Alabama legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Alabama HB580: Public institutions of higher education; faculty senates limited to advisory role, tenure policy required, review and dismissal of tenured faculty authorized, governing board authority over courses and curriculum provided
Status: Signed into law, April 13, 2026
What the bill says
An Act, Relating to public institutions of higher education; to designate Section 16-5A-1, as Article 1 of Chapter 5A of Title 16, Code of Alabama 1975; to add Article 2, commencing with Section 16-5A-20, to Chapter 5A of Title 16, Code of Alabama 1975; to add Article 3, commencing with Section 16-5A-50, to Chapter 5A of Title 16, Code of Alabama 1975; to add Article 4, commencing with Section 16-5A-80, to Chapter 5A of Title 16; to provide for the creation, membership, and duties of a faculty senate at a public institution of higher education…
From the enrolled text:
An Act, Relating to public institutions of higher education; to designate Section 16-5A-1, as Article 1 of Chapter 5A of Title 16, Code of Alabama 1975; to add Article 2, commencing with Section 16-5A-20, to Chapter 5A of Title 16, Code of Alabama 1975; to add Article 3, commencing with Section 16-5A-50, to Chapter 5A of Title 16, Code of Alabama 1975; to add Article 4, commencing with Section 16-5A-80, to Chapter 5A of Title 16; to provide for the creation, membership, and duties of a faculty senate at a public institution of higher education; to provide that faculty senates are advisory only; to require the governing board of each public institution of higher education to adopt a tenure policy; to require periodic post-tenure reviews of tenured faculty; to require governing boards to approve curriculum; to provide for the dismissal of certain tenured faculty members; to provide governing boards with certain control over curriculum and courses; and to prohibit accrediting agencies from taking certain actions related to state law. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA: Section 1. Section 16-5A-1, Code of Alabama 1975, is designated as Article 1. Section 2. Articles 2, 3, and 4, commencing with Sections 16-5A-20, 16-5A-50, and 16-5A-80 respectively, are added to Chapter 5A of Title 16 of the Code of Alabama 1975, to …