What to know about Alabama laws taking effect
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — With her signature, Gov. Kay Ivey changed the way schools are funded in Alabama and created some new regulations.
Several of those laws have gone into effect this week. Lawmakers said there's a few things to know about these acts.
One law drops the grocery tax from 3% to 2%, which will start in September. State Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, said it would be an extra dollar off of a $100 grocery tab. Including 2023's tax cut, that's a 50% slash on what used to be a 4% tax on groceries overall.
'Obviously, everyone has to eat, and they eat groceries, consume groceries,' Orr said. 'Therefore, the grocery tax seemed like the most logical place to continue letting Alabamians keep more of their hard-earned dollars.'
Grocery shoppers aren't the only ones who will get more bang for their buck. The RAISE Act will now fund schools based on the kinds of needs students have.
No active shooter incidents reported in Alabama in 2024: FBI
Before, schools were just funded based on headcount. The needs now considered for school funding include English-language learners, gifted students, those with special needs and low-income students.
'Those schools are going to get more money just for your child to try to make a difference in their education, and that's the exciting part' said state Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur.
State Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, agrees. She said students need this change.
'That's our future,' Drummond said. 'It's time that we invest. We know where the problems are, and the RAISE Act is going to help us address those issues.'
Drummond's effort to crack down on nicotine products also went into effect this week.
The law requires tobacco retailers to purchase a license to sell products. Drummond said it also requires students to learn about the harms of vaping.
'I want us to save lives and to prevent young people from hurting their bodies in the future,' Drummond said. 'So this is all about welfare of our young people in the state of Alabama.'
Another law that's gone into effect allows the Alabama Farmers Federation to offer health care plans to its members. The original sponsor of the bill, state Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, said it will lower health care costs for farmers.
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