HB165 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim McClendon

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Public schools, grades 9-12, textbooks and instructional materials, Education Department to provide in electronic format to each student as feasible

Summary

HB165 would provide digital textbooks and pen-enabled devices to public high school students and teachers (grades 9-12) and fund the program with up to $100 million in bonds issued by the Alabama Public School and College Authority, payable from designated state tax revenues.

What This Bill Does

Starting in the 2012-2013 school year, participating districts would receive approved textbooks and instructional materials in electronic format for grades 9-12, with a phased rollout. Ninth-grade students and teachers would receive pen-enabled devices where feasible, with students responsible for keeping the devices in good condition and returning them at the end of the school year; the devices would be reassigned to the next class in subsequent years. The Authority would issue up to $100 million in bonds to fund the acquisition and maintenance of computer equipment, software, and digital textbooks, with debt service paid from designated state tax revenues and not treated as a general state debt. The Department of Education would oversee implementation, and an advisory committee would assist; some sections require separate legislative action to implement.

Who It Affects

• Public high school students in grades 9-12 who will receive digital textbooks and, where feasible, pen-enabled devices.
• Ninth-grade students and teachers who may receive devices in the initial phase and for ongoing use as the rollout progresses.
• Parents or guardians who are responsible for maintaining and returning the assigned devices.
• Local school districts/boards that participate in the program and manage distribution and maintenance.
• The Alabama Public School and College Authority, which would issue the bonds and manage the funded programs.
• The State Department of Education, Department of Finance, and State Treasurer, which would oversee implementation and financial arrangements.
• Taxpayers, indirectly, because debt service comes from specified state tax revenues and bonds are structured as limited obligations rather than general state debt.

Key Provisions

• Rollout of digital textbooks and instructional materials to grades 9-12 beginning in the 2012-2013 school year, with a phased-in approach and devices provided to students/teachers where feasible.
• Authority to issue up to $100,000,000 in bonds to pay for acquisition and maintenance of computer equipment, software, and digital textbooks for public education.
• Debt service funded from residues of specific state taxes (utility gross receipts, utility service use, sales, and use taxes) as described, with bonds as limited obligations of the Authority and not general state debt; bonds exempt from state taxes and subject to set investment and security rules.
• Implementation overseen by the Department of Education with an advisory committee; provisions for bond issuance, refunding bonds, procurement, and tax compliance, with certain sections requiring separate legislative enactment to implement.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education