In a lighthearted break from partisan politics, Alabama legislators gathered Wednesday to bestow the annual “Shroud Award,” a humorous recognition reserved for the most thoroughly defeated bill of the legislative session.
This year’s winner was HB18, introduced by Rep. Ron Bolton, R-Northport. The legislation aimed to modernize Alabama’s child car seat regulations, proposing an increase in the minimum weight requirement for booster seats from 40 to 65 pounds.
The bill met a swift end on February 27 when it failed to clear the procedural budget isolation resolution vote, facing resistance from lawmakers across party lines.
As the award was presented on the House floor, House Public Information Officer Clay Redden delivered a tribute to the deadest legislation.
“There’s no question of Rep. Bolton’s good intentions, but to say his bill was complicated is being just a little bit kind,” said Redden. “Representative Bolton’s bill read like chapters from a pediatrician’s anatomy book or an instruction manual of how to operate a nuclear reactor.”
“One size fits all, rarely, if ever, applies to children, much less House members,” said Redden. “And let’s not forget what Rep. Marcus Paramore pointed out just before the BIR failed, this bill would have made it nearly impossible for him, Rep. Leigh Hulsey and Rep. Susan DuBose to drive themselves to work.”
Bolton accepted the mock honor and added his signature to the back of the Earl Mitchell Memorial Plaque, a tradition for Shroud recipients. The award itself features an empty suit inside a cardboard box, symbolizing the legislative session’s largest failure.
Bolton’s bill beat out several other contenders for the distinction. Among the contenders was HB489, introduced by Rep. Jeremy Gray, D-Opelika, which would have allowed high school athletes to benefit from their name, image and likeness.
Another competitor, HB277, introduced by Rep. Ernie Yarbrough, R-Trinity, proposed a sales tax holiday on firearms, ammunition and hunting supplies from Memorial Day until Independence Day.
Redden noted that the bill wasn’t expected to affect state revenues. “After all,” he said, “most gun owners in Alabama already have enough ammo to fight World Wars Three, Four and Five.”
Also in the running was a yet-to-be-numbered bill by Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Range, which would have attempted once more to legalize gambling in Alabama, a proposal that failed to gain momentum.
