The Alabama House and Senate convened today at noon. This marks the first legislative meeting day of the 2010 general session. Legislators will meet in Montgomery 3 days a week, with two legislative days and 1 committee day, for the next three and a half months. This legislative session is the final general session in the quadrennium that began in January 2007.

 

Members of both the House and Senate seemed elated to see each other following a long break. The Senate went straight to work passing a number of resolutions. The senate adopted three resolutions offered by Senator Roger Bedford (D). All three expressed disapproval for a particular issue.

SJR7 shows disapproval for the administrative fees proposed by the Board of Nursing.

SJR8 expresses disapproval for any intended layoffs made by the State Personnel Board.

SJR9 sustains disapproval for the State Board of Education’s, “Education Accountability” code of ethics.

 

Following Senator Bedford’s resolutions, the senate adopted a resolution offered by Senator Zeb Little (D) which renames the Alabama State Acadome to the Joe L. Reid Acadome. A similar resolution passed the Alabama Senate during the 2009 legislative session.

 

Senator Charles Bishop (R) offered SJR24 pertaining to the General Fund Budget. This resolution states that if the General Fund Budget goes into proration in fiscal year 2010 then the expense accounts of the state legislators should be cut by the same percentage amount as the general fund budget. Surprising Senator Bishop, the resolution was sent directly to rules without allowing him the opportunity to speak on the resolution.

 

The House swore in its three newest members, Representatives Elaine Beech (D), Lawrence McAdory (D), and Phil Williams (R). Preceding to business the House also took up resolutions. Two of the House’s resolutions included the University of Alabama. HJR 10 and HJR11 both congratulated the University of Alabama on their accomplishments in the 2009 football season. HJR10 recognized the University for winning the Southeastern Conference football title and HJR11 congratulated the team on winning the BCS championship.

 

The House and Senate recessed after convening for less than an hour. Tonight at 6:30 pm CT both chambers will convene at the Alabama Capitol for a joint meeting of the legislature where Governor Bob Riley will offer his State of the State address.

 

Our stations will carry the address live on their websites. To view the Governor’s State of the State address from your computer please log on to www.WSFA.com , WBRC (www.FoxAlabamaLive.com), www.WTVM.com, or www.WAFF.com.

Filed under: Legislature