House Passes Country of Origin Labeling Bill
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Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, left, addresses Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee members Wednesday, April 8.|
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Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Demopolis, speaks to the House of Representatives Thursday, April 9.
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A bill that would require restaurants to properly label the country of origin of catfish-like foods passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 89-0 Thursday, April 9.
HB186, sponsored by Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Demopolis, passed the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee unanimously April 1.
SB211, the Senate companion bill sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, passed the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee unanimously Wednesday, April 8.
"The catfish industry plays an important economic role in Alabama," said Federation Catfish Division Director Rick Oates. "It's encouraging to see our elected officials acknowledge this importance, and we look forward to seeing this legislation become a law."
According to a 2012 study by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and the Alabama Agribusiness Council, the catfish industry pumps $158.2 million into Alabama's economy and creates 5,829 jobs.
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Rural Economic Job Incentives Bill Reaches Governor's Desk
The House of Representatives accepted Senate changes to the Alabama Veterans and Targeted Counties Act by a vote of 94-5 Thursday, April 9. The bill now awaits Gov. Robert Bentley's signature.
HB57, sponsored by Rep. Elaine Beech, D-Chatom, would incentivize companies to locate in rural areas and hire veterans.
The bill defines rural as any county that has fewer than 70,000 residents, no municipalities with more than 25,000 people or is ranked in the lower 45th through 67th counties using weighted factors.
Weighted factors include average percentage of the country employed during the last 12 months, county population change during the past five years and personal per capita income in the last calendar year.
The bill calls for a 4 percent tax credit if more than 25 new jobs are brought to a rural county. New businesses that hire veterans for at least 12 percent of their workforce will qualify for a 3.5 percent credit on wages paid to veterans.
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The Senate reconvenes at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 14.
The House reconvenes at 1 p.m. the same day.
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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, email:
A.J. Watson - Ag Communications Specialist
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