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An idea recommended by Rep. Prince Chestnut three years ago passed in the House Education Policy Committee last week.

House Bill 164 require public school students to complete a course on personal financial literacy and money management and pass a standardized assessment before high school graduation.

Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Harvest, sponsored the Bill. Reps. Prince Chestnut, D-Valley Grande, Mike Shaw, R-Hoover, James Lomax, R-Huntsville, Jeff Sorrells, R-Hartford, Terri Collins, R-Decatur, Danny Crawford, R-Athens, Rex Reynolds, R-Hazel Green, and House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville co-sponsored it.

“The passage of this bill is a huge step forward for financial literacy education in our state,” Chestnut said. “By requiring all students to take a financial literacy course before they graduate, we are giving them the tools they need to make smart financial decisions throughout their lives. This will help them avoid debt, save for retirement, and build a stron