[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",6348256,"mediaKeyId","2242961-fad8c9e659b8bc694fe7d37b254b3410","parentId",2242961,"title","Senator Smitherman presses Senate leadership over special-order calendar and minority bill inclusion","audioSeconds",1476,"startMs",1012000,"endMs",2488000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2242961-fad8c9e659b8bc694fe7d37b254b3410&start=1012&end=2488","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2242961-fad8c9e659b8bc694fe7d37b254b3410/thumbnail_1012000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6348256/Alabama/Senator-Smitherman-presses-Senate-leadership-over-special-order-calendar-and-minority-bill-inclusion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348256-e7de3a1c1d376038ea09af32f2a37215/orig.mp4?Expires=1771121622&Signature=T-sMm~E2N7Yv9rq9Tj0w6VALngDYSjg5GX1Mk-RmFl-kcVPZhYRqeYu-EkaoDXc0ZV0c~O0vilG39xBMBgqep9qLUn4cnW8qpVQSTMTWODE8k-ZOr~m2WnA2iYhK7YtaTWjgoQ8XE4iieM~27iNLftu7zUQzLj0UAuR~k89esqnuzYrwpY8VyaWdnHHJZdQ1UPzZkJpE8s4r5GA57DeAUB78vrT3cnc-elmzjW1i5P~NuefVe53rbebpY5RzcyLQ6Mpl~r0OY2gunL4J0upT3~THN8FGvcp82fWZUEz-VDHJFyLivYQpklx7Y3m~PwiV~d1yE8hVJXZ6CmP2wsi6kQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alabama Senate","date","2025-02-06T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Rodger Smitherman devoted extended floor time to objecting that the special-order calendar did not include bills from the minority caucus and to pressing leadership for assurances that minority-originated measures receive meaningful consideration.

Smitherman said he had attempted to raise the issue with the rules process and requested that at least one-third of bills on special order reflect minority sponsorship; he argued the rules committee and calendar-setting process should not exclude minority items. The remarks ranged beyond procedure into themes of representation, historical inequities and the expectation that leadership would honor prior understandings about calendar composition.

At the earlier rules report, the Senate adopted a special-order resolution that named bills to be considered as a special and paramount order of business. The clerk announced the special-order calendar adoption on the long roll with 23 ayes and 5 nays. Smitherman later used floor time when SB70 (veterans center) was before the Senate to press for amendments and for assurances from the bill sponsor about representation and budgetary oversight; those amendments were adopted.

Why it matters: Smitherman’s floor statements highlight an ongoing, procedural tension about how the Senate selects bills for priority consideration and how minority-party members can secure floor time and calendar placement. He framed the complaints as a request for procedural reciprocity and transparency rather than an objection to any individual bill’s merits.

Outcome: The special-order calendar was adopted by the Senate (clerk announced 23 ayes, 5 nays). Smitherman’s floor intervention produced at least one concrete result — a floor amendment to SB70 to add minority leader designees — and public airing of the minority’s concerns about access to priority calendar slots.

What’s next: Smitherman asked colleagues to consider procedural adjustments and to work with minority members on calendar transparency; Senate leaders did not announce a rule change on the floor during the session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alabama Senate February 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senator Rodger Smitherman used extended floor time to criticize the special-order calendar process and to press for more minority-originated bills to be placed on the special-order calendar; the calendar itself was adopted by the Senate earlier in the day.","taxTitle","Senate, Alabama Legislative Sessions, Alabama","taxId",62183,"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},6348261,"Senate narrows access to nitrous oxide \"whippets,\" votes to bar flavored products and set age limit",1940,10740000,12680000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2242961-fad8c9e659b8bc694fe7d37b254b3410&start=10740&end=12680","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2242961-fad8c9e659b8bc694fe7d37b254b3410/thumbnail_10740000.jpg","/articles/6348261/Alabama/Senate-narrows-access-to-nitrous-oxide-whippets-votes-to-bar-flavored-products-and-set-age-limit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348261-46ded8f8a93804ef69decdd2850caac1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771121622&Signature=EC2gMlK4h5G6qMIb-ujpFGbGWBHYa~JIumXEzwWHf8YVIXxIX8fSSpSagu8kGZNTDNpDmPrDnqUDLPGoqYkJPmzCzkg-ZCBUTCtv-htlloyDjDL50b90~61lRclwj127LNUmFmYhqXR03rTTXOf2AJchGbDwv65D5Uo6QTGbO~WBjHwV~Ul0B5X3gaD-TbL0gY4nRWNZlf4by7OPf4~0bj27mpQYEJwkRhsF3IzNSXv-9lfi2e-sFeehUmDhBSf~~fjXvMBVMX3Ijf-zgc~NzxCgbi6-Tb~WwJV5TW-fsf-wAIifdDPtAJP85nSRL5~mGwzKgmlBAG11T~eduxk4jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama Senate passed Senate Bill 78 on a recorded vote after debate about enforcement and penalties. The measure targets retail availability of nitrous oxide inhalants — commonly called \"whippets\" — that are sometimes sold in flavor-marketed canisters and are used as inhalant recreationally.

