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Cock fighting Legislation, sponsored by Representative Cam Ward. Cockfighting is one of the most serious forms of animal cruelty and Alabamalaw in this area is antiquated and inadequate, providing at most a $50 fine. This bill would make it a class C felony to fight cocks, own,train or keep cocks for fighting, keep a cockpit, or promote cockfighting. There would be a stiff fine of up to $1,000 a day for theowner or operator of the cockpit, or, up to three times the grossreceipts derived from cock fighting. Property purchased with profitsfrom cock fighting, or used in connection with cock fighting, would besubject to forfeiture. Furthermore, it would be a class A misdemeanor to be knowingly present at a cock fight.
Bid Law Reform. This bill would provide more transparency and accountability in governmental transactions. Current law allows certainmunicipalities to make purchases from elected officials, employees orboard member. As a safeguard, this law adds a requirement that twoitems be filed with the State Ethics Commission: a written finding thatconditions of the law had been followed, and a copy of the contract. Any contract that was in violation of the law would be voided, and anypublic official who knowingly authorized such a contract would besubject to a class C felony. Current law provides certain exemptions tobid law; if a governmental body entered into a contract withoutsubmitting it for bid, it would have to clearly state in writing whatexemption was used and the report would be open to public inspection. Additional reforms would help to ensure honesty and integrity in Alabama’s public contracts.
Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement, sponsored by Representative Spencer Collier and Senator Rusty Glover. This legislation seeks to reduce the number of individuals who flee from law enforcement,particularly by means of a vehicle. Intentional flight from lawenforcement would start as a class B misdemeanor, but it would become aclass C felony if a motor vehicle is used, and it would be a class B felony if the flight created a risk of injury or death to bystanders.This bill is a high priority for law enforcement and would keep ourstreets safer for the citizens of Alabama. Attorney General King has named this bill in honor of Montgomery police officer Keith E. Houts who was shot and killed in 2006 while making a traffic stop.
Civil recovery for Illegal Gambling, sponsored by Representative Randy Wood. Under existing law, there is no specific provision for a civilcause of action to recover monetary penalties for illegal gamblingdevices. In the past, owners and operators and others who profit fromillegal gambling activities have considered the payment of criminal fines as a cost of doing business. This law provides a strict liabilitythat would make their costs much higher than the potential profits.These new penalties would be used in conjunction with existing criminal and civil causes of action.
“Once again, the families and children of Alabama are counting on us toact, with this strong package of bills to keep our loved ones safe, todefend our citizens against those who would exploit and violateinnocent victims, to provide stronger tools to assist law enforcementin their heroic efforts, and to safeguard our election system,” said Attorney General King. “I urge our citizens to join me in calling uponour legislators to enact these important measures to make our statesafer and to punish those who would endanger the good people of Alabama.”
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