Alabama House Bill HB174

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/5/25
• Refer: 2/5/25

Caption

Talladega College, appropriation

Summary

HB174 appropriates $1,326,157 from Alabama’s Education Trust Fund to Talladega College for fiscal year 2026 to support and maintain the institution’s educational program. The bill is a targeted state funding measure for a private college in Talladega, Alabama, and it specifies that the money is for support of public education in Alabama as framed by the act. The appropriation is conditioned on compliance with state budget and financial control laws, including the Budget and Financial Control Act and the Budget Management Act of 1976. Before any funds are released, Talladega College must submit an operations plan for fiscal year 2026 with goals and measurable performance indicators, plus an audited financial statement for fiscal year 2024. The bill also requires quarterly expenditure-and-performance reports and an end-of-year performance report, all to be forwarded by the Director of Finance to the Legislative Council.

Impact

HB174 would create a new, one-time appropriation from the Education Trust Fund and impose reporting and oversight requirements on Talladega College as a condition of receiving the funds. It does not amend substantive education law broadly, but it does apply existing state budget-control statutes to this appropriation and adds specific accountability requirements for the recipient institution. If enacted, it would direct state funds to Talladega College beginning October 1, 2025, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026.

Sentiment

The available record shows no committee transcript, floor debate, or recorded vote, so there is no documented public sentiment in the materials provided. Based on the bill text, the measure appears administrative and supportive in nature, with a strong emphasis on fiscal accountability and performance reporting rather than controversy in the text itself. Its current status as pending committee action suggests it had not yet advanced to a final vote at the time of the record.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is the use of Education Trust Fund dollars for Talladega College, which may raise questions about state support for a specific institution and the allocation of limited education funds. Another likely issue is the level of oversight imposed, including required audits, operations plans, and recurring performance reports, which could be viewed as necessary accountability by supporters or as burdensome by the recipient. Because there are no transcripts or votes included, no specific objections or supporters are identified in the record.