Alabama Senate

Alabama Senate Approves Medical Marijuana Bill

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…

Alabama Senate Approves COVID-19 Liability Protection

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…

New Senate leader: Economy, virus recovery among priorities

Senator Greg Reed/Source: Alabama Legislature MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – The Alabama Senate in February will have a new leader for the first time in a decade. Republican Sen. Greg Reed of Jasper will take the helm as president pro tempore. Reed said in a telephone interview Tuesday that rebuilding the state’s economy and alleviating the impact coronavirus pandemic will be…

Marsh: Poor Choice of Words on COVID-19 Cases

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) —The Republican leader of the Alabama Senate said he used a poor choice of words when he suggested he wanted more people to get infected with the new coronavirus. “It was a poor choice of words on my end,” Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh told The Associated Press, saying he didn’t wish for anyone to become…

NRA Endorses Sessions in Senate Race

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – The National Rifle Association is endorsing Jeff Sessions in the U.S. Senate race in Alabama. The NRA-Political Victory Fund announced the endorsement, citing Sessions’ known track record in the Senate. Sessions faces former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville in the March 31 Republican primary runoff. The winner will face U.S. Sen. Doug Jones in November….

Alabama Legislature Approves Money for Coronavirus Response

Alabama lawmakers have approved additional money for coronavirus testing and response to increase the number of people being screened for the rapidly spreading illness. The Alabama Senate approved a $5 million supplemental appropriation for the Alabama Department of Public Health to fund coronavirus preparations today. Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh said the funding should help provide centers where people…

House Approves Bail Reform Named for Aniah Blanchard

The Alabama House of Representatives has approved a bill named for a slain college student that would allow judges to deny bond to people accused of committing violent crimes. Representatives unanimously approved the proposed constitutional amendment, and accompanying enabling legislation. The bills now move to the Alabama Senate. The bill is named for Aniah Blanchard, a 19-year-old college student who…

State Senate Approves Bill to Block Occupational Tax

Court Square Fountain at the lower end of Dexter Avenue in Montgomery.READ: Statement from Governor Kay Ivey’s office on the passage of a  bill to block cities from enacting new occupational taxes: Governor Ivey does not want to see unfair burdens placed upon hardworking Alabamians. Occupational taxes would not only hurt employees living within those city limits where they are…

Jeff Sessions expected to announce run for his Old Senate Seat

WASHINGTON (AP) – Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions will announce he’s running for his old Senate seat in Alabama. Sessions is expected to make the announcement on Thursday. His decision to run was confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday by two Republicans with direct knowledge of his plans. They were not authorized to discuss it publicly and spoke on…

State Senator Cam Ward to Run for Supreme Court

Sen. Cam Ward (R) District 14 State Senator Cam Ward has announced that he will seek the Republican nomination to serve as an Associate Justice on the Alabama Supreme Court. Ward will officially qualify on Tuesday, October 8th, the first day that the Alabama Republican Party allows candidates to file the required paperwork to run for the position. Ward serves…