The 2014 legislative session has ended and of most concern is the ETF.
The Budget as transmitted to the Governor does not include a 2% pay-raise but does fund PEEHIP at $780 per employee. It all comes down to the Governor and whether or not he is going to veto the budget because of the lack of pay raise or if he's going to sign it. Because the legislature sine died before the Governor could take action, it puts the budget in a "pocket veto" posture. The Governor has a 10-day count in which to sign that starts the day after sine die (today, April 4) and includes Sundays. So, the deadline for the Governor to act is Sunday, April 13th. If he does nothing, the budget is considered pocket vetoed and the legislature will have to be called into Special Session to start the budget process all over again. If he chooses to veto the budget, he can do so anytime within that 10-day window and then call a special session.
If a Special Session is called, the Legislature has 12 legislative days within a 30-day window in which to address and adopt another ETF Budget.
It is all left up to the Governor.
Below is a quick summary of the legislation related to education as provided by the School Superintendents Association.
Bills that are now law:
- HB 64 - Immunity for School Employees (Act No: 2014-124)
- HB 362 - Gap Insurance for Schools (Act No: 2014-261)
- HB 384 - Career Tech Dual Enrollment (Act No: 2014-147)
- SB 7 - Repeal of Unfunded Mandate Language C/A (Act No: 2014-185)
- SB 38 - Non-Public / Private Schools (Act No: 2014-245)
- SB 75 - Meningococcal Meningitis Info to Schools (Act No: 2014-274)
- SB 173 - Purchase of Property Disclosure (Act No: 2014-133)
- SB 217 - Alabama Workforce Council (Act No: 2014-16)
Bills sent to Governor for his signature:
- HB 83 - Penny Trust Fund Disbursement
- HB 129 - Sales Tax Exemptions for school lunches
- HB 156 - Anaphylaxis Preparedness Program in Schools
- HB 191 - Withdrawal to On-line Schools / Not Drop-out
- HB 229 - Children First Trust Fund Appropriation
- HB 316 - Additional Money for Jefferson Co. Schools (local legislation)
- HB 472 - DPE Chancellor to Appoint Interim Officer
- SB 10 - Dissolution of Foundation for Schools
- SB 57 - Diabetes Delegation
- SB 120 - Retired Part-time Employment
- SB 184 - ETF Budget (FY '2015)
- SB 297 - Convicted Sex Offenders on School Property
Education bills that did not pass:
- HB 33 - Warrantless Arrests
- HB 45 - Ten Commandments
- HB 344 - Statement of Employee Benefits
- HB 454 - 1080 Hours
- HB 558 - Alabama Accountability Act Revisions
- HB 604 - Cherokee Co. Local Sales Tax for Schools
- SB 1 - Alabama Ahead Act / Technology Bond Issue
- SB 18 - Traditional Winter Celebration
- SB 58 - Open Meetings Participation Electronically
- SB 83 - Kyle Graddy Epi-Pens
- SB 144 - School Bus Automated Devices
- SB 191 - Alabama Open Meetings Act (did not get Senate Concurrence)
- SB 192 - Arrest Warrants for School Employees
- SB 203 - Parental Rights for Child's Education
- SB 253 - Impeachment Proceedings / CA
- SB 299 - Competitive Bid
- SB 316 - Intervention Act Revisions
- SB 348 - Exemplary Service Gifts
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