HB188 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Allen TreadawayRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Scholarship program, to create for dependents of long-term law enforcement officers

Summary

HB188 would create the Alabama Law Enforcement Officers' Family Scholarship Program to help dependents of long-term officers pay tuition and related costs at Alabama colleges and universities, funded by state money and a new blackout license plate.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a program that reimburses eligible dependents for up to eight semesters or 12 quarters of approved postsecondary study in Alabama, with a cap of $3,000 per academic period. Eligible dependents include the natural or adopted child under 27 or the current/surviving spouse of a qualifying officer who has lived in Alabama for the past two years. The Alabama Commission on Higher Education would administer the program, determine eligibility, process reimbursements to participating institutions, and report annually to the Legislature, with funding from appropriations up to $10 million per year and potential private donations. A new blackout license plate would raise additional funds, with the plate fee and distribution helping finance the scholarship program.

Who It Affects

• Eligible dependents (children under 27 or current/surviving spouses of qualifying officers) who could receive tuition and expense support for higher education in Alabama.
• Participating institutions and the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, which would administer the program, process reimbursements, and track eligibility and outcomes; funding would come from state appropriations, private donations, and the blackout license plate revenue.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama Law Enforcement Officers' Family Scholarship Program to reimburse eligible dependents for up to eight semesters or 12 quarters of approved postsecondary study in Alabama, at a maximum of $3,000 per academic period.
• Defines eligible dependent and qualifying officer requirements, including age, residency in Alabama, officer certification, and minimum years of service; establishes eligibility rules for spouses and children.
• Transfers administration to the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, requires contracts with participating institutions, outlines reimbursement process, and mandates annual reporting to the Legislature; limits funding to an annual appropriation (up to $10 million) plus private donations.
• Creates a new blackout license plate to fund the program, with a $50 annual fee; specifies funding distribution (government agencies and the scholarship fund) and plate design, and sets implementation timing (plate available January 1, 2026).
• Imposes ongoing eligibility conditions (SAP standards, state residency, term completion within 66 months, possible waivers, and transfer/major program changes approval) and clarifies continued eligibility in cases of divorce or remarriage for spouses.
• Establishes the Alabama Law Enforcement Officers' Family Scholarship Fund in the State Treasury; outlines reporting requirements and fund administration procedures, including annual legislative reporting and record-keeping by participating institutions.

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