Latest news with #DavidFaulkner
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What passed in the Alabama Legislature: April 22-24, 2025
Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, (left) hands out Holocaust remembrance ribbons on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on April 22, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. Rep. Parker Moore, R-Hartselle (background) pins a ribbon to his jacket with Rep. Rick Rehm, R-Dothan (right). (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) Here is a list of bills that passed the Alabama Legislature this week. House HB 375, sponsored by Rep. Kelvin Datcher, D-Birmingham, establishes a $37.50 fee for a five year pistol permit in Jefferson County. The bill passed 17-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 494, sponsored by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, sets the base salaries of Jefferson County's tax assessor and related officials by tying them to 110% of the highest-paid merit system employees in their office, effective October 2027. The bill passed 23-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 510, sponsored by Rep. Ernie Yarbrough, R-Trinity, updates Lawrence County's temporary release program by adjusting surplus fund reporting, changing the timing for distributing appearance bond fees and modifying when municipalities can opt into the program. The bill passed 6-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 570, sponsored by Rep. Marcus Paramore, R-Troy, updates Pike County's pistol permit fees to $20 for a one-year permit and $100 for a five-year permit and provides for distribution to the Pike County Sheriff.. The bill passed 12-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 571, sponsored by Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, updates Escambia County's cigarette and beer tax administration by allowing the county to hire inspectors with a monthly expense cap of $500. The bill passed 11-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 572, sponsored by Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, authorizes the Escambia County Commission to impose an additional motor vehicle license and registration fee of up to $5 per transaction. The bill passed 12-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 573, sponsored by Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, mandates that candidates for Escambia County sheriff who have retired from active law enforcement have three or more years of full-time post-retirement law enforcement service. The bill passed 14-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 574, sponsored by Rep. Mike Kirkland, R-Scottsboro, sets the Jackson County probate judge's salary at $132,000 annually starting Oct. 1. The bill passed 9-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 576, sponsored by Rep. Mike Kirkland, R-Scottsboro, authorizes the Jackson County Sheriff to use credit and debit cards for approved purchases. The bill passed 11-0. It goes to the Senate. SB 128, sponsored by Sen. Keith Kelley, R-Anniston, increases the Calhoun County sheriff's compensation by providing a $13,966 annual expense allowance starting June 1, and establishing a base annual salary of $114,290 in 2027, at which point the expense allowance would expire. The bill passed 11-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 487, sponsored by Rep. Parker Moore, R-Hartselle, expands the G.I. Dependent Scholarship Program by lowering the minimum disability rating for veterans from 40% to 20%, and establishing a pilot program to admit an additional 100 dependents annually. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 479, sponsored by Rep. Brian Brinyark, R-Wyndham Springs, amends voter registration procedures by removing the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) as a verification database, requiring the use of the Alabama Voter Integrity Database for address change identification, mandating that voters respond within 90 days to address change notices or risk being marked inactive. The bill passed 74-28. It goes to the Senate. HB 454, sponsored by Rep. Steve Hurst, R-Munford, makes it a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by one year in jail and a fine of up to $6,000, for an individual to forge sponsorship on local legislation. The bill passed 93-1. It goes to the Senate. HB 542, sponsored by Rep. Ginny Shaver, R-Leesburg, expands retirement benefits for full-time district attorneys, prosecutors, and attorneys employed by the Office of Prosecution Services. The bill passed 95-1. It goes to the Senate. HB 283, sponsored by Rep. Mike Shaw, R-Hoover, establishes comprehensive data privacy regulations, granting consumers rights to access, correct, delete, and opt out of the processing of their personal data, and empowering the attorney general to enforce compliance. The bill passed 101-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 273, sponsored by Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, establishes the Hunger-Free Campus Act, administered by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, to designate qualified public two-year and four-year institutions of higher education as hunger-free campuses. The bill passed 96-2. It