Committee Membership

I serve on several committees. Bills must make it out of the committee before getting to the House floor for debate and vote. Many bills never make it out of committee. A brief description is offered.

HEALTH: This is pretty descriptive. If the proposed bill is related to health, it is typically sent to this committee. We talk about dental amalgam, licensing foreign pharmacists, insurance coverage, and health care professionals.

SUNSET: This one reviews hundreds of agencies, boards and commissions created by the legislature to see if they are in compliance with the law, need to continue to exist, or need legislation to help them do their job. Examples of agencies reviewed are the Public Service Commission, Medical Examiners, and Cosmetology Board. We meet between legislative sessions.

COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT: I hope the title is descriptive, for this is a new area for me. As the session progresses I should be able to clue you (and me) in to examples of this committee’s responsibility.

SAFETY COORDINATING COMMITTEE: I was chosen by Governor Riley to chair this committee whose object is to reduce death and injury on our highways. I introduced and passed legislation in the 2006 Session that made this a functional committee. Currently we are focused on the top three causes of auto crashes in Alabama: Speed, Alcohol/drug, and improper restraints.

For more details on the 2007 legislative package of bills go to State Safety Coordinating Committee.

Want to live longer? Wear your seat belt. Over half the highway deaths in Alabama have no seat belt on. You are 8 times more likely to die in a crash if not restrained with a seat belt.