Tag Archives: Bob Riley

Free the Hops bill passed by Alabama State Senate

Visitors trying to Google “Free the Hops” and trying to access their website are currently meeting a 504 error.  We’re thinking it’s because of the traffic being generated by fans of specialty & gourmet beers throughout the state celebrating the passage of HB 373 earlier this afternoon. This afternoon at 2:56 p.m., Free the Hops shared via Twitter words that its supporters have been waiting to hear since it was founded in 2004…

FREE THE HOPS PASSED! WE DID IT

The bill was passed while Senator Hank Erwin was outside of the Senate chamber in Montgomery. The bill currently awaits the signature of Governor Riley. The organization’s making a plea on their blog with additional information about the next step in the process.

UPDATE: The hunt for District 1’s seat may be over soon(er)

UPDATE: See end of post.

That would be based on a ruling made by the Supreme Court in Washington this morning (yes, that crew in Washington). They’ve ruled that Governor Riley did not have to get Federal approval to appoint a fellow Republican to a vacant spot on the Mobile County Commission.

Justice Ginsburg’s opinion is 38 pages long, but it is important, since it is one of the primary arguments being made concerning the Jefferson County Commission District 1 seat currently occupied by Gen. Bowman. Birmingham City Councilor William Bell won a special election called in February, leading to the current court battle over who should rightfully be occupying the seat.

We’ll see how it’s received and what’s next.

UPDATE: Seems like the Governor was already thinking about that (see the official release from his office).