Boards, Agencies and Commissions

SB 107 increases fees and adds reporting requirements for Alabama funeral service businesses. It authorizes a $30 administrative fee per funeral arranged (effective 2026), raises application/renewal fees for funeral establishment licenses from $198/$99 to $500 each, and requires annual reporting of preneed contract activities. Certificate holders must file annual statements on preneed sales and trust activities, with the board allowed to request additional reports. These changes directly affect funeral homes, funeral directors, and preneed sales agents by increasing costs and mandating more frequent compliance reporting. The bill focuses on regulatory oversight and funding for the Alabama Board of Funeral Services.

SB 183 exempts natural hair styling and hair braiding/weaving from Alabama's cosmetology licensing requirements. The bill removes these services from the definition of "cosmetology" and repeals all licensing rules for "natural hair stylists," including examination requirements. This directly affects natural hair stylists who previously needed state licenses to perform services like braiding, weaving, or styling without chemical treatments, coloring, or cutting. The law changes existing code to reflect that these practices no longer require regulation by the Alabama Board of Cosmetology and Barbering.

HB 302 updates Alabama's bail bonding regulations. It requires professional surety bondsmen to hold a license for three years before owning a company (previously only applied to bail bondsmen), extends apprentice licenses to 180 days with mandatory training for 19-20 year olds, and mandates circuit clerks to report authorized bail bond companies within 30 days of approval. The bill also adds a one-year Alabama residency requirement for new license applicants, imposes late fees for overdue renewals, and creates a process for placing licenses on inactive status. These changes directly affect bail bondsmen, circuit clerks, and the Alabama Professional Bail Bonding Board, which gains new appointment rules for sheriff and lay members.

HB 282 changes the effective start date for new members of Alabama's Board of Pardons and Paroles from July 1 to March 1. This adjustment applies specifically to appointments made on or after October 1, 2026, affecting only new board members' term commencement. The bill does not alter the board's structure, qualifications, or duties - only the timing of when appointments begin. It is a procedural change with no impact on current board operations or policy. The bill takes effect on October 1, 2026.

Alabama's SB 163 would adopt the Esthetics Licensure Compact, allowing estheticians licensed in Alabama to practice across participating states without obtaining separate licenses. This compact directly affects licensed estheticians, particularly military members and their spouses who relocate frequently, by creating a multistate license valid in all participating states. Key provisions establish uniform licensing requirements, enable states to share disciplinary information, and require background checks to maintain public safety standards. The bill aims to reduce licensing barriers while ensuring consistent professional practice and safety across state lines.