Alabama HJR 17: Alabama Community College Football Study Commission, created

Bill Text

HJR17 ENROLLED
Page 0
HJR17
2JU5LSS-2
By Representatives Blackshear, Reynolds, Garrett, Gray
RFD: Rules
First Read: 14-Jan-26
1
2
3
4
5

HJR17 Enrolled
Page 1
First Read: 14-Jan-26
Enrolled, An Act,
ESTABLISHING THE ALABAMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL STUDY
COMMISSION.
WHEREAS, the Alabama Community College System (ACCS),
through the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC),
currently supports more than 180 athletic teams across 22
institutions, offering opportunities to more than 2,200
student-athletes in sports such as baseball, basketball,
cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and
field, volleyball, esports, and most recently, women's flag
football; and
WHEREAS, Alabama has a rich tradition and cultural
affinity for football, with the sport serving as a major
driver of community engagement, school spirit, and economic
activity across the state; and
WHEREAS, community college football programs once
existed in Alabama but were discontinued due to financial,
logistical, and administrative challenges, leaving a gap in
athletic opportunities for students who may not have access
to four-year institutions; and
WHEREAS, the recent success and expansion of women's
flag football in the ACCC, supported by legislative
appropriations, demonstrates the viability of introducing
new sports programs at the community college level; and
WHEREAS, reinstating football programs at community
colleges could provide additional pathways for
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28

HJR17 Enrolled
Page 2
colleges could provide additional pathways for
student-athletes to pursue higher education, develop
leadership and teamwork skills, and potentially advance to
four-year institutions or professional opportunities; and
WHEREAS, a comprehensive study is needed to evaluate
the feasibility, costs, benefits, and potential models for
reintroducing football programs in Alabama's community
colleges; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH
HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That there is established the
Alabama Community College Football Study Commission to study
the feasibility of reinstating football programs at
community colleges within the Alabama Community College
System.
(a) The membership of the study commission shall
consist of all of the following:
(1) One member of the Alabama House of
Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives.
(2) One member of the Alabama Senate, appointed by
the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(3) The Chair of the House of Representatives Ways
and Means Education Committee, or his or her designee.
(4) The Chair of the Senate Finance and Taxation
Education Committee, or her or her designee.
(5) The Chancellor of the Alabama Community College
System, or his or her designee.
(6) The Commissioner of the Alabama Community College
Conference.
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56

HJR17 Enrolled
Page 3
Conference.
(7) Two presidents of community colleges with
athletic programs, appointed by the Chancellor of the
Alabama Community College System.
(8) Two community college athletic directors,
appointed by the Commissioner of the Alabama Community
College Conference.
(9) Two high school football coaches or athletic
directors from high schools with a classification of 1A
through 5A, appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives.
(10) Two high school football coaches or athletic
directors from high schools with a classification of 6A or
7A, appointed by the Senate President Pro Tempore.
(11) Two representatives from universities that
participate in the National Collegiate Athletic
Association's Football Bowl Subdivision appointed by the
Lieutenant Governor.
(12) Two representatives from universities that
participate in the Southwestern Athletic Conference,
appointed by a joint recommendation of the Minority Leader
of the House of Representatives and the Minority Leader of
the Senate.
(b) The appointing authorities shall coordinate their
appointments to assure the study commission membership is
inclusive and reflects the racial, gender, geographic,
urban, rural, and economic diversity of the state.
(c) The study commission shall have the following
duties:
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84

HJR17 Enrolled
Page 4
duties:
(1) Assess the current infrastructure, staffing, and
financial capacity of the Alabama Community College
Conference and the institutions of Alabama Community College
System to implement football programs.
(2) Evaluate potential one-time and recurring funding
sources for facilities and operational costs, including
public-private partnerships and legislative appropriations.
(3) Consider models from other states with successful
community college football programs.
(4) Solicit input from stakeholders including
students, faculty, alumni, and local communities.
(5) Provide recommendations on timelines and