MONTGOMERY-On September 5, 2025, Governor Ivey and House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter secured a court order blocking the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s enforcement of a rule preventing students transferring under the Creating Hope and Opportunity for Our Students’ Education Act (CHOOSE Act) from participating in school athletics for one year.
On Friday, Governor Ivey joined Speaker Ledbetter in filing an amended complaint and a preliminary-injunction motion to keep up the fight against the AHSAA’s policy denying eligibility to CHOOSE Act students. In addition, today’s filings challenge the AHSAA’s so-called “Restitution Rules,” which threaten students and schools with penalties for ineligible participation—even if they play pursuant to the September 5, 2025 court order if that court order is for some reason later reversed or vacated.
Governor Ivey issued the following comment:
“It was bad enough when the AHSAA decided to sideline CHOOSE Act student-athletes in violation of state law. It is even worse to learn that the AHSAA will penalize schools and students for playing pursuant to the court order Speaker Ledbetter and I obtained just two weeks ago. I remain steadfast in support of the CHOOSE Act and its promise of true school choice, even when it comes to participation in athletics. I look forward to the court righting this wrong as soon as possible.” – Governor Kay Ivey
Media Release/Office of Alabama Governor Kay Ivey
