House Joint Resolution 17 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris BlackshearRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Alabama Community College Football Study Commission, created

Summary

Establishes the Alabama Community College Football Study Commission to study whether reinstating football at Alabama’s community colleges is feasible and how it could be funded and implemented.

What This Bill Does

It creates an 18-member study commission with representation from lawmakers, college leaders, athletic staff, high school coaches, and university representatives to study community college football. It directs the commission to assess current capacity, explore funding options (including public funding, private partnerships, and legislative appropriations), review models from other states, and gather input from students, faculty, alumni, and local communities; it also asks for timelines and legislative actions needed to move forward. The commission must hold its first meeting by May 1, 2026, elect a chair and vice chair, and submit a final report by November 1, 2026, after which it will be dissolved.

Who It Affects

• Group 1: Community college students and student-athletes in Alabama, who could gain access to football programs and related opportunities if reinstated, and their families and local communities.
• Group 2: Alabama Community College System, college administrators and athletic departments, participating universities, high school and college sports stakeholders, lawmakers, and taxpayers, who would be involved in planning, funding decisions, and potential program changes based on the commission's findings.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Community College Football Study Commission with 18 appointed members from diverse sectors, including legislative leaders, committee chairs, ACCS leadership, college presidents, athletic directors, high school coaches, and university representatives from both the FBS and SWAC.
• Assigns the commission duties to assess infrastructure, staffing, and financial capacity to implement football programs, evaluate funding sources (public funds, private partnerships, and legislative appropriations), consider models from other states, and solicit input from stakeholders.
• Requires the commission to provide recommendations on timelines and legislative actions needed to implement football in the community college system.
• Sets deadlines for meetings and reporting: first meeting by May 1, 2026; final report due by November 1, 2026; and dissolution of the commission after filing the final report, with specified administrative support and compensation rules for members.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 12, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education