HB143 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.

• Adds definitions for backflow prevention devices and establishes requirements for installation, testing, and maintenance of these devices by certified master plumbers under board oversight.

• Increases principal master plumber and gas fitter performance bond requirements from $2,000 to $15,000 and establishes a recovery fund (up to $100 per licensee annually) as an alternative to local performance bonds.

• Sets reissuance fee for lost or stolen certificates at $5 and authorizes the board to levy civil fines up to $2,000 for violations; allows fund transfers exceeding 25% of annual budget to the nonprofit Alabama Home Builders Foundation for classroom training tools.

• Provides for inactive certification status for master plumbers and gas fitters not actively engaged in business; allows code officials to be exempt from renewal fees and examination requirements.