goes to the Senate. HB 176, sponsored by Rep. Mark Shirey, R-Mobile, exempts the sales and use tax on the sale of optical aids, including eyeglasses and contact lenses. The bill passed 102-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 472, sponsored by Rep. Reed Ingram, R-Matthews, increases the state employee meal allowance from 15% to 17.5% of the regular per diem rate for trips lasting 6 to 12 hours. The bill passed 98-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 471, sponsored by Rep. Chip Brown, R-Hollingers Island, removes the prohibition on state or local officers serving on the board of directors of local water, sewer, or fire protection authorities. The bill passed 84-4. It goes to the Senate. HB 441, sponsored by Rep. David Standridge, R-Hayden, establishes minimum educational and clinical requirements for speech-language pathology assistants. The bill passed 82-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 521, sponsored by Rep. Craig Lipscomb, R-Gadsden, introduces a new category of low-alcohol mixed spirit beverages (up to 7% ABV), establishes licensing and distribution requirements for wholesalers and retailers, imposes an excise tax on distribution, and mandates exclusive sales territory agreements. The bill passed 68-25. It goes to the Senate. Senate SB 262, sponsored by Sen. Robert Stewart, D-Selma, would allow betting on previously broadcast races and live horse and dog racing would be permitted under specific rules in White Hall in Lowndes County. The bill passed 18-7. It goes to the House. SB 319, sponsored by Sen. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton, would establish a $25 civil case filing fee in Barbour County; a $25 conviction fee in the county and a $10 small claims court filing fee in Barbour. Voters would have to approve the fees in a referendum. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. SB 326, sponsored by Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, would allow the Jackson County sheriff to establish procedures for using a credit card or debit card to make purchases. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. SB 328, sponsored by Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, would establish a $132,000 annual salary for the Jackson County probate judge effective October 1 and entitle the judge to future cost-of-living increases for all county employees. The bill passed 31-0. It goes to the House. SB 327, sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, would change the boundary lines and corporate limits of Saint Florian in Lauderdale County. The bill passed 31-0. It goes to the House. SB 329, sponsored by Sen. Jay Hovey, R-Auburn, would allow the Lee County revenue commissioner, instead of the probate judge, to take action to reclaim land for taxes in the county. The bill passed 31-0. It goes to the House. SB 301, sponsored by Sen. Jay Hovey, R-Auburn, would allow business property tax returns to be filed electronically. The bill passed 31-0. It goes to the House. SB 322, sponsored by Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills, would allow certain private residential developments to be annexed by a municipality if they are petitioned by the municipality and approved by the municipality's governing body. The bill passed 27-1. It goes to the House. SB 278, sponsored by Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville, would mandate that school districts establish procedures for students to attend religious classes off-site for elective credit if conditions are met. The bill passed 25-6. It goes to the House. House HB 583, sponsored by Rep. Laura Hall, D-Huntsville, sets the annual salary of a newly-elected Madison County sheriff at $170,000, with 7.5% raises for each consecutive term. The bill passed 23-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 585, sponsored by Rep. Brett Easterbrook, R-Fruitdale, would end a supplemental payment equal to 2% of the annual state compensation for circuit clerks to Washington County's circuit clerk when the current clerk leaves office. The bill passed 8-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 586, sponsored by Rep. Tim Wadsworth, R-Arley, extends the corporate limits of the City of Cullman in Cullman County, Alabama. The bill passed 10-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 591, sponsored by Rep. Rick Rehm, R-Dothan, extends Henry County's 4% lodging tax to transients in RV parks. The bill passed 15-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 592, sponsored by Rep. Rick Rehm, R-Dothan, abolishes the Southeast Alabama Human Development Council in Henry County and transfers its duties to the Alabama Department of Youth Services. The bill passed 12-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 595, sponsored by Rep. Ritchie Whorton, R-Owens Cross Roads, removes a specified area from the corporate limits of the City of New Hope in Madison County. The bill passed 11-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 601, sponsored by Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, creates a single Sheriff's Law Enforcement Fund for Escambia County to consolidate various revenue sources and allocate them to law enforcement and public safety. The bill passed 9-0. It goes to the Senate. SB 293, sponsored by Sen. Randy Price, R-Opelika, allows the Lee County Commission to exempt households making 75% or less of the poverty line from solid waste collection fees. The bill passed 14-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 314, sponsored by Sen. Lance Bell, R-Riverside, authorizes the Shelby County Commission to levy a $2 annual motor vehicle license and registration fee. The bill passed 10-3. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 113, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, is the $524 million 2025 supplemental appropriation for the Education Trust Fund budget. The bill passed 103-0 with a House committee substitute. It goes to the Senate for concurrence or conference committee. SB 114, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, is the $1.25 billion supplemental appropriation for the Advancement and Technology budget.. The bill passed 102-0 with a House committee substitute. It goes to the Senate for concurrence or conference committee. SB 305, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, allows the Legislature to appropriate additional funds to schools based on student needs. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 111, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, appropriates $375 million over three years for a student funding formula change, which aims to get more money to students with particular needs, including children in poverty and English Language Learners. The bill passed 103-0 with a House committee substitute. It goes to the Senate for concurrence or conference committee. SB 303, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, revises the definition used to determine eligibility of principals and assistant principals to receive annual stipends under the School Principal Leadership and Mentoring Act.. The bill passed 98-2. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 112, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, allocates $9.9 billion for K-12 schools and higher education, a 6% increase over the current budget. The bill passed 103-0 with a House committee substitute. It goes to the Senate for concurrence or conference committee. SB 150, sponsored by Sen. Lance Bell, R-Riverside, appropriates $1.3 million from the Education Trust Fund to Talladega College for fiscal year 2026. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to Ivey. SB 109, sponsored by Sen. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton, appropriates $15.8 million from the Education Trust Fund to Tuskegee University for fiscal year 2026. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 122, sponsored by Sen. Jay Hovey, R-Auburn, appropriates $450,000 from the Education Trust Fund to Southern Preparatory Academy in Camp Hill for fiscal year 2026. The bill passed 102-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 379, sponsored by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, introduces a tax exemption for nonresidents who work in Alabama for 30 days or fewer within a calendar year. The bill passed 103-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 128, sponsored by Rep. Neil Rafferty, D-Birmingham, extends the existence of the Board of Nursing until Oct. 1, 2029, and revises its membership structure to ensure representation from each congressional district. The House concurred with Senate changes 103-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 123, sponsored by Rep. Kerry Underwood, R-Tuscumbia, extends the existence of the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy until October 1, 2026. The House nonconcurred with Senate changes 99-0, sending the bill to conference committee. HB 191, sponsored by Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, establishes conditions under which county or municipal sales and use tax exemptions may be enacted. The House concurred with Senate changes 102-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 250, sponsored by Rep. Kerry Underwood, R-Tuscumbia, revises the filing requirements for statements of economic interests by candidates, specifying deadlines for submission based on candidacy status, and establishing penalties for non-compliance. The House concurred with Senate changes 102-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 200, sponsored by Rep. Cynthia Almond, R-Tuscaloosa, revises the Alabama Business and Nonprofit Entity Code to make technical corrections, update references, and formalize practices related to electronic filing and name reservations. The House concurred with Senate changes 102-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 456, sponsored by Rep. Thomas Jackson, D-Thomasville, authorizes the Clarke County Sheriff to charge 'reasonable fees' for specific services, such as fingerprinting, reports, records copies, photo IDs, funeral duties, and court-ordered ankle monitors. The House concurred with Senate changes 83-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. HB 258, sponsored by Rep. Jim Carns, R-Birmingham, changes the date of primary elections in non-presidential election years from the fourth Tuesday in May to the Tuesday before Memorial Day. The House concurred with Senate changes 102-0. It goes to Ivey. Senate