| Bill | Bill Description | Sponsor | Committee | Status | Last Action Date | Related Bills | Amendments |
| HB0011 | ** EDUCATION EMPLOYEES AND STATE EMPLOYEES - PEEHIP, SEIB REPORT TO LEGISLATURE. This bill requires the Public Education Employees' Health Insurance Board and the State Employees Insurance Board to report to the Legislature the number of employees and their dependents enrolled in the state health insurance plan.
| Rep. Bill Roberts | House State Government | Indefinitely Postponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | | |
| HB0022 | SEX EDUCATION CURRICULUM - MINIMUM CONTENTS. This bill would delete certain legislative findings relating to responsible sexual behavior and would repeal the minimum curriculum content requirements for sex education programs.
| Rep. Patricia Todd | House Education Policy | Introduced | 2/5/2013 | HB0496 | |
| HB0053 | ESTABLISHMENT OF SECURITY FORCES AT PUBLIC K-12 SCHOOLS. This bill would authorize the formation of
volunteer emergency security forces at public K-12 schools in the state consisting of current and
retired school employees and local citizens.
| Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow | House Education Policy | Introduced | 2/5/2013 | | |
| HB0082 | ** LOCAL EDUCATION AND STATE GOVERNMENT - AUTOMATED INVENTORY OF LANDS AND FACILITIES. This bill would require the State Department of Finance to develop and maintain an automated inventory of all facilities and lands owned,
leased, rented, or otherwise occupied or maintained
by any agency of the state or by the judicial branch.
| Rep. Paul DeMarco | Senate Judiciary | Favorable Report as AMENDED in Senate Committee | 5/2/2013 | | Senate Committee AMD |
| HB0083 | * STATE GOVERNMENT - PROPERTY INVENTORY CONTROL DIVISION/STATE AUDITOR'S OFFICE. This bill would require the Property Inventory Control Division to develop and maintain a searchable inventory database of all state personal property for each department or agency. Personal property includes, but is not limited to, weapons and electronic storage devices such as, but not limited to, computers, laptop and tablet computers, external hard drives, notebooks, netbooks, and servers.
| Rep. Paul DeMarco | House State Government | Indefinitely Postponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | | |
| HB0084 | ALABAMA ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2013 (PRIVATE SCHOOL TAX CREDITS). Originally introduced as the Local Control School Flexibility Act of 2013, this bill would establish the Alabama Accountability Act of 2013 authorizing the establishment of innovative schools and school systems in the State of Alabama. This bill would allow the State Board of Education to enter into a school flexibility contract with a local school system to allow for programmatic flexibility or budgetary flexibility, or both, from state laws, including State Board of Education rules, regulations, and policies in exchange for academic and associated goals for students that focus on college and career readiness. This bill would require the local board of education to submit a document of assurance that the local board shall provide consistency in leadership and a commitment to the standards, assessments, and academic rigor expected in Alabama. This bill would require the local school system to submit a proposed innovation plan recommended by the local superintendent of education and approved by the local board of education to the State Superintendent of Education in order to qualify for innovation status. This bill would authorize the State Board of Education to promulgate any necessary rules and regulations as required for implementation. ADDITIONALLY, this bill would provide for a refundable income tax credit to reimburse Alabama taxpayers who are the parents of students enrolled in or assigned to attend a failing public K-12 school in the state to offset the cost of transferring the student to a non-failing public school or nonpublic school of the parent's choice, provided they file an income tax return or application for the refundable tax credit on forms prescribed by the Department of Revenue. This bill would also limit the tax credit to 80% of the average annual state cost of attendance for a public K-12 student during the applicable tax year. This bill would create within the Education Trust Fund, the Failing Schools Income Tax Credit Account and would authorize the Comptroller to annually transfer into the account proceeds of sales tax revenues in an amount sufficient for the Department of Revenue to pay the income tax credits. This bill would also authorize a tax credit for individual and corporate contributions to organizations that provide educational scholarships to qualifying schools.
| Rep. Chad Fincher | ENACTED | ACT 2013-64 | 3/14/2013 | SB0054 | |
| HB0089 | * STATE EMPLOYEES - HIGH DEDUCTIBLE HEALTH PLAN THROUGH SEIB. This bill would authorize the State Employees' Insurance Board (SEIB) to offer a High Deductible Health Plan with a federally qualified Health Savings Account and a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to eligible state employees, state retirees, and their dependents.
| Rep. Jim McClendon | ENACTED | ACT 2013-245 | 5/16/2013 | HB0246
SB0127 | |
| HB0091 | CODE RED SAFETY BILL. This bill would require that the comprehensive school safety plan required for all public K-12 schools include a specific code red school safety plan for events involving acts of violence or the threat of violence.
This bill includes safety, security, severe weather, fire, and code red drills within the collective designation of an emergency drill, and would provide that code red school
safety drills be done at the beginning of each semester of
the school year. This bill further would provide for the designation of a code red safety alert level for a school experiencing perceived immediate threats to the school involving acts of violence, such as terrorism, a person possessing a firearm or a deadly weapon, or any other threat of violence.
| Rep. Alan Baker | Senate Education | Favorable Report from Senate Committee | 4/24/2013 | | |
| HB0101 | * STATE GOVERNMENT - ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES RED TAPE REDUCTION ACT. This bill would require an agency that
proposes a rule which may have an adverse impact on
a business under certain conditions to prepare and
file a Business Economic Impact Statement prior to the adoption of the rule, with the Joint Committee on Administrative Regulation Review. The bill would also require agencies to review all agency rules every five years.
| Rep. April Weaver | ENACTED | ACT 2013-88 | 4/12/2013 | SB0179 | |
| HB0102 | THE 21ST CENTURY WORKFORCE ACT - CAREER TECH BOND ISSUE. This bill would authorize the Alabama Public School and College
Authority to sell and issue up to $50 Million in
aggregate principal amount of bonds in addition to all other bonds previously issued by the authority for the purpose of providing funds for career and technical education equipment for local boards of
education.
Comments: The Senate Committee amendment stated that consideration will be given to collaborating industry partners who commit leveraged resources in partnership with K-12 and Post-Secondary.
| Rep. Mac Buttram | Senate Finance & Taxation Education | Favorable Report as AMENDED in Senate Committee | 3/5/2013 | | Senate Committee AMD |
| HB0105 | CRIMINAL TRESPASS ON SCHOOL BUS. Existing law provides for the crimes of criminal trespass in the first degree, second degree, and third degree as it relates to property and dwellings. This bill would establish the crime of trespass on a school bus in the first degree, and in addition, the bill will be known as the Charles “Chuck” Poland, Jr. Act named for the school bus driver who recently lost his life in Midland City, AL while protecting the children on his bus from a deadly shooter.
| Rep. Alan Baker | Senate Judiciary | Favorable Report as AMENDED in Senate Committee | 4/24/2013 | SB0015 | Senate Committee AMD |
| HB0116 | LOCAL LEGISLATION [FRANKLIN COUNTY]- VOLUNTEER SCHOOL SECURITY FORCES. This local bill allows for the formation of volunteer emergency security forces at public schools consisting of current and retired school employees and local citizens to serve as reserve deputy sheriffs and/or reserve police officers. Local law enforcement would be responsible for training and supervising the “emergency security force”. This bill was amended to allow training for school bus drivers on gun violence prevention, and the use and safe keeping of mace, stun guns, tasers, and other non-lethal weapons.
| Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow | Returned to Chamber | VETOED by Governor | 3/7/2013 | HB0404
SB0310 | |
| HB0125 | PENNY TRUST FUND. This bill authorizes the State Comptroller to transmit these funds to the State Board of Education for disbursement.
| Rep. Steve Clouse | House Ways & Means General Fund | Introduced | 2/5/2013 | HB0485
SB0451 | |
| HB0128 | DETERMINING GRADUATION RATES/PROHIBITION FOR CERTAIN STUDENTS. This bill would prohibit any child who withdraws from a public school in order to enroll in and attend an accredited online school from being considered a dropout or non-graduate for the purpose of determining graduation rates.
| Rep. Kerry Rich | Senate Education | Favorable Report from Senate Committee | 4/18/2013 | | |
| HB0129 | ALLOW CERTAIN SCHOOL EMPLOYEES TO CARRY WEAPONS. This bill would authorize a local board of education to allow persons employed as school security personnel, school resource officers, and administrative personnel, with certain qualifications, to carry a pistol or stun gun while on school property.
| Rep. Kerry Rich | House Education Policy | Introduced | 2/5/2013 | | |
| HB0148 | * STATE GOVERNMENT - ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES ACT REVISIONS TO PROCESS. Under existing law, the Legislative Council, sitting as the Joint Committee on Administrative Regulation Review, is required to review all rules proposed to be adopted pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act. The committee may disapprove a rule which disapproval may be sustained by the adoption of a joint resolution at the next regular session of the Legislature. This bill would provide that the Joint Committee on Legislative Operations, a proposed successor committee to the Legislative Council, would be required to affirmatively approve a proposed rule prior to its becoming effective. The bill further provides that the committee may make use of the Chief of Legislative Operations and other personnel and agencies of the legislative department when considering proposed rules. A proposed rule change could be disapproved by the committee or, if not affirmatively approved, the proposed rule would be deemed disapproved. The bill further provides for an appeal process to the Lieutenant Governor upon the disapproval of a rule by the Joint Committee on Legislative Operations. If the Lieutenant Governor approves a rule, the Legislature may overrule the Lieutenant Governor's approval by joint resolution.
| Rep. Greg Wren | House State Government | Introduced | 2/5/2013 | SB0112 | |
| HB0157 | CHILDREN FIRST TRUST FUND. Under existing law, Children First Trust Fund programs are required to be funded through a separate appropriation in a separate act. This bill would make an appropriation of $39,004,803 from the Children First Trust Fund for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, to the entities and for the purposes designated in Section 41-15B-2.2, Code of Alabama 1975. This bill would provide for the deposit of tobacco settlement revenues into the Children First Trust Fund, would require the State Director of Finance to notify each agency in writing of the amount of each agency's anticipated allocation, would require quarterly allocation to each agency, and would condition allocations upon the receipt of tobacco funds. This bill would provide for the transfer to the State General Fund during fiscal year 2014 that portion of Children First Trust Fund receipts currently allocated for the State Board of Education. This bill would make an appropriation of $45,168,359 from other tobacco settlement funds for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014. This bill would also make a conditional appropriation and allocation of any additional tobacco revenue on recommendation of the Director of Finance, the Chairman of the House Ways and Means General Fund Committee and the Chairman of the Senate Finance and Taxation-General Fund Committee, and approval of the Governor.
