by Anna Barrett, Alabama Reflector
April 2, 2025

A bill that would require local school boards to adopt policies on extending academic credit for “religious instruction” outside the classroom failed an Alabama House committee on Wednesday.

The House Education Policy Committee rejected HB 342, sponsored by Rep. Susan DuBose, R-Hoover, on a 4-9 vote despite significant amendments to the bill that gave local school boards more flexibility with the policy. 

Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, the chair of the committee, said she supported the amendments but said the pushback from both sides was stronger than she expected.

“I had every superintendent around me actually reach out and ask not to,” Collins said in an interview about her vote. “There was just a lot of passion. The amount of people pushing both ways was extreme, more so than I thought, and that makes me hesitant.”

State law currently allows boards of education to extend that credit, but does not mandate released time religious instruction (RTRI), the subject of DuBose’s bill, in which students can take time out of the school day for religious instruction.

The ministry teaches students about the Christian Standard Bible “with a focus on head, heart and hands,” according to its website. In a sample curriculum, it alters the language and organization of Bible lessons so that children can understand it easily. 

Rep. Alan Baker, R-Brewton, also voted against the bill, saying schools can already create religious release time policies. The Legislature passed a law allowing school boards to create a policy in 2019.

“I think the local authorities need to make that decision,” Baker said in an interview. “If they want that there in their system, then they can handle it.”

Collins said she wanted to see more results of the current law. 

“My thought is, we passed it several years ago as a ‘may.’ I would like to see how that works a little bit longer,” she said. 

Rep. Tashina Morris, D-Montgomery, said the program would take away needed instructional time.

“The school hours haven’t changed, but we keep sticking things into the class time,” she said.

DuBose said the bill may come back next year, but start in the Senate.

“People had a difference of opinion. And that happens all the time,” DuBose said in an interview. “I don’t think anything went wrong.”

SB 278, sponsored by Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville, is identical to DuBose’s bill with the amendments. It was filed Tuesday and is in the Senate Education Policy Committee.

Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Brian Lyman for questions: info@alabamareflector.com.

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SUMMARY: In Northwest Florida’s special election, Jimmy Patronis, endorsed by President Trump, won the Congressional District 1 seat, defeating Democrat Gay Valmont 57% to 42%. Patronis celebrated his victory at the Fish House in Pensacola, emphasizing his focus on economic issues and veteran healthcare. He plans to establish a local office in Pensacola and advocate for conservative policies in Washington. Despite her loss, Valmont expressed pride in her campaign and noted her improved performance compared to her previous run. She plans to donate campaign funds and remains committed to the district. Additionally, Nathan Boils won the Republican nomination for the District 3 state house seat.

WKRG.com is your source for Northwest Florida’s April 1, 2025, special elections. Follow along for the latest updates in Florida’s 1st Congressional District and the Florida State Legislature District 3 primary races.
FULL STORY: https://trib.al/xYV4pOS

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SUMMARY: Alabama lawmakers face a deadline to decide whether to extend the overtime pay tax exemption, set to expire at the end of June. Some lawmakers advocate making this exemption permanent, citing benefits for families. However, others argue that a grocery tax cut would impact a wider range of people, benefiting all consumers, not just those who work overtime. The grocery tax cut would reduce the state tax from 3% to 2%, saving about $1 per $100. Concerns about revenue loss from the overtime exemption and its impact on state funding, particularly education, complicate the decision.

The clock is ticking for some hourly workers in Alabama on whether or not any overtime they work would be taxed.

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