HB612 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Allen TreadawayRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Secure School Facilities Act, Alabama Public School and College Authority, bond issue of $50,000,000 authorized for public K-12 building renovations

Summary

HB612 creates the Secure School Facilities Act to issue up to $50 million in bonds to fund security-focused renovations at K-12 schools, with debt paid from specific state tax receipts and not as a state debt.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes the Alabama Public School and College Authority to issue up to $50 million in bonds to help local boards of education renovate school entrances to improve security. Bond proceeds are paid from a designated trust fund funded by residues of certain Alabama taxes and are limited obligations payable only from those funds, not from the state's general credit. The money is allocated as $10 million to each local board pro rata by Foundation Program Fund student count and $40 million via needs assessments for grants, with priority given to districts unable to afford renovations; funds may also cover other security upgrades if entrances are secured.

Who It Affects

• Local boards of education and the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind will receive grants to renovate school entrances and possibly security equipment based on student numbers and need.
• The Alabama Public School and College Authority, along with the State Department of Education and the State Treasurer, will issue and manage up to $50 million in bonds, invest and pay debt service from pledged tax receipts, and oversee grant allocations and construction.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes sale and issuance of up to $50,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of bonds by the Alabama Public School and College Authority to provide funds for secure entrances in public K-12 facilities.
• Bonds are limited obligations payable solely from the residues of specified tax receipts pledged for debt service and do not create a state debt.
• Proceeds are allocated as $10,000,000 to each local board pro rata by Foundation Program Fund student counts, plus $40,000,000 via needs assessments to reimburse eligible renovations; priority given to districts unable to afford improvements.
• Funds may be used for other security needs (e.g., cameras, metal detectors) if security entrances are secured across all facilities.
• State Superintendent designates grant priority and requires cost estimates; expenditures must be timely; unexpended funds revert to the Authority after three years.
• Bonds may be issued in series and sold by competitive bid; Governor must approve terms; notices published as required; and the sale terms must not impair the trust fund.
• Debt service is paid from the trust fund, consisting of residues of the utility gross receipts tax, the sales tax, and the use tax, as well as other designated revenues.
• The Authority may issue refunding bonds under defined conditions; such bonds are payable from the same sources and subject to similar limitations.
• The Authority may reimburse Building Commission and Department of Finance for costs incurred in planning, supervising, and administering the program; all contracts and selections must reflect racial and ethnic diversity.

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

Subjects

Secure School Facilities Act