SB318 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Del Marsh

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Education budget, appropriations for the support, maintenance, and development of public education

Summary

SB318 (2012) is an Education Budget act that allocates Education Trust Fund and earmarked funds for public schools, higher education, debt service, and related programs for FY2013 with many program-by-program appropriations and eligibility conditions.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes a broad set of funding from the Education Trust Fund and earmarked sources to support public education, debt service, and capital outlay for FY2013, including the K-12 Foundation Program, At-Risk programs, School Nurses, ASIMS data system, and extensive higher education funding. It sets detailed allocations for the Foundation Program (ETF funds about 3.189 billion; Federal/Local funds about 623 million; total about 3.812 billion), and specifies funds for targeted initiatives across schools and universities. It also allows local school boards to move funds between line items during FY2013 without reducing teacher units or support staff, contemplates later school start dates and up to 180 instructional days, and includes a contingency tied to the state use tax distribution to the General Fund. Additionally, several policy provisions govern merit pay timing, employee health benefits, and reporting requirements for workforce training funds.

Who It Affects

• Students and local school districts: receive funding for the K-12 Foundation Program, At-Risk programs, School Nurses, ASIMS data management, and guidance related to school term length and flexibility; districts gain some authority to reallocate funds within rules.
• Higher education institutions, their students and staff: receive substantial funding for university and college operations, auxiliary enterprises, student financial aid, and specialized programs, with associated salary, benefits, and program guidelines.

Key Provisions

• Funds appropriated: SB318 allocates Education Trust Fund and earmarked funds for public education, debt service, and capital outlay for FY2013, with ETF and Federal/Local Funds identified as sources.
• Foundation Program: Total of 3,812,146,655; ETF funds 3,188,843,685; Federal/Local funds 623,302,970; distributed to local boards under ADM-based guidelines and applicable rules.
• Major targeted programs: includes the School Nurses Program (ETF 29,397,520), At-Risk Student Program, ASIMS funding (750,000), and various endowments and student support initiatives within the Public School Fund framework.
• Higher education funding: substantial allocations across the University of Alabama system, Auburn University system, UAB, UAH, Troy, Jacksonville State, and other state colleges/universities, covering operations, maintenance, auxiliary enterprises, and restricted funds, plus related program supports.
• Local flexibility: Section 11 allows local boards to shift funds among line items in FY2013 without reducing earned teacher units or support staff, subject to state laws and regulations.
• Merit pay and employment policy: If merit pay increases are reinstated after Dec 31, 2012, anniversary dates for employees must be maintained and cannot be moved earlier to receive increases.
• Employee benefits: The SEIB health insurance rate is fixed at $765 per month for full-time staff in FY2013, with potential adjustment to as high as $805 per month by the Governor with Finance input.
• Contingency on use tax distribution: A specific ETF transfer (29,751,884) is conditioned on the failure to enact legislation distributing at least 25% of the 4% state use tax to the General Fund; if such legislation is enacted, the appropriation is void and funds are redistributed per statute.
• School term flexibility and accountability: The act promotes flexibility in school terms (including later start dates) and requires reporting on workforce training funds and outcomes to legislative committees.
• Effective date and applicability: The act takes effect October 1, 2012, with encumbrances and budgetary provisions governed by state law, including lapse rules for encumbrances and requisition processes for ongoing disbursements.

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 Trust Fund