SB135 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Randy PriceSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Consumer Protection, Alabama State of Emergency Consumer Protection Act, enhanced criminal penalties provided under certain conditions, Secs. 13A-9-114, 34-8-6, 34-14A-14, 34-31-32, 34-36-16, 34-37-17 am'd.

Summary

SB 135 creates the Alabama State of Emergency Consumer Protection Act, raising penalties for unlicensed emergency repairs and strengthening contractor licensing and enforcement.

What This Bill Does

It makes unlicensed provision of certain contracting and home repair services on structures damaged by a governor-declared state of emergency a Class C felony if the total cost exceeds the greater of $2,500 or the license threshold. It updates penalties for violations of contractor licensing laws so the first offense is a Class A misdemeanor and subsequent offenses are Class C felonies. It expands enforcement powers, including cease-and-desist orders, injunctions, fines, restitution, and license suspensions or revocations. It also clarifies exemptions for charitable cleanup without a license or fee and notes a local-funding constitutional exception, with an effective date set after a short delay.

Who It Affects

• Unlicensed contractors who perform or contract to perform general contracting, residential building, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, or home repair services on emergency-damaged structures, facing higher criminal penalties and enhanced enforcement.
• Property owners or managers of residential or commercial structures in governor-declared emergency areas who must ensure work is done by licensed contractors and may be protected by stronger enforcement against unlicensed work.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama State of Emergency Consumer Protection Act to tighten penalties for certain emergency-related contracting work.
• Imposes a Class C felony for unlicensed provision of six service categories on emergency-damaged structures when cost exceeds $2,500 or the license threshold.
• Provides a charitable cleanup/repair exemption when no license is required and no fee is charged.
• Revises penalties: first conviction under violations becomes Class A misdemeanor; second or subsequent conviction becomes Class C felony.
• Expands board enforcement: cease-and-desist orders, injunctions, fines, restitution, and license-related actions (renewals, suspensions, revocations, and possible re-testing).
• Affirms a local-funding constitutional exception and sets the act to take effect on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Consumers and Consumer Protection