HB265 Summary

• Renames the Plumbers Examining Board to the State of Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board and expands its authority to regulate plumbers, gas fitters, and medical gas piping fitters statewide.

• Transfers unencumbered board funds exceeding 25 percent of the previous fiscal year's budget to the Alabama Home Builders Foundation for classroom training tools at educational facilities.

• Requires master plumbers and journeymen plumbers to obtain current certification for installing, testing, or maintaining backflow prevention devices and mandates business names be displayed on service and construction vehicles.

• Increases principal master plumber and gas fitter bond requirements from $2,000 to $15,000 and establishes a $5 reissuance fee for replacement certificates.

• Authorizes the board to levy civil fines up to $2,000 and actual hearing costs for violations, establishes procedures for suspending or revoking certificates, and increases criminal penalties for violations to Class A misdemeanors.