Alabama Senate Bill SB138

Alabama 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/20/24
• Report Pass: 2/22/24
• Refer: 2/20/24
• Refer: 4/11/24
• Report Pass: 4/17/24
• Enrolled: 4/30/24
• Passed: 5/2/24

Caption

Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board, continued until October 1, 2028, without modification, pursuant to the Sunset Law

Impact

The continuation of the Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board signifies a commitment to maintaining oversight of the plumbing and gas fitting industries, which is crucial for ensuring public safety and compliance with state regulations. By preserving this board, the state reaffirms its dedication to professional standards in the plumbing sector, helping to prevent hazardous practices and ensuring quality work by licensed professionals. This bill is important for both public welfare and for professionals in these trades to have a reliable regulatory body overseeing their practices.

Summary

SB138 is a legislative act that aims to continue the existence and functioning of the State of Alabama Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board until October 1, 2028. This bill is a part of the Alabama Sunset Law procedure, which mandates regular review of governmental agencies to assess their functions and relevance. The enactment of this bill ensures that the Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board will remain operational beyond its current expiration, allowing it to continue overseeing the licensing and regulation of plumbing and gas fitting professionals in the state.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB138 appears to be generally positive, as the bill does not seem to face significant opposition. The bill passed the House with a vote of 101-0, indicating strong bipartisan support for its objectives. The unanimous nature of the vote suggests that lawmakers recognize the importance of continuing the Plumbers and Gas Fitters Examining Board's work in ensuring safety and competency in the plumbing field. This consensus reflects a broader understanding of the necessity of regulatory bodies in maintaining industry standards.

Contention

Notably, the bill is relatively straightforward and lacks substantial points of contention, as it primarily serves to prolong the existence of an already established regulatory board. However, discussions surrounding similar bills often touch on issues such as budget effectiveness, regulatory burden on industries, and the value of maintaining such boards. In this case, since the board is continuing without modification, the discourse focuses on ensuring its effectiveness and efficiency rather than debating its necessity.