Week in review: House stalls as Democrats filibuster

The House got off to a busy start on Tuesday last week with a flurry of bills that found broad support, which has been typical so far in this session.

But a bill Thursday criminalizing assistance on absentee ballots ground progress to a halt as only two bills made it out of the chamber on a five-bill calendar.

Here’s what passed last week:

SB9 by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, would require the use of paper ballots in elections. It passed the House on a 78-27 vote.

SB10 by Sen. Chambliss, would ban the use of voting machines that connect to the Internet. It passed 77-28.

HB140 by Rep. Corley Ellis, R-Columbiana, would include Shelby County in the counties where juvenile court services are under the control of the state court system and the Administrative Office of Courts. It passed the House 90-0.

HB156 by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, would extend the exemption of capital expenses made by the Birmingham Zoo from state, county, and municipal sales and use taxes through September 30, 2027. The bill passed the House 97-0.

HB213 by Rep. Joe Lovvorn, R-Auburn, would decrease the required service time to be contracted after graduation and licensing from three years to two years to receive tuition reimbursement. It would also expand the program to include students who contract and provide service to ambulance services. It passed 105-0.

HB336 by Rep. Rolanda Hollis, D-Birmingham, would rename the Red Mountain Greenway and Recreational Area Commission to the Jefferson County Greenways Commission. It passed 104-0.

HB254 by Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, would require the proceeds from motor fuel taxes levied by municipalities and counties to be used for certain road and bridge construction and maintenance. It passed the House 102-3.

HB364 by Rep. Steve Hurst, R-Munford, would require a public K-12 school, a local board of education, and certain event organizers to accept cash as a form of payment for admission to certain school-sponsored events. It passed 104-0.

SB66  by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, R-Florence, would place a 5 percent tax on certain cannabinoid products. It passed 105-0.

HB248 by Rep. Craig Lipscomb, R-Rainbow City, would prohibit a person from introducing or placing fish into the waters of the state without a permit issued by the Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. It passed 105-0.

HB296 by Rep. Parker Moore, R-Hartselle, would provide that all references to the United States Armed Forces would include the United States Space Force. It passed 102-0.

SB98 by Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, would remove the requirement that homeowners’ associations need to file articles of incorporation. It passed on a 104-0 vote.

HB230 by Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, would create the crime of chemical endangerment if a person for knowingly, recklessly or intentionally causes allows a first responder or coroner to ingest, inhale or have contact with a Schedule I controlled substance. It passed 83-0.

HB352 by Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, would impose new safety requirements pertaining to the operation and maintenance of amusement rides and water slides. It passed 105-0.

HB217 by Rep. Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, would exclude hours worked above 40 in any given week from gross income, reducing state income tax liability. It passed 105-0.

HB297 by Craig Lipscomb, R-Rainbow City, would require the State Health Officer to issue advisories concerning fish consumption and to establish a panel to advise on and discuss this issue. It would require the Department of Environmental Management to test fish for pollutants and post signage at water bodies notifying of an active fish consumption advisory. The bill would also require the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to notify fish license purchasers of all active advisories and holders of National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permits to post signage identifying outfalls. It passed on a 104-0 vote. It goes to the Senate.

SB11 by Sen. Will Barfoot, R- Pike Road, would update the modification or termination process of an uneconomic trust. It passed 105-0.

HB209 by Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, would prohibit any person from distributing, ordering, requesting, collecting, completing, obtaining, or delivering an absentee ballot application or absentee ballot of another person in certain circumstances. It passed on 76-28.

HB356 by Rep. Leigh Hulsey, R-Helena, would require each law enforcement officer to undergo semiannual training related to individuals with certain sensory needs or invisible disabilities. It passed 105-0.