The 2015 Organizational Session of the Alabama Legislature came and went in just two days this week. The Organizational Session began at noon on Tuesday, January 13th and adjourned on Wednesday, January 14th. The Legislature returned to Montgomery to conduct the business of an Organizational Session, which is elect leadership, adopt operating rules, appoint committees and certify the 2014 elections. This was all done in just two days and with extended discussion in the Senate regarding rules being the only bump in the road.
The Alabama Legislature will begin its 2015 Regular Session on Tuesday, March 3rd with an estimated adjournment date of June 15th.
As mentioned above, the election of the two Leaders in each chamber was easily accomplished with Representative Mike Hubbard of Auburn being re-elected Speaker of the House and Senator Del Marsh being re-elected President Pro-Tempore in the Senate. Also, among the duties was the appointment of committees. There are at least two committees of special interest to APCI and they are Health and General Fund in both chambers.
The following is a listing of those committees:
- House Health: April Weaver, Chair (Alabaster); Mike Millican, Vice-Chair (Hamilton); John Knight (Montgomery), Ranking Member; Elaine Beech (Chatom); Matt Fridy (Montevallo); Laura Hall (Huntsville); Ron Johnson (Sylacauga); Paul Lee (Dothan); Arnold Mooney (Shelby Co.); Becky Nordgren (Gadsden); Jim Patterson (Merdianville); Pebblin Warren (Tuskegee); and Jack Williams (Mobile)
- Senate Health: Gerald Dial, Chair (Lineville); Jim McClendon, Vice-Chair (Springville); Greg Reed, Deputy Chair (Jasper); Billy Beasley (Clayton); Slade Blackwell (Birmingham); Paul Bussman (Cullman); Linda Coleman (Birmingham); Dr. Tim Melson (Sheffield); Harri Anne Smith (Slocomb); Dr. Larry Stutts (Tuscumbia); Jabo Waggoner (Birmingham); Cam Ward (Alabaster); Tom Whatley (Auburn)
APCI is looking forward to working especially with the two Health Committees; however, in addition to the two committees listed above, APCI has a lot of friends on both Rules and General Fund Committees as well. Practicing pharmacists Rep. Elaine Beech and Sen. Billy Beasley will serve on their respective General Fund Budget Committees which handle Medicaid funding.
LAD staff and APCI Alabama lobbyist Ferrell Patrick are working hard in developing legislation that will be introduced in the upcoming session. However, we cannot do this alone. As you know by past activities, to be successful it takes a complete team effort. As you know, when an alert goes out to CONTACT your member of the Alabama Legislature, MAKE that CONTACT ASAP. We have had some great wins in the past and look forward with your help for more wins in the future.
Remember, the 2015 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature will convene on Tuesday, March 3rd. As soon as we have legislation in final form we will send out a description for you to CONTACT your elected officials before they come to Montgomery in March.