HB373 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jack Williams

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Plumbers, Gas Fitters Board, definition, board disciplinary powers, meeting, reciprocity fee, Home Builders Foundation, prohibited activities, permitted activities, Sec. 34-37-17.1 added; Secs. 34-37-10, 34-37-13 repealed; Secs. 34-37-1, 34-37-2, 34-37-4, 34-37-5, 34-37-6, 34-37-8, 34-37-9, 34-37-11, 34-37-12, 34-37-14, 34-37-15, 34-37-17 am'd.

Summary

HB373 overhauls Alabama's Plumbers and Gas Fitters laws by redefining roles, requiring annual certificates for apprentices, expanding board powers and funding, and tightening licensing, discipline, and reciprocity rules.

What This Bill Does

It updates definitions for apprentices and licensed professionals, requires apprentices to hold a current annual certificate, and sets certification processes including exams and timelines. It expands the board's authority to advertise, regulate statewide, enforce discipline, and manage funds, including access to a public awareness budget and a fund that supports training tools through the Home Builders Foundation. It abolishes temporary certificates, creates inactive status for licensees, allows reciprocity with other states, and preempts local licensing requirements in favor of statewide certification. It also creates new record-keeping and confidentiality rules and sets up a system of fees, fines, and penalties to enforce the rules.

Who It Affects

• Apprentice plumbers and apprentice gas fitters, who must obtain and maintain a current annual certificate and be subject to examinations and certification timelines.
• Registered entities and individuals (businesses, firms, or corporations) engaged in plumbing or gas fitting, who must register with the board, display their registered name on vehicles, may face disciplinary actions, and are affected by reciprocity rules and statewide certification requirements.

Key Provisions

• Apprentice gas fitters or plumbers must carry a current annual certificate; definitions for apprentice, master, journeyman, and other roles are clarified and expanded.
• The board is renamed and given broader authority to examine, certify, advertise, and regulate plumbers, gas fitters, and medical gas piping fitters statewide; it can fund public awareness efforts and work with the Alabama Home Builders Foundation for training tools.
• Temporary certificates are abolished; a statewide certification system is established with examinations administered by an independent agency; certificates expire annually and have defined renewal procedures, including inactive status options.
• Reciprocal licensing with other states is allowed; the board can grant licenses without re-examination to those already licensed in reciprocal states upon payment of fees.
• Disciplinary powers are expanded, including fines up to $2,000 per violation, cease-and-desist orders, and possible suspension or revocation of certificates/registrations with due process; records and proceedings have confidentiality protections.
• Local licensing requirements are preempted in favor of statewide certification; a special revenue fund is created to manage board receipts, with surplus funds supporting training facilities and potential transfers to the Home Builders Foundation.
• New requirements related to records, confidentiality, compliance, and reporting are established, including the handling of back-year waivers, active/inactive status, and bond provisions for officers.

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

Subjects

Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board