Alabama Session Update - Week 2

Due to snow and ice, the Governor declared a state of emergency for much of this week, which impacted the Alabama legislature. Here is wrap up of Week 2 of session.

Breaking News

• Rep Chris Pringle of Mobile introduced HB 47 that will raise the age to purchase tobacco from 19 to 21. If passed, this policy, Tobacco 21, would count as a policy win for the American Heart Association. We will be actively working to make this a reality for Alabama.

Action Needed 

• Please sign the Alabama Telephone CPR petition at http://act.yourethecure.org/Z4j4stC and share the link on social media and with family, friends and volunteers. We are working to ensure all 911 dispatchers in Alabama are trained and able to help callers perform CPR when needed. We are asking staff and volunteers to sign the petition to let our legislators know we care about this issue.
• For the latest advocacy news on social media, like American Heart Association – Alabama on Facebook and follow @YouretheCureAL on Twitter.
• Ask friends, family and volunteers to join You're the Cure. They can fill out a sign up form found on SharePoint or sign up online at www.yourethecure.org.  

Key Dates  

• The 2018 Alabama Legislative Session began on January 9th at 12noon in both chambers.

Campaign Updates 

State Campaigns 

Telephone CPR (T-CPR or TeleCPR):

During the 2018 legislative session, we are urging legislators to support efforts to require all 911 telecommunicators that provide dispatch for emergency medical conditions be trained in the delivery of high quality telephone CPR. This is the top priority for the organization during session. The bill has been drafted and will be filed later this month. Stay tuned for future You're the Cure alerts!

Healthy Food Financing Initiatives (HFFI):

Also during session, we will support efforts to secure funds for Alabama’s Healthy Food Financing program. If you recall, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) received $300,000 from the legislature to distribute to food retailers, such as grocers, farmer’s markets and wholesale markets, in underserved communities, enabling them to open, renovate, or expand grocery stores to increase the availability of healthy foods. They accepted applications from November – December 2017. The core team continues to meet to discuss next steps about future revenue measures. Contact [email protected] with questions. 

Local Campaigns  

Complete Streets – Birmingham: 

We are excited to announce that on January 9, the Birmingham City Council Transportation Committee passed a complete streets policy and it will now move forward to be voted on by full council. In the coming weeks, we will activate our grassroots network, which includes all staff, to urge council to pass a complete streets policy for Birmingham. If you would like to be engaged in this local campaign, contact Alex Carmack at [email protected]. 

In Other News   

Articles of Interest: 

• Bill would ban smoking in vehicles with minors (al.com)
• Alabama state Rep. George Bandy of Opelika dies (al.com)
• Alabama may require some Medicaid recipients to work (al.com)

Key Leadership Roles to Know: 

• Speaker of the House: Rep. Mac McCutcheon of Huntsville  
• Speaker Pro Tempore: Rep. Victor Gaston of Mobile 
• House Majority Leader Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter of Rainsville 
• House Minority Leader: Rep. Anthony Daniels of Huntsville 
• Chair of House Health Committee: Rep. April Weaver of Shelby County   
• Senate President Pro Tempore: Sen. Del Marsh of Anniston   
• Senate Majority Leader: Sen. Greg Reed of Jasper   
• Senate Minority Leader: Sen. Quinton Ross of Montgomery   
• Chair of Senate Health Committee: Sen. Gerald Dial of Lineville   
• Board of Education State Superintendent Interim: Ed Richardson