Qualifications and residence of chief of division.

(a) The Chief of the Division of Safety and Inspection shall:

(1) Be a qualified elector;

(2) Have had 12 or more years' experience in the working, ventilating and drainage of coal mines in this state or eight years of such experience plus four years' experience as a state or federal coal mine inspector;

(3) Have a practical scientific knowledge of all noxious and dangerous gases found in such mines;

(4) Have a mine foreman certificate of competency of the State of Alabama; and

(5) Be not less than 30 years of age.

(b) The chief shall be stationed in a city or town as near the center of the mining industry as is practical.

(Acts 1949, No. 207, p. 242, §3; Acts 1975, 4th Ex. Sess., No. 147, p. 2866, §1.)