Citing concern for the health and well-being of the citizens, Secretary of State John Merrill is urging the state’s March 31 runoff elections be postponed.

In a statement over the weekend, Merrill requested an emergency opinion on whether the Governor’s declaration of a state of emergency would authorize this postponement.

Merrill also stated there is no provision or process in Alabama’s Code or Constitution allowing changes to election dates after being set.

A special election will take place on August 20 followed by a runoff election on November 5.

The elections will fill a vacancy in House District 42.

Former Rep. Jimmy Martin held the seat until his passing in May.

A special election will take place on October 8 for City Council Districts 1, 6, and 7.

The seats were filled through appointments following vacancies late last year and early January.

The council appointed Clinton Woods to the District 1 seat formerly held by current Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales.

Crystal Smitherman was appointed to the District 6 seat previously held by current Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson.

Following the resignation of Jay Roberson, who left the council after moving to Alabaster, the council appointed Wardine Alexander to the District 7 seat.

The Alabama House has introduced a bill to revive an expired exemption to lobbyist registration.

House Bill 289, similar to last year’s House Bill 317, will exempt economic development professionals from registering as a lobbyist.

Under the new 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.

If passed, the law will not contain an expiration date like last year’s bill and will be effective immediately.

A special election has been called for Alabama House of Representatives in District 74.

Gov. Kay Ivey called the special election to fill the vacancy left by the tragic passing of State Rep. Dimitri Polizos.

A special primary election will be held on June 11, 2019, and the special general election will be held on August 27, 2019, provided a runoff is not required.

If a runoff is required, the special runoff election will be held on August 27, 2019, and the special general election will be held on November 12, 2019.

Gov. Kay Ivey has called a special session to begin March 6, 2019.

The special session will focus on legislation related to a gas and diesel fuel tax.

Calling the special session suspends the regular session and allows the gas tax bill to pass with a majority vote, as opposed to the three-fifths vote required during a regular session.

The regular session is expected to re-convene on March 19.

Incumbent Republican Governor Kay Ivey won her first full term as Alabama governor defeating Democratic challenger and Tuscaloosa mayor Walt Maddox 59.6 percent to 40.4 percent.

Ivey, who was elected lieutenant governor in 2014, was sworn in as governor last year when her predecessor Robert J. Bentley resigned on April 10, 2017.

Ivey is Alabama’s first Republican female governor and second female governor.

Alabama, a Republican stronghold state, has not elected a Democratic governor since 1998.

The Alabama Code of Ethics Clarification and Reform Commission (Commission), a joint committee of the Alabama Legislature, met on August 28, 2018, to examine potential revisions to the ethics laws.

The meeting was timely as the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals upheld former House Speaker Mike Hubbard’s conviction on 12 felony ethics charges the day before and requested the Legislature clarify provisions of the ethics law. The Commission is considering recommending altering the definition of principal to include a person with the authority to fire or direct the lobbyist.

Other changes discussed included a tiered penalty system for violations of the law and provisions allowing public officials to maintain certain business relationships during their time as a public official.

The Commission is scheduled to meet again on September 20, 2018.

Birmingham, Alabama City Council President Jay Roberson announced he is resigning on September 10.

Roberson’s wife received a promotion at Alabaster City Schools to be a career coach, so the family will be moving to live in the school district.

Due to a lack of funds to hold a special election, Council will make an appointment to fill the remainder of Roberson’s term.

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.