[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6661985,"mediaKeyId","2401784-08e2b57c54b88766d907550361cd7698","parentId",2401784,"title","Alabama cyber school outlines outreach, teacher training and statewide cyber range plans","audioSeconds",165,"startMs",2169000,"endMs",2334000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2401784-08e2b57c54b88766d907550361cd7698&start=2169&end=2334","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2401784-08e2b57c54b88766d907550361cd7698/thumbnail_2169000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6661985/Alabama/Alabama-cyber-school-outlines-outreach-teacher-training-and-statewide-cyber-range-plans","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661985-cfcbf9490780e5fffe72ec178c2e5f69/orig.mp4?Expires=1770905783&Signature=FyPULcIo2-pU-bIwITTdohlHGuR8Qo80J4VOLZiZo9tFqxdFkpfDTT3mge-0vBj7ygpzEDsrbblB7iSLQGsFdBCFhoQ6rRJ-icLXnjincr5xD9hF-r1nDOBztTXu2ud2ZFAhWWfA57iUNNyYBwuZQV1wuEyCQgzZrErx9YSujFfwvjugc3v6onD4xjyc6ujbKv20AJacc41ozP28mHQywKsFDzEgsfZkG3J9NbbK5xuB0rAk~LOEBH0uAG2I-BamuSgk77np0rE4jztQAI5pFm9QSPRKVa5jjSEeKdwWeaeJrKdSeDhuR6p02w2xCMhFOpv44CK3v3cOf8WpC1ieyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alabama Senate Sessions","date","2025-02-26T16:51:57.713Z","article","Matt Massey, president of the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering, told the committee the school is seeking funding for two line items: an Excel outreach program that runs cyber camps and professional development across the state and a statewide cyber range that provides a secure environment for defensive cyber training.

Massey said the Excel outreach program has partnered with more than a dozen school districts and reached more than 50 schools; the program sends staff and technology to K–12 schools to run day-time cyber camps targeting middle grades. He also said the school is providing professional development and curriculum support — including an AI course currently in the State Department of Education course of study — and is helping train teachers to deliver that curriculum.

On the cyber range, Massey described a platform that models real-world networks for defensive and offensive exercises and said several other states have invested $4 million to $8 million annually in similar infrastructure. He told the committee the school is piloting access for 10 Alabama Community College System (ACCS) campuses and is discussing expansion to four-year institutions so districts and colleges statewide can use the lab for training and workforce development.

Senators asked about the school’s role in statewide cybersecurity resilience and whether the platform could help agencies recover from intrusions. Massey said the school is collaborating with the Office of Information Technology (OIT) and the State Department of Education on curriculum and resiliency efforts and emphasized that cyber defense requires monitoring, backups and recovery planning.

The chair encouraged members to invite the school to present in their districts; Massey said he would coordinate outreach and thanked the committee for past support for the schools’ statewide mission.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee","oneSentenceSummary","Matt Massey, president of the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering, briefed the committee on two budget line items: an Excel outreach/cyber camp program and a statewide cyber range for training students and colleges; lawmakers asked about partnerships and resiliency.","taxTitle","Senate, Alabama Legislative Sessions, Alabama","taxId",62183,"location","Alabama","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6661990,"Senate committee gives favorable report to parental-leave bill for state and education employees",466,1686000,2152000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2401784-08e2b57c54b88766d907550361cd7698&start=1686&end=2152","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2401784-08e2b57c54b88766d907550361cd7698/thumbnail_1686000.jpg","/articles/6661990/Alabama/Senate-committee-gives-favorable-report-to-parental-leave-bill-for-state-and-education-employees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661990-1bf05d436fa2e3f815aea348d02575b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770905783&Signature=J9j8F2B8aD-WEzzckTcJcKclzB9YIkKa1Cf7~B8h7id8AiW63NolFQZLBkqx~eHu7TYGqKvOcFmidygiSTJqApDRkOy3O8M7u1NEGf9UL0aJWFUuEUec~cYOKfMlcylHrzK9yJza6O406qPTgyJii0FW7Xyh~7-uDH0zwYTEz-ml~2~UhUZpmtHmPAS62vOC68XUNvrjWdMtbSvgmvc8DqqXxZTfgZrPn~XJ~Xou4DU8926SIZYBYjANiou2bwwDrpTE5G3SjpuWqEzLYEja5ilPhUUWqFEPbKaSv8ISEyKfNsVnSDymvgXFApYW6RjknIPhOH51I5W-6fminhFB9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 199, sponsored by Senator Figures, was given a favorable committee report after lawmakers discussed eligibility, miscarriage verification and the bill’s coverage for education and state employees.

Senator Figures told the committee the bill combines separate proposals that previously applied only to education employees or state employees; the compromise would grant up to eight weeks of leave for mothers and two weeks for fathers for newborns, stillborns, miscarriages (with conditions) and adoptions. The sponsor said the measure would apply to state employees and public education employees.

The bill includes language requiring a health-care professional’s verification that a pregnancy loss was not the result of an abortion and limits miscarriage coverage to pregnancies of at least 12 weeks. Committee members expressed concern that this cutoff could exclude some people who experience significant medical need after a loss before 12 weeks; the sponsor said he would consider friendly amendments and that the 12-week threshold was a negotiated compromise.

Committee members also asked whether two-year college employees were covered. The sponsor said two-year institutions are separate from the State Board of Education in administrative structure but that many such employees are state employees and would be captured; he invited amendments to clarify coverage.

The committee recorded 15 ayes, 0 nays and gave SB199 a favorable report.","SB199 would provide up to eight weeks of leave for mothers and two weeks for fathers for births, certain miscarriages and adoptions for state and education employees; the committee advanced the bill unanimously after discussing eligibility and verification rules.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6661996,"Committee advances ‘‘Move On When Ready’’ bill modeled on Georgia program",940,743000,1683000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2401784-08e2b57c54b88766d907550361cd7698&start=743&end=1683","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2401784-08e2b57c54b88766d907550361cd7698/thumbnail_743000.jpg","/articles/6661996/Alabama/Committee-advances-Move-On-When-Ready-bill-modeled-on-Georgia-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6661996-d5f6d28870e41854955f05c0cb16b121/orig.mp4?Expires=1770905783&Signature=cU9vYifWZQKkbEZncJWrtBwu~F4TiGEqJhKe4o0YMfBp7S6NllbP~nuJKUZxMxlHU-sAvXhK3Ok8jC5pKl0ujSGjKHfJcI47e93l1UPMP6C3mBQ~QcMucT2v9In4TxI3uaqDTCXl-vzCXvbNYn3~4Q2-hyLkb~k9hHT-zI1UBOBFLmBLWk4jYiiEqp83gkx5UeHfUT-SM24JquUfWE~2P3QxhNO4ZOJ63gF~EhwAtY5U6Fv8AEz2waC6ftfXCl5YMg~ZYvtashmGY4woWihYMidoysGC9nugoGLpe9GVf7cwksWk2zx-GyqS0LPTbt8eBT2jqtKupebPCNmlh-yTug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 196, introduced by Senator Orr, received a favorable committee report after debate over implementation, student supports and potential effects on K–12 funding.

The bill would let eligible high school students — principally rising 11th- and 12th-graders — enroll in college coursework that counts toward both high school and college credit, a model the sponsor described as based on Georgia’s ‘‘Move On When Ready’’ program. Senator Orr and supporters said the initiative would allow students who are academically ready to begin college coursework earlier and could enable some students to graduate with both a high school diploma and two-year college credentials.

Committee members asked how students who need additional academic supports (for example, in English) would receive tutoring or other services if they left the traditional high school setting. Senator Orr said the bill grants broad rule-making authority to the State Board of Education and the chancellor to work out operational details and that the version presented to the committee was a streamlined, introductory measure.

Members also raised budget and school-choice questions, including whether the state’s choice act funding would follow students who enrolled in college coursework and whether that could reduce funds available to struggling K–12 schools. Senator Smith warned committee members that expanding choice funding could strain resources for failing schools and urged caution. Supporters pointed to potential parent and student savings on college costs and cited Kentucky and Georgia as examples where some students completed two-year degrees alongside their high school credentials.

After discussion about amendments and follow-up work with education stakeholders, the committee voted 16 ayes, 0 nays and gave SB196 a favorable report.","SB196, sponsored by Senator Orr, would allow high school students to enroll in college programs early and receive high school credit; the committee gave the bill a favorable report after members raised implementation and funding concerns.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6662000,"Committee backs bill allowing five-year contracts for PHIP Medicare Advantage drug plans",324,416000,740000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2401784-08e2b57c54b88766d907550361cd7698&start=416&end=740","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2401784-08e2b57c54b88766d907550361cd7698/thumbnail_416000.jpg","/articles/6662000/Alabama/Committee-backs-bill-allowing-five-year-contracts-for-PHIP-Medicare-Advantage-drug-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6662000-975901b298ab44412e2fd8ea3b8892b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770905783&Signature=ZxGlsnDqwgjtjTr1fzCUh2lyMjMT5TuQaYZxjL1OWMkFHzS7SWY9X97TtNZFXDKyujHhrcdNHSgVzQB1TW07SnbtA5siBUPUT4qMvBHVjYqkojjiNMtSTQZOVnm33D2xM56X3paPdKIYd9CO5lR9I11w2xe1ZMjhaSPOcHmiazThtKU4qm0Udhx831eXDuYX6k-RUfXUyljMsSl~ENau6~MVVjhY2W9tqVdWfZfz9I7Z5wAEjTp9cPIM4bj4oPxzF2eLZlme4oowOqAbjOgtpjtvw5OjSmu8gir78fMcHagCm8tsB02wc5pm5180uJ-YG3XI51qOgpKe5qFPggeIsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 195, sponsored by Senator Orr at the request of a PHIP representative, was given a favorable committee report after the vendor and agency representatives explained why a longer contract term could lower rates for the Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan (MAPDP).

