The 2015 Regular Session started March 3, 2015. It ended June 4, 2015, at the end of the 29th legislative day. Two special sessions were held.

What follows is a list of all bills introduced that ASC determined relate to Alabama’s school community.  The source of this information is the Alabama Legislative Information System Online.

You can sort the table by the progress of the bill. Click on the arrows in the “status” column. Bills progress in six stages, with 0 being prefiled and 5 being final passage.

Status

0 – Prefiled
1 – In committee in house of origin
2 – In full chamber in house of origin (means it received a favorable report from the committee)
3 – In committee in second house
4 – In full chamber in second house (means it received a favorable report from the committee in the second house)
5 – Enrolled, enacted (means it passed the second house)

 

Bill NumberDescriptionStatus - June 9, 2015Companion Bill/Other Information
HB245

Education, local boards of education, adopt policy providing virtual school option, eligible students in grades 9 to 12
2 - In full chamber in house of origin
HB001

Religious expression in schools, authorized, Alabama Student Religious Liberties Act
5 - Enacted 2015-129
HB005

Flexible School Calendar Act, temporary calendar parameters removed, local board of education may provide for 1080 instructional hours, Sec. 16-13-231am'd.
SB022 passed
HB021
Schools, enrollment date, age 6, before beginning of second semester of enrolling school district, Sec. 16-28-4 am'd.4 – In full chamber in second house
HB023
Education, public elementary school, instruction in handwriting, cursive writing by end of third grade year, Sec. 16-6B-2 am'd.
2 - In full chamber in house of origin
HB038
Alabama Community College System, appropriation, for providing student scholarships in career-tecnical dual enrollment programs
1 - in committee
HB040
Code of Alabama 1975, obsolete or unenforceable code sections, 16-6-1 to 16-6-6, inclusive, 16-15-1 to 16-15-13, inclusive, 16-17-1 to 16-17-19, inclusive, 16-29-1 to 16-29-6, (among others)
5 - Enacted 2015-70
HB046
Schools, Alabama Ahead Act, use of bonds to purchase and install high quality standards-based broadband Wi-Fi infrastructure in all public K-12 schools, Sec. 16-16B-2.1 added; Secs. 16-16B-1, 16-16B-2, 16-16B-3 am'd.
1 - in committee
HB074
Public education, definitions, arrest warrants, public school employees, issuance of arrest warrant for actions occurring while performing official duties, procedures
2 - In full chamber in house of origin
HB076
Performance-Based Pay Permanent Joint Committee for state agencies and departments, created to ensure compensation of positions of reponsibility are compensated based on agency performance
1 - In committee
HB095
Boards of education, city and county, acceptance of debit and credit card payments for payments to boards and schools, board authorized to adopt rules
2 - In full chamber in house of origin
HB097
Tax credit, income tax credit for up to $250 of expenses of school supplies for eligible educators
1 - In committee
HB107
Virtual Public Schools Act, providing alternative virtual public schools through state, Department of Postsecondary Education, or local boards of education, providing for funding, annual evaluation by State Department of Education, and providing for promulgation of rules
Senate version of Virtual School Bill passed
HB113
Montgomery Co., income tax, tax credit for hiring certain persons under age 19 during school breaks, after school, or on weekends
1 - In committee
HB114
Compensation, increase for public education employees linked to raise enacted for state employees, const. amend.
1 - In committee
HB116
Taxation, income tax, tax credit for hiring certain persons under age 19 during school breaks, after school, or on weekends
1 - In committee
HB131
Open Meetings Act, meeting, definition, exclusion when two persons gather when no final decision is made, Sec. 36-25A-2 am'd.
SB132 passed
HB148
Fostering Hope Scholarship Act, Dept. of Human Resources to develop and administer, requirements for participation, authorize program to pay for job training courses, scholarship benefits limited, Dept. of Human Resources to provide rules for the operation and rules to limit spending, Sec. 40-18-362 repealed
SB157 passed
HB151

Warrantless arrests, authorized for a person trespassing on property of an educational institution, Secs. 13A-7-1, 15-10-3 am'd.
2 - In full chamber in house of origin
HB155
The Education Trust Fund (ETF) budget
Senate version (SB179) passed
HB192
School Choice and Student Opportunity Act, creation of public charter schools authorized, Alabama Public Charter School Commission created, application, accountability, operation, funding, and autonomy provided
SB45 passed
HB195
Alabama Open Meetings Act, prohibit serial meetings, to clarify Open Meetings Act applies to meeting of the Legislature, committees, or subcommittees of governmental bodies, penalties, Secs. 36-25A-1, 36-25A-2, 36-25A-3, 36-25A-9 am'd.
2 - In full chamber in house of origin
HB197
Sexual assault, sexual abuse prevention programs K-12, Erin's Law
5 - Enrolled
HB199
Postsecondary Education, State Board of, established, transfer of responsibility over two-year institutions of higher education from the State Board of Education and the State Department of Education to the State Board of Postsecondary Education and the State Department of Postsecondary Education
SB191 became law

