Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Bill HB171

Filed/Read First Time

Introduced

2/5/25

Refer

2/5/25

Caption

Supplemental appropriations from the Education Trust Fund Advancement and Technology Fund to various school systems and colleges and universities, and other entities for fiscal year ending September 30, 2025

Summary

HB171 is a supplemental appropriations bill for fiscal year 2025 that directs money from Alabama’s Education Trust Fund Advancement and Technology Fund to a broad range of education-related recipients. It provides $342.125 million to public institutions of higher education, including the Alabama Community College System and the state’s public universities, and $907.875 million to the Department of Education and several other education entities, including specialized schools, charter schools, and the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences. The bill also includes a detailed distribution formula for local boards of education and named schools, with allocations for city and county school systems across the state, teacher professional development funding, and specific support for Ed Farm’s Classroom of Tomorrow initiative. In addition, it reappropriates $35.057 million in unexpended and reverted FY2024 Advancement and Technology Fund money to selected local boards and charter schools, and it allows unspent current-year funds to carry forward rather than revert.

Impact

HB171 would amend the flow of Education Trust Fund Advancement and Technology Fund dollars for FY2025 by making large supplemental appropriations to higher education, K-12 education, and several specialized public education entities. It affects state budgeting and spending authority rather than creating new regulatory programs, and it requires Department of Education funds to receive prior approval from the State Superintendent before expenditure. The bill also preserves unspent funds for future use and reappropriates prior-year reverted balances to specified local systems, thereby changing how education appropriations are distributed and retained under Alabama law.

Sentiment

The available context suggests generally favorable treatment of the bill as a routine but significant education funding measure, with no recorded votes or committee debate in the provided materials. The bill’s structure and detailed allocations indicate an emphasis on broad support for schools, colleges, and workforce-oriented education initiatives. Because there are no transcripts or vote records, there is no documented opposition or endorsement beyond the bill’s introduction and referral to the House Ways and Means Education Committee.

Contention

The main potential points of contention are the size and distribution of the appropriations, especially the large allocations to higher education, local school systems, charter schools, and the Ed Farm teacher professional development initiative. The requirement that Department of Education funds receive prior approval from the State Superintendent could also be a point of administrative control or concern. In addition, the inclusion of specific recipients and reappropriated balances may raise questions about equity among districts, prioritization of charter and specialty schools, and the use of technology-focused funding.

Companion Bills

AL SB114

Same As FY2025 ETF Advancement and Technology Supplemental Appropriation Bill

Similar Bills

MD SB282

Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2027)

MD HB390

Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2027)

MD HB0390

Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2027)

MD HB350

Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2026)

MD SB319

Budget Bill (Fiscal Year 2026)

PA HB1330

To provide appropriations from the General Fund for the expenses of certain agencies of the Executive Department for the fiscal year July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.

PA SB160

To provide appropriations from the General Fund for the expenses of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Departments of the Commonwealth, the public debt and the public schools for the fiscal year July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025; to provide appropriations from special funds and accounts to the Executive and Judicial Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and for the payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025; to provide for the appropriation of Federal funds to the Executive and Judicial Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and for the payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025; and to provide for the additional appropriation of Federal and State funds to the Executive and Legislative Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.

PA SB1220

To provide appropriations from the General Fund for the expenses of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Departments of the Commonwealth, the public debt and the public schools for the fiscal year July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026; to provide appropriations from special funds and accounts to the Executive and Judicial Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, and for the payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026; to provide for the appropriation of Federal funds to the Executive and Judicial Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, and for the payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.