Thursday, February 12, 2009
Registering as a Write-In Candidate?
The Alabama House spent much time morning discussing House Bill 39 introduced by Representative Charles Newton of Greenville. This bill relates to write-in votes; it would require that a write-in candidate be registered with the Secretary of State or the judge of probate as an official candidate and comply with the provisions of the Fair Campaign Practices Act and the State Ethics Law in order for his or her vote to be counted. It was clear that there was some Republican opposition with Representatives J. Williams and P. Demarco both approaching the podium to seek for clarification. After spending nearly half an hour discussing the bill, House Bill 39 passed the full body with a vote of 91-3.
Inside the Alabama House of Representatives
The Alabama House of Representatives convened at 10:00 am CST this morning.
Begining the fourth legislative day the House passed a number of joint resolutions before making way on passing some controversial bills.
The first bill that caused some controversy was House Bill 165 which would establish the Alabama Transportation Commission and provide for the members, the manner of selection or members, terms, qualifications, duties, responsibilities, compensation, and expenses of the commission. After offering 4 amendments on the floor HR 165 passed the full house with a vote of 91-3.
Moving on to House Bill 154 (PAC to PAC) which would prohibit transfers between political action committees. This bill passed the full House last year but later died in the Senate. This bill, HB154 is the exact same bill that passed the House during the 2008 Legislative Session. With a vote of 98-0 HB154 passed the full House.
After passing a bill to ban PAC to PAC transfers HB140 introduced by Representative Hinshaw relating to paid electioneering communications and political advertising, to provide that electioneering communications and paid political advertisements paid for by an organization or entity shall disclose the names of the source of the funding of the organization or entity. Passge of this bill came at 100 yeas and 0 nays.
Currently the House is discussing HB39 pertaining to Write-In candidates introduced by Rep. C. Newton. Stay tuned for more updates.
Begining the fourth legislative day the House passed a number of joint resolutions before making way on passing some controversial bills.
The first bill that caused some controversy was House Bill 165 which would establish the Alabama Transportation Commission and provide for the members, the manner of selection or members, terms, qualifications, duties, responsibilities, compensation, and expenses of the commission. After offering 4 amendments on the floor HR 165 passed the full house with a vote of 91-3.
Moving on to House Bill 154 (PAC to PAC) which would prohibit transfers between political action committees. This bill passed the full House last year but later died in the Senate. This bill, HB154 is the exact same bill that passed the House during the 2008 Legislative Session. With a vote of 98-0 HB154 passed the full House.
After passing a bill to ban PAC to PAC transfers HB140 introduced by Representative Hinshaw relating to paid electioneering communications and political advertising, to provide that electioneering communications and paid political advertisements paid for by an organization or entity shall disclose the names of the source of the funding of the organization or entity. Passge of this bill came at 100 yeas and 0 nays.
Currently the House is discussing HB39 pertaining to Write-In candidates introduced by Rep. C. Newton. Stay tuned for more updates.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Looking toward Day 4
The Alabama House and Senate both convene at 10:00 am CST on Thursday for day 4 of the 2009 Regular Session. Look for live blogs from the Alabama State House all morning and afternoon long.
Alabama may "Free the Hops" soon
Wednesday is committee day at the Alabama State House and today the Alabama Senate Tourism and Marketing committee passed a bill that would allow the sale of beer with an alcohol content of up to 13.9 percent. This legislation will of course have to pass the full Senate before going to the Governor's office. Just last year this legislation made it out of committee but never came up for a vote on the floor.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Tensions rise in the Alabama Senate between Senator Larry Means (D) and Senator Phil Poole (D)
Tensions rose this afternoon in the Alabama Senate when Senator Phil Poole became angered over local legislation affecting the Tuscaloosa County School Board.
Senator Larry Means (D) of Attalla addressed the full body urging other senators not to sit around and do nothing for another two years. Senator Means stated that to begin filibustering on the 3rd day of the 2009 session sets a bad precedent. He spoke to the task ahead of the body with passing the General Fund and Education Trust Fund. Means said he is not going to be a part of this petty, childish act and commended Senators Smitherman and Barron for trying to schedule a non-controversial special order calendar for the first few days of the session. In closing, Senator Means told the body that they need to do what is right and answer to the people of their district.
