SB307 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

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Home Builders Foundation, prohibited activities, permitted activities, Sec. 34-37-17.1 added; Secs. 34-37-10, 34-37-13 repealed; Secs. 34-37-1, 34-37-2, 34-37-4, 34-37-5, 34-37-6, 34-37-8, 34-37-9, 34-37-11, 34-37-12, 34-37-14, 34-37-15, 34-37-17 am'd.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

SB307 renames and broadens the Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board to statewide licensing and regulation of plumbers, gas fitters, and medical gas piping fitters, with new definitions, fees, enforcement, and record-keeping rules.

What This Bill Does

The bill gives the board statewide authority to examine, certify, and regulate plumbers, gas fitters, and medical gas piping fitters; it creates new certification levels (apprentice, journeyman, master) and requires businesses to register and display their name. It establishes a separate special revenue fund, sets renewal and fee rules, and allows reciprocity with other states for license transfer without re-examination. It also adds stricter enforcement tools, expands record confidentiality, and introduces inactive status options and several exemptions from licensing for certain routine work.

Who It Affects

• Apprentice, journeyman, and master plumbers and gas fitters, and medical gas piping fitters, with defined certification and supervision requirements.
• Businesses and legal entities that engage in plumbing or gas fitting, which must register, display their business name on vehicles, and meet principal requirements.
• Code officials and regulatory staff, who gain clarified processes for discipline, record access, and certain exemptions; armed forces members receive back-year renewal relief.
• Consumers and municipalities who receive statewide, standardized certifications and stronger enforcement and consumer protection through fines and cease-and-desist powers.

Key Provisions

• Definitions added for apprentice gas fitter/plumber, journeyman, master plumber, master gas fitter, medical gas piping fitter, medical gas piping, and principal; establishes who must be registered or certified and how certificates must be carried.
• The board is renamed to the State of Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board, gains statewide regulatory authority, and may advertise to promote the professions.
• Certification and examination processes set: independent agency conducts exams; two years of relevant experience for journeyman, at least one year as journeyman for master; endorsements for medical gas piping;
• Statewide certification is required and local licensing requirements are repealed; reciprocal licensing with other states is allowed if standards are met and fees are paid.
• A separate State of Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board Fund is created; excess funds may transfer to the General Fund or to the Alabama Home Builders Foundation for training tools; a $5,000 bond is required for the executive and deputy directors.
• Registration and enforcement provisions require entities to register, prohibit misrepresentation of certification, and authorize revocation/suspension of certificates with fines up to $2,000 per violation and possible restitution; hearings and due process are outlined.
• Inactive status and reinstatement options are provided; exemptions for certain maintenance, railroad, public utility, and property owner work are specified.
• Records and confidentiality section 34-37-17.1 added: board records and transcripts are admissible; certain examination materials and investigative files remain confidential pending formal hearings.
• Related repeals: Sections 34-37-10 and 34-37-13 repealed; act becomes effective after three months following governor’s approval.

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