HB293 Summary

• Establishes the Alabama STEM Council as an independent state entity within the Department of Commerce Workforce Division to advise state leadership on improving STEM education, career awareness, and workforce development.

• Executive committee consists of 11 gubernatorial appointees with STEM expertise (initial 2 or 4-year terms) plus 9 ex officio members from state education and workforce agencies.

• Additional council members appointed by Governor include one designee from each of Alabama's seven congressional districts plus at-large members representing STEM industry sectors (manufacturing, aerospace, agriculture, energy, healthcare, technology, etc.).

• Council duties include maintaining state STEM strategic plan, evaluating STEM curricula and initiatives, expanding career exploration opportunities for underrepresented populations, developing educator certifications, and collecting STEM workforce data for annual reporting.

• Members serve in advisory capacity without compensation (except expense reimbursement); council meets at least twice yearly with majority quorum required for business; becomes effective three months after passage.