HB198 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill Poole

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Appropriations, supplemental appropriations for fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, Education Trust Fund Advancement and Technology Fund to the Department of Education and Alabama Community College System

Summary

This bill provides a supplemental appropriation from the Education Trust Fund Advancement and Technology Fund for FY 2017 to higher education institutions for equipment and deferred maintenance and to the Department of Education to fund wireless networks in public schools, including E-Rate matching and WIRED-standard technology plans.

What This Bill Does

It appropriates 15,089,140 to public higher education (including the Alabama Community College System) for equipment and deferred maintenance. It also appropriates 41,297,782 to the Department of Education to support wireless networks in all public schools, provide E-Rate matching funds, or fund local districts to implement WIRED-standard technology plans. The department must distribute funds using WIRED standards and an enrollment-based formula, with rules to coordinate E-Rate matching and district plans; oversight is provided by the Alabama Ahead Oversight Committee, and any unspent money carries forward rather than reverting to other funds, with the act effective immediately upon approval.

Who It Affects

• Public institutions of higher education (including the Alabama Community College System and state universities) receive funds for equipment and deferred maintenance for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2017.
• Local school systems and the Department of Education receive funds to complete wireless networks in public schools, obtain E-Rate matching funds, or implement their WIRED-based technology plans, with allocations determined by enrollment and WIRED cost standards.

Key Provisions

• Section 1: Appropriates 15,089,140 from the Education Trust Fund Advancement and Technology Fund to public higher education for equipment and/or deferred maintenance for FY 2017, distributed among specific institutions (e.g., University of Alabama, UAB, Auburn, community colleges, etc.).
• Section 2: Appropriates 41,297,782 to the Department of Education for FY 2017 to be used to (a) complete wireless networks in all public schools, (b) provide E-Rate matching funds, or (c) fund local districts to implement their WIRED-compliant technology plans.
• Section 3: Establishes restrictions and standards for fund use, requiring WIRED Plan standards to determine WLAN progress, with funds distributed based on enrollment and WIRED cost modeling.
• Section 4: Details the specific per-district allocations to local school systems for the wireless/technology funding.
• Section 5: Outlines how E-Rate matching will be handled, including conditions for districts meeting standards, using funds as matches, and requiring E-Rate applications where needed.
• Section 6: Requires the Alabama Ahead Oversight Committee to approve the implementation of Sections 2 through 5.
• Section 7: Any unspent funds remain available for the intended purpose and do not revert at year-end.
• Section 8: The act takes effect immediately upon passage and the 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

Appropriations