BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – House Ways and Mean Education Committee Chairman Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, delayed a vote on a bill that would give educators workers’ compensation benefits despite objections from House Democratic lawmakers.
Senate Bill 1, sponsored by Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, would establish a Public Education Employee Injury Compensation Board to oversee the program and establish a dedicated fund for reimbursements. The bill covers K-12 education employees, including bus drivers, as well as community college staff.
Rep. Cynthia Almond, R-Tuscaloosa, introduced a multi-page amendment making technical changes and clarifications to the bill. The amendment was approved but was not available online Wednesday evening.
Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, expressed concerns about two aspects – the appeals process and the section addressing doctors – saying he wanted to discuss them further with Givhan.
“Overall,” Faulkner said, “I’d like to have an understanding of why this needs to be a separate workers comp instead of just putting teachers in with state employees in the same workers comp plan.”
While Faulkner voiced support for the goal of providing workers’ compensation to educators, he asked Garrett to postpone the vote until lawmakers return April 1 from next week’s legislative spring break.
Democrat lawmakers objected to the delay. Reps. Kelvin Lawrence, D-Hayneville, and Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, urged the committee to go forward with a vote, arguing that questions could still be addressed before the bill reaches the full House.
“We can vote it out of committee,” Drummond said, citing a bus driver she had learned was struggling with injury-related issues.
Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, also pushed back.
“If we realize that there’s a need and we’re truly standing up for our educators, then we should understand the urgency of this particular issue and why it needs to be resolved right away.”
“With all due respect for my colleagues, I just think that this is a delay tactic,” Daniels added. “We just need to grow a pair and move on.”
Daniels attributed his “grow a pair” remark to a Gov. Kay Ivey’s recent luncheon with legislators in which she gave them all sets of golf balls. She reportedly said she was giving them balls because some of them could use some.
Garrett dismissed concerns about urgency, urging Democrats not to get “emotional.”
“This takes effect October 1, 2026,” Garrett said. “We’re in Day 15 of this session. We have time this session to properly vet and discuss bills.”
Givhan later told Alabama Daily News he feels good about the bill’s chance of passage, especially with House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter’s support.
“Some Representatives had a concern about some things that are just difference between state employees workers comp program and (my bill.)”
He said everyone likes the concept, but they’re just getting down to some policy decision, like who selects the doctors used.
“I really don’t think it’s a delay tactic,” he said.
Garrett assured lawmakers that the bill would be “first up” when they return the week of March 31.
Currently, teachers and other school employees must pay out-of-pocket for medical bills related to their injury and request reimbursement from the state Board of Adjustment, which reviews claims for damages from those hurt within a state agency or property. The process can be slow, leaving teachers responsible for significant costs upfront.
The Senate unanimously passed the bill on Feb. 18. According to its fiscal note the program is expected to cost $15.6 million.
After the meeting, Givhan told Alabama Daily News he appreciates the committee’s need for more information.
“Some Representatives had a concern about some things that are just difference between state employees workers comp program and (my bill.)” He said everyone likes the concept, but they’re just getting down to some policy decision, like who selects the doctors used. He said he still feels good about the change of passage, especially with House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter’s support.
“I really don’t think it’s a delay tactic,” Givhan said.