HB341 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jack Williams

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

University of Alabama System, required to maintain a football team at certain campus

Summary

HB341 would require the University of Alabama System to maintain an intercollegiate football program in Birmingham so long as it has a football program in Tuscaloosa, with funding to compete in the Football Bowl Series or its successor.

What This Bill Does

If the Tuscaloosa football program exists, the UA System must also maintain a Birmingham football program. The Birmingham program must be funded at an appropriate level to compete in the Football Bowl Series or its successor. It is not required to join a Power 5 Conference, but could share the same conference as other UA sports. The requirement is contingent on the Tuscaloosa program continuing; if that program ends, the Birmingham requirement would end.

Who It Affects

• University of Alabama System and its boards of trustees, who must establish and fund a Birmingham football program so long as the Tuscaloosa football program exists.
• Students, faculty, athletes, and the broader Birmingham campus community who would participate in or be affected by a Birmingham intercollegiate football program (and the university's athletic conference alignment).

Key Provisions

• Section 1(a): The UA System must maintain a Birmingham intercollegiate football program as long as it maintains a Tuscaloosa intercollegiate football program.
• Section 1(b): The Birmingham program must be funded at an appropriate level to participate in the Football Bowl Series Division or its successor.
• Section 1(c): The program is not required to join a Power 5 Conference, but may participate in the same conference as other university sports.
• Section 2: The university boards of trustees are expected to comply with these requirements.
• Section 3: The act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

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

Subjects

University of Alabama--Birmingham