SB156 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris ElliottSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

To add Chapter 9B to Title 41, Code of Alabama 1975, to establish the Occupational Licensing Boards Division in the office of the Secretary of State; to provide that the division is responsible for the oversight and regulation of certain occupational licensing boards; to provide for the appointment of an executive director, deputy directors, and the employment of staff, including investigators; to provide standards for determining fees; to provide for the appointment of members and the reimbursement of their expenses; to provide uniformity in the collection of fees and the deposit of monies received into the State General Fund.

Summary

SB156 would create a centralized Occupational Licensing Boards Division within the Secretary of State to oversee and regulate Alabama’s licensing boards with standardized processes and staffing.

What This Bill Does

It creates the Occupational Licensing Boards Division in the Secretary of State’s office and appoints an executive director (and deputies) to oversee most occupational licensing boards, with several boards excluded. It standardizes licensing processes, including how licenses are issued and renewed, how fees are set, and how board members are chosen and paid, with funds handled through a common division budget. It gives the division enforcement tools, including investigators with potential peace officer powers, and sets rules for examinations, discipline, and court review. It requires a public roster of licensees (with some confidentiality) and directs that most operations and funding be controlled through the Division, effective January 1, 2024.

Who It Affects

• Licensed professionals and applicants regulated by the affected boards would be licensed, examined, renewed, and potentially disciplined under the new Division.
• Board members, investigators, and other division staff would operate under the centralized Division and receive per diem and travel reimbursements, with salaries set by the Secretary of State.

Key Provisions

• Adds Chapter 9B to Title 41 to create the Occupational Licensing Boards Division in the Secretary of State’s Office.
• Defines Division, Board, and Executive Director, and lists boards that are excluded from the chapter.
• Gives the Secretary of State authority to appoint the executive director and to employ staff (including investigators) under merit-system rules.
• Board members serve without compensation but are reimbursed for per diem, travel, and conference/meeting fees; payments follow state rules.
• The division collects and deposits all fees and monies into a common fund; excess funds go to the State General Fund; funds used to cover division costs.
• Executive Director handles licensing actions: receives applications, schedules exams/hearings, issues certificates, and maintains licensee rosters.
• Examinations, standards, and renewal cycles are standardized; boards may adopt national exams and veteran credits; biennial renewal is required.
• Investigators have peace officer powers for enforcement; they must meet minimum standards and may carry firearms with approval.
• Boards may deny, revoke, suspend, or discipline licenses; fines up to $500 per violation; hearings and confidentiality provisions govern disciplinary actions.
• Roster of licensees is maintained and partially public; home addresses are confidential; other licensee information may be restricted as needed.
• The act explicitly states transition rules, immunity for certain reporting, and that the policy does not alter military licensing agreements or compacts; effective date is January 1, 2024.

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