-time tax credit. The maximum credit allowed remains $10,000.
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Approximately 100,000 acres of land are currently irrigated in Alabama. An increase of 1 million acres of irrigation would have the same economic impact in the state as the addition of 26,000 jobs, according to State Climatologist Dr. John Christy.
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In House debate, legislators emphasized the importance of irrigation to increase corn production in Alabama.
"We are a tremendous importer of corn from other states, so our dollars are leaving this state and going to others," said Rep. Jay Love, R-Montgomery, chairman of the House Ways and Means Education Committee.
He said increasing irrigation would provide a significant economic boost to Alabama. Boothe echoed those sentiments.
"One of the items we import is corn grain to feed our chickens," Boothe said. "If we can control the moisture in those five days of the life of a corn stalk (when corn needs water), we can reduce the amount we have to import. It's a win-win for everybody."
Currently, Alabama has approximately 100,000 acres of irrigated land. An increase of 1 million acres of irrigation would have the same economic impact as the addition of two new automobile plants, according to State Climatologist Dr. John Christy.
Another provision of the bill would open up additional land along rivers for farmers to use direct-withdrawal irrigation methods and qualify for the credit without a reservoir. It also clarifies the process for multiple owners of a farm claiming the credit.
By state law, Bentley has six days, excluding Sundays, to review the bill and either sign it or veto and send it back to the legislature with suggested amendments. If the governor does not take any action, the bill automatically becomes law.
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Alabama Accountability Act Becomes Law
Gov. Robert Bentley signed into law the Alabama Accountability Act Thursday to provide flexibility for schools and tax credits for parents to move their children out of failing schools. Republican leadership applauded the act as a new day for education in Alabama, but admitted the need for clarifications on portions of the bill.
 | | Gov. Robert Bentley discussed the Alabama Accountability Act with the Agricultural Leaders For Alabama (A.L.F.A.) group earlier this month at a dinner at the Federation's Montgomery home office. Pictured above are Baldwin County farmer Hope Cassebaum, Bentley and Cleburne County farmer Eric Lovvorn. |
"For the first time ever, we're giving all public schools the flexibility they need to better serve students," Bentley said in a statement. "Local educators deserve the freedom and opportunity to make their schools better."
The governor said the Department of Revenue and State Department of Education can develop rules and regulations to address concerns with the legislation.
Similar legislation has been successful in improving education in Florida, according to Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, who discussed the act on the Matt Murphy Radio Show.
"People appreciate the fact that we're at least doing something to change the status quo in education," Hubbard said. "This is to provide competition so failing schools will get better and cease to be failing schools."
Shortly after the bill was signed into law, Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, introduced SB360 to amend the act so that no public or private school would be forced to enroll a student. The bill is assigned to the Senate Education Committee.
Marsh said the education budget committee chairs have set aside $60-70 million in the Education Trust Fund budget to provide for the program.
"No apologies for the dollars being spent," he said in a statement to news sources. "This is going to be money well spent to educate our children."
Under the act, schools can apply to the State Department of Education for certain program-and-budget-requirement waivers. Schools must provide evidence of how the waiver would improve education.
The act allows parents of children in failing schools to claim a tax credit to enroll their child in a private or non-failing public school. It also provides a tax credit for businesses or individuals funding nonprofit scholarships for students to transition out of failing schools.
The bill passed a conference committee on Feb. 28, but a lawsuit brought by the Alabama Education Association (AEA) resulted in Montgomery Circuit Judge Charles Price issuing a restraining order on moving the bill to the governor's office. The Alabama Supreme Court lifted the order Wednesday. The AEA has pledged to file additional lawsuits against the act.
AFF policy favors creative and innovative approaches to solving education's problems and supports a vast improvement in the quality of education offered to our children in the public schools of Alabama.
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Ag Funding Preserved In State General Fund Budget
The Alabama Senate preserved funding important for irrigation and the state's livestock and poultry farms in the General Fund budget passed Tuesday. The budget awaits action in the House of Representatives.
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Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, is Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee Chairman and sponsor of SB143.
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The Senate version of the General Fund budget, SB143, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, includes $380,000 for the Alabama Department of Environmental Management to offset registration fees for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). This amount would fully fund the program, which is mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The Senate agreed to the governor's request of $90,674 for the Agriculture Water Enhancement Program (AWEP). The program is aimed at increasing on-farm irrigation by securing $9 in federal funds for every $1 invested by Alabama.
