Rep. Dvorak’s amendment to Rep. McMillin’s HB 1007 passed during second reading by a vote of 54 – 41 (with 4 excused and 1 not voting). It is an amendment to HB 1007 which provides for a test program whereby welfare recipients would be required to submit to and pass drug tests as a condition to receiving public benefits.
Apparently running with the notion that taxpayer dollars shouldn’t go to abusers of drugs and alcohol, Rep. Dvorak’s amendment requires legislators to submit to drug tests and a random breathalyzer test. They would have to reimburse the legislative council for the costs of these tests. If the legislator refused or failed the test, he or she would be subject to discipline or an assessed penalty by his or her chamber.
I’m hearing that, with this amendment, Rep. McMillin is no longer so enthusiastic about the bill and will not be moving it forward.
Rep. McMillin was annoyed and withdrew his bill. It will not move forward.
Epic Win.
Back in the day, Ronald Reagan took drug tests while President. I have no issue with legislators taking drug tests.
How about a breathalyzer test before voting on any bill?
;)
Might as well just outlaw evening sessions.
Watched the end of the debate including presentation of the amendment which also included for breath test for alcohol(concern some votes may be cast when legislator is a bit beyond reasonable limits) with the idea that if it was a good thing for welfare and many employees and specific jobs, why not for legislators. Strange rules in the legislature is that the maker of the motion own it until it is voted on–compared to general parliamentary procedure that once debate starts on a motion it is no longer the “property” of the maker. So, in this case the good representative withdrew the motion.
RR took drug tests when President? In 30 years since he was elected President, I’ve never heard that.
Presumably he did, along with senior staff on a voluntary basis. There were no consequences on the outcome, however.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19860808&id=0hsiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-6YFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5814,6304795
Are prescription drugs immune to scrutiny or just illegal drugs (as though scrip meds don’t mess with one’s thoughts)?
Kind of a good idea, if you ask me. How about brain scans?
A recent proposal in Florida was for judicial nominees top undergo brain scans on the theory that a lack of empathy is the core trait of a psychopath. Is that who you want sending people to prison. Not me.
That is what we have planned in Alabama. I have a Republican Senator and a Democratic House member who plan to introduce a bill requiring all elected officials and state workers to submit to random drug testing, at their own expense, should they try and pass a law that requires drug testing for those seeking public assistance. I’m pretty sure that will quell the Republican fervor for this Unconstitutional piece of….
Y’all wish us luck!
Hey you try staying awake during a session of the legislature without a little help from Columbia.