During her State of the State address last night, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey unveiled an education savings account bill, calling it her "top legislative priority."
MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Tuesday declared during her state of the state address that passing her education savings account (ESA) bill is her top legislative priority. The Creating Hope & Opportunity for Our Students’ Education (CHOOSE) Act sponsors and education budget chairmen, Senator Arthur Orr and Representative Danny Garrett, filed the bill today.
“Passing an education savings account bill that works for families and for Alabama is my number one legislative priority, and I am proud to have our education budget chairmen, Senator Arthur Orr and Representative Danny Garrett, carry the CHOOSE Act,” said Governor Ivey.
The CHOOSE Act program would provide up to $7,000 per child enrolled at an accredited, participating private or public school through an education savings account funded by a new refundable income tax credit. Additionally, families who opt for homeschooling could receive up to $2,000 per homeschooler, with a $4,000 cap for families with more than one homeschooler, for eligible educational expenses. As the governor outlined during her state of the state address, families would begin to participate in the program during the 2025-2026 academic year. Year to year, the program would prioritize students with unique needs, participating students and their siblings for enrollment.