Rep. Danny Garrett

Maddy summaryHB 447 repeals the existing state law that requires public school buses to transport community college and trade school students under certain circumstances. Instead, the bill mandates that local boards of education adopt their own policies regarding transportation services for students. These policies must include provisions for students, such as those in dual enrollment programs at colleges or attending career technical education centers, who need transportation to offsite educational venues. This shifts the authority for these transportation decisions from a statewide mandate to individual local school boards.

Maddy summaryHB 309 requires the Public Education Employees' Health Insurance Board to renegotiate its contracts for Medicare retiree health benefit plans. This process must occur every five years. The bill directly affects the board's operational procedures and indirectly impacts public education employees who are Medicare retirees by establishing a regular review cycle for their health benefit plans.

Maddy summaryHB 558, the RAISE Act, would create a new Alabama school funding program to provide additional state money to public K-12 schools based on specific student needs. It targets schools serving students who are English Language Learners, in special education, homeless, or from low-income backgrounds, using data like enrollment and eligibility to determine funding. The bill requires schools to report student data and streamlines applications for all state and federal education funds into one unified system. It also establishes committees to monitor how funds are used and track progress toward student achievement goals. The bill is pending committee review and has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryHB 533, the RAISE Act, creates a new fund to provide additional state funding to Alabama's public K-12 schools based on specific student needs. It requires schools to submit data on student populations (such as English learners, special education students, and those eligible for free meals) to determine targeted funding allocations. The bill also mandates the State Department of Education to develop a single application system to streamline reporting for all state and federal education funding programs. This would replace current multiple reporting requirements, aiming to improve efficiency in how schools access resources. The bill is currently pending committee review in the Alabama House of Representatives.

Maddy summaryHB 189 expands advertising options for public works contracts exceeding $100,000 in Alabama. It allows state, county, and municipal agencies to use digital methods like websites or email in addition to traditional newspaper ads. The bill creates "safe harbors" so agencies aren't penalized if one advertising method fails (e.g., newspaper printing issues), as long as they use multiple approved methods or the Department of Transportation posts notices on its website for the required period. This directly affects public agencies issuing contracts and contractors seeking bid opportunities. The changes aim to streamline the bidding process while maintaining transparency requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 169 allocates $71.2 million from Alabama's Education Trust Fund (ETF) and other sources for public education support, debt service, and capital projects during fiscal year 2026. It directly funds Alabama's public school system, charter schools, arts education, workforce development programs, and child abuse prevention services. Key provisions include $10.2 million for child abuse prevention, $1.5 million for new charter school grants, and $8.3 million for arts programs, all drawn from the ETF with supplemental funding from federal/local sources. The bill specifies exact funding amounts per program area to ensure accountability under state budget laws. This appropriation bill does not create new programs but allocates existing funds for FY2026 education priorities.

Maddy summaryHB 171 allocates $342 million from the Education Trust Fund Advancement and Technology Fund to Alabama's public universities for fiscal year 2025, including specific amounts for institutions like the University of Alabama and Auburn University. It also allocates $908 million to K-12 school districts, specialized schools (such as the Alabama School of Fine Arts), and state education entities like the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind. The bill includes $35 million in unused funds from the 2024 fiscal year to supplement these allocations. This funding is intended to support educational operations and programs across Alabama's public education system for the 2025 fiscal year.

Maddy summaryHB 170 provides $524 million in supplemental funding from Alabama's Education Trust Fund for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. It directly affects public schools, universities, and educational programs by allocating funds for specific needs: $100 million for school bus purchases or debt retirement, $50 million for school safety initiatives, $20 million for broadband infrastructure in rural communities, and $161 million to the State Department of Education for programs like textbook adoption, career grants, and safety equipment. The bill also includes targeted allocations for university maintenance, STEM centers, and specialized schools (e.g., cyber technology and fine arts). This is a routine budgetary measure to address existing educational priorities, not a new policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 172 allocates $133 million from Alabama's Education Opportunities Reserve Fund for the 2026 fiscal year to fund specific education and workforce programs. It provides $100 million to the State Department of Education, with funds distributed to school districts based on student eligibility for free/reduced lunch, population density, and special education needs. An additional $18 million supports workforce partnerships with universities and community colleges, while $15 million targets research institutions like Auburn, UAB, and the University of Alabama for educational initiatives. The bill also reappropriates unspent 2025 funds to state agencies and takes effect October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows communities in Alabama that currently qualify for state economic incentives to retain that eligibility even after a federal map update changes their status. It achieves this by legally fixing the definition of eligible census tracts to those identified as of January 1, 2015, rather than the upcoming September 2024 federal list. The legislation directly affects businesses and local organizations seeking funding or tax credits under programs like the Growing Alabama Act and Innovate Alabama. By updating the state code, the bill ensures that projects in these specific areas can still access financial support for job creation and site improvements.