MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The House passed two bills aimed at expanding access to career pathways and easing career and technical education instructor shortages on Thursday.
The package, including a proposal seeking an additional $150 million investment in CTE, was introduced just one week ago. Legislative leadership has said since late last year CTE legislation is a priority this session.
“Here in the state of Alabama, we’ve gotten over 90,000 jobs that we’ve brought to our state here recently, it’s been over $50 billion in economic development throughout the past few years,” Lomax said after the package passed. “We want to make sure we have the workforce that is going to align with that for the future, making sure we’re taking care of the children and their opportunities as they come into the workforce.”
House Bill 517, sponsored by newly appointed House Majority Whip Rep. James Lomax, R-Huntsville, incentivizes employers to temporarily loan qualified industry employees to teach CTE courses at eligible educational institutions, which include Alabama community colleges and public high schools.
The Talent Readiness and Industry Needs, or TRAIN Act, would create up to $10 million in annual income tax credits to offset a portion of the salary employers continue paying employees during their teaching assignments, with a cap of $250,000 per employer. The credits would be available beginning in the 2027 tax year.
It also creates the Workforce Teaching Certificate, which specifies minimum requirements, including a background check.
The bill passed by a vote of 104-0.
The House also advanced House Bill 520, sponsored by Rep. Marcus Paramore, R-Troy.
The CTE Teacher Certification Act would create an expedited certification pathway for experienced teachers relocating to Alabama to teach CTE courses in public high schools. Eligible teachers must hold a valid teaching certificate from another state and show proof of four years of full-time teaching experience, a bachelor’s degree and a criminal background check.
Lawmakers passed the bill by a vote of 102-0.
Lomax said the package will help Alabamians who do not complete a college education.
“These are (technical) careers that we’re really trying to cherish here in the state of Alabama to address the 66% of our children that are not completing a college degree,” Lomax said. “They’re going to be doing something else. It’s going to help our workforce participation rate. It’s going to help give people purpose and mission in life.”
The two bills now head to the Senate. There are 11 legislative days left in the 2026 session.