Gov. Kay Ivey signed House Bill 317 into law on April 6, 2018.

House Bill 317, exempts economic development professionals from registering as a lobbyist.

Under the bill, the economic development professional lobbyist registration exemption does not apply if a person seeks incentives or funds through legislative action outside of incentives already available.

The provision has a sunset of one year as the Legislature is expected to revise the Alabama Ethics Code during the next legislative session.

The Alabama Legislature adjourned sine die on March 29, 2018.

The Legislature passed House Bill 317, exempting economic development professionals from registering as a lobbyist, on the final day of the regular session.

Under House Bill 317, the economic development professional lobbyist registration exemption does not apply if a person seeks incentives or funds through legislative action outside of incentives already available.

Gov. Kay Ivey released a favorable statement regarding the passage of House Bill 317. Ivey has 10 days from adjournment to sign the bill.

Sen. Del Marsh introduced an 119 page bill revising the Alabama Ethics Act.

Senate Bill 343 amends several definitions, including but not limited to, de minimus, lobbyist, principal, and thing of value. The bill would allow caucuses to solicit or receive meals and beverages from a lobbyist or principal.

Additionally, the bill would authorize the creation of a legal defense fund for a public official or public employee being investigated for a violation of ethics laws.

Online registration for Alabama lobbyists is available beginning December 13, 2017.

Normally, registration is not available until the beginning of January.

In addition, 2018 lobbyist trainings will be held on January 24, March 14, and May 16, 2018. New lobbyists are required to attend one training.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson has scheduled a special election on May 22, 2018, to fill the state House District 83 seat vacated by David L. Branscum.

The primary will be February 13 and a primary runoff, if necessary, on March 13.

Branscum vacated the seat to become the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development director in Arkansas.

Gov. Kay Ivey has scheduled a special election for House District 21. The seat is vacant due to the sudden passing of Rep. Jim Patterson earlier this October.

A special primary election will be held on January 9, 2018, and the special general election will be held on March 27, 2018, provided a runoff is not required.

If a runoff is required, the special runoff election will be held on March 27, 2018, and the special general election will be held on June 12, 2018.

Gov. Kay Ivey has scheduled a special election for Senate District 26. The vacancy is a result of state Sen. Quinton Ross accepting a contract to become the next president of Alabama State University.

The special election schedule coincides with the special election for House District 4. As a result, a special primary election will be held on December 12, 2017, and the special general election will be held on February 27, 2018, provided a runoff is not required.

If a runoff is required, the special primary election will be held on February 27, 2018, and the special general election will be held on May 15, 2018.

Gov. Kay Ivey has scheduled a special election for House District 4. The vacancy is a result of former state Rep. Mick Hammon’s mail fraud conviction.

A special primary election will be held on December 12, 2017, and the special general election will be held on February 27, 2018, provided a runoff is not required.

If a runoff is required, the special primary election will be held on February 27, 2018, and the special general election will be held on May 15, 2018.

Appointed U.S. Senator Luther Strange and former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore will be going head-to-head on September 26 because neither candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote in the first round of the Republican primary election.

President Trump and establishment Republicans have lined up behind Strange, but Moore has wide appeal among religious conservatives across the Yellowhammer State.

The winner of the runoff election will face Democrat Doug Jones, a former U.S. Attorney who coasted to victory in the first round, on December 12.

Gov. Kay Ivey banned lobbyists from executive branch appointments in an executive order dated July 13, 2017.

The order states public officials or public employees of the executive branch are prohibited from appointing a registered lobbyist to any executive agency. Any lobbyist currently serving in a position within the executive branch may finish their current term.

The press release and executive order can be found on the Governors website.

The Alabama Ethics Commission declined to vote on an advisory opinion recommending site consultants for companies considering moving to Alabama to register as lobbyists.

Economic development officials opposed the opinion because it could hurt business recruiting efforts.

There was no formal vote on the motion to approve the advisory opinion for lack of a second.

The Legislature adjourned sine die late Friday, May 19, 2017.

Bills to block removal of Confederate monuments and allow certified midwives to deliver babies in the home both passed.

Lawmakers failed to pass the prison bill and Gov. Kay Ivey is expected to revisit the issue in a special session.

According to the memorandum filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, the Alabama Ethics Commission has agreed existing Alabama law permits lobbyists to satisfy the ethics training requirement if they participate in live training sessions on their computer, even if not physically present.

Additionally, reasonable accommodations will be made for those persons with a legitimate conflict during the time and date that live streaming is made available.

The commission will begin live streaming by May of 2017.

The commission has yet to publicly release a statement.

Gov. Kay Ivey moved the U.S. Senate seat special election from November 6, 2018, to December 12, 2017. The special election is needed to fill the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by U.S. Attorney Gen. Jeff Sessions.

Former Gov. Robert Bentley appointed Luther Strange to fill the vacancy and scheduled the election for 2018, allowing Strange to serve as an incumbent for 22 months.

Ivey changed the date of the election to better follow Alabama law, which clearly states a special election may only be delayed until the next regular election if the senate vacancy occurred within four months of the next regular election.

The special primary will now be held on August 15, 2017, with a special runoff on September 26, 2017. The special general is scheduled for December 12, 2017.