Sponsor Senator Shay Shelnut Weaver told colleagues the product is readily available at convenience stores and c-stores alongside flavored vaping products and that canisters marketed in flavors make inhalation more appealing to minors. Weaver said the bill prohibits possession of these inhalant canisters by persons under 21 and makes it unlawful to sell flavored nitrous oxide canisters to the general retail market. The statute includes exceptions for lawful adult uses such as medical anesthesia, food preparation uses, manufacturing and automotive purposes, but those exceptions are void if the substance has added flavoring.

Senators questioned enforcement mechanics and penalties. The floor exchange recorded the penalty as a Class A misdemeanor for offenses (the transcript shows the sponsor and colleagues discussing penalty structure). Several senators asked how retailers would be expected to check identification; Weaver agreed to work on clarifying language and valid‑ID language in subsequent drafting or in the companion chamber. Members also discussed treatment and prevention resources for youth who abuse inhalants.

Vote and outcome: The Senate’s long roll recorded final passage by voice with the clerk announcing 28 ayes and 1 no. Supporters said the measure will reduce youth access to dangerous inhalants marketed at or near the point of sale to minors; critics asked for stronger retailer penalties and clearer enforcement language.

Why it matters: Public-health advocates and some legislators have highlighted a rise in youth inhalant use linked with flavored, marketed canisters of nitrous oxide; the bill aims to restrict retail access to the products and prohibit flavoring that appears to encourage recreational use by minors.

What’s next: The sponsor indicated willingness to work on amendments to add clearer retailer‑ID requirements and enforcement teeth as the bill proceeds to the other chamber or committee consideration.","Senate Bill 78 passed the Alabama Senate to restrict sale and possession of nitrous oxide inhalants (commonly sold as 'whippets') for those under 21, ban flavored formulations and carve out limited exceptions for legitimate medical, culinary or automotive uses; the chamber recorded the vote 28-1.",{"_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},6348265,"Senate approves bill allowing public school resource officers to be contracted to private schools if public coverage exists",264,8440000,8704000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2242961-fad8c9e659b8bc694fe7d37b254b3410&start=8440&end=8704","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2242961-fad8c9e659b8bc694fe7d37b254b3410/thumbnail_8440000.jpg","/articles/6348265/Alabama/Senate-approves-bill-allowing-public-school-resource-officers-to-be-contracted-to-private-schools-if-public-coverage-exists","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348265-3d78e867595faf98950390d4bb428a4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771121622&Signature=AFrGrb7ypW-7lo7nqE4BC0-unF4fIhUCdrjkU4evci4mpaPlhFqcW8vhjjsqmEI1RNCF4Vi4oPMpEo0Ycv9RW69893KMGJ8LDxTNwWV8jZlEVOAhxkxazbI0O6TLkN42sqZzDnrtlqOO7DA4AAt0QwG~XUQOI6PV6ayryzsjRaHxeX5DQgH9-JSJIM6awLjak7klA-A610T8DgC2GHcnLkeNZMUehcM~mRETgDzVejb2E5A7p7lf9vESxtqSyMS-JTozE6e6Sp04-RAyELyt-Rh57cLG2OSNYLxstq~54dQVxVvFSJ0HHceCJ94HIjk59ScQyTuOiTkDOwZ8z1zOKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama Senate passed Senate Bill 4, which allows local governmental entities to enter contracts with private schools to provide post‑certified school resource officers (SROs) under stated conditions.

Sponsor Senator Clay Elliott told the chamber the measure is permissive: local municipalities and counties may contract with nonpublic schools to assign certified SROs to those campuses only if the private school pays the full cost — including benefits — and provides full liability insurance. The bill also requires that SRO coverage be available at every public school in the affected public school system before the municipality or county may extend a contract to a private school.

Senator Elliott emphasized the bill does not waive any statutory liability caps and stated the private school is responsible for the cost and liability coverage. The bill passed the Senate on recorded roll call with a tally announced as 30-0.

Why it matters: Supporters said it creates a voluntary mechanism to extend campus safety resources to private schools while protecting public entities from assuming additional cost or liability. Critics did not offer recorded opposition during final passage, though floor time included routine questions and an exchange about the bill’s guardrails.

