TODD STACEY: Members of the House of Representatives step back in history this week by meeting in the old House chamber of the State Capitol. The ceremonial session sets up lawmakers reelected in November to be the only House members to serve in three separate buildings. The Capitol, the current state House and the soon to be finished new state House across the street. The house did not consider any bills, but did pass a ceremonial resolution to officially designate the new State House beginning on January 1st, 2027. Capitol Journal’s Randy Scott was there and has his story.
RANDY SCOTT: We’re used to seeing this action in the Alabama House. Well, get ready for a flashback in time to where lawmakers sat closer together and there was no air conditioning. The lower chamber is meeting in its former setting across the street in the State Capitol for the first time since 2009, when flooding at the statehouse led to a loss of power. And lawmakers chose to work in this very chamber. It’s been a busy regular session, both inside and outside of the statehouse. If you look over my left shoulder, you can see some construction going on for the new statehouse project. Over my right shoulder is the State Capitol, where the old House chamber resides now. Earlier this week, House members decided to do something different. They went across the street to the old House chamber and made a little history. The purpose? Give these lawmaker a chance to be a part of history by serving as legislator in three different facilities.
REP. NATHANIEL LEDBETTER (Speaker of the House): Pro Tem Pringle had this idea. I think it’s a great idea. And tell them one, I’d love to do it And so they set everything up. And, you know, having the members to have the opportunities to return back to serve in three different chambers. I mean, this is historical moment and certainly awful humbling to be in this chamber with all those, you know, the leaders that we have followed. So it was a great day for our house. And I think it’s certainly a good way to wind up the session.
RANDY SCOTT: The member fill the seats in this chamber. Some, such as Representative Adam Campbell, brought his family along, including his grandson to be a part of this occasion. They also got to hear personal thoughts about this day.
REP. BARBARA BOYD (Anniston): One writer said, there is a destiny that makes us brothers. No one goes his way alone. All the good that we send into the lives of others come back into our own. So much good. You have given. I’ve learned so much.
RANDY SCOTT: Representative Barbara Boyd is retiring this session, but says she’s here to do more good work for the people before she leaves.
REP. BOYD: Longfellow, in closing, said, let us then be up and doing with a heart for any fate. Still achieving, still pursuing Alabama House. Let’s learn to labor, work together. And may God bless us all.
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