If the 2018 session of the Alabama Legislature seemed more quiet than usual, you’d be correct.

The session was short and void of the political fireworks of 2016 and 2017 because it’s an election year. Less time in Montgomery means more time lawmakers can spend in their respective districts shaking hands and earning votes.

Those who want to learn more about what happened during the last session are invited to attend a legislative wrap-up event, featuring members of the Limestone County legislative delegation. The event, presented by the Greater Limestone Chamber of Commerce, begins at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 24, at the Athens-Limestone Public Library on South Jefferson Street. The event will run about 1 1/2 hours.

“This is a way for the chamber to provide an opportunity for the business community and our citizens to hear from the local legislative delegation about the session, including what bills were passed, what was achieved and what’s still on the table for future sessions,” said Chamber President Jennifer Williamson.

Those tentatively scheduled to attend include state Rep. Danny Crawford, R-Athens; state Rep. Phil Williams, R-Huntsville; state Rep. Lynn Greer, R-Rogersville; House Speaker Mac McCutcheon and state Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur.

Bills of note

Several important bills were passed, including a 2.5 percent cost-of-living raise for teachers and education employees and a 3 percent raise for state employees. At the local level, a law was passed to create a community development district at Lucy’s Branch Marina, which opens the door to on-premises alcohol sales.

A bill providing flexibility to county school superintendents was also signed into law. The legislation, sponsored by Crawford, gives county superintendents the ability to earn money outside their role as superintendent if they choose. City school superintendents already have that ability.

Elsewhere in the session, lawmakers:

• Approved an additional $85 million for the state prison system over the next two years as the state faces a federal court order to improve mental health care for inmates;

• Approved a bill authorizing execution by nitrogen hypoxia if lethal injection drugs are unavailable or are ruled unconstitutional;

• Approved a measure requiring about 400 faith-based day care centers that receive state or federal funds to get licensed by the state. About half of the day care centers in the state are unlicensed because they claim a religious exemption;

• Approved a tax cut for low-income earners that will save those households about $21.95 each year; and

• Approved a bill to exempt economic developers from the state ethics law. The state’s top job recruiter sought the change, saying professional site developers will not work in Alabama if they must register as lobbyists. Opposed senators said they are concerned it could open up a wide loophole in the state ethics law.