SB 5 Alabama Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Public K-12 schools, broadcast of the Star-Spangled Banner required weekly, proposed statewide constitutional amendment

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring all Alabama public K-12 schools to broadcast or permit school-sanctioned performances of the first stanza of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at least once weekly during school hours. Local school boards would need to adopt policies to implement this, using only Library of Congress-archived recordings or sheet music. The requirement applies directly to every public K-12 school in Alabama, with no exemptions specified. The amendment must be approved by voters in a statewide election to become part of the state constitution.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jun 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jun 17, 2025 Signed Apr 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Enrolled · 4 edits · Apr 13, 2026
MODERATE
The bill evolved from an introduced draft to an enrolled final version, primarily adding specific historical details about the War of 1812 to the legislative findings and updating the ballot description for voters. The core requirement remains unchanged: local school boards must require public K-12 schools to broadcast or sanction the performance of the first stanza of The Star-Spangled Banner at least once per week during school hours.
Scope change
The scope of the bill's requirements remains the same, but the enrolled version includes more detailed historical context and specific instructions for election officials regarding how the amendment will appear on the ballot.
REQUIREMENT

Added specific historical details in Section 1 regarding Francis Scott Key, the Battle of Baltimore, and the official designation of the anthem in 1931.

TECHNICAL

Updated the ballot description in Section 3 to include the phrase 'Proposed by Act ____' and clarified the voting options.

Changed the bill header from 'SB5 INTRODUCED' to 'SB5 ENROLLED' and updated the bill number from 9JG6TPB-1 to 9JG6TPB-2.

Added certification signatures from the Senate and House of Representatives indicating the bill has 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
20
Key actions
6
Committee
4
Amendments
2
Apr 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1353
lower
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported Out of Committee Second House
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Pending Committee Action in Second House (Education Policy)
lower
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 692
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Amended
Figures motion to Adopt - Lost Roll Call 691
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Introduced
Figures 1st Amendment Offered
upper
Feb 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
upper
Jan 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Education Policy)
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Gerald Allen
Gerald Allen
RRepublican
AL
21