Latest news with #AlabamaStateHouse
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
House committee approves conflict resolution program for middle schools
Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, laughing in a House Education Policy Committee meeting on April 30, 2025, in the Alabama State House in Montgomery, Alabama. The committee unanimously approved Smitherman's bill that requires students to take a conflict resolution course in middle school. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector) An Alabama House committee Wednesday unanimously approved legislation that would require students to take a conflict resolution course in middle school. SB 34, sponsored by Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, requires the State Department of Education to develop the program. 'We're trying to get these kids to where they understand how you deal with conflicts and situations and not resort to … fighting, knives, guns, et cetera,' Smitherman said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The House Education Policy Committee adopted an amendment that would require the program to be taught in middle school, instead of high school. Smitherman said the State Superintendent Eric Mackey suggested the change. 'Dr. Mackey came over and talked to me. He said we need to start this in middle school,' Smitherman said. A message seeking comment from Mackey was sent Wednesday afternoon. Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, supported the legislation and highlighted the importance of conflict resolution. 'I think problem solving is important, and I agree with Dr. Mackey on the timing in middle school,' she said. The course must include lessons on: 'responsible decision-making; the causes and effects of school violence and harassment, cultural diversity, and nonviolent methods for resolving conflict, including peer mediation; the consequences of violent behavior; the causes of violent reactions to conflict; nonviolent conflict resolution techniques; the relationship between drugs, alcohol, and violence; the implementation of voluntary peer mediation programs and the integration of conflict resolution models in classrooms.' Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, also supported the legislation but was worried about the additional stress a new class would put on teachers. 'We do pile too much on the teachers, continuing things that we try to do in the total development of the child, not just academics,' Baker said. Smitherman said it is up to the state Board of Education to decide how often, when and how the course will be taught. The bill moves to the full House for consideration. There are four days left in the 2025 legislative session. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alabama public school cellphone ban moves closer to Senate vote
Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, at a Senate Education Policy committee meeting on April 30, 2025, in the Alabama State House in Montgomery, Alabama. The committee approved HB 166, sponsored by Rep. Leigh Hulsey, R-Helena, Wednesday that bans cell phones in public schools during instructional time. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector) An Alabama Senate committee approved a House bill Wednesday to ban cellphones in schools. HB 166, sponsored by Rep. Leigh Hulsey, requires public school boards to adopt a policy banning cellphone use during instructional time. The Senate Education Policy Committee unanimously approved the legislation at its last meeting of the 2025 Legislative Session. 'This is the companion bill for the Focus Act,' Chesteen said. 'I know you've put about two years into this, so we look forward to getting it on the Senate floor and passing it into law.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Alabama House of Representatives approved the measure on April 4. The legislation also provides three exceptions for students to use their cell phones: if they study under an Individualized Education Plan that allows it; for teacher-approved instruction and for medical purposes. The House Education Policy Committee approved the Senate version of the bill, SB 92, sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen, on April 16. Both bills await final approval from the second chamber. There are four legislative days left in the 2025 session. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alabama Senate committee hearing on police immunity bill draws critics
Rep. Rex Reynolds, R-Huntsville, making notes in the House Ways and Means General Fund Committee on April 1, 2025, in the Alabama State House in Montgomery, Alabama. The Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee hosted a public hearing Wednesday for his legislation regarding police immunity. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector) An Alabama Senate committee hearing Wednesday on a bill that would enhance immunity protections for law enforcement drew critics who feared the consequences for their communities. Speakers at the public hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee said they feared HB 202, sponsored by Rep. Rex Reynolds, R-Huntsville, would allow law enforcement to act with impunity. 'This bill moves the needle to something that could be very dangerous,' said Gida Smith, a Montgomery resident. 'A police state seems far away from us, but police states do not happen overnight. They happen in increments, you allow a little of this, you allow a little of that, you exempt people from prosecution, you exempt the president from prosecution.' The legislation establishes a heightened standard that law enforcement can be held liable for misconduct while performing their duties, and allows them a procedural hearing to determine if their actions are within the scope of their duties before a case can move forward that alleges wrongdoing. 'Here for me is the core of the bill,' Reynolds, a retired Huntsville law enforcement officer, told the committee before the public hearing. 'Law enforcement officers who use force constitutionally while carrying out their duties are immune from prosecution. Law enforcement officers are not immune for any unconstitutional use of force during any execution of duties. If it is unconstitutional, they have no coverage under this piece of legislation.' Supporters of the legislation said it would align existing state statutes with case law. 'HB 202 is offered to amend certain laws, as you have already heard, that were last updated in 1979,' said Hoss Mack, executive director of the Alabama Sheriffs Association. 'It defines the definitions of 'use of force' incidents involving law enforcement in line with current federal law and United States Supreme Court decisions. In amending these laws, it will also align what is already being taught in law enforcement academies across this state.' But critics were not convinced. Travis Jackson, a Montgomery resident who spoke against the legislation when it was in the House, said the legislation will not allow officers to protect and serve the public. 'Law enforcement will have a jail-free card due to not getting held accountable for their criminal mischief,' he said. The bill passed the House of Representatives in March despite unified opposition from Democrats and attempts to filibuster the legislation. HB 202 would change the law so that officers would have immunity so long as they do not violate people's rights in the U.S. or Alabama Constitution. Currently, law enforcement does not have immunity if they act 'willfully, maliciously, fraudulently, in bad faith, beyond his or her authority, or under a mistaken interpretation of the law.' It also provides law enforcement with a court hearing to determine if they acted within the scope of their authority. If the court rules they acted within their duties, then either the civil lawsuit or the criminal case is dismissed. The bill also provides police officers and deputies with protection from having to provide evidence during discovery in civil cases, and it allows them to assert the same immunity claims that they acted within the scope of their authority during the incident of alleged wrongdoing. Nearly all Democrats on the committee said they opposed the legislation. 'It is a green light for Black folks to get killed,' said Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham. 'That is just the bottom line. It is a green light for Black folks to get killed, and the person has the opportunity to not be held accountable. It does that.' Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison, D-Birmingham had concerns about people with a disability, such as people who have lost their sight or hearing, who then have trouble complying with the law enforcement orders. 'Oftentimes, if a person does not understand that, and he is using his own discretion in a situation, it could turn deadly,' she said. At least one Republican lawmaker on the committee supports the bill. 'I want to thank you for bringing this bill,' said Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore. 'It is about time that we statutorily came to align with clarifying the roles and where those split-second decisions can be made.' The committee did not vote on the legislation on Wednesday, but could do so next week. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
House committee approves $10 billion education budget; floor vote expected Thursday
Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, speaking to the House Ways and Means Education Committee on April 22, 2025, in the Alabama State House in Montgomery, Alabama. The committee approved the 2026 Education Trust Fund budget and other supplemental appropriations on Tuesday. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector) An Alabama House committee Tuesday approved a 2026 Education Trust Fund budget with a few changes, bringing it closer to a vote in the chamber. SB 112, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, increases the current budget by $543.3 million (5.81%), but a substitute from the Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee added an additional $17.6 million. That brings the total growth of the ETF to 6%. 'That's the maximum we were allowed to increase the budget because of our secondary cap. Next year, that number will be 5.75% under this current budget,' Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, the chair of the committee, said Tuesday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Senate approved the nearly $10 billion budget on April 10. Garrett said one of his priorities in the budget is continuing to invest in public education in the state. SB 305, also sponsored by Orr, allows the Legislature to appropriate additional funds to schools based on student needs. The House added an additional $58 million to begin the transition to the new model. SB 111, also sponsored by Orr, would appropriate $375 million over three years for that transition, which aims to get more money to students with particular needs, including children in poverty and English Language Learners. The budget also includes $135 million for the CHOOSE Act, a voucher-like program that will award students with funds to be used for education-related expenses, including private school tuition. The program was initially slated to get $100 million, but Orr said that demand for the program led the chairs to increase the allocation. The program is currently limited to special needs students and those making under 300% of the poverty line, about $79,950 for a family of three. The program will be open to all applicants starting in 2027, without any income limits. About two-thirds of the 37,000 applicants for the program this year are already in private school or homeschooled. 'I realize that there's different opinions about school choice,' Garrett said. 