Other appropriations in the Senate's version of the General Fund budget that were identical to the governor's recommendation include: Department of Agriculture and Industries, $9.4 million; Forestry Commission, $9.1 million; Rural and Community Fire Protection, $1.15 million; Farmers Market Authority, $200,000; and State Water Assessment Program, $1 million. The proposed funds for these departments are level compared to the current budget year.
The Senate proposed an increase in funding for the Soil and Water Conservation and Resource Conservation and Development programs over the governor's recommendation. Soil and Water funding was up $492,817 to about $4 million, while RC&D funding was up $250,000 to about $2 million.
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Law Enforcement Consolidation Heads To Governor
A bill to consolidate law enforcement agencies and increase government efficiency is expected to be signed by Gov. Robert Bentley after winning final passage in the Senate Tuesday.
The legislation pulls police and investigative responsibilities of state agencies into a new Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency to include the Department of Public Safety and the State Bureau of Investigation. Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, sponsored SB108. He estimates consolidation would save taxpayers about $35 million a year.
The investigative units of the Alabama Forestry Commission and Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) would be merged into the new Bureau of Investigation. No agricultural investigators are currently employed by ADAI due to recent budget cuts. However, Gov. Bentley pledged to designate investigators for rural crimes under the consolidated structure.
"We appreciate the commitment by the governor and legislature to revitalize agricultural investigations while saving money," said Federation Director of Agricultural Legislation David Cole. "In recent years, farmers and rural property owners have been plagued by theft of equipment, metal and livestock. We look forward to working with the governor and his cabinet in developing a plan to address rural crimes."
The measure folds Alabama's Office of Homeland Security into the new agency and establishes the position of secretary of the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency.
Another consolidation bill, SB117, sponsored by Sen. Phil Williams, R-Rainbow City, is also on its way to the governor. The measure would establish the secretary of Information Technology (IT). Williams is also sponsor of SB116 which would consoldiate state IT departments into the Alabama Technology Authority. The bill is awaiting a committee vote in the House.
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Bills In Brief
Bridge and Road Projects, SB192, sponsored by Sen. Paul Bussman, R-Cullman, is on the House agenda for next week. The bill would establish the Rural Assistance Match Program (RAMP), guaranteeing $5 million in state-matching money and federal funds for road and bridge projects in each participating county. The House companion, HB213, sponsored by Rep. Mac McCutcheon, R-Capshaw, is awaiting a vote in the Senate. AFF supports.
Career Tech Funding, HB102, sponsored by Rep. Mac Buttram, R-Cullman, is awaiting a vote in the Senate. The bill, known as the 21st Century Workforce Act, would provide $50 million through bonds for new equipment purchases for career tech programs. AFF supports.
Hazardous Waste Disposal, HB181, sponsored by Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Demopolis, would lower the state and local fees for disposal of hazardous waste. The bill is on the House agenda for next week. AFF monitoring.
Green Building Standards, SB326, sponsored by Sen. Marc Keahey, D-Grove Hill, would prevent the state from using certification standards that discourage timber products in the construction and renovation of public buildings. The bill passed the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee Wednesday. AFF supports.
Display Of Ten Commandments, SB40, sponsored by Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, would allow for the display of the ten commandments on public property. The House companion bill, HB299, is sponsored by Rep. Duwayne Bridges, R-Valley. The House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections Committee will discuss both bills Wednesday at 9 a.m. in room 123 of the Statehouse. The bill is a constitutional amendment, and, if passed, would require a vote of the people. AFF supports.
Nurse Practitioners And Midwives, HB307, sponsored by Rep. Ronald Johnson, R-Sylacauga, passed the House Health Committee Wednesday. The bill would expand medical care access in rural areas by allowing certified regitered nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives to prescribe certain medicines. The Senate companion, SB229, sponsored by Sen. Greg Reed, R-Jasper, is awaiting a vote in the Senate.
Constitutional Revision Commission Expansion, SJR39, sponsored by Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, would add two members to the commission to better reflect the state's diversity. Alabama's Senate President Pro Tem and Speaker of the House of Representatives would each appoint one new member. The resolution was sent to the governor Thursday. AFF supports the commission's work in revising the state constitution article-by-article. The local government subcommittee of the commission met Wednesday in Montgomery. AFF continues to monitor the commission's discussions on home rule.
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The Senate reconvenes at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 19, for the 14th day of the Legislature's 30-day regular session.
The House reconvenes at 1 p.m. the same day. |
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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 |
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