House Bill 236 Alabama 2026 Session

Updated Apr 1, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Danny GarrettRepresentative
Republican
Session: 2026 Regular Session
Title: Education Trust Fund Advancement and Technology Fund, appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026
Summary: HB236 adds supplemental funding from Alabama's Education Trust Fund Advancement & Technology Fund for FY 2026 to higher education, K-12 education, Ed Farm teacher development, and regional career-technical center grants.
What This Bill Does
It dedicates $275.1 million to public higher education for FY 2026, distributed among system and individual institutions. It assigns $570 million to the Department of Education to be distributed to local boards of education and other entities across the state, with a detailed recipient table. It also provides $4.9 million to be allocated to local boards and other entities, plus $150 million in matching grants for regional career-technical centers (LEA-community college collaborations, up to 50% match). It designates funds for teacher professional development to Ed Farm (Classroom of Tomorrow) to supply technology and PD, with a reporting requirement by Oct 1, 2027. It allows funds to be used for debt service in certain cases, requires prior approval by the State Superintendent for Department expenditures, carries forward unused funds, and becomes effective immediately upon governor approval.

Who It Affects
Public institutions of higher education (allocation to specific systems and universities) receive targeted supplemental funding.
Local boards of education and other education entities statewide will receive substantial allocations for various programs and needs.
Local education agencies (LEAs) and community colleges partnering for regional career-technical centers can pursue matching grants (up to 50% match) to fund centers, equipment, and facilities.
Educators and classrooms benefit from Ed Farm-supported teacher professional development and technology tools.
State government oversight entities (State Superintendent, Governor) oversee approvals, reporting, and nondiscrimination in fund distribution.
Students statewide benefit indirectly through improved facilities, Civics Academy initiatives, outdoor classrooms, security upgrades, and enhanced career-technical education programs.

Key Provisions
Section 1: Appropriates $275,100,000 from the Education Trust Fund Advancement and Technology Fund to public higher education for FY 2026, with specific distribution to the Alabama Community College System and universities listed (including Civics Academy funding).
Section 2: Appropriates $570,000,000 from the ETF Advancement & Technology Fund to the Department of Education to allocate to local boards of education and other entities, per a detailed recipient table that includes numerous LEAs and related programs; includes a line item for Teacher Professional Development and Ed Farm activities (2,000,000; 2,000,000 is shown in the table).
Section 2(a): The Department of Education shall distribute the $570,000,000 to local boards and other entities as specified in the attached allocations.
Section 2(b): Funds appropriated under Section 2(a) may not be expended without prior approval of the State Superintendent of Education.
Section 2(c): Funds may be expended for debt service in addition to other eligible categories.
Section 2(d)(1): The teacher professional development funds shall be allocated to Ed Farm Classroom of Tomorrow to provide technology tools and professional development services to classroom teachers; Ed Farm may cover software, hardware, administrative costs, and professional learning services.
Section 2(d)(2): The State Superintendent shall report on the Ed Farm initiative to the House Ways and Means-Education Committee and the Senate Finance & Taxation-Education Committee by October 1, 2027.
Section 3: Notwithstanding existing law, appropriates $4,900,000 from ETF to the Department of Education to allocate to local boards of education and other entities with numerous listed line items (facility improvements, outdoor classrooms, CT programs, equipment, etc.).
Section 4: Notwithstanding existing law, appropriates $150,000,000 from ETF to the Department of Education to provide matching grants to local education agencies for expenses related to developing regional career-technical centers, including capital outlay and equipment, for FY 2026; proposals must come from collaborations of at least two LEAs or an LEA and a community college; sliding scale matching up to 50%; priority to proposals not fully funded under prior Act and those that applied but did not receive a grant; includes notification requirements and nondiscrimination guidance; emergency waivers allowed.
Section 5: Any funds not expended in the current year shall carry forward to future years.
Section 6: Effective immediately upon passage and governor approval (or becoming law otherwise).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 13, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Appropriations