HB213
Parental right, to make decisions regarding child's education, upbringing, and care
1 - In committee
HB226

Driver's Licenses, Stage II, 16 year olds, minimum of behind-the-wheel driving practice hours increased from 30 to 50
4 – In full chamber in second house
HB233

Department of Children's Affairs, named changed to Department of Early Childhood Education, Commissioner of Department of Children's Affairs changed to Secretary of Early Childhood Education
5 - Enacted 2015-160
HB236
Schools, students taught at home by either private tutor or under church school law may participate in public K-12 extracurricular activities, Tim Tebow Act
4 – In full chamber in second house
HB243
Education, authorize local boards of education to admit or readmit students under age 21 to twelfth grade
2 - In full chamber in house of originSB224
HB252
Sex education, minimum contents, reference to homosexuality removed
1 - In committee
HB255
Education, local boards of education authorized to provide for released time religious instruction in public high schools as an elective course for credit
2 - In full chamber in house of origin
HB260
Competitive bidding by schools, certain bidding requirements revised
3 – In committee in second house
HB264

Competitive bids, award to responsible bidder in preference zone if no more than ten percent than bid of foreign entity, Sec. 41-16-50 am'd.
5 - Enacted 2015-293
HB270
Accountability Act of 2013, repealed, Secs. 16-6D-1 to 16-6D-9, inclusive
1 - In committee
HB310
Superintendents of education, term of office not to extend beyond December 31, 2020, local board of education to appoint superintendent, const. amend.
1 - In committee
HB317
Education, State Board of, intervention in educational operations of local boards of education, conditions warranting intervention revised, Sec. 16-6E-4 am'd.
1 - In committeeSB43 (carried over)
HB322

Education Trust Fund, Rolling Reserve, to provide further for appropriation cap; ETF Budget Stabilization Fund authorizes further uses of revenues, including payments to the PACT Fund; to prohibit appropriations from holding or clearing accounts; Secs. 29-9-3, 29-9-4 am'd.
4 – In full chamber in second house
HB330
Education Trust Fund, rolling reserve, additional percentage of projected surplus by Finance Director and Director of Legislative Fiscal Office, added to calculator for appropriation cap, Sec. 29-9-4 am'd
1 - In committee
HB331

Schools, public K-12, State Insurance Fund, insurance for reconstruction, risk manager of Finance Director required to develop program to reconstruct certain destroyed school buildings with materials superior to original, Sec. 41-15-4 am'd.
5 - Enacted 2015-259
HB336
Impeachment, Article 7, Constitution of Alabama of 1901, repealed and readopted, const. amend.
5 - Enacted 2015-199
HB360
Schools, age to attend school, six years of age by December 31 to attend first grade, authorized, Sec. 16-28-4 am'd.
1 - In committee
HB363
Sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention, programs in K-12 schools, required, Secs. 16-28B-6, 16-28B-8 am'd.
1 - In committee
HB376

