SB80 Alabama 2016 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Gerald O. Dial
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2016
Title: Administrative rules, further review by Legislative Reference Service and Joint Committee on Administrative Regulation Review under certain conditions, fees, Sec. 41-22-22.1 added
Summary: SB80 creates an expanded, fee-based review process for professional-board rules to check for anti-competitive effects, overseen by the Legislative Reference Service and the Joint Committee on Administrative Regulation Review, with immediate effect once enacted.
What This Bill Does
The Legislative Reference Service must review each professional-board rule from boards with a controlling number of active market participants to assess whether the rule may significantly lessen competition and whether it was made to displace competition. If LRS finds potential anti-competitive effects, it certifies this to the Joint Committee on Administrative Regulation Review, and the board must provide a position paper, transcripts, and other materials for the committee to consider. The committee then decides to approve, disapprove, disapprove with amendments, or withdraw the rule, and may hold public hearings; if the committee fails to act, the rule cannot become effective. The act also allows boards to submit previously adopted rules for review and authorizes cost-recovery fees for the review, with the overall act taking effect immediately after governor's approval.

Who It Affects
Professional boards or commissions regulating a profession where a controlling number of members are active market participants; their rules would be subject to added review for anti-competitive impact.
Legislative Reference Service and the Joint Committee on Administrative Regulation Review; they gain new review duties, reporting requirements, and authority to impose fees to cover review costs.

Key Provisions
Adds Section 41-22-22.1 requiring LRS to review each professional-board rule to assess potential significant lessening of competition and whether the rule was made to displace competition.
If LRS determines a rule may significantly lessen competition, it certifies the determination to the Joint Committee on Administrative Regulation Review and requires the board to submit a position paper, hearing transcripts, and other materials with the rule.
The committee must review and decide to approve, disapprove, disapprove with a suggested amendment, or withdraw the rule; public hearings may be held and a written rationale must be issued for approved rules.
If the committee fails to act, the rule cannot become effective and remains on the agenda; rules submitted under subsection (c) must be acted on within 45 days of certification.
Boards may submit previously adopted rules for review; LRS may determine these rules' potential anti-competitive effects and the state-policy displacement question, with required committee action.
In addition to existing fees, LRS may charge a cost-recovery fee to cover the costs of performing the review.

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