Legislature(2013 - 2014)HOUSE FINANCE 519
04/10/2013 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB37 | |
| SB16 | |
| SB38 | |
| SB88 | |
| SB38 | |
| SB24 | |
| SB2 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 21 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 18 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | SB 37 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 16 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 38 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 88 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 2 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 24 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SENATE BILL NO. 16
"An Act relating to the Board of Registration for
Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors and to the
Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic
Development."
1:56:44 PM
MARGARET DOWLING, STAFF TO SENATOR CATHY GIESSEL, presented
the bill. She stated that SB 16 revised current law, which
allowed the state board of registration for architects,
engineers and land surveyors to hire a full-time
investigator. The bill had a provision changing a section
allowing electronic licensing examinations. The board
shared a part time investigator with 6 other boards serving
a total of 18 thousand licensees. Every board had its own
investigation needs and the investigator must have
expertise in each subject and familiarity with the detailed
regulations pertinent to each board.
Ms. Dowling continued that the primary mission of the board
was to regulate the profession to assure that a specified
level of competence through testing, certification and
education. The process protected the safety and welfare of
Alaska's public. The professional's reputations were also
protected by the regulatory process. If competency
standards were breeched or a question arose about a person
practicing without a license, the public and other
professionals were at risk.
Ms. Dowling continued to explain that once a complaint was
filed, an investigation into the validity of the complaint
was initiated. When investigators were few, the public was
at risk. The board regulated 15 engineering specialties,
with 9 of the 15 specialties added last year. The number of
licensees and claims continued to increase. She noted that
116 cases were opened in the last 15 months adding to the
already heavy workload of the part-time investigator. The
investigator could not possibly keep up with the demands of
the position.
2:01:19 PM
Ms. Dowling discussed increasing licensing fees to cover
the expenses associated with the board.
Representative Holmes asked if the issue was supported by
the board members. Ms. Dowling replied in the affirmative.
She explained that board members brought the issue to
Senator Giessel's attention. Senator Giessel then agreed to
carry the bill. The potential cost increase per license was
minimal.
Co-Chair Stoltze returned to the room.
COLIN MAYNARD, MEMBER, AELS BOARD, ANCHORAGE (via
teleconference), spoke in favor of the legislation. He
stated that the board had two and one half investigators,
but was now down to one seventh of an investigator. The
investigator had very little opportunity to travel because
of the high workload. He added that the board of the Alaska
Professional Design Council supported the bill.
Representative Wilson discussed the fiscal impact note from
the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development.
Representative Costello CLOSED public testimony.
Representative Wilson MOVED to REPORT SB 16 out of
committee with individual recommendations and the
accompanying fiscal note.
Co-Chair Stoltze OBJECTED. He reviewed the bill and found
no "featherbedding." Co-Chair Stoltze WITHDREW his
objection. There being NO further OBJECTION, it was so
ordered.
SB 16 was REPORTED out of committee with a "no"
recommendation and with one previously published fiscal
note: FN2(CED).
2:06:01 PM
AT EASE
2:08:23 PM
RECONVENED
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