The Alabama Legislature sent bills dealing with police jurisdictions, F4 farm tag limits and the queen honeybee to the governor's desk this week.
Alabama Farmers Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan thanked legislators, especially bill sponsors; Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn; and Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, for their leadership and service to agriculture.
"Passage of these bills is proof of legislators working for their constituents," Pinyan said. "These bills will help farming and farm families, and we hope to see Gov. Bentley sign these bills into law."
A bill increasing the number of F4 farm tags a farmer can purchase for trucks over 42,001 pounds passed the Alabama Senate Tuesday, June 2. HB217, sponsored by Rep. Alan Boothe, R-Troy, includes a four-tag limit per person. Sen. Clay Scofield, R-Arab, sponsored the Senate companion.
Also passing June 2 was HB377, sponsored by Rep. Ron Johnson, R-Sylacauga. The bill calls for municipal annexations to not exceed police jurisdictions and limits changes by municipalities to once a year based on annexation and de-annaexation. The bill also requires municipalities to inform potentially affected citizens and assume responsibility for annexed roads. Sen. Paul Sanford, R-Huntsville, sponsored the Senate companion.
A bill that would make the queen honeybee the state agricultural insect flew through the Senate Thursday, June 4. Rep. Jim Patterson, R-Meridianville, sponsored HB286.
The Country of Origin Labeling Bill, sponsored by Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Demopolis, was the first Federation priority bill signed into law. It tightens rules on the labeling of catfish and catfish-like foods served in restaurants in Alabama. Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, sponsored the Senate companion. Gov. Robert Bentley signed the bill Tuesday, May 5.
A bill that would have increased penalties for transporting feral hogs failed to reach a vote before the Senate adjourned sine die (without setting a future meeting date) Thursday, June 4.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Reed Ingram, R-Montgomery, would have upgraded the crime of transporting and releasing feral hogs to a Class B misdemeanor, from a Class C misdemeanor, with a $2,500 fine. A class C misdemeanor fine may not exceed $500. Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Range, sponsored the Senate companion.