SB 331, sponsored by Sen. Billy Beasley, D-Clayton, sets the Barbour County probate judge's salary effective October 1 to 70% of the salary paid to a state district court judge with equivalent years of service and provide for increases. The bill passed 28-0. It goes to the House. SB 308, sponsored by Sen. Randy Price, R-Opelika, would update the functions, duties, and responsibilities of the Lee County engineer and the county commission. The bill passed 28-0. It goes to the House. SB 256, sponsored by Sen. David Sessions, R-Grand Bay, would allow a Class 2 municipality to enter property with a tax lien certificate to make repairs. The bill passed 29-0. It goes to the House. SB 330, sponsored by Sen. Dan Roberts, R-Mountain Brook, would require the Birmingham Water Works Board (BWWB) to convert into regional boards and establish new rules for board member appointments, qualifications and terms. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. SB 304, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, would create the Alabama Energy Infrastructure Bank, as a division of the State Industrial Development Authority, to select and assist in the financing of energy infrastructure projects. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. SB 313, sponsored by Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, would establish the Alabama 21st Century Fund and allow funds not needed to pay debt service on bonds of the authority to be used for any authorized purpose of the Alabama Energy Infrastructure Bank. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. SB 311, sponsored by Sen. Josh Carnley, R-Enterprise, would modify the process for obtaining permits for access to state rights-of-way on public highways. The bill passed 29-1. It goes to the House. SB 317, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, would establish staggered terms for the Alabama Innovation Corporation's board of directors. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. SB 248, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, would change how courts review decisions made by government agencies and require judges to independently interpret laws instead of accepting the agency's interpretation. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. SB 324, sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, would increase the number of members on the Board of Pardons and Paroles and update the procedure for selecting the chair of the board. The bill passed 16-8. It goes to the House. SB 315, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, would allow Alabama 21st Century Fund revenues to be used to pay project costs and debt service on bonds issued by the State Industrial Development Authority. The bill passed 29-0. It goes to the House. SB 279, sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, gives the Alabama Legislature permission to tear down the current building after relocating to the new Statehouse. The bill passed 26-0. It goes to the House. SB 236, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, would update the executive committee member requirements of regional mental health authority boards. The bill passed 29-0. It goes to the House. SB 51, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, would set requirements on health insurance reimbursement rates for ambulance services. The bill passed 29-0. It goes to the House. SB 253, sponsored by Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, would allow the Board of Nursing's Executive Director to assign someone to carry out specific duties, powers, and functions of the Alabama Massage Therapy Licensing Board on their behalf. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. HB 253, sponsored by Rep. Brock Colvin, R-Albertville, would exempt the gross receipts from the sale of certain aircraft and aircraft parts from state sales and use tax. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 117, sponsored by Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, would allow certain municipalities to enter memoranda of understanding with sheriffs for traffic enforcement. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. SB 271, sponsored by Sen. Gerald Allen, R-Cottondale, would prohibit municipalities from imposing certain fees on natural or manufactured gas utilities for public use. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. SB 321, sponsored by Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, would remove a provision in the Alabama Drycleaning Environmental Response Trust Fund Advisory Board regulations restricting the Alabama Department of Environmental Management from involving other governmental entities in contamination issues. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. SB 233, sponsored by Sen. David Sessions, R-Grand Bay, would increase the Alabama Ad Valorem Advisory Committee membership to include two resident taxpayers, who would be appointed by the commission. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. SB 241, sponsored by Sen. Lance Bell, R-Pell City, would create a database that contains information on people suspected of belonging to a criminal enterprise or gang. The bill passed 30-0. It goes to the House. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Alabama House OKs Alabama Farmers Federation health plans
Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, speaks on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on April 25, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. The Alabama House on Thursday approved a bill sponsored by Faulkner to allow the Alabama Farmers Federation to sell health insurance plans. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) The Alabama House of Representatives Thursday voted to allow the Alabama Farmers Federation to offer health insurance for its members. The chamber approved HB 477, sponsored by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, by a vote of 98-1. It allows an organization fitting the description of the Alabama Farmers Federation (Alfa) to offer a health care plan that exists outside of state regulations and is only available to people who are members of the nonprofit. 'The rising cost of health care is a significant burden for our farmers,' Faulkner said when he introduced his legislation on the floor. 'As legislators, there is little we can do about fertilizer costs, or the price of cotton. But we can make a difference in one of the largest household costs for many farmer families and other citizens in Alabama regarding their health care coverage.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Faulker's proposal was introduced last week at the Alabama House Health Committee when the committee hosted a public hearing, and members of the public voiced several concerns regarding the bill. Members of the committee considered the legislation once again Wednesday, and several lawmakers on the committee introduced amendments to the bill even though the sponsor did not always agree with all the proposals. Two days later, Faulker's bill was approved in the House and passed onto the Senate. The bill allows Alfa to offer health plans that include outpatient services and hospital visits; visits to the emergency room; mental health and substance abuse services and prescription drug benefits. Members enrolled in the plan cannot be denied coverage because of a pre-existing medical condition. The plan cannot be cancelled because of a medical event. If someone enrolled in the plan must visit a provider that is not in the network, Alfa will pay that provider the median amount of the in-network rate or 80% of the maximum allowed charge for the service. Only members of the Alabama Farmers Federation can enroll in the health care plan, and only after they certify that they are not able to enroll in a health plan sponsored by their employer or that enrolling in the plan is too expensive. Under the bill, only insurance agents authorized by Alfa can market and sell the plan. The Alabama Department of Insurance may also review and comment on any complaint that a person enrolled in the plan files which will then be forwarded to the third party responsible for addressing the complaint. Several people during a public hearing on April 3 expressed concerns regarding the legislation prior to lawmakers introducing amendments to change the bill in committee. They said that it lacks several protections afforded to patients that are in the Affordable Care Act. 'We believe this bill threatens those protections by allowing the sale of health plans that are not required to cover essential health benefits… and can discriminate against individuals with pre-existing conditions, including cancer,' said Jane Adams during the public hearing, government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in Alabama, during the public hearing last Wednesday. Numerous changes were made to the bill after several lawmakers in the committee during Wednesday's meeting submitted amendments to include the other benefits, such as prescription drug coverage and mental health and substance abuse and allow for greater oversight by the Alabama Department of Insurance. On the House floor Thursday, Rep. Paul Lee, R-Dothan, the chair of the House Health Committee, proposed an amendment setting the annual limit on the benefits of the health plan at least $2 million. 'We want to make sure that our farmers are taken care of,' Lee said. 'I am the first generation away from a dependence on farming, so I understand it, growing up in it. So, I know the hard times, the late nights, getting up and looking for a cloud in the sky. I understand that. We want to make sure that farmers get the best thing, and anything we can get in this bill.' The Alabama Hospital Association proposed the provision to lawmakers. Much of the debate circled around an amendment proposed by Rep. Frances Holk-Jones, R-Foley, and approved in committee that said the Alabama Department of Insurance 'shall enforce this act.' Faulkner, who opposed the amendment, moved to remove it from the bill Thursday, saying it was 'very confusing.' 'The state's Department of Insurance does not regulate self-funded plans,' he said. 'And the federal regulation that applies to self-funded plans does not have any application to our bill. Our bill is far more comprehensive, and so it doesn't make sense for that to be on there.' The debate over the move took two hours. 'These amendments, this one in particular, that says the plan will be enforced by the Department of Insurance, it is just a precaution,' said Holk-Jones, who has worked in the insurance industry for the past 40 years. 'It is a precaution for those individuals who have this policy. I call it a prenup. While we are in love with each other, and while we are agreeing to everything, that is when we want the prenup.' The chamber voted to remove the language. The bill moves to the Senate. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Yahoo
