HB10 Alabama 2016 1st Special Session Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim Patterson

Republican

Session

First Special Session 2016

Title

Lottery, authorized, Alabama Lottery Corporation, created, distrib. of revenues for college scholarships, Sec. 65, Constitution of Alabama of 1901 am'd., const. amend.

Summary

HB10 would let public K-12 teachers and certain school employees accept gifts from students if no official action is required, while also adjusting ethics rules and a constitutional provision about local expenditure approvals.

What This Bill Does

It allows a teacher or other public K-12 school employee to accept a gift of any value from a student if the gift does not require or involve any action, inaction, or decision by the teacher in the discharge of their duties. It updates the Code of Ethics to clarify what counts as a gift or thing of value and to set de minimis thresholds and numerous exceptions related to gifts, meals, travel, and educational or economic development functions. It also adds a constitutional change concerning local government expenditures and the 2/3 vote requirement, with specific exceptions, and states this bill is excluded from those requirements because it defines a new crime or amends an existing crime. The act would take effect immediately after governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Public K-12 teachers and support employees who may receive gifts from students under the specified condition.
• Local governmental entities (such as school districts) and the broader framework of ethics and local expenditure rules, since the bill engages constitutional provisions about local funds and independence from the typical 2/3 approval requirement.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits gifts from students to teachers or certain K-12 staff from being restricted when the gift does not require or involve any action by the teacher in the discharge of official duties, effectively authorizing such gifts of any value under that condition.
• Amends Section 36-25-1 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to expand definitions of 'thing of value' and 'de minimis' to govern gifts to public officials and employees, and to specify numerous exceptions and allowances related to gifts, meals, travel, and participation in educational or economic development activities.
• Specifically includes a new provision allowing a gift from a student to a public K-12 teacher or support employee under the same no-action condition, as part of the ethics code changes.
• Proposes Amendments to Amendment 621 (Section 111.05) to address when new or increased local expenditures would require a 2/3 vote, outlining exceptions and approvals, and states the bill is exempt from those requirements because it involves defining a new crime or amending an existing crime.
• Section 3 provides that the act becomes effective immediately upon passage and governor's 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

Constitutional Amendments