HB488 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Randy WoodRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Engineers and Land Surveyors Board, definitions, board duties, disciplinary actions, revised, Secs. 34-11-1.1, 34-11-9.1, 34-11-11.1, 34-11-11.2 added; Sec. 34-11-16 repealed; Secs. 34-11-1 to 34-11-15, inclusive, 34-11-30, 34-11-31, 34-11-32, 34-11-34 to 34-11-37, inclusive, am'd

Summary

HB488 would overhaul Alabama's State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors by adding public members, updating definitions and disciplinary rules, and reorganizing the board's duties and funding.

What This Bill Does

It adds two public members to the board with defined qualifications and a formal nomination/appointment process to improve public representation. It revises definitions and tightens rules on violations, penalties, and disciplinary actions for engineers and land surveyors, including new enforcement tools and fines. It reorganizes the board's functions and creates a funding structure that could transfer excess funds to the General Fund, and it outlines firm-level requirements such as certificates of authorization, branch supervision, and continuing education. It also strengthens processes for complaints, investigations, and regulatory oversight of firms and individuals who practice engineering or land surveying.

Who It Affects

• Licensed professional engineers and licensed professional land surveyors (including engineer interns and land surveyor interns): definitions, licensure processes, renewal, continuing education requirements, and disciplinary procedures are updated.
• Engineering and land surveying firms (corporations, partnerships, or firms offering those services): must obtain and maintain a certificate of authorization, designate resident professionals and managing agents for each office, meet reporting and fee requirements, and comply with enhanced enforcement and disciplinary provisions.

Key Provisions

• Provision adds two public members to the board, with a specified qualifications framework and a nominating/appointment process intended to ensure public representation and diversity.
• Provision overhauls discipline and enforcement: updates to violations and penalties, introduction of civil penalties up to $5,000 per offense, addition of cease-and-desist orders and injunctions, expanded complaint/investigation procedures, and new firm-level requirements such as obtaining a certificate of authorization and designating resident professionals and managing agents for branch offices.

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

Subjects

Engineers and Land Surveyors, State Board of Licensure for Professional