Bills will change Alabama law

MOBILE, Alabama (WALA) - Alabama's Legislature will wrap up work Thursday, and there are several bills waiting for Governor Robert Bentley's signature.

Thursday morning, Governor Bentley will sign the state's controversial immigration bill into law during a ceremony at the state capitol. The Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act requires employers use E-verify to determine a person's immigration status. Law enforcement officers can also check the immigration status of a person stopped for violation of state or local law. The officer must have reasonable suspicion the person is not a legal resident.

Two other bills we've been watching will become law, the indecent exposure bill and the grandparents bill. Governor Bentley will attend a ceremony with supporters of both bills next week.

The indecent exposure or flasher bill will make it a felony for anyone found guilty of indecent exposure three times or more. Under current law, the charge is only a misdemeanor no matter how many times a person is found guilty.

The indecent exposure bill was drafted because of Dana Stegall. Stegall, who lives in Baldwin County, has been convicted more than two dozen times of exposing himself to women.

The grandparents' bill allows grandparents visitation rights to see their grandchildren.

Richard Deblase of Mobile is one of the bill's biggest supporters. Deblase's grandchildren Natalie and Chase were killed in 2010. Their father and stepmother are charged in their deaths. Deblase said he always wanted to see his grandchildren, but was never allowed.

The grandparents' bill was sponsored by Representative Harry Shiver of Baldwin County.

Two economic bills awaiting the Governor's signature are:

• Senate Bill 447, The “Made in Alabama” Job Incentives Act, which allows the state to recruit international companies using innovative incentives to offset costly tariff that can hamper investment. Alabama is the first state in the country to implement this idea, which was originally proposed by House Speaker Mike Hubbard’s Commission on Job Creation.
• House Bill 230, The Full Employment Act of 2011, which allows the state to offer a $1,000 tax credit to companies who hire workers off the unemployment rolls.

Alabama's House and Senate will meet for the final deay of the 2011 regular session at 10 a.m. Friday.