GAMBLING
Senate Bill 214 (SB214), sponsored by Sen. Del Marsh, is still waiting to be brought back to the floor of the Alabama Senate. Some have speculated that Marsh’s reason for not bringing it back for debate is because he doesn’t have the number of votes he needs in order to pass it (he needs 21 votes in the Senate). Others speculate that he is continuing to make changes to the bill in order to make it more acceptable to more senators (in other words, he’s “buying” their votes with promised benefits for the various districts represented by the different senators). Whatever the case, we anticipate the bill could come to the senate floor as early as next Tuesday, March 9, 2021. It is still important for everyone to call his/her state senator and ask them to vote NO on SB214. Click here if you know your State Senator’s name. Click on their picture and fill out the form to continue with your message. Click here if you do not know the name of your State Senator. Enter your zip-code. You will be directed to a page where you must scroll down to find your State Legislator.
VULNERABLE CHILD COMPASSION & PROTECTION ACT (VCAP)
HB1 and SB10 are companion bills. Both bills prohibit gender change therapy for minors and prohibit the withholding of certain information from parents. HB1 passed out of the House Judiciary Committee, but SB10 actually passed out of the full Senate and has now gone to the House where it will have to go through a committee before going to the floor of the House for a vote. ALCAP supports these bills and we will keep you posted as they progress through the House.
“MEDICAL” MARIJUANA
SB46, the “medical” marijuana bill, sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson, passed out of the full Senate with ten NO votes. If your state senator is listed here, please let him know how grateful you are for his opposition to SB46: Butler, Roberts, Scofield, Shelnutt, Allen, Givhan, Holley, Orr, Reed and Stutts. Click here then click on their picture and fill out the form to continue with your message.
SB46 now goes to the House and we hope to stop it there. Please contact your Alabama House Member and ask him/her to vote NO on SB46 (the “medical” marijuana bill). Click here if you know your State House Member’s name. Click on their picture and fill out the form to continue with your message. Click here if you do not know the name of your House Member. Enter your zip-code. You will be directed to a page where you must scroll down to find your State Legislator
ALCOHOL
We are monitoring several bills that will allow the delivery of alcoholic beverages directly to the homes of Alabama residents. If you have contact with your House Member or State Senator, please ask him or her to vote NO on all bills related to the direct delivery of alcoholic beverages.
This week, SB287 was introduced in the Senate. This bill calls for the privatization of liquor sales in Alabama. ALCAP has always opposed “privatization” because it will result in MANY more liquor store locations, operating longer hours and more days of the week. This will result in more people drinking and greater social costs to the state. If you don’t want to see your local Walmart, Walgreens and CVS stores becoming liquor stores, or you don’t want to see privately owned liquor stores opening on every corner in your community, you need to contact your legislators (especially, your state senator) and ask them to vote NO on SB287. Click here if you know your State Senator’s name. Click here if you know your State House Member’s name. Click on their picture and fill out the form to continue with your message. Click here if you do not know the name of your State Senator or House Member. Enter your zip-code. You will be directed to a page where you must scroll down to find your State Legislator
YOGA
HB246 which will allow the Hindu religious practice of Yoga to be taught in public schools has passed out of committee and been placed on the House Special Order Calendar a couple of times already. However, the House has still not gotten to it and the bill is again scheduled for next Tuesday, March 9. It is far enough down on the calendar that they might not get to it on Tuesday either, but we will continue to monitor the bill. ALCAP is opposed to this bill and urges legislators to vote NO on HB246. For more information on why we oppose Yoga being taught in schools, watch the attached video interview with Clete Hux of the Apologetics Resource Center.