|
Governor Bentley Signs Bridges And Roads Legislation
Gov. Robert Bentley signed into law the Rural Assistance Match Program (RAMP) on Wednesday to provide funds for counties in need of bridge and road repairs. RAMP is an extension of the Alabama Transportation and Rehabilitation Program (ATRIP), created by Bentley in 2012 and financed through GARVEE bonds.
"We're thankful to Gov. Bentley, the sponsors of this legislation and the ATRIP committee for taking these steps to address the failing bridges and roads in rural areas," said Alabama Farmers Federation Assistant Director of Governmental and Agricultural Programs Brian Hardin. "Through RAMP, every county in the state will be able to benefit from safer bridges and roads. We encourage our members to contact their county engineers and commissioners about projects in their areas."
Some Alabama counties have not taken full advantage of ATRIP because it requires a 20-percent funding match. Through RAMP, those counties will each receive $1 million in state funds, financed through bonds, and $4 million in federal matching dollars for improvement projects.
"Making these road and bridge improvements available to each county and area of the state will also ensure that Alabama's important transportation decisions will be based on priorities and not politics," said Rep. Mac McCutcheon, R-Capshaw, who sponsored the legislation in the House of Representatives.
Twenty-two counties are expected to participate in RAMP: Barbour, Bibb, Bullock, Chilton, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Crenshaw, Dale, Fayette, Geneva, Hale, Henry, Lawrence, Lowndes, Marengo, Marion, Perry, Pickens, Randolph, Wilcox and Winston. Sen. Paul Bussman, R-Cullman, sponsored the Senate version of the RAMP bill and said the legislation is necessary to provide safe roads for motorists.
"By doing this work now, the State of Alabama and the 22 participating counties will be able to save a great deal of money while doing 10-15 years worth of bridge and road work in a short period of time," Bussman said. "It will significantly improve school bus route safety as well as farm-to-market access corridors."
In RAMP, first priority is given to repairing posted county bridges along school bus routes. Once those needs are met, funds may be used for eligible road improvement projects.
Since its inception, the ATRIP committee has approved 439 projects totaling $613 million. Before completion, ATRIP and RAMP are expected to fund more than $1 billion in bridge and road improvement projects.
|
|
Education Trust Fund Budget Passes House
The Alabama House of Representatives voted 84-16 Wednesday in favor of the Education Trust Fund budget drafted by Rep. Jay Love, R-Montgomery. The proposal, detailed in HB166, includes funding for agricultural programs at land-grant institutions and Career Tech programs.
The budget includes level-funding for Career Tech Operations and Maintenance costs at $5 million. Funding for the Career Tech Initiative is set at $2.3 million, of which $900,000 would go toward agriscience programs.
Level-funding is also set for Auburn University's Poultry Technology Center at $250,000 and the Alabama Agricultural Land Grant Alliance at $4.3 million.
The rural medical scholars program at the University of Alabama and the joint rural medical program between Auburn University and UAB in Huntsville would see an increase of almost 50 percent over last year with funding at $650,000 and $211,350, respectively.
Other budget items include nearly $30.5 million for the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, a 1.4 percent increase from 2013; Resource Conservation & Development at $787,000, level funding; and Soil and Water Conservation at $773,000, level funding.
"We have made historic gains this session on our path to improve education in Alabama and this budget is yet another step towards innovation and progress," said Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn. "At a time when we face great economic uncertainty, I'm proud that we were able to not only provide a raise to our teachers but also provide them with the same liability protections all other state employees receive."
The budget now moves to the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee for discussion.
|
|
Farmers Eager To Work With Collier On Rural Crime
Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell commended Gov. Robert Bentley on appointing Homeland Security Director Spencer Collier as secretary of the new Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency. Parnell said Federation members look forward to working with Collier to curb rural crime.
 | |
Gov. Robert Bentley has appointed Spencer Collier, above, secretary of the new Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency.
|
"The theft of livestock, equipment and metal has become a financial drain on farmers and rural landowners in Alabama," Parnell said. "We appreciate Gov. Bentley and the legislature including agriculture and forest investigators in the new Bureau of Investigation. Secretary Collier understands this issue because of his experience as a state trooper and legislator. We are excited about working with him to protect Alabama farm families and rural communities." While theft is often the primary objective of rural criminals, they often do thousands of dollars in damage to land, crops, timber, buildings, fences and equipment. Farmers and rural landowners are frequent victims of trespassing, vandalism and illegal drug activities. Collier's appointment was the result of a law enforcement consolidation initiative in Alabama. Earlier this year, the legislature passed a bill, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, creating the cabinet-level position. It consolidates uniformed services under the Department of Public Safety and investigative services in the Bureau of Investigations, both within the new State Law Enforcement Agency. Agriculture investigations were previously housed in the Department of Agriculture and Industries, but no investigators are currently employed there due to budget cuts. The Alabama Forestry Commission previously was responsible for the state's forest investigators. "Gov. Bentley and Secretary Collier understand crimes like cattle rustling require specialized training, knowledge and experience," Parnell said. "We are encouraged about the opportunity to revitalize this important investigative function."
|
|
Senate Passes Bill Protecting Market for Wood Products
A bill aimed at ensuring Alabama wood products are not excluded from "green" building standards passed the Senate Thursday.
Sponsored by Sen. Marc Keahey, D-Grove Hill, SB 326 would prevent the adoption of environmental certification standards that discourage the use of Alabama timber products in the construction and renovation of public buildings. The bill passed by a 28-0 vote and was referred to the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee, which already has approved companion bill, HB 457 by Rep. Mike Jones, R-Andalusia.
