MONTGOMERY, Ala. — With three-fourths of the legislative session complete, Alabama lawmakers are heading into a weeklong spring break before returning for what leaders expect to be a fast-paced final stretch.
Senate President Pro Tem Garland Gudger, R-Cullman, said much of the work so far has focused on preparing legislation behind the scenes for action in the closing weeks.
“I think there’s been a lot of progress made, not only on the bills that we have passed already, but behind the scenes of getting the bills prepped and ready to be on the floor coming up,” Gudger said. “I think that’s where most of our progress has been.”
Lawmakers will return with six legislative days remaining in the session.
One of the most pressing tasks will be passing the state’s two budgets. The House still needs to pass the General Fund budget, while the Senate must take up the Education Trust Fund budget.
Beyond the budgets, Gudger pointed to potential legislation involving the Alabama Public Service Commission as a major issue to watch.
“You know, I do think that you’re going to see some agreements that have been made on the PSC on both sides,” he said. “I think you’ll be seeing that come up. That’ll be some big news.”
The issue has already been a source of debate this session. The Senate earlier passed legislation that would expand the Public Service Commission from three members to a seven-member elected board, a proposal supporters say would increase representation and oversight.
But the idea has also drawn questions from some lawmakers about how such a change would affect the commission’s structure, accountability and decision-making authority, particularly given its role in regulating utility rates.
Details of any new agreement have not been made public, but Gudger’s comments suggest further action on the issue could be coming when lawmakers return.
Other high-profile bills that were delayed this week are also expected to return, including proposals to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” for state government use and to require the Ten Commandments be displayed in public schools.
Gudger said lawmakers should expect more contentious proposals as the session winds down.
“And then you’re going to have a lot, as my friend Senator Elliott says, a lot of spicier bills coming up at the end of the session,” Gudger said.
Gudger said lawmakers are expected to meet three days during the first week back and two or three days the following week, with the goal of wrapping up the session by mid-April.
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