SB180 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Garlan GudgerSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

State of Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board, compensation of members increased, transfer of certain funds to the Alabama Home Builders Foundation. qualified licensees permitted to perform limited electrical work related to installation, service, or repair of equipment

Summary

SB180 would raise pay for members of the Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board, divert some license fees to fund training, create a dedicated board fund, and allow limited electrical work by qualified licensees in homes.

What This Bill Does

It increases the board member compensation from $200 to $750 per day of active service starting October 1, 2024, with travel expense reimbursement subject to state limits. It creates a separate State Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board Fund to handle all receipts and expenditures for the board, paid from board fees. It requires that, at year-end, money left over beyond 25% of the budget plus 0.33 of each registration/certification fee be transferred annually to the Alabama Home Builders Foundation for training tools, with funds limited to approved training programs; if the foundation loses nonprofit status, those funds go to the State General Fund. It authorizes certified plumbers, gas fitters, and medical gas piping fitters deemed qualified by the board to perform limited electrical work needed to energize equipment in one-family and two-family dwellings. It also updates governance provisions (bonding for key staff, vehicle signage, entity registration) and establishes emergency endorsement certificates during declared emergencies, with exams administered by an independent agency.

Who It Affects

• Board members and regulatory staff: will receive higher per‑diem pay (from $200 to $750 per day) and travel expense reimbursements; compensation and expenses must be paid from board fees; executive and deputy directors must obtain a $5,000 bond.
• Licensed plumbers, gas fitters, medical gas piping fitters, apprentices, and training providers: may perform limited electrical work to energize equipment in single‑family and two‑family homes if deemed qualified by the board; training funding for these programs will come from the Alabama Home Builders Foundation, with related registration and examination requirements remaining in place; entities must register and display their business name on vehicles.

Key Provisions

• Board member compensation increases from $200 to $750 per day of active service starting October 1, 2024, plus allowable travel expenses and meal/reimbursement structured like state travel rules.
• Creation of the State Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board Fund in the state treasury; all receipts go to this fund and are disbursed by the state Comptroller with approval by the executive or deputy director.
• Annual requirement to transfer from end-of-year funds: money remaining above 25% of the prior year's budget plus 0.33 of each registration/certification fee must go to the Alabama Home Builders Foundation for classroom training tools, with funds restricted to approved plumbing/gas fitting training programs; if the foundation loses nonprofit status, funds revert to the State General Fund.
• A portion of registration and certification fees must be transferred annually to the Alabama Home Builders Foundation to support training and educational programs.
• Certified plumbers, gas fitters, and medical gas piping fitters deemed qualified by the board may perform limited electrical work necessary to energize equipment in one-family and two-family dwellings.
• Executive and deputy directors must obtain a $5,000 official bond before taking duties; premiums paid from board funds.
• The board will register legal entities engaged in plumbing/gas work, require display of the business name on vehicles, and regulate registration forms and fees.
• Emergency certificates of endorsement may be issued during declared state emergencies to allow qualified out-of-state licensees to perform plumbing/gas work, valid for the duration of the emergency and up to 60 days.

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

Subjects

Occupational Licensing Boards