SB313 Alabama 2022 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2022

Title

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

Summary

SB313 bans public officials and public employees from using public funds to advocate for or against ballot measures, with limited exceptions.

What This Bill Does

It prohibits public officials and public employees from spending any public funds to advocate for or against statewide or local ballot measures. The law defines governmental bodies to include state departments, public colleges and universities, local boards of education, and schools. It allows certain activities such as providing objective analyses or factual information, on-campus political discussions, and private capacity advocacy; it also lets municipalities hold referendums and advocate for their underlying purpose, with repayment required for violations. The act becomes effective January 1, 2023.

Who It Affects

• Public officials and public employees, who may not use public funds to advocate for or against ballot measures and may face repayment if they violate the rule.
• Educational institutions and their communities (public colleges/universities, local boards of education, schools, along with students and staff), which are subject to the funding restrictions and allowed activities, including on-campus discussions and limited information-sharing related to elections.

Key Provisions

• Provision 1: Prohibits any public official or public employee from expending public funds to advocate for or against statewide or local ballot measures, with the definition of governmental bodies including public higher education institutions and schools.
• Provision 2: Provides exceptions and clarifications, allowing objective information or analyses, on-campus discussions, private-capacity advocacy, municipal referendum funding and advocacy for the referendum's underlying purpose, repayment for violations, and an effective date of January 1, 2023.

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