Capitol Journal

We report on today’s final legislative passage of the record $7.6 billion education budget. We also report on Senate approval of the record $2.4 billion General Fund budget. We’re joined by Rep. Allen Farley of McCalla, who will discuss House members being sent home for the weekend with new information on a comprehensive gambling package that is expected to be before them next week. We’re also joined by Sen. Chris Elliott of Fairhope, who says he hopes that the House next week will pass the medical marijuana legislation that the upper chamber has already approved.

We report on the prospects for a gambling plan to be passed in the final days of the legislative session. We’re joined by Rep. A.J. McCampbell of Gallion, who is among the lawmakers working with Gov. Kay Ivey on the gambling issue. He will discuss those efforts and the governor signing into law his law enforcement database bill. We’re also joined by Stephanie Bryan, the Chairwoman of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, who will talk with us about the tribe’s hopes that a gambling deal can be reached. And we will report on a group of state district attorneys asking House members to vote against a medical marijuana bill.

We report on the House approving the record $7.7 billion education budget and a Senate committee approving the $2.4 billion General Fund budget. We will also report on a House committee advancing a pair of gun bills. We’re joined by Rep. Chris Pringle of Mobile, the co-chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Reapportionment, who will discuss the new census data that prevents Alabama from losing a congressional seat. And Barry Matson, the Executive Director of the Alabama District Attorneys Association, will be with us to talk about legislation important to DAs

We report on news from the Census Bureau that Alabama will not lose a congressional seat. We also report on a busy week ahead for lawmakers, including possible final legislative passage of both state budgets and scheduled House committee action on a gambling bill. We’re joined by Sen. Tim Melson, who will discuss possible House action this week on his bill to legalize medical marijuana. And Dr. Ken Finn, a noted Colorado medical marijuana author and consultant, is with us to discuss his concerns over the issue.

We have a complete wrap-up of the legislative week. We’re joined by Sen. Greg Albritton of Atmore, who will discuss a financial snag for the private lease prison plan and the prospects for a comprehensive gambling measure that he supports. We will also be joined by Bureau of Pardons and Parole Director Cam Ward and Ingram State Technical College President Dr. Annette Funderburk, who will discuss a new collaboration on inmate job training and reducing prison recidivism. And State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris will be with us to talk about a slight uptick in COVID hospitalizations and a slacking off in the vaccination rate.

We report on the record education budget passing a House committee today and heading to the floor. We also report on the Senate approving several election bills, including one that would prohibit voting both in Alabama and another state. The Senate carried over a bill that would ban curbside voting in Alabama. We’re joined by Rep. Alan Baker, who will discuss passage of his bill to update absentee ballot application deadlines. And we’re also joined by Rep. Corey Harbison, who will talk with us about the failure of his local bill that would have made pistol permits free in his home county, as well as other pending gun bills.

We report on a House committee today approving a bill to repeal the state’s Habitual Felony Offender Act, after some heated debate. We also report on a Senate committee today approving a bill that would mandate that public school athletes can only participate in sports according to the gender on their birth certificates. We’re joined by Rep. Kyle South of Fayette, who discusses his bill that would allow student athletes to profit from their names, images and likenesses. And Rep. Ginny Shaver of Leesburg will be with us to talk about her "born alive" abortion legislation.

We report on a filibuster slowing down the Senate before it considered the bail reform bill known as "Aniah’s Law." We also report on Cong. Terri Sewell visiting National Guard vaccination clinics in Lowndes and Dallas counties today. We’re joined by Rep. K.L. Brown of Jacksonville, who will discuss the deadly tornado that struck part of his district last week. We’re also joined by Rep. Ralph Howard of Greensboro, who will also talk about tornado damage in his district. Howard will further discuss his opposition to a controversial riot bill.

We have a preview of the upcoming legislative week. We report on Gov. Kay Ivey touring tornado damage today. We’re joined by Greg Cochran with the Alabama League of Municipalities and Sonny Brasfield with the Association of County Commissions of Alabama, who will discuss the challenges faced by local governments in the aftermath of the bad weather. And Rep. Charlotte Meadows of Montgomery will be with us to talk about her bill dealing with runoffs and special elections, and her amendment to legislation that would ban certain transgender medical treatments for minors.

We report on the devastation left behind by Thursday’s deadly Alabama tornado outbreak. Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield will join us to discuss what’s ahead in the second half of the legislative session. Senator Greg Albritton will also be with us to talk about a new lottery bill and a renewed debate over comprehensive gambling legislation. Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey will join us to discuss new social distancing guidelines for Alabama schools. And State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris will be with us to talk about increasing vaccine supplies and getting more shots in arms.