SB317 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Veterans, provide start up fee exemption for new veteran-owned businesses for two-year period, new language, Alabama Entrepreneurial Veteran Soldier Act

Summary

The bill would waive state and local fees for starting and operating veteran-owned businesses for up to two years.

What This Bill Does

It waives all filing and registration fees from the Secretary of State and Attorney General for forming a veteran-owned business. It also waives local (county or city) occupational license fees needed to operate the business, but not state professional licenses. The waivers apply to new veteran-owned entities established on or after Jan 1, 2019 and last up to two years from startup; eligible veterans must prove status with DD-214, VA ID, or a veteran-designated state ID. The law also sets rules to prevent fraud and requires annual reporting on how many waivers were used and how much money was exempted.

Who It Affects

• New veteran-owned businesses (for-profit or non-profit) that are at least 51% veteran-owned and started after Jan 1, 2019, who would pay no formation/registration fees and no local occupational license fees for two years
• Counties and municipalities that collect occupational license fees, which would need to waive those fees for eligible veteran-owned businesses

Key Provisions

• Defines veteran and veteran-owned business (51% owned/controlled by a veteran, resident of Alabama)
• Waives all filing/registration fees for forming a domestic veteran-owned business (Secretary of State and Attorney General)
• Waives local occupational license fees for operating a veteran-owned business (counties/municipalities); excludes state professional licenses
• Waivers apply to initial startup date on/after January 1, 2019 and last up to two years from startup
• Veteran status proof required (DD-214, VA ID, or state ID with veteran designation)
• Antifraud provisions to prevent false veteran status claims
• State agencies must provide notice about the act on their websites
• Annual year-end reporting beginning Jan 2, 2020, on total exemptions and number of exemptions issued
• Effective January 1, 2019, contingent on 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

Veterans