Legislature(2025 - 2026)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
05/06/2025 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB104 | |
| SB152 | |
| HB121 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 104 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 152 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 121 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 121-ACCOUNTING; PRACTICE PRIVILEGE
4:25:54 PM
VICE-CHAIR BJORKMAN reconvened the meeting and announced the
consideration of HOUSE BILL NO. 121 "An Act relating to the
practice of accounting; and providing for an effective date."
4:26:14 PM
VICE-CHAIR BJORKMAN solicited a motion.
4:26:17 PM
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON moved to adopt the Senate committee
substitute (SCS) for HB 121 work order 34-LS0382\G, as the
working document.
4:26:34 PM
VICE-CHAIR BJORKMAN objected for purposes of discussion.
4:26:48 PM
JOE HAYES, Staff, Senator Scott Kawasaki, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented the summary of changes
from version N to version G of HