WSFA 12 News Montgomery, AL |Governor Riley Releases Special Session Agenda

Governor Riley Releases Special Session Agenda

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley has placed 15 budget-related bills on the agenda of the special session that starts at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

The agenda, or "the call," was delivered to lawmakers this afternoon.  Governor Riley was forced to call a special session after the Legislature failed to pass the education budget during the regular session, which ended May 19.

"The public comments by many legislators that they expect a very brief, down-to-business session are very reassuring," said Governor Riley.  "It's a shame we have to even have a special session to pass the education budget.  Legislators need to understand:  failure is not an option.  If they don't pass the education budget during this special session, we'll come right back and have another one.  It's up to them."

Below is a copy of the Governor's Call:

WHEREAS, there exists an extraordinary occasion in the State of Alabama, which demands the convening of the Legislature of Alabama, in extraordinary session, as prescribed by Article V, Section 122, of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Bob Riley, as Governor of the State of Alabama, do hereby proclaim and direct that the Legislature of Alabama shall convene in extraordinary session at the seat of Government, Alabama State House, in Montgomery, Alabama, at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2008, and do hereby designate the following subjects and matters, which I, as Governor, deem necessary to be considered and acted upon by said Legislature, in extraordinary session assembled:

  1.    Legislation making appropriations for the support, maintenance, and development of public education in Alabama, for debt service and for capital outlay, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009.

  2.    Legislation making a budgetary appropriation to Lyman Ward Military Institute.

  3.    Legislation making a budgetary appropriation to Talladega College.

  4.    Legislation making a budgetary appropriation to Tuskegee University.

  5.    Legislation providing for supplemental appropriations from the General Fund and other funds for Fiscal Year 2008 to the departments of Corrections and Medicaid, and other departments of state government.

  6.    Legislation to reestablish the Education Trust Fund rainy day account within the Alabama Trust Fund, as a Constitutional Amendment, and to repeal Amendment 709 to the Alabama Constitution.

  7.    Legislation providing for a General Fund rainy day account, as a Constitutional Amendment.

  8.    Legislation providing for a budgetary appropriation to the Alabama Children First Trust Fund.

  9.    Legislation providing for a transfer of the appropriate balance from the statutory proration prevention account into the Education Trust Fund.

10.     Legislation to clarify the legislative intent of Section 40-18-35, Code of Alabama 1975, regarding the exceptions to the State of Alabama's "add­back" law and to disallow Captive Real Estate Investment Trusts the preferential dividend treatment afforded ordinary Real Estate Investment Trusts.

11.     Legislation providing for an income tax deduction of 150% of health insurance premiums paid by small business employers and their employees.

12.     Legislation providing for an exclusion from Alabama income taxation for any federal tax credits resulting from federal legislation known as the "Economic Stimulus Act of 2008."

13.     Legislation to establish a procedure for the discretionary medical furlough of permanently incapacitated or terminally ill state inmates convicted of non-capital offenses and who pose no danger to society.

15.     Legislation providing for the transfer of tobacco revenues to the General Fund.

16.     Legislation providing for a funded one-time lump-sum addition to the retirement benefits of certain retirees and beneficiaries of the Employees' Retirement System.

17.     Resolutions of a congratulatory or sympathy nature, and honoring individuals for personal or business accomplishments, only.

18.     Confirmations.

        All legislation relating to gambling in any form, at any location, and for any purpose is expressly excluded from this call and shall require a two­thirds vote for consideration during the duration of this extraordinary session of the Alabama Legislature.