House Boards, Agencies and Commissions Committee approve bills to renew existence

On Tuesday, the Alabama House Boards, Agencies and Commissions Committee approved several bills that would renew the existence and functions of multiple state agencies.

Under state law, enumerated state agencies are periodically reviewed by the Alabama Sunset Committee which determines whether those agencies should continue to exist, be terminated, or continue to exist with modifications to their roles, structures, and/or responsibilities. The Sunset Committee then creates bills based on its recommendations which are subsequently heard by the Boards, Agencies and Commissions Committee.

The committee first heard HB110, sponsored by Rep. Chris Pringle, R-District 101, which would continue the State Board of Medical Examiners and Medical Licensure Commission with modification until October of 2027. The modification proposed in the bill would subject members of the State Board of Medical Examiners to state ethics codes. The bill was quickly approved by the committee.

The committee also passed HB114, sponsored by Rep. Randall Shedd, R-District 11, which continues the existence of the Board of Dental Examiners of Alabama without modification until October of 2027.

Rep. Matt Simpson, R-District 96, then presented HB115 to renew the Alabama Board of Electrical Contractors without modification. Simpson explained that the Sunset Committee had found significant issues with the Board of Electrical Contractors but that under new leadership the Board had begun to address those issues. The bill recommends that the agency be continued until October, 2026.

Rep. Simpson also put forward HB116 which would continue the Alabama Professional Bail Bonding Board without modification until October, 2027.

The committee approved both HB115 and HB116 unanimously.

The committee also held a public hearing concerning HB123 which looks to continue the existence of the Alabama State Board of Pharmacy with serious modifications, including a complete reconstitution of the board and its powers. While the committee heard comments from the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Kerry Underwood, R-District 3, as well as individuals currently and formerly associated with the Pharmacy Board, they will not vote on the legislation until next week.

All of the bills passed at Tuesday’s meeting will now go to the House floor to be voted on.