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Legislature Approves Career Tech Bill On Final Day
Alabama high school students taking career tech classes may soon have new equipment thanks to a bill passed in the final hours of the 2013 Alabama legislative session.
The Senate voted 30-3 in favor of HB102, also known as the 21st Century Workforce Act. Rep. Mac Buttram, R-Cullman, sponsored the legislation, and Sen. Bill Holtzclaw, R-Madison, handled the bill in the Senate. Buttram said the bill will provide $50 million for equipment in new and established career tech programs so students can learn on industry-standard tools.
"It'll be important for every career tech center (and high schools) to take advantage of this," Buttram said. "Right now, students are learning the basics but have to learn a different machine on the job. That costs businesses time and money on retraining. I am confident the State Department of Education and the committee which dispenses this money is going to do it wisely and to the best interest of Alabama students."
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Sen. Bill Holtzclaw, R-Huntsville, speaks at the podium Monday during Senate debate on HB102. The bill passed the Senate 30-3.
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Alabama Farmers Federation Director of Governmental Affairs Brian Hardin said the bill had strong bipartisan support but was caught in a backlog of bills in the Senate.
"We are very thankful for members contacting their senators about the importance of agriscience and career tech courses," Hardin said. "State leaders got the message that Alabama students deserve to learn on state-of-the-art equipment to ease the transition from school to the workforce or higher education. Ultimately, this funding provides skilled employees whom our farmers could one day hire to do work on the farm or repair equipment. It's a great benefit to agriculture, rural areas and the entire state."
Before moving to the governor for signature, the House of Representatives unanimously approved a technical amendment to the bill added in the Senate.
The session also ended with the defeat of an executive amendment to the Alabama Accountability Act. Gov. Robert Bentley favored a two-year delay on implementing the act in order to repay larger sums to the Education Rainy Day Account. The act, which includes education tax credits for parents to move their children out of "failing schools," will be effective in the 2013-2014 school year.
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Irrigation, Bridges, Ag Investigator Bills Become Law
The 2013 Alabama legislative session concluded with laws based on Alabama Farmers Federation priorities, including irrigation tax credits, rural road and bridge improvements and agriculture investigators.
Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, and Rep. Alan Boothe, R-Troy, sponsored legislation revising the irrigation tax credit passed in 2012. The law now allows farmers five years to claim the tax credit after a qualifying reservoir or irrigation construction project is completed. The maximum credit allowed remains $10,000.
The law also clarifies how multiple farm owners can claim the tax credit and opens up more land along rivers for farmers to use direct-withdrawal irrigation and claim the credit.
With the creation of the Rural Assistance Match Program (RAMP), legislators expanded the Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program (ATRIP). RAMP will provide $5 million to each of the 22 participating counties to match federal funding for bridge and road improvements.
Gov. Robert Bentley recently announced 254 RAMP projects, totaling $4.7 million. The majority are bridge replacement and rehabilitation projects. Sen. Paul Bussman, R-Cullman, and Rep. Mac McCutcheon, R-Huntsville, sponsored the RAMP legislation.
Legislators also passed bills restructuring state law enforcement to include a specialized agriculture investigators unit. The law 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.
Bentley named Spencer Collier secretary of the new agency in April. The consolidation is effective Jan. 1, 2015, but Collier said the Agriculture and Rural Crime Unit (ARCU) will be established this June. Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, sponsored the law enforcement consolidation bills.
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State Budgets Fund Federation Priorities
The Education Trust Fund (ETF) and General Fund (GF) budgets signed by Gov. Robert Bentley Monday provide state funding for agricultural and rural programs.
The GF includes $380,000 to offset registration fees for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), which fully funds the EPA-mandated program. The Agriculture Water Enhancement Program (AWEP), which is meant to increase on-farm irrigation, will receive $90,674. Federal funds provide $9 for every $1 the state invests.
Career Tech Operations and Maintenance will receive $5 million from the ETF, with another $2.3 million for the Career Tech Initiative. The budget includes $250,000 for Auburn University's Poultry Technology Center and $600,000 for the University of Alabama's Rural Medical Scholars Program.
AFF Priorites At A Glance - GF Budget
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Budget Item
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2014 Budget Approved
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Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP)
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$90,674
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No Change
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Soil and Water Conservation Committee
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$4,348,084
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$792,817  | |
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)
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$380,000
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$29,480 | |
Department of Ag and Industries
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$9,404,233
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$20,000  | |
Farmers Market Authority
| $200,000
| $208
| Alabama Forestry Commission
| $9,124,653
| No Change
| Rural and Community Fire Protection
| $1,155,468
| No Change
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State Water Assessment Program
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$1,000,000
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$1,000,000 |
AFF Priorities At A Glance - ETF Budget |
Budget Item
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2014 Budget Approved
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Change From 2013 Budget
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Career Tech - Operations and Maintenance
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$5,000,000
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No Change
| Career Tech Initiative
| $2,257,967
| No Change
| Poultry Tech Center at AU
| $250,000
| No Change
| Rural Medical Scholars at UA
| $600,000
| $159,091
| Rural Health Programs at AU and UAB-Huntsville
| $211,350
| $70,000
| Ag Land Grant Alliance (AALGA)
| $5,329,283
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$100,000 | Cooperative Extension System
| $31,621,552
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$444,199 |
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Other Bills Signed Into Law
Weights and Measures, Act No. 2013-212, sponsored by Rep. Paul Lee, R-Dothan, and Sen. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton, requires business owners to hire independent service agents registered with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) to inspect scales and weighing instruments used in business transactions. Currently, ADAI performs the tests. AFF neutral.
