2021 Alabama legislative session: Difference between revisions

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* The legislature debated revisions to the 2017 [[Alabama Memorial Preservation Act]]. A failed bill sponsored by Representative [[Juandalynn Given]] (D-Birmingham) would have opened a path to turn over monuments to the [[Alabama Historical Commission]]. A different bill, HB242 sponsored by Representative Mike Holmes (R-Wetumpka) would have increased fines, punished individual officials who voted to remove monuments, and outlawed the "reinterpretation" of existing monuments. Holmes' bill was referred to the House Committee on State Government and did not advance.
* The legislature debated revisions to the 2017 [[Alabama Memorial Preservation Act]]. A failed bill sponsored by Representative [[Juandalynn Given]] (D-Birmingham) would have opened a path to turn over monuments to the [[Alabama Historical Commission]]. A different bill, HB242 sponsored by Representative Mike Holmes (R-Wetumpka) would have increased fines, punished individual officials who voted to remove monuments, and outlawed the "reinterpretation" of existing monuments. Holmes' bill was referred to the House Committee on State Government and did not advance.
* A proposed [[Alabama Second Amendment Preservation Act]], SB358 sponsored by Senator [[Gerald Allen]] (R-Tuscaloosa) provided that, "...no appointed or elected official, officer, employee, or agent of the state, or any political subdivision of the state, when acting in an official capacity, shall implement, administer, or enforce an executive order or directive issued by the President of the United States, or any act of the United States Congress, that becomes effective after January 1, 2021, that regulates the ownership, use, or possession of firearms, ammunition, or firearm accessories." The Senate bill passed by a 21-5 vote on [[April 15]]. The legislation stalled in the House Judiciary Committee.
* A proposed [[Alabama Second Amendment Preservation Act]], SB358 sponsored by Senator [[Gerald Allen]] (R-Tuscaloosa) provided that, "...no appointed or elected official, officer, employee, or agent of the state, or any political subdivision of the state, when acting in an official capacity, shall implement, administer, or enforce an executive order or directive issued by the President of the United States, or any act of the United States Congress, that becomes effective after January 1, 2021, that regulates the ownership, use, or possession of firearms, ammunition, or firearm accessories." The Senate bill passed by a 21-5 vote on [[April 15]]. The legislation stalled in the House Judiciary Committee.
* Debates on legalization of casino gambling took up much of the session, with no legislation passed.
* Debates on establishment of a state lottery and the legalization of casino gambling took up much of the session, with no legislation passed.
* The legislature failed to take up federal court-ordered changes to conditions in state prisons even as lenders backed out of a planned build-lease program negotiated by the Governor's office.
* The legislature failed to take up federal court-ordered changes to conditions in state prisons even as lenders backed out of a planned build-lease program negotiated by the Governor's office.
* Data from the 2020 U.S. Census needed for reapportionment of Congressional Districts was made available to legislators in September 2021.
* Data from the 2020 U.S. Census needed for reapportionment of Congressional Districts was made available to legislators in September 2021.

Revision as of 10:14, 19 May 2021

The 2021 Alabama legislative session began on February 2, 2021 and adjourned on May 18.

The make-up of the legislature was unchanged from the 2020 Alabama legislative session, having been set by the 2018 general election. The Alabama House of Representatives consisted of 76 Republican members (all white) and 27 Democrats (26 of them Black), with two vacant seats, and was presided over by Speaker Mac McCutcheon (R-District 25, Madison County). The Alabama State Senate had a 27-7 Republican majority (all 26 Republicans being white and 6 of 7 Democrats being Black), with one vacant seat, and was chaired by Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth.

Among the major issues taken up during the 2021 session were the legalization of medical cannabis, casino gambling, and at-home wine delivery. The legislature also modified the state's voting districts based on data from the 2020 U.S. Census.

Notable Acts

Other proposed legislation

  • The legislature debated revisions to the 2017 Alabama Memorial Preservation Act. A failed bill sponsored by Representative Juandalynn Given (D-Birmingham) would have opened a path to turn over monuments to the Alabama Historical Commission. A different bill, HB242 sponsored by Representative Mike Holmes (R-Wetumpka) would have increased fines, punished individual officials who voted to remove monuments, and outlawed the "reinterpretation" of existing monuments. Holmes' bill was referred to the House Committee on State Government and did not advance.
  • A proposed Alabama Second Amendment Preservation Act, SB358 sponsored by Senator Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa) provided that, "...no appointed or elected official, officer, employee, or agent of the state, or any political subdivision of the state, when acting in an official capacity, shall implement, administer, or enforce an executive order or directive issued by the President of the United States, or any act of the United States Congress, that becomes effective after January 1, 2021, that regulates the ownership, use, or possession of firearms, ammunition, or firearm accessories." The Senate bill passed by a 21-5 vote on April 15. The legislation stalled in the House Judiciary Committee.
  • Debates on establishment of a state lottery and the legalization of casino gambling took up much of the session, with no legislation passed.
  • The legislature failed to take up federal court-ordered changes to conditions in state prisons even as lenders backed out of a planned build-lease program negotiated by the Governor's office.
  • Data from the 2020 U.S. Census needed for reapportionment of Congressional Districts was made available to legislators in September 2021.

References

External links