HB144 Summary

• Appropriates $1,287,807 from the Education Trust Fund Advancement and Technology Fund to the State Department of Education for grants to local education agencies for classroom technology tools and professional development services.

• Appropriates $73,609,761 to public institutions of higher education for fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, distributed among 16 universities and the Alabama Community College System.

• Appropriates $198,716,398 to the Department of Education, Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, Youth Services School Districts, Alabama School of Fine Arts, and Alabama School of Math and Science for allocation to local school boards across the state.

• Requires $2,000,000 of the appropriation to support the Digital Tools for Teachers Initiative, providing technology packages (laptop, wireless tablet, projector) and professional learning services to classroom teachers.

• Requires the State Superintendent to report on the initiative to legislative committees by October 1, 2020; becomes effective immediately upon passage.