HB 124 Alabama House · 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Math and Science Teacher Education Program (AMSTEP), renamed the Loan Assistance in Support of Educators in Alabama (LASEA) Program; providing loan assistance in acute educator shortage programs as determined by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education in consultation with the State Department of Education and the Alabama Commission on the Evaluation of Services

HB 124 renames Alabama's AMSTEP program to the LASEA Program (Loan Assistance in Support of Educators in Alabama) and expands eligibility to include educators certified in any subject designated as having an acute shortage by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE). The bill provides standard loan assistance to educators certified in shortage subjects and adds supplemental payments for those teaching in public K-12 schools or systems identified as having acute educator shortages. ACHE, in consultation with the State Department of Education, determines which subjects and school locations qualify as "acute shortage" areas. The program aims to attract and retain teachers in high-need fields and schools through targeted financial support.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Jan 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 7, 2026 Signed Mar 31, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrolled · 6 edits · Mar 31, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was finalized as an enrolled act, changing its status from a draft proposal to a law ready for the governor's signature. The core policy changes include renaming the teacher loan program from AMSTEP to LASEA, expanding eligibility to include educators in acute shortage areas, and adding new definitions to clarify program terms.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include educators with certifications in acute educator shortage programs and those working in designated shortage locations, in addition to the original math, science, and computer science focus.

SCOPE

The program name was changed from the Alabama Math and Science Teacher Education Program (AMSTEP) to the Loan Assistance in Support of Educators in Alabama (LASEA) Program.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility was expanded to include educators who complete programs identified as having a shortage of certified educators and obtain certification in those specific programs.

FISCAL

A new supplemental payment provision was added to offer additional loan assistance to eligible applicants working in public K-12 schools or systems with certified educator shortages.

DEFINITION

New definitions were added to the code to clarify terms such as 'Acute Educator Shortage,' 'Acute Educator Shortage Location,' and 'Supplemental Support.'

REQUIREMENT

New requirements were established for the Commission on Higher Education to develop an accountability and evaluation plan in consultation with the Commission on the Evaluation of Services.

ENFORCEMENT

Section 16-5-54.2, which provided reimbursement for individuals who completed certain alternative certification programs, was repealed.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 790

upper

Feb 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

upper

Jan 15, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Finance and Taxation Education)

upper

Jan 15, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 11

lower

Jan 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

lower

Jan 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Education Policy)

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors