SB12 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Education, constitutional amendment, public K-12 schools required to play Star-Spangled Banner on schools and at school athletic events, const. amend.

Summary

This constitutional amendment would require Alabama public K-12 schools to play or allow the Star-Spangled Banner at school sporting events and at least weekly during the school day, with policies set by local boards of education and approval by voters.

What This Bill Does

Local boards of education would have to adopt policies requiring each public K-12 school to broadcast or sanction the Star-Spangled Banner at the start of every school-sponsored sporting event and at least once per week during school hours. If multiple events occur on the same day at a single school, the district may choose to broadcast at only one event. The banner could be broadcast using an archived Library of Congress recording, or performed live from sheet music by school groups, or performed by attendees led by a principal-chosen vocalist. Because this is a constitutional amendment, it would require voter approval in an election to become part of the Alabama Constitution.

Who It Affects

• Local boards of education and school districts, which must adopt policies to implement the requirement.
• Public K-12 students and school communities, who would hear the Star-Spangled Banner at sports events and during school hours.

Key Provisions

• Requires each local board of education to adopt a policy mandating broadcasting or sanctioning the Star-Spangled Banner at the start of every school-sponsored sporting event.
• Requires broadcasting or sanctioning the Star-Spangled Banner at least once per week during school hours.
• If two or more events occur the same day at the same school, a district may broadcast at only one of the events.
• Broadcast options include (a) a Library of Congress archived recording, or (b) live performance from original sheet music by school performers or attendees led by a principal-selected vocalist.
• The amendment must be approved by voters in an election to take effect.

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