HB237 Alabama 2018 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: K.L. Brown
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2018
Title: Funeral Service, Board of, specific race requirements for memberships removed, Secs. 34-13-20, 34-13-23 am'd.
Summary: HB 237 removes specific race-based requirements for membership on the Alabama Board of Funeral Service and reorganizes the board and its rules.
What This Bill Does
The bill reconstitutes the board to seven professional members and two consumer members, with professionals appointed by the Governor and consumers appointed by the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker, effective January 1, 2019. It creates an annual October nomination process with three candidates for each seat and requires restrictions on race among nominees (no more than two nominees of the same race) and among board members (no more than five members of the same race at any time). It sets four-year terms (up to two consecutive terms), residency and district rules, and a framework for officers and governance, including funding and enforcement authorities. It also clarifies compensation, expenses, and the board’s ability to inspect licensees and operate staffing and financial provisions through the Alabama State Funeral Directors and Embalmers Fund, with certain race-related restrictions for leadership positions (e.g., chair and vice chair cannot be of the same race).

Who It Affects
Licensed funeral directors and licensed embalmers who may serve as professional board members and must meet new appointment, licensure, and practice requirements.
Consumers and the general public who will be represented by consumer members and benefit from board oversight and regulatory actions.

Key Provisions
Reconstitutes the board to seven professional members and two consumer members starting January 1, 2019.
Professional members: four embalmers and three funeral directors; require US citizenship, Alabama residency, active license in good standing, and other specific qualifications for practice.
Consumer members: represent the public; must be US citizens and Alabama residents for the last 10 years; cannot hold licenses or be related to license holders; one appointed by the Lieutenant Governor and one by the Speaker.
Nomination and appointment process: October nominating meetings; not more than two nominees of the same race; Governor appoints one professional member from three nominees.
Terms and districts: four-year terms; up to two consecutive terms; at most one professional member may reside in the same district.
Diversity and race constraints: board membership should reflect state diversity; not more than five members may be of the same race; at nomination time, not more than two nominees may be of the same race.
Board governance: board may appoint chair, vice chair, secretary, and treasurer; the chair and vice chair may not be of the same race.
Executive staff and funding: board may employ an executive director and an associate director; salaries set by the board and not exceeding cabinet-level officers; funds come from the Alabama State Funeral Directors and Embalmers Fund; fees and fines go into this fund.
Compensation and expenses: board members receive reimbursement for travel and a per diem of up to $50 per day, up to 20 days per year.
Inspection and enforcement: board and staff can inspect licensees and related business premises; executive director oversees enforcement and operations.
Miscellaneous governance: board may adopt rules; the executive director operates under board direction; the executive director and associate director must be of different races.

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