Nurse Practitioners and Midwives, Act No. 2013-223, sponsored by Sen. Greg Reed, R-Jasper, and Rep. Ron Johnson, R-Sylacauga, expands medical services in rural areas by allowing certified registered nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives to prescribe certain medicines. AFF supported.
Hazardous Waste Disposal Fees, Act No. 2013-174, sponsored by Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Demopolis,lowers the state and local fees for disposal of hazardous waste. AFF supported.
Red Tape Reduction Act, Act No. 2013-88, sponsored by Rep. April Weaver, R-Brierfield,
requires state agencies to file business economic impact statements before adopting rules affecting businesses. AFF supported.
Medicaid Overhaul, Act No. 2013-261, sponsored by Sen. Greg Reed , R-Jasper and Rep. Jim McClendon , R-Springville, establishes Regional Care Organizations (RCOs) responsible for paying providers with state and federal Medicaid funds. AFF neutral.
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Constitutional Amendments And Bills Awaiting Governor's Signature
Farmers Market Authority (FMA) Consolidation, SB247, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, and Rep. Chad Fincher, R-Semmes, consolidates the FMA into the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries. AFF supported.
Emergency Communication Services, HB92, sponsored by Rep. Mac McCutcheon, R-Capshaw, and Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills, includes the commissioner of Agriculture and Industries as a member of the new Alabama First Responder Wireless Commission for emergency response. AFF supported.
Gun Rights, HB8, sponsored by Rep. Mike Jones, R-Andalusia, and Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, is a constitutional amendment and ensures international treaties or laws cannot infringe on gun rights. The people of Alabama will vote on the amendment during a future election. AFF supported. |
Dead Bills
Green Building Standards, SB326, sponsored by Sen. Marc Keahey, D-Grove Hill, and HB457, sponsored by Rep. Mike Jones, R-Andalusia, prohibited construction of public buildings with certification standards discouraging use of Alabama lumber. Neither bill received a House vote. However, Gov. Robert Bentley issued an executive order on Apr. 11 stating "green" construction and renovation of public buildings must treat wood products fairly in comparison to non-renewable materials. AFF supported.
Drought Management, SB208, sponsored by Sen. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton, and HB382, sponsored by Rep. Mark Tuggle, R-Alexander City, required the development of a state drought management plan. Neither bill received a House vote. AFF supported.
Game Harvesting Reporting Restrictions, SB454, sponsored by Sen. Paul Sanford, R-Huntsville, prohibited the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) from establishing a mandatory reporting system for deer and wild turkey harvests. The bill passed the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee but never received a Senate vote. The AFF supports ADCNR's advisory board so long as its decisions do not conflict with Federation policy. Rural Physician Tax Credit, SB73, sponsored by Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, increased the tax credit for rural physicians. The bill did not receive a Senate vote. AFF supported.
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Resolutions
Constitutional Revision Commission Expansion, SJR39, sponsored by Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, adds two people to the Constitutional Revision Commission.
FFA Day At the Capitol, SR126, sponsored by Sen. Tom Whatley, R-Auburn, acknowledged FFA students from across Alabama on their visit to Montgomery.
Outstanding Young Farm Family, SR121, sponsored by Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, and HR328, sponsored by Rep. K.L. Brown, R-Jacksonville, recognized Jon and Amy Hegeman for their selection as the Federation's 2012 Outstanding Young Farm Family .
A.L.F.A. Leaders, SR71, sponsored by Sen. Tom Whatley, R-Auburn, and HR140, sponsored by Rep. Chad Fincher, R-Semmes, recognized the 16 members of the Federation's Agricultural Leaders For Alabama (A.L.F.A.) group on their visit to the legislature.
Water Management Plan, HJR286, sponsored by Rep. Chad Fincher, R-Semmes, did not pass the House Rules Committee. The resolution expressed support for developing a statewide water management plan.
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Thank You
The Alabama Farmers Federation thanks our members, legislators and state leaders for a great 2013 legislative session. The bipartisan support of important agricultural and forestry legislation is appreciated and a reminder of the significance of farming to the state.
A special thank you to our members for responding to action alerts and staying connected with state senators and representatives. The Federation is a grassroots organization with policies developed and voted on by members. Your political involvement ensures leaders make the best decisions possible.
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~ The Alabama Legislature has adjourned sine die. ~
The 2014 regular legislative session begins Jan. 14. |
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For questions or comments regarding newsletter content, e-mail:
Brian Hardin - Director of Governmental Affairs
or
David Cole - Director of Agricultural Legislation
For distribution questions or media inquiries, e-mail:
Mary Johnson - Director of News Services
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