Alabama HB216: Ten Commandments; required to be displayed in certain public schools, subject to the availability of donations

What the bill says

A bill 24 TO BE ENTITLED 25 AN ACT 26 27 Relating to public schools; to provide legislative 28 findings; to require certain local boards of education to Page HB216 INTRODUCED 29 display the Ten Commandments and certain other documents 30 related to the formation of this nation, subject to the 31 availability of donations; to provide for the use of donations 32 to comply with the display requirement; and to authorize the 33 State Board of Education to adopt rules. 34.

From the introduced text:

A BILL 24 TO BE ENTITLED 25 AN ACT 26 27 Relating to public schools; to provide legislative 28 findings; to require certain local boards of education to Page HB216 INTRODUCED 29 display the Ten Commandments and certain other documents 30 related to the formation of this nation, subject to the 31 availability of donations; to provide for the use of donations 32 to comply with the display requirement; and to authorize the 33 State Board of Education to adopt rules. 34 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA: 35 Section 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of 36 the following: 37 (1) The Ten Commandments are a key part of the 38 Judeo-Christian religious and moral tradition that shaped 39 Western Civilization and ultimately the founding of the United 40 States. In particular, because they include what John Quincy 41 Adams described as both "civil and municipal" provisions as 42 well as "moral and religious" provisions, the Ten Commandments 43 have historical significance as one of the foundations of our 44 legal system. Teaching students about the Ten Commandments 45 promotes historical understanding and helps to foster a common 46 cultural heritage and awareness. 47 (2) Documents created to shape civil society during the 48 founding era of this nation include direct and indirect 49 references to …

Sponsors

• Gidley, Mark (R, HD-029) · primary sponsor
• Butler, Mack (R, HD-028)
• Harrison, Ben (R, HD-002)
• Starnes, Jerry (R, HD-088)
• Rehm, Rick (R, HD-085)
• Lamb, Bill (R, HD-062)
• Standridge, David (R, HD-034)
• Carns, Jim (R, HD-048)
• Stadthagen, Scott (R, HD-009)
• Yarbrough, Ernie (R, HD-007)
• Sellers, Patrick (D, HD-057)
• Paschal, Kenneth (R, HD-073)

Latest actions

1. March 19, 2026: Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
2. March 18, 2026: Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
3. March 5, 2026: Re-referred to Committee in House of Origin
4. March 5, 2026: Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar
5. March 4, 2026: Reported Out of Committee House of Origin
6. January 14, 2026: Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
7. January 14, 2026: Read for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Education Policy

Common questions

What is HB216?

HB216 is a bill in the Alabama Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Ten Commandments; required to be displayed in certain public schools, subject to the availability of donations.

What does HB216 do?

In its own words: A bill 24 TO BE ENTITLED 25 AN ACT 26 27 Relating to public schools; to provide legislative 28 findings; to require certain local boards of education to Page HB216 INTRODUCED 29 display the Ten Commandments and certain other documents 30 related to the formation of this nation, subject to the 31 availability of donations; to provide for the use of donations 32 to comply with the display requirement; and to authorize the 33 State Board of Education to adopt rules. 34.

What is the status of HB216?

In committee as of March 18, 2026. Latest action: Read for the Second Time and placed on the Calendar (March 19, 2026).

Who sponsored HB216?

Gidley, Mark (R, HD-029), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB216?

On the Alabama Legislature website: https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/instrument/2026RS/HB216