HB169 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Danny GarrettRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Appropriations from Education Trust Fund for the support, maintenance, and development of public education for fiscal year ending September 30, 2026

Summary

HB169 would authorize Education Trust Fund expenditures for FY2026 to support Alabama public education across K-12 and higher education, including debt service, capital outlay, and a wide range of programs and initiatives.

What This Bill Does

It allocates Education Trust Fund and related funds to a broad set of public education programs for FY2026, spanning K-12 supports, higher education, and administrative needs. Key K-12 funding covers the Foundation Program (salaries, fringe benefits, instructional materials, and support staff), reading and math initiatives (Reading Coaches, CALT stipends, and the Math/Science Teacher Program), English Learners and At-Risk programs, and school safety and mental health grants. It also provides substantial higher education funding to the state universities and the Community College System for operations, maintenance, research, student support, and targeted programs, plus various workforce and innovation initiatives; and it establishes reporting and accountability rules, reappropriation provisions for unspent funds, and grant administration requirements.

Who It Affects

• Public school students and teachers across Alabama who would receive funding for salaries, classroom resources, reading and math programs, reading coaches, nurse and mental health initiatives, and other student support services under the Foundation Program and related K-12 initiatives.
• Higher education students, faculty, and staff, as well as local education agencies and the Alabama Community College System and state universities, which would receive funds for operations, capital needs, program support, and various targeted initiatives (AMSTI, dual enrollment, STEM, and other college-related programs).

Key Provisions

• Source and scope: Appropriates Education Trust Fund monies and ETF transfers (plus federal/local funds) for public education, debt service, and capital outlay for FY2026.
• Foundation Program framework: Funds are allocated to determine instructional salaries, fringe benefits, and classroom materials; includes per-day personal/sick leave allowances and mandated control over overhead (not to exceed 10% for indirect costs).
• Major K-12 initiatives: Includes K-3 Reading Coaches (minimum funding per LEA), CALT stipends, Math/Science Teacher Program, Alabama Reading Initiative, English Learners program, At-Risk/Hope initiatives, Distance Learning ACCESS, school safety and mental health grants, and Turnaround School grants.
• Higher education funding: Substantial allocations to the University of Alabama system, Auburn University, UAB, various state colleges, and the ACCS, including operations, maintenance, and specialized programs (AMSTI, STEM, health sciences, and related partnerships).
• Accountability and reporting: Requires semi-annual reporting on AMSTI, AMSTI-related expenditures, and other program outcomes; nongovernmental entities receiving funds must file mandated reports; grant recipients must provide progress and outcome data.
• Reappropriation and flexibility: Unspent funds may be reappropriated for FY2026; local boards have flexibility in line-item expenditures; transfers to state agencies for required services are permitted under budget rules.
• Grant and program administration: Establishes grant processes for At-Risk, High Hopes, and other initiatives, with district-level use of funds and reporting to legislative committees; requires notifications to local delegations prior to grant awards.
• Debt service and special funds: Includes appropriations for debt service on state bonds and Alabama incentives bonds, with contingencies for refunding or reissuance supported by Education Trust Fund appropriations.

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

Subjects

Appropriations