MONTGOMERY, AL — Governor Kay Ivey has signed Senate Bill 99 into law, requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in certain public schools across Alabama.
SB99, sponsored by Sen. Kelley and co-sponsored in the House by Mark Gidley, mandates that the Ten Commandments be displayed alongside information outlining their historical significance. The requirement applies to classrooms serving students in grades five through 12, as well as common areas such as cafeterias and libraries, and is contingent upon the availability of donated materials.
Sen. Kelley highlighted the scope and intent of the legislation, noting the effort it took to bring the bill to passage.
“It’s been a journey sponsoring this bill, SB 99, which requires schools to display a poster of the religious document in fifth through 12th-grade classes and within common areas, such as cafeterias and school libraries, in every school within the district,” Kelley said.
Kelley has consistently framed the measure as one focused on historical context, emphasizing the role the Ten Commandments have played in shaping foundational principles in American history.
Representative Gidley also spoke on the legislation, expressing appreciation for the collaboration that led to its passage.
“I was proud to partner with Senator Keith Kelley to get this bill passed this session, and am thankful for the support from my colleagues and friends around the state who made this a reality,” Gidley said. “The Ten Commandments are a founding document and principle of our nation’s history, and here in Alabama, we will proudly display it.”
Governor Ivey, in a statement following the signing, connected the legislation to broader historical education efforts.
“In Alabama, we proudly remember that we live in one nation under God. The Ten Commandments – like the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights – are critical to understanding the founding of our country,” Ivey said. “Especially as we approach the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, it is of the utmost importance Alabama’s children understand the history of this great country we call home. That absolutely includes a foundational document like the Ten Commandments.”
The bill aligns with remarks Ivey made during her 2025 State of the State address, where she stated there is a place for the Ten Commandments and other historical documents in Alabama classrooms.
With the governor’s signature, SB99 is now law, marking the culmination of legislative efforts led by Sen. Kelley to bring the measure to fruition.
