The Capital Pulse

The Alabama Legislature convened Tuesday, May 2^nd, for the sixteenth day of the regular session. The legislature met three days this week in the chamber and completed committee meetings on Wednesday as well. It was a busy and exciting week at the Statehouse in the world of education!

AEA ESP Day at the Statehouse was held on Wednesday, May 3^rd.  Hundreds of support professionals from across the state traveled to Montgomery to meet with their legislators and discuss the importance of livable wages.  It was a great day of advocacy, and our “Fair Pay for ESPs” message was heard loud and clear! Thanks to all who participated and worked hard to make this event a great success!

The FY24 Education Trust Fund (ETF) Budget has dropped! The budget appeared on Wednesday, May 3^rd, in the Senate Finance & Taxation Committee meeting and was heard on the Senate floor on Thursday, May 4^th.  After much discussion and debate, the budget passed the full Senate and now moves to the House for consideration. The proposed budget includes a 2% base pay raise for all K-14 employees, a minimum of 3% raise for teachers with 9+ years of experience, additional steps and raises for postsecondary employees, and substantial salary increases for School Nurses and Education Support Professionals. Additionally, the budget allocates a $1,000 stipend for special education teachers and additional funds for speech therapists and psychometrists. While there is nothing in the ETF budget for retirees, AEA is working with leadership to secure funding for the Retiree Trust Fund – see HB437 by Rep. Randall Shedd.

Moving This Week

 HB295, the School Voucher Bill, also known as the PRICE Act, by Rep. Ernie Yarbrough, was in the House Education Policy Committee on Wednesday, May 3^rd. AEA testified against the PRICE Act in committee, thoroughly outlining the dangers of the bill. Many committee members were receptive to the testimony. Chairman Collins noted that an additional question and answer session on the bill will take place next Wednesday, May 10^th.

HB363, The Charter School Bill by Rep. Terri Collins, would change the appointment process for the Alabama Public Charter School Commission, authorize the commission to hire staff, require commissioners to receive annual training, provide additional guidelines for the authorizing and application review process, provide further for the operational and categorical funding of public charter schools in their first year of operation, and clarify the per pupil federal and state funding of conversion public charter schools during their first year of operation. AEA testified against this bill last week and worked with the bill sponsor this week to add some needed amendments.  The bill passed out of the House Education Policy Committee this week by a vote of 8-6.  The companion bill for this (SB297 by Sen. Will Barfoot) was also filed on Thursday, May 4^th.

HB334, by Rep. Danny Garrett, would create the Students with Unique Needs (SUN) Education Scholarship Account Act and Program and allow parents to use funds in an education scholarship account to provide an individualized education program for their children. HB334 passed out of committee on Wednesday, May 3^rd, and can now be taken up by the full House.

HB334, by Rep. Steve Hurst, would require a public K-12 school or a local board of education to accept certain forms of payment for admission to certain school-sponsored events. HB364 passed the full body of the House on Tuesday, May 2^nd, and can now be taken up in a Senate committee.

HB217 by Rep. Anthony Daniels would exclude hours worked above 40 in any given week from gross income.  This bill passed the House on Tuesday, May 2^nd, and can now be taken up in a Senate committee. 

 SB247 by Sen. Will Barfoot would provide prohibitions on the promotion, endorsement, and affirmation of certain divisive concepts in certain public settings.  AEA’s legislative and legal teams are working with the bill sponsor to add amendments to ensure Alabama’s educators are protected while executing their teaching duties in Alabama’s classrooms. The bill passed out of the Senate State Government Affairs Committee on Wednesday, May 3^rd, and can now be taken up by the full Senate.

SB238 by Sen. Gerald Allen, would require local boards of education to adopt policies requiring each K-12 public school to broadcast or sanction the performance of The Star-Spangled Banner at least once per week during school hours.  The bill passed out of the State Government Affairs Committee in the Senate on Wednesday, May 3^rd, and can now be considered on the Senate floor for approval.

Newly Introduced 

SB269, by Sen. Arthur Orr, would establish a K-12 Capital Grant Program within the Office of the Lieutenant Governor to provide grants to local schools to assist with capital projects, maintenance, or technology needs. 

HB437, by Rep. Randall Shedd, would establish a procedure for funding retiree benefit increases within the Employees' Retirement System and the Teachers' Retirement System.

Thus far, 745 bills have been introduced by the Legislature. AEA staff continues to read each bill and monitors them daily to ensure they will positively affect public education.

The Alabama Legislature will reconvene on Tuesday, May 9^th, for the nineteenth day of the Regular Legislative Session. Your next Pulse will arrive Friday, May 12^th.

Remember, while you're busy serving our state's students,

we've got your back in the Alabama Legislature!