By a vote of 83-6, the House passed Rep. April Weaver’s (R-Brierfield) first piece of sponsored legislation on . Her bill, HB61, allows qualifying employers and employees to deduct from their state income tax an additional 50 percent of the amount spent on health insurance premiums. Qualifying employers are those with less than 25 employees, and the qualifying employees are those whose annual wages do not exceed $50,000.
The bill would help the smallest; most vulnerable, yet essential employers provide health coverage to their employees. The measure is considered an incentive for job creation and a way to reduce the number of citizens who otherwise would be added to the State's Medicaid and CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Plan) rolls.
“It is important for the citizens of Alabama to judge us not only by what we say, but also by what we do, and we have kept the promise we (Republicans) made to them,” explained Weaver. “I believe history will look back at this session and say this is the point Alabama turned a corner and began to live up to its full potential.”
If enacted, this measure would increase the 150 percent deduction, achieved during the 2008 legislative session, up to a deduction of 200 percent of qualifying premium payments.
HB 61 has been assigned to the Senate Job Creation and Economic Development Committee, while its companion bill, SB 159, by Sen. Greg Reed, R-Jasper, received a favorable report from the Senate Health Committee last week.
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