| Rep. Steve Clouse | House Ways & Means General Fund | Introduced | 2/6/2013 | HB0402
SB0288 | |
| HB0166 | ETF BUDGET - FY '2014. This bill makes appropriations for the support, maintenance and development of public education in Alabama, for debt service, and for capital outlay for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014.
| Rep. Jay Love | ENROLLED | FINAL PASSAGE - Sent to Governor | 5/9/2013 | SB0137 | Spreadsheet |
| HB0170 | SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION FROM ETF. This bill makes a supplemental appropriation from the Education Trust Fund to the Department of Commerce in the amount of $10,800,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013; and makes a supplemental appropriation from the Education Trust Fund to the Department of Veterans' Affairs in the amount of $5,264,915 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013.
| Rep. Jay Love | House Ways & Means Education | Indefinitely Postponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | SB0138 | House Committee AMD |
| HB0171 | ** EDUCATION EMPLOYEES AND STATE EMPLOYEES - PREPAID AFFORDABLE COLLEGE TUITION (PACT) PROGRAM. Currently there is projected to be a shortage of funds to pay the full tuition and fee costs to the beneficiaries of the remaining active PACT contract holders. This bill will provide that certain assets in the PACT Trust will be distributed to the several universities and colleges in the state and that certain funds would be retained in the fund to be available for private college or out-of-state tuition if selected by the PACT beneficiary. This bill would also provide that future appropriations from the Education Trust Fund to the PACT programs would be distributed to the several universities and colleges in the same manner as the assets transferred. Any state university or college shall allow a PACT beneficiary who is accepted for admission to receive credit for all tuition and fees as under the terms of the PACT contracts which existed prior to the passage of Act 2010-725. Any PACT beneficiary electing a private or out-of-state institution shall receive the amounts as determined according to the methods in place prior to the passage of Act 2010-725.
| Rep. Craig Ford | House Ways & Means Education | Introduced | 2/6/2013 | | |
| HB0172 | EDUCATION LOTTERY [CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT]- This bill proposes an amendment to the Alabama Constitution that would dedicate the net proceeds from the lottery to the Education Trust Fund for classroom instructional supplies, school resource officers and high school scholarships.
| Rep. Craig Ford | House Ways & Means General Fund | Introduced | 2/6/2013 | | |
| HB0173 | COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE - TEACHERS, SUPPORT WORKERS AND RETIRED TEACHERS. This bill provides for cost-of-living increases for public education employees and certain retirees and beneficiaries under the Teachers' Retirement System totaling 10% to be phased in beginning with fiscal year 2013-2014 and ending with fiscal year 2015-2016.
| Rep. Craig Ford | House Ways & Means Education | Introduced | 2/6/2013 | | |
| HB0177 | ALABAMA TRUST FUND TRANSFER [CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT]- Under Amendment 856 of the Alabama Constitution, funds will be transferred from the Alabama Trust Fund to the State General Fund each year over three fiscal years beginning with the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and concluding with the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015. The amendment does not require the transferred funds to be repaid. This bill would propose a constitutional amendment to require the repayment with interest of the funds transferred from the Alabama Trust Fund pursuant to Amendment 856, within six years following the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015; to provide the procedure for the repayment of the funds transferred from the Alabama Trust Fund pursuant to Amendment 856; to increase the tax on cigarettes by an additional 50 mills on each cigarette; and to provide that the proceeds from the tax levied by the state on cigarettes and other appropriations from the Alabama Legislature shall be used to repay the funds transferred from the Alabama Trust Fund pursuant to Amendment 856 to the
Alabama Constitution.
| Rep. Joe Hubbard | House Ways & Means General Fund | Introduced | 2/6/2013 | | |
| HB0182 | SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS' ACT. This bill establishes the School Resource Officers’ Act and would provide for one-half of the necessary funding for the hiring, training and equipping of school resource officers from a designated funding source and the requirements, duties and responsibilities of a school resource officer. Currently, federal or local funds are used to provide for the hiring, training and equipping of school resource officers in public schools.
| Rep. Merika Coleman-Evans | House Ways & Means Education | Introduced | 2/7/2013 | | |
| HB0183 | AUTOMATED SCHOOL BUS ENFORCEMENT DEVICE. This bill would enable city and county boards of education to initiate civil enforcement of offenses related to overtaking a school bus by using automated detection devices, and allowing for civil notice(s) of violation(s).
| Rep. Lesley Vance | House Public Safety & Homeland Security | Indefinitely Postponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | SB0021 | |
| HB0198 | PROPERTY REAPPRAISAL. This bill would require reappraisal for ad valorem tax purposes every 4 years for Class II and Class III property.
| Rep. Todd Greeson | House County & Municipal Government | Introduced | 2/7/2013 | | |
| HB0200 | * RETIRED STATE EMPLOYEES – COST-OF-LIVING-INCREASE. This bill provides for cost-of-living increases for state employees totaling 10% to be phased in beginning with fiscal year 2013-2014 and ending with fiscal year 2015-2016.
| Rep. Joe Hubbard | House Ways & Means General Fund | Introduced | 2/7/2013 | | |
| HB0201 | * STATE EMPLOYEES – COST-OF-LIVING-INCREASE. This bill provides for cost-of-living increases for state employees totaling 10% to be phased in beginning with fiscal year 2013-2014 and ending with fiscal year 2015-2016.
| Rep. Joe Hubbard | House Ways & Means General Fund | Introduced | 2/7/2013 | | |
| HB0208 | WARRANTLESS ARRESTS AT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. Under existing law, a law enforcement officer may arrest a person without a warrant in various specified instances. This bill would authorize a law enforcement officer to arrest a person without a warrant under certain conditions for trespassing on the property of an educational institution defined as a public or private college, university, graduate school, professional school, junior college, trade school, elementary school, secondary school, and every institution for education and training of the deaf, blind, or individuals with developmental disabilities.
| Rep. Bill Poole | Senate Judiciary | Favorable Report from Senate Committee | 4/4/2013 | | |
| HB0209 | MANDATORY CLASS SIZE LIMIT PHASE-IN. This bill would require that, beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, class size limits be maintained at 15 students per teacher for grades kindergarten to third, inclusive, at 22 students per teacher for grades four to eight, inclusive, and at 25 students per teacher for grades nine to 12, inclusive. Such limits would be implemented on a graduated basis beginning with the 2013-2014 fiscal year. This bill would also provide that any costs associated with satisfying the class size limitations imposed by this bill would be the responsibility of the state and not the local school systems.
| Rep. Merika Coleman-Evans | House Education Policy | Introduced | 2/7/2013 | | |
| HB0211 | SCHOOL AGE ATTENDANCE AGE INCREASED TO AGE 18. This bill would require children between the ages of seven and 18 years, or upon graduation from high school, whichever is earlier, except in certain specified instances, to attend or graduate from a public school, private school, church school, or be instructed by a competent private tutor.
| Rep. Merika Coleman-Evans | House Education Policy | Introduced | 2/7/2013 | HB0219 | |
| HB0219 | SCHOOL AGE ATTENDANCE AGE INCREASED TO AGE 18. This bill would require children between the ages of seven and 18 years, or upon graduation from high school, whichever is earlier, except in certain specified instances, to attend or graduate from a public school, private school, church school, or be instructed by a competent private tutor.
| Rep. Thad McClammy | House Education Policy | Introduced | 2/7/2013 | HB0211 | |
| HB0244 | * STATE GOVERNMENT - OFFICE OF FLEET MANAGEMENT CREATED.This bill would establish the Office of Fleet Management within the Department of Transportation to manage the purchase, lease, operation, maintenance, and disposal of all motor vehicles needed to provide necessary motor vehicle transportation for state officers and employees.
| Rep. Greg Wren | House Health | Indefinitely Postponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | SB0057 | House Committee AMD1
House Committee AMD2
House Committee AMD3 |
| HB0246 | * STATE EMPLOYEES - HIGH DEDUCTIBLE HEALTH PLAN THROUGH SEIB. This bill would authorize the State Employees' Insurance Board (SEIB) to offer a High Deductible Health Plan with a federally qualified Health Savings Account and a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to eligible state employees, state retirees, and their dependents.
| Rep. Greg Wren | House Health | Introduced | 2/12/2013 | HB0089
SB0127 | |
| HB0254 | COMMON CORE STANDARDS. This bill would prohibit the State Board of Education from adopting and the Department of Education from implementing the Common Core State Standards developed by the Common Core State Standards Initiative, and would prohibit the State Board of Education, the Department of Education, and other state bodies from compiling or sharing data about students or teachers, except under limited circumstances. The bill would also prohibit the State Board of Education from entering into an agreement or joining a consortium that would cede any control to an entity outside the state, and would require public notice and public hearings before the State Board of Education adopts or implements any statewide standards. The bill in its concluding section requires that academic standards be approved by the Legislature.
| Rep. Jim Barton | House Education Policy | Introduced | 2/12/2013 | SB0190 | |
| HB0278 | ** EDUCATION EMPLOYEES AND STATE EMPLOYEES - DEFERRED RETIREMENT OPTION PLAN (DROP) REINSTATED. Currently, members of the Teachers' Retirement System and the Employees' Retirement System may not be new participants in the DROP Program after April 1, 2011, which also imposes limits on interest that could be paid on DROP accounts. This bill would re-establish DROP and would remove limits on interest that could be paid on DROP accounts.
| Rep. Craig Ford | House Ways & Means Education | Introduced | 2/14/2013 | | |
| HB0285 | POSTING TIME/LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION PERSONNEL VACANCIES. This bill would decrease the time that personnel vacancies are required to be posted by a local board of education when school is in session from not less than 7 school days to not less than 3 school days before the position is to be filled, and for all vacancies involving jobs which are supervisory, managerial, or otherwise newly created positions from at least 14 school days to at least 7 school days before the position is to be filled.
| Rep. John Merrill | Senate Education | Favorable Report from Senate Committee | 5/7/2013 | | |
| HB0287 | TIM TEBOW ACT. Existing law prevents a child instructed at home by a private tutor or at a church school to participate in extracurricular activities offered by public schools. This bill would require a participating student who participates in an extracurricular activity at a public school to commit to and only participate in that extracurricular activity at that public school for the duration of the school year, and would allow a student to participate in different extracurricular activities at the same public school. It also specifies that no school team utilizing these students would be impeded from competing against any other public or private school team, and the insurance coverage provided by a school board for participants in extracurricular activities would cover a child instructed at home by private tutor or under church school law.
