At the moment of tip-off between the UAB and Iowa State basketball teams Thursday, Rep. Jack Williams introduced legislation focused on UAB's independence and athletics.

The Blazers surged ahead of the higher-seeded Cyclones to clinch a win in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Williams, R-Vestavia Hills, is hoping for another noteworthy victory for UAB - this time in the legislature.

At 11:40 a.m., he introduced the three bills in the Alabama House of Representatives. Each bill includes dozens of co-sponsors, and other legislators declined to co-sponsor but have said they would vote in favor.

"I think we've sent a clear message that there's support in the legislature for reform efforts," Williams said, adding that he was "very pleased" with the response.

The first bill - HB 339, with 63 co-sponsors - proposes ethics training for board of trustees members at public colleges and universities. It outlines mandatory, annual training in Southern Association of Colleges and Schools standards and compliance, and board members could be removed for violating SACS guidelines.

The second - HB 340, with 42 co-sponsors - proposes a restructuring of the University of Alabama system board of trustees, including having the membership reflect where the campuses are located and decreasing consecutive terms served. The board oversees operations at the University of Alabama, UAB and the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

The bill would be a constitutional amendment requiring 62 votes in the House, 21 votes in the Senate, and a majority vote of the public vote to pass, Williams has said previously.

The third bill - HB 341, with 38 co-sponsors - would require UAB to reinstate and maintain a football program.

All three proposed bills are pending action in the Education Policy committee. Williams said he expects that committee action to take place within the next three weeks.