Senate Bill 141 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

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

SB141 proposes Alabama’s FY2027 Education Trust Fund appropriations to support public education, debt service, and capital outlays across K‑12, higher education, and related state agencies.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes ETF and other funds to be appropriated for the support, maintenance, and development of public education for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027. The bill lists program‑level allocations across many agencies, including K‑12 programs (Foundation Program, Reading Initiative, AMSTI, and related supports), higher education operations and maintenance, and a broad set of public programs and services. It also directs debt service payments on various bonds and allows reappropriation of unexpended funds from the prior year. The act becomes effective October 1, 2026 and requires semiannual reporting to legislative and fiscal authorities.

Who It Affects

• K‑12 students and local boards of education, who would benefit from funding for teachers, reading coaches, literacy and math initiatives, school safety, mental health services, and summer/afterschool programs.
• Public colleges and universities and related state education agencies (e.g., system boards, AMSTI, ASIMS, IT and workforce programs), which would receive funding for operations, maintenance, capital projects, student support, and program administration.

Key Provisions

• Allocates Education Trust Fund and other funds for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, with program‑level amounts listed in Section 3.
• Funds a wide array of K‑12 initiatives (Foundation Program, Alabama Reading Initiative, AMSTI, Math and Science, Turnaround Schools, school safety and mental health, etc.), plus teacher supports and professional development.
• Provides debt service payments for multiple General Obligation bonds and Alabama Incentives Financing Authority bonds, with potential for reallocation to new bonds if refinanced, contingent on state approval.
• Reappropriates unexpended funds from fiscal year 2026 into fiscal year 2027 and allows certain transfers and flexibilities at the local level, subject to law and regulations.
• Imposes reporting requirements, including semiannual reports on AMSTI, ASIMS, cybersecurity allocations, and other program expenditures to designated legislative and fiscal officers.
• Effective date: October 1, 2026, with funds to be disbursed by requisition through the State Comptroller and subject to Budget and Financial Control Act rules.

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

Subjects

Appropriations