| Rep. Ed Henry | House Education Policy | Indefinitely Postponed by Sponsor | 4/25/2013 | SB0186 | |
| HB0288 | OPT-OUT OF FLEXIBLE SCHOOL CALENDAR ACT OF 2012. This bill would allow a local board of
education to opt-out of the temporary academic school calendar parameters set forth in the Flexible School Calendar Act of 2012 by providing written notice to the State Superintendent of Education.
| Rep. Paul DeMarco | House Education Policy | Introduced | 2/14/2013 | SB0009 | |
| HB0291 | 2ND ADULT ON SCHOOL BUS. This bill would require the State Board of Education to prescribe a rule mandating the presence of a second adult on each school bus during the transportation of pupils to and from school or school-related activities.
| Rep. Steve Hurst | House Education Policy | Introduced | 2/19/2013 | | |
| HB0293 | ALABAMA AHEAD ACT (TECHNOLOGY) BOND ISSUE. This bill authorizes the Alabama Public School and College Authority (APSCA) to issue up to $100,000,000 in bonds for the purpose of financing the acquisition and maintaining computer equipment, software, and digital textbooks for teachers and students (grades 9 through 12) in public schools choosing to participate in the program, to require that schools choosing to participate in the program contribute 25% local funding unless the State Department of Education waives or reduces the 25% requirement based upon the financial condition of the local school system. This bill also expands the program to cover all grades, which when combined with the 25% contribution, could increase the financial obligations of local school systems choosing to participate in the program significantly. The bill also removes the requirement from Act 2012-560 which stated that the bond issue could only be implemented upon separate legislative enactment providing a specific date for implementation.
| Rep. Jim McClendon | Senate Finance & Taxation Education | Favorable Report from Senate Committee | 5/9/2013 | SB0224 | |
| HB0299 | ** LOCAL EDUCATION AND STATE GOVERNMENT - DISPLAY OF TEN COMMANDMENTS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY OR PROPERTY OWNED BY THE STATE [CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT]. This bill proposes an amendment to the Alabama Constitution which would provide that property belonging to the state may be used to display the Ten Commandments and that the right to display the Ten Commandments on property owned or administrated by a public school or public body is not restrained or abridged. This bill would also provide that every person would be at liberty to worship according to his or her own conscience; and that no person would be compelled to attend or support a place of worship or a minister. This bill would also provide that the civil and political rights, privileges, and capacities of no person may be diminished or enlarged on account of his or her religious beliefs. This bill would prohibit the expenditure of public funds in defense of the constitutionality of this amendment.
| Rep. Duwayne Bridges | House Constitution Campaigns & Elections | Introduced | 2/19/2013 | SB0040 | |
| HB0301 | REPORTING OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE. Under existing law, certain entities and persons are required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect. This bill would clarify that school employees, teachers, and officials at both public and private K-12 schools are required to report. This bill would also provide that any public or private employer who disciplines or penalizes an employee for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.
| Rep. Dickie Drake | ENACTED | ACT 2013-201 | 5/8/2013 | SB0304 | |
| HB0308 | ALABAMA LOTTERY [CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT]. This bill proposes an amendment to Alabama Constitution to establish an Alabama Lottery to fund education and general fund programs. It would also create an Alabama Lottery Corporation, and provide that lottery proceeds will not supplant or replace existing education revenues. It also establishes the Lottery Trust Fund and permits the Legislature to pass general laws to implement the amendment, and to terminate the lottery and the Alabama Lottery Corporation after a specified period of time.
| Rep. John Rogers | House Ways & Means Education | Introduced | 2/19/2013 | | |
| HB0326 | HIRING STUDENTS DURING SCHOOL BREAKS (CLASS 3 MUNICIPALITIES). This bill only applies to the cities of Montgomery and Huntsville and will provide an income tax credit for hiring certain persons under the age of 19 during school breaks, after school, or on weekends
| Rep. Thad McClammy | House Ways & Means Education | Introduced | 2/21/2013 | | |
| HB0328 | * STATE EMPLOYEES – COST-OF-LIVING-INCREASE. This bill would provide a cost-of-living increase for state employees of 10%, over a two fiscal year period, for a 5% increase for fiscal year 2013-2014, and a 5% increase for fiscal year 2014-2015.
| Rep. Greg Wren | House Ways & Means General Fund | Introduced | 2/21/2013 | | |
| HB0340 | PSCA BONDS - TORNADO DAMAGE. This bill authorizes the Alabama Public
School and College Authority to sell and issue up to $35,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of bonds in addition to all other bonds previously issued by the authority for the purpose of providing funds to rebuild and equip the schools that suffered tornado damage on April 27, 2011 and December 25, 2012.
| Rep. Napoleon Bracy | House Ways & Means Education | Introduced | 2/21/2013 | | |
| HB0353 | REDUCTION-IN-FORCE POLICIES. Under existing law, each local board of education is required to adopt a reduction-in-force policy. This bill would require the State Superintendent of Education to develop a model policy; and to require that each policy comply with antidiscrimination laws.
| Rep. Ed Henry | House Education Policy | Introduced | 2/26/2013 | SB0227 | |
| HB0369 | SCHOOL EMPLOYEES - SEXUAL CONTACT WITH STUDENTS. Under existing law, a person commits the crime of a school employee having sexual contact with a student under the age of years if he or she engages in sexual contact with the student. Under existing law, sexual contact means touching of the sexual or other intimate parts of a student for sexual gratification or soliciting or harassing a student to perform a sex act. This bill would clarify sexual contact to mean touching the sexual or other intimate parts of another person for sexual gratification in order to provide for a situation in which the school employee asks a student to initiate sexual contact.
| Rep. David Standridge | House Judiciary | Indefinitely Postponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | | |
| HB0378 | CRIMINAL ASSAULT ON SCHOOL PROPERTY. Under existing law, assault in the third degree is a Class A misdemeanor. This bill would make assault in the third degree a Class C felony if the assault is committed by a person 21 years of age or older against a person who is less than 18 years of age on school property, including on a school bus or at a
school-sponsored function.
| Rep. Merika Coleman-Evans | Senate Judiciary | Favorable Report from Senate Committee | 5/9/2013 | | |
| HB0388 | DRIVER'S LICENCE APPLICANT - STAGE II. Under existing law, an applicant for a Stage II driver's license who is 16 years of age must submit a verification form certifying that the applicant has completed a minimum of 30 hours of behind-the-wheel driving practice. This bill would require that the applicant complete a minimum of 50 hours or submission of a certificate of completion from the State Department of Education that the applicant has passed a driver's education course approved by the State Department of Education.
| Rep. Randy Wood | House Public Safety & Homeland Security | Indefinitely Posponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | | House Committee AMD |
| HB0397 | * STATE EMPLOYEES – GROUP INSURANCE OFFERINGS. This bill would authorize the Chief
Executive Officer of the Alabama State Employees Insurance Board (SEIB) to approve the offering of group insurance products by insurance carriers that have been approved under existing law.
| Rep. K.L. Brown | Senate Banking & Insurance | Favorable Report from Senate Committee | 5/2/2013 | SB0323 | |
| HB0401 | ** EDUCATION EMPLOYEES AND STATE EMPLOYEES – PAY DIFFERENTIAL FOR ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY STATUS. Under existing law, state employees and public education employees receive/ed compensation when called into active duty status by the United States during the war on terrorism which commenced in September of 2001. This bill would extend the salary differential for any state employee, employee of a public education entity, or employee of a local government entity, who is called into active service at any time in any of the Armed Forces of the United States.
| Rep. Donnie Chesteen | Senate Veterans & Military Affairs | Favorable Report from Senate Committee | 5/2/2013 | SB0158 | |
| HB0402 | CHILDREN FIRST TRUST FUND. Under existing law, Children First Trust Fund programs are required to be funded through a separate appropriation in a separate act. This bill would make an appropriation of $39,004,803 from the Children First Trust Fund for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, to the entities and for the purposes designated in Section 41-15B-2.2, Code of Alabama 1975. This bill would provide for the deposit of tobacco settlement revenues into the Children First Trust Fund, would require the State Director of Finance to notify each agency in writing of the amount of each agency's anticipated allocation, would require quarterly allocation to each agency, and would condition allocations upon the receipt of tobacco funds. This bill would provide for the transfer to the State General Fund during fiscal year 2014 that portion of Children First Trust Fund receipts currently allocated for the State Board of Education. This bill would make an appropriation of $45,168,359 from other tobacco settlement funds for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014. This bill would also make a conditional appropriation and allocation of any additional tobacco revenue on recommendation of the Director of Finance, the Chairman of the House Ways and Means General Fund Committee and the Chairman of the Senate Finance and Taxation-General Fund Committee, and approval of the Governor.
| Rep. Steve Clouse | House Ways & Means General Fund | Indefinitely Posponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | HB0157
SB0288 | |
| HB0404 | LOCAL LEGISLATION [FRANKLIN COUNTY]- VOLUNTEER SCHOOL SECURITY FORCES. This local bill allows for the formation of volunteer emergency security forces at public schools consisting of current and retired school employees and local citizens to serve as reserve deputy sheriffs and/or reserve police officers. Local law enforcement would be responsible for training and supervising the “emergency security force”. This bill was amended to allow training for school bus drivers on gun violence prevention, and the use and safe keeping of mace, stun guns, tasers, and other non-lethal weapons.
| Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow | Senate Local Legislation No. 1 | Favorable Report from Senate Committee | 5/9/2013 | HB0116
SB0310 | |
| HB0410 | SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS – RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVE PART-TIME CAPACITY. Under existing law, only those officers who are fully certified by the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission may serve as law enforcement officers in schools. This bill would allow retired police officers or other law enforcement officers who resigned in good standing to serve on a part-time basis as reserve school resource officers in schools. This bill would require any person serving as a part-time reserve school resource officer to maintain firearms qualifications and annual use-of-force training but would not require physical fitness standards or other continuing education requirements.
| Rep. Craig Ford | House Public Safety & Homeland Security | Introduced | 3/7/2013 | | |
| HB0425 | TEACHERS’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM BOARD OF CONTROL MEMBERSHIP. Under current law, the general administration and responsibility for the proper operation of the Teachers' Retirement System of Alabama is statutorily vested in a 14-member Board of Control. This bill would alter the membership of the Board of Control adding representatives from our public 4-year higher education institutions and specifying that the representative elected from an institution of postsecondary education shall be part of the Alabama Community College System. It also removes the Executive Secretary of the Alabama Education Association (AEA) as an ex officio member and one of two elected positions representing educational support personnel.
| Rep. Alan Boothe | House Ways & Means Education | Introduced | 3/7/2013 | SB0303 | |
| HB0427 | EDUCATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND INTERVENTION ACT OF 2013. This bill would establish the Educational Accountability and Intervention Act of 2013, clarifying the authority of the State Board of Education, through the State Superintendent of Education, to exercise direct control over the decision making and operational functions of city and county boards of education when such boards are placed under educational intervention by action of the State Board of Education. This bill would also repeal existing statutes that are in conflict with or are otherwise inconsistent with this bill.
| Rep. Rod Scott | House Education Policy | Indefinitely Posponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | | House Committee AMD |
| HB0457 | ** LOCAL EDUCATION AND STATE GOVERNMENT – GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC BUILDINGS. This bill would specify that any green building standard used for construction or major renovation of public buildings by state and local governments would be required to use certain forest certification standards for wood consistent with standards used in the forest industry in this state.
| Rep. Mike Jones | House Agriculture & Forestry | Indefinitely Posponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | SB0326 | |
| HB0485 | PENNY TRUST FUND. This bill authorizes the State Comptroller to transmit these funds to the State Board of Education for disbursement.
| Rep. Laura Hall | House Ways & Means General Fund | Favorable Report as AMENDED in Senate Committee | 5/2/2013 | HB0125
SB0451 | Senate Committee AMD |
| HB0492 | REPEAL ALABAMA ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2013 This bill repeals the Alabama Accountability Act of 2013, as proposed by HB 84 (2013 Regular Session).
| Rep. James Buskey | House Education Policy | Introduced | 3/20/2013 | SB0384 | |
| HB0496 | SEX EDUCATION CURRICULUM – CERTAIN MINIMUM CONTENTS REMOVED Under existing law, there are certain minimum contents which are included in a sex education program or curriculum. This bill would remove from the minimum contents the emphasis that homosexuality is not an acceptable lifestyle and the emphasis that homosexual conduct is a criminal act. This bill would also require that all material taught be done in a culturally sensitive manner.
| Rep. Patricia Todd | House Education Policy | Introduced | 4/2/2013 | HB022 | |
| HB0498 | LOCAL SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION – LOCAL LEGISLATION [CRENSHAW COUNTY] This bill would repeal the Alabama Code Section (41-21-100) referencing elected school superintendents in Crenshaw County and make all future school superintendents in that county appointed.
| Rep. Charles Newton | Senate Local Legislation No. 1 | Favorable Report from Senate Committee | 5/9/2013 | | |
| HB0505 | ETF SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS. This bill makes several supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013 in varying amounts for the following entities: Department of Rehabilitation Services ($1 million), Alabama Institute for Deaf & Blind ($1 million), Department of Archives & History ($400,000), the Legislature ($500,000), Public Library Service ($250,000), Alabama School of Math & Science ($150,000), Alabama School of Fine Arts ($150,000), and Department of Homeland Security ($430,000).
| Rep. Jay Love | ENACTED | ACT 2013-214 | 5/13/2013 | | |
| HB0506 | PAY RAISE (2%) AND LIABILITY INSURANCE – PUBLIC EDUCATION EMPLOYEES This bill would increase the salaries of public K-12 education employees by two percent (2%). This bill would require the Department of Finance, in consultation with the State Department of Education, to implement a program to purchase or provide a policy of education employee liability insurance to insure certificated personnel and support personnel employed by a local board of education and student teachers and would authorize the Department of Finance to implement and administer the provisions of this act.
| Rep. Jay Love | ENACTED | ACT 2013-215 | 5/13/2013 | | |
| HB0513 | SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS – LOCAL LEGISLATION [ETOWAH COUNTY] This bill would allow retired law enforcement officers to serve on a part-time basis as school resource officers in the public schools in Etowah County, and would require part-time school resource officers to be certified by the Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission, but to waive certification and recertification requirements relating to physical qualifications.
| Rep. Craig Ford | House Local Legislation | Introduced | 4/2/2013 | HB0600 | |
| HB0517 | PSCA BOND - $30 MILLION FOR DAMAGED PUBLIC SCHOOLS. This bill authorizes the Alabama Public School and College Authority to sell and issue up to $30,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of bonds in addition to all other bonds previously issued by the authority for the purpose of providing funds to rebuild and equip as follows: (1) Fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) shall be allocated to the Mobile County School System to pay for capital improvements to Murphy High School for damage caused by a tornado on December 25, 2012, and (2) Fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) shall be allocated to the State Department of Education to be distributed to the following schools in the following amounts to pay for capital improvements to those schools for damage caused by tornadoes on April 27, 2011: Alberta City Elementary - $3,000,000, Phil Campbell High School - $6,396,000, University Place Elementary School - $2,500,000, Holt Elementary School - $2,500,000, and Plainview High School - $604,000
| Rep. Napoleon Bracy | Senate Finance & Taxation Education | Favorable Report from Senate Committee | 5/7/2013 | | |
| HB0519 | EDUCATORS’ ASSOCIATIONS/EQUAL ACCESS TO PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS This bill requires a public school district or any employee of a public school district, as well as a public two-year or four-year institution of higher learning or any employee of such an institution, to grant all professional educators' associations the same level of access to employees of the public school district or institution. This bill also requires a public two-year or four-year institution of higher learning with a teacher education program, as well as employees of a teacher education program, to grant all professional educators' associations the same level of access to students enrolled in the teacher education program. Further, this bill also requires a public school district, public school, or public two-year or four-year institution of higher learning that authorizes membership dues to be deducted from an employee's paycheck for membership in a professional educators' association to also allow membership dues to be similarly deducted for membership in any professional educators' association to which an employee of the public school district, public school, or public two-year or four-year institution of higher learning belongs.
| Rep. Jim Patterson | House Education Policy | PASSED House - Awaiting Senate Committee assignment | 4/30/2013 | | |
| HB0526 | SUBSTITUTE SCHOOL EMPLOYEES UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION Under existing law, there is no explicit language that prohibits employment as a substitute employee at a school from qualifying for unemployment compensation. This bill would provide that the term "employment" for purposes of qualifying for unemployment compensation does not include services performed as a substitute employee in a school.
| Rep. Jack Williams | House Commerce & Small Business | Introduced | 4/2/2013 | SB0407 | |
| HB0535 | LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS AUDIT REPORTS Under existing law, a city board of education is required to be audited as soon as possible after July 1st of each year and the audit report may be published. This bill would require a city board of education to be audited by July 31st of each year, to provide online access to its audit report, and to submit the audit report to the Department of Education. This bill would also authorize a circuit judge of the judicial circuit in which a city or county board of education is located to compel the city or county board of education to conduct an audit or submit the audit report to the Department of Education within a time period prescribed by the circuit judge. This bill also requires the Department of Education to provide online access to the audit report of a city or county board of education that does not have a website and keep a database of city and county boards of education audit records to ensure that each city and county board of education complies with this act.
| Rep. Rod Scott | House Education Policy | Indefinitely Posponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | | |
| HB0551 | * STATE GOVERNMENT - OFFICE OF FLEET MANAGEMENT/REVIEW OF STATE AGENCY FLEET PLANS. This bill would allow for the Department of Transportation Office of Fleet Management to review drafts of state department and agency green fleets plans, would develop a statewide fleet management program, and would repeal Chapter 17, Title 41 of the Code of Alabama 1975.
| Rep. Greg Wren | Senate Commerce, Transportation & Utilities | Favorable Report from Senate Committee | 5/9/2013 | | |
| HB0559 | LOCAL SCHOOL CONTROL SCHOOL FLEXIBILITY ACT OF 2013 This bill authorizes the establishment of innovative schools and school systems in the State of Alabama. It would also allow the State Board of Education to enter into a school flexibility contract with a local school system to allow for programmatic flexibility or budgetary flexibility, or both, from state laws, including State Board of Education rules, regulations, and policies in exchange for academic and associated goals for students that focus on college and career readiness. PLEASE NOTE: This bill repeals the current Alabama Accountability Act of 2013 (HB 84/ACT NO: 2013-64) and puts it back to the wording in the original bill introduced during the Regular Session.
| Rep. Craig Ford | House Education Policy | Introduced | 4/4/2013 | SB0430 | |
| HB0565 | PROHIBIT ADOPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMON CORE STANDARDS This bill would prohibit the State Board of Education from adopting and the State Department of Education from implementing the Common Core Standards developed by the Common Core State Standards Initiative. This bill would clarify that the State Board of Education retains the sole authority to develop and adopt these standards independent of the federal government or other agency or entity outside of the state.
| Rep. Jim Barton | House Education Policy | Introduced | 4/4/2013 | | |
| HB0588 | ALABAMA STUDENT LIBERTIES ACT OF 2013. This bill would create the Alabama Student Religious Liberties Act of 2013, prohibiting school districts from discriminating against a student or parent on the basis of a religious viewpoint or religious expression in public schools. This bill would also require school districts to allow religious expression in class assignments, coursework, and artwork.
Further, this bill would require school districts to provide students with the freedom to organize religious groups and activities. This bill would also require school systems to adopt and implement a policy regarding a limited public forum and voluntary student expression of religious viewpoints.
| Rep. Mack Butler | House Education Policy | Indefinitely Posponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | SB0429 | |
| HB0600 | SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS – LOCAL LEGISLATION [ETOWAH COUNTY] This bill would allow retired law enforcement officers to serve on a part-time basis as school resource officers in the public schools in Etowah County, and would require part-time school resource officers to be certified by the Alabama Peace Officers’ Standards and Training Commission, but to waive certification and recertification requirements relating to physical qualifications.
| Rep. Craig Ford | Senate Local Legislation No. 1 | Favorable Report from Senate Committee | 5/9/2013 | HB0513 | |
| HB0612 | PSCA BOND - SECURE SCHOOL FACILITIES ACT. This bill establishes the Secure School Facilities Act of 2013, authorizing the Alabama Public School and College Authority to sell and issue up to $50 Million in aggregate principal amount of additional bonds to provide funds for building renovations for local boards of education.
| Rep. Allen Treadaway | Senate Finance & Taxation Education | Assigned to Senate Committee | 5/2/2013 | | |
| HB0632 | CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEE AND/OR TEACHER LEGISLATOR. Current law allows a member of the Legislature who was a public employee or teacher on December 1, 2010, to continue in that employment until November 5, 2014. This bill would extend the exemption for continued employment indefinitely.
| Rep. Oliver Robinson | House Ethics & Campaign Finance | Introduced | 4/16/2013 | SB0414 | |
| HB0641 | ** EDUCATION EMPLOYEES AND STATE EMPLOYEES - RECEIVE ANNUAL SUMMARY OF BENEFITS. SYNOPSIS: This bill would require every public employee to receive on an annual basis a statement summarizing the value of all benefits received by the employee from his or her employer and of the cost of such benefits to the employer.
| Rep. Bill Roberts | House State Government | Indefinitely Posponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | | |
| HB0652 | CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC SCHOOL ATHLETIC FACILITIES - [CALHOUN COUNTY]. This bill relates to the construction of athletic facilities at public schools in Calhoun County, exempting them from certain competitive bidding and construction laws as long as the construction is done in compliance with all codes, laws, rules, and standards that apply to persons licensed by the Alabama Home Builders Licensure Board.
| Rep. Randy Wood | Senate Governmental Affairs | Assigned to Senate Committee | 5/9/2013 | | |
| HB0655 | AMENDATORY LANGUAGE – ALABAMA ACCOUNTABILITY ACT. This bill amends Section 8 of the Alabama Accountability Act of 2013, Act 2013-64 (HB 84), and specifies that no public or non-public school may be forced to enroll a student pursuant to the provisions set forth in the act.
| Rep. Chad Fincher | House Ways & Means Education | Introduced | 4/23/2013 | HB0658
SB0360 | |
| HB0658 | AMENDATORY LANGUAGE – ALABAMA ACCOUNTABILITY ACT. This bill amends Sections 4, 5, 8, and 9 of the Alabama Accountability Act of 2013, Act 2013-64 (HB 84), and specifies that no public or non-public school may be forced to enroll a student pursuant to the provisions set forth in the act.
| Rep. Jim Carns | ENROLLED | FINAL PASSAGE - Sent to Governor | 5/9/2013 | HB0655
SB0360 | |
| HB0662 | CITY BOARDS OF EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS – LOCAL LEGISLATION [TUSCALOOSA COUNTY]. This bill would revise the qualifications for membership on the local board of education and would conform local law with the applicable general law governing the operation of a city board of education relating to compensation, audits, and meetings of the board.
| Rep. Chris England | Senate Local Legislation No. 1 | Favorable Report from Senate Committee | 5/2/2013 | | |
| HB0680 | SCHOOL SECURITY PERSONNEL AUTHORIZED TO CARRY FIREARMS. Under existing law, law enforcement officers and certain persons issued a license to carry a concealed weapon are permitted to carry a deadly weapon, or firearm, on K-12 school property. This bill would authorize a local board of education to designate employees as school security personnel and would allow such persons designated as school security personnel, with certain qualifications, to carry firearms while on duty, and would provide that the State Department of Education must pay any costs associated with training requirements.
| Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow | House Education Policy | Introduced | 4/30/2013 | | |
| HJR007 | HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION - URGING EACH STATE DEPARTMENT, OFFICE, AND AGENCY RECEIVING CHILDREN FIRST TRUST FUND ALLOCATIONS PURSUANT TO THE TOBACCO MASTER SETTLEMENT TO FORMULATE A PLAN FOR REMAINING ECONOMICALLY VIABLE WHEN THE TRUST FUND ALLOCATIONS END. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That the Legislature urges each of the named departments (including the State Department of Education), agencies, and offices to adopt a formal plan to ensure their economic viability upon the ending of the Tobacco Master Settlement payments to the Children Trust Fund.
| Rep. Jack Williams | Senate Rules | PASSED HOUSE - Assigned to Senate Committee | 2/7/2013 | | |
| HJR024 | HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION - URGING CONGRESS TO ANNUALLY INDEMNIFY, FROM OFFSHORE ROYALTY REVENUES, EACH ALABAMA COUNTY FOR LOST SIXTEENTH SECTION LANDS. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That Congress is respectively requested to annually indemnify, from funds received from offshore royalty revenues, each Alabama county in an amount representative of the value of lost sixteenth section land per county, pursuant to a methodology similar to the following example: If the approximately 930,027 acres of sixteenth section lands the state is entitled to have are equally divided among the 67 counties, approximately 13,881 acres is allocated to each county. If Congress were to indemnify the state in an amount of just one-sixteenth of the 2008 fiscal year royalty revenues, or $906,312,428, each acre would be assigned an approximate value of $1,009 ($906,312,428 divided by 898,393 = $1,009). To determine the amount of indemnification for each county, the total number of existing sixteenth section acres attributed to each county, based upon Department of Conservation and Natural Resources calculations, should be subtracted from 13,881 to determine the number of lost sixteenth section acres in each county, and that number should be multiplied by $1,009.
| Rep. Thad McClammy | Senate Rules | PASSED HOUSE - Assigned to Senate Committee | 2/19/2013 | | |
| HJR204 | HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION - ENCOURAGING THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO CREATE AN ACTIVE SHOOTER PREPARATION COURSE FOR USE IN ALL PUBLIC
SCHOOLS IN ALABAMA. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That we encourage the Alabama Department of Education and the Alabama Department of Homeland Security, with input from other education, law enforcement, and emergency management entities, to create an active shooter preparation course to be used in all public schools in Alabama. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we encourage collaboration with local law enforcement officials and local emergency management directors to provide for proper training necessary to teach the course to all school personnel on an annual basis. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That all local school safety plans are strongly urged to include an active shooter intrusion component in the plans and to incorporate this training into those plans.
| Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin | Senate Rules | PASSED House - Assigned to Senate Committee | 4/16/2013 | | |
| HJR205 | HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION - SUPPORTING THE FORMATION OF A SCHOOL SAFETY STAKEHOLDER GROUP AND ENCOURAGING THIS GROUP TO HOLD REGULAR MEETINGS. WHEREAS, Homeland Security Director Spencer Collier recently held a meeting with 17 other federal, state, and local agencies and groups that are directly involved with or have an interest in school safety; now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That we support Director Collier's initiative to bring all stakeholder groups in the education, law enforcement, and emergency management communities around the same table to discuss school safety issues in Alabama's schools, and encourage Director Collier to continue holding regular meetings with these groups. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we request that legislative leadership or their representatives be given the opportunity to participate in future meetings so the Legislature can stay abreast of the latest information on this very important topic.
| Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin | ENACTED | ACT 2013-185 | 5/8/2013 | | |
| HJR226 | HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION - SUPPORTING AND ENCOURAGING THE FURTHERANCE OF AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH TO IMPROVE SUPPORT SERVICES OFFERED AT EACH SCHOOL DESIGNED TO DETECT AND TREAT MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL DISORDERS FOR ALABAMA'S STUDENTS. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That we support and encourage the furtherance of agreements between the Alabama Department of Mental Health and the Alabama State Department of Education that would increase support services offered at each school in terms of early detection and treatment of psychological and emotional disorders. RESOLVED FURTHER, That we recommend that the Department of Education work in unison with the various family resource centers to provide additional support that will assist school districts in developing and implementing strategies that can be used to improve the social and emotional well-being of students. RESOLVED FURTHER, That we recommend that the Department of Education create continuing education programs for teachers that will allow them to stay informed of techniques and strategies designed to recognize signs of potential emotional and psychological problems in students.
| Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin | ENACTED | ACT 2013-186 | 5/8/2013 | | |
| HJR377 | HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION - URGING THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO REFRAIN FROM ACCEPTING FEDERAL FUNDS TIED TO THE COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS INITIATIVE UNTIL A FULL AND OPEN DEBATE OF THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED IN THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That we urge the State Board of Education to take all steps necessary to refrain from accepting any federal funds tied to the Common Core State Standards Initiative until a full and open debate of this issue has occurred in the Alabama Legislature to ensure that the State of Alabama retains complete control over its academic standards, curriculum, instruction, and testing system. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution is to be provided to the State Superintendent of Education for distribution to the State Board.
| Rep. Joe Hubbard | House Rules | Lost on House Floor | 4/30/2013 | HJR404
SJR098
SJR109 | |
| HJR385 | HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION - CREATING THE JOINT INTERIM LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE TO STUDY HOME SCHOOL ACCESS TO PUBLIC SCHOOL EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That the Joint Interim Legislative Committee to Study Home School Access to Public School Extracurricular Activities is created. The membership of the committee shall be inclusive and reflect the racial, gender, geographic, urban and rural, and economic diversity of the state. The chair and vice chair of the committee shall be elected at the first meeting by the members of the committee. The committee shall study all facets relating to the participation of students instructed at home by a private tutor or pursuant to church school law in athletics and other extracurricular activities offered by public K-12 schools.
| Rep. Ed Henry | House Rules | Favorable Report from House Committee | 5/7/2013 | | |
| HJR404 | HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION - URGING THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO REFRAIN FROM ACCEPTING FEDERAL FUNDS TIED TO THE COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS INITIATIVE UNTIL A FULL AND OPEN DEBATE OF THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED IN THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That we urge the State Board of Education to take all steps necessary to refrain from accepting any federal funds tied to the Common Core State Standards Initiative until a full and open debate of this issue has occurred in the Alabama Legislature to ensure that the State of Alabama retains complete control over its academic standards, curriculum, instruction, and testing system. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution is to be provided to the State Superintendent of Education for distribution to the State Board.
| Rep. Joe Hubbard | House Rules | Lost on House Floor | 5/2/2013 | HJR377
SJR098
SJR109 | |
| SB0009 | OPT-OUT OF FLEXIBLE SCHOOL CALENDAR ACT OF 2012. This bill would allow a local board of
education to opt-out of the temporary academic school calendar parameters set forth in the Flexible School Calendar Act of 2012 by providing written notice to the State Superintendent of Education.
Comments: The Senate Committee amendments effectively make the 1080 equivalent hours permanent, BUT language was also included to state that the opt out option would not be effective until October 1, 2013.
| Sen. Bill Holtzclaw | Senate Finance & Taxation Education | Indefinitely Posponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | HB0288 | Senate Committee AMD1
Senate Committee AMD2 |
| SB0015 | CRIMINAL TRESPASS ON SCHOOL BUS. Existing law provides for the crimes of criminal trespass in the first degree, second degree, and third degree as it relates to property and dwellings. This bill would establish the crime of trespass on a school bus in the first degree.
