AlabamaVoters must approve weekly anthem rules for Alabama public schools
Alabama voters must approve a constitutional amendment before local boards must require public K–12 schools to broadcast or perform the national anthem weekly.
What it does
Local school boards must require each public K–12 school they oversee to broadcast the national anthem during school hours at least once a week, using an eligible recording of its first stanza.
A local board may allow a school-sanctioned music group or singer to perform the first stanza during school hours from eligible original sheet music.
Voters must approve the constitutional amendment before its school-board requirement can take effect.
Argument forRegular broadcasts or school-sanctioned performances could give students a chance to hear the national anthem during the school week.
Argument againstA weekly anthem requirement could use school time, while the approved recording and performance choices would be limited.
More detail
Each local board of education shall adopt a policy requiring each public K–12 school under its jurisdiction to broadcast the anthem at least once a week during school hours. The requirement covers public K–12 schools under a local board of education's jurisdiction. A board must select a recording of the first stanza archived and available on the Library of Congress website. The broadcast must happen during school hours, at least once per week.
A local board may adopt a policy allowing a school-sanctioned performance of the anthem's first stanza. The board may allow a performance by a school-sanctioned band, choral program, vocal group, or vocalist. The performance must use original sheet music archived and available on the Library of Congress website. Any allowed performance must take place during school hours.
The proposed amendment becomes part of Alabama's Constitution if a majority of qualified electors voting on it approve it. Qualified electors voting on the amendment decide whether it becomes part of the state constitution. The election must follow the cited state constitutional provisions and election laws. It becomes valid as part of the constitution when a majority of qualified electors voting on it approve it.
Where do you stand?
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 13EnactedBecame Law
- Apr 9Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1353Passed House
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1353. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 9Ready to Enroll
- Apr 9EnrolledTo Governor
- Apr 9Signature Requested
- Apr 9Delivered to GovernorMinor
- Apr 9Sent to Secretary of State
- Mar 17Reported Out of Committee Second House
- Mar 17Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Education Policy)Minor
- Mar 5Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Education PolicyMinor
- Mar 5Pending Committee Action in Second House (Education Policy)
- Mar 3Third Reading in House of Origin
- Vote recorded Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 692. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Third Reading in House of Origin. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Figures motion to Adopt - Lost Roll Call 691. Result: fail.Upper
- Mar 3Figures 1st Amendment OfferedMinor
- Mar 3Figures motion to Adopt - Lost Roll Call 691Minor
- Mar 3Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 692Passed Senate
- Feb 25Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
- Feb 25Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (Education Policy)Minor
- Jan 13Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Education PolicyMinor
- Jan 13Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Education Policy)
- 2025
- Jun 17FiledIntroduced
Education