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HB 237 Alabama House · 2026 Regular Session

Education Opportunities Reserve Fund transfers for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026

HB 237 transfers $362.45 million from Alabama's Educational Opportunities Reserve Fund to the RAISE Fund for the 2026 fiscal year, with $137.55 million specifically allocated to 13 public higher education institutions. The funding supports start-up or transitional programs at Alabama's public colleges and universities to expand student educational opportunities. Institutions like the University of Alabama System ($31.8 million), Auburn University ($15.3 million), and Alabama Community College System ($51.3 million) receive targeted allocations for these initiatives. The bill redirects existing reserve funds without creating new taxes or spending.
Issues: ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesTransfers $362M from education reserve to fund public higher ed programs, increasing state appropriations for essential education services.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationTransfers $362M to RAISE Fund, $137.55M to 13 public colleges for new programs expanding student educational opportunities.95% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Signed Apr 9, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed → Enrolled · 3 edits · Apr 9, 2026
MINOR
The bill was finalized for the Governor's signature with minor formatting adjustments. The most significant policy change is the addition of a condition in Section 2, stating that the funding for the CHEER Fund will only become effective if a separate, future bill (HB 565 or SB 344) is passed to establish the CHEER Act itself.
Scope change
The bill's applicability is now contingent upon the enactment of a separate piece of legislation establishing the CHEER Act; without that future bill, the funding transfer for CHEER will not take effect.
REQUIREMENT

Added a conditional requirement that the CHEER Fund transfer is only effective if a separate bill establishing the CHEER Act is enacted.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date language from 'immediately following passage' to 'immediately' to reflect standard enrolled bill language.

TECHNICAL

Updated the document title from 'Engrossed' to 'Enrolled' and adjusted page numbering and certification text to reflect final passage by both legislative chambers.

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Actions timeline

Total actions
21
Key actions
7
Committee
4
Amendments
2
Apr 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1104
upper
Apr 1, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported Out of Committee Second House
upper
Mar 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Pending Committee Action in Second House (Finance and Taxation Education)
upper
Mar 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 874
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 873
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Introduced
Ways and Means Education 1st Substitute Offered (Ways and Means Education)
lower
Mar 11, 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

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Danny Garrett
Danny Garrett
RRepublican
AL
44