SB233 Alabama 2013 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Gerald H. AllenSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2013
Title: Plumbers and Gas Fitters, definitions, examining board, disbursement of funds, certification, renewals, fees, disciplinary actions, Secs. 34-37-1, 34-37-2, 34-37-5, 34-37-6, 34-37-8, 34-37-9, 34-37-12, 34-37-13, 34-37-14, 34-37-15, 34-37-17 am'd.
Summary: SB233 updates Alabama's Plumbers and Gas Fitters regulations by reforming the examining board, strengthening certification and discipline, and directing funds to training foundations.
What This Bill Does
It renames the board and expands its authority to regulate plumbers, gas fitters, and medical gas piping fitters statewide; it creates new definitions and changes how funds are managed, including transferring unencumbered funds to the Alabama Home Builders Foundation for classroom training and diverting unspent amounts to the foundation if certain thresholds are met. It tightens certification requirements (including for backflow devices and medical gas piping), requires renewals and allows reissuance fees, and empowers the board to take disciplinary actions with fines and possible revocation or suspension. It also requires posting of bonds by principals, mandates vehicle signage with business names, and defines exemptions for certain activities; it clarifies an effective date and notes the local-funding provision falls under constitutional exceptions.

Who It Affects
Licensed plumbers, gas fitters, and medical gas piping fitters in Alabama who must obtain and maintain current state certifications, renewals, and endorsements (such as medical gas piping) and who may be subject to disciplinary actions or bond requirements.
Business owners, principals, and firms engaged in plumbing or gas fitting who must post bonds, display their business name on vehicles, ensure principal master plumbers/gas fitters are properly registered, and navigate new training-fund and licensing rules.

Key Provisions
Renames the Plumbers Examining Board to the State of Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board and expands statewide regulatory authority.
Creates and defines terms (e.g., apprentice, journeyman, master plumber/gas fitter, backflow prevention device, principal) and clarifies certifications and endorsements, including medical gas piping.
Establishes a separate State Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board Fund; requires unencumbered funds to be transferred to the Alabama Home Builders Foundation for classroom training, with excess funds transferred to the foundation (and then to the General Fund if the foundation loses nonprofit status).
Imposes and clarifies fees for examinations, renewals, and replacement certificates; allows for late renewal penalties and annual statewide certifications.
Requires backflow prevention device certification for masters and journeymen and directs installation/maintenance to be performed under appropriate supervision.
Mandates posting of bonds for principal master plumbers and gas fitters (bond typically $15,000, with a cash bond option of $2,000 and up to $15,000 for surety bonds) and requires bonds to protect the public from noncompliant work.
Authorizes disciplinary actions by the board (suspensions, revocations, fines up to $2,000 and hearing costs) and enables cease-and-desist orders; outlines the process for hearings and appeals.
Revises inactive status provisions, exemptions for certain activities (maintenance staff, utilities, property owners, etc.), and allows for continued practice under defined conditions without full certification.
Requires a four-inch minimum display of the business name on two sides of service or construction vehicles and requires certification to be carried by workers when engaged in regulated work.
Effective date set for the first day of the third month after passage; constitutional note addresses local fund expenditure concerns through already-specified exceptions.

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