Legislative committees

Bills on Pandemic Power, Virus Lawsuit Protection Advance

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Legislative committees advanced bills dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, including one to cut the power of the state health officer and another to extend liability protection to businesses. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 7-4 to approve a bill by Republican Sen. Tom Whatley of Auburn that would require the state’s governor to approve the state health…