The Alabama Senate has approved a bill to make it a felony to treat transgender youth with puberty-blockers, hormone therapy or surgery. Senators voted 23-4 to approve the bill sponsored by Sen. Shay Shelnutt (R-Trussville). The bill moves on to the Alabama House of Representatives. Alabama is one of at least eight states where conservative lawmakers are pushing such measures,…
The Alabama Senate has approved medical marijuana legislation. Senators voted 21-8 today to approve the bill. The proposal now moves to the Alabama House of Representatives, where lawmakers have previously been more skeptical of the proposal. The bill by Sen. Tim Melson (R-Florence) would allow people with a qualifying medical condition to purchase marijuana, in forms such as gels or…
A lottery and casino bill has cleared its first hurdle in the Alabama Legislature. The Senate Tourism and Marketing Committee unanimously approved the bill this morning. The bill by Sen. Del Marsh (R-Anniston) proposes a state lottery and five casinos offering table games, sports betting and slot machines. The casinos would largely be located at existing dog racing tracks. The…
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – An Alabama lawmaker has filed a proposal to start a lottery and allow casinos in the state. Republican Sen. Del Marsh of Anniston introduced the much-anticipated gambling bill Tuesday. Marsh says his bill proposes a state lottery and five casinos, mostly at existing dog tracks. Alabama voters must approve any change to the state Constitution to…
The Alabama Senate has swiftly approved legislation that would provide businesses and others protection from liability in coronavirus-related lawsuits. The bill passed today without debate on a 27-1 vote. It now moves to the Alabama House of Representatives. Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) has said that the bill would give protection to companies, churches and other entities from virus-related claims only…
FILE – Gov. Kay Ivey (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File) Alabama lawmakers will return to Montgomery for the 2021 regular session, which will be conducted differently because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawmakers convene at noon today. Republican lawmakers have said a top priority will be legislation to shield companies and others from civil lawsuit liability during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alabama lawmakers…
Former Alabama State Senator Larry Dixon has died. Sources with the Alabama Republican Party confirm to Alabama News Network that Dixon passed away Friday. Dixon served the 25th District in Montgomery and Elmore counties from 1983 until 2010. Before that, he was a member of the Alabama House of Representatives from 1978 to 1982. Dixon was also the chair of…
FILE – June 16, 2010 (AP Photo/Jamie Martin, File) Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed and Alabama State University President Quinton Ross have released statements remembering the life of former State Rep. Alvin Holmes of Montgomery. Holmes died at his home Saturday at the age of 81. From Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed: “Former Representative Alvin Holmes dedicated his life to being the…
Rep. Alvin Holmes, D-Montgomery, March 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Dave Martin) Former Alabama state Rep. Alvin Holmes of Montgomery has died at the age of 81. Holmes had been the longest-serving member of the Alabama House of Representatives before his defeat in 2018. State House of Representatives spokesman Clay Redden confirmed Holmes’ death today. Holmes was one of the first…
State Rep. Ronald Johnson, (R-Sylacauga), the Dean of the Alabama House of Representatives, died this afternoon of complications from liver cancer. He was 76. Johnson held the District 33 seat that includes portions of Clay, Coosa and Talladega counties for more than 40 years, making him the longest continuously serving member of the House. “Ron Johnson was one of the most…
