Alabama High Schools to Host Military Recruitment Tests

0:00It's April 7th, you're listening to Birmingham News today, AI-powered local news. Alabama lawmakers are wrapping up their 2026 regular session this week with the House diving into priority bills starting Tuesday. Top of the list is Senate Bill 158, pushed by Senator Randy Price from Opalika and carried in the House by Representative Kristen Nelson. It mandates that every public high school set aside one day, each fall for military recruiters to offer the armed services vocational aptitude battery, test right on campus. The test is totally voluntary for students, but schools have to make space and provide the right accommodations for it to happen smoothly. This comes as the House rolls out a clear calendar for their final push before the session ends. Meanwhile, folks are buzzing about what this means for teens eyeing military pass. It's a chance to gauge skills in areas like math, science, word, knowledge, and electronics without leaving school grounds. No big reactions from opponents yet, but supporters see it as a smart way to connect kids with

1:03real career options in the armed forces early on. The House plans three straight days of meetings, gabbling out for good on Thursday, so keep an eye on whether this bill crosses the finish line and heads to the governor.