Here’s a recap of what happened in the first week of the 2022 Alabama Legislature:
The major topic during this Legislative Session – also an election year - is the state budget and making sure resources are allocated appropriately.
Alabama saw a growth in revenues during 2021, primarily due to an influx of federal dollars.
For the third year in a row, both the General Fund and the Education Trust Fund budgets will be at a record high, with the proposed 2023 budget being the largest in state history.
$8.2 Billion in the Education Trust Fund budget
$2.7 Billion in the General Fund budget
Legislators introduced 242 bills in this opening week – 143 in the House and 99 in the Senate.
Here’s what’s coming next week:
The Legislature will begin a special session to spend federal dollars – approximately $580 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money and approximately $1 billion more coming to the state.
The goal, per Governor Ivey, is to spend it on improving infrastructure, like water, sewer and broadband.