Bill > SB193

This bill creates the Office of Occupational and Professional Licensing within the Alabama Department of Workforce as a centralized entity to provide leadership, support, and oversight to various professional and occupational licensing boards. The bill will transfer multiple existing state boards under the jurisdiction of this new office, with the goal of streamlining administrative processes and creating a more efficient regulatory structure. Specifically, the bill establishes the Office of Occupational and Professional Licensing, which will be led by an executive director appointed by the Secretary of Workforce. This office will have broad powers to oversee and support various licensing boards, including: 1. Collecting and managing licensing fees 2. Processing license applications 3. Conducting investigations 4. Setting administrative fees 5. Issuing and renewing licenses 6. Maintaining board records 7. Scheduling hearings and examinations The bill affects numerous professional licensing boards, including those for auctioneers, athletic trainers, bail bonding, counseling, electrical contractors, genetic counseling, home medical equipment, interior designers, landscape architects, massage therapy, midwifery, private investigation, prosthetists and orthotists, security officers, and several others. A key feature of the bill is the creation of the Occupational and Professional Licensing Fund, into which all licensing fees and receipts will be deposited. The executive director will have significant discretion in setting fees, renewal schedules, and administrative processes for the various boards. The transfer of boards will occur in two phases: some boards will be transferred on October 1, 2025, while most will be transferred on October 1, 2026. This phased approach allows for a gradual and structured transition of administrative responsibilities. The bill aims to create a more centralized, efficient, and consistent approach to professional licensing in Alabama, potentially reducing administrative overhead and providing more standardized processes across different professional boards.

Government Affairs

https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/bill-search