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AlabamaHB3802026 Regular SessionHouse

Public K-12 education; process for the consolidation of county boards of education provided, procedure for protesting a proposed consolidation provided, adoption of rules and impact study by State Board of Education required, constitutional amendment

Sponsored By: Terri Collins (Republican)

Adopted

Constitutional Amendments Statewide

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Communities get school merger studies and votes

The Alabama State Board of Education must study each proposed merger's effects on students, families, educational quality, programs, and staff. The study also covers facilities, transportation, operations, finances, taxes, community identity, and governance. It must appear on the state education department's public website at least 30 calendar days before the final resolution's adoption. A written protest from at least 25% of qualified voters in any affected school system triggers a required merger vote. They must submit it to an affected board within 30 days after the resolution's adoption. The vote takes place at the next regularly scheduled general election. Approval requires a majority of votes cast across the combined area and in each affected county. Each county's probate judge must order the election within one month after the protest period ends. Normal county election rules apply, and ballots must offer “For Consolidation” and “Against Consolidation”; approved mergers follow the resolution's timeline.

County school boards can merge with safeguards

The law sets a framework for two or more neighboring county school boards to combine under one remaining multi-county board. The amendment becomes part of Alabama's Constitution only after a majority of voters voting on the measure approve it. Each board must record its agreement in its minutes, and every board member must approve a formal resolution. The resolution must explain debt payments, merger steps, board operations, member duties and terms, and the timeline. Mergers preserve existing rights and debts; the agreement binds the boards, and the remaining board can enforce earlier contracts. The State Board of Education must adopt needed rules, and the Legislature can pass laws to carry out approved mergers.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Terri Collins

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 322 • No: 4

Senate vote • 4/8/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1293

Yes: 30 • No: 0

House vote • 3/3/2026

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 709

Yes: 96 • No: 2 • Other: 5

House vote • 3/3/2026

Third Reading in House of Origin

Yes: 100 • No: 1 • Other: 3

House vote • 3/3/2026

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 708

Yes: 96 • No: 1 • Other: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Ready to Enroll

    4/9/2026House

  2. Enrolled

    4/9/2026House

  3. Signature Requested

    4/9/2026Senate

  4. Enacted

    4/9/2026House

  5. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1293

    4/8/2026Senate

  6. Reported Out of Committee Second House

    4/1/2026Senate

  7. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    4/1/2026Senate

  8. Third Reading in House of Origin

    3/3/2026House

  9. Collins 1st Amendment Offered

    3/3/2026House

  10. Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 708

    3/3/2026House

  11. Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 709

    3/3/2026House

  12. Engrossed

    3/3/2026House

  13. Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Education Policy

    3/3/2026Senate

  14. Pending Committee Action in Second House

    3/3/2026Senate

  15. Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar

    2/19/2026House

  16. Reported Out of Committee House of Origin

    2/18/2026House

  17. Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Education Policy

    2/3/2026House

  18. Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

    2/3/2026House

Bill Text

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