Alabama governor backs shark alert system for Mobile, Baldwin counties
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WKRG) — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey declared her support of a House bill that would create a shark alert system for beaches and shorelines in Baldwin and Mobile counties. Surgery nightmare: Las Vegas hospital admits mistake after failed cancer surgery attempt House Bill 437 was introduced in response to a shark attack last year that led to Mountain Brook, Ala., teen , the release said. 'The bill … would enable Mobile and Baldwin County Emergency Management Agencies to warn individuals of a shark attack by providing for alerts to be sent to mobile cellular devices in localized areas and to first responders on duty,' the release said. According to the release, the alert system would be activated when the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources receives a confirmed report of an unprovoked shark attacking a person close to a shoreline or coastline. Ivey said the alert system would add a layer of safety for visitors to the Gulf Coast. 'Officials in Baldwin and Mobile counties do fantastic work to keep Alabamians and our many visitors safe when they are down enjoying our beautiful beaches,' she said. 'Establishing a shark alert system will be an added tool to keep those enjoying our Gulf of America waters safe.' Ivey commended Rep. David Faulkner (R-Jefferson County), who introduced the legislation, and Gribbin, who has been advocating for the legislation, the release said. 'I thank Rep. David Faulkner for bringing this legislation forward, and I commend Lulu Gribbin and her family for inspiring positive change in our own state,' Ivey said. 'Lulu is truly an inspiration and awesome example of courage. Let's be Lulu strong and get this bill to my desk so I can sign it into law.' Mobile teen sentenced to 35 years for 2021 murder of 16-year-old The bill passed the House Committee Wednesday morning, the release said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Alfa health insurance bill gets several changes in Alabama House committee
Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, speaks to a colleague on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on Feb. 11, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) An Alabama House committee advanced a bill allowing the state's dominant agricultural organization to offer its members health benefit plans but not before making several changes to the legislation. HB 477, sponsored by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, would allow a nonprofit agricultural organization — fitting the description of the Alabama Farmers Federation (Alfa) — to provide health plan options not subject to state insurance regulations. The bill was the subject of a tense public hearing last week in which farmers' economic fears were pitted against consumer protection concerns. Faulkner told the House Health Committee Tuesday that he had agreed to changes to move the bill forward. 'I think the bill, as is before you, is in great shape, and I don't think it needs any amendments,' he said. 'But still, to address concerns, like we've done, we are going to have some amendments today. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Lawmakers introduced eight amendments. A ninth amendment that would have limited who could be denied coverage based on a pre-existing condition was not considered after Faulkner said 'it would kill the bill.' Of the eight amendments, six passed, including one of which Faulkner considered 'not friendly.' That amendment, offered by Rep. Frances Holk-Jones, R-Foley, added a line stating that the Alabama Department of Insurance would enforce the legislation passed. Holk-Jones did not explain the amendment to Faulkner, who claimed he did not understand it, but she said in the public hearing last week that as a career insurance professional, she wanted to be sure that the organization's plans were explicitly stated in law, instead of an expectation it would be included in the contract. Faulkner objected to the amendment. 'This is too vague for me to understand and what that means, and I don't know that the Department of Insurance would know what that allows them to do or they can do,' Faulkner said. Another amendment by Holk-Jones, which Faulkner considered 'friendly,' requires insurance agents and brokers to be licensed by Alabama, a concern she also shared during last week's public hearing. Rep. Bryan Brinyark, R-Windham Springs, offered an amendment that prohibits the nonprofit agricultural organization from increasing premiums if a policyholder utilizes their health benefit plan. 