HB1 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim McClendon

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Alabama Ahead Act. commencing with 2014-2015 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

HB1 would revise the Alabama Ahead Act by removing the pen-enabled device requirement, eliminating phase-in and reassignment rules, making participation voluntary with a 25% local funding share, and allowing bonds to be issued by the Alabama Public School and College Authority.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill would stop requiring tablets to be pen-enabled, end the phased rollout and the reassignment of devices, and revise how the advisory committee is formed. Participation in Alabama Ahead would be voluntary for local school systems, with those choosing to participate responsible for 25% of the funding from local funds unless the State Department of Education waives or reduces this amount. It would also allow bonds to be issued by the Alabama Public School and College Authority and adjust implementation provisions accordingly.

Who It Affects

• Local school systems: may choose to participate in Alabama Ahead; if they participate, they must provide 25% of the program funding from local funds (subject to possible waivers or reductions by the State Department of Education).
• State and financing entities: the State Department of Education may waive or reduce the 25% local funding requirement; the Alabama Public School and College Authority would have the authority to issue bonds for the program.

Key Provisions

• Eliminates the pen-enabled device requirement, the phase-in schedule, and the reassignment provisions; participation becomes voluntary with a 25% local funding share (waivable/reducible by the State Department of Education).
• Authorizes bonds to be issued by the Alabama Public School and College Authority, revises the advisory committee composition, and removes the contingency that implementation depended on separate legislative enactment.

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