SB47 Alabama 2013 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Dick Brewbaker

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Bryan TaylorTrip PittmanClay ScofieldGreg J. ReedPhillip W. WilliamsDel MarshJ.T. WaggonerGerald H. AllenJerry L. Fielding

Session

Regular Session 2013

Title

Unfunded mandates, remove exception for local boards of education from Amendment 621, Amendment 621, (Section 111.05 of Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended), am'd., const. amend.

Summary

SB47 would remove the local board of education from the unfunded mandates protection, making school boards subject to the same local-approval or funding requirements as other local governments for new or increased expenditures.

What This Bill Does

If adopted, no general law or state order that would require a new or increased expenditure by a city or county board of education may take effect unless the local governing body approves it by ordinance or resolution, or unless the Legislature provides funds, or authorizes a local revenue source for that purpose. This would apply to the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, the Alabama School of Fine Arts, and the Alabama High School of Mathematics and Science as part of the board of education. The change would be decided by voters in a statewide election to ratify the amendment.

Who It Affects

• Local boards of education (K-12 school systems) would no longer be exempt from unfunded mandate protections and would need local approval or funding to implement new or increased expenditures.
• Statewide voters would decide whether to approve or reject the constitutional amendment.

Key Provisions

• Removes the local board of education from the unfunded mandates exception in Amendment 621 (Section 111.05 of the Constitution).
• Under the amendment, any general law or state order requiring a new or increased expenditure by a board of education could take effect only if the local governing body approves it by ordinance or resolution or if state funds or a local revenue source are provided, or if the board is authorized to levy the revenue.
• Defines board of education to include the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, the Alabama School of Fine Arts, and the Alabama High School of Mathematics and Science.
• Requires a statewide election for voters to approve or reject the amendment.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Unfunded Mandates