Education Policy Committee advances bills on bus-driver protections, signing-day excusals, intervention oversight and public television

The State Senate Education Policy Committee advanced several bills in a single session, giving favorable reports to measures affecting school bus driver protections, student excused absences for signing days, state oversight of local school districts returning from intervention, and public television funding tools.

SB 211, sponsored on the floor by Senator Jack Hatcher, received a favorable report. Senator Jack Hatcher (State Senator) said the measure is “a sensible bill” and described the policy aim as protecting school bus drivers — many of whom he said hold the job as a second position and are often middle-aged women — from being placed in situations where they would have to confront individuals with outstanding warrants after a violent incident. The committee recorded the bill as given a favorable report with a 6–0 tally.

HB 96, presented by Representative Robertson, would require high schools to excuse students who participate in organized national signing days connected to college athletic scholarships, apprenticeship commitments and military enlistments, and to provide reasonable accommodations. Representative Robertson summarized the bill: “this bill would require high schools to allow high school students to participate in organized national signing days ... to be excused from class.” The committee moved HB 96 out with a favorable report; the transcript records the motion was made and seconded in committee.

A bill described in the transcript as “215 by Center testing” (transcript: “2 15 by Center testing”) would modify the state’s intervention process for local boards of education. State Superintendent Dr. Mackey told the committee the bill would permit the State Superintendent to summon witnesses and subpoena records during an educational intervention and allow a conditional, gradual release from intervention with monitoring for up to five years; the change would also permit the State Superintendent to return a district to intervention within five years if benchmarks were unmet. Dr. Mackey said this authority would “expedite some things” by giving the department subpoena power that many other agency heads possess now. The committee gave that bill a favorable report with a 7–0 tally.

SB 257, sponsored by Senator Chastain, would allow Alabama Public Television to use foundation funds for the purpose of pursuing federal earmarks. Senators on the committee discussed the need for alternative revenue tools for public television amid projected federal cuts. The committee gave SB 257 a favorable report with a recorded roll that indicated 10 affirmative votes.

Votes at a glance

- SB 211 (Sen. Hatcher): Favorable report; recorded tally 6 yes, 0 no. Motion outcome: favorable report. - HB 96 (Rep. Robertson): Favorable report; motion made and seconded in committee; specific roll tally not recorded in transcript excerpt. - "SB 215" / "2 15 by Center testing" (State Superintendent proposal): Favorable report; recorded tally 7 yes, 0 no. Key provision: authorizes State Superintendent to subpoena witnesses and records during interventions; permits conditional release and return to intervention within five years. - SB 257 (Sen. Chastain): Favorable report; recorded roll indicates 10 yes, 0 no. Key provision: allows Alabama Public Television to use foundation funds to seek federal earmarks.

Committee procedure and next steps

Committee members moved the bills forward by voice and roll calls where recorded; most measures received unanimous or near-unanimous committee support in the excerpts provided. Where the transcript does not list a full roll call, the committee reported the bill as given a favorable report and the clerk moved on to the next item. The transcript does not record subsequent floor action.

What committee members emphasized

- Safety and role of bus drivers: Sponsor Senator Jack Hatcher emphasized protecting bus drivers from being forced into confrontations related to criminal warrants after violent incidents. - Recognition for military and apprenticeships: Representative Robertson said the bill was meant to “spotlight” students committing to the military and apprenticeships, giving parity with athlete signing events. - Oversight and enforcement: State Superintendent Dr. Mackey argued for subpoena power and a structured, conditional release from state intervention to monitor districts returning to local control. - Funding tools for public media: Supporters of SB 257 argued public television needs alternative revenue tools to offset expected federal cuts.