State Superintendent of Education, authorized to issue subpoenas and summon witnesses on behalf of department; authorized to appoint special investigators

HB 498 amends Alabama law to give the State Superintendent of Education new authority to enforce education regulations. Specifically, it allows the Superintendent to issue subpoenas requiring witnesses to testify or produce documents related to school law enforcement, and to appoint special investigators within the Department of Education's Office of General Counsel. These investigators can serve subpoenas, access school property, interview witnesses, and review relevant records to investigate misconduct by school employees. The bill directly affects the Superintendent's ability to conduct investigations and the school employees whose conduct may be under review. It becomes effective August 1, 2025.