The Birmingham News
January 26, 2006


MONTGOMERY - A summary of action at the Legislature on Wednesday, a committee meeting day:

COMMITTEES:

Senate Education Committee approved legislation requiring public schools to begin each day with the Pledge of Allegiance. Goes to Senate.

Senate Finance and Taxation-Education Committee approved a bill to restart community service grants that allow legislators to send state funds to projects in their districts. Goes to Senate.

Senate Finance and Taxation-Education Committee approved a bill to provide a state income tax exemption for withdrawals from Alabama's 529 college savings plan. Goes to Senate.

House Judiciary Committee approved a bill to include new media, such as DVDs, in Alabama's law against child pornography. Goes to House.

House Public Safety Committee held a public hearing, but took no vote, on a bill to prohibit drivers under 18 from using cell phones.

Senate Judiciary Committee approved several bills recommended by the governor's prison task force, including voluntary sentencing guidelines for judges and counting drunken driving convictions in another state against drivers convicted in Alabama. Goes to Senate.

Senate Judiciary Committee delayed action on a bill to make juvenile and youthful offender records available to judges for use in determining sentences of adults.

Senate Judiciary Committee discussed but took no action on a package of bills to modify Alabama's death penalty law, including one placing a moratorium on executions.

House Education Committee approved bill to allow public high schools to teach course on the Bible. Goes to House.

House Constitution and Elections Committee held three-hour public hearing, but did not vote on bill to ask voters to decide if they want to call a convention to write a new state constitution.

TODAY'S AGENDA:

Senate Finance and Taxation-General Fund Committee meets at 9 a.m. in room 727 of the Statehouse to consider boosting the longevity pay of some veteran state employees.

Senate Confirmations Committee meets at 9:30 a.m. in room 727.

House and Senate meet at 10 a.m.

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