house of representatives feb 9 2016 julie bennett.JPG

((Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com))

A bill that would have allowed more tax credit options for contributors to private school scholarships failed today in the Alabama House of Representatives.

The bill would broadened tax credits allowed under the Alabama Accountability Act, the school choice law that passed in 2013.

The tax credits have been controversial because they reduce the amount of funding available for public schools.

The bill would not have raised the $30 million annual cap on the tax credits. But it would have made other changes intended to promote donations to the scholarship programs.

It would have allowed companies that make donations to claim a credit on their utilities gross receipts tax. Under current law, the credits can apply only to state income tax.

And the bill would have increased the maximum tax credit that individuals and corporations could claim for scholarship donations.

The bill was a priority for Senate leader Del Marsh, who led passage of the Accountability Act in 2013.

It narrowly passed the Senate in February.

The House rejected the bill today by a vote of 59-28.

Today is the last day of the legislative session.