SB179 Summary

• Establishes the Alabama Construction Recruitment Institute as an independent public authority separate from the Alabama 21st Century Authority to provide recruitment and training programs for construction craft workers.

• Creates the Recruitment and Training Promotion Fund in the State Treasury, funded by construction craft industry fees collected from general contractors and subcontractors at a rate of 0.09% of wages paid to skilled laborers, with the rate adjustable after the first five quarters to maintain approximately $1.75 million in annual collections.

• Exempts residential home builders, residential subcontractors, and persons exempt under Chapter 14A of Title 34 from the construction industry fee, except for those on commercial or industrial projects.

• Establishes a 3-member board of directors appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker of the House from lists provided by construction industry organizations, with authority to disburse funds for construction workforce recruitment, training, and related programs.

• Requires institute employees to not be considered state employees but allows them to petition the Employees' Retirement System and State Employees' Insurance Board for benefits, and mandates annual audits by the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts.