House Bill 124 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Terri CollinsRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Alabama Math and Science Teacher Education Program (AMSTEP), renamed the Loan Assistance in Support of Educators in Alabama (LASEA) Program; providing loan assistance in acute educator shortage programs as determined by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education in consultation with the State Department of Education and the Alabama Commission on the Evaluation of Services

Summary

HB124 renames AMSTEP to the Loan Assistance in Support of Educators in Alabama (LASEA) and expands loan‑repayment to address acute educator shortages, with new eligibility rules and an August 1, 2026 effective date.

What This Bill Does

Renames the existing AMSTEP program as LASEA and broadens eligibility to include educators certified in acute educator shortage programs and those employed in acute shortage locations identified by ACHE in consultation with the State Department of Education and the Evaluation of Services; ACHE will determine which programs, schools, and districts have shortages. Establishes two levels of loan repayment: base payments (math and science teachers up to $7,500 per year or $3,750 per semester; computer science teachers up to $3,000 per year or $1,500 per semester) and supplemental payments (up to $3,000 per year for math/science or $1,500 per year for CS) for up to four years, with two disbursements each year and adjustments if the loan balance is lower. Adds eligibility criteria (residency, citizenship, approved Alabama programs, teaching load in relevant subjects, and ongoing eligibility requirements) and expands eligibility for certain out-of-state graduates or alternative pathways. Creates an accountability and evaluation plan for the program, allows prior recipients to remain eligible if they stay employed in qualifying schools, and repeals the alt-cert reimbursement provision (16-5-54.2).

Who It Affects

• Educators who teach math, science, or computer science in Alabama and meet eligibility requirements (certification, teaching load, residency, and loan criteria) would be eligible for base and, in some cases, supplemental loan repayment.
• Public K‑12 schools and school systems in Alabama (including districts designated as acute shortage locations or failing/underperforming) and, for base eligibility, charter schools; districts with acute shortages would be targeted for program benefits and designation processes.

Key Provisions

• Rename AMSTEP to the Loan Assistance in Support of Educators in Alabama (LASEA) Program and have it administered by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.
• Expand eligibility to include educators certified in acute educator shortage programs and employed in locations identified as acute shortages by ACHE in consultation with SDE and the Evaluation of Services.
• Define acutely shortage locations and related terms; require ACHE, with SDE input, to determine which programs, schools, and districts have acute shortages.
• Provide two levels of loan repayment: base (math/science up to $7,500/year or $3,750/semester; CS up to $3,000/year or $1,500/semester) and supplemental (math/science up to $3,000/year or $1,500/semester; CS up to $1,500/year or $750/semester) for up to four years; recipients may receive base, supplemental, or both depending on eligibility.
• Add eligibility criteria (U.S. citizenship/residency, Alabama residency proof, graduate from an approved program after specified dates, proper teaching certification, employment in public K‑12, 3/4 teaching load in relevant subjects, and ongoing eligibility) and extend eligibility to certain out-of-state graduates and alternative paths as described in the new sections.
• Create an accountability and evaluation plan for the program to measure goals, activities, outcomes, and success metrics, with input from the Evaluation Services commission.
• Provide for prior loan repayment recipients to remain eligible if they continue to satisfy employment criteria, and repeal the existing reimbursement provision for certain alternative certification programs (16-5-54.2).
• Set funding rules (nonreverting funds, two annual disbursements, and adjustments if awards exceed loan balances) and require annual reapplication and status reporting by recipients.
• Require online registration with the state Comptroller to receive loan repayment checks and note that payments are considered income by the IRS.
• Authorize additional funds to address the greatest shortages and require the commission to identify the districts with the most severe shortages in coordination with the State Department of Education.
• Effective date: August 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 11, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education