Payday Lending, Transgender Athlete Bills Go Nowhere in Alabama Legislature
It may be Valentines Day, but Alabama lawmakers didn’t offer much love this week as several bills had difficulty advancing. We have an overview of this week’s action in the legislature from Don Dailey, host of Alabama Public Television’s Capitol Journal.
Payday Lending
A Senate Committee voted down a bill that would have made it easier for borrowers to repay payday loans. It would have given borrowers 30 days to repay. In some cases they can have as little as 10 days.
Payday lending has been a perennial issue in recent years, but Dailey notes the opposition to the bill was bipartisan.
“There just doesn’t seem to be agreement on this issue still,” Dailey says.
Transgender Athletes
A bill that would require transgender high school athletes to compete based on their biological sex at birth died in a House committee.
“It was contentious as you might imagine,” Dailey says.
Republican Rep. Chris Pringle of Mobile sponsored the bill and says it’s about fairness to female athletes. He says they shouldn’t have to compete against those who are biologically male, with more testosterone and thus greater strength. Opponents say the bill discriminates against transgender people.
Even though this bill won’t move forward, Dailey says the issue may reappear.
“Rep. Pringle has a similar, separate bill. There are a few technical differences. So this issue may not be totally dead for the session,” Dailey says.
Police Officers and Hate Crime Law
A proposal to add law enforcement officers to the state’s hate crime law took diverging paths in the House and Senate. This comes as seven Alabama police officers have been killed in the line of duty in the last 13 months.
The House passed the bill without opposition. But a Senate version stalled in committee.
“Given that the Senate committee carried this over, it brings some questions as to what the ultimate future of this bill will be,” Dailey says.
Medical Marijuana
A bill that would legalize medical marijuana was introduced this week. It would allow medical marijuana for 15 conditions. It would also set up a commission to regulate its use in Alabama.
Dailey says the bill’s sponsor, Republican Sen. Tim Melson of Florence, is preparing for opposition.
“He expects to have another battle on his hands,” Dailey says. “It’s a very contentious issue as it has been for a number of years.”
Melson sponsored a medical marijuana bill last session that passed the Senate but fell short in the house. A study group met last year to make recommendations for this current version of the bill.
“They feel like they’ve addressed most if not all of the concerns that were raised last year, especially those issues about it possibly being a gateway to increasing recreational use of marijuana,” Dailey says.
The bill id expected to get its first committee hearing next week.
Spaniards turn water pistols on visitors to protest mass tourism
The tourists who were targeted by water blasts laughed it off. Cities like Barcelona and the island of Mallorca have seen housing costs skyrocket as homes are diverted to the short-term rental market.
G7 leaders gather in Canada for a summit overshadowed by Israel-Iran crisis
Also looming over the meeting are President Trump's inflammatory threats to make Canada the 51st state and take over Greenland.
Military parade and No Kings protests: a split-screen of a divided America
A 33-mile trip from one protest in Annapolis, Md., to the parade grandstand in front of the White House was like a journey between two different countries.
Deadly flash floods kill 13 in San Antonio and at least 3 in West Virginia
Fast-paced floodwaters in San Antonio left 13 people dead. West Virginia also witnessed at least three deaths from flash flooding, with more people missing.
Food worker with ‘fantasy’ of security career sought in Minnesota political shootings
Vance Boelter, the subject of a nationwide manhunt, described himself as an experienced security professional who worked in conflict zones. A friend said at least part of that account is "fantasy."
At least 8 dead in shooting near Israeli and US-supported aid sites in Gaza
Witnesses said Israeli forces opened fire around dawn toward crowds of desperate Palestinians heading to two aid sites in the southern city of Rafah.
