This amendment creates a new process for merging two or more city school systems, including rules for how voters can protest and vote on the change.
Alabama2026Enacted
HB178
Rules for Merging City School Systems
Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 9:06 AM
In one sentence
This law allows neighboring city school boards to merge into one system, but requires a public vote if at least 25 percent of voters in any affected area file a written protest within 30 days.
What it does
- Allows two or more nearby (contiguous) city school boards to agree on merging their systems under one multi-city board.
- Requires all agreeing boards to adopt and record an agreement, plus a formal resolution detailing debt payment, how the new board will operate, member roles, and the timeline for implementation.
- Stops the merger from happening automatically if 25 percent of voters in any affected area submit a written protest within 30 days after the resolution is adopted.
- Mandates that a public vote be held at the next regularly scheduled general election to approve or reject the merger if enough people file a protest.
- Requires the State Board of Education to create rules needed to carry out this law.
Who it affects
- City boards of education in neighboring cities
- Voters living within the boundaries of city school systems proposing a merger
- The Alabama State Board of Education
Limits and unknowns
- The law does not say which cities must merge; it only sets the rules if they choose to do so.
- It is unclear how much money will be needed for the new board until specific boards make their plans.
- The exact details of the State Board's implementing rules are not included in this text.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Contiguous
- Cities or areas that share a common border and are next to each other.
- Qualified electors
- People who live in the area and have the legal right to vote.
- Referendum
- A special election where voters decide yes or no on a specific question, such as merging schools.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
This act: (1) authorizes two or more contiguous city boards of education to consolidate the administration of their city school systems under one multi-city board of education; (2) provides that if 25 percent of the qualified electors of a school system submit written objection within 30 days after the decision to consolidate, a consolidation only becomes operative after approval at a referendum for the total affected area; and (3) requires the state board to adopt rules to implement this act.
Official activity
Bill history
- EnactedHouse
- Garrett Motion to Concur In and Adopt Senate Amendment - Adopted Roll Call 1327 (Yeas 104, Nays 0)House
- Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 1247 (Yeas 32, Nays 0)Senate
- Orr motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 1246 (Yeas 32, Nays 0)Senate
- Third Reading in Second House (Yeas 32, Nays 0)Senate
- Delivered to GovernorHouse
- Signature RequestedSenate
- EnrolledHouse
- Ready to EnrollHouse
- Finance and Taxation Education 1st Amendment OfferedSenate
- Read for the Second Time and placed on the CalendarSenate
- Reported Out of Committee Second HouseSenate
- Finance and Taxation Education 1st AmendmentSenate
- Pending Committee Action in Second HouseSenate
- Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance and Taxation EducationSenate
- Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 238 (Yeas 104, Nays 0)House
- Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 237 (Yeas 104, Nays 0)House
- Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 236 (Yeas 103, Nays 0)House
- Third Reading in House of Origin (Yeas 99, Nays 0)House
- EngrossedHouse
Changes
Amendments
3 stored
This amendment changes who must vote to approve merging city schools by requiring a majority of voters in the entire combined area.
This amendment updates the rules for merging city school systems to clarify how a new multi-city board will be formed, when voters must decide on it, and who is responsible for announcing the vote.