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Legislature organizational session begins next week

Legislators will establish new rules for the quadrennium and establish leadership for both chambers during the session.

Alabama State Capitol at Sunrise STOCK
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The new quadrennium is underway, even if the Legislature won’t begin making any laws until March.

Lawmakers are scheduled to kick things off in Montgomery on Tuesday with an organizational session to elect House and Senate leaders and establish rules for the quadrennium. 

The body will have 10 calendar days to complete the organizational session.

The Legislature includes a large freshman class with 31 new representatives in the House and six in the Senate.

 Some decisions have already been made by caucuses leading into the organizational session.

The House Republican Caucus has chosen Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, as its choice for Speaker of the House, and given the Republican supermajority, Ledbetter is assured to be formally named the next Speaker during the session.

Once Ledbetter is officially installed, he will follow through on appointing several committee leadership positions he has already announced, including Rep. Joe Lovvorn, R-Auburn, to chair the House Rules Committee, Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, to remain chair of the House Ways and Means Education Committee, Rep. Rex Reynolds, R-Huntsville, as the new chair of the House Ways and Means General Fund Committee, and Rep. Jim Hill, R-Moody, to remain chair of the House Judiciary Committee.

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The Republican caucus also named Rep. Chris Pringle, R-Mobile, as Speaker Pro Tempore and Rep. Scott Stadthagen, R-Hartselle, as Majority Leader. Rep. Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, will continue to serve as minority leader and Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, will chair the House Democratic Caucus.

Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth will continue to preside over the Senate, while Sen. Greg Reed, R-Jasper, will remain Senate Pro Tempore and Sen. Clay Scofield will remain as Senate Majority Leader.

The Minority Caucus Chair will be Senator Linda Coleman-Madison.

John Treadwell, formerly of Legislative Services Agency, is expected to formally be named the new clerk fo the House.

The Legislature will being its regular session March 7, but Gov. Kay Ivey could elect to call a special session before that time, potentially to handle the second round of disbursement of ARPA funds. 

Jacob Holmes is a reporter at the Alabama Political Reporter. You can reach him at [email protected]

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