MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed legislation that would allow county school superintendents to earn money outside their capacity as head of a school system.

Senate Bill 153, sponsored by State Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, was approved 29-0. It now goes to the House for consideration.

“I am grateful to Senator Tim Melson for his work on the superintendents equalization bill,” Limestone County Superintendent Dr. Tom Sisk said. “This bill addressed and corrected a number of inconsistencies in state law. Senator Melson’s continued support of public education is again evident by this bill he sponsored, and other education bills he has supported.”

Under existing law, county education superintendents are not allowed to have additional employment of any kind. Additionally, they are limited to $600 in travel expenses annually. Both of these restrictions would be removed.

City superintendents have never been subjected to either of these restrictions.

“This law regulating our county superintendents was written over 90 years ago,” Melson said. “This legislation modernizes the current code and puts city and county superintendents on an equal footing.”

Melson’s proposal preserves the current power county boards of education have to negotiate contracts with superintendents, but simply removes the penalty for acquiring additional employment. A superintendent’s contract with a county board of education could still bar additional employment.