Danny Garrett

Action: Garrett sponsored HB129, the CHOOSE Act, which became law in March 2024. It helps eligible families pay approved school costs, including private-school tuition, tutoring, and homeschooling. Families may qualify for up to $7,000 per student, or up to $2,000 for homeschooling. The income limit is scheduled to end on January 1, 2027, so families at any income level can apply. The amount available still depends on the money lawmakers set aside for the program.

Who may be affected: Students and families considering private school, homeschooling, tutoring, or other approved services may qualify. Public schools may also be affected because the program uses state education funds. Public schools and private schools do not follow all the same state rules for testing and reporting.

Supporters say: Garrett and other supporters say the program gives families more options when they are looking for a school or services that fit their child.

Critics say: Opponents worry that money for the program could mean less for public schools and that public and private schools face different rules. Some lawmakers also warned during debate that public funding for private schools could contribute to racial segregation, citing Alabama's history. State data from the first year showed that most students receiving money to attend private school were already in private school; some students switched from public schools.

Official enrolled CHOOSE Act
Governor's office: signing and supporters' explanation
Alabama Reflector: House debate and vote
Alabama Reflector: 2025 recipient data and questions
Alabama Reflector: universal eligibility and budget concerns

Action: Garrett sponsored HB386, which cut the state sales tax on groceries from 3 cents per dollar to 2 cents per dollar, starting September 1, 2025. That saves $1 in state tax on $100 of groceries; local taxes may still apply. The state estimated the cut would leave about $121 million less for the Education Trust Fund, the budget that pays for most public education.

Who may be affected: People who buy groceries pay a lower state tax. Public schools may also be affected because the tax helps fund education. Local grocery taxes are separate and vary by community.

Supporters say: Garrett said the tax cut would give relief to many households and that budget growth and careful spending could make up for the lost revenue.

Critics say: Rep. Thomas Jackson asked how the state would replace the money taken from the education budget. The debate is about grocery costs for families and how to fund public schools.

Official enrolled HB386
Alabama Reflector: tax package, projected school-revenue impact, and debate
Alabama Reflector: signing and effective date

Action: As chair of the House education budget committee, Garrett helped shape the $10.5 billion state education budget for the school year beginning October 1, 2026. Governor Kay Ivey signed it in April 2026. It included a 2% pay raise for education employees and $180 million more for their health-insurance plan, along with increased funding for public schools, colleges, and pre-K.

Who may be affected: Teachers, school staff, students, and people covered by the state education employees' health plan may be affected. The health plan had asked for a $380 million increase to help avoid raising members' premiums. The budget provided a smaller increase, so the plan still had to manage its costs; the smaller increase did not itself mean premiums would rise.

Supporters say: Garrett said the budget balanced competing needs at a time when state revenue was growing more slowly. It increased funding for public schools and colleges and included a teacher pay raise.

Other concerns: The health plan asked for more money than the budget provided. Garrett said providing the full amount would have left less for other education needs. Lawmakers had to choose how to divide available money among pay, health coverage, schools, colleges, and other programs.

Official enrolled HB238 budget
HB238 summary and fiscal year
Alabama Reflector: budget amounts, committee work, and PEEHIP request
Alabama Reflector: agency funding requests

Action: Garrett sponsored HB165, which passed the House on February 3, 2026. It would have required public four-year colleges and universities to report how much state and federal money they received and spent, and explain how they would operate if that funding were cut. The bill died in a Senate committee and did not become law.

Who may be affected: Universities would have to prepare the reports each year. Students, staff, and the public could see where university funding comes from and how a funding cut might affect the school.

What the proposal would not do: The reports would not prevent funding cuts or guarantee that universities could keep every service running.

Official engrossed HB165
Bama Politics: HB165 summary and bill record
Bama Politics: House passage on February 3, 2026