HB 173 appropriates $15.8 million from Alabama's Education Trust Fund to Tuskegee University for the 2026 fiscal year to support its educational programs. The bill requires Tuskegee to submit an operations plan and an audited financial statement before receiving funds, and mandates quarterly and end-of-year reports on expenditures and program outcomes. At least $2 million must be used for agricultural research and extension services. The funding is subject to state budget laws and accountability measures, ensuring transparency in how the money is spent.
HB 175 allocates $450,000 from Alabama's Education Trust Fund to Southern Preparatory Academy in Camp Hill for its educational program during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The bill directly affects the school by providing funding for operations and maintenance, subject to specific reporting requirements. Key provisions require the academy to submit an operations plan with performance goals, an audited 2024 financial statement, and quarterly expenditure reports before funds are released. It also mandates an end-of-year performance report detailing accomplishments, costs, and program effectiveness to Alabama's Director of Finance. The funding becomes effective October 1, 2025, and must comply with state budget laws.
HB 201 prohibits operating drones within 500 feet horizontally or 400 feet vertically of public schools without the school administrator's consent. It also bans using drones to photograph, record, or observe schools in that zone and restricts drone surveillance of individuals where privacy expectations exist. Violations are classified as misdemeanors, with drone operation near schools being a Class C offense and photography a Class A offense. The bill directly affects drone users - both recreational and commercial - flying near public schools, including those conducting photography or casual flights in school zones.
SB 105 establishes Alabama's Rural Hospital Investment Program, creating state tax credits for individuals and businesses that donate to eligible rural hospitals. These tax credits (for income, excise, premium, and utility taxes) allow donors to offset their state tax liability, with funds directed to hospitals for acute care services, facility maintenance, and operational costs. To qualify, hospitals must be rural general acute care, critical access, or rural emergency facilities serving Medicare/Medicaid patients and located in federally defined rural areas. The program is managed by a new board within the State Treasurer’s office, which verifies hospital eligibility and coordinates with the Department of Revenue.
HB 174 appropriates $1,326,157 from Alabama's state education fund to Talladega College for its educational program support and maintenance during the 2026 fiscal year. The bill requires the college to submit an approved operations plan, a verified 2024 financial report, and quarterly spending updates before funds are released, plus an end-of-year performance report detailing program outcomes. These requirements align with state financial management rules for public institutions.
HB 198 establishes a shark alert system for beaches and coastal areas in Baldwin and Mobile Counties, Alabama. The bill requires the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to create a system that sends text alerts to mobile devices and notifies first responders when a shark is spotted near shorelines, including private beaches. It mandates private beach owners and managers to participate and sets fines up to $5,000 for noncompliance. The system activates during shark attacks or when sharks pose an imminent threat, using wireless alerts and beach flag signals to prohibit water access. The bill takes effect October 1, 2025.
HB 189 expands advertising options for public works contracts exceeding $100,000 in Alabama. It allows state, county, and municipal agencies to use digital methods like websites or email in addition to traditional newspaper ads. The bill creates "safe harbors" so agencies aren't penalized if one advertising method fails (e.g., newspaper printing issues), as long as they use multiple approved methods or the Department of Transportation posts notices on its website for the required period. This directly affects public agencies issuing contracts and contractors seeking bid opportunities. The changes aim to streamline the bidding process while maintaining transparency requirements.
SB 99 regulates pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), which act as intermediaries between health insurers and pharmacies. It directly affects pharmacies (by setting reimbursement benchmarks), patients (by prohibiting PBMs from forcing specific drug versions or pharmacies), and insurers (by allowing legal action for PBM violations). Key provisions include requiring fair pharmacy payments, banning PBM influence over drug choices, and creating a civil lawsuit option for harmed parties. The bill also tightens rules for pharmacy audits and fund recoupments under existing law. These changes aim to increase transparency and accountability in how PBMs handle drug pricing and patient care.
HB 169 allocates $71.2 million from Alabama's Education Trust Fund (ETF) and other sources for public education support, debt service, and capital projects during fiscal year 2026. It directly funds Alabama's public school system, charter schools, arts education, workforce development programs, and child abuse prevention services. Key provisions include $10.2 million for child abuse prevention, $1.5 million for new charter school grants, and $8.3 million for arts programs, all drawn from the ETF with supplemental funding from federal/local sources. The bill specifies exact funding amounts per program area to ensure accountability under state budget laws. This appropriation bill does not create new programs but allocates existing funds for FY2026 education priorities.
HB 171 allocates $342 million from the Education Trust Fund Advancement and Technology Fund to Alabama's public universities for fiscal year 2025, including specific amounts for institutions like the University of Alabama and Auburn University. It also allocates $908 million to K-12 school districts, specialized schools (such as the Alabama School of Fine Arts), and state education entities like the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind. The bill includes $35 million in unused funds from the 2024 fiscal year to supplement these allocations. This funding is intended to support educational operations and programs across Alabama's public education system for the 2025 fiscal year.
HB 170 provides $524 million in supplemental funding from Alabama's Education Trust Fund for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. It directly affects public schools, universities, and educational programs by allocating funds for specific needs: $100 million for school bus purchases or debt retirement, $50 million for school safety initiatives, $20 million for broadband infrastructure in rural communities, and $161 million to the State Department of Education for programs like textbook adoption, career grants, and safety equipment. The bill also includes targeted allocations for university maintenance, STEM centers, and specialized schools (e.g., cyber technology and fine arts). This is a routine budgetary measure to address existing educational priorities, not a new policy change.
HB 172 allocates $133 million from Alabama's Education Opportunities Reserve Fund for the 2026 fiscal year to fund specific education and workforce programs. It provides $100 million to the State Department of Education, with funds distributed to school districts based on student eligibility for free/reduced lunch, population density, and special education needs. An additional $18 million supports workforce partnerships with universities and community colleges, while $15 million targets research institutions like Auburn, UAB, and the University of Alabama for educational initiatives. The bill also reappropriates unspent 2025 funds to state agencies and takes effect October 1, 2025.
