SB 149 Alabama Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Teacher certification; Military Veteran Temporary Teaching Certificate established

SB 149 establishes a temporary teaching certificate for military veterans seeking to enter education. It directly affects veterans who qualify under this program but clarifies that time served under this temporary certificate won't count toward tenure or service status. The bill also prohibits individuals with this temporary certificate from later obtaining an emergency teaching certificate. These provisions create a specific pathway for veterans while defining the scope and limitations of their temporary certification.

Issues: ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Jan 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Signed into Law

Mar 2026

Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Signed Mar 3, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed → Enrolled · 5 edits · Mar 3, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was finalized as an enrolled act, moving from a draft version to the official text ready for the Governor's signature. The most significant substantive change is the addition of a requirement for veterans to submit application forms and fees and complete a criminal background check, ensuring that temporary teaching certificates are only granted to applicants who meet standard safety and procedural criteria.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on establishing a temporary teaching certificate for military veterans, but the eligibility requirements were tightened to include mandatory application fees and background checks.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for applicants to submit application forms and fees and complete a criminal history background check pursuant to the Alabama Child Protection Act of 1999.

Added a new provision stating that time served under this temporary certificate will not count toward determining continued service status for the veteran.

Added a provision clarifying that individuals with this temporary certificate cannot also receive an emergency certificate.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill version identifier from 'Engrossed' to 'Enrolled' and adjusted the bill number from 5VGB936-2 to 5VGB936-3 to reflect its final status.

Added certification signatures and dates from the Senate President and House Speaker to confirm the bill passed both chambers.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Feb 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 543

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

lower

Jan 29, 2026

Committee

Re-referred to Committee in Second House (Military and Veterans' Affairs)

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

lower

Jan 22, 2026

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Education Policy)

lower

Jan 22, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 133

upper

Jan 22, 2026

Upper · Passed

Woods motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 132

upper

Jan 22, 2026

Introduced

Woods 1st Amendment Offered

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

upper

Jan 14, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Education Policy)

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors