The Alabama Legislature wrapped up its 2000 session quietly and with no surprises.
While gambling proponents came out strong with a push for video poker at the state’s four dog tracks as well as a tax break for the tracks, the gaming industry lost all bets again this year. Also failing to pass was an effort to switch Alabama’s form of execution from the electric chair to lethal injection.
Legislation expanding Alabama’s hate crime laws to include sexual orientation and three bills dealing with abortion in Alabama also died. The abortion bills called for more information to be given to women considering an abortion, required physicians who perform abortions to have admitting privileges in an Alabama hospital and amended the current parental consent law to include a notarized signature or a witness to confirm the signature.
Legislation that passed will provide new protections for victims of domestic abuse, including making domestic violence a crime and locking in insurance coverage.



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