Lawmakers head to session end with big decisions ahead

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers are headed to the end of the 2019 legislative session with some major decisions before them.

State budgets, several sweeping education bills and an overhaul of the state parole board are among the issues that will be decided at the end of the legislative session.

Lawmakers expect to end the session Thursday or Friday.

The House of Representatives is expected to vote on a proposed constitutional amendment that would let voters decide whether to replace the elected state school board with an appointed commission.

Representatives could vote on a watered-down medical marijuana bill that would create a commission to make recommendations for the 2020 session.

The Alabama Senate could vote on a bill that would require third-graders to meet reading benchmarks before being promoted to the fourth grade.