Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, to grant certain sixteenth section and indemnity school land that is owned in fee simple by the Franklin County school system, is located in Fayette County and Walker County, and is for the exclusive use of schools in the Franklin County School System to the Franklin County Board of Education; and to provide for the distribution of any proceeds and interest generated by this land to the Franklin County Board of Education. (Proposed by Act 2024-301)[1]
Background
Franklin County Schools owns land that is described as Sixteenth Section land due to being located between Highway 13 and Interstate 22, which means that only the Alabama Department of Conservation is able to manage, lease, or sell this land. This amendment would allow Franklin County Schools to sell, lease, and control the land, along with timber, minerals, or natural resources. It will be a statewide amendment due to the affected land falling in multiple county lines.[2] The two other counties that it falls in are Fayette County and Walker County.[3]
The Alabama Fair Ballot Commission agreed to the language of the amendment on the ballot on June 20.[3]
The legislation was supported by State Representative Jamie Kiel.[4]
Legislative voting
The amendment was approved by the Alabama House of Representatives on April 9, 2024, with 72 in favor, 0 in opposition, and 31 abstentions. It was then approved by the Alabama Senate on May 8, 2024, with 35 in favor, 0 in opposition, and 0 abstentions.[5]
