There was much strong debate during session on March 5th. Bills 12 and 17 fought a good fight but failed. Then it was bills 26 (Tobacco Advertising Reform Act) turn, passing by only one vote. This bill would allow advertising for tobacco products on radio and television legal. Following this bill came Bill 14 also passing with a 23-16 victory. This bill would repeal section 86 from the 1901 Alabama Constitution.
While the Senate was in session, so was the House. Though this session started slowly with failing of Bill 40, which would ban reserved parking spaces for facility and staff on a college campus. Things quickly changed after the passage of Bill 11 (The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Trans-gender [LGBT] Defense Act). This bill would give LGBT equal not special privileges in the state of Alabama. The following bill (In-State Tuition Act) sparked much controversy. This bill would give out-of-state students in-state tuition after becoming a sophomore and maintaining a 2.5 GPA. Right before luch, bill 17 also passed making it mandatory for any individual teaching in a higher education establishment to take at least 12 hours of education prior to their employment.
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