The final legislative day of the 2001 Regular Session ended Monday, May 21st at midnight, or six minutes after midnight (depending on what clock you were watching). With the budgets having already passed the week before there was little accomplished on the final day of the legislature.

Because of Senate filibustering, House Bill 522 died before receiving a final vote Monday night in the Alabama State Senate.  This bill would have provided for the regulation of recreational vessel or residence boat sewage discharges and marine sanitation devices. This was the only environmental legislation poised for passage in the final days of the legislative session.

The start of the session was looking very promising for passage of good environmental and conservation legislation. With the creation of the Alabama Commission of Environmental Initiatives (ACEI) and word that the Governor was going to have some environmental proposals on his legislative agenda surely some environmental legislation would succeed in passing. Unfortunately those hopes never materialized. Not to say the session was a complete wash. The environmental community did make some progress over the course of the session.

Brownfields legislation passed and was signed into law by Governor Siegelman.  In the April 26, 2001 edition of The Cleburne News, Rep. Richard Lindsey wrote, “Working on this bill united two of the state’s most prominent interest groups, The BCA and AlaLEAVs. The long-term effects of these two entities working side by side are monumental to the future of both environmental preservation and economic development in our state.”  Passing Brownfields legislation helped Alabama’s environmental progress while also demonstrating that the environmental and business communities can work together in improving the quality of life in Alabama.

Alabama Aquatic Habitat Protection Act was drafted and introduced late in the legislative session by Representative John Robinson. The bill had twenty-four cosponsors in the House of Representatives. This act was formed to protect and restore Alabama’s native aquatic habitats by balancing economic development and environmental objectives. It also establishes an instream flow policy to protect streams and rivers from adverse impacts; these adversities result from dam construction, operation, and water withdrawals. Representative Robinson will return with this legislation next year, ready to advocate its passage.

The biggest environmental accomplishment of the session came when we were able to defeat The Family Farm Preservation Act, a bill introduced by ALFA. From the name, you might assume this bill to be beneficial for Alabama.  However, this legislation was an unsuccessful attempt by Corporate Agribusinesses to protect themselves from nuisance lawsuits. Representatives John Robinson, Jeff McLaughlin, Patrick Jones, Todd Greeson and James Buskey along with some of their colleagues brought the House of Representatives to a halt by filibustering for seven hours on April 19th trying to prevent the bills passage.

These legislators, knowing they were in the minority, risked their political careers going against the almighty ALFA.  Although the bill eventually passed the House it was never brought up for consideration by a Senate Committee because of the support AlaLEAVs received from State Senators Jim Preuitt, Chairman of Rules and Lowell Barron, President Pro Tem.  Thank you to all who called, wrote, faxed or met with your state legislator, without support from the community we would not have been successful.  It was a great example of how grassroots lobbying works. Special Thanks go out to the Sierra Club and the Alabama Environmental Council for helping spread the word to their members by using mailers, postcards, newsletters, and phone banks. Discussing the defeat of the Family Farm Preservation Act in its editorial on May 19, 2001 the Opelika-Auburn News wrote, “It is our hope that those people who often speak against the environmental groups will now recognize them in their finest hour.”

What didn’t pass that should have passed—House Bill 668, sponsored by Representative Sue Schmitz.  This bill simply required ADEM hearing officers to be employed by the attorney general and subject to the state merit system. This bill was strongly supported by the attorney’s general office, who, at my request, even came and spoke on its behalf when it was in committee. Representative Schmitz and I worked feverishly to get the bill on the House Special Order Calendar, but to no avail. I have written to Governor Siegelman formally requesting that this bill (HB668) along with Vessel Discharge (HB522) be placed in his agenda when calling a special session this summer. Call the Governor at (334) 242-7100 and request the same.

Another disappointment was the budget reduction ADEM took in the General Fund. ADEM received an 8.1% reduction in its basic regulatory program area. Also, (HB75) legislation that would have allowed ADEM to establish fees to support the Department’s compliance assurance efforts died without getting a full vote in either chamber. AlaLEAVs worked hard in support of this legislation, having even met with the Governor’s office on two occasions trying to solicit their support.

AlaLEAVs Legislative Friends:

• Representative John Robinson (Jackson), who sponsored the Aquatic Habitat Protection Act and led the charge against the ALFA bill in the House of Representatives. Representative Robinson’s House seat is being targeted by ALFA because of his strong opposition to their legislation.  AlaLEAVs has made it a top priority to ensure Representative Robinson is reelected and continues to be a voice for the environment in the House of Representatives.
• Also special thanks to Reps. Jeff McLaughlin, Patrick Jones and Todd Greeson, who were vocal in opposing the ALFA bill.
• Representative Sue Schmitz (Madison), who sponsored the ADEM hearing officers legislation for a second year and was a solid vote on environmental and health issues. Representative Schmitz will also need strong support in her bid for a second term in the House.
• Representative Jack Page (Etowah), who sponsored House Bill 793, a bill providing for a Constitutional Amendment for a Clean and Healthy Environment, and House Bill 794 which would have established a state wilderness system.
• Senators Jim Preuitt and Lowell Barron, who adamantly opposed the ALFA bill in the Senate.
• Representative George Perdue, who sponsored House Bill 728 (Emissions Testing).
• Representative Terry Spicer, who listened to and worked with AlaLEAVs while sponsoring the Brownfields legislation.

Help me in thanking these legislators by writing them and expressing your support. Legislative elections are just a year away and we must protect those that do so much to protect Alabama’s environment.

When we choose to elect a political candidate, we are choosing the path our environment will take. AlaLEAVs PAC is our way of holding political candidates accountable. Please consider sending a check today made out to the AlaLEAVs PAC FUND so we can begin preparing for the 2002 legislative elections. The AlaLEAVs PAC is a non-partisan PAC that supports and endorses candidates that protect our environment. We strive to find the most credible information on Alabama’s political candidates, and use our political skills to help elect environmental friends and defeat environmental foes.

Together we can make a difference! As always, I can be reached by calling (334) 834-2956 or email me at alaleavs@aol.com.