HB459 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Earl F. Hilliard

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Schools, public schools K-12, new construction to include a safe room or hallway approved by Building Commission, Education Department to coordinate with Building Commission to implement

Summary

HB459 requires new public K-12 school construction to include an Alabama Building Commission approved safe room or hallway designed to withstand extreme winds and projectiles, with potential FEMA funding for safety features.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the bill would mandate a safe space or hallway in all new K-12 school construction (approved by the Alabama Building Commission and built to withstand 250 mph winds and projectiles up to 100 mph). Local school districts could apply to FEMA for safe-room grants to help pay for these features. The Department of Education would work with the Building Commission to create and enforce the necessary rules, and the funding would come from local school district funds. The measure is structured so it does not impose additional procedural requirements under Amendment 621 beyond local expenditures.

Who It Affects

• Local school boards/districts planning new construction: must include an ABC-approved safe room or hallway and may pursue FEMA grants; funding would come from local funds.
• Alabama Building Commission and Department of Education: responsible for approving safe spaces and developing/enforcing implementation rules.

Key Provisions

• Any new public school construction must include an Alabama Building Commission approved safe space or hallway, designed to withstand winds up to 250 mph and projectiles up to 100 mph.
• Local boards may submit applications to FEMA for safe-room grants.
• The State Department of Education shall coordinate with the Alabama Building Commission to develop, promulgate, and enforce rules necessary for implementation.
• Expenditures for these safe rooms are funded by local school boards, and the bill is exempt from additional Amendment 621 requirements beyond local expenditures.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education