Mobile Co., electronic enforcement related to overtaking of school bus
5 - Enacted 2015-330
HB394
Jefferson Co., public school purposes, one cent sales tax extended for 20 years
1 - In committee
HB424
Common Core Curriculum Standards, terminated, prior courses of study to be implemented
1 - In committee
HB425
Mandatory school attendance, increased from age 17 to 18, Sec. 16-28-3 am'd.
1 - In committee
HB426
Education, School Resource Officers' Act, half of funding for hiring, training, and equipping of officers from local school system, contingent upon constitutional amendment creating Alabama Lottery Corporation
1 - In committee
HB427
Kindergarten through 12th grade classrooms, number of students per teacher limited, phase-in period
1 - In committee
HB434
Superintendent of Education, county board of education to appoint
2 - In full chamber in house of origin
HB435
School hiring, nepotism prohibited, Sec. 41-1-5 am'd.
SB361 passed
HB461
County superintendents of education, requirement to maintain office at co. seat deleted, Sec. 16-9-24 am'd.
2 - In full chamber in house of originSB274
HB464
Education, county boards of education and county superintendents of education elected, by qualified electors outside of areas of county with city boards of education and city superintendents of education, Secs. 16-9-2, 16-9-5, 16-9-6 am'd.
3 – In committee in second house
HB469
Textbooks, purchasing of by boards of education, use of qualified depository for textbooks established, Secs. 16-36-60.1, 16-36-71 added; Secs. 16-36-62, 16-36-64, 16-36-65 am'd.
SB383 passed
HB471
Education lottery, Education Lottery Corporation, and Lottery Trust Fund, estab., distrib. of revenues for college scholarships and other ed. purposes, operation of casinos prohib., Sec. 65, Constitution of Alabama of 1901 am'd., const. amend.
1 - In committee
HB472
Education lottery, Education Lottery Corporation, and Lottery Trust Fund, estab., distrib. of revenues for college scholarships and other ed. purposes, operation of casinos prohib., Sec. 65, Constitution of Alabama of 1901 am'd., const. amend.
1 - In committee
HB528
Public officers, providing of certified copies of public writings, civil penalties imposed for not producing the copies under certain conditions, Sec. 36-12-41 am'd.
1 - In committee
HB558
Hartselle, ad valorem taxes, school taxes, city authorized to increase its rate to replace an existing 7.3 mill tax for city board of education, referendum
5 - Enacted 2015-271
HB562
Retirement, increase compensation retiree can earn from $17,000 to $30,000, Secs. 16-25-26, 36-27-8.2 am'd
5 - Enrolled
HB564
Student data, collection and maintenance of certain student data provided for, sharing prohibition
1 - In committee
HB573
Jefferson Co., taxation, sales and use tax distribution. Refinance bonds for school construction, use proceeds in different way.
5 - Enacted 2015-226
HB574
Teachers' Retirement System, Board of Control, membership and qualifications altered, Sec. 16-25-19 am'd.
1 - In committee
HB567

Tax credits, for businesses and individuals who donate to schools for certain equipment
1 - In committee
HB575
Department of Education, provide matching dollars for certain authors of educational material
1 - In committee
HB576
Tax credits, for businesses and individuals who donate to schools for certain equipment
1 - In committeeHB577
HB577
Tax credits, for businesses and individuals who donate to schools for certain equipment
1 - In committeeHB576
HB589
Public employees, right to discuss job related matter with elected official
1 - In committee
HB592
Science courses in public schools, encourage students to explore scientific evidence, develop critical thinking, analyze, critique and review scientific theories
1 - In committee
HB597
Madison Co., levy an add'l sales tax, referendum; add'l half-cent sales tax to fund school resource officers, among other things
3 – In committee in second house
HB614
School violence, assault committed by student against another student on school property, mandatory school discipline
1 - In committee
HB648
Schools, teachers, notification of contract nonrenewal by certain date, posting of vacancies, Sec. 16-22-15 am'd.
2 - In full chamber in house of origin
HB649
Sudden cardiac arrest, require schools to provide training to coaches and parents to prevent
1 - In committee
HB656
Alabama Recurring Revenue Fund, established, to receive certain percentages of recurring revenue sources of the Education Trust Fund and the State General Fund
1 - In committee
HB664
Public Charter School Commission, members appointed by Governor, Lt. Governor, President Pro Tempore of Senate and Speaker of House in lieu of State Board of Education, Act 2015-3, 2015 Reg. Sess., am'd.
2 - In full chamber in house of origin
HB681
Driver's licenses, third party agents issuing examinations, driver education instructors at private driving schools, further authorized, Sec. 32-6-3 am'd.
2 - In full chamber in house of originSB267
HB694
Education, Education Savings Account program, created
1 - In committee
HB700
Unified appropriations for state General Fund and Education Trust Fund; state revenue sources unearmarked, effective Jan. 1, 2017, constitutional amendment
1 - In committee
SB001
Alabama Ahead Act. commencing with 2015-2016 school year, to delete pen-enabled requirement, phase-in requirement and reassignment provisions, advisory committee revised, schools participation voluntary, local school systems to contribute 25 percent of funding, Section 14 of Act 2012-560, 2012 Reg. Sess., am'd; Secs. 16-16B-1, 16-16B-2 am'd.
Conference Committee appointedHouse substitute
SB003
Grandparents, visitation with grandchildren, petition procedure and burden of proof established, Sec. 30-3-4.1 repealed
Carried Over
SB007
Schools, allow school district to educate students about traditional winter celebrations and offer traditional greetings
1 - In committee
SB012
Alabama Recurring Revenue Fund, established, to receive certain percentages of recurring revenue sources of the Education Trust Fund and the State General Fund
1 - In committee
SB018
Education, State Board of, intervention in educational operations of local boards of education, conditions warranting intervention revised, Sec. 16-6E-4 am'd.
SB043 replaced this
SB021
Alabama Open Meetings Act, prohibit serial meetings, to clarify Open Meetings Act applies to meeting of the Legislature, committees, or subcommittees of governmental bodies, penalties, Secs. 36-25A-1, 36-25A-2, 36-25A-3, 36-25A-9 am'd.
5 - Enrolled
SB022
Flexible School Calendar Act, temporary calendar parameters removed, local board of education may provide for 1080 instructional hours, Sec. 16-13-231am'd.
5 - EnrolledHB005
SB043
Education, State Board of, intervention in educational operations of local boards of education, conditions warranting intervention revised, Sec. 16-6E-4 am'd.
Carried Over to Call of the Chair
SB045
School Choice and Student Opportunity Act, creation of public charter schools authorized, Alabama Public Charter School Commission created, application, accountability, operation, funding, and autonomy provided
5 - Enacted 2015-3Similar to HB192
SB054

