Legislative Session: 10 Bills We're Watching With Implications For Tuscaloosa

TUSCALOOSA, AL — More than a month is left in the 2022 Alabama Legislative Session for lawmakers to file bills to be considered, while some are already on the fast-track to the desk of Gov. Kay Ivey.

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Here's a look at 10 pieces of legislation introduced thus far during the session that we will be watching moving forward. While most have direct impacts for Tuscaloosa County residents, others have even wider implications.

First, it's important to point out that one proposed piece of legislation that has yet to make it into bill form can be found in a request by the Tuscaloosa City Council for the Tuscaloosa Legislative Committee to move its next municipal election date.

The Alabama House of Representatives is set to reconvene for the regular session next Wednesday at 1 p.m., with the Senate following at 3:30 p.m.

Here are 10 pieces of legislation I'll be watching after the first week of the 2022 Alabama Legislative Session.

1. Senate Bill 88

SUMMARY: If passed, this bill would "alter, rearrange, and extend the boundary lines and corporate limits of the City of Lake View in Tuscaloosa County." Click the link on the bill above to see the specifics of the proposed changes.

LOCAL CONNECTION: State Sen. Gerald Allen, R-Tuscaloosa (primary sponsor)

BILL STATUS: First reading in the Senate, referred to Senate Committee on Local Legislation.

2. House Bill 5

SUMMARY: Relating to law enforcement and the use of physical force under certain conditions, such as chokeholds, while prohibiting the use of deadly force in certain circumstances.

LOCAL CONNECTION: State Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, and State Rep. Artis McCampbell, D-Livingston. (cosponsors).

BILL STATUS: First reading in the House of Representatives, referred to the House Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security.

3. House Bill 148

SUMMARY: This legislation calls for a local constitutional amendment for Tuscaloosa County to bring certain privately-owned sewer systems that use public rights-of-way of public roads in the city limits of Lake View under the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission. State law currently dictates that privately-owned sewer systems, with certain exceptions, are regulated by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management with regard to sewage treatment. However, this is not regulated by the Alabama Public Service Commission with respect to rates and consumer protection.

LOCAL CONNECTION: State Rep. Rich Wingo, R-Tuscaloosa. (Primary sponsor).

BILL STATUS: First reading, referred to House Committee on Economic Development and Tourism.

4. House Bill 76

SUMMARY: This bill, if passed, would repeal the state's 2021 law governing how college athletes can benefit financially from their name, image and likeness (NIL). The repeal of the legislation would bring the state in alignment with the NCAA's current policy, which is viewed as less restrictive on student athletes.

LOCAL CONNECTION: State Rep. Kyle South, R-Fayette. (Primary sponsor).

BILL STATUS: The House Bill has already moved over to the Senate, where it received its first reading and referred to Senate committee for consideration.

5. Senate Bill 1

SUMMARY: If passed, this bill would repeal the state's pistol permit requirement for the concealed carry of a handgun, in addition to allowing the concealed carry of a handgun in a motor vehicle without a permit.

LOCAL CONNECTION: State Sen. Gerald Allen, R-Tuscaloosa. (Primary sponsor)

BILL STATUS: First reading, referred to Senate Judiciary Committee.

6. House Bills 58, 59 & 61

SUMMARIES: Each of these three bills take aim at changing state holidays with connections to Confederate figures and history. These include holidays commemorating Confederate President Jefferson Davis, General Robert E. Lee and Confederate Memorial Day.

LOCAL CONNECTION: State Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, is the primary sponsor for all three bills.

STATUS: Each piece of legislation has had its first reading in the House and referred to its corresponding committees.

7. House Bill 154

SUMMARY: If passed, this bill would authorize the proceeds of an existing ad valorem tax in Pickens County to be distributed to volunteer fire departments for fire protection purposes to also be used by a volunteer fire department for emergency medical services.

LOCAL CONNECTION: State Rep. Rodney Sullivan, R-Northport. (Primary sponsor)

STATUS: First reading, referred to the House Committee on Local Legislation.

8. House Bill 143

SUMMARY: Referred to as the Sergeant Nick Risner Act, this bill would provide that any person convicted of a crime that caused the death of another person would not be eligible for correctional incentive time.

LOCAL CONNECTION: State Rep. Rich Wingo, R-Tuscaloosa. (Cosponsor)

STATUS: First reading, referred to House of Representatives committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security.

9. House Bill 56

SUMMARY: Relating to criminal sentencing, this bill, if passed, would revise sentencing standards in certain circumstances, in addition to a repeal of the habitual felony offender act. It would also provide for resentencing for defendants whose sentences were based on the habitual felony offender act.

LOCAL CONNECTION: State Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa. (Primary sponsor)

STATUS: First reading, referred to House Judiciary Committee.

10. House Bill 118

SUMMARY: Focusing on abortion, this bill, if passed, would prohibit public funding or subsidization of abortion activities, with exceptions, in addition to prohibiting the use of government properties for abortions and public funds being used for certain endeavors, including abortions.

LOCAL CONNECTION: State Rep. Rich Wingo, R-Tuscaloosa. (Primary sponsor)

STATUS: First reading, referred to House State Government Committee.

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