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    Alabama lawmakers gave final approval to legislation to ensure President Joe Biden will appear on the state’s November ballot. The House of Representatives voted 93-0 for the legislation. Gov. Kay Ivey signed the measure into law. Alabama has one of the earliest candidate certification deadlines in the country, which has caused difficulties for whichever political party has the later convention date that year. The legislation mirrors changes made four years ago to allow then-President Donald Trump to appear on the ballot.

      Alabama judges are standing by a decision that frozen embryos are children under a state law.  The Alabama Supreme Court in a 7-2 decision rejected a decision to rehear the decision that drew international attention. Justices in February said couples could pursue wrongful death lawsuits for their “extrauterine children” after their frozen embryos were destroyed in an accident. Three providers ceased IVF services in the wake of the ruling because of concerns about civil liability. The clinics resumed services after state lawmakers approved legislation shielding providers from civil lawsuits. Justice Will Sellers in a dissenting opinion said he believed the court should rehear the case. He said the original decision had “sweeping implications.”

        Alabama has authorized the execution of a second inmate by nitrogen gas. The decision comes after the state carried out the first nitrogen execution in January. The Alabama Supreme Court on Thursday granted the state attorney general’s request for an execution date for Alan Eugene Miller. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey will set the exact date of the execution. Alabama in January used nitrogen gas to execute Kenneth Smith. Smith shook and convulsed for several minutes during the execution.

          The construction of a new Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery and related projects such as a parking deck and green space will cost about $400 million. A 20-member panel of legislative leaders and their appointees were given an update on the project Wednesday. The director of the Legislative Services Agency told lawmakers that the building will cost about $300 million to $325 million. The related projects include a parking deck, a green space, a new voting system and the demolition of the old building and drainage improvements. That will add another $75 million to $100 million to the project's cost. Lanthram said the projections are on track with what was budgeted.

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