Public education, civics instruction required in grades 7-12 as part of existing courses
2 - In full chamber in house of origin
SB071

Accountability Act of 2013, revised to clarify intent of educational choice, define academic year, define family, further provide for tax credits, limits amount of administrative and operating expenses paid from revenue, annual reporting to Department of Revenue, Secs. 16-6D-4, 16-6D-9 am'd.
5 - Enrolled
SB072
Education, local boards of education, adopt policy providing virtual school option, eligible students in grades 9 to 12
5 - Enacted 2015-89
SB087
Ten Commandments, display of on state property and at public schools, authorized, const. amend.
2 - In full chamber in house of origin
SB090


School Fiscal Accountability Act, local boards of education authorized to conduct certain financial transactions by electronic methods, Sec. 16-13A-14 added; Secs. 16-6B-7, 16-8-37, 16-11-24 repealed
3 – In committee in second house
SB098
Education Trust Funds, repeal Education Trust Fund Rolling Reserve Act, reenact Education Trust Fund Proration Account, Sec. 40-1-32.1 reenacted; Secs. 29-9-1 to 29-9-6, inclusive, repealed
1 - In committee
SB099
Education, universal preschool program, established, eligibility requirements, Education Department to implement, funding from Education Trust Fund
1 - In committee
SB101
Common Core Curriculum Standards, terminated, prior courses of study to be implemented
2 - In full chamber in house of origin
SB104
Cyber-bullying of students and school employees, crime created, penalties, restitution, reporting requirement, deferred prosecution and expungement authorized
1 - In committee
SB105
Education, civics test, requirement for graduation from high school
1 - In committeeSB161
SB107

Public records, use of camera or electronic device to make copies of, public officer prohibited from charging copy fee, Sec. 36-12-40 am'd.
4 – In full chamber in second house
SB109
Taxation, tax credit, employer provided a tax credit for employing an apprentice, definitions, Apprenticeship Tax Credit Act
Died in the basket
SB114
Education, gifted or talented children, grants for educational programs provided by State Department of Education, local match required
4 – In full chamber in second house
SB126
Alabama Open Meetings Act, members of governmental bodies may participate in meetings and deliberation electronically
4 – In full chamber in second house
SB132


