HB500 Alabama 2012 Session

Under existing law, an auctioneer may be an individual or a business entity and is subject to purchasing a state license annually. There are no specific provisions governing terms of license reciprocity and permitting an inactive status license. Additionally, certain exemptions are permitted from the licensing requirements

Under existing law, the State Board of Auctioneers, on its own motion, may investigate a complaint and hold a hearing or, upon receiving a verified complaint, is required to investigate and hold a hearing. The board may suspend or revoke a license for certain actions and circumstances

Under existing law, the board is comprised of seven members who are engaged in the auction business and are from the seven congressional districts, as well as one consumer member

This bill would provide further for licensing, would allow a state license to be purchased every two years, would provide further for reciprocity, and would establish an inactive license status

This bill would further empower the board to investigate actions of an auctioneer, issue a complaint, and hold a hearing. This bill would also allow the board to suspend or revoke a license for frivolous or unfounded complaints by a licensed auctioneer

To amend Sections 34-4-2, 34-4-20, 34-4-21, 34-4-23, 34-4-25, 34-4-27, 34-4-28, 34-4-29, 34-4-30, 34-4-31, 34-4-33, 34-4-50, 34-4-52, and 34-4-54, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to the State Board of Auctioneers and the licensing of auctioneers; to redefine the term auctioneer; to change the licensing period from one year to two years; to establish an inactive license status; to provide further for reciprocity; to allow the board to suspend or revoke a license for a pattern of frivolous, unfounded complaints; to provide further for conducting investigations and hearings on complaints; to provide for quorums; and to repeal Section 34-4-22, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to the register of applicants.