[{"_1":2,"_119":-5,"_120":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6610665,"mediaKeyId","2902106-4121dce95dd4daebd02594afaf60dfb1","parentId",2902106,"title","House adds superintendent to Alabama Quantum Evaluation Task Force; lawmakers debate purpose and timing","audioSeconds",137,"startMs",1153000,"endMs",1290000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2902106-4121dce95dd4daebd02594afaf60dfb1&start=1153&end=1290","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2902106-4121dce95dd4daebd02594afaf60dfb1/thumbnail_1153000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6610665/Alabama/House-adds-superintendent-to-Alabama-Quantum-Evaluation-Task-Force-lawmakers-debate-purpose-and-timing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610665-108eedaeea95bc07b7a2b11aee61a167/orig.mp4?Expires=1770922006&Signature=fmQpdvAGtf5~VlXL3wZYTJOjf3k9QkYyGQj3Um4NgLbLv~Rftv~Ae6VTWdXom4Y3ZGMLPtN3vGcAbYFyobprOEVWHDNm0uwUY81idALjmBdlL4YKXDoSGKf5GdkeMtmnGN-gNvYK0qPfgycqq~Fo8GIA1hDVoASGVmI24O4~0DX1xaNp1r1vcIs6EiKis33YLL0hg32GqIgOly~k3YEefBRQ1js47MOC-ZM9ceB0v7qmuNnB18hI7MAFLE35ToQBDC5zKm3mVPy8-o0JhtqDCJ426v9wc5FtvEwVQtPHgDt~33V-qMtwQB56VsZyCO-sC7pTSBxiuJ36hgyCtTmXJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alabama House Sessions","date","2025-04-08T22:55:41.08Z","article","The Alabama House on April 8 advanced a joint resolution to create an Alabama Quantum Evaluation Task Force and adopted an amendment to add the state superintendent of education (or a designee) to the membership.

Representative Gray explained that the task force would produce a 10‑year plan to study and incorporate quantum computing concepts across K‑12, postsecondary education, agriculture and supply chains in Alabama, and that a report would be due in 2026. During floor questions Representative Richland Hall asked the sponsor to clarify what \"quantum\" means in this context and how it relates to artificial intelligence. Gray described quantum computing as an advanced technology that can solve certain problems more efficiently than classical computing and said the task force would explore educational and economic applications.

Representative Hall and others asked why Alabama needed a task force now and whether the state risked being \"ahead of itself.\" The sponsor acknowledged Alabama would be among the earlier states to create such a task force but said early planning would help align education and workforce development with emerging technologies. The House adopted the amendment adding the state superintendent’s designee and then adopted the resolution.

Why it matters: Advocates say early planning could position Alabama to participate in emerging quantum computing developments and to prepare education and industry pipelines. Critics asked for caution and clearer curricular goals rather than broad, speculative claims about technology.

What’s next: The task force membership and charge will be defined in the resolution text; the report was described on the floor as due in 2026. Lawmakers indicated they expect the task force to coordinate with the State Department of Education on any curricular recommendations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alabama House","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Gray's resolution to create an Alabama Quantum Evaluation Task Force advanced after an amendment added the state superintendent of education (or designee) to the membership. Lawmakers questioned the task force's purpose, timeline and educational implications before adopting the amendment and the resolution.","taxTitle","House, Alabama Legislative Sessions, Alabama","taxId",62182,"location","Alabama","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6610670,"House advances military package: Fort Novosel safety, veterans' housing and licensing bills move forward",708,2192000,2900000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2902106-4121dce95dd4daebd02594afaf60dfb1&start=2192&end=2900","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2902106-4121dce95dd4daebd02594afaf60dfb1/thumbnail_2192000.jpg","/articles/6610670/Alabama/House-advances-military-package-Fort-Novosel-safety-veterans-housing-and-licensing-bills-move-forward","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610670-c97aeef76b03c714389e5bb521952e9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770922006&Signature=mt0YyU8v-UQtu68n~wt7i3QS16J8OiuFoH9ESbe-77VT2FPfB7vYKux6M6aKXwGe--rO8yLrwf-IZTo6XRrNnI0~p7qAa-O8aGrfpMUcFRGFHNjcaKX9ucNehYr1R2CCnDf2XECEFDMqF~ZZYO5XrSy5ZDwt9S6NExw3Wbk0Q90RBgkVFU12gCON~RsCgixb-NKtaAykKPlxv81cTRVamCYX6idgNpEL9DKu4QHY1lx1VTwFgxQdjdQSvVzVCQp~uzfMvP9lFuiwMo1wv1CFYkl7QndnPXjcchSVg2ceBDQga6t4D~Jr3T8nal-M~A~MY8~znr8nXw5NHAx3zEaYog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama House on April 8 approved a set of bills the chamber described as its military and veterans package, including measures to protect installations from nearby tall construction, to ease professional licensing transitions for veterans, and to address veterans’ access to homeownership.

Senate Bill 91, focused on regulating tall structures near military installations (chiefly Fort Novosel, formerly Fort Rucker), passed the House after members debated scope and local implementation. The bill defines a \"tall structure\" as any building or unit exceeding 200 feet and establishes a 2‑mile zone around qualifying Department of Defense installations containing at least 500 acres. Local governments would be required to approve proposed tall structures and may seek injunctions against constructions that violate the law; the bill exempts minor vertical projections and certain wind‑energy facilities.

House members asked whether existing tall buildings would be grandfathered. Sponsors said the law addresses future construction and does not retroactively require demolition of existing buildings; a number of members asked for future clarifications to prevent overzealous local enforcement. Debate also clarified the bill expands the class of \"local government\" to include counties as well as municipalities.

Other bills passed as part of the package included HB 462 (allowing military‑acquired training and credentials to count toward state occupational licensing requirements), HB 396 (excluding exempted property tax from debt‑to‑income calculations for veterans with 100% service‑connected disability to aid mortgage qualification), SB 179 (amendments to the code of military justice to give commanding officers additional disciplinary options for minor offenses), SB 181 and related interstate compact legislation for respiratory therapists (to allow practice across compact states), and SB 61 (technical amendment to examiner language). Several of those measures passed with unanimous or near‑unanimous recorded margins.

Vote and process: SB 91 passed on recorded roll calls (Aye 103, Nay 0). HB 462 and HB 396 both passed after committee substitutes and recorded roll‑call votes. Sponsors said some bills were time‑sensitive for maintaining military mission compatibility and for fulfilling interstate compact obligations.

Why it matters: Supporters argued that building limits and clearer local review authority protect aviation safety and training operations at installations such as Fort Novosel and Redstone Arsenal, which have been singled out in floor remarks as economic engines for the state. Veterans‑focused provisions — from occupational licensing recognition to mortgage‑qualification adjustments — were defended as practical measures to ease veterans’ transitions into civilian life.

What’s next: Sponsors and several members signaled a need for follow‑up language to clarify grandfathering of existing structures and to coordinate local permitting and FAA notifications. Legislators said they will continue to work with local governments and military partners to implement the new requirements.","Lawmakers passed several bills the House described as part of a military and veterans package, including rules about construction near military airfields, measures easing licensing and workforce transitions for veterans, and other changes supporters say will protect installations and support service members and their families.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6610675,"House extends workers' compensation to teachers, bus drivers and other public‑school employees",1329,10250000,11579000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2902106-4121dce95dd4daebd02594afaf60dfb1&start=10250&end=11579","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2902106-4121dce95dd4daebd02594afaf60dfb1/thumbnail_10250000.jpg","/articles/6610675/Alabama/House-extends-workers-compensation-to-teachers-bus-drivers-and-other-publicschool-employees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610675-fe23985f588fe4fd6f63e0635d2722d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770922006&Signature=g-Z5l78hng-49ReVSn~Nkv7NNKeDYWeApymy~3SypizLJ9e-MaYUTqbjkadFAIvz-Fj3iG2ZUGCPFJK8vWBR3VhUNF4P6eWH5o3vKdrNfgrBLL6HtC9hcjUAZIqYw0338cipeciUHFtBPmefeanzs08ZkHhEuT1VWnk2XZbz38dLrgg-Ocuqr05msUBI9evoLiaxsm8FUSPccQsDka~RR3B37Prr3nLaRXzcIp2mcsBk1L2TBJkmN9RwyHO6SSxNyN5xhd0MPtBz66r2BvkiKxA-mFZoFJl5SjpRiYAFwI5u6qUteq~cHAkyiEnG444jiBM2gFbMtrcwPePbl3lh3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama House on April 8 approved Senate Bill 1, a measure that provides workers' compensation benefits to teachers, bus drivers, certain community college employees and other full‑time public education personnel.