Miss Scott, speaking on behalf of PHIP during the hearing, said current law requires rebidding certain contracts every three years. She told the committee that vendors use PHIP's risk scores to draw down federal funding and that some vendors could offer more competitive pricing if asked to propose five-year rates in addition to three-year rates. PHIP said it will solicit rates for multiple term options — three years; three years with two one-year renewals; and five years — and will continue to rebid if officials believe they can obtain better terms earlier.

Committee members asked whether the change would affect state employee coverage; witnesses and committee members clarified that PHIP covers public education employees and that state employees are covered by a separate State Employees' Insurance Board. PHIP said the agency reviews contracts between bidding cycles and has previously rebid agreements early when savings were plausible.

The committee recorded a roll call of 16 ayes, 0 nays and gave SB195 a favorable report.","SB195 would let PHIP seek five-year contracts for Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans to potentially secure better rates; the committee gave the bill a favorable report, 16-0.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6662005,"Senate committee advances bill to extend aircraft maintenance tax exemption for MROs",195,210000,405000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2401784-08e2b57c54b88766d907550361cd7698&start=210&end=405","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2401784-08e2b57c54b88766d907550361cd7698/thumbnail_210000.jpg","/articles/6662005/Alabama/Senate-committee-advances-bill-to-extend-aircraft-maintenance-tax-exemption-for-MROs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6662005-e38f21ddc41b5217468e1ae19d085a7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770905783&Signature=S6R5aJ00C-tO-3-4Wjeau4dhiuHlncG5svPeYhPccH~WZQqK7xX-OqbejCkobRkJhtd2ujKNyzeP8KlmmqAtZUXWD-YGyj69fNn6UNOAJjzquv7qHb4v0iqCMWj6OSYfRG4~LuRlE~wUI4jn-pp8ax-i~sgb9LoOgg2MmmQfStQBQeKcpTqg9oT8YSQZN4UXQL49cVQxN3siPLUHNEp1e4fyzur916QxMYe9T0RBb-oadAaeWHmMSGndkWgkBak0EZ-Fip836h6QKqxlEM35ihuq2ZVGwxWe1Z3~tdRrJBnMn9aE0JYdVz0AVxRPHtF8lVgO2jN2nTMSGukFe7dv6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 175, introduced by Senator Kitchens, received a favorable committee report after discussion about a tax exemption for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities that retrofit leased aircraft.

Supporters said the bill would level the playing field for Alabama MROs that currently do not qualify for the state's aircraft tax exemption because the law covers only entities that fully manufacture and deliver an aircraft in the state. Senator Kitchens told the committee that because of the current definition, airlines and leasing companies often fly aircraft to other states such as Mississippi to take advantage of more favorable tax treatment, moving work out of Alabama.

The bill includes a five-year sunset provision so lawmakers can revisit the exemption once more fiscal data is available. Committee members asked clarifying questions about the scope of the exemption and the local industry impact in Marshall County and Birmingham. No fiscal note detail was presented during the hearing beyond the sponsor's statement that the exemption would largely capture activity that is currently occurring out of state rather than in Alabama.

The committee adopted the bill by roll call, 16 ayes, 0 nays; the clerk recorded the measure as given a favorable report.

The committee did not identify specific statutory citations during the discussion; lawmakers framed the change as closing a loophole in existing tax law so that MRO work done in Alabama would qualify like a full manufacture/delivery transaction.","The committee gave SB175 a favorable report to allow maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities that retrofit leased aircraft to qualify for a state tax exemption, with a five-year sunset and a unanimous committee vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Alabama cyber school outlines outreach, teacher training and statewide cyber range plans

Senate committee gives favorable report to parental-leave bill for state and education employees

Committee advances ‘‘Move On When Ready’’ bill modeled on Georgia program

Committee backs bill allowing five-year contracts for PHIP Medicare Advantage drug plans

Senate committee advances bill to extend aircraft maintenance tax exemption for MROs