HB173 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Craig Ford

Independent

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Public education employees, salaries, increases of five percent in fiscal year 2013-2014, and two and one-half percent in fiscal years 2014-2015 and 2015-2016, State Minimum Salary Schedule appropriate increases required; support employees, increase of $1,000 or five percent in fiscal year 2013-2014, and two and one-half percent in fiscal years 2014-2015 and 2015-2016; Teachers' Retirement System, cost-of-living adjustment for retirees of five percent October 1, 2013, and two and one-half percent October 1, 2014, and October 1, 2015

Summary

HB173 would raise pay for Alabama public education staff and retirees through multi-year salary boosts and cost-of-living adjustments.

What This Bill Does

It revises the State Minimum Salary Schedule to include increases of 5% for fiscal year 2013-14, then 2.5% in 2014-15 and 2.5% in 2015-16, with specific increases tied to years of experience for certificated staff. It provides five-percent salary increases (or $1,000 minimum) for education support personnel in 2013-14, followed by 2.5% increases in 2014-15 and 2015-16, and requires separate local salary schedules. It extends similar increases to employees at the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind and to two-year postsecondary institutions, with credits for prior experience and NBPTS-related pay where applicable. It also grants cost-of-living adjustments for Teachers' Retirement System retirees: 5% starting October 1, 2013, then 2.5% on October 1, 2014 and October 1, 2015, with funding and eligibility rules, including Medicaid-related limits. The act requires appropriations in the Education Budget Act to cover these increases and sets rules for how funds are distributed and applied at local and state levels.

Who It Affects

• Certificated personnel (K-12) in city/county school systems and the Department of Youth Services, who would receive 5% increases in 2013-14 and 2.5% increases in 2014-15 and 2015-16, with schedule placement based on experience and degree.
• Education support personnel (e.g., aides, bus drivers, Adult Basic Education, Science in Motion staff) who would receive 5% (or $1,000, whichever is greater) in 2013-14 and 2.5% increases in 2014-15 and 2015-16, plus adjustments to part-time base pay and separate local schedules.
• Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) employees, who would receive enhanced certificated and support staff pay increases mirroring the outlined schedule for 2013-14 through 2015-16.
• Two-year postsecondary institution employees, who would see 5% increases in 2013-14 and 2.5% increases in 2014-15 and 2015-16, with credits for prior public education experience and proper placement on revised schedules.
• Retirees and certain beneficiaries under the Teachers’ Retirement System, who would receive COLAs of 5% (2013), 2.5% (2014), and 2.5% (2015) to monthly benefits, subject to Medicaid and other eligibility rules, with funding managed through employer contributions.

Key Provisions

• Section 1(a): Certificated K-12 personnel receive a 5% salary increase for FY2013-14, with all steps on the State Minimum Salary Schedule increased by 5%; Section 1(b): for FY2014-15, certificated staff receive 2.5% increases across steps; Section 1(c): for FY2015-16, certificated staff receive 2.5% increases across steps.
• Section 1(a)-(b)-(c): Education support personnel receive 5% (or $1,000 minimum) in 2013-14, and 2.5% increases in 2014-15 and 2015-16; part-time base pay is increased accordingly; separate local schedules are required for these employees.
• Section 1(3): Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) employees receive enhanced pay increases for certificated and support staff across the 2013-14 to 2015-16 periods, including required scheduling and funding provisions.
• Section 1(4): Two-Year Postsecondary Institutions must revise all salary schedules to reflect 5% (2013-14) and 2.5% (2014-15 and 2015-16) increases, with prior-work-experience credit applied to placements on revised schedules.
• Section 2: Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS) COLAs—5% starting Oct 1, 2013; 2.5% starting Oct 1, 2014; 2.5% starting Oct 1, 2015; funding to be determined annually and paid from employer contributions, with Medicaid-related limits and survivor benefit rules noted.
• Section 3-6: Funding and implementation rules, including that appropriations must be provided in the Education Budget Act, protections for local boards’ budgeting, exclusions for certain positions (e.g., superintendents), and that changes are effective immediately upon passage.

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