Senator Gavan and House supporters framed the bill as filling a longstanding coverage gap for public education workers who the sponsor and colleagues said had faced work‑related injuries without the protections available to private employees and many other public employees. Members recounted cases — bus mechanics crushed in shop accidents, teachers who injured themselves while restraining or falling over students — that proponents said illustrated the bill’s need.

The measure that reached the floor incorporated a committee substitute and several clarifying amendments. Committee work added language to make clear when the board of adjustment process remains available for noncovered, part‑time or outside contractors, and to adopt existing workers' compensation procedural language where helpful. The substitute also added an appeals process provision: the Alabama State Bar will maintain a roster of attorneys experienced in workers' compensation law and, on appeal requests, will provide a panel from which a party may select counsel for appeals panels (as described in committee explanation).

House debate noted the bill’s limits: coverage is for full‑time employees; part‑time employees, guests or others without full‑time status would continue to use the existing board of adjustment route. Lawmakers said the bill was not intended to change the underlying workers' compensation framework but to provide parity for educators and other covered school workers.

Vote and process: Committee amendments and a substitute were adopted in committee; the House recorded adoption of the committee report and substitute and then gave final passage. Recorded votes posted during the session show broad support — the committee BR was adopted (recorded earlier as 109–0) and final passage was recorded 102–0.

Why it matters: Supporters described the bill as addressing \"a human bill\" to protect frontline school employees who perform hands‑on work in classrooms, school facilities and transportation. Backers said the bill reduces the risk of long administrative delays for injured employees and replaces inconsistent local procedures with a statutory workers' compensation option for eligible employees.

What’s next: The measure proceeds for the next legislative step; implementing rules and guidance will be required for school systems and local administrators. Lawmakers said they may return later to clarify narrow technical points discovered during floor debate.","After committee changes and a substitute, the House passed Senate Bill 1 extending workers' compensation protections to public‑school employees, including bus drivers and community college employees, with an appeals process and implementation details added in committee.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6610680,"House passes PBM reform after negotiated amendment aimed at protecting community pharmacies",639,9116000,9755000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2902106-4121dce95dd4daebd02594afaf60dfb1&start=9116&end=9755","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2902106-4121dce95dd4daebd02594afaf60dfb1/thumbnail_9116000.jpg","/articles/6610680/Alabama/House-passes-PBM-reform-after-negotiated-amendment-aimed-at-protecting-community-pharmacies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610680-e5c8f8278ec551106309f2cd77f1a173/orig.mp4?Expires=1770922006&Signature=YJDcI7~qELxiWpY0OWKeHR95e1pHc9LGlIJ9bFpzAo~X0Pqrw4jhn3OGoZqiNm4eZ4IfelOrtysbBf3~nQJWa4PZyjkR6Hm~rIIYkx4SdrF-xSN3aBPlqZNwlofqR10-C3Cd1XIpJYQiPR~BcNGiSuj44OQUXqqKVH-EOX30LvTbgFIPXd8fhL~KdFzGNgd3O1aqG5OPfXvf8odb-j6gPvl~b1ll14nqitNhds2G7lEh2jFNpUz0oPWBZdsAO9llydaxJ93rCBjw0yjj4sEHAbVMTCVU9cHNxxoMndQoQ3SnrPSA64FvaQB-YJb2PK89kXrUZThq8rP-Dr1YV3JOZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama House on April 8 passed Senate Bill 252, legislation lawmakers and supporters say is intended to improve reimbursement and preserve access to community pharmacies — especially in small and rural towns.

