HB375 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Andrew SorrellAuditor

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Colleges and universities, local boards of education, schools prohibited from using public funds to advocate for or against ballot measures

Summary

HB375 would bar public officials and public employees in Alabama from using public funds to advocate for or against ballot measures, and ties local-funding rules to the state’s constitutional protections for local expenditures.

What This Bill Does

The bill prohibits public officials or public employees from spending any public funds to advocate for or against statewide or local ballot measures. It specifies that prohibited activities include presenting or distributing political literature and placing signs or posters on government property to advocate a ballot measure, while allowing objective, non-advocacy information. Violations would be a Class A misdemeanor, though it does not bar on-campus political discussion or private citizen advocacy conducted outside official duties. It also connects to Amendments 621/111.05, stating that if a measure would require new or increased local spending but is not enacted by a 2/3 vote, it would not take effect for local entities unless the entity approves it or the Legislature funds it.

Who It Affects

• Public officials and public employees at state and local levels who perform duties and may use public funds (they would be barred from using such funds to advocate for or against ballot measures).
• Local governmental bodies and public institutions (such as local boards of education, schools, and public colleges/universities) whose spending decisions and authority to fund ballot-measure advocacy could be restricted, and who are subject to the local-funding provisions linked to Amendment 621/Section 111.05.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits any public official or public employee from expending public funds to advocate in favor of or against statewide or local ballot measures.
• Enumerates prohibited advocacy activities (e.g., distribution of political literature, placement of signs or posters on government property) but allows objective analysis or factual information that does not advocate a position.
• Violations are punishable as Class A misdemeanors; exceptions allow on-campus political discussions and private citizen advocacy conducted outside official duties. Allows certain contributions or dues to associations and does not restrict campus discussions or private citizen actions fully.
• Relates to Amendment 621/Section 111.05 regarding local funding: if the bill’s local-expenditure impact is not enacted by a 2/3 vote, it would not take effect for local entities unless they approve it or the Legislature funds the local expenditure.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor's approval.

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