HB297 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill Poole

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

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

Summary

HB297 would authorize a comprehensive FY2022 Education budget for Alabama, distributing Education Trust Fund and related funds to public education, debt service, and capital outlay across K-12, higher education, and numerous state programs.

What This Bill Does

The bill allocates the Education Trust Fund and other funds for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022 to a wide array of programs across the Department of Education, public universities, community colleges, and allied agencies. It funds core K-12 needs such as the Foundation Program, reading initiatives, at-risk supports, reading coaches, and multiple teacher salary supplements (including National Board Certified Teachers) as well as mental health, safety, and transportation initiatives. It also budgets operating and capital needs for higher education institutions, dual enrollment and workforce development programs, and various grants, with reporting requirements and the option for local boards to reallocate funds within certain limits.

Who It Affects

• Public school students and local boards of education (K-12) who will receive funding for the Foundation Program, reading initiatives, at-risk supports, reading coaches, teacher supplements, mental health and safety programs, and transportation-related planning; local boards gain some flexibility in spending but cannot reduce earned teacher units.
• Higher education students and state/public colleges and universities (including system offices and affiliated centers) who will receive funds for operations, maintenance, capital projects, scholarships, loan programs, dual enrollment, career-tech and STEM initiatives, and other special programs.

Key Provisions

• authorizes FY2022 Education Trust Fund and related fund appropriations for Public Education, debt service, and capital outlay, to be paid from ETF and designated funds.
• establishes numerous earmarked fund allocations across agencies and institutions (e.g., Legislative branch, Archives and History, Arts, Child Abuse Prevention, Commerce, Community College System, and University systems) with specified total amounts for each program or institution.
• funds the K-12 Foundation Program with per-student cost levels by grade (K-3, 4-6, 7-8, 9-12), a salary matrix for instructional staff, and fringe benefits; prohibits using Reading/AMSTI funds for other purposes and allows local boards to adjust funding within rules.
• provides substantial funding for the Alabama Reading Initiative, including reading coaches and related support, with explicit distribution and reporting requirements to ensure targeted literacy improvements.
• supports early childhood programs (e.g., Strong Start/Strong Finish) and a range of pre-K–3 literacy and readiness initiatives, with plans to expand Pre-K-3 learning and coordinate grants at the district level.
• strengthens teacher supports through NBCT salary supplements, with defined eligibility, pro-rated benefits for partial years, renewal requirements, and possible additional stipends for high-need areas and certain subject specialties.
• allocates funds for higher education institutions (state universities, A&M, public community colleges, and affiliated facilities) for operations, auxiliary enterprises, restricted funds, and targeted programs (e.g., medical and health centers, STEM, tech initiatives, and research collaborations).
• includes numerous workforce development and dual enrollment programs, with grants, stipends, and grants to regional councils for local needs alignment, plus performance measures and annual reporting to the Legislature.
• provides debt service and bond-related appropriations for General Obligation Bonds and Alabama Incentives Financing Authority bonds, with conditions for potential refunds or new debt funding.
• allows local boards to transfer or redirect certain funds (within limits) and requires reporting on grant expenditures and outcomes; sets lapsed encumbrances rules and outlines reappropriation for unexpended funds.
• imposes reporting requirements to the Legislature (quarterly/semi-annual) for many programs and requires notification to legislative delegations before grant awards, including grant amounts and recipients.
• includes protections to ensure certain major programs (like Alabama Reading Initiative and AMSTI) are used for their intended purposes and not repurposed by the State Superintendent.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education Trust Fund