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HB 489ALABAMASession 2026rsState Billin committee

Alabama HB 489 adds Orange Beach online institution to student grant program

Original title: Alabama Student Grant Program; independent postsecondary online institution located in Orange Beach, Alabama added to approved institutions for which students may receive grants to attend

Last action · February 19, 2026: Pending Committee Action in House of OriginSponsor: Alan Baker

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Would Do

Legislation adds an independent postsecondary online institution located in Orange Beach, Alabama, to the list of institutions approved for participation in the Alabama Student Grant Program, effective October 1, 2026.

Why it matters

Expands grant eligibility to students attending a specific online institution in Orange Beach, altering the distribution scope of state-funded tuition assistance.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Students attending the Orange Beach online institution

Become newly eligible to receive monetary awards under the Alabama Student Grant Program.

Directly affected

Alabama Commission on Higher Education

Administers the grant program and enforces eligibility definitions and rules.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which new institution is added to the grant program by HB 489?

An independent postsecondary online institution located in Orange Beach, Alabama, that is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

When does this legislation take effect?

This act becomes effective on October 1, 2026.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

2 actions

Feb 19, 2026HouseCommittee
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced
Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Education Policy

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Connected Entities

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Alabama Commission on Higher Education

OrganizationSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges“Accrediting body for postsecondary institutions.”Map →

OrganizationAlabama Commission on Higher Education“Administers the Alabama Student Grant Program and adopts rules and regulations.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

alison.legislature.state.al.us

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance35
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy10
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz15
Current news / social attention level

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