SB546 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Larry MeansMayor

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Engineers and Land Surveyors, State Board of Licensure for Professional, renamed Engineers, State Board of Licensure for Professional, land surveyors, licensure and regulation transferred to Land Surveyors, State Board of Licensure for Professional, Secs. 34-44-1 to 34-44-16, inclusive, 34-44-30 to 34-44-37, inclusive, added; Secs. 34-11-1, 34-11-2, 34-11-3, 34-11-4, 34-11-5, 34-11-6, 34-11-7, 34-11-8, 34-11-9, 34-11-11, 34-11-14, 34-11-15, 34-11-16, 34-11-30, 34-11-31, 34-11-35, 34-11-36 am'd.

Summary

SB546 would split land surveying regulation from the current engineers board into a new Land Surveyors Board, rename the existing board to licensure for engineers, and establish a full licensing and regulation framework for land surveyors in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

Creates the State Board of Licensure for Professional Land Surveyors to regulate land surveying, transferring all related authority, records, and property from the existing combined board within 30 days after the act becomes effective. Renames the existing State Board for Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors as the State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers. Establishes licensure paths for land surveyors (including intern and comity routes), requires firms to have a resident licensed land surveyor in responsible charge, sets renewal and continuing education rules, creates a dedicated fund for the boards, and provides disciplinary powers with penalties to protect public safety and welfare. The act takes effect October 1, 2010.

Who It Affects

• Professional land surveyors and surveying firms: must be licensed by the new Land Surveyors Board, follow new licensure pathways (including intern and comity routes), obtain a certificate of authorization for firms, maintain a resident surveyor in charge for each office, and comply with renewal, continuing education, and disciplinary rules.
• Engineers and engineering firms: the current combined board is renamed to licensure for professional engineers; land surveying licensing moves to the new Land Surveyors Board, affecting governance, oversight, and administration of land surveying within the state.

Key Provisions

• Section 34-44-30: Establishes the State Board of Licensure for Professional Land Surveyors, consisting of five licensed professional land surveyors appointed by the Governor from nominees by the Alabama Society of Professional Land Surveyors, with diversity goals and annual reporting to the Legislature.
• Section 34-44-31: Sets qualifications for board members (US citizen, resident, licensed land surveyor, at least 12 years in practice, at least 5 years in responsible charge).
• Section 34-44-32 and 34-44-33: Provides compensation, per diem, travel expenses, and confidentiality requirements for board members and records.
• Section 34-44-34 to 34-44-35: Establishes board operations (meetings, officers, quorum) and authority to adopt bylaws, professional conduct rules, and an official seal.
• Section 34-44-36 to 34-44-37: Creates a Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors Fund, outlines budgeting, salaries, and board expenditures, and requires annual reporting and record-keeping.
• Section 34-44-8 and 34-44-9: Outlines licensure processes for land surveyors (examinations, comity, intern classifications, and certificates of licensure), plus requirements for certificates of authorization for organizations and the role of resident licensed land surveyors in charge.
• Section 34-44-10 to 34-44-15: Specifies enforcement tools (discipline, civil penalties up to $2,500 per offense, injunctive relief, and appeals), and lists prohibited acts (misrepresentation, use of seals, using revoked/non-existent certificates, etc.).
• Section 34-44-30 to 34-44-36: Details transfer of land surveying licensing functions from the existing board to the new Land Surveyors Board and the administrative steps necessary for the transfer.
• Section 34-44-12 and 34-44-13: Addresses reissuance of licenses/certificates after revocation, required procedures, and judicial review processes.
• Effective date: October 1, 2010.

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

Subjects

Engineers and Land Surveyors, State Board of Licensure for Professional