SB43 Alabama 2011 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Dick Brewbaker
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2011
Title: Public School Fund, local boards of education authorized to use certain monies for debt payments and insurance on public school facilities, Sec. 16-13-234 am'd.
Summary: SB43 amends the Public School Fund to let local boards use money for debt payments and insurance on school facilities, and strengthens capital planning and funding for facilities.
What This Bill Does
It allows funds from the Public School Fund to be used for debt payments related to public school facilities and for insuring those facilities. The remaining funds can be used for capital outlay, including debt payments, facility insurance, land purchases, and education technology and equipment. A hold-harmless provision ensures per-pupil state funding does not fall below the 1994-95 level, with a defined calculation and a sunset date. It requires capital funds to be distributed with local matching, tied to per-student guarantees, and requires local boards to develop comprehensive long-range capital plans to receive funds; it also provides limited early-year use of funds for at-risk programs and states that starting in 2000 all funds should be used for capital purchases as defined.

Who It Affects
Local boards of education: can use Public School Fund monies for debt payments and insurance on facilities, must follow rules for capital fund distribution, matching funds, and capital planning.
Students and their communities: funding protections per pupil and facility improvements (including technology) funded through the Public School Fund, with potential allocation to at-risk programs in early years.

Key Provisions
Amends Section 16-13-234 to allow fund monies to be used for debt payments related to public school facilities and for insuring public school facilities.
Implements a hold-harmless provision that guarantees per-pupil funding won't be less than the 1994-95 level, with a defined calculation and a sunset date (termination not later than September 30, 2002).
Allows the remainder of the Public School Fund, after base costs, to be used for capital outlay—including debt payments, facility insurance, land purchases, and education technology and equipment.
Requires capital funds to be distributed with local matching funds and per-student guarantees; requires local boards to develop comprehensive long-range capital plans to receive funds.
In 1996-1999, permits limited use of capital funds for at-risk student programs with varying percentage limits; beginning in 2000, all public school funds must be used for capital purchases as defined.
Effective immediately upon passage and governor's 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