House Bill 236 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Danny GarrettRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Education Trust Fund Advancement and Technology Fund, supplemental appropriations

Summary

HB236 would provide supplemental appropriations from the Education Trust Fund Advancement and Technology Fund for the 2026 fiscal year to public higher education, state education agencies and related boards, and regional career-technology initiatives.

What This Bill Does

It allocates $275.1 million to public higher education for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, distributed among the listed systems and universities. It allocates $624.9 million to the Department of Education and several related state education boards and schools to be expended under the state's appropriation rules. It directs the Department of Education to allocate funds to local boards and local education agencies, including $2 million for Ed Farm technology tools and teacher development, with oversight by the State Superintendent and a reporting requirement by October 1, 2027. It creates a $100 million program of matching grants for local education agencies to develop regional career-technology centers, requires collaboration by at least two LEAs, allows up to a 50% match, and includes notification and nondiscrimination provisions; unexpended funds may be carried forward and the act becomes effective immediately upon governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Public higher education institutions in Alabama (including the University of Alabama system, Auburn University system, Alabama Community College System, and others) that receive supplemental funds for FY 2026.
• Local education agencies and related state education entities (Department of Education, state boards and schools named in the bill) that receive funds for K-12 support, Ed Farm professional development, and regional career-technology center grants.

Key Provisions

• Section 1: Appropriates $275,100,000 from the Education Trust Fund Advancement and Technology Fund to public higher education for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, distributed among listed institutions and systems; funds expended per Section 29-9-4, Code of Alabama 1975.
• Section 2: Appropriates $624,900,000 from the Education Trust Fund Advancement and Technology Fund to the Department of Education and several statewide education entities (including the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, Youth Services School Districts, Alabama School of Fine Arts, Alabama School of Math and Science, Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering, Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences) for the same fiscal year; funds expended per Section 29-9-4.
• Section 3: (a) The Department of Education shall allocate the funds to local boards of education and local education agencies; (c)(1) allocates $2,000,000 for teacher professional development to Ed Farm Classroom of Tomorrow for technology tools and professional development for teachers, with Ed Farm allowed to spend on software, hardware, and related services; (c)(2) requires a reporting submission by October 1, 2027; (b) state oversight by the State Superintendent of Education prior to expenditure.
• Section 4: Allocates $100,000,000 to provide matching grants to local education agencies for developing regional career-technology centers, requiring collaboration of at least two LEAs, with a sliding scale and a maximum 50% match; includes notification requirements to local superintendents and five-day advance notice to local legislative delegations, nondiscrimination expectations, and Governor-supported disbursement on a nondiscriminatory basis.
• Section 5: Unexpended funds from the appropriation carry forward to be used for the same purposes.
• Section 6: The act becomes effective immediately after passage and approval by the Governor.

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

Subjects

Appropriations