SB64 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve LivingstonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Home Builders Licensure Board, authorized to collect hearing costs, increase fines for violations, and revoke certain licenses, Secs. 34-14A-1 to 34-14A-8, inclusive, 34-14A-14, 34-14A-15 am'd.

Summary

The bill updates Alabama's Home Builders Licensure Board rules by expanding roofers' licensing requirements, boosting penalties, allowing hearing-cost collection, revising board membership, and strengthening the Homeowners' Recovery Fund and license discipline.

What This Bill Does

It requires a roofer to be licensed when roofing projects exceed $2,500. It authorizes the board to collect costs from disciplinary hearings and increases administrative fines for violations. It allows the board to set the cap on payments from the Homeowners' Recovery Fund by rule and enables the board to revoke or refuse to issue licenses if a licensee has not paid a judgment from the Recovery Fund. It also revises board definitions and membership, and updates licensing, fee, and education requirements to strengthen enforcement and consumer protection.

Who It Affects

• Roofers and residential home builders in Alabama who must obtain and maintain licenses for projects meeting the new $2,500 roofing threshold, and who could face higher fines or license actions for violations or nonpayment of judgments.
• Homeowners and consumers who may be eligible for payments from the Homeowners' Recovery Fund and rely on the board to enforce licensing rules and handle complaints, with new caps and funding mechanisms.

Key Provisions

• Roofing licensing threshold: A roofer must hold a Home Builders Licensure Board license when the cost of a roofing project exceeds $2,500.
• Board membership and definitions: Definitions revised and a nine-member board restructured with seven builders, one building official, and one consumer member; terms and qualifications updated.
• Disciplinary costs and fines: The board may collect costs related to disciplinary hearings and may impose administrative fines up to $5,000 per violation for certain offenses (fraud, deceit, gross negligence, misconduct) and up to $2,000 per violation for other violations of the chapter or board rules.
• Recovery Fund caps: The board may set the maximum payment amount from the Homeowners' Recovery Fund by rule; licensees fund the Recovery Fund (e.g., up to $60 annual contribution per licensee) with specific claim limits ($50,000 per licensee, $20,000 per transaction).
• License discipline for unpaid judgments: The board may revoke or refuse to issue a license to a licensee who has not paid a judgment or claim from the Homeowners' Recovery Fund.
• Licensing process and fees: Annual licenses required; board may issue multiple license types; fees for licenses, applications, inactives, late payments, and education requirements; insurance proofs may be required.
• Licensee reporting and contracts: Licensees must notify the board of certain felony or civil complaints within 10 days and use valid written contracts; disclosures about code upgrades and resiliency standards are required.
• Fund management and enforcement: The Recovery Fund payments are handled through the state treasury, with subrogation rights to the board and conditions for payment and recovery of funds; misuse or mispayment can trigger license action.

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

Subjects

Home Builders Licensure Board