[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6325280,"mediaKeyId","2334147-3224cc73bfeb92aed6c81b1e077fe265","parentId",2334147,"title","Committee advances bill removing state code reference to private electronic voter-registration vendor","audioSeconds",146,"startMs",827000,"endMs",973000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2334147-3224cc73bfeb92aed6c81b1e077fe265&start=827&end=973","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2334147-3224cc73bfeb92aed6c81b1e077fe265/thumbnail_827000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6325280/Alabama/Committee-advances-bill-removing-state-code-reference-to-private-electronic-voter-registration-vendor","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325280-8f663f7ba11c4767a6481daf4c352d9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770989672&Signature=PxQ9My~AgjfFihLZ13k02Mt3B5U2YDhmpURP58ZkZmS1Jz0fvCsyXVRDZY~uQI5u7Y9iB-MSTm76ygC2Qrt9dt7qO7b8DE-sBVGSz4fOVoiPYBT4Fx7ZAetRHtG81i~H-OyCUKwFvkBN6zGm78fG7WjZw~JxiXlQgwOZQGYAR1u-J5-tdRsqK7VtYoowFM5o-p-nQqvT5ujVdd3p2DTx8rukfSbjqjxtVykmpktZ3UPe3FkqvxUmt1cKJtJY2rN6wLa9e7OrsA27eYNNqyQhZe7Iaov4-bChuuXYH7U7CmOFQhDPtLcRL7ULJ9l-cRWX6mZg4mU9nFLiZE3ofPya4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alabama Senate County and Municipal Government Committee","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","Senators on the committee gave SB 142 a favorable report after sponsors and a representative of the secretary of state's office explained the measure removes a section of state code that currently allows use of a private electronic registration information center and directs use of a national database for voter-registration purposes.

Supporters said the change is technical and intended to update the statute to match the system the state now uses. A representative from the secretary of state's office told the committee the office has agreements with neighboring states and other states that use the same system, and that the update removes obsolete code that could allow the private vendor's system to be used in the future.

The committee discussion noted practical problems that registration officials face when voters move or die and the difficulty of keeping voter rolls accurate without shared databases. \"When people die, nobody thinks to call the board of registrars ... People move oftentimes to adjacent states and you don't know that and we have no way of being able to track it,\" a senator said, adding the secretary of state's office can now get linked information that previously was unavailable.

Senators moved and seconded the favorable report without extended debate. Several senators voiced thanks to the secretary of state's office for the work to develop the system. The clerk called the roll and senators recorded \"aye\" responses; the committee reported SB 142 favorably.

SB 142 now moves from committee to the next step in the chamber's process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alabama Senate County and Municipal Government Committee February 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senators on the committee gave SB 142 a favorable report after sponsors and a secretary of state's office representative explained the measure removes a statutory reference to a private electronic voter-registration vendor and aligns the code with a national database.","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},6325265,"Committee backs SB 5 changing appointments to archives and history board amid concerns about politicization",660,1494000,2154000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2334147-3224cc73bfeb92aed6c81b1e077fe265&start=1494&end=2154","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2334147-3224cc73bfeb92aed6c81b1e077fe265/thumbnail_1494000.jpg","/articles/6325265/Alabama/Committee-backs-SB-5-changing-appointments-to-archives-and-history-board-amid-concerns-about-politicization","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325265-7f250d14796593f511af19e12c89c9ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1770989672&Signature=iadZykQaVkoXDA-bxxO7~9sCSeTW~S-4DUukisrattdLj~fH1qj2Rk8sYWvwgAbfKbLVUu5S7vvCNt4lpKzjfG-2SqSVa5Czdxgkv8WILQFmb3sb0FqK5rVaKLAgD6e7Gn5yOmt1Xbbk-6pAmmi0lpdpfHWWyxotfIVn6FSBBPbPdlaXC1h~u0myhovX-vWXf9oCSOjoTuYMaSVplE856x~DSSXJzgdm8SGzoGq0I1OMibfuwzo4jPw9AKOe60sd8h-LXwGcO2mAkp0JwnqgX08F~XQmRRXR~0ABnjwb4~jZUsMZqtQZwaNZU9KhLJrz0MRfN1443y6t4WrvIcODhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Senate committee gave SB 5 a favorable report after discussion about changing the composition and appointing authorities for the state Archives and History Board.

The sponsor said the bill increases the board's size, gives the governor eight appointment slots, the speaker four and the pro tempore four, for a total of 17 voting members with the governor included as a voting member rather than ex officio. The bill retains diversity language requiring geographic and racial representation; two appointments (one from the speaker and one from the pro tempore) would be chosen from lists compiled by the minority leaders so minority caucuses retain influence.

Several senators praised the work of the current board and the archives staff, noting the board is predominantly volunteer and credited with preserving artifacts and historical displays. At the same time, some senators expressed concern that shifting appointment authority toward the governor and increasing the board's partisan appointments could make the board more partisan and risk narrowing the range of historical perspectives represented. One senator said she would vote no for that reason; another said she would probably abstain but wanted to see how appointments played out.

