AlabamaState agencies and schools receive $419.7 million in added funding
For fiscal year 2026, the act directs state money to schools, colleges, agencies, and named community programs, with some funds tied to specific projects or conditions.
What it does
The act provides $419.7 million for one-time needs across Alabama schools, colleges, universities, state agencies, and community programs. Some allocations have specific uses or matching-fund requirements.
Several state education accounts would send up to $312,835 to the Commission on Higher Education Fund. Part of that money would support teacher recruitment.
Some charter schools and the Historical Commission would have more flexibility to use certain grant money. Unspent amounts that revert at the end of fiscal year 2026 would be available to the same offices in the next fiscal year.
Argument forThe funding could help schools, colleges, and public programs address one-time needs such as safety, repairs, equipment, workforce training, and student services.
Argument againstBecause many allocations are restricted to named projects or organizations, agencies may have less flexibility to respond to other needs during the fiscal year.
More detail
The state would set aside $419,717,091 from the Education Trust Fund for schools, colleges, universities, agencies, and other listed organizations. The money covers the agencies and organizations listed in Sections 1(1) through 1(37), including local school boards, higher education institutions, workforce programs, public health, museums, and cultural groups. Each amount must be used for the purpose stated in the act. School bus money may pay for buses or existing school bus debt, and eligible school systems may request other educational uses if they are current on regular-route bus purchases. The Junior Achievement allocation depends on at least $3 million in committed matching funds certified by August 31, 2026; otherwise, that money returns to the Education Trust Fund. The appropriations apply to the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026.
State accounts would transfer specified amounts to the Commission on Higher Education Fund, which would receive an additional $312,835 for operations and teacher recruitment. The transfers come from the Alabama Student Assistance Program Fund, Knight Court Monitor Fund, and Teacher Education Scholarship Loan Fund. The transfers are limited to the amounts stated in the act. The Commission on Higher Education must use $114,723 of its appropriation for the AKEEP Education and Teacher Recruitment Program. The transfers and appropriation apply to the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026.
Conversion charter schools and the Alabama Historical Commission would receive broader authority to use certain grant funds, and reverted fiscal-year funds would be available again for specified offices. The authority covers conversion charter schools receiving grants under Act 2024-428, historical grants using returned or unused Education Trust Fund money, and appropriations to state agencies that reverted on September 30, 2026. Conversion charter schools may use their grant funds as needed. The Historical Commission may use returned or unused historical-grant money despite maximum grant or eligibility limits for fiscal year 2026. Reverted amounts would be reappropriated to the respective offices for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026. The grant-use and historical-grant provisions apply during the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026; the reappropriation applies to the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 17EnactedBecame Law
- Apr 8Signature Requested
- Apr 8Delivered to GovernorTo Governor
- Apr 7Garrett Motion to Concur In and Adopt Senate Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1248Major
- Vote recorded Garrett Motion to Concur In and Adopt Senate Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1248. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 7Ready to Enroll
- Apr 7Enrolled
- Apr 2Third Reading in Second House
- Vote recorded Third Reading in Second House. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1098. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Orr motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1097. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 2Finance and Taxation Education 1st Substitute Offered (Finance and Taxation Education)Minor
- Apr 2Orr motion to Table - Adopted Voice VoteMajor
- Apr 2Orr 2nd Substitute OfferedMinor
- Apr 2Orr motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1097Major
- Apr 2Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1098Passed Senate
- Apr 1Finance and Taxation Education 1st Substitute (Finance and Taxation Education)
- Apr 1Reported Out of Committee Second House
- Apr 1Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Finance and Taxation Education)Minor
- Mar 12Third Reading in House of Origin
- Vote recorded Third Reading in House of Origin. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 863. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 865. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 864. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 862. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 12Ways and Means Education Engrossed Substitute Offered (Ways and Means Education)Minor
- Mar 12Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 862Major
- Mar 12Givens 1st Amendment OfferedMinor
- Mar 12Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 863Major
- Mar 12Garrett 1st Amendment OfferedMinor
- Mar 12Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 864Major
- Mar 12Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 865Passed House
- Mar 12Engrossed
- Mar 12Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance and Taxation EducationMinor
- Mar 12Pending Committee Action in Second House (Finance and Taxation Education)
- Mar 11Reported Out of Committee House of Origin (Ways and Means Education)
- Mar 11Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Ways and Means Education)Minor
- Jan 14Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means EducationMinor
- Jan 14Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Ways and Means Education)Introduced
EducationTaxes & BudgetGovernment & Ethics