SB112 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

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

SB112 is a comprehensive appropriation bill that funds Alabama public education for FY2026 from the Education Trust Fund and other sources, covering K-12, higher education, student services, and related programs with detailed funding levels and reporting requirements.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes a wide-ranging set of appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026 to support public education, debt service, and capital outlay, with funds drawn from the Education Trust Fund and other funds. The bill distributes money across numerous programs and agencies, including K-12 Foundation Program, teacher salaries and supplements, reading and math initiatives, dual enrollment, AMSTI and ASIMS, higher education operations and maintenance, and various student support programs. It establishes salary and fringe-benefit tables, minimum wage requirements, and reporting obligations, and allows limited local flexibility while safeguarding program integrity and prohibiting fund repurposing for unrelated uses.

Who It Affects

• Group 1 affected and how: K-12 students and public school teachers and staff receive funding for salaries, instructional materials, coaching (e.g., reading coaches and CALTs), teacher supplements, and classroom supports, plus expanded programs (e.g., reading initiatives, math initiatives, afterschool/summer programs, and student supports).
• Group 2 affected and how: Local boards of education, school systems, and higher education institutions receive allocations and distribution controls, with reporting requirements and some flexibility in expenditures, plus accountability measures and mandated adherence to state/federal guidelines.

Key Provisions

• Funding scope: Appropriations for the FY2026 public education effort, debt service, and capital outlay from the Education Trust Fund and other funds, total value around $5.11 billion across ETF and federal/local funds.
• Foundation Program and teacher pay: Establishes salary schedules, fringe benefits, a minimum wage floor for instructional staff, and step-based pay scales; provides salary supplements for National Board Certified Teachers and other targeted teacher pay enhancements; allocates funds for classroom instructional materials, technology, and related supports.
• Reading and math initiatives: Substantial funding for K-3 reading coaches, CALT stipends, math and science teacher programs, and related literacy initiatives aligned with state standards.
• Dual enrollment and college readiness: Funds dual enrollment scholarships and related programs to expand early college access and ensure costs are covered for eligible students.
• AMSTI, ASIMS, and technology initiatives: Dedicated funds for Alabama Math, Science and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) and Alabama State Student Information Management System (ASIMS), including ongoing support and reporting requirements.
• Higher education funding: Operations, maintenance, and program support allocations to state universities and colleges, including auxiliary enterprises and restricted funds, with focus areas such as STEM, health education, and workforce development.
• Grants and program supports: Broad categories of grants for afterschool/summer programs, mental health services, literacy and numeracy supports, and other targeted educational programs with accountability reporting and outcomes measurement.
• Debt service and endowments: Appropriations to cover debt service on specified General Obligation Bonds and endowments, with provisions for refunding and reissue if needed, contingent on certain approvals.
• Local authority and reporting: Local boards have flexibility within itemized limits; the State Superintendent must notify local delegations about grant awards, and semi-annual reporting is required to legislative committees and key state officials.
• Reversion and carryover: Unexpended funds may be reappropriated to the same or related programs for the next fiscal year, and encumbered balances provisions are specified to prevent unnecessary lapses.
• Oversight and compliance: Examiners of Public Accounts may review appropriations to ensure compliance with Alabama laws; annual and semi-annual reporting is required for major programs and initiatives.
• Effective date: The act becomes effective October 1, 2025.

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