Education (Teachers)

signed · Alabama · House Apr 1, 2026

HJR 207: Houston County Schools, commended

This bill is a commendation resolution honoring Houston County Schools for their outstanding achievements in education. It recognizes specific awards won by school staff at the Alabama Council of Administrators of Special Education conference, including Director of the Year for Dr. Misty Freeman and Teacher of the Year honors for Margaret Valenza and Haden Brown. The resolution also acknowledges the district receiving the Top County System Performance Award for ranking first among all 67 Alabama counties on achievement scores. This legislative action serves as an official expression of appreciation from the Alabama Legislature for the district's performance and does not create new laws or funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill honors educational achievements and recognizes outstanding school staff performance, demonstrating support for education quality and teacher recognition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Teachers

signed · Alabama · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 517: Talent Readiness and Industry Needs (TRAIN) Act, qualified employees authorized to teach a career and technical education program, tax credits provided to employers that loan qualified employees, workforce teaching certificate established

HB 517 (the TRAIN Act) creates a new "workforce teaching certificate" allowing qualified industry workers to teach career and technical education courses in public schools. Employers who loan these certified employees to schools can claim tax credits. The bill also shields certificate holders from personal liability for routine teaching duties (excluding willful misconduct), aligning with existing state law. This directly affects current industry workers seeking teaching roles, their employers, and public schools offering technical training programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credits to employers for loaning certified employees, directly reducing their tax liability under state tax policy.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates new workforce teaching certificate pathway for industry workers to teach career/technical education, expands access to specialized instructors, and provides employer tax credits to incentivize participation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Teachers

signed · Alabama · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 520: Public K-12 education; expedited career and technical teaching certification pathway created for individual holding equivalent issued by another state

HB 520 creates a streamlined process for career and technical education (CTE) teachers moving to Alabama from another state to obtain Alabama teaching certification without additional testing or coursework. To qualify, applicants must hold a valid out-of-state CTE teaching certificate, submit an application with fees, secure a local superintendent's recommendation, and pass a background check. Once approved, Alabama's State Superintendent of Education must issue the certification promptly for CTE courses only, with no extra requirements. The bill also requires annual reporting on certificate issuance, school placements, and program effectiveness to the Governor and legislature.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates expedited CTE teacher certification pathway, reducing barriers for out-of-state educators to work in Alabama schools, strengthening teacher workforce access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education K-12 Education Teachers

passed · Alabama · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 74: Alabama Math and Science Teacher Education Program (AMSTEP), renamed the Loan Assistance in Support of Educators in Alabama (LASEA) Program; providing loan assistance in acute educator shortage programs as determined by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education in consultation with the State Department of Education and the Alabama Commission on the Evaluation of Services

SB 74 renames Alabama's AMSTEP program to the LASEA Program (Loan Assistance in Support of Educators in Alabama) and expands eligibility to include teachers certified in *any* state-identified acute educator shortage area - not just math, science, or computer science. It provides standard loan assistance to educators in shortage fields and adds supplemental payments for those working in schools or districts designated as having acute shortages (determined by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education with the State Department of Education). The bill directly affects public K-12 teachers in shortage subjects and their schools, aiming to attract and retain educators in high-need areas through financial incentives. It also requires the commission to develop an accountability plan for the program’s evaluation.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands loan assistance for educators in acute shortage areas with supplemental payments for high-need schools, directly supporting teacher recruitment and retention in education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers

Track

passed · Alabama · House Feb 24, 2026

HB 306: Teacher certification; Military Veteran Temporary Teaching Certificate established

HB 306 would create a temporary teaching certificate for military veterans seeking to teach in Alabama K-12 schools. It would allow veterans with 48 months of honorable military service to qualify for a temporary license if they have 60 college credits (2.5 GPA), pass a state teaching exam, and meet other requirements. The certificate would be valid for five years (non-renewable) and require mentorship for two years, but time teaching under it wouldn’t count toward regular certification. If passed, this bill would directly affect veterans transitioning to teaching careers in fields typically requiring a bachelor’s degree.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates pathway for military veterans to teach in K-12 schools, expanding educator workforce access without restricting requirements or funding.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates temporary teaching certificate for veterans, facilitating employment transition into education sector - a direct employment support measure for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Teachers Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment

Track

signed · Alabama · House Mar 26, 2026

HB 122: Teacher Excellence and Accountability for Mathematics and Science (TEAMS) Salary Schedule Program; participating teacher with over 20 years of advanced contract criteria service may be offered contract for up to five years instead of required offer of five years

HB 122 amends Alabama's TEAMS program to allow school districts to offer mathematics and science teachers with over 20 years of service (who meet advanced contract criteria) a contract for "up to five years" instead of requiring a mandatory five-year contract. This change, effective October 1, 2026, modifies Section 16-13-334(e) of the Alabama Code. The bill directly affects experienced math and science teachers participating in the TEAMS program who hold the required specialized certifications. It does not alter certification requirements or professional development rules but adjusts contract term flexibility for eligible veteran teachers.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill reduces mandatory five-year contracts for teachers, weakening job security benefits under TEAMS program90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

signed · Alabama · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 124: Alabama Math and Science Teacher Education Program (AMSTEP), renamed the Loan Assistance in Support of Educators in Alabama (LASEA) Program; providing loan assistance in acute educator shortage programs as determined by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education in consultation with the State Department of Education and the Alabama Commission on the Evaluation of Services

HB 124 renames Alabama's AMSTEP program to the LASEA Program (Loan Assistance in Support of Educators in Alabama) and expands eligibility to include educators certified in any subject designated as having an acute shortage by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE). The bill provides standard loan assistance to educators certified in shortage subjects and adds supplemental payments for those teaching in public K-12 schools or systems identified as having acute educator shortages. ACHE, in consultation with the State Department of Education, determines which subjects and school locations qualify as "acute shortage" areas. The program aims to attract and retain teachers in high-need fields and schools through targeted financial support.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands loan assistance and supplemental payments for educators in acute shortage subjects, directly supporting teacher recruitment and retention in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers

signed · Alabama · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 239: FY27 2% Teacher Pay Raise and Retiree Longevity Bonus

HB 239 would increase salaries for Alabama public education employees by 2% starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It applies to K-12 teachers, support staff (including bus drivers), and employees at the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB), as well as two-year postsecondary education staff. The bill requires all affected employees to receive this automatic increase regardless of experience level, with local salary schedules adjusted to reflect the change. The pay increase is mandated to be applied in addition to any existing step increases or local adjustments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates 2% salary increase for public education staff via state budget appropriations, increasing government spending on public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates 2% automatic salary increases for K-12 teachers, support staff, and postsecondary educators, directly advancing teacher compensation and funding for public education employees.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates 2% automatic salary increase for public education employees, directly advancing wage standards in Labor & Employment without restrictions or defunding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers

signed · Alabama · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 149: 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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates pathway for military veterans to teach, addressing teacher shortages while clarifying temporary status limitations.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates dedicated teaching pathway for veterans, enabling employment transition despite limited tenure credit, directly supporting veteran workforce integration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Employment