[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":73},"mediaId",6608142,"mediaKeyId","2941157-517555cb0d1067be3b4a69d00eaa0a9c","parentId",2941157,"title","Senator Smitherman criticizes special order practices and urges fairer consideration for minority caucus bills","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",12356000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941157-517555cb0d1067be3b4a69d00eaa0a9c&start=12356&end=12356","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941157-517555cb0d1067be3b4a69d00eaa0a9c/thumbnail_12356000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6608142/Alabama/Senator-Smitherman-criticizes-special-order-practices-and-urges-fairer-consideration-for-minority-caucus-bills","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608142-2ecb3e50fb10b1cd727c4fdc699907f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770509178&Signature=k6OPbtAwT4PeixrJP2xfgG4t1qCN2yMzxILn0uhATszgALqxi75Cx2OfbVrsJyHEiTf-hChbLANfDlsESsH0CrViRIxCko8Do8tgHB-rPSscPaDj-NcP4LHoxnOTyv97p8YzFtbH8fuOi9CSht29e-K0BlD47UJMZfc3N9fkwwwdGB18spFLH-QBbn-27~dKEIuKavMeo8Igk7rcWY32ZSnBhF3as3hywqklCmhXKyFkXyMqqT0RnUruTvKtBhKrpDIV7LGAfWhnwrrmGAVIP58QKKUXL6XvGBNC79uUD7xKlfxZMQtwDZlBPbtsYT-xan4D4jBCBIvBmyVzijWpSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alabama Senate Sessions","date","2025-04-10T01:57:57.847Z","article","A prominent floor exchange on April 9 focused on how the Senate sets the daily special order calendar. Senator Roger Smitherman (Senate District 18) used his time on the floor to argue that the minority caucus had not been given proportional consideration on the special order calendar and called the practice “tokenism.”

Smitherman said he had repeatedly requested that roughly one‑third of special order slots be allocated to minority caucus bills, and he described the current practice as denying minority members the opportunity to represent their constituents. His remarks included questions about how cosponsorship and committee scheduling practices affect whether bills receive committee consideration and placement on the calendar.

Other senators used the floor time to emphasize the value of committee vetting and public input, and to urge bipartisanship. Earlier in the day the Senate adopted a special order calendar in two separate procedural votes during the session (one recorded late morning, another later in the day); on the later recorded vote the special order calendar was adopted 25–5.

Smitherman’s remarks ranged beyond the calendar dispute; he spoke at length about efforts to support military personnel, the need for better legislative staffing and resources for members, and broader concerns about legislative process and constituent representation. Several senators acknowledged the need for transparent committee processes and public input in committee consideration of bills.

The exchange did not produce a formal change to the rules or calendar during the session, but highlighted procedural tensions and set the stage for possible follow‑up on committee scheduling and calendar practices.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alabama Senate","oneSentenceSummary","Senator Roger Smitherman used a lengthy floor statement to criticize the special order calendar process, saying the minority caucus is being denied proportional floor time for its bills and urging procedural fairness; the special order calendar had been adopted earlier in the day after recorded votes.","taxTitle","Senate, Alabama Legislative Sessions, Alabama","taxId",62183,"location","Alabama","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6608147,"Senate adopts amendments to firearms measure; bill passes after changes narrowing felony prohibition",2884,7380000,10264000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941157-517555cb0d1067be3b4a69d00eaa0a9c&start=7380&end=10264","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941157-517555cb0d1067be3b4a69d00eaa0a9c/thumbnail_7380000.jpg","/articles/6608147/Alabama/Senate-adopts-amendments-to-firearms-measure-bill-passes-after-changes-narrowing-felony-prohibition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608147-a541053a46276996b6aea63880da9006/orig.mp4?Expires=1770509178&Signature=mPDbGZQm0euQOAxrCa97DxSG-Ssp4tkO9dO1Yzn~CV6N-NnLF2EmWWILNezPpXRq6ge6YMxRmtOgVvtDh-5RKMrMP~hfmv~YuSdlmCsodCh4JuP99x2sE6U9h3bzYFOr6v01vT8oB7zk11VV0nsuHiW-vQTf7NnEnBfO4h55-LD2x1Tct~X6q9JwDvUpEzBr03tuEiJPe4lKr70Xl0HRwQjC03bw5SftoCNXnEXzjwvc3xo8fjp-1e0PHRUSur0au2h-Tg2cu0HRYQZ0WjS05vGtlQzXAU9RMRpNMAgFBWXAqTpoKAH0HDS~5~vyONhXiSJsFiLBW7rMZWWZueS1rg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 119, a firearms‑related measure, passed the Alabama Senate on April 9 after senators adopted a series of floor amendments that narrowed and clarified provisions about when a criminal conviction disqualifies a person from possessing a firearm.