'I hope we're getting a better product for the members. That's what I care about. I want to make sure that the people in my district are getting the best plan that they can get under this bill,' Brinyark said. Faulkner said that he wanted to 'just echo [Brinyark's] comments' and said that had been the intent. 'I just wanted to say because I agree with your comments, and what we've said is that once you're covered on this plan, you're not going to be canceled or your premium raised based on an individual health condition,' Faulkner said. Rep. Jeff Sorrells, R-Hartford, offered an amendment that shifted the premium tax from the Department of Revenue to the Department of Insurance. An amendment by Rep. Mark Shirey, R-Mobile, requires the organization providing the health plan to cover some of the out-of-network costs of emergency care. An amendment by Rep. Neil Rafferty, D-Birmingham, also passed, requiring the health plan to include mental health and substance misuse care, as well as prescription drugs to covered benefits. 'I think I don't have to go into too much elaborate details on why this is crucial and important for all people in the state,' Rafferty said. Another amendment from Holk-Jones that would have required the nonprofit agricultural organization to submit an annual report on the number of people it covers failed after Faulkner called it 'unnecessary.' Another amendment by Rep. Pebblin Warren, D-Tuskegee, would have prohibited the organization from adding or amending annual or lifetime limits without notice, but Faulkner said he could not accept that. 'It doesn't mean I'm not willing to continue to talk and work on this. We have been working on this even today, and so I would ask for the committee not to pass this at this time, because I do believe it's dealing with something that is highly unlikely to ever happen,' Faulkner said. Holk-Jones pushed back, saying that 'if you're not planning on, if it's highly unlikely, then it shouldn't be a problem.' 'All I think Rep. Warren is asking for is the highly unlikely possibility that this is done, that the amendment would say that there would be a 60-day notice,' Holk-Jones said. Faulkner said after the committee meeting that he expects the House to consider the bill on Thursday. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Alabama House committee debates bill allowing Alfa to offer health care plans
Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, speaks on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on April 25, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. An intense debate took place in a House committee Wednesday over legislation sponsored by Faulkner that would allow the Alabama Farmers Federation to offer health care plans to members. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) An Alabama legislative committee held a public hearing Wednesday on a bill that would allow the state's dominant agricultural organization to offer health benefit plans to its members. HB 477, sponsored by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, was the subject of intense debate lasting nearly an hour. Supporters said farmers needed more health care options, while opponents warned about the proposed legislation's lack of consumer protections. 'We have the opportunity here in Alabama to help the farmers and small business owners who are the heart of communities… by allowing the federation to develop an Alfa health plan for its members,' Faulkner said to the committee, claiming the plan could 'save a family in your in your district up to $18,000 a year.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The bill would create the means for a nonprofit agricultural organization — fitting the description of the Alabama Farmers Federation (Alfa) — to provide health plan options not subject to state insurance regulations. The bill states the qualifying organization is 'not a health insurer and is not engaging in the business of health insurance.' Proponents said the measure could be a lifeline for farmers and small business owners struggling with conventional health insurance costs. Monica Carroll, whose husband is a sixth-generation farmer from Dale County, said health care costs forced her to take an off-farm job despite wanting to manage the family poultry operation. Her newly-married son, she said, wanted to join the farm. But she asked, 'How are they going to be able to afford health care?… Who will be the ones to carry on our legacy if they can't afford a health care plan and still be able to farm?' While the bill mandates coverage for ambulatory patient services, hospitalization, emergency services, and laboratory services, opponents pointed out the absence of requirements for other ACA essential health benefits. They raised concerns about potential loopholes and the lack of patient protections established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), such as excluding individuals with pre-existing conditions. 