Comments: The Senate Judiciary committee amendment made the crime of trespassing on a school bus a Class A misdemeanor (originally proposed as a Class B misdemeanor). In addition, the bill will be known as the Charles “Chuck” Poland, Jr. Act in memory of the school bus driver who recently lost his life in Midland City while protecting the children on his bus from a deadly shooter.
| Sen. Cam Ward | Senate Judiciary | Indefinitely Posponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | HB0105 | Senate Committee AMD |
| SB0021 | AUTOMATED SCHOOL BUS ENFORCEMENT DEVICE. This bill would enable city and county boards of education to initiate civil enforcement of offenses related to overtaking a school bus by using automated detection devices, and allowing for civil notice(s) of violation(s).
| Sen. Jimmy Holley | Senate Judiciary | Indefinitely Posponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | HB0183 | Senate Committee AMD |
| SB0040 | ** LOCAL EDUCATION AND STATE GOVERNMENT - DISPLAY OF TEN COMMANDMENTS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY OR PROPERTY OWNED BY THE STATE [CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT]. This bill proposes an amendment to the Alabama Constitution which would provide that property belonging to the state may be used to display the Ten Commandments and that the right to display the Ten Commandments on property owned or administrated by a public school or public body is not restrained or abridged. This bill would also provide that every person would be at liberty to worship according to his or her own conscience; and that no person would be compelled to attend or support a place of worship or a minister. This bill would also provide that the civil and political rights, privileges, and capacities of no person may be diminished or enlarged on account of his or her religious beliefs. This bill would prohibit the expenditure of public funds in defense of the constitutionality of this amendment.
Comments: The ENGROSSED bill deletes explicit references to the Ten Commandments and states that schools and other public buildings can put up displays of historically significant documents, including documents with religious significance.
| Sen. Gerald Dial | House Constitution Campaigns & Elections | Favorable Report from House Committee | 3/20/2013 | HB0299 | |
| SB0047 | REPEAL OF UNFUNDED MANDATE LANGUAGE FOR LOCAL BOARDS OF EDUCATION [CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT]. This bill proposes an amendment to Alabama’s Constitution that would remove the current exception that allows for legislation to be passed even though it may have the effect of increasing expenditures by local boards of education albeit not providing the money for local boards to pay for those expenditures.
| Sen. Dick Brewbaker | Senate Governmental Affairs | Introduced | 2/5/2013 | SB0067 | |
| SB0054 | LOCAL CONTROL SCHOOL FLEXIBILITY ACT OF 2013. This bill authorizes the establishment of innovative schools and school systems in the State of Alabama. It would also allow the State Board of Education to enter into a school flexibility contract with a local school system to allow for programmatic flexibility or budgetary flexibility, or both, from state laws, including State Board of Education rules, regulations, and policies in exchange for academic and associated goals for students that focus on college and career readiness.
| Sen. Bill Holtzclaw | Senate Education | Indefinitely Posponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | HB0084 | |
| SB0057 | * STATE GOVERNMENT - OFFICE OF FLEET MANAGEMENT CREATED.This bill would establish the Office of Fleet Management within the Department of Transportation to manage the purchase, lease, operation, maintenance, and disposal of all motor vehicles needed to provide necessary motor vehicle transportation for state officers and employees.
| Sen. Cam Ward | House State Government | FINAL PASSAGE - Awaiting enrollment | 5/9/2013 | HB0244 | |
| SB0060 | EDUCATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND INTERVENTION ACT OF 2013. This bill would clarify the authority of the
State Board of Education, through the State Superintendent of Education, to exercise direct control over the decision making and operational functions of city and county boards of education when such boards are placed under educational
intervention by action of the State Board of Education.
Comments: The House Committee amendment deals with the intervention authority of the State Superintendent of Education and the status of tenured and nonprobationary employees covered in the Students First Act of 2011.
| Sen. Dick Brewbaker | House Ways & Means Education | Favorable Report as AMENDED in House Committee | 3/7/2013 | | |
| SB0067 | REPEAL OF UNFUNDED MANDATE LANGUAGE FOR LOCAL BOARDS OF EDUCATION [CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT]. This bill proposes an amendment to Alabama’s Constitution that would remove the current exception that allows for legislation to be passed even though it may have the effect of increasing expenditures by local boards of education albeit not providing the money for local boards to pay for those expenditures.
| Sen. Dick Brewbaker | House EducationPolicy | Favorable Report from House Committee | 4/18/2013 | SB0047 | |
| SB0082 | LOCAL LEGISLATION [MOBILE COUNTY]- ALLOW SECURITY PERSONNEL TO CARRY FIREARMS. This bill would authorize the Mobile County board of education to allow persons employed as school security personnel or school resource officers to carry firearms while on duty. The bill would also require the employees to have certain qualifications.
| Sen. Rusty Glover | House Mobile County Legislation | PASSED SENATE - Assigned to House Committee | 2/28/2012 | | |
| SB0090 | ALABAMA RECURRING REVENUE FUND. This bill establishes the Alabama Recurring Revenue Fund and provides for the distribution of the proceeds of the recurring revenue sources of the Education Trust Fund and the State General Fund initially into this fund to be allocated to the Education Trust Fund and the State General Fund based upon the percentages established in this bill.
| Sen. Paul Sanford | Senate Finance & Taxation Education | Introduced | 2/5/2013 | | |
| SB0091 | PROPERTY REAPPRAISAL. Under existing law, the Department of Revenue supervises and regulates the periodic reappraisal of all property in Alabama. This bill would provide that property in Alabama would not be subject to reappraisal less than every four years.
| Sen. Paul Sanford | Senate Finance & Taxation General Fund | Indefinitely Posponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | | |
| SB0101 | EARLY GRADUATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. This bill would create the early graduation scholarship program to provide a scholarship to any qualifying student who graduates at the 11th grade level and attends a two-year or four-year institution of higher education in the state. This bill would provide for the duties of the State Department of Education and the Alabama Commission on Higher Education in administering the program, and would also provide for funding of the program through Foundation Program funds allocated for the student to his or her high school.
| Sen. Arthur Orr | Senate Finance & Taxation Education | Introduced | 2/5/2013 | | |
| SB0110 | EPI-PEN SELF ADMINISTRATION. Under existing law, students attending public and nonpublic K-12 schools are permitted to self-administer certain approved medications while on school property. This bill would name the self-administration law the Kyle Graddy Act. This bill would specifically allow the
possession and self- administration of auto-injectable epinephrine by a school student.
| Sen. Tom Whatley | Senate Judiciary | Indefinitely Posponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | | |
| SB0112 | * STATE GOVERNMENT - ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES ACT REVISIONS TO PROCESS. Under existing law, the Legislative Council, sitting as the Joint Committee on Administrative Regulation Review, is required to review all rules proposed to be adopted pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act. The committee may disapprove a rule which disapproval may be sustained by the adoption of a joint resolution at the next regular session of the Legislature. This bill would provide that the Joint Committee on Legislative Operations, a proposed successor committee to the Legislative Council, would be required to affirmatively approve a proposed rule prior to its becoming effective. The bill further provides that the committee may make use of the Chief of Legislative Operations and other personnel and agencies of the legislative department when considering proposed rules. A proposed rule change could be disapproved by the committee or, if not affirmatively approved, the proposed rule would be deemed disapproved. The bill further provides for an appeal process to the Lieutenant Governor upon the disapproval of a rule by the Joint Committee on Legislative Operations. If the Lieutenant Governor approves a rule, the Legislature may overrule the Lieutenant Governor's approval by joint resolution.
| Sen. Jimmy Holley | Senate Fiscal Responsibility & Accountability | Indefinitely Posponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | HB0148 | |
| SB0117 | * STATE GOVERNMENT - OFFICE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY. This bill would create the Office of Secretary of Information Technology within state government, and establish a Permanent Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology. This new office shall have authority over all state agencies with regard to information technology, with exceptions.
| Sen. Phil Williams | ENACTED | ACT 2013-68 | 3/19/2013 | | |
| SB0127 | * STATE EMPLOYEES - HIGH DEDUCTIBLE HEALTH PLAN THROUGH SEIB. This bill would authorize the State Employees' Insurance Board (SEIB) to offer a High Deductible Health Plan with a federally qualified Health Savings Account and a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to eligible state employees, state retirees, and their dependents.
| Sen. Slade Blackwell | Senate Finance & Taxation General Fund | Indefinitely Posponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | HB0089
HB0246 | |
| SB0137 | ETF BUDGET - FY '2014. This bill makes appropriations for the support, maintenance and development of public education in Alabama, for debt service, and for capital outlay for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014.
Comments: This is the Governor's Proposed Budget. The House bill (HB 166) is the vehicle that will be moving through the legislative process this session.
| Sen. Trip Pittman | Senate Finance & Taxation Education | Introduced | 2/6/2013 | HB0166 | |
| SB0138 | SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION FROM ETF. This bill makes a supplemental appropriation from the Education Trust Fund to the Department of Commerce in the amount of $10,800,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013; and makes a supplemental appropriation from the Education Trust Fund to the Department of Veterans' Affairs in the amount of $5,264,915 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013.
| Sen. Trip Pittman | ENACTED | ACT 2013-69 | 3/19/2013 | HB0170 | |
| SB0146 | * STATE GOVERNMENT - NEPOTISM. This bill would prohibit nepotism within state government. The bill states that any person within the fourth degree of affinity or consanguinity (i.e., Great Great, Grandparent Great, Aunt/Uncle First Cousin, and/or Grand Nephew/Niece) of the agency head or appointing authority, the appointing authority's designee, deputy director, assistant director, or associate director shall be ineligible to serve in any capacity (including personal service contracts) with the state under authority of such an appointment, and any appointment so attempted shall be void. The bill further states that any person within the fourth degree of affinity or consanguinity (i.e., Great Great, Grandparent Great, Aunt/Uncle First Cousin, and/or Grand Nephew/Niece) of a public employee shall not be the immediate supervisor for or in the chain of command of, or participate in the hiring, evaluation, reassignment, promotion, or discipline of, the public employee within any state department, board, bureau, committee, commission, institution, corporation, authority, or other agency of the state.
