SB191 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Trip Pittman

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Postsecondary Education, State Board of, established, transfer of responsibility over two-year institutions of higher education from the State Board of Education and the State Department of Education to the State Board of Postsecondary Education and the State Department of Postsecondary Education, Secs. 16-60-110.1, 16-60-111, 16-60-111.10, 16-60-111.11, 16-60-111.12, 16-60-111.13, 16-60-111.14, 16-60-111.15, 16-60-111.16, 16-60-116, 16-60-117 added; Secs. 16-60-110, 16-60-111.1, 16-60-111.2, 16-60-111.3, 16-60-111.4, 16-60-111.5, 16-60-111.6, 16-60-111.7, 16-60-111.8, 16-60-111.9, 16-60-112, 16-60-113, 16-60-114, 16-60-115 am'd.

Summary

SB191 would create an independent Alabama Community College System and move oversight of two-year colleges from the State Board of Education and the Department of Postsecondary Education to a new Board of Trustees and Chancellor, centralizing governance of community and technical colleges.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the Alabama Community College System as a separate state department and transfers all duties for community and technical colleges to this system. It creates a Board of Trustees to govern the system, appoints a Chancellor, and moves responsibilities away from the State Board of Education and the Department of Postsecondary Education. It transfers the Adult Education program, the State Approving Agency, and the Private School Licensure program to the ACCS, and grants the board financing, property, and budgeting powers. It also creates the Alabama Aviation College within the ACCS and an Aviation Commission to align aviation programs with industry needs, and permits the system to operate workforce and technical programs and to borrow or issue bonds as needed.

Who It Affects

• Students and families at Alabama's community and technical colleges, who would be served by a unified statewide system under a new governance structure.
• Employees and leaders currently working in the Department of Postsecondary Education and the State Board of Education, including board members and senior administrators, who would transition to new roles and reporting lines under the Alabama Community College System.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama Community College System as a separate department, replacing the Department of Postsecondary Education and transferring duties from the State Board of Education to the new system.
• Establishes the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Community College System with specified composition and appointment/confirmation rules, including an ex officio Governor member and district-based appointees.
• Appoints a Chancellor as Chief Executive Officer to run the system, with authority over program administration, budgeting, and personnel, and the board authorized to set salary and allowances.
• Transfers control of junior colleges, technical colleges, and trade schools from the State Board of Education to the Chancellor, including authority to establish courses, hire or dismiss presidents, and manage expenditures.
• Transfers the Adult Education program, State Approving Agency, and Private School Licensure program from the State Department of Education to the ACCS, with protections for employee rights and orderly transition.
• Creates the Alabama Aviation College within the ACCS and sets up an Aviation Commission to guide aviation curriculum and industry partnerships.
• Authorizes the board to borrow money, issue bonds or notes, and pledge student fees and other revenues for construction and improvements, plus related financing and property management powers.
• Requires annual reporting to the Governor; consolidation of reporting, budgeting, and potential legislative recommendations; includes severability and a delayed effective date pending Senate confirmation of the board.

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

Subjects

Colleges and Universities