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Senator Elliott places hold on Alabama Board of Pharmacy communications contract over lobbying concerns; hold lifted after assurance
Summary
The Alabama Board of Pharmacy sought committee approval for a contract with an external communications consultant. Sen. Chris Elliott put a hold on the contract, saying state agencies should not hire lobbyists; Board executive secretary John Lina assured the committee the contractor would not lobby the legislature and Elliott removed his hold.
The Alabama Board of Pharmacy asked the Contract Review Committee to approve a contract for external communications and coordination services, drawing a formal hold from Sen. Chris Elliott over concerns the contractor could act as a lobbyist.
Board Executive Secretary John Lina told the committee the contractor’s role is to “introduce me to key decision makers” and to help the board rebuild relationships with other parts of state government. He said the board was not seeking outside influence on policy decisions. "I don't need Logan or anyone else arguing on behalf of the board. That needs to be the board that makes those decisions," Lina said.
Elliott said he opposed state agencies engaging lobbyists. "I don't think state agencies should have lobbyists," he said, citing prior controversies involving the board and saying he planned to consult with the governor's office. Elliott asked the chairman to place a hold on the contract so the matter could be reviewed further.
Committee members discussed the distinction between consulting and lobbying. Lina said the board needs introductions and relationships that it does not yet have on staff. He offered a specific pledge to the committee: "I will personally commit to you that if we need to ask for intervention on any legislation, that will come from me or a member of my staff and not from Logan." After that assurance, Elliott removed his hold.
Sen. Bobby Martin, speaking later in the discussion about pharmacy policy, joked about PBMs and offered a colloquial critique: "PBM stands for pretty bad medicine," reflecting broader legislative frustration with pharmacy benefit manager issues that were discussed in the same exchange.
The committee did not record a formal vote on the contract in the transcript. Committee discussion centered on whether the contract would improperly fund outside lobbying and on the board’s need for assistance reconnecting with other agencies and stakeholders.
The board’s request and the subsequent hold-and-release will remain on the committee’s record for the month’s contract review.
