HB117 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Joe Hubbard

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2014

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

HB117 would remove the local board of education from the unfunded mandates exemption, so school districts would need local approval or state funding before new costs are imposed.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the change would apply unfunded mandate rules to local boards of education as to other local governments. Any general law or state order that would require a school district to spend more money could not take effect without the district's governing body approving it or without the Legislature providing funds or a local revenue source to cover the cost. The amendment would keep other exceptions in place and would require voters to approve the amendment in a statewide election.

Who It Affects

• Local boards of education (school districts) would be directly affected and would no longer be exempt from unfunded mandate rules; they would require local approval or funding before new expenditures are mandated.
• Cities, counties, and other local government entities (and their instrumentalities) would continue to be subject to the unfunded mandate framework under the same conditions.

Key Provisions

• Removes the exemption for expenditures by a local board of education from Amendment 621, making school districts subject to unfunded-mandate restrictions.
• Requires that any general law or state order that would require new or increased expenditures by a local government body (including a board of education) may take effect only with local approval or with legislative funding or a local revenue source, and only to the extent funded; the amendment would be ratified by voters in a statewide election.

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

Subjects

Unfunded Mandates