HB309 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jack Williams

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

General Contractors, State Licensing Board for, fees authorized for licensee to increase bid limit, change classification, request reciprocal license, inactive status provided for, subcontractor not required to take exam before licensed, distrib. of fees to certain institutions of higher education, Secs. 34-8-2, 34-8-7, 34-8-28 am'd.

Summary

HB309 would modify Alabama's general contractor licensing rules by adding new fee options, inactive status, reciprocal licensing, subcontractor licensing provisions, and directing some license fees to higher education building science and civil engineering programs.

What This Bill Does

The board would be allowed to set fees for actions such as increasing a licensee's bid limit, changing classification, or obtaining a reciprocal license (with a reciprocity fee up to $75). Licensees could apply for inactive status with at least 30 days’ notice before expiration and a $200 fee, with the board defining inactive status and reinstatement rules. Subcontractors would not be required to sit for examinations before licensing, and would have streamlined licensing rules including half the general contractor fees and no bid limits, with licenses indicating subcontractor status. The timing for distributing certain license-fee revenues to eligible higher education institutions would shift to 30 days after enrollment certifications are received, with funds allocated to building science and civil engineering programs and subject to annual reporting and an admin fee.

Who It Affects

• General contractors and licensees in Alabama: can apply for higher bid limits, changes in classification, and reciprocal licenses; may choose inactive status; must follow updated renewal and fee rules; and will be affected by the new distribution of certain fees to higher education.
• Higher education institutions and programs (building science and civil engineering): will receive funds from license fees, with distributions based on program enrollment, plus reporting requirements and designated uses for the funds.

Key Provisions

• The board may set fees for license actions such as increasing bid limits, changing classifications, or obtaining reciprocal licenses, with reciprocity fees not to exceed $75.
• Licensees may apply for inactive status by giving at least 30 days’ notice before license expiration and paying a $200 fee; the board will define inactive status and reinstatement procedures, and a limited project license may be issued.
• Subcontractors are not required to take examinations before licensing; they will pay half the general contractor fees, have no bid limits, and their license will denote subcontractor status; they must provide financial statements and references and must be licensed before starting work.
• Annual fee revenues ($100 from general contractor application/renewal and $50 from subcontractor fees) will be distributed to eligible higher education institutions for building science and civil engineering programs, pro rata by enrollment; distributions occur 30 days after enrollment certifications are received and include annual reporting requirements and a 5% admin fee to the board.
• The act is remedial and retroactive to January 1, 1998, with the license provisions becoming effective on the first day of the third month after enactment.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

General Contractors, State Licensing Board for