A bill that would expand the ability of Alabama colleges to fire tenured professors gained House approval Tuesday, but it would not affect the state’s two largest university systems.
House Bill 580, sponsored by Representative Troy Stubbs, R-Wetumpka, passed 82-18 on Tuesday after lawmakers amended it to specifically exempt the University of Alabama and Auburn University systems, which are created by the state constitution.
“They’re very aware of this bill, and they understand the concepts, and I think that they will find that elements of this bill are very needed and beneficial to their institutions along with the other four-year institutions in our state,” Stubbs said. “But we can’t compel them to do anything.”
The exemption would apply not only to the flagship campuses, but also to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of Alabama in Huntsville and Auburn University Montgomery.
Democrats said the bill is designed to punish professors who engage in speech the state does not like, including speech or activities related to diversity, equity and inclusion, after the state already barred DEI programs.
“What if you have a professor that’s attacking the state policy or the DEI policy for whatever reason that might be?” asked Representative Neil Rafferty, D-Birmingham.
“If the institution has in their policy that that is a terminable offense, then the institution will be able to exercise their right if it’s in their policy, but we’re not telling them to do that,” Stubbs said. “Nothing in here references their speech or what they’re talking about or any of those things. So if it’s not referenced in the bill, then it’s not applicable.”
HB580 also reduces the role of faculty senates to advisory only and would immediately eliminate all faculty senates that were not created in alignment with its new requirements. Stubbs said the purpose is to ensure the power to make decisions lies with each university’s governing board.
The bill now moves to the Senate with five days remaining in the 2026 Legislative Session.