Sponsor Senator Barfoot introduced and guided three amendments through the floor. The principal change narrowed a proposed blanket felony disqualification so it applies to felony convictions within the previous five years rather than for the person’s entire life. Another amendment clarified that a disqualifying count of “three or more convictions” would not double‑count multiple felony counts arising from a single indictment or incident; the text counts separate convictions that arise from distinct indictments or complaints.

Senator Barfoot said the adjustments were intended to balance public safety concerns with fairness and to avoid life‑long firearm bans for older convictions. He also offered technical clean‑ups to align domestic‑violence statutory definitions used elsewhere in code. The Senate tabled an earlier committee amendment and then adopted the sponsor’s three amendments before final passage.

The final roll call on SB119 was 26 ayes and 1 nay. The bill proceeds to enrollment for transmission to the governor.","Senate amended and passed SB119, a firearms bill, after lawmakers adopted floor amendments that narrowed a proposed felony disqualification window to felonies within the prior five years and specified how multiple convictions are counted; final passage recorded 26–1.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6608152,"Senate advances law extending criminal liability for threatening to release intimate images",141,9930000,10071000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941157-517555cb0d1067be3b4a69d00eaa0a9c&start=9930&end=10071","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941157-517555cb0d1067be3b4a69d00eaa0a9c/thumbnail_9930000.jpg","/articles/6608152/Alabama/Senate-advances-law-extending-criminal-liability-for-threatening-to-release-intimate-images","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608152-d08e8feaa07075470750779d6ff5848b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770509178&Signature=ESHHHci4XuLje-ZFuQrg3rM~aiElxxYbFg1jPPDVttDdPSXNqjr1tsMtRv2hrhrce8UsmMAIZwWPoR5Oh-QTcYmNyyAQBKrddb8AcKtT-Lp7hkTJWqfFYFP9I-YPpPZ5HlQ~q1Qw5SqnjVcICWe61qqfT7pY8GSf~BRc~Fu4Ph~gii9VVLx8vpKOvJEWA1DovKNy3G7HHC6nwUkQYx2KDX1ZbTGp0z3Qv-CritFb-WxfWgQV4Kh~Ce~dRpiz5wL~rVAqhALOge08bnBNWlcCYISTUU31Tbz3-8mujwlKyqfirjTzERJVjSk6IkSLLjcSI0TZDylt4IsGnn8ri2DMuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama Senate passed Senate Bill 35 on April 9, extending criminal liability to persons who threaten to publicly distribute intimate images or recordings of another person as a means of coercion or extortion. The measure passed by recorded vote, 27–0.

Sponsor Senator Allen described the bill as an update to a 2017 statute that already penalized threats to coerce conduct; SB35 makes explicit that threats to release photos, videos or other recordings of intimate conduct also qualify. Under the proposed change, the offense would be charged subject to grand jury presentation and the usual criminal process; prosecutors would need to show evidence sufficient to meet probable cause and a jury would need to find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt for conviction.

On the floor Senator Smitherman asked whether the bill required proof of intent, noting that accidental postings or inadvertent transmissions can occur when a user presses a button without the intent to distribute. Senator Allen said courts would apply established probable‑cause and evidentiary standards and emphasized that prosecutions require proof of criminal intent and statutory elements before conviction.

Senate Bill 35 passed with no recorded dissent and will go to the House or proceed through enrollment consistent with its procedural posture.","Senate passed SB35, extending existing criminal provisions to cover threats to release intimate images (often called \"revenge porn\") and making the offense prosecutable; the sponsor and colleagues discussed intent and evidentiary standards before final passage, 27–0.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6608156,"Senate approves 'bell‑to‑bell' student phone restrictions after debate over parent contact",52,1363000,1415000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941157-517555cb0d1067be3b4a69d00eaa0a9c&start=1363&end=1415","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941157-517555cb0d1067be3b4a69d00eaa0a9c/thumbnail_1363000.jpg","/articles/6608156/Alabama/Senate-approves-belltobell-student-phone-restrictions-after-debate-over-parent-contact","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608156-059ada9a401e86adeebeccc44bc74280/orig.mp4?Expires=1770509178&Signature=NRimsiO~-PKzg1yd1NG7Gsv7jLyaHiyyGWfCSg2oUNh2KuvAnEjj-5yywpWUkY7S22j713SM0V5Ftdp1jPxTF8ugtAc3a4NBmzhsEnGu8~~mcampSddPOjMErHQw3ICdJl2GK89vkI0MbFyMyzyTlwPXrMPZvKvCH34CzQxMmFqOBwFI9ab5BGt~4NKNsDyGbjDokJ03WBGOZkRyw0yekys0I0Q5buQbzBEHkvLxN3WVDnqHE2hk~5R5tgLTTA1PyXu1VdIFH2fmPVVwY5O5olOTZRIsLZo7o1I3fhbJTMU2WTmwL1JZ2n1FkgLZzKvxKG1o4txaaCY9QAnl6hQoDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama Senate passed Senate Bill 92 on April 9, approving a prohibition on student possession or use of personal cell phones during instructional periods unless a limited exception applies. The bill passed on final vote, 27–0.

Under the adopted language, local school systems would implement procedures for secure storage and return of phones at the end of the school day. The law includes carve‑outs allowing use when required by an individualized education plan (IEP), an individualized accommodation plan, or an individual health plan, or when there is an immediate threat to life or safety that requires communication.

On the floor, sponsor Senator Chastain said the measure responds to classroom distraction and cited studies showing repeated phone interruptions can lengthen a student’s time to refocus. A fellow senator, identifying as a parent, proposed a narrowly drawn additional exception to permit a student to communicate directly with a parent or legal guardian during the school day; that amendment was moved, debated briefly and then tabled by the Senate.

Senators emphasizing the restriction said the intent is to preserve instructional time and reduce classroom management burdens on teachers. Opponents or questioners expressed concern about practical family communications during the day; supporters pointed to office messaging systems, coaches’ announcements and school offices as existing channels.

Senate Bill 92 passed with the sponsor's floor amendment in place and the parent‑contact amendment tabled, and will proceed through enrollment steps to final transmission to the governor.","Senate passed SB92, a measure restricting students' personal phone use during instructional periods (so‑called \"bell‑to‑bell\" rule) with exceptions for individualized education or health plans and emergency threats; an amendment to add an explicit parent‑contact exception was proposed and then tabled. Final vote: 27–0.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_46":117,"_48":118,"_50":119,"_52":120,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":121,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":122,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6608161,"Senate concurs in interstate compact to ease licensing for respiratory therapists",497,9487000,9984000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2941157-517555cb0d1067be3b4a69d00eaa0a9c&start=9487&end=9984","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2941157-517555cb0d1067be3b4a69d00eaa0a9c/thumbnail_9487000.jpg","/articles/6608161/Alabama/Senate-concurs-in-interstate-compact-to-ease-licensing-for-respiratory-therapists","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608161-c89fc2b296d9716a5f8105f2079fad8d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770509178&Signature=kUZ52GgcizqDKryCj0IKVIPq7pXPz2-6RvrXc9hA3gTCvIdGlnXWwfubSddMXwWQVqmmALbH1jUdrQeT1oy3n-UBfvrKtm2OCmbLv76LO0CLI0TwCy66cI23RaSk3uoZ0cX4xXNiAa7TNxbgtiLuxlgvkaD1D7bQMqmCAurijU~n~dpAxY3QOEg5H7ycVCU8q5eFfh6~vwRb71Cj0y02Ha2tsQccPNfwi8hzjsnyTcouMa41H8Mc3MoGQqXWAL~B1VdJiykmbi1C73oOncgMdfmvPwDKBpe4rPsE-MZiogp-wGjaOVMRpTptHsZeYJKxnmUrDNvn6Xi4D~sbtKBNNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama Senate on April 9 concurred with a House amendment to adopt the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, a multi‑state agreement that lets licensed respiratory therapists use a compact privilege to practice in other member states without undergoing a full new licensure process.

Supporters said the compact will make it easier for military families and other mobile health care workers to move between states without losing income or delaying care. The Senate adopted the concurrence motion by voice and recorded vote, 25 ayes, 0 nays.

The compact requires participating states to license respiratory therapists under substantially similar standards, participate in a shared data system for license and disciplinary information, and perform criminal background checks where authorized. Under the compact, a therapist maintains a home‑state license and a separate “compact privilege” to practice temporarily in other member states; adverse actions or disciplinary findings are reportable to the compact commission and can affect the privilege.

Senators who spoke in favor highlighted the shortage of respiratory therapists in parts of the region and said reciprocal licensing can help hospitals and clinics staff critical positions more quickly. Proponents also framed the change as part of broader military‑friendly licensing efforts: compact membership reduces licensing friction when service members and their families relocate.

The bill as amended sets out the commission structure, reporting requirements, and the conditions under which a compact privilege may be granted, renewed or terminated. There was no recorded floor opposition to the concurrence motion.

The Senate’s concurrence sends the measure back to the House for final enrollment to be transmitted to the governor.","The Alabama Senate concurred with a House amendment to adopt the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, enabling licensed respiratory therapists from member states to practice across state lines and easing licensing burdens for military personnel and others; the Senate vote was 25–0.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senator Smitherman criticizes special order practices and urges fairer consideration for minority caucus bills

Senate adopts amendments to firearms measure; bill passes after changes narrowing felony prohibition

Senate advances law extending criminal liability for threatening to release intimate images

Senate approves 'bell‑to‑bell' student phone restrictions after debate over parent contact

Senate concurs in interstate compact to ease licensing for respiratory therapists