SB136 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Veterans, provide a waiver for a three year period of all regulatory fees associated with new veteran-owned businesses, Alabama Entrepreneurial Military Veteran Act

Summary

SB 136 would provide a three-year waiver of regulatory fees for new veteran-owned businesses in Alabama for forming and operating.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the Secretary of State and the Attorney General would waive all filing and related fees to form and run a new veteran-owned business. Counties and municipalities would waive occupational license fees required to operate the business, but state professional license fees are not waived. The fee waivers apply to businesses started on or after January 1, 2019 and last up to three years from startup. The act also creates eligibility rules, anti-fraud protections, and requires annual reporting on the waivers.

Who It Affects

• Veterans starting a new business in Alabama — would receive up to a three-year waiver of regulatory fees.
• Veteran-owned businesses in Alabama (controlling interest held by a veteran) — benefit from the fee waivers during the initial three years after formation.

Key Provisions

• Waivers of all filing, formation, and operation fees for new veteran-owned domestic businesses by the Secretary of State or Attorney General.
• Local governments (counties and municipalities) would waive occupational license fees required to operate the business; does not waive state professional licenses.
• Waivers available to businesses established or started on or after January 1, 2019, for up to three years after initial establishment.
• Eligibility and waiver procedures would be established by rules with antifraud provisions to deter and penalize false veteran status.
• Veterans must provide documentation of veteran status (DD-214, VHIC, or state ID with veteran designation) to qualify.
• Annual reporting requirement to legislative committee chairs detailing number of applications, waivers granted, and total dollar amount waived.
• Effective date: January 1, 2020.

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