Legislature(2025 - 2026)BARNES 124
03/14/2025 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB99 | |
| HB121 | |
| HB25 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 99 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 121 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 25 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 121-ACCOUNTING; PRACTICE PRIVILEGE
3:36:29 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL announced that the next order of business would be
HOUSE BILL NO. 121, "An Act relating to the practice of
accounting; and providing for an effective date."
3:36:59 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL opened public testimony on HB 121.
3:37:24 PM
KAREN TARVER, Member, Alaska Society of Certified Public
Accountants, stated that she was available to answer questions
during the hearing on HB 121, not to provide public testimony.
3:37:52 PM
CRISTA BURSON, President & CEO, Alaska Society of Certified
Public Accountants (AKCPA), explained that the society consisted
of over 600 members, including students, educators, and
certified public accountants (CPAs) in both public and private
practice. She stated that the AKCPA was in support of the
proposed legislation, hopeful that HB 121 would help in filling
the CPA pipeline shortage. Further, she stated that accounting
students and faculty at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)
expressed excitement that the proposed changes would allow
students to enter the profession without additional expense and
time. She thanked the committee members.
3:39:13 PM
THOMAS NEILL, Chair, Uniform Accountancy Act Committee, Joint
American Institute of CPAs/National Association of State Boards
of Accountancy (AICPA/NASBA) explained that the Uniform
Accountancy Act Committee was responsible for developing and
maintaining uniform model language for 55 jurisdictions to use
in developing accountancy acts and standards. He stated that HB
121 more closely aligns with current and forthcoming national
standards. Additionally, he stated that HB 121 would simplify
the licensure and education structure to allow more CPA
candidates to become CPAs and serve Alaska residents and
businesses. He stated that he was available to answer
questions.
3:40:26 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL, after ascertaining that there was no one else who
wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 121.
3:40:33 PM
The committee took a brief at-ease at 3:40 p.m.
3:41:05 PM
CO-CHAIR HALL asked the will of the committee.
3:41:31 PM
CO-CHAIR FIELDS moved to report HB 121 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
There being no objection, HB 121 was reported out of the House
Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.