HB342 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Randy Davis
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Colleges and universities, clarification of exemption for degree granting entities operating under reciprocity agreements, Secs. 16-5-10, 16-46-3 am'd.
Summary: HB342 clarifies reciprocity exemptions for regional accrediting authorities and accredited degree-granting entities and creates a State Reciprocity Committee to manage Alabama's reciprocity agreements and related fees.
What This Bill Does
It clarifies that regional accrediting authorities and accredited degree-granting entities operating under approved reciprocity agreements are exempt from state approval. It creates the State Reciprocity Committee to oversee reciprocity and SARA participation, appoint a state coordinator, and establish a portal agency to handle inquiries, reporting, and compliance. It authorizes a fee system and a dedicated fund to support reciprocity activities, requires periodic evaluation of agreements, and allows withdrawal from agreements that are not in Alabama's best interests.

Who It Affects
Alabama public and private colleges and universities (and their administrators) — receive clarified exemptions from state approval for reciprocity, may be subject to new oversight, reporting, and fees related to SARA and other reciprocity agreements.
Out-of-state institutions participating in Alabama reciprocity agreements (and Alabama students who rely on these arrangements) — must operate under the reciprocity framework, interact with the portal agency, and could be affected by the fee system and potential withdrawal decisions.

Key Provisions
Clarifies exemption from state approval for regional accrediting authorities and accredited degree-granting entities operating under approved reciprocity agreements.
Creates the State Reciprocity Committee with specified members (including system and university presidents, the DOE Chancellor, and an appointed President of an HBCU) and authorizes it to advise the Governor and oversee reciprocity compliance.
Appoints a state coordinator to negotiate and coordinate reciprocity agreements and to communicate developments, while ensuring the coordinator cannot bind the state.
Selects and oversees a portal agency to manage SARA and reciprocity communications, with quarterly reports to the committee and coordinator.
Allows the committee to establish annual fees for Alabama SARA institutions, capped to the National Council for SARA fees, with fees deposited into a new Reciprocity Fund for the portal agency’s use.
Requires a five-year evaluation of SARA and reciprocity agreements to determine continued participation or withdrawal if not in Alabama’s best interests.
Includes a recusal provision for committee members under investigation.

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