Gov. Kay Ivey has joined House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter in filing a new complaint against the Alabama High School Athletic Association, continuing their push to ensure student-athletes are not ineligible to play for a year when transferring schools under the state's CHOOSE Act.

The complaint challenges the AHSAA's restitution rules, which could punish students and schools for ineligible participation even if they played under the Sept. 5 court order — if that is later overturned.

Earlier this month, a Montgomery judge blocked enforcement of the AHSAA's one-year ineligibility rule for school choice transfers. Ivey said the organization's policies remain an obstacle for students seeking both academic and athletic opportunities.

"I remain steadfast in support of the CHOOSE Act and its promise of true school choice, even when it comes to participation in athletics," Ivey said in a press release last Friday. "I look forward to the court righting this wrong as soon as possible."

State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-District 32), who represents the Eastern Shore and South Baldwin, added to the argument against the AHSAA when he joined Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5's "The Jeff Poor Show" last Friday, stating the organization is acting as a "military junta" against Alabama student-athletes.

In addition to her legal challenge, Ivey continues highlighting families benefitting from the CHOOSE Act. Most recently, she introduced the Siemens family of Dothan, who enrolled their three children at Northside Methodist Academy through the program. The parents say the law has eased transportation burdens and allowed their children to pursue academics and extracurriculars together on one campus.

"Brady and Hannah Siemens have been hoping for Alabama to have a program like the CHOOSE Act so that they can give their children the education that best suits their family. Now, that hope is a reality," Ivey said in a press release from Sept. 12. "I look forward to the CHOOSE Act supporting many more Alabama families like the Siemens for years to come."

The CHOOSE ACT was signed by Ivey in March 2024. The act makes Education Savings Accounts, in the form of refundable income tax credits, available to K-12 students in Alabama to use for tuition, fees, instructional material, tutoring and other educational expenses to alternative schooling options, such as eligible private schools, homeschooling or to attend an out-of-zone public school.