House Bill 238 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Danny GarrettRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Appropriations from Education Trust Fund for the support, maintenance, and development of public education for fiscal year ending September 30, 2027

Summary

HB238 would appropriate Education Trust Fund dollars for fiscal year 2027 to support Alabama public education, including debt service, capital outlay, and a wide range of K-12 and higher education programs.

What This Bill Does

It directs funding from the Education Trust Fund and other funds to numerous agencies and programs involved with K-12 and higher education for the year ending September 30, 2027. It funds teaching salaries, literacy and math/science initiatives, reading coaches, safety and mental health services, and various college and workforce programs, while also supporting debt service and capital needs. It sets program-level allocations, requires semi-annual reporting to key legislators and budget officials, and allows local boards some flexibility in line-item expenditures under state law. It also includes provisions for reappropriation if funds are unspent and outlines overarching governance and compliance requirements.

Who It Affects

• Local boards of education and public school systems in Alabama, which receive funds for school operations, salaries, reading and math programs, safety, mental health services, and other student supports, and are allowed limited line-item flexibility within the act.
• Public colleges and universities in Alabama and their students, which receive funding for operations and maintenance, capital needs, dual enrollment, AMSTI/STEAM initiatives, scholarships, workforce development programs, and other higher-education services.

Key Provisions

• Overall funding envelope: The act appropriates funds for the Education Trust Fund (ETF) and other funds totaling 7,184,513,293 across Education, State Board, and Local Boards of Education, with ETF at 5,869,831,544 and Other Funds at 1,314,681,749.
• Foundation Program allocations: Includes substantial K-12 funding such as K-3 Reading Coaches at 36,800,000 ETF and Math & Science Teacher Program at 72,000,000 ETF, plus salary and benefits guidelines (including a specified fringe rate and a salary matrix) and restrictions on using Foundation funds for organization memberships.
• Alabama Reading Initiative and AMSTI: Allocations of 151,950,000 ETF for Alabama Reading Initiative and 159,128,318 ETF for AMSTI, plus related operations and maintenance and site-specific distribution of AMSTI resources.
• Dual Enrollment and related initiatives: A total 64,432,385 distributed for dual enrollment programs (54,432,385 ETF and 10,000,000 from Other Funds), plus targetedDUAL ENROLLMENT related items to expand college-credit opportunities for students.
• Turnaround Schools: 10,000,000 ETF dedicated to Governor’s Turnaround Schools program aimed at improving the lowest-performing elementary schools with targeted supports and potential cohort progression.
• Distance learning and ACCESS: 26,000,000 ETF for distance learning initiatives, including the ACCESS program and related job descriptions, with no resident fees for 2026-2027.
• Cybersecurity and AI expansion: Includes 12,051,980 ETF for Cybersecurity Improvements and 1,000,000 ETF for Cyber Technology and AI Expansion to strengthen cybersecurity in K-12 systems.
• Higher education and AMSTI/ASIMS specifics: Includes substantial operating and maintenance funds for the public university system (e.g., UA, Auburn, UAB, etc.), ASIMS (Alabama Science in Motion) funding of 14,658,038 ETF with 914,936 in Federal/Local funds, and extensive per-institution allocations.
• RAISE Act and student supports: The act funds the RAISE Act with weighted funding by student groups and a base factor, plus related supports for at-risk, English learners, gifted students, and special education, designed to maintain or increase per-student funding where needed.
• Teacher development and recognition: Funds for National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) stipends, plus growth and incentive programs (including high-need school supplements), and support for in-service centers and professional development to improve instructional quality.
• Reporting and accountability: The act requires semi-annual reporting on AMSTI, the Alabama Technology Network, cybersecurity allocations, and AMSTI/ASIMS expenditures to specified legislative chairs, the Finance Director, and the Legislative Fiscal Officer, among others.

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