SB159 Summary

• Exempts accredited out-of-state institutions and programs approved by regional accrediting authorities from Alabama state approval if located in states participating in reciprocity agreements approved by the Governor or Alabama Commission on Higher Education.

• Clarifies that out-of-state nonprofit entities offering online programs with regional accreditation in states participating in regional or national authorization reciprocity agreements are exempt from state regulation.

• Creates the State Reciprocity Committee consisting of leaders from the University of Alabama System, Auburn University, University of South Alabama, Department of Postsecondary Education, and a historically black college or university president, with authority to recommend reciprocity agreement participation to the Governor.

• Establishes a state coordinator position appointed by the committee to negotiate reciprocal agreements with other states regarding educational services and coordinate Alabama's compliance with reciprocity agreements, with no power to bind the state independently.

• Creates a dedicated Reciprocity Fund in the State Treasury and authorizes the reciprocity committee to collect annual fees from Alabama institutions participating in State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) to fund reciprocity agreement administration.