SB112 Alabama 2011 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Tammy Irons
Democrat
Co-Sponsors: George M. “Marc” Keahey Vivian Davis Figures Greg J. Reed Dick Brewbaker Paul Bussman Bill Holtzclaw Phillip W. Williams Gerald O. Dial Bryan Taylor Arthur Orr Priscilla Dunn Linda Coleman-Madison William “Bill” M. Beasley Cam Ward Gerald H. Allen J.T. Waggoner Del Marsh Trip Pittman Rodger Smitherman Rusty Glover Roger Bedford, Jr.Jerry L. Fielding
Session: Regular Session 2011
Title: Poll taxes and segregation of schools by race, constitutional provisions regarding deleted, portions of Section 256 and Section 256 as amended by Amendment 111, Constitution of Alabama of 1901, (Section 256, Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended), am'd., Section 259, (Section 259, Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended), Amendment 90, and Amendment 109, Constitution of Alabama of 1901, repealed, const. amend.
Summary: SB112 would amend Alabama's Constitution to remove race-based segregation language in schools and repeal the state's poll tax provisions.
What This Bill Does
It rewrites Section 256 to state that there is no guaranteed right to education funded at public expense, while giving the Legislature power to establish and fund schools and to grant, loan, or donate funds or property for education under prescribed conditions (with donated property limited to nonprofit organizations). It also repeals Section 259 and Amendments 90 and 109, which relate to poll taxes. An election would be held to approve or reject these changes.

Who It Affects
Alabama voters, who would vote in an election to approve or reject the proposed constitutional amendment.
State and local government entities and educational organizations (schools, school districts, and nonprofit groups that might receive donated property) affected by changes to education funding/structures and the removal of poll tax provisions.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 256 to remove references to segregation of schools by race and to establish that there is no guaranteed right to education at public expense; allows the legislature to establish and fund schools and to grant, loan, or donate public funds or property for educational purposes under conditions; state-owned property donated for educational purposes only to nonprofit charitable or eleemosynary organizations.
Repeals Article XIV, Section 259 (poll tax revenues).
Repeals Amendment 90 (poll tax exemptions).
Repeals Amendment 109 (poll tax exemptions).
Requires an election to be held to approve the proposed constitutional amendment.

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