HB335 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Andy WhittRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Relating to building permits; to provide for statewide

Summary

HB335 lets counties and municipalities add up to a $20 residential permit fee to fund construction trades education through the Alabama Construction Trade Academy Fund, with grants and oversight to expand skilled trades training.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes an additional permit fee up to $20 for residential construction permits, with the money going into the Alabama Construction Trade Academy Fund. The fund will award grants to support construction trades education, including tools, mobile units, course incentives, and adult education, with requirements for private matching funds. It creates the Alabama Construction Trade Advisory Council to guide program rules and priorities, and sets reporting, auditing, and governance rules, including limits on administrative costs and quarterly fund distribution. It also prohibits using fund money for continuing education required by licensing boards and establishes an effective date of October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects

• Local governments (counties and municipalities) that issue residential permits will be able to levy the additional $20 fee and must deposit the funds into the new fund.
• Construction trades education providers, students, and private/public partners who participate in the grant program will benefit from funding opportunities, grant guidelines, and matching fund requirements.

Key Provisions

• Allows a county or municipality with a residential permitting program to levy an additional permit fee of up to $20, deposited into the Alabama Construction Trade Academy Fund.
• Funds collected are used to support construction trade education and awarding of grants through the fund.
• Amends Section 34-14A-20 to establish the fund in the State Treasury, outlines funding sources, private matching requirements, and caps administrative costs at 15%.
• Creates the Alabama Construction Trade Advisory Council with members from specified licensing boards, education entities, and the Department of Education, appointed for terms (1-3 years) and serving without compensation except for travel expenses.
• Establishes a state grant program to fund tool grants, program incentives, supplies, mobile facilities, and other education initiatives, with eligibility guidelines and an application process.
• Requires minimum private matching of 10% and a maximum of 25% of state funds for projects; higher private matching may receive extra consideration.
• Projects funded must offer courses for at least five years and follow data collection and reporting requirements; noncompliance can transfer equipment to the Alabama Home Builders Foundation.
• Disbursement to recipients occurs on a quarterly basis; recipients must provide proposed operating budgets and cost breakdowns.
• Proceeds from the sale of equipment or materials funded by the academy go back into the fund; annual financial reports and audits are required by June 1 each year.
• Funds may not be used for continuing education required by professional licensing boards.
• The act becomes effective on October 1, 2025.

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