What’s next: The bill will move to the next legislative stage. Local governments considering contracts would need to budget for full cost recovery and to obtain liability insurance before entering agreements.","Senate Bill 4 permits counties and municipalities to contract with private schools for certified school resource officers provided the private school pays the full cost and liability insurance; the bill requires that SRO services already be available at every public school system in the county before private contracts are allowed.",{"_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},6348269,"Senate adopts narrow gender-definition measure after hours of floor debate and dissent",5463,3100000,8563000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2242961-fad8c9e659b8bc694fe7d37b254b3410&start=3100&end=8563","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2242961-fad8c9e659b8bc694fe7d37b254b3410/thumbnail_3100000.jpg","/articles/6348269/Alabama/Senate-adopts-narrow-gender-definition-measure-after-hours-of-floor-debate-and-dissent","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348269-1d10c9ee06dc04d81f55cf9bf4b529a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771121622&Signature=ftNzCt3kUuJBV3-bKsmxJnsj3GEcM8zPHJU2AUBZlS-TFrzfBfwQb6EVkg9SmxX9F6Lee6CEpCmnZ~znX6Rj5Oir0ap1cYi1GTfeF2mBAvUIcj8OlhSQmHI4f~-iCbm5DPDm0TG90dAuc9Be-ac1YKnjTkqst4TJoG~FQa73RcE20qc9lKvmxYvfKMLSYowBqad4hTbhUreKhWe~FmlwNi7kkOakhfmXQzK3EOrjunu4Wa1ZLVqgT~xnyTWkxc3aOKUQ1iKbx5zly6UhR-BuI5x4Z4KQnKycoevIBu9VrItsHmjT32HwwHFaimidRi-mo6pJ~tcn7voAC8XPVJOL~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama Senate on final passage approved a substitute to Senate Bill 79, a measure that places statutory definitions for terms such as man, woman, male and female into state law. The substitute passed the Senate by a recorded vote of 26-5.

Sponsor Senator Shay Shelnut Weaver described the measure as “simple” and said it codifies definitions she characterized as biological facts. Supporters said the substitute is limited to definitions and provides legal clarity for state agencies and other organizations that rely on statutory language.

Opponents delivered extended floor remarks warning that the apparently narrow definitions could have wider, real-world consequences. Senator Rodger Smitherman, who engaged in lengthy floor debate, argued the bill’s definitions could be used by untrained bystanders or agency staff to tolerate or justify harassment, to escalate confrontations in bathrooms or other private spaces, and to create liability or civil-rights issues. Smitherman urged the Senate to add explicit guardrails to prevent discriminatory application and to explain how agencies should implement the new definitions without violating civil-rights protections.

Senator Weaver said she had met with university officials and other stakeholders and that the substitute had removed prior portions that targeted universities. Weaver and other supporters repeatedly characterized the measure as a concise definition bill that will assist judges and agencies needing statutory clarity.

Floor amendments and committee substitutes: The committee substitute was adopted earlier in the day; the floor debate focused on implementation questions and possible unintended consequences. Several senators asked whether the bill created any enforcement authority or practical guidance; Weaver repeatedly answered that the bill only establishes definitions and does not itself add enforcement mechanisms.

Vote and outcome: The Senate adopted the committee substitute and later passed final passage by a recorded roll call of 26 ayes and 5 nays. Supporters described the bill as “common-sense definitions”; opponents said it risks creating an environment for discrimination unless clearer implementation guidance or prohibitions on discriminatory enforcement are included.

Why it matters: Sponsors say codified definitions create certainty for agencies and the courts. Opponents say the law may create an opening for harassment or for officials to apply the definitions in a discriminatory fashion, and they urged clarifying language to prohibit discriminatory implementation.