| Sen. Arthur Orr | ENACTED | ACT 2013-242 | 5/15/2013 | | |
| SB0158 | ** EDUCATION EMPLOYEES AND STATE EMPLOYEES – PAY DIFFERENTIAL FOR ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY STATUS. Under existing law, state employees and public education employees receive/ed compensation when called into active duty status by the United States during the war on terrorism which commenced in September of 2001. This bill would extend the salary differential for any state employee, employee of a public education entity, or employee of a local government entity, who is called into active service at any time in any of the Armed Forces of the United States.
| Sen. Tom Whatley | Senate Veterans & Military Affairs | Favorable Report from Senate Committee | 2/21/2013 | HB0401 | |
| SB0166 | EDUCATION EMPLOYEES' PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURANCE. This bill would require the State Department of Education and the Department of Finance to implement a program to purchase or provide a policy of education employee professional liability insurance to insure certificated personnel and support personnel employed by a local board of education and student teachers and would authorize the State Department of Education and the Department of Finance to adopt rules for the implementation of such program.
| Sen. Bryan Taylor | Senate Finance & Taxation Education | Introduced | 2/7/2013 | | |
| SB0179 | * STATE GOVERNMENT - ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES RED TAPE REDUCTION ACT. This bill would require an agency that
proposes a rule which may have an adverse impact on
a business under certain conditions to prepare and
file a Business Economic Impact Statement prior to the adoption of the rule, with the Joint Committee on Administrative Regulation Review. The bill would also require agencies to review all agency rules every five years.
| Sen. Jabo Waggoner | Senate Fiscal Responsibility & Accountability | Indefinitely Posponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | HB0101 | |
| SB0186 | TIM TEBOW ACT. Existing law prevents a child instructed at home by a private tutor or at a church school to participate in extracurricular activities offered by public schools. This bill would require a participating student who participates in an extracurricular activity at a public school to commit to and only participate in that extracurricular activity at that public school for the duration of the school year, and would allow a student to participate in different extracurricular activities at the same public school. It also specifies that no school team utilizing these students would be impeded from competing against any other public or private school team, and the insurance coverage provided by a school board for participants in extracurricular activities would cover a child instructed at home by private tutor or under church school law.
| Sen. Shadrack McGill | Senate Education | Indefinitely Posponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | HB0287 | Senate Floor AMD1
Senate Floor AMD2 |
| SB0190 | COMMON CORE STANDARDS. This bill would prohibit the State Board of Education from adopting and the Department of Education from implementing the Common Core State Standards developed by the Common Core State Standards Initiative, and would prohibit the State Board of Education, the Department of Education, and other state bodies from compiling or sharing data about students or teachers, except under limited circumstances. The bill would also prohibit the State Board of Education from entering into an agreement or joining a consortium that would cede any control to an entity outside the state, and would require public notice and public hearings before the State Board of Education adopts or implements any statewide standards. The bill in its concluding section requires that academic standards be approved by the Legislature.
| Sen. Dick Brewbaker | Senate Education | Introduced | 2/12/2013 | HB254 | |
| SB0209 | * STATE EMPLOYEES - COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT. This bill would provide a cost-of-living increase for state employees of 10%, over a
two fiscal year period, for a 5% increase for fiscal year 2013-2014, and a 5% for fiscal year 2014-2015.
| Sen. Dick Brewbaker | Senate Finance & Taxation General Fund | Introduced | 2/14/2013 | | |
| SB0213 | ** EDUCATION EMPLOYEES AND STATE EMPLOYEES - COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE/CONSUMER PRICE INDEX. Beginning October 1, 2013, and each fiscal year thereafter, the salary for certain state employees and public education employees shall be increased in an amount equal to the percentage amount reflecting the cost-of-living adjustment indicated by the Consumer Price Index for the preceding index year.
| Sen. Marc Keahey | Senate Finance & Taxation General Fund | Introduced | 2/14/2013 | | |
| SB0221 | PROHIBIT POST MINORITY EDUCATION [CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT] - This bill proposes an amendment to the Alabama Constitution, prohibiting any law, rule, or court order that compels a person to contribute financial support for the post-minority education of another person over the age of 19 years.
| Sen. Paul Sanford | Senate Judiciary | Introduced | 2/19/2013 | | |
| SB0224 | ALABAMA AHEAD ACT (TECHNOLOGY) BOND ISSUE. This bill coincides with Act No: 2012-560 and removes the requirement for a pen-enabled digital device; deletes the restriction for using a bond issue for grades 9-12; and, makes bond money available for use in grades K-12. This bill would authorize the issue of bonds in the amount of $150 million that would be allocated to school systems on ADM. The use of these bond monies include: infrastructure readiness; devices, digital content, management systems, debt service, and support; upgrades, expansions, and maintenance.
| Sen. Gerald Dial | Senate Finance & Taxation Education | Introduced | 2/19/2013 | HB0293 | |
| SB0227 | REDUCTION-IN-FORCE POLICIES. Under existing law, each local board of education is required to adopt a reduction-in-force policy. This bill would require the State Superintendent of Education to develop a model policy; and to require that each policy comply with antidiscrimination laws.
| Sen. Bryan Taylor | Senate Education | Indefinitely Posponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | HB0353 | |
| SB0271 | ** LOCAL EDUCATION AND STATE GOVERNMENT – COMPETITIVE BID LAW/CONTRACTUAL SERVICES. Currently, pursuant to the state competitive bidding law, contracts for the purchase of personal property or contractual services shall be let for periods not greater than three years. This bill would provide that contracts for the purchase of personal property or contractual services shall be let for periods not greater than five years.
| Sen. Gerald Dial | Senate Finance & Taxation Education | Indefinitely Posponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | | |
| SB0288 | CHILDREN FIRST TRUST FUND. Under existing law, Children First Trust Fund programs are required to be funded through a separate appropriation in a separate act. This bill would make an appropriation of $39,004,803 from the Children First Trust Fund for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, to the entities and for the purposes designated in Section 41-15B-2.2, Code of Alabama 1975. This bill would provide for the deposit of tobacco settlement revenues into the Children First Trust Fund, would require the State Director of Finance to notify each agency in writing of the amount of each agency's anticipated allocation, would require quarterly allocation to each agency, and would condition allocations upon the receipt of tobacco funds. This bill would provide for the transfer to the State General Fund during fiscal year 2014 that portion of Children First Trust Fund receipts currently allocated for the State Board of Education. This bill would make an appropriation of $45,168,359 from other tobacco settlement funds for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014. This bill would also make a conditional appropriation and allocation of any additional tobacco revenue on recommendation of the Director of Finance, the Chairman of the House Ways and Means General Fund Committee and the Chairman of the Senate Finance and Taxation-General Fund Committee, and approval of the Governor.
| Sen. Jabo Waggoner | ENROLLED | Awaiting Governor's signature | 5/9/2013 | HB0157
HB0402 | |
| SB0296 | CPR INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS. Currently, certified instructors teach cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) classes in schools. This bill would allow CPR instructors to become certified by organizations similar to the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross.
| Sen. Bill Holtzclaw | Senate Education | Introduced | 3/5/2013 | | |
| SB0303 | TEACHERS’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM BOARD OF CONTROL MEMBERSHIP. Under current law, the general administration and responsibility for the proper operation of the Teachers' Retirement System of Alabama is statutorily vested in a 14-member Board of Control. This bill would alter the membership of the Board of Control by adding representatives from our public 4-year higher education institutions. It also removed the Executive Secretary of the Alabama Education Association from serving on the Board.
| Sen. Gerald Allen | ENACTED | ACT 2013-239 | 5/13/2013 | HB0425 | |
| SB0304 | REPORTING OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE. Under existing law, certain entities and persons are required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect. This bill would clarify that school employees, teachers, and officials at both public and private K-12 schools are required to report. This bill would also provide that any public or private employer who disciplines or penalizes an employee for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.
| Sen. Vivian Figures | Senate Children Youth Affairs & Human Resources | Indefinitely Postponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | HB0301 | Senate Committee AMD |
| SB0310 | LOCAL LEGISLATION [FRANKLIN COUNTY]- VOLUNTEER SCHOOL SECURITY FORCES. This local bill allows for the formation of volunteer emergency security forces at public schools consisting of current and retired school employees and local citizens to serve as reserve deputy sheriffs and/or reserve police officers. Local law enforcement would be responsible for training and supervising the “emergency security force”. This bill was amended to allow training for school bus drivers on gun violence prevention, and the use and safe keeping of mace, stun guns, tasers, and other non-lethal weapons.
| Sen. Roger Bedford | ENROLLED | Awaiting Governor's signature | 5/9/2013 | HB0116
HB0404 | |
| SB0315 | ARREST WARRANTS FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION EMPLOYEES. Existing law does not provide procedures for issuing an arrest warrant for a public education employee concerning official duties of the employee. This bill would provide procedures for issuing an arrest warrant for an employee concerning actions performed in the official duties of the employee. This bill would also provide for certain exceptions.
| Sen. Jerry Fielding | Senate Judiciary | Indefintely Postponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | | |
| SB0323 | * STATE EMPLOYEES – GROUP INSURANCE OFFERINGS. This bill would authorize the Chief
Executive Officer of the Alabama State Employees Insurance Board (SEIB) to approve the offering of group insurance products by insurance carriers that have been approved under existing law.
| Sen. Paul Sanford | Senate Job Creation & Economic Development | Indefintely Postponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | HB0397 | |
| SB0326 | ** LOCAL EDUCATION AND STATE GOVERNMENT – GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC BUILDINGS. This bill would specify that any green building standard used for construction or major renovation of public buildings by state and local governments would be required to use certain forest certification standards for wood consistent with standards used in the forest industry in this state.
| Sen. Marc Keahey | House Agriculture & Forestry | Favorable Report from House Committee | 4/18/2013 | HB0457 | |
| SB0360 | AMENDATORY LANGUAGE - ALABAMA ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2013 (PRIVATE SCHOOL TAX CREDITS). This bill amends Section 8 of the Alabama Accountability Act of 2013, Act 2013-14, and specifies that no public or non-public school may be forced to enroll a student pursuant to this Act.
| Sen. Del Marsh | Senate Education | Indefintely Postponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | SB0381
HB0655 | HB0658 |
| SB0380 | CRIMINAL TRESPASS ON A SCHOOL BUS. This bill would establish the crime of trespass on a school bus in the first degree.
| Sen. Jimmy Holley | Senate Judiciary | Introduced | 4/4/2013 | | |
| SB0381 | AMENDATORY LANGUAGE - ALABAMA ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2013 (PRIVATE SCHOOL TAX CREDITS). This bill amends Section 8 of the Alabama Accountability Act of 2013, Act 2013-14, and specifies that no public or non-public school may be forced to enroll a student pursuant to this Act.