Sponsor Representative Rigsby told the chamber the bill targets practices by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) that have contributed to independent pharmacy closures. The committee substitute that reached the floor removed the bill’s private right of action and eliminated a sunset for the reimbursement provisions, changes the sponsor described as part of negotiated changes with stakeholders. The House later adopted a floor amendment by Representative Laverne that clarifies a private‑sector employer’s ability to negotiate with a PBM over how manufacturer rebates are treated — either passed through directly to the employer or counted as part of an administrative fee — without reducing protections for independent pharmacies.

Representative Gidley and others who spoke in favor said the bill will help small businesses and patients maintain access to local pharmacies. Multiple members recounted messages and meetings with pharmacists in their districts. Several representatives urged rapid passage; the sponsor and other leaders negotiated language intended to secure broad support across employer groups, insurers and pharmacy organizations. The House adopted the committee substitute and the floor amendment on recorded votes, then gave final passage as substituted and amended.

Vote and process: The House recorded adoption of the committee substitute (Aye 103, Nay 0), adoption of the floor amendment (Aye 103, Nay 0), and final passage of SB 252 as substituted and amended (Aye 102, Nay 0). House leadership described the amendment as the result of months of study and meetings with stakeholders and an off‑session PBM study group.

What the amendment does: The floor amendment explicitly permits employers or plan sponsors that negotiate directly with PBMs to treat rebates either as direct rebate dollars returned to the sponsor or as part of the PBM’s administrative fee. Supporters said that preserves contract flexibility while the underlying bill addresses reimbursement fairness for community pharmacies.

Why it matters: Independent and rural pharmacies have pressed lawmakers for relief amid closures. Sponsors argued SB 252 will help keep pharmacies open and protect access to medications for seniors and rural residents. Opponents in earlier phases had argued for different remedies; the version the House adopted removes a private right of action and other provisions to win broader backing.

What’s next: SB 252 goes to the Senate (or to the enrolling process if it already passed the Senate). Stakeholders said they expect administrative and contractual work between employers, PBMs and pharmacies to follow as the law is implemented.","The House approved Senate Bill 252, aimed at increasing reimbursement fairness for community pharmacies, after adopting a committee substitute and a negotiated floor amendment that allows private employers flexibility in how they handle PBM rebates.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":115,"_53":116,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":117,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":118,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6610685,"House approves package of bills on pharmacies, veterans, teachers and rural hospitals; dozens of local measures also pass","/articles/6610685/Alabama/House-approves-package-of-bills-on-pharmacies-veterans-teachers-and-rural-hospitals-dozens-of-local-measures-also-pass","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610685-cb96420180456cab6a1b412b509769ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1770922006&Signature=P7R1o5qe2KRkIxixgEyZi-4YUu9JlPT9JS2nTd3phYE0yxX-bq3rM-zZA7EEID2RTo8AVxn5VzfXxN77t9TiF~GD2tQ2M28~yt-3K9OBtk~R~0CrPWFNVj7YS8VJ6IMTFyKSsGQUDpk4rt9ICLQNQoXAfMZQ9ItYg81bCrU-7HZUbQrWO~jIR1yYgBiM50LkaNluOS25r~HN~QC3PxmXePeU9dIJicXjIJ9uwhZ1I8Xit3x5-jvBsqK8G2fd3bBUcCSrEWF7xPY2gqkMMGG7faO1IcfyGylmL3PJRz-WDb9-5Ny3QCooMkhT1TRwKWIIOvfEeJTc~dS63AuG21-wcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama House of Representatives on April 8 approved a slate of measures ranging from changes to pharmacy benefit practices to expanded worker protections for public education employees, plus tax-credit support for rural hospitals and multiple military-focused bills.

