HB179 Summary

• Appropriates $2,000,000 from the Education Trust Fund Advancement and Technology Fund to the Alabama Community College System for equipment and deferred maintenance for fiscal year ending September 30, 2018.

• Appropriates $15,593,560 to public institutions of higher education for repairs, deferred maintenance, facility insurance, and education technology acquisition, distributed among 14 universities and the community college system.

• Appropriates $41,190,275 to the Department of Education, Board of Trustees of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, Board of Youth Services School Districts, Alabama School of Fine Arts, and Alabama School of Math and Science for facility repairs, classroom support, insurance, transportation, education technology, and school security measures as part of systemwide security plans.

• Allocates $2,000,000 for the Digital Tools for Teachers Initiative to provide technology packages (laptop, wireless tablet, projector) and professional development services to classroom teachers, with reporting required by October 1, 2019.

• Distributes funds to local school boards and entities across Alabama, with Department of Education expenditures requiring prior approval from the State Superintendent of Education.