HB29 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul W. LeeRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Hearing Instrument Dealers, definitions revised, fees to be determined by rule of board, testing of applicants revised, Sec. 34-14-34 added; Secs. 34-14-1 to 34-14-9, inclusive, 34-14-11, 34-14-30, 34-14-32, 34-14-33 am'd.

Summary

HB29 would update the definitions, testing procedures, apprenticeship rules, and fee structure for Alabama's Board of Hearing Instrument Dealers, shifting to rule-based fees and international testing standards.

What This Bill Does

It allows the board to set many fees by administrative rule and introduces a new fee schedule (range of $25 to $1,000 for various items). It adopts international standardized test procedures and updates definitions related to apprentices, fitters, and dispensers. It requires apprentices to work under direct supervision, limits the number of apprentices per sponsor, and ties supervision to training and liability. It also strengthens reciprocity for out-of-state licenses, requires continuing education for license renewal, and reorganizes funding and governance provisions for the board.

Who It Affects

• Individuals seeking or holding licenses (apprentices, fitters, and dispensers) who will face new supervision requirements, updated testing standards, and a move to rule-based fees.
• Employers and sponsor dispensers who supervise apprentices or operate multiple offices, who will face new supervision limits, reporting duties, and updated fee structures.

Key Provisions

• Defines and updates terms related to apprentices, fitters, dispensers, and related roles in 34-14-1 to 34-14-9 and other sections.
• Fees: board may set and adjust fees by rule; 34-14-34 establishes fee ranges (not less than $25 and not more than $1,000) for initial applications, licenses, renewals, permits, exams, late fees, reinstatements, duplicates, verifications, mailing lists, and more; 2016 cap specifics are superseded by new rule-based system; no refunds of fees.
• Apprentice rules: apprentice permits issued for one year with a $100 fee, requiring 80 hours of supervised training; permits may be renewed for another year; dispenser supervision requirements and liability; a dispenser may supervise up to four apprentices at a time.
• Testing and certification: licensure includes three sections (written, practical, state law); board adopts international test procedures; reciprocity and endorsements for out-of-state licenses are clarified with requirements for good standing and equivalent standards.
• Continuing education and discipline: establishes a continuing education program for license renewal; allows disciplinary actions and fines up to $1,000 per violation; cease-and-desist authority and other enforcement tools.
• Board governance and funding: details on board composition (licensees, physician, audiologist, consumer with limited voting on licensing), meetings, per diem, and funding transfers to the state treasury; annual reporting and record-keeping requirements.
• Other changes: removes antiquated language and updates address/notice provisions; effective date is the first day of the third month after passage.

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

Subjects

Hearing Instrument Dealers, Board of