SB190 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Greg AlbrittonGerald H. AllenWilliam “Bill” M. BeasleyTom ButlerGarlan GudgerSteve LivingstonTim MelsonGreg J. ReedDan RobertsLarry StuttsJ.T. WaggonerTom WhatleyJack W. Williams

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Appropriations, supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2020, from Education Trust Fund to the State Dept. of Education, Alabama Community College System, Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium, Commerce Dept., and the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, approp. for Coucil on Arts earmarked, approp. for School of Cyber Technology and Engineering carried forward, Act 2019-403, 2019 Reg. Sess., am'd.

Summary

SB190 adds a large set of supplemental Education Trust Fund appropriations for FY 2021 to multiple education agencies and programs, plus transfer flexibility with the Budget Stabilization Fund.

What This Bill Does

It provides one-time and targeted funding to colleges, universities, and state education agencies for specific projects and improvements, adds a remote learning STEM pilot and math/science teacher salary funding, and includes rules for temporary cash transfers between the Education Trust Fund and the Budget Stabilization Fund. It also directs carry-forward of unspent funds and sets conditions for transfers based on ending balances, with the aim of supporting infrastructure, student programs, and workforce initiatives in the 2021 fiscal year.

Who It Affects

• Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) – receives 3.5 million, with 1 million for ANG Decatur demolition and environmental study and 2.5 million for the Independent Living Center at AIDB Talladega.
• Educational Television Commission – receives 5.5 million for nonrecurring expenditures like transmitters and fiber optic network.
• Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium – receives 2 million to assist with Hurricane Sally recovery efforts.
• Tuskegee University – receives 1 million for Armstrong Hall Laboratory improvements.
• Athens State University – receives 880,000 for one-time HyFlex classroom upgrades.
• University of West Alabama – receives 592,300 for a campus-wide security system.
• University of South Alabama – receives 900,000 for the School of Marine and Environmental Sciences.
• University of North Alabama – receives 175,000 for a workforce development pilot project.
• Alabama Community College System – receives 2,545,718, including 315,718 for the Drake State NASA Frontiers Project, 230,000 for Wallace State Winston County Learning Center, and 2,000,000 to establish or support stand-alone LPN programs.
• State Department of Education – receives 52,750,000, including 50,000,000 to the TEAMS Fund for a new math and science teacher salary schedule, 1,000,000 for a marketing campaign, 750,000 for National Board Certification, and 1,000,000 for a Remote Learning Hub Pilot.
• Alabama Commission on Higher Education – receives 470,000, including 270,000 for the Best and Brightest STEM Pilot and 200,000 for Trails Foundation projects (Singing River Trail and Pinhoti Trail).
• Alabama Historical Commission – receives 275,000 for Fort Toulouse one-time expenses.
• Alabama Department of Archives and History – receives 100,000 for Civil Rights Voting Project.
• Innovation Fund – receives 1,000,000 to support the Innovation Corporation (subject to related House Bill being enacted).
• Department of Examiners of Public Accounts – receives 574,000 for ongoing evaluation and reorganization study of the State Department of Education.
• Education Trust Fund Advancement and Technology Fund – receives 65,000,000 to be allocated per law.
• Budget Stabilization Fund – may receive temporary transfers to the Education Trust Fund for cash flow needs, with repayment required by 9/30/2021, and may receive transfers from ETF back to Budget Stabilization Fund under certain conditions.
• General public and student programs – benefit from improved STEM education initiatives, remote learning options, and upgraded facilities as a result of these targeted appropriations.

Key Provisions

• AIDB receives 3,500,000 from the Education Trust Fund for FY2021; 1,000,000 for ANG Decatur demolition and environmental study; 2,500,000 for the Independent Living Center at AIDB Talladega.
• Educational Television Commission receives 5,500,000 from the Education Trust Fund for FY2021 for nonrecurring expenditures such as transmitters and a fiber optic network.
• Marine Environmental Sciences Consortium receives 2,000,000 from ETF for FY2021 to aid Hurricane Sally recovery efforts.
• Tuskegee University receives 1,000,000 for Armstrong Hall Laboratory improvements.
• Athens State University receives 880,000 for HyFlex classrooms one-time costs.
• University of West Alabama receives 592,300 for a campus-wide security system.
• University of South Alabama receives 900,000 for the School of Marine and Environmental Sciences.
• University of North Alabama receives 175,000 for a workforce development pilot project.
• Alabama Community College System receives 2,545,718; includes Drake State NASA Frontiers Project 315,718; Wallace State Winston County Learning Center 230,000; and 2,000,000 to establish/support new stand-alone LPN programs.
• State Department of Education receives 52,750,000; 50,000,000 to TEAMS Fund for new math/science teacher salary schedule; 1,000,000 for marketing; 750,000 for National Board Certification; 1,000,000 for Remote Learning Hub Pilot.
• Remote Learning Hub Pilot described: a STEM-focused remote learning model for grades 6-12 to improve Algebra readiness, led by NMSI with Alabama stakeholders, first phase 2021-2022.
• Alabama Commission on Higher Education receives 470,000; 270,000 for Best and Brightest STEM Pilot; 200,000 for Trails Foundation (Singing River Trail and Pinhoti Trail).
• Alabama Historical Commission receives 275,000 for Fort Toulouse one-time expenses.
• Alabama Department of Archives and History receives 100,000 for Civil Rights Voting Project.
• Innovation Fund receives 1,000,000 for the Innovation Corporation, contingent on related legislation (House Bill 540) being enacted.
• Department of Examiners of Public Accounts receives 574,000 for continued evaluation and reorganization study of the State Department of Education.
• Education Trust Fund Advancement and Technology Fund receives 65,000,000 for FY2021 to be allocated per statute.
• Provisions allow temporary transfers from the Budget Stabilization Fund to ETF during FY2021 for extraordinary cash flow needs and require repayment by 9/30/2021; conversely, funds may be transferred from ETF to the Budget Stabilization Fund under certain conditions for the year.
• Any funds not expended in FY2021 carry forward for use in the next period; act takes effect immediately upon approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Appropriations