What’s next: With the Senate’s passage, the bill will move to the next legislative stage. Detractors urged additional statutory guardrails or implementation guidance to prevent misuse; sponsors said they would press the point that the bill only defines terms and that other laws continue to protect civil rights.","Senate Bill 79, a substitute focused on statutory definitions of 'man,' 'woman,' 'male,' 'female,' 'boy,' 'girl,' 'mother' and 'father,' passed the Alabama Senate after extended debate and opposition from several Democrats who warned it could enable discrimination in public spaces.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6348274,"Senate OKs veterans transition center bill after amendments for minority representation and women veterans",2804,2416000,5220000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2242961-fad8c9e659b8bc694fe7d37b254b3410&start=2416&end=5220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2242961-fad8c9e659b8bc694fe7d37b254b3410/thumbnail_2416000.jpg","/articles/6348274/Alabama/Senate-OKs-veterans-transition-center-bill-after-amendments-for-minority-representation-and-women-veterans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6348274-b46b3d63f37910d46f48a50ef2117a4c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771121622&Signature=LEKdc-3b3-trbacFaY8NP4kP16J~UHXcVxd-2osTE4fDt8WYgw1xPgkI8o1UaeuCHqGszfzbcC~eC8xbZ5jaYU~26iryfWwj8G5bA~ytTiJjpduff9GrK1sYSmKVRKDksGhdf7RjPKlDgRV9-z8IXG~HtrDnCvRc7Wkyo91xLfYofVNLcgp9lN~hNw4IHHrj6u~~GaR4sRT5x1Xx1t-aYY6N5Mn5NFefPJp-PPHk9mBPCkEaSh33rwPOIdmg7XbcdhmYZek1BFZqNJDpAVHsBpcuUhEQZwllPfxYec8wjzmmvslOr-veASF3czhu~V6H~L9uTDbfM5T0CF9A5iN50Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alabama Senate on a voice and roll-call votes passed Senate Bill 70 to establish an Alabama Service Member Welcome and Transition Center, a proposed hub and spoke “one-stop” resource for service members transitioning to civilian life.

Sponsors and supporters said the center is intended to coordinate education, job-placement and referrals statewide, while establishing a board to oversee operations. The Senate recorded a final passage vote of 31-0 after floor amendments were adopted.

Senator Chris Jones, sponsor of SB70, told the chamber the legislation would create a central hub in Montgomery to coordinate existing veteran services across universities, nonprofit providers and public agencies; the bill requests a one-time state appropriation of $5,000,000 and anticipates private funding to sustain operations after start-up.

The bill sets out board membership and ex-officio members. On the floor, Senator Rodger Smitherman won an amendment inserting two guaranteed seats: the minority leader of the House of Representatives (or designee) and the minority leader of the Senate (or designee). That amendment (offered by Smitherman) was adopted by voice and roll calls and then by the long roll; the clerk recorded the amendment’s adoption and the chamber approved it without recorded opposition. Shortly after, Senator Coleman-Madison secured and won an amendment requiring one of the governor’s three appointees to be a female veteran; that amendment was likewise adopted on the floor.

The bill lists ex-officio members that include the Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, the Commissioner of Mental Health, and the Secretary of the Department of Commerce (who, under the bill, would serve as board chair). Jones and other supporters said the board will coordinate with existing local resources, such as university veteran centers and regional nonprofit providers, rather than replace them.

Opponents and questioners on the floor repeatedly pressed for clarity about who would control and ultimately be accountable for the $5,000,000 and whether the state would be responsible for ongoing operating costs if private fundraising fell short. Jones and colleagues responded that the appropriation is proposed as a one-time startup investment and that any continuing funding or “strings” tied to an appropriation would be addressed in the budgeting process, when a budget amendment or rider could set further conditions.

The bill also requires participating private partners and the board to provide details on governance and fundraising once the board is constituted. Supporters emphasized that the bill establishes a framework and a board, which would then develop operational plans and identify private-sector partners.

Votes at a glance: On the long-roll final passage recorded in the transcript the clerk announced “31 ayes, 0 nays.” Earlier floor roll calls show the amendment votes passed with clear majorities.

The legislation now moves to the next steps of the legislative process with the Senate-passed text as amended. The bill as passed does not appropriate recurring operating dollars; supporters said implementation details and any funding conditions would be part of the budgetary process.

Why it matters: Backers described the center as a coordination point aimed at shortening the time veterans spend navigating multiple agencies for mental health care, education and job services. Critics on the floor sought stronger guarantees about veteran representation on the governing board and clearer upfront terms for how state startup dollars would be used and governed.

What’s next: The bill will proceed through the next legislative stages as the Senate’s amended text; supporters signaled willingness to work on budget riders to specify how the requested $5,000,000 would be controlled and what private-match expectations would apply.","The Alabama Senate passed Senate Bill 70 to establish a service-member welcome and transition center with a one-time $5 million budget request and a board structure revised on the floor to guarantee minority-leader representation and a female veteran among governor appointees.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senator Smitherman presses Senate leadership over special-order calendar and minority bill inclusion

Senate narrows access to nitrous oxide "whippets," votes to bar flavored products and set age limit

Senate approves bill allowing public school resource officers to be contracted to private schools if public coverage exists

Senate adopts narrow gender-definition measure after hours of floor debate and dissent

Senate OKs veterans transition center bill after amendments for minority representation and women veterans