|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The Alabama Legislature has wrapped up the second week of the 2025 Legislative Session, with both the House and Senate meeting three times, leaving 24 legislative days remaining.
House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, highlighted several key legislative actions taken by the House this week.
“The House passed legislation dealing with several issues of great importance to the people of Alabama this week,” Ledbetter said. “HB49 by Rep. Matt Simpson would allow our criminal justice system to impose the death penalty on those who commit heinous crimes against children. After two years of championing the issue and passing the bill in the House last session, Rep. Susan DuBose’s ‘What is a Woman Act’ has now been signed into law. And Rep. Ed Oliver’s bill that tightens job-seeking requirements for those drawing unemployment benefits now heads to the Senate.”
Death Penalty Expansion Bill Advances
HB49, sponsored by Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, would allow the death penalty for individuals convicted of rape or sodomy of a child younger than 12. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.
“I believe that taking the innocence of a child is the worst of the worst crimes,” Simpson said. “As such, it deserves the worst of the worst punishment. These offenders cannot be rehabilitated. I’m happy the bill has advanced through the House, and I look forward to working with Senator Lance Bell as he handles the bill in the Senate.”
What is a Woman Act Signed Into Law
After falling short of a Senate vote last session, Rep. Susan DuBose’s, R-Hoover, ‘What is a Woman Act’ cleared both chambers and has now been signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to see this bill pass the legislature,” DuBose said. “Alabamians know what a woman is, and we have fought hard to ensure our laws do too. I am grateful to all my colleagues for their support in finally getting this bill to Governor Ivey’s desk, and I look forward to watching her sign it into law. As a mother, I am grateful to know that my children and the generations to come won’t have to worry about losing opportunities to men.”
Tighter Job-Seeking Requirements for Unemployment Benefits
HB29, sponsored by Rep. Ed Oliver, R-Dadeville, cleared the House in a 75-26 vote. The legislation would increase the job search requirement for Alabamians on unemployment benefits, raising the number of employer contacts per week from three to five.
“This legislation requires unemployed Alabamians to look a little harder for opportunities to get back into the workforce,” Oliver said. “As we continue to attract new businesses and create jobs throughout our state, we need everyone who is able to work to do so. The bottom line is there are over 120,000 job openings in Alabama that could provide our people with significantly better livelihoods than relying on unemployment benefits.”
Dual Enrollment Expansion Heads to Senate
HB102, sponsored by Rep. Jeana Ross, R-Guntersville, seeks to expand access to dual enrollment programs in Alabama’s public schools.
“Dual enrollment programs offer an excellent opportunity for Alabama’s high school students to be more college or career ready by the time they graduate,” Ross said. “We need to ensure students have access to these programs and are not prevented from taking full advantage of them. I appreciate my colleagues in the House for supporting this bill and am excited to continue working it through the legislative process.”
The House will reconvene on Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 1 p.m., to begin the third week of the legislative session.
