HB302 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mack N. ButlerRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to the Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors; to amend Sections 34-36-3, 34-36-4, 34-36-6, 34-36-7, 34-36-8, 34-36-9, 34-36-13, and 34-36-16, Code of Alabama 1975; to provide further for definitions, to delete references to master electrician; to provide further for the election of board officers; to provide further for the duties of the board, including the subpoena of witnesses, the investigation of complaints, and providing for reciprocity; to provide an individual previously issued a provisional license three years to take the licensure examination, and require the board to waive the examination fee for one sitting; to lessen the time frame for restoring an expired license from five years to two years; to provide further for exemptions; to remove the authority of a county or municipality to require an additional electrical contracting proficiency examination before issuing a local license to work within the county or municipality; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Section 111.05 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022.

Summary

HB302 would overhaul Alabama's Board of Electrical Contractors by redefining licensing, expanding board powers, and creating provisional licensing with an exam waiver, while changing license restoration and local licensing requirements.

What This Bill Does

It defines new terms such as electrical worker and provisional license and removes references to master electrician. It expands the board’s powers, including subpoenas, investigations of complaints, and reciprocity with other states. It creates a provisional license path allowing a person with a provisional license to take the licensure exam within three years, with the board waiving the exam fee for one sitting. It shortens the restoration window for expired licenses from five years to two years, adds exemptions, and eliminates the county or city from requiring an extra local proficiency exam before issuing a local license.

Who It Affects

• Licensed electrical contractors and journeyman electricians would be affected by new definitions, licensing processes, reciprocity rules, and restoration timeline.
• Electrical workers (unlicensed) would be governed by the new 'electrical worker' definition and would work only under supervision of a licensed contractor.
• Counties and municipalities would lose authority to require an extra local electrical contracting proficiency exam before issuing a local license, altering local licensing requirements.
• The general public would benefit from expanded board oversight, including investigations, enforcement actions, and stronger license discipline to protect safety.

Key Provisions

• Adds definitions for 'electrical worker' and 'provisional license' and removes references to 'master electrician'.
• Reconfigures the board: nine members appointed by the Governor, terms, election of officers, and duties including subpoenas, investigations, and reciprocity with other states.
• Creates provisional license rules: a provisional license holder has three years to take the licensure exam, and the board must waive the exam fee for one sitting.
• Reduces expired license restoration window from five years to two years, with restoration requiring application and payment of fees (and any required continuing education).
• Expands exemptions from licensing and removes local county/municipality authority to require an additional local exam before issuing a local license; local work may rely on statewide license with proper permits.
• Allows reciprocity with other states and recognition of licenses from states with equal or higher standards; permits use of national exams approved by the board.
• Requires continuing education for license renewal (14 hours every two years) and provides rules for inactive status and reinstatement.
• Strengthens enforcement: board can suspend/revoke licenses, impose fines up to $5,000, issue cease-and-desist orders, and pursue costs and attorney fees.
• Effective date and local-funding note: effective on the first day of the third month after passage; the local-funding provision is stated as exempt under Section 111.05 due to specified exceptions.

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