House Bill 572 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arnold MooneyRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Public K-12 schools; required to adopt policies for broadcast of Star-Spangled Banner at least once a week during school hours

Summary

HB572 would amend the Alabama Constitution to require local boards of education to ensure each public K-12 school broadcasts or sanctions a weekly performance of the first stanza of The Star-Spangled Banner during school hours.

What This Bill Does

It proposes a constitutional amendment that requires local boards of education to adopt policies requiring every public K-12 school to broadcast or have the first stanza performed at least once per week during school hours. For broadcasting, schools would use a recording of the first stanza archived in the Library of Congress. Alternatively, schools may allow a live performance of the first stanza from original sheet music archived by the Library of Congress, performed by a school-sanctioned band, choir, vocal group, or vocalist. If the amendment is ratified, the Code Commissioner would place it in the constitution and oversee the related revisions and ballot descriptions, and an election would be held to approve the amendment; it would take effect only after a majority of qualified electors vote yes.

Who It Affects

• Public K-12 students in Alabama would experience a weekly star-spangled banner broadcast or performance during school hours
• Local boards of education would be required to adopt policies and oversee implementation for all public schools under their jurisdiction
• School music programs (bands, choruses, vocal groups, or soloists) may perform the first stanza under policy or use archived recordings
• Alabama’s qualified electors would vote in a statewide election to approve or reject the constitutional amendment

Key Provisions

• Requires local boards of education to adopt policies requiring each public K-12 school to broadcast or sanction the first stanza of The Star-Spangled Banner at least once per week during school hours.
• For broadcasting, requires selecting a recording of the first stanza archived within the Library of Congress (or available on its website).
• Alternatively allows a live performance of the first stanza from original sheet music archived by the Library of Congress, performed by a school-sanctioned band, chorus, vocal group, or vocalist.
• After ratification, the Code Commissioner shall number and place the amendment in the constitution and may make nonsubstantive stylistic revisions.
• An election will be held to approve the amendment; description on the ballot; amendment becomes valid only if a majority of qualified electors voting approve it.

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

Subjects

Education