The most heavily debated measure on the floor was Senate Bill 252 (the PBM bill), which passed as substituted and amended after the House adopted a committee substitute and a floor amendment negotiated on the floor. Lawmakers also gave final approval to Senate Bill 1, a workers' compensation measure that extends coverage to public-school employees and bus drivers. The chamber passed a rural hospital investment tax-credit bill and a group of bills packaged as part of the legislature’s military and veterans agenda. Legislators recessed for a joint military appreciation session during the day.

Votes at a glance (selected bills and recorded outcomes as posted in the House journal):
- Senate Bill 252 (pharmacy benefit managers; substitute, floor amendment): final passage AYE 102, NAY 0; committee substitute adopted AYE 103, NAY 0; floor amendment adopted AYE 103, NAY 0.
- Senate Bill 1 (workers' compensation for public education employees; substitute): final passage AYE 102, NAY 0; substitute adopted AYE 119, NAY 0 (committee/sub votes recorded earlier); BR (committee report) adopted AYE 109, NAY 0.
- HB 86 (rural hospital investment tax credit): final passage AYE 103, NAY 0; committee substitute adopted AYE 102, NAY 0.
- HB 462 (military training credits for licensure; ADPH-related): final passage as amended (recorded as passed; clerk announced HB 462 as amended has passed).
- HB 396 (removing property tax from debt-to-income ratio for veterans with 100% service‑connected disability): final passage AYE 102, NAY 0.
- SB 91 (regulating tall structures near military installations, including Fort Novosel): final passage AYE 103, NAY 0.
- SB 61, SB 179, SB 181 and related military compact and discipline bills (part of the 'military package'): each passed on final passage (recorded votes posted on the floor).
- SB 102 (Medicaid presumptive eligibility for pregnant women, companion to HB 89): final passage AYE 103, NAY 0.

In addition to the statewide legislation, the House approved a long list of local bills covering county and municipal matters (bonding, local boards, county revenue authorities, spelling corrections in local acts). The chamber also adopted ceremonial resolutions, including a joint resolution that recognized April 8, 2025, as Scouting America Day in Alabama.

Why it matters: The pharmacy bill aims to change how pharmacy benefit managers and local employers interact with independent and community pharmacies across Alabama, measures backers say will help stabilize access in rural areas. The workers' compensation bill extends a long‑sought umbrella of workplace protections to teachers, bus drivers and other full‑time school employees, addressing a coverage gap that supporters described as urgent after hearing stories of seriously injured education employees. The rural hospital credit is a multi‑year, capped pilot intended to provide private funding incentives to shore up small hospitals in underserved areas.

What’s next: Bills approved by the House proceed to the Senate (where applicable) or to the governor if already enrolled. Committees will follow up on implementation details, and lawmakers flagged future follow‑ups for the military installation legislation to address questions about grandfathering existing structures and local permitting procedures.

Sources: Floor debate and roll calls as recorded in the House session on April 8, 2025. Evidence excerpts from the House transcript are available in the article provenance.","The Alabama House on April 8 passed a series of bills and resolutions addressing pharmacy reimbursement, veterans' benefits, workers' compensation for public school employees, rural hospital tax credits and other measures. Lawmakers also approved numerous local bills and held a joint military appreciation session.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House adds superintendent to Alabama Quantum Evaluation Task Force; lawmakers debate purpose and timing

House advances military package: Fort Novosel safety, veterans' housing and licensing bills move forward

House extends workers' compensation to teachers, bus drivers and other public‑school employees

House passes PBM reform after negotiated amendment aimed at protecting community pharmacies

House approves package of bills on pharmacies, veterans, teachers and rural hospitals; dozens of local measures also pass