SB171 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Del Marsh

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Electrical Contractors, Board of, definitions, terms, executive director and officers provided for, compensation increased, expired licenses restoration fee, investigations, appeals, certain written tests required for licensure, continuing education, inactive status, civil fines, penalties, board subject to Sunset Law, Secs. 34-36-1, 34-36-3, 34-36-4, 34-36-5, 34-36-6, 34-36-7, 34-36-8, 34-36-9, 34-36-13, 34-36-15, 34-36-16, 34-36-17 am'd.; Sec. 34-36-14 repealed (2010-20497)

Summary

SB171 broadens and tightens regulation of electrical contracting in Alabama by expanding the Board of Electrical Contractors' powers, enforcing continuing education, adding license restoration fees, and placing the board under Sunset Law.

What This Bill Does

It expands the Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors with new definitions, increases board compensation, and authorizes a restoration fee for expired licenses. It gives the board authority to hire investigators and to investigate unlicensed electrical contracting activities, with enforcement tools including fines, cease-and-desist orders, and appeals to the circuit court. It requires continuing education for licensees, allows the board to set rules and penalties, and places the board under the Alabama Sunset Law, repealing the prior Electrical Appeals and Advisory Board. It also sets licensing and examination procedures, allows reciprocity with other states, creates a dedicated board fund, and establishes related governance and enforcement provisions.

Who It Affects

• Licensed electrical contractors and license applicants who must complete 14 hours of continuing education every two years, may face restoration fees for expired licenses, renewal requirements, and potential disciplinary actions including suspension, revocation, or penalties.
• Unlicensed contractors and the general public, who are protected by new board enforcement powers to investigate unlicensed work, issue cease-and-desist orders, impose civil penalties, and forward cases to circuit court for enforcement.

Key Provisions

• Increases board compensation and allows per diem up to $300/day with a 15-day annual limit for official duties.
• Authorizes a restoration fee to issue licenses for expired licenses, with restoration allowed within five years of expiration and requiring satisfaction of continuing education requirements.
• Empowers the board to hire investigators and to investigate activities of both licensed and unlicensed electrical contractors; forbids statewide electrical inspectors.
• Allows appeals to the circuit court of Montgomery County by any person aggrieved by board actions.
• Requires 14 hours of continuing education every two years for licensees and authorizes the board to establish education standards and approve CE programs.
• Permits the board to promulgate rules and penalties, including suspension, revocation, or denial of licenses and civil penalties up to $5,000; establishes grounds for penalties including violations of related acts and fraudulent practices.
• Creates the Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors Fund to finance the board’s operations and imposes related budgetary controls; directs funds through the state treasury with specified handling.
• Subject the board to the Alabama Sunset Law, repealing the previous Electrical Appeals and Advisory Board, and establishes reciprocity with other states and licensing/examination procedures including potential adoption of the National Electrical Code for exams.
• Establishes nine board members appointed by the Governor, with terms by district and at-large members, term limits, meeting requirements, and governance oversight by the Governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Electrical Contractors, Board of