The Alabama Senate passed a constitutional amendment Wednesday requiring public schools to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and allowing students to initiate and lead prayer, sending the measure to Alabama voters for final approval.

HB511, sponsored by State Rep. Reed Ingram (R-Pike Road), passed the Senate 30-0 without discussion. The House approved it 94-3 on March 10 after nearly two hours of debate.

Because the measure is a constitutional amendment, it required a 60 percent supermajority in both legislative chambers to reach the ballot — a threshold both chambers cleared.

It will likely appear on the November 2026 general election ballot, where a simple majority of voters is required for it to become part of the Alabama Constitution. The governor’s signature is not required.

Under the bill, any prayer must be student-initiated, student-led, and held at the beginning of the school day. Student participation is voluntary, and students who do not wish to participate may leave the classroom, with local school boards determining where non-participating students go.

The bill is an updated version of HB43, also sponsored by Ingram, which originally threatened to withhold 25 percent of state funding from school boards that did not comply. That penalty was removed by the House before passage.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, students are already permitted to pray in school provided it is not disruptive to school activities. After the bill’s amendments, it remained unclear how the measure would change or challenge existing federal law.

Wednesday was the 29th day of the legislative session. There is one day remaining.

Sawyer Knowles is a capitol reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].