AL
Alabama House Bill HB96

Alabama 2022 Regular Session

Alabama House Bill HB96

Introduced
1/11/22  

Caption

Education, public K-12 schools, requires installation of water bottle filling stations

Impact

The bill's implications for state law focus on ensuring that all newly built or renovated public K-12 school facilities provide adequate access to drinking water, which aligns with broader public health goals. This legislative measure also could potentially involve increased expenditures for local school districts, as they may need to allocate funds for the installation and maintenance of these filling stations. There is a requirement for at least one filling station per 100 individuals projected to occupy the building, enhancing water accessibility in high-traffic areas such as gymnasiums and cafeterias.

Summary

House Bill 96 aims to enhance the availability of drinking water in public K-12 schools by mandating the installation of water bottle filling stations in newly constructed schools and certain renovated buildings. The bill specifies the number of filling stations required based on projected occupancy and establishes criteria to ensure that these stations are accessible and regularly maintained. In doing so, the bill promotes the idea of hydration for students, teachers, and staff while encouraging the use of reusable water bottles, which can contribute to environmental sustainability initiatives.

Contention

One notable area of contention revolves around the financial burden this bill may place on local school systems. As the bill necessitates a 2/3 majority for any new expenditures to become effective, local boards of education may face challenges in adapting to these requirements without additional state funding. Some stakeholders are advocating for clearer pathways for funding or enforcement mechanisms to ensure that the installations do not lead to financial strain on local resources. This raises concerns about whether the intention of improving access to hydration could inadvertently result in local governance issues regarding budget constraints.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

AL HB332

Education, public K-12 schools, completion of approved computer science course required

AL SB166

Ten Commandments, required to be displayed in common area of public K-12 schools and public institutions of higher education

AL SB83

Public entities, installation and maintenance of adult-size changing tables by public entities required; grant program created

AL HB439

Public K-12 education, employment, qualifications, and training of technology directors

AL HB234

Public K-12 schools; mobile emergency rapid response systems required, State Board of Education required to adopt rules, funding sources provided for

AL HB278

Career and technical education in public K-12 schools; home school student participation, authorized; State Board of Education, required to adopt rules

AL HB65

Public K-12 education; State Board of Education required to adopt model student cell phone use policy, local boards of education required to adopt cell phone use policy

AL HB178

Ten Commandments; required to be displayed in the common area of public K-12 schools

AL HB81

Public K-12 education; State Board of Education required to adopt model student cell phone use policy, local boards of education required to adopt cell phone use and storage policy

AL HB280

Public K-12 education, fentanyl prevention and drug poisoning awareness required in grades 6 through 12.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.