The committee adopted a compromise substitute that contains the changes under discussion and then moved and seconded a motion to report the substitute favorably. The clerk recorded the roll; the committee reported SB 5 favorably.","Senate Bill 5, which expands and reconfigures the Archives and History Board and makes the governor a voting member, was reported favorably after senators discussed the makeup of the board, the reasons for the governor's increased appointment authority and concerns that the change could politicize the board.",{"_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},6325270,"Committee advances SB 171 to curb ATVs, side-by-sides in stream beds after property and environmental concerns",390,1103000,1493000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2334147-3224cc73bfeb92aed6c81b1e077fe265&start=1103&end=1493","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2334147-3224cc73bfeb92aed6c81b1e077fe265/thumbnail_1103000.jpg","/articles/6325270/Alabama/Committee-advances-SB-171-to-curb-ATVs-side-by-sides-in-stream-beds-after-property-and-environmental-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325270-a17681e9880e8d9f02e4621ee164f911/orig.mp4?Expires=1770989672&Signature=dE1iiNq7Q7u1wexcn39o82UckW6xndi2GIk3Imr7DMedaYI5U6GPqx7iOk0X6HZbDfPLPm82XG1KuqFjOgZKVwwVyEekwPwHzJoAWjfDJ7r9Zf~AOxHacvM9Tpxa8OD4~Wi5JmsXLUOldLqu~1jiwop-e~PJNKkKDJzISLqe1DriAZw3LGoaFOXXgFVN-d8d6wQ9mgdxEC5~qaBV52nycdtkoZRO19E7SUrSb28GGuYAPeoR5e9Qz9D9HuB67t2HEBslznnMY9S5zOT7Xwq2RGkigDZPOQ659EkVdN7aKv6dPCWS6oM5s-FllvFB8531tGVCzWfvpIuHP1kqdEtAiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee gave SB 171 a favorable report after the sponsor said off-road vehicles and side-by-sides have been driving up and down stream beds, entering private property, leaving litter and causing environmental damage.

The sponsor told the panel the law that treats navigable waterways as public rights of way was written when conveyance meant small boats and not modern wheeled off-road vehicles. The bill is framed to preserve the legal concept of navigability while creating a citation path for vehicles \"not made for\" water navigation when they are used in stream beds in a way that damages property or trespasses.

Committee members asked whether the bill changes navigability law; the sponsor said the bill does not amend the constitutional or established navigability doctrine and instead focuses on vehicles with wheels or tracks. Senators asked for clarification that canoes, rowboats and watercraft designed for water transportation would remain exempt. The sponsor pointed to the draft language clarifying that the definition \"does not include a vessel or other watercraft designed for transportation on water.\" The committee discussed enforcement, how people will know of new restrictions statewide and concerns about discriminatory application of the law.

A sponsor noted law enforcement would typically respond to a landowner's complaint and initially warn vehicle operators; over time the new prohibition would be part of the state's body of law. The sponsor and several senators anticipated word would spread in communities where the conduct has been a problem.

Senator Chambliss moved a favorable report; Senator Albritton seconded. The chair called for the previous roll and the committee reported SB 171 favorably.","Senators reported SB 171 favorably after the sponsor described nuisance and property-damage issues from ATVs, side-by-sides and utility vehicles driving in creek beds; the bill aims to extend citation authority where vehicles not designed for water navigation cause damage, while preserving navigation law for bona fide vessels.",{"_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},6325275,"Committee reports SB 158 amid questions about foreign driver's licenses and voter ID use",93,985000,1078000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2334147-3224cc73bfeb92aed6c81b1e077fe265&start=985&end=1078","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2334147-3224cc73bfeb92aed6c81b1e077fe265/thumbnail_985000.jpg","/articles/6325275/Alabama/Committee-reports-SB-158-amid-questions-about-foreign-drivers-licenses-and-voter-ID-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325275-78cba7e0d41833f42e8f40c42c749dbd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770989672&Signature=UdILFuZQuqSJVgtTAXRv5RfmQp8EGt~GtdBKGtZCDnNQZ6Oe18j4gkAoqqEZGRtn8gQdYk92mK4AdVVhRY5EIBuTf~xPqlWJuf~206f0R4ivSnnWoyy8SJnHPxVqJ0utKuIw9RIYEud4nfacQmOiqjDTmU~OKMy8~YXjUo5K1hLvMO3~nDU7ebYTCuFt0sDrFZ8hOjEbtPl41IMwMcntKIj0i~2-mmwkb-YR8simu2j1jGD-HHgMF5qIOnW5B-ji~uLII4~lc8RyceuFrokGqWQfqtgGno74bKmBY~MODVlhxBWsb8R9X1lzfnPcUixxNkvoENcR9j8ppqfldZbAEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee gave SB 158 a favorable report after the sponsor described the bill as addressing how foreign national driver's licenses relate to voter-registration photo identification.

The sponsor said the bill ensures that a foreign national driver's license \"can be used\" as a valid photo ID when registering to vote. Later in the exchange, a committee member asked whether such a license would allow the holder to drive in the state and the sponsor replied that current driving privileges would not be affected but then said the bill \"simply says you cannot use that form of identification ... to register to vote.\" Those two statements in the transcript are inconsistent.

Committee members asked practical questions about what a foreign national driver's license looks like from different countries, whether the bill would require posting or notification statewide, and how enforcement would be handled. One senator raised concerns that statutes passed at different times can be contradictory and encouraged greater coordination.

The chair moved the favorable report, the chair seconded, and the clerk recorded the report. The transcript does not provide an exact statutory text or the final operative language; the record shows the committee reported SB 158 favorably.","Senators gave SB 158 a favorable report after a sponsor described the measure addressing foreign national driver's licenses and their use as photo identification; committee members asked how the change intersects with existing driving privileges and raised concerns about contradictory phrasing in the discussion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances bill removing state code reference to private electronic voter-registration vendor

Committee backs SB 5 changing appointments to archives and history board amid concerns about politicization

Committee advances SB 171 to curb ATVs, side-by-sides in stream beds after property and environmental concerns

Committee reports SB 158 amid questions about foreign driver's licenses and voter ID use