SB129 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Education budget, appropriations for the support, maintenance, and development of public education

Summary

SB129 is Alabama's 2018 education budget act that appropriates Education Trust Fund and other funds to support public education, debt service, and capital outlay for FY ending September 30, 2018.

What This Bill Does

It allocates Education Trust Fund and other funds to a broad set of programs across K-12, higher education, and state agencies for FY2018. Key K-12 allocations include the Foundation Program, reading and math initiatives, school nurses, distance learning (ACCESS), and at-risk/ELL supports, with reporting requirements. Higher education gets funding for universities and community colleges for operations, maintenance, auxiliary services, and targeted programs and centers. The bill also sets oversight and carryover rules, allows some local expenditure flexibility, and provides for continuation and reallocation of funds to meet changing needs.

Who It Affects

• K-12 students and local school districts in Alabama, who benefit from Foundation Program funding, reading initiatives, school health services, and distance learning and at-risk supports.
• Higher education students and institutions (public universities and community colleges) across Alabama, including faculty and staff, who receive funding for operations, maintenance, auxiliary enterprises, scholarships, research centers, and targeted programs.

Key Provisions

• Allocates Education Trust Fund and other funds to Education Trust Fund accounts for public education, debt service, and capital outlay for FY2018 (Sections 1-3).
• Provides Foundation Program funding for K-12, including per-pupil allocations, salary and fringe benefit guidance, and specific programs such as Alabama Reading Initiative and Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative (AMSTI); prohibits Foundation funds from paying membership dues to organizations/associations (Foundation Program terms).
• Funds for School Nurses, ASIMS data collection, Reading Coaches, and a range of instructional support and technology resources; allocates funds to Reading Initiative, AMSTI, and related supports with reporting requirements.
• Distinguishes funding for higher education: Operations and Maintenance, Auxiliary Enterprises, Restricted Funds, and program-specific expenditures for each state university and the Alabama Community College System, including targeted centers, institutes, and research initiatives.
• Supports Distance Learning through ACCESS and other workforce/ career-technical initiatives; directs funds via a competitive grant process with reporting requirements and site-based allocations.
• Implements oversight and reporting: required semi-annual or quarterly reporting to the Senate Finance-Education Committee, House Ways and Means-Education Committee, Legislative Fiscal Officer, and relevant department heads; local boards have flexibility with 2018 expenditures while protecting teacher units and staff levels.
• Includes reappropriation and carryover rules for unexpended funds, local flexibility language, and conditions for transferring funds to meet program needs; requires compliance with existing State laws governing appropriations and audits.

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 Trust Fund