SB292 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Donnie ChesteenSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Electrical Contractors, Alabama Board of, board membership revised, board authorized to subpoena witnesses and investigate complaints, expiration of licenses, local business licenses texting deleted, Secs. 34-36-3, 34-36-4, 34-36-6, 34-36-7, 34-36-8, 34-36-9, 34-36-13, 34-36-16 am'd.

Summary

SB292 would redefine the Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors, add a provisional licensing path, expand board powers, and adjust licensure and local licensing rules.

What This Bill Does

It creates new definitions for electrical work, including an 'electrical worker' and a 'provisional license,' and removes references to 'master electrician.' It gives the board authority to subpoena witnesses, investigate complaints, and establish reciprocity with other states; it also allows a provisional license holder three years to take and pass a licensure exam with one-time exam fee waiver. It shortens the time to restore an expired license from five years to two years, expands exemptions from licensure, and removes local governments' power to require an extra local electrical proficiency exam. It requires continuing education (14 hours every two years), outlines enforcement powers (suspension, revocation, fines up to $5,000, cease and desist), and sets rules for license renewal, inactive status, and reciprocity.

Who It Affects

• Electrical contractors, journeyman electricians, and electrical workers in Alabama who must obtain or renew licenses, follow new definitions, satisfy provisional licensing, renewal, and continuing education requirements, and may benefit from reciprocity with other states.
• Counties and municipalities whose authority to impose an additional local electrical proficiency exam would be limited and who are affected by changes to local licensing requirements and the state's handling of local expenditures related to licensure.

Key Provisions

• Defines 'electrical worker' and 'provisional license' and removes references to 'master electrician'; clarifies who can perform electrical work under the new definitions.
• Reconfigures the board: nine members with district and at-large appointments, terms, and annual officer elections; authorizes subpoenas, investigations, and reciprocity; board immunity and duties clarified.
• Provisional license: individuals holding a provisional license have three years to take and pass a board-approved nationally standardized exam; the board must waive the exam fee for one sitting within that period.
• Licenses and renewals: licenses expire annually; restoration of expired licenses shortened from five to two years; continuing education of 14 hours every two years; provisions for inactive status and reinstatement.
• Enforcement and discipline: board can suspend, revoke, or deny licenses and issue civil penalties up to $5,000; cease and desist powers and circuit court enforcement provisions are provided.
• Local licensing and exemptions: removes county/municipality authority to require an additional local proficiency exam for local licenses; sets broad exemptions for certain electrical work and workers under state and local jurisdictions.
• Reciprocity and testing: allows recognition of out-of-state licenses with substantially equal or higher standards; board may use national or approved exams and establishes passing scores and re-testing provisions.
• Constitutional and fiscal notes: explains interaction with Amendment 621 to local funding requirements and notes the bill’s effective date and Sunset Law status; becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

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

Subjects

Electrical Contractors, Board of