Commission approves ballot amendment explanation

An Alabama state commission Thursday approved language for a constitutional amendment. (Hill Street Studios via Getty Images)

The Alabama Fair Ballot Commission Thursday agreed on language describing a constitutional amendment on the November ballot.

The amendment comes from HB 302, sponsored by Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, which would grant money from certain lands and the lands themselves owned by the Franklin County School System to the Franklin County Board of Education. The lands in question are located in Fayette and Walker counties.

The commission created language to explain the amendment to voters.

“So that citizens can go and read these statements and understand what they’re voting on,” said Patrick Moody, a member of the commission.

The language for the constitutional amendment are located in the legislation, but the Commission approved language to explain the amendment:

“In the 1800’s, Congress granted each township in the state certain land designated as ‘sixteenth section lands’ and ‘indemnity lands’ for the benefit of schools. Money earned from these lands is dedicated to the support and maintenance of the public schools in the state.

“Currently, the Franklin County School System owns some sixteenth section lands and indemnity lands that are located in Fayette County and Walker County.

“This amendment will transfer ownership rights of those lands to the Franklin County Board of Education. Upon approval, the amendment will provide that any money earned from the lease or sale of the lands or its natural resources will be paid to the Franklin County Board of Education.”

Grammatical or typo changes could still be made.

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