| Sen. Dick Brewbaker | Senate Education | Introduced | 4/4/2013 | SB0360
HB0655 | HB0658 |
| SB0383 | SCHOOL SECURITY PERSONNEL/SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS TO CARRY FIREARMS Under existing law, law enforcement officers and certain persons issued a license to carry a concealed weapon are permitted to carry a deadly weapon, or firearm, on K-12 school property. This bill would authorize a local board of education to employ persons as school security personnel or school resource officers and would allow such persons employed as school security personnel or school resource officers, with certain qualifications, to carry firearms while on duty.
| Sen. Dick Brewbaker | House Education Policy | PASSED House as AMENDED | 5/9/2013 | | House Floor AMD
House Committee AMD |
| SB0384 | REPEAL ALABAMA ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2013 This bill repeals the Alabama Accountability Act of 2013, as proposed by HB 84 (2013 Regular Session).
| Sen. Roger Bedford | Senate Education | Introduced | 4/4/2013 | HB0492 | |
| SB0403 | PROHIBITION OF COMMON CORE STANDARDS AND SHARING OF STATEWIDE LONGITUDINAL DATA In addition to prohibiting the State Board of Education from adopting and the Department of Education from implementing the Common Core State Standards developed by the Common Core State Standards Initiative, this bill would prohibit the State Board of Education, the Department of Education, and other state bodies from compiling or sharing data about students or teachers, except under limited circumstances. This bill would also prohibit the State Board of Education from entering into an agreement or joining a consortium that would cede any control to an entity outside the state, and would require notice and public hearings before the State Board of Education adopts or implements any statewide standards.
| Sen. Scott Beason | Senate Education | Indefintely Postponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | | Senate Committee AMD |
| SB0404 | PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE STUDENT DATA SAFEGUARDS AND COMMON CORE STANDARDS This bill would require the State Board of Education to ensure that personally identifiable student data be safeguarded and used only for legitimate educational purposes, and would prohibit the State Board of Education, the Department of Education, and other state bodies from compiling or sharing data about students or teachers, except under limited circumstances. This bill would also prohibit the State Board of Education from entering into an agreement or joining a consortium that would cede any control to an entity outside the state. Further, this bill would require notice and public hearings before the State Board of Education adopts or implements any statewide standards, and would also prohibit the State Board of Education from adopting and the Department of Education from implementing the Common Core State Standards developed by the Common Core State Standards Initiative.
| Sen. Scott Beason | Senate Education | Introduced | 4/4/2013 | | |
| SB0407 | SUBSTITUTE SCHOOL EMPLOYEES UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION Under existing law, there is no explicit language that prohibits employment as a substitute employee at a school from qualifying for unemployment compensation. This bill would provide that the term "employment" for purposes of qualifying for unemployment compensation does not include services performed as a substitute employee in a school.
| Sen. Rusty Glover | Senate Business & Labor | Introduced | 4/4/2013 | HB526 | |
| SB0414 | CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEE AND/OR TEACHER LEGISLATOR. Current law allows a member of the Legislature who was a public employee or teacher on December 1, 2010, to continue in that employment until November 5, 2014. This bill would extend the exemption for continued employment indefinitely.
| Sen. Del Marsh | Senate Education | LOST on Senate floor | 4/23/2013 | HB0632 | |
| SB0424 | PROHIBIT DISCLOSURE OF PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE STUDENT INFORMATION. Under existing law, student record data is shared between high schools and colleges and universities. This bill would explicitly prohibit the Department of Education, the State Board of Education, local boards of education, public and private schools, and public and private two-year and four-year institutions of higher learning from disclosing personally identifiable student information to any third party without consent, except in limited circumstances. This bill would also prohibit the use of any personally identifiable student information for the development of commercial products or services. This further authorizes the Attorney General to enforce the provisions of this act and would require the State Auditor to periodically perform audits to ensure compliance with the provisions of this act.
| Sen. Dick Brewbaker | Senate Education | Indefintely Postponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | | Senate Committee AMD |
| SB0426 | DISSOLUTION OF FOUNDATION FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS. Under existing law, the Foundation for Local Schools was created by legislative act as a public corporation to accept and invest private donations for the enhancement of public K-12 schools. Existing law also requires, upon dissolution of the foundation, for monies in the accounts of various school systems to be disbursed to local school systems and monies remaining in various participating trusts to be returned in whole to the treasurer of each applicable trust fund. This bill would dissolve the foundation and provide for the disbursement of the funds held in the accounts of the foundation.
| Sen. Gerald Allen | Senate Education | Indefintely Postponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | | |
| SB0429 | ALABAMA STUDENT LIBERTIES ACT OF 2013. This bill would create the Alabama Student Religious Liberties Act of 2013, prohibiting school districts from discriminating against a student or parent on the basis of a religious viewpoint or religious expression in public schools. This bill would also require school districts to allow religious expression in class assignments, coursework, and artwork.
Further, this bill would require school districts to provide students with the freedom to organize religious groups and activities. This bill would also require school systems to adopt and implement a policy regarding a limited public forum and voluntary student expression of religious viewpoints.
| Sen. Phil Williams | Senate Education | Introduced | 4/11/2013 | HB0588 | |
| SB0430 | LOCAL SCHOOL CONTROL SCHOOL FLEXIBILITY ACT OF 2013 This bill authorizes the establishment of innovative schools and school systems in the State of Alabama. It would also allow the State Board of Education to enter into a school flexibility contract with a local school system to allow for programmatic flexibility or budgetary flexibility, or both, from state laws, including State Board of Education rules, regulations, and policies in exchange for academic and associated goals for students that focus on college and career readiness. PLEASE NOTE: This bill repeals the current Alabama Accountability Act of 2013 (HB 84/ACT NO: 2013-64) and puts it back to the wording in the original bill introduced during the Regular Session.
| Sen. Vivian Figures | Senate Education | Introduced | 4/11/2013 | HB0559 | |
| SB0437 | SCHOLARSHIP GRANTING ORGANIZATIONS - ALABAMA ACCOUNTABILITY ACT. This bill would amend the Alabama
Accountability Act of 2013, to subject scholarship granting organizations to audits in the same manner as other taxpayers.
| Rep. Tammy Irons | Senate Finance & Taxation Education | Introduced | 4/11/2013 | | |
| SB0439 | ** EDUCATION EMPLOYEES AND STATE EMPLOYEES - NEW HEALTH INSURANCE BOARD GOVERNANCE AND MEMBERSHIP. Under existing law, the State Employees' Health Insurance Plan and the Public Education Employees' Health Insurance Plan are governed by the State Employees’ Insurance Board (SEIB) and the Public Education Employees’ Health Insurance Board (PEEHIB), respectively. This bill would create a new board, titled the Public Employees’ Health Insurance Board (PEHIB), to govern these two health insurance plans.
| Sen. Del Marsh | Senate Finance & Taxation Education | Indefintely Postponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | | Senate Committee AMD |
| SB0441 | PROHIBIT POST MINORITY EDUCATION. This bill would prohibit a court from ordering a person to provide post-minority education support to another person who has reached the age of majority unless the person or physically disabled.
| Sen. Paul Sanford | Senate Education | Indefintely Postponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | | |
| SB0443 | INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ETHICS COURSE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. This bill would require each public school high school student, phased in beginning with students entering the ninth grade in the 2013-2014 scholastic year, to complete a course in information technology ethics before graduation from high school.
| Sen. Tom Whatley | Senate Education | Introduced | 4/16/2013 | | |
| SB0447 | BAND INSTRUMENTS - TAX EXEMPTION. Under existing law, certain school items and clothing are included in the annual sales tax holiday. This bill would include band instruments purchased for use in a school band within the exemption from the sales and use tax during the annual sales tax holiday.
| Sen. Bryan Taylor | Senate Finance & Taxation Education | Introduced | 4/16/2013 | | |
| SB0451 | PENNY TRUST FUND. This bill authorizes the State Comptroller to transmit these funds to the State Board of Education for disbursement.
| Sen. Rodger Smitherman | Senate Finance & Taxation Education | Indefintely Postponed in House of Origin | 5/2/2013 | HB0125
HB0485 | Senate Committee AMD |
| SB0466 | LOCAL SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT POSITION - [CULLMAN COUNTY]. This bill would make the position of school superintendent in Cullman County appointed rather than elected at the time of expiration of the current term of office of the Cullman County superintendent of education.
| Sen. Paul Bussman | House Local Legislation | PASSED Senate - Assigned to House Committee | 5/7/2013 | | |
| SJR006 | SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION - ENCOURAGING GOVERNOR BENTLEY TO END THE FREEZE ON STATE EMPLOYEE MERIT RAISES. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That we hereby encourage Governor Bentley to take all steps necessary to immediately end the freeze on state employee merit raises.
| Sen. Dick Brewbaker | ENACTED | ACT 2013-11 | 2/14/2013 | | |
| SJR098 | SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION - URGING THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO REFRAIN FROM ACCEPTING FEDERAL FUNDS TIED TO THE COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS INITIATIVE UNTIL A FULL AND OPEN DEBATE OF THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED IN THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That we urge the State Board of Education to take all steps necessary to refrain from accepting any federal funds tied to the Common Core State Standards Initiative until a full and open debate of this issue has occurred in the Alabama Legislature to ensure that the State of Alabama retains complete control over its academic standards, curriculum, instruction, and testing system. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution is to be provided to the State Superintendent of Education for distribution to the State Board.
| Sen. Dick Brewbaker | Senate Rules | Introduced | 5/2/2013 | SJR109
HJR377
HJR404 | |
| SJR109 | SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION - URGING THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO REFRAIN FROM ACCEPTING FEDERAL FUNDS TIED TO THE COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS INITIATIVE UNTIL A FULL AND OPEN DEBATE OF THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED IN THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That we urge the State Board of Education to take all steps necessary to refrain from accepting any federal funds tied to the Common Core State Standards Initiative until a full and open debate of this issue has occurred in the Alabama Legislature to ensure that the State of Alabama retains complete control over its academic standards, curriculum, instruction, and testing system. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution is to be provided to the State Superintendent of Education for distribution to the State Board.
| Sen. Dick Brewbaker | House Rules | PASSED Senate - Assigned to House Committee | 5/2/2013 | SJR098
HJR377
HJR404 | |