Senator Phil Poole (D) of Moundville responded by saying that loud mouths that like to call names and jump on someone else for defending their district should not do so. Poole said that if the leadership in the senate is going to hold up his local bill and keep Tuscaloosa's elementary school from tying onto a sewer system then they can just get ready for it. Poole said the senate is going to do nothing for the next two years until his local legislation issue is either settled or is else wise satisfied.
Poole also addressed those who have accused him of filibustering for the last two years, saying that if anybody wants to get blamed for wasting the last two years they should look in the mirror and not lie. Senator Poole closed by saying that if anybody doesn’t like what he said then they can take it up with him at the State House or elsewhere.
Senator Larry Means (D) of Attalla addressed the full body urging other senators not to sit around and do nothing for another two years. Senator Means stated that to begin filibustering on the 3rd day of the 2009 session sets a bad precedent. He spoke to the task ahead of the body with passing the General Fund and Education Trust Fund. Means said he is not going to be a part of this petty, childish act and commended Senators Smitherman and Barron for trying to schedule a non-controversial special order calendar for the first few days of the session. In closing, Senator Means told the body that they need to do what is right and answer to the people of their district.
Senator Phil Poole (D) of Moundville responded by saying that loud mouths that like to call names and jump on someone else for defending their district should not do so. Poole said that if the leadership in the senate is going to hold up his local bill and keep Tuscaloosa's elementary school from tying onto a sewer system then they can just get ready for it. Poole said the senate is going to do nothing for the next two years until his local legislation issue is either settled or is else wise satisfied.
Poole also addressed those who have accused him of filibustering for the last two years, saying that if anybody wants to get blamed for wasting the last two years they should look in the mirror and not lie. Senator Poole closed by saying that if anybody doesn’t like what he said then they can take it up with him at the State House or elsewhere.
Inside the Alabama Senate Day 3
Not much is going on in the Alabama Senate today. Senator Phil Poole is currently using his 20 minutes to filibuster Senate Bill 55 by Senator Bedford.
Some common interest bills on the Senate calendar for 2.10.09:
SB62 introduced by Senator Barrown relating to the State Ethics Commission to allow investigators with the commission to be afforded the same benefits as investigators with the Attorney General's office.
SB181 introduced by Senator Ross pertaining to motor vehicles establishing a three-stage graduated licensing, driver training program, age requirements for licensed driver with student, age requirements for licensed driver accompanying driver with learner's permit, restrictions on persons 17 years of age with regular driver's license,
SB98 introduced by Senator Marsh which would create the Alabama Boxing Commission; to provide for the membership, powers, and duties of the commission.
Stay connected for more updates from the Alabama State House.
Some common interest bills on the Senate calendar for 2.10.09:
SB62 introduced by Senator Barrown relating to the State Ethics Commission to allow investigators with the commission to be afforded the same benefits as investigators with the Attorney General's office.
SB181 introduced by Senator Ross pertaining to motor vehicles establishing a three-stage graduated licensing, driver training program, age requirements for licensed driver with student, age requirements for licensed driver accompanying driver with learner's permit, restrictions on persons 17 years of age with regular driver's license,
SB98 introduced by Senator Marsh which would create the Alabama Boxing Commission; to provide for the membership, powers, and duties of the commission.
Stay connected for more updates from the Alabama State House.
Day 3 of the 2009 Legislative Session
The Alabama House of Representatives convened at 1:00 pm CST today. The bulk of bills on the House calendar were sunset bills pertaining to local legislation.
Some other bills of public interest on the House caledar for 2.10.09:
HB 157 introduced by Representative McClendon which would prohibit a person from operating a motor vehicle while text messaging.
HB 68 introduced by Representative Collier which would make it a crime for any person who attempts to elude a law enforcement officer after being signaled to stop.
HB69 introduced by Representative Lindsey this bill would seek to attract the entertainment industry to develop qualified productions in Alabama.
Stay connected for updates on passage of these and other bills.
Some other bills of public interest on the House caledar for 2.10.09:
HB 157 introduced by Representative McClendon which would prohibit a person from operating a motor vehicle while text messaging.
HB 68 introduced by Representative Collier which would make it a crime for any person who attempts to elude a law enforcement officer after being signaled to stop.
HB69 introduced by Representative Lindsey this bill would seek to attract the entertainment industry to develop qualified productions in Alabama.
Stay connected for updates on passage of these and other bills.
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