Alabama legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Alabama HB178: Ten Commandments; required to be displayed in the common area of public K-12 schools
Status: In committee, April 22, 2025
What the bill says
An act Relating to public K-12 schools; to provide legislative findings; to require each local board of education to display the Ten Commandments and certain other documents related to the formation of this nation, subject to the availability of donations; to provide for the use of donations to comply with the display requirement; to authorize the State Board of Education to adopt rules.
From the engrossed text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT Relating to public K-12 schools; to provide legislative findings; to require each local board of education to display the Ten Commandments and certain other documents related to the formation of this nation, subject to the availability of donations; to provide for the use of donations to comply with the display requirement; to authorize the State Board of Education to adopt rules. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA: Section 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) The Ten Commandments are a key part of the Judeo-Christian religious and moral tradition that shaped Western Civilization and ultimately the founding of the United States. In particular, because they include what John Quincy Adams described as both "civil and municipal" provisions as well as "moral and religious" provisions, the Ten Commandments have historical significance as one of the foundations of our legal system. Teaching students about the Ten Commandments promotes historical understanding and helps to foster a common cultural heritage and awareness. Page cultural heritage and awareness. HB178 Engrossed (b) Documents created to shape civil society during the founding era of this nation include direct and indirect references to God and religion. These documents include the following: (1) The Mayflower Compact of 1620, America's first written constitution, was a covenant made …
Sponsors
- Gidley, Mark (R, HD-029) · primary sponsor
- Stadthagen, Scott (R, HD-009)
- DuBose, Susan (R, HD-045)
- Simpson, Matt (R, HD-096)
- Hulsey, Leigh (R, HD-015)
- Shirey, Mark (R, HD-100)
- Robertson, Chad (R, HD-040)
- Rehm, Rick (R, HD-085)
- Yarbrough, Ernie (R, HD-007)
- Matt Woods (R, SD-005)
- Shedd, Randall (R)
- Brinyark, Bryan (R, HD-016)
Latest actions
- : Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Education Policy
- : Pending Committee Action in Second House
- : Third Reading in House of Origin
- : Education Policy 1st Substitute Offered
- : Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 885
- : Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 886
- : Motion to Add Cosponsor - Adopted Roll Call 887
- : Engrossed
- : Education Policy 1st Substitute
- : Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
Votes
- Senate Roll Call #1247 (April 8, 2026): 32 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Roll Call #1246 (April 8, 2026): 32 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Roll Call #1245 (April 8, 2026): 32 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Roll Call #1327 (April 8, 2026): 104 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Roll Call #238 (February 3, 2026): 104 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Roll Call #237 (February 3, 2026): 104 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Education
Common questions
- What is HB178?
- HB178 is a bill in the Alabama Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Ten Commandments; required to be displayed in the common area of public K-12 schools.
- What does HB178 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to public K-12 schools; to provide legislative findings; to require each local board of education to display the Ten Commandments and certain other documents related to the formation of this nation, subject to the availability of donations; to provide for the use of donations to comply with the display requirement; to authorize the State Board of Education to adopt rules.
- What is the status of HB178?
- In committee as of April 22, 2025. Latest action: Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Education Policy (April 22, 2025).
- Who sponsored HB178?
- Gidley, Mark (R, HD-029), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB178?
- On the Alabama Legislature website: https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/instrument/2025RS/HB178
Source: official Alabama record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.