HB173 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Napoleon BracyRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Home inspectors, licensure and regulation by Construction Management Div. of Finance Dept., definition of aggrieved party, sunset law review provided, Secs. 34-14B-1, 34-14B-2 am'd.

Summary

HB 173 would regulate home inspectors under a new Alabama Home Inspectors Registration Act, define who counts as an aggrieved party in ethics violations, and place the act under sunset review with a set termination schedule.

What This Bill Does

It creates the Alabama Home Inspectors Registration Act to license and regulate home inspectors through the Division of Construction Management in the Department of Finance. It defines 'aggrieved party' as any person or entity involved in a real estate transaction who is adversely affected by a home inspector’s violation of the ethics or standards of practice. It subjects the act to the Alabama Sunset Law, with a termination date of October 1, 2021 and re-evaluations every four years thereafter. It amends sections 34-14B-1 and 34-14B-2 to establish the act, its scope, and key terms (including Home Inspector, EIFS Inspector, Building Commission).

Who It Affects

• Home inspectors would be licensed and regulated under the new Alabama Home Inspectors Registration Act, overseen by the Division of Construction Management.
• Buyers and sellers in real estate transactions would potentially be considered 'aggrieved parties' if a home inspector’s ethics or standards violations adversely affect their rights or finances.

Key Provisions

• Creates and names the act as The Alabama Home Inspectors Registration Act and places it under the Division of Construction Management within the Department of Finance.
• Defines 'aggrieved party' as any person or entity involved in a real estate sale/purchase whose rights or interests are adversely affected by a home inspector's violation of the ethics or standards of practice.
• Adds sunset review requirements, with a termination date of October 1, 2021 and automatic four-year review cycles thereafter unless continued under the Alabama Sunset Law.
• Amends Sections 34-14B-1 and 34-14B-2 to include the new act, its scope, and definitions (including Home Inspector, EIFS Inspector, Building Commission) and to formalize the regulatory framework.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Real Estate