Governor Kay Ivey provided $598,000 for intensive drug treatment programs at eight Alabama prisons to help inmates overcome addiction and reduce future crimes.
A native of Madison County and longtime farm operator, Vaughn succeeded retiring Chairman Mac McCutcheon following his appointment by Governor Kay Ivey.
The Alabama School Nutrition Association named Commissioner Rick Pate its Friend of the Year for helping provide students with millions of locally grown meals.
Acting Chair Joan Reynolds praised Republican legislators who led bipartisan work protecting families from rising utility costs and strengthening oversight.
The legislation allows capital punishment for sexual crimes against children under 12, directly challenging a 2008 U.S. Supreme Court decision on non-murder offenses.
Lawmakers approved four contracts totalling $800,000 to hire legal representation for Department of Corrections employees in lawsuits alleging brutality.