The second week of the 2020 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature has been completed. This past week, SB165 (“medical” marijuana bill) was introduced by Sen. Tim Melson. A public hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday, February 19, at 8:30 A.M. in Statehouse Room #325. ALCAP will be there to speak if needed, but we are hoping medical and legal experts will be able to present the case for voting against this bill. We expect a crowd of marijuana proponents to be there in large numbers, so it would be great if we could fill the relatively small room and the hallways with pastors and church members who care about protecting our state from the commercialization of marijuana (the ultimate goal of those pushing this legislation). Let me know if you plan to attend and I will try to connect with you that day before the meeting begins. Text me or call me directly at 205.612.1917.
The lottery bill(s) has (have) not yet been introduced. We are hoping the legislators are heeding Governor Ivey’s request for this issue to be put “on hold” until further study can be done. We just learned who will make up the study committee and we will do what we can to share information with them. You can read the list of committee members and see the press release by clicking here.
There are a number of other bills dealing with various issues, such as transgender athletes and transgender surgeries on minors that we are monitoring in addition to bills that expand the availability of alcohol. As always, we will try to keep you notified concerning public hearings and the need for you to contact your legislators throughout the legislative session.
In closing this week’s update, I want to ask you to pray for Rep. Jim Carns whose wife passed away recently and Rep. Terri Collins whose husband passed away this past Sunday.
Thank you for your continued prayers for ALCAP and our ministry at the Statehouse.