HB293 Alabama 2013 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Jim McClendon
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2013
Title: Alabama Ahead Act. commencing with 2013-2014 school year, revised to delete pen-enabled requirement, phase-in requirement and reassignment provisions, advisory committee revised, schools given question of participating, local school systems to contribute 25 percent of funding, Secs. 16-16B-1, 16-16B-2 am'd.
Summary: HB293 would overhaul the Alabama Ahead Act by removing pen-enabled device requirements and phased rollout, making district participation voluntary and requiring a 25% local funding share from participating districts.
What This Bill Does
It repeals the pen-enabled tablet requirement and the phased-in distribution and device reassignment provisions. Participation by local school systems would be voluntary, with participating districts required to provide 25 percent of funding from local funds, unless the State Department of Education waives or reduces that amount. The plan would specify device minimums, learning management systems, network readiness, maintenance, and professional development, funded in three areas: infrastructure readiness; devices, content, management, and debt service; and upgrades/maintenance. It also updates the advisory committee and clarifies implementation rules under local-funding provisions and Amendment 621 exceptions.

Who It Affects
Local school systems/districts would have the choice to participate in Alabama Ahead, but if they participate they must provide 25% of the program funding from local funds (with possible waivers or reductions by the State Department of Education).
Students and teachers in participating districts would access digital textbooks and devices as part of the program, with the removal of the pen-enabled requirement and a shift away from phased reassignment toward a more flexible deployment.

Key Provisions
Delete the pen-enabled requirement for tablets and other devices.
Eliminate the phase-in process and the reassignment provisions for devices.
Revise the composition of the Alabama Ahead advisory committee.
Make participation by local school systems voluntary rather than mandatory.
Require participating systems to contribute 25% of funding from local funds, with the State Department of Education able to waive or reduce this amount.
Amend the contingent implementation provisions to remove the need for separate legislative enactment for implementation.
Address local-funding effects under Amendment 621 (Section 111.05) as an exception, indicating it does not require local entity approval or a 2/3 vote in all cases.
Update the implementation plan to specify minimum device specifications, learning management systems, maintenance, network readiness, professional development, and funding across three areas: infrastructure readiness; devices/content/management/debt service; and upgrades/maintenance.

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