By Tyler Pruett, Managing Editor
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The state legislature is in it’s fourth week. Here’s an update on what’s going on in Montgomery, with DeKalb County Senators and Legislators making the headlines!
- Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter named New House Majority Leader
- Representative Micky Hammon (R - 4th District) resigned from his post two weeks ago as House Majority leader after conflict within the GOP caucus over drafting impeachment rules. On Wednesday, March 1, DeKalb County’s Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-24th District) was elected as the House Majority Leader to replace Hammon. Rep. Connie Rowe (R - 13th District) will serve as vice-chairwoman of the caucus and is the first female to serve in the position. The Majority Leader position is considered to be next in line, for the Speaker. Congratulations!
- Alabama Accountability Act
- Senator Del Marsh (R - 12th District) has proposed changes to the Alabama Accountability Act (SB 123) — Alabama's sweeping school choice legislation that was passed in 2013 — that is meant to ensure that the scholarship program is fully-funded. The bill is now in committee
- 2018 Candidate for Lt. Gov.
- The third week started off with big news from Senator Rusty Glover (R - 34th District), announcing his candidacy for Lt. Gov. in 2018.
- Religious Exemptions to Voter ID Laws.
- Last week, Representative Kerry Rich's (R - 26th District) bill (HB 186) regarding exemptions to voter-ID laws came before committee. The bill would create an exemption to individuals for religious reasons, such as the Amish, who usually don’t carry government issued identification. According to the Anniston Star Rep. Juandalynn Givan (D - 60th District) said that seeking exemption for Amish is a, "slap in the face" to others affected by Voter ID laws, and promptly walked out of the meeting.
- Committee formed to draft impeachment rules
- The Judiciary Committee voted to form panel to draft impeachment rules regarding the possible action against Governor Robert Bentley. Senators Phil Williams (R - 10th District) , Greg Albritton (R - 22nd District), Hank Sanders (D - 26th District), and Bobby Singleton (D - 24th District) were named to the committee.
- The marriage license bill (SB 20) passes out of Senate committee.
- Sen. Greg Albritton’s to do away with marriage licenses (SB 20) is back this year. Albritton’s proposal would take the state out of marriage, and would alleviate many of the problems with the ‘same-sex’ marriage debate, being that the state would only have a say-so in extreme cases, such as, a man marrying an animal. (We hear Rep. Alvin Holmes is disappointed)
- Bill Allowing permitless carry moves forward in the Senate
- Senator Gerald Allen’s (R - 21st District) bill to legalize, “permitless” carry (SB 24) moved out of the Judiciary Committee and on to the Senate on Wednesday by means of a 6-3 vote. Virtually all Alabama sheriffs are opposed to the bill, with the exception of Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale.
