HB 517 (the TRAIN Act) creates a new "workforce teaching certificate" allowing qualified industry workers to teach career and technical education courses in public schools. Employers who loan these certified employees to schools can claim tax credits. The bill also shields certificate holders from personal liability for routine teaching duties (excluding willful misconduct), aligning with existing state law. This directly affects current industry workers seeking teaching roles, their employers, and public schools offering technical training programs.
HB 520 creates a streamlined process for career and technical education (CTE) teachers moving to Alabama from another state to obtain Alabama teaching certification without additional testing or coursework. To qualify, applicants must hold a valid out-of-state CTE teaching certificate, submit an application with fees, secure a local superintendent's recommendation, and pass a background check. Once approved, Alabama's State Superintendent of Education must issue the certification promptly for CTE courses only, with no extra requirements. The bill also requires annual reporting on certificate issuance, school placements, and program effectiveness to the Governor and legislature.
SB 248 prevents public school students from being excused from required classes or mandated student interventions (like tutoring) to attend religious instruction during school hours. It directly affects students in public schools and school districts that previously allowed "release time" for religious activities. The bill amends existing law to explicitly state that no student may be excused for religious purposes, overriding any prior practice. This changes the policy by removing an exception that allowed time off for religious instruction during required instructional periods.
HB 434 changes how Alabama's simplified sellers use tax (SSUT) revenue is distributed. It reduces the portion going to the Education Trust Fund and redirects those funds directly to local school boards based on student enrollment. Specifically, it reallocates funds previously sent to the Education Trust Fund (25% under current law) to local boards of education, while keeping the same total allocation percentages for counties and municipalities. This bill directly affects local school districts by increasing their funding from SSUT proceeds, and the Education Trust Fund by reducing its share. The change would take effect on October 1, 2026.
HB 396 revises Alabama's public school grading system to create separate evaluation formulas for schools with and without 12th grade. Schools without 12th grade use weighted metrics focused on academic achievement (40%), growth (40%), and growth for low-performing students (20%). Schools with 12th grade include additional college and career readiness indicators (30%) and graduation rates (10%), such as ACT scores, dual enrollment, or industry credentials. The bill requires the Alabama Workforce Board and State Department of Education to develop a system for tracking student outcomes related to these readiness metrics, and creates an Accountability Council to review the grading system. This directly affects all Alabama public K-12 schools through their annual accountability ratings.
HB 382 protects Alabama's public colleges and universities from accreditation penalties for following state law. It prohibits accrediting agencies from punishing institutions (like revoking accreditation) for complying with state law, unless federal law overrides that state law. The bill allows public university boards to sue accrediting agencies that violate this rule and requires them to report such violations to the legislature. This applies specifically to institutions seeking or maintaining accreditation through nationally recognized agencies approved by the U.S. Department of Education. The law ensures state educational policies cannot be undermined by external accreditation requirements.
This resolution (HJR 171) urges the Alabama legislature to take specific actions to address food insecurity and support Black farmers. It recommends expanding SNAP eligibility by raising income thresholds and reducing barriers, investing in nutrition incentive programs like Double Bucks, adopting Summer EBT for children, and supporting Black farmers through equitable land access and credit. The resolution also proposes creating a Food Security & Equity Task Force and funding universal school meals. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change law but formally asks the legislature to consider these policy changes.
SB 331 would prohibit classroom instruction about gender identity or sexual orientation for all public preK-12 students in Alabama, expanding current restrictions that only applied to grades K-5. It bans teachers and school staff from displaying LGBTQ+-related flags or symbols on school property and requires staff to use pronouns matching a student’s biological sex at birth. The bill also mandates that schools enforce these rules through state board regulations. Currently pending in the Alabama Senate Education Policy Committee, it would take effect on July 1, 2026, if passed.
HB 190 extends Alabama's Railroad Rehabilitation Tax Credit program through 2032, increasing the annual credit cap from $3.7 million to $4.5 million and raising the per-mile credit amount from $3,500 to $4,100. It directly affects railroad companies owning or leasing track in Alabama by allowing them to claim tax credits covering 50% of eligible rehabilitation costs, with credits transferable at 85% value. The program is funded through sales tax revenues in the Education Trust Fund, with specific annual limits on total credits issued across the extended period.
SB 34 proposes creating the Imagination Library of Alabama Program, which would provide free age-appropriate books monthly to children aged birth to five in participating counties through Dolly Parton's existing Imagination Library program. The bill requires Alabama's Department of Early Childhood Education to coordinate with a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization to administer the program, matching local funding at 50% to cover book costs. It establishes a special fund for donations, grants, and state appropriations to support the initiative, with funds not expiring annually. The program would directly affect Alabama children and local communities by delivering books to homes at no cost to families while requiring local partners to contribute matching funds.
