BP Settlement Bill Passes Legislature, Signed By Governor

MONTGOMERY—On Wednesday, the bill proposing use of BP Settlement funds to pay back debt to the General Fund, free up money for Medicaid and appropriate money for Southern Alabama counties passed out of a joint conference committee, the House and the Senate, and was then signed by Governor Robert Bentley.

After many hours spent in both chambers, over several legislative days, the Alabama Legislature passed HB36 sponsored by Representative Steve Clouse (R-Ozark).

In the late afternoon, the Senate voted 22-8 to concur with changes made in joint conference committee earlier in the day. The Governor signed it almost immediately, putting it into effect upon his signature.

The bill, restructured by the committee, will use $640 million of the BP Settlement funds to:

Read more: http://www.alreporter.com/bp-settlement-bill-passes-legislature-signed-by-governor/