"If we adopt a standard for building codes in Alabama, this (legislation) will require that we take into consideration Alabama forestry and wood products," Keahey said. "As opposed to some other standards out there that exclude Alabama wood products, this would guarantee that we take care of our wood products."
A recent economic impact study showed timber production and processing lead all farm and forestry sectors in the state, generating $21.4 billion annually and employing 122,020 Alabamians. AFF supports.
|
Farmers Market Authority Consolidation Passes Senate
Legislation that would merge the Alabama Farmers Market Authority (FMA) with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) unanimously passed the Senate Thursday.
SB 247, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, passed 27-0.
The House Agriculture and Forestry Committee, which last month passed the companion bill, HB 342 by Rep. Chad Fincher, R-Semmes, will hold a hearing on the Senate bill Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. in Room 410 of the State House.
"The Farmers Market Authority wants to move into the Department of Agriculture and Industries," Singleton said. "This is a streamlining (bill). It's going to bring the two agencies over into one agency and is going to be best for budgeting."
 | | Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, speaks on behalf of SB 247, which would merge the Farmers Market Authority into the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries. |
Both Commissioner of Agriculture John McMillan and Farmers Market Authority Director Don Wambles are supportive of the merger. In recent years, budget cuts at FMA have threatened the continuation of programs.
"I could not allow our department and what we have worked for over the last 18 years to (dissolve), not for our farmers or for our communities across the state," Wambles said.
Federation Horticulture Director Mac Higginbotham said, by moving FMA employees and programs to ADAI, the bill ensures farmers who rely on farmers markets continue to have an advocate in state government.
Other legislation sought by the ADAI would require business owners to hire ADAI-registered independent service agents to perform tests on scales and weights-and-measures instruments used for business transactions and report the results to ADAI. Current law requires the department to conduct such tests, however, budget cuts have prevented timely inspections.
SB 261, sponsored by Sen. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton, passed the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee last month. The companion, HB 357, sponsored by Rep. Paul Lee, R-Dothan, is on the House agenda for Tuesday. |
|
Bills In Brief
Gun Rights, HB220, sponsored by Rep. Ed Henry, R-Hartselle, is known as the Second Amendment Preservation Act. The bill would reinforce a citizen's right to bear arms and nullify federal acts violating the Second Amendment. The measure passed the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee Wednesday. The Senate companion, SB93, sponsored by Sen. Paul Sanford, R-Huntsville, awaits a Senate vote. AFF supports.
Drought Management, HB382, sponsored by Rep. Mark Tuggle, R-Alexander City, passed the House Commerce and Small Business Committee on Wednesday. SB 208, sponsored by Sen. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton, passed the Senate Thursday 24-1. The legislation would require a state drought management plan developed by the Alabama Office of Water Resources and would permanently establish the Alabama Drought Assessment and Planning Team. An amendment to the bill adds the state conservationist with the Alabama Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the executive director of the Soil and Water Conservation Committee to the planning team. AFF supports.
Grocery Tax, SB279, sponsored by Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, would phase out the state sales tax on food over four years while increasing the state sales tax on other goods to five percent over the same time period. A public hearing was held on the bill in the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee Tuesday, but no vote was taken. AFF monitoring. Nurse Practitioners And Midwives, HB307, sponsored by Rep. Ron Johnson, R-Sylacauga, passed the House unanimously Thursday. The bill would expand medical care access in rural areas by allowing certified registered 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. AFF supports. Gas Tax Distribution, HB514, sponsored by Rep. Dexter Grimsley, D-Newville, passed the House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure Committee Wednesday. The bill would allow proceeds of the 4-cent excise tax on gasoline to be used for vegetation management instead of requiring the funds be used for resurfacing and restoration of roads and bridges. AFF neutral. Red Tape Reduction Act, HB101, sponsored by Rep. April Weaver, R-Brierfield, is awaiting the governor's signature after the House concurred with a Senate amendment on Tuesday. The bill would require state agencies to file a business economic impact statement before adopting rules affecting businesses. AFF supports. Public Waters, HB204, sponsored by Rep. Paul Lee, R-Dothan, would prohibit obstruction of public waters without a license or permit and establishes fines for noncompliance. The bill passed the House unanimously Tuesday with an amendment exempting waterways used primarily for agricultural, industrial, power generation, public water supply and sanitary purposes. AFF neutral.
Animal Cruelty, HB 27, sponsored by Rep. Joe Faust, R-Fairhope, would increase penalties for animal abuse but exempts agricultural and veterinary practices as well as hunting. The bill passed the House Wednesday 97-0. The companion bill, SB393, is sponsored by Sen. Marc Keahey, D-Grove Hill. Both bills await action in the Senate Judiciary Committee. AFF neutral.
|
Representative Shedd Takes Office
Representative Randall Shedd, R-Cullman, was sworn into office Thursday and served his first day in the House of Representatives. Rep. Shedd serves the 11th District, which includes portions of Blount, Cullman and Morgan counties. He replaces Jeremy Oden, who was appointed to the Public Service Commission.
|
The Senate reconvenes at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, for the 21st day of the Legislature's 30-day regular session.
The House reconvenes at 1 p.m. |
|
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 distribution questions or media inquiries, e-mail:
Mary Johnson - Director of News Services
|
|
|
|
|