'We have the CHOOSE Act, and we're committed to that. But we are committing more than that funding into the public schools. And I think that what we're doing, especially looking at student needs, is very, very important.' There are also additional line items for workmen's compensation for educators, SB 1, sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville; and paid parental leave, SB 199, sponsored by Sen. Vivian Figures, D-Mobile. Teachers will receive $1,000 for classroom supplies, and the state will allocate $100 per student for textbooks. Teachers will not get a raise this year, but Garrett said the education community wanted an increase in the Public Education Employees' Health Insurance Plan. There is a $99.2 million increase in PEEHIP. 'What we were hearing from the education community was that they really wanted that PEEHIP increase covered, and that's almost $100 million out of the budget,' he said. The Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative will see a 31% ($32.2 million) funding increase while the Alabama Reading Initiative's (ARI) funding would grow by 6.4% ($9 million). The two programs' funds remain unchanged from what the Senate passed earlier this month. State Superintendent Eric Mackey supported the budget and hopes they pass smoothly. 'I think they've done their homework,' he said. ' They've found the right balance.' House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, said the House would vote on the ETF on Thursday. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alabama Senate committee approves religious instruction policy mandate
Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville, laughing on April 16, 2025, in the Senate Education Policy Committee meeting in the Alabama State House in Montgomery, Alabama. Shelnutt's bill that requires local school boards to adopt a policy on released time religious instruction (RTRI) passed the committee 8-1 on Wednesday. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector) An Alabama Senate committee Wednesday approved a bill that would require school boards to adopt policies on whether to allow students to leave school for religious study and give them academic credit for it. SB 278, sponsored by Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville, mirrors HB 342, sponsored by Rep. Susan DuBose, R-Hoover, which was rejected by the House Education Committee on April 2. The state already has a law that allows school boards to adopt such policies, known as Released Time Religious Instruction (RTRI). The bill would mandate the development of those policies. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The committee heard from critics and supporters of the legislation last week. 'The bill is designed to provide local control and flexibility, ensuring a district can implement policies that best suit their needs, while respecting the constitutional rights of students and parents,' Shelnutt said Wednesday. The senator said the policy could forbid RTRI. 'Yes, local boards have the ability to adopt their own policies,' he said. 'If the policy they implement is super narrow because this does not work in their district in any way, then so be it.' Sen. Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery, echoed a concern raised by Dale County Superintendent Ben Baker last week that there is not enough time in the school day for students to leave campus for RTRI. He said religious instruction should happen at home. 'This is kind of boilerplate legislation, in my view. At some point we have to give parents the responsibility we say parents should have in terms of how they go about the process of sharing moral values with their kids,' Hatcher said. 'In fact, I know that it should begin at home.' Hatcher also questioned the intent of the bill. Although the legislation says that any religious group can participate, Hatcher was concerned about what that would look like and if it would happen. 'I do know that there's a slippery slope to this kind of legislation,' he said. 'I do know that a part of the intent of legislation like this has a great deal to do with this notion of Christian nationalism.' Sen. Roger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, raised concerns over liability. He said that students could sign up for the program, leave the school and not attend the program. 'We don't have control over them but they're still under us, but we don't have control. That's an hour that is returned outside during the hours of eight to three,' Smitherman said. Shelnutt said the groups that host RTRI, like LifeWise Ministry, will assume all liability. According to LifeWise's sample curriculum, it teaches the Christian belief that 'God created all things good' to a list of virtues that the nonprofit describes as 'LifeWise qualities.' At least 30 school board representatives from across the state attended Wednesday's meeting. Sally Smith, executive director of the Alabama Association of School Boards, said she is disappointed the legislation passed, but would continue to have conversations with lawmakers. Smith has consistently expressed concern and opposition to the bill. 'We think that we just have to have continued conversations with our senators due to local leaders' concerns with this bill,' Smith said in an interview. 'It is in the area of making policy that presents constitutional challenges to local boards of education. So it is not as clearly clean cut as some may think.' The bill was approved 8-1 with Hatcher as the only member that voted against the bill. Smitherman said he only voted for it to get it out of committee, but that it still needed significant work. Shelnutt said he would work with Smitherman on his concerns. 'I'm going to vote to get the bill out of committee, but I do think that before we move that bill on the floor, that these things have got to be tightened up,' Smitherman said. The bill moves to the full Senate. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
