New Alabama Legislature Finishing Organizational Session

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The new Alabama Legislature is back for the second — and likely final day — of its organizational session.

The House and Senate have to finish work Wednesday on operating rules they will use for the next four years, and legislative leaders have to announce appointments to legislative committees.

The session began Tuesday with Republican Rep. Mike Hubbard of Auburn getting re-elected speaker of the House and Republican Sen. Del Marsh of Anniston getting re-elected president pro tem of the Senate.

Hubbard got re-elected without opposition and drew support from Republicans and Democrats despite being under indictment on 23 ethics charges. Hubbard said the bipartisan support was humbling and was a loud statement about how House members view the charges against him.