'We believe this bill threatens those protections by allowing the sale of health plans that are not required to cover essential health benefits… and can discriminate against individuals with pre-existing conditions, including cancer,' said Jane Adams, government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in Alabama. Adams cited alleged negative experiences from Tennessee's similar plan, which provides health plans that are not traditional health insurance to Tennessee Farm Bureau members, including denials based on conditions like a history of melanoma or a negative breast biopsy. She also warned the bill could 'destabilize the insurance market' by siphoning off healthy individuals from traditional health insurance. Ben Sanders, executive director of government affairs for Tennessee Farm Bureau Insurance, said Tennessee's Farm Bureau health plan, which has been operating since 1947, accepts 85-90% of applicants, has a 98% retention rate, covers conditions like cancer after enrollment, includes mental health and prescriptions, and does not impose annual or lifetime limits. He also claimed that data showed their plan did not negatively affect Tennessee's ACA marketplace. While acknowledging Tennessee's plan had 250 complaints in 2024, he said this was out of 2.6 million claims processed. Faulkner said the bill is not meant to reform health care insurance but to help a small portion of the population with health care costs and that Alabama's bill was 'more restrictive' than Tennessee's or any other state. Deanna Deschaun, a resident of Shelby County who lives with multiple sclerosis and works with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, said that she feared plans could deny enrollment based on individuals' pre-existing conditions or impose annual and lifetime limits on benefits. She also pointed out that if someone develops a condition like MS and loses coverage under the Alfa plan, it 'does not trigger a special enrollment period' for ACA marketplace coverage, which is typical for people who lose health insurance, potentially leaving them uninsured when they most need health care. 'Offering Alabama farmers health plans that may not provide coverage for pre-existing conditions does not protect them from high health care costs. In fact, enrolling in these unregulated plans — and lack of transparency around them — makes it more likely that farmers will experience financial harm,' Deschaun said. Faulkner said the bill resulted from extensive negotiations and included numerous safeguards, pointing to provisions like requiring a complaint system for customers and rules for out-of-network emergency care payments. The plans would also be subject to a 1.3% premium tax payable to the state's General Fund. He called it 'by far the most comprehensive Farm Bureau plan in the country.' 'This is not a plan for everyone. This doesn't even save the nation or the state in health care, but it is an option. It is an option for some, and it could mean economic survival for small business owners and farmers,' Faulkner said. But the plan is not for everyone. After the committee meeting, Faulkner said that for people with pre-existing conditions have other options, like getting health insurance through the marketplace. 'The ACA Health Marketplace is there. It's there right now. What we're trying to do is provide an option for farmers [and] small business owners so they can lower their health care costs,' Faulkner said. But Rep. Frances Holk-Jones, citing 48 years as an insurance professional, questioned the lack of explicit language requiring agents to be licensed by the state. She also said that the bill does not explicitly say which benefits are covered, saying that 'planning' to include those in the contracts gives her 'great concern.' 'I want the word 'planning on it' out of the discussion. I want the words, 'this is what we're doing,'' she said. Ted Hosp, vice president of governmental relations for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, the largest private insurer in the state, said he expected the bill to pass, but asked for specific amendments. Hosp said that 'at the very least' there should be a provision that states once a person has such a health plan, the plan can't be canceled, and premiums can't be raised if the person gets sick. He also asked the committee to consider mandated coverage of mental health and prescription drugs, and explicit enforcement authority for the Department of Insurance. 'Alfa has told you that they plan to do all of the things that we are asking to be put in this bill at this point. Based on that and based on the commonsense nature of the changes that we are asking for, it's surprising to me that Alfa has not simply accepted those changes and moved on,' Hosp said. House Health Committee Chair Rep. Paul Lee, R-Dothan, also seemed concerned about codifying consumer protections. He asked Sanders and Faulkner if they were intended to cover benefits like mental health and why it was not explicitly listed in the bill along with other covered benefits. Faulkner pushed back, saying that most states don't have covered benefits listed on the legislation, and that is determined through contracts. 'Of the 10 programs out there that have passed in states, only two listed benefits in their bill … This is the four benefits that were listed in two out of the 10 plans. So, we have done that and listed those here,' Faulkner said. Lee asked if Faulkner meant that Alfa would cover the additional benefits not listed in the legislation, which Faulkner confirmed Alfa would. 'All I'm asking is for it to be put in writing,' Lee said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