Open Meetings Act, meeting, definition, exclusion when two persons gather when no final decision is made, Sec. 36-25A-2 am'd.
5 - EnrolledHB131
SB135
Parental right, to make decisions regarding child's education, upbringing, and care
1 - In committee
SB138
Education, juvenile probation officers authorized to share certain information and records with school personnel for limited purposes, exceptions, confidentiality, immunity, Sec. 12-15-217 am'd.
2 - In full chamber in house of origin
SB141
Education, civics test, requirement for graduation from high school
1 - In committee
SB157
Fostering Hope Scholarship Act, Dept. of Human Resources to develop and administer, requirements for participation, authorize program to pay for job training courses, scholarship benefits limited, Dept. of Human Resources to provide rules for the operation and rules to limit spending, Sec. 40-18-362 repealed
5 - Enacted 2015-121HB148
SB160
State agencies, report to Executive Budget officer re: federal funding required, submission of reports to Joint Fiscal Committee for consideration, recommendations
5 - Enrolled
SB161
Education, civics test, requirement for graduation from high school
1 - In committeeSB105
SB169
Jefferson Co., ad valorem tax, special school district add'l tax, procedures for levy, use for public school purposes in district where levied, const. amend.
1 - In committee
SB174
Department of Children's Affairs, named changed to Department of Early Childhood Education, Commissioner of Department of Children's Affairs changed to Secretary of Early Childhood Education
HB233 passed
SB179
ETF Budget Appropriation Bill
5 - Enacted 2015-281
SB187
Assistant principals, hire and employ similar to contract principals
2 - In full chamber in house of origin
SB191
Postsecondary Education, State Board of, established, transfer of responsibility over two-year institutions of higher education from the State Board of Education and the State Department of Education to the State Board of Postsecondary Education and the State Department of Postsecondary Education
5 - Enacted 2015-125HB199
SB195
Workplace bullying, intimidation or harassment prohibited, Healthy Workplace Act
1 - In committee
SB224
Education, authorize local boards of education to admit or readmit students under age 21 to twelth grade, Secs. 16-11-16, 16-28-3 am'd.
1 - In committeeHB243
SB227
Ad valorem tax, add'l. levied, distrib. for education purposes, const. amend.
1 - In committee
SB242
Cyber-bullying of students and school employees, crime created, penalties, restitution, reporting requirement, deferred prosecution and expungement authorized
1 - In committee
SB246
Schools, dual enrollment, high school students taking college courses, authorized
2 - In full chamber in house of origin
SB248

Education Trust Fund, maximum amount appropriated annually, budget stabilization fund and capital fund, established, const. amend.
2 - In full chamber in house of origin
SB267
Driver's licenses, third party agents issuing examinations, driver education instructors at private driving schools, further authorized, Sec. 32-6-3 am'd.
4 – In full chamber in second houseHB681
SB274
County superintendents of education, requirement to maintain office at co. seat deleted, Sec. 16-9-24 am'd.
2 - In full chamber in house of originHB461
SB280
Kyle Graddy Act, possession and self-administration of auto-injectable epinephrine by students permitted, Sec. 16-1-39 am'd
2 - In full chamber in house of origin
SB281
Education Trust Fund, rolling reserve, additional precentage of projected surplus by Finance Director and Director of Legislative Fiscal Office, added to calculator for appropriation cap, Sec. 29-9-4 am'd.
1 - In committeeHB330
SB314
Students with Dyslexia, identification and education of, required of schools
1 - In committee
SB317
Education, charter schools, established in the state prohibited from being virtual schools
2 - In full chamber in house of origin
SB329
Education, Accountability Act, definition of failing school altered, Sec. 16-6D-4 am'd.
3 – In committee in second house
SB331
Education, internal public charter school pilot program, established
2 - In full chamber in house of origin
SB334
School buses, automated civil enforcement of school bus violations, county and city boards of education may initiate and enforce, district and municipal courts, county and city law enforcement
1 - In committee
SB351
City superintendents, remove requirement to attend all board meetings, Sec. 16-12-3 am'd.
1 - In committee
SB360

Public schools and colleges, grant all professional educators' associations same level of access to employees of public schools and colleges
4 – In full chamber in second house
SB361
School hiring, nepotism prohibited, Sec. 41-1-5 am'd.
5 - EnrolledHB435
SB373
School buses, change depreciation and fleet renewal schedule to 12 year cycle, Sec. 16-13-233 am'd
1 - In committee
SB383

Textbooks, purchasing of by boards of education, use of qualified depository for textbooks established, Secs. 16-36-60.1, 16-36-71 added; Secs. 16-36-62, 16-36-64, 16-36-65 am'd.
5 - Enacted 2015-386HB469
SB395
School transportation, transporting students to and from extracurricular activities other than by bus, authorized, Sec. 16-27-1 am'd.
4 – In full chamber in second house
SB424
Alabama Recurring Revenue Fund, established, to receive certain percentages of recurring revenue sources of the Education Trust Fund and the State General Fund
1 - In committee
SB449
Foundation program, calculation of average daily memberships (ADM) revised, Secs. 16-13-231, 16-13-232 am'd. ADM would be calculated based on the first 90 scholastic days of the preceding school year for the particular school.
Carried Over
SB465
Board of Education, State, term limits set, compensation provided, Secs. 16-3-1, 16-3-8 am'd.
1 - In committee
SB496
Will change distribution of use tax among the General and ETF, reducing ETF receipts by $80 million annually.
2 - In full chamber in house of origin
SB502
Unified appropriations for state General Fund and Education Trust Fund; state revenue sources unearmarked, effective Jan. 1, 2017, constitutional amendment
Carried Over