Senate confirms a slate of gubernatorial appointees and clears numerous local bills
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Summary
The Alabama Senate confirmed multiple governor appointments to military, regulatory and educational boards and advanced and passed a large set of committee-recommended bills, many unanimously; the chamber also took up and disposed of a series of local constitutional amendment items and procedural matters before adjourning.
The Alabama Senate on Monday handled a lengthy slate of confirmations and routine local legislation as part of a broad floor session.
Clerks read messages from the governor transmitting nominations (Senate confirmation numbers 48–68 and beyond) that were referred to the committee on confirmations. The chamber then moved to confirm individual appointees on the floor: Senator Weaver led a long-roll confirmation for Leon M. Nash to the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles; the roll call recorded 33 ayes, 0 nays and Nash was confirmed. Later, the Senate confirmed Michael Webb, Johnny Moore, Rhianna Watson, Donna Russell and others to the state textbook committees and related posts by voice or previous-roll votes, typically unanimous.
Committee reports from finance, judiciary, county and municipal government, agriculture and other standing panels listed favorable reports on scores of bills (for example, SBs 16, 59, 62, 79, 88, 180, 203, 195, 192 and numerous house bills). Most were placed for second reading on subsequent legislative days or proceeded to final passage under previous-roll procedures.
On local legislation the Senate considered many House-originated items (including House bills 57, 64, 194, 83, 210, 65, 284 and others) and adopted or passed them using previous-roll or unanimous-consent procedures; House bill 284 was moved to indefinite postponement after members noted the companion measure passed the House that day.
Clerks and senators also adopted multiple commemorative resolutions and small administrative measures. At the close of the day, Senator Gudger moved to adjourn until 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2; the motion carried without objection and the Senate adjourned.
The session included numerous recorded tallies indicating broad bipartisan or unanimous support for routine confirmations and local bills. Members were reminded about upcoming budget hearings and other procedural business before the Senate recessed.