Legislative Update: 4.26.2019
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On Tuesday, two bills had different fates in the Senate Tourism committee. A bill that would allow people in Alabama to carry guns without having a permit was narrowly rejected by the committee by a vote of 6 to 5. Another bill, SB220 sponsored by Senator Greg Albritton, would allow citizens to vote on whether to establish a lottery in Alabama. It squeaked by on a 6-5 vote.
On Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a public hearing and a vote on a bill that would allow the production and use of medical marijuana in Alabama. The bill is sponsored by Senator Tim Melson, a physician, and it would allow people with certain conditions to receive a medical cannabis card as well as create a Medical Cannabis Commission. The Commission would issue the cards and the licenses for the cultivation, production and sales of medical marijuana. The bill passed by a vote of 6-2 with three abstentions. The lottery bill went before the full Senate on Thursday. Being a constitutional amendment, SB220 needed three fifths of the 35 senators to vote in favor of the legislation. Twenty-one was the minimum number for passage, and the bill passed by a vote of 21-12. It moves to the House for further consideration. If passed, this will be the first time in 20 years voters will have a say about a lottery. The Alabama Legislature will reconvene on Tuesday for its 14thlegislative day. - Gina Dearborn, Tucker Consulting (4.26.2019) |
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