HB 233 Alabama House · 2026 Regular Session

National Guard Educational Assistance Program, applied to workforce development programs, amount of benefits revised

HB 233 expands Alabama's National Guard Educational Assistance Program to cover workforce development programs (such as certified training or non-degree courses) alongside traditional college degrees. It also adds eligibility for on-campus living expenses and meal plans. The bill removes the previous requirement for members to maintain a 3.0 GPA to qualify for basic tuition assistance, replacing it with revised eligibility rules. It repeals outdated qualification language but maintains the existing $10 million annual funding cap for the program. This directly affects Alabama National Guard members seeking education or training beyond standard academic programs.

Issues: ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Signed Apr 16, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed → Enrolled · 5 edits · Apr 16, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was finalized for signature (Enrolled) after minor formatting adjustments. Substantively, the text defines eligibility for National Guard tuition assistance, setting a $10 million annual cap and specifying that payments must be made within 90 days of the academic term beginning. The definitions clarify that 'Academic Excellence Benefits' apply to students with a high school GPA over 3.5 and a college GPA of at least 3.0.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on authorizing tuition assistance for Alabama National Guard members attending state institutions, with no change to the overall purpose.

TECHNICAL

The bill title was updated from 'Engrossed' to 'Enrolled' to indicate it has passed both legislative chambers and is ready for the Governor's signature.

Minor formatting and line break adjustments were made throughout the text to standardize the layout for the final enrolled version.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Academic Excellence Benefits' was finalized to include specific GPA thresholds (high school >3.5 and college >=3.0) and clarify that funds cover tuition, fees, or ancillary costs.

TIMELINE

A requirement was established that tuition assistance payments must be made within 90 days after the beginning of the academic period.

FISCAL

The annual funding cap for the program is set at $10,000,000, contingent on appropriation in the annual Education Trust Fund Appropriation Act.

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

Amendments

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1324

upper

Mar 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 823

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 822

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Introduced

Ways and Means Education 1st Substitute Offered (Ways and Means Education)

lower

Mar 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

lower

Jan 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Ways and Means Education)

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors