Alabama Senate committee gives favorable reports to several bills; SB130 on gold and silver currency advances

The committee advanced a group of early agenda bills with favorable reports and routine motions, using previous‑roll procedures in most cases. Lawmakers said there would be two public hearings later on the calendar; the committee handled the preliminary business first.

SB130: Senator Melson presented SB130, which would allow gold and silver to be used as currency but does not require acceptance by private parties. Senator Melson described the bill as ‘‘pretty straightforward’’ and said it ‘‘allows gold and silver to be used as currency’’ while still subjecting transactions to sales tax. The motion for committee action was moved by Senator Roberts and seconded by Senator Williams. The clerk called the roll, and the committee recorded a 15–0 tally in favor. The committee announced: "SB130 receives a favorable report, 15 to 0." (Transcript roll call names were read on the record.)

SB96: Senator Karnley described SB96 as a technical cleanup to allow Alabama owners to apply for salvage titles when an accident occurs out of state, enabling citizens and companies (including insurance auction companies) to apply for salvage titles through the Department of Revenue. Senator Elliott moved a favorable report and Senator Schmidman (transcript: Schmidman/Schmidman variant) seconded. An amendment requested by the Department of Revenue was adopted by unanimous consent from the previous roll. The committee adopted the amendment and then moved a favorable report; the clerk announced SB96 receives a favorable report.

SB97: Senator Kitchens presented SB97, described as a Department of Insurance bill to align Alabama surplus‑lines law with reciprocity and national standards for specialty coastal and other risks. The committee moved a favorable report with Senator Price offering the motion and Senator Williams seconding; using previous roll, the committee recorded no objection and the bill received a favorable report.

SB154 and HB230: Senator Cornley introduced SB154 and noted House Bill 230 is a companion (same language carried by the House). SB154 was described as clarifying when buyer representation agreements are required and to relieve the requirement that a buyer sign a contract simply to view or have showings. The committee used previous roll procedures and recorded favorable reports for SB154 and its House companion HB230.

Committee process notes: Most of these items were advanced under the committee's "previous roll / no objection" procedure; several motions were seconded and recorded. These bills received favorable reports without extended debate and will proceed in the legislative process.