April 18, 2005
Legilative Update

The Senate has been in a filibuster for over a month over a bill that requires groups such as the Christian Coalition to disclose their source of funds when involving themselves in ballot issues.

There are only 7 legislative days left and it is not looking good for the passage of any legislation, including the two budgets, meaning it is very likely the Governor will call the legislature back into a special session sometime this summer.

The "Hog Bill" remains tied up in the Senate Judicary committee and will not pass this legislative session.

House Bill 505, the AlaLEAVs endorsed Environmental Justice legislation, is assigned to The House Commerce Committee chaired by Rep. Frank McDaniel 334-242-7697. Rep. McDaniel has refused several requests to put this bill on the committee agenda and hold a public hearing. The Senate companion bill Senate Bill 335, passed the Senate committee weeks ago, but is unlikely to be debated on the Senate floor because of the Senate filibuster and the strong opposition from the regulated community.

After Tuesday (April 19th) it takes unanimous consent for the Senate to send a bill to the House for consideration. Something that is very unlikely for most legislation because of the continued bickering and political differences between the two parties in the Senate.

The current Senate filibuster is the longest in recent history.

House Bill 321, supported by AlaLEAVs and the BCA, still has a chance for passage if the Senate decides to pass some legislation before the session ends. The bill has passed the House and a Senate committee. This is the bill that would add a licensed Geologist to the well-driller position on the EMC.





April 4, 2005
Legislative Update

Political bickering has gotten in the way of lawmakers actually debating the merits of legislation in the past few weeks and the bickering is expected to continue.

On the Environmental front, SB335 "The Environmental Justice and Health Protection Act" by Sen. Quinton Ross passed out of a Senate committee a few weeks ago. Please contact Senate Rules Chairman Jim Preuitt 334-242-7898 and ask him to place this bill on the special order calendar.

SB255, the legislation that would divert 1/3 of the money for Forever Wild, has not been voted out of committee and is expected to die this session, Thanks to all the people who showed up at the public hearing to speak against this bill.

SB227 "The Hog Bill" has been very quiet this session and isn't expected to pass the Senate. Thanks to all who have written letters and made phone calls to your Senator.
This is the 5th year in a row, AlaLEAVs has prevented this bill from passing the Alabama legislature.

HB321, which would add licensed geologist to the well driller position on the EMC has passed the House and close to passing the Senate. AlaLEAVs supports this legislation.
ALFA and Forestry have been trying to amend the bill. One of their amendments would change the wording to get rid of EMC Chairman Scott Phillips, anothe amendment would add farmer,forester and others to be eligible to hold this particular EMC seat.
AlaLEAVs is working with the BCA in supporting the legislation without amendments.

AlaLEAVs will be hosting the House Republican Caucus Luncheon this week.


March 1, 2005

Summary of 2005 Environmental Legislation.

SB 227 - "Hog Bill" by Sen. Zeb Little. AGAINST - the bill has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Call your Senator today and ask them to vote "N0".
This is the 5th year ALFA has had this horrible legislation introduced, which would protect farms from nusiance lawsuits and require the plantiff to pay all legal costs if they were to lose. AlaLEAVS firmly believes in the protection of "true family farms", however this bill is designed to protect large corporate hog farms and gives them protection that is not afforded to the average citizen.

SB222/HB321 by Sen. Means and Rep. McDaniel. SUPPORT
This legislation would expand the EMC well driller position to include a licensed geologist. AlaLEAVs supports the bill as introduced, but will be against any attempts to amend the bill.

SB226/HB332 by Sen. Dial and Rep. Graham. MONITORING
This bill would remove ADEM from the tag fee appropriaton process regarding the Legacy "Protect the Environment" car tag. Currently ADEM receives half of the proceeds from the sell of these tags. The bill is pending committee action in both houses.

SB245 by Sen. Penn SUPPORT
This bill would require local government approval for the location of surface mining operations. Currently there is no approval needed.

SB255 by Sen. Dial AGAINST
This legislation would take 1/3 of the money from the Forever Wild program and reallocate it for volunteer fire departments,Soil and Water Conservation Committee and ADEM. We believe the money generated for Forever Wild should not be tampered with. The Forever Wild program was approved as a Consitutional Amendment by 82% of the vote. The bill is still in committee.

SB231/HB263 by Senator Mitchem and Rep. McDaniel SUPPORT
This bill would enact a solid waste disposal fee of 31 cents a ton to fund ADEM's Solid Waste program.The Senate bill is out of Committee.

SB234/HB270 by Sen. Mitchem and Rep. McLaughlin. SUPPORT
This bill would require financial assurance for closure of landfills.

SB335/HB505 by Sen. Ross and Rep. Mitchell."The Environmental Justice and Health Protection Act" SUPPORT
This bill would direct ADEM to publish demographic information about the population surrounding facilities that have applied for new or reissued permits. It would direct ADEM to consider total exposures ot communities from multiple toxic polluntants and multiple facility sources. It would also require ADEM to establish a Division of Environmental Justice and Health. This bill will not burden the General Fund because the Alabama code authorizes ADEM to charge and collect fees sufficient to cover the reasonable anticipated costs to be incurred by ADEM and directly related to the issuance,reissuance, modification or denial or any permit, license, etc.

HB487 by Rep. Clark "Environmental Equity Representation Act" SUPPORT
This bill would add two members to the EMC with new members appointed by the Governor from a list of three names for each position provided by the Black Caucus of the Alabama Legislature. One member should be an active participant in environmental justice issues and the other should be a researcher or academic instuctor from any one of Alabama's historically Black colleges and universities.

More legislation to be introduced in the coming week.