SR74 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Senate, Special Order Calendar

Summary

SR74 sets SB397 and SB398 as special business items to consider major changes to Alabama's education governance, including renaming and restructuring the state board and appointment rules.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, SB397 would rename the State Board of Education to the Alabama Commission on Elementary and Secondary Education, and the State Superintendent of Education to the Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education; it would place appointing power in the Governor for the new commission, have the commission appoint a secretary, and require the Governor to appoint a team to advise the commission on the Department of Education’s functions and duties, with a constitutional amendment required. SB398 would require the Governor to consult with all minority caucuses when appointing members to the Alabama Commission on Elementary and Secondary Education, with a contingent effective date.

Who It Affects

• K-12 students and Alabama schools, because the governing body of public education would be renamed and restructured, potentially affecting education policy decisions.
• Governor and minority caucuses, because the Governor would have appointment changes and must consult minority caucuses when selecting commission members.

Key Provisions

• SB397: Rename the State Board of Education to the Alabama Commission on Elementary and Secondary Education; rename the State Superintendent of Education to Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education; Governor appoints commission members; the commission appoints the secretary; Governor appoints a team to advise the commission on the Department of Education’s functions and duties; constitutional amendment required.
• SB398: Governor must consult with all minority caucuses when appointing members to the Alabama Commission on Elementary and Secondary Education; provision has a contingent effective date.

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

Subjects

Resolutions, Legislative