Capitol Connection
IN THIS ISSUE
Senate Committee To Consider Catfish Bill
House Committee Passes General Fund Budget Proposal
Russell Confirmed To State Forestry Commission
Bills At A Glance
February 21, 2014

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Senate Committee To Consider Catfish Bill

The Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee is expected to consider a bill next week that would strengthen and expand Alabama's country-of-origin labeling law for catfish.

 

SB 335, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, would require restaurants to print the country of origin for catfish products on menus. Existing law allows country-of-origin information to be shown on posters, table tents or chalkboards. SB 335 would also expand the law to include all fish of the order siluriformes (which are often marketed as catfish or other more popular species).

 

"The marketplace continues to be flooded by inferior fish products from Asia," said Alabama Farmers Federation Senate Legislative Programs Director Matthew Durdin. "These imports drive down the price of Alabama farm-raised catfish, and can expose consumers to potentially harmful chemicals and antibiotics that are banned in the U.S."

 

The Alabama Farmers Federation and the organization's State Catfish Committee support the legislation.

 

"It's about giving consumers a choice," Durdin said. "Polling shows Alabama consumers want to know more about their fish. This bill patches the holes in our current law so diners can know where, and how, the fish on their menu was grown. "

 

The companion bill, HB 432, is sponsored by Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Gallion. It awaits action in the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee.

House Committee Passes General Fund Budget Proposal 

Alabama legislators took the first step in approving a $1.8 billion dollar General Fund (GF) budget for FY2015 that includes funding for the State Department of Corrections, the court system and the Alabama Medicaid Agency. The House Ways and Means General Fund Committee, chaired by Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, passed the budget proposal Wednesday, Feb. 19.

The proposal includes state-matching funds for the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP), a program aimed at increasing on-farm irrigation. The federal government provides $9 in funding for every $1 invested by Alabama.

 

The GF budget also provides funding to offset registration fees for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) and for a state water assessment program.

 

Legislators have 14 work days left in the 2014 session and still must pass the GF and Education Trust Fund budgets.  
 
AFF Priorities At A Glance - GF Budget 
Budget Item 
House W&M Proposal 
Change from FY14
Agricultural Water Enhancement Program 
 $90,674No change 
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations  
$380,000No change 
State Water Assessment Program  
 $1,000,000No change 
 Department of Ag and Industries 
$9,625,974
$221,741
 Forestry Commission 
 $8,757,188 $367,465
 Rural and Community Fire Protection 
$1,155,468
No change 
Soil and Water Conservation Committee 
$4,348,084 
$15,389
 
Russell Confirmed To State Forestry Commission

The Alabama Senate Thursday confirmed Gov. Robert Bentley's appointment of Montgomery County Farmers Federation Board Member Jane Russell to the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC).

 

Jane Russell 

Russell, who served as county president in 1997-98, will represent timberland owners on the commission through Nov. 5, 2018.

 

"I am excited and flattered to be appointed to the commission," Russell said. "My heart is in the land of Alabama. I look forward to serving and supporting our farmers any way I can." 

 

Alabama Farmers Federation Forestry Director Rick Oates said Russell's appointment is good news for landowners.

   

"The Alabama Forestry Commission's three-fold mission aligns with our organization's goals and those of our affiliated Alabama TREASURE Forest Association," Oates said. "Mrs. Russell will ensure members' voices are heard in decisions related to forest health, management and education."

 

Russell and husband, Tom, have a cattle and timber operation in south Montgomery County near Lapine. She also serves as chairman of the Montgomery County Farmers Federation Scholarship Program.

Bills At A Glance 


*SB 255 and HB 95 are proposed constitutional amendments and do not require the governor's signature. Once passed by the Legislature, the amendment requires voter approval.  

 The Senate reconvenes at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, for the 17th day of the 30-day regular session.
The House reconvenes at 1 p.m. the same day. 

 

For questions or comments regarding newsletter content, e-mail:

Matthew Durdin - State Legislative Programs Director for the Senate

or

David Cole - State Legislative Programs Director for the House 

 

For distribution questions or media inquiries, e-mail:

Mary Johnson - Director of News Services

 
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