SB3 Alabama 2015 1st Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald O. Dial

Republican

Session

First Special Session 2015

Title

Office of Regulatory Oversight created, regulation of boards and agencies, clearly articulated state policy objectives, review by office of board policies

Summary

SB3 would create the Office for Regulatory Oversight of Boards and Commissions to supervise boards largely made up of active practitioners in their field, in order to preserve state action immunity and ensure their rules reflect state policy.

What This Bill Does

Creates the Office for Regulatory Oversight of Boards and Commissions and appoints a Governor-appointed Secretary to oversee boards where decision-makers are mostly active market participants. Requires affected boards to submit rules and actions to the Office and allows the Secretary to veto or modify those actions to ensure they align with clearly stated state policy and active state supervision (per NC Dental Examiners v. FTC). Establishes a separate Alabama Office for Regulatory Oversight of Boards and Commissions Fund and funds the Office through quarterly payments from affected boards based on the number of licensees; allows boards to raise license fees up to $5 per license to cover these payments; subject to the state’s budgeting process and public account review. Gives the Office rulemaking authority and requires compliance with the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act; sets the effective date of October 1, 2015.

Who It Affects

• Affected regulatory boards and commissions whose members are active market participants; they face oversight, possible veto/modification of their actions, and must submit rules and actions for review.
• Licensees regulated by those boards; they are linked to quarterly per-license fees used to fund the Office and may see license fee increases up to $5 per license to cover payments.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Office for Regulatory Oversight of Boards and Commissions and defines terms such as affected boards, board members, and submitted actions.
• Appoints a Secretary (Governor-appointed; six-year term) who is an exempt employee and can be removed only for specified reasons.
• Gives the Secretary authority to review submitted actions, veto or modify them to ensure compliance with state policy, and manage funding for the Office (including a separate fund).
• Requires affected boards to submit actions to the Office, with procedures developed by the Secretary for submission and timely review.
• Imposes a funding mechanism where boards pay up to $5 per licensee per quarter, based on licensee counts; allows up to $5 per license fee increases; establishes the dedicated fund and accountability through the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts.
• Subject the Office’s rulemaking to the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act and set an effective date of October 1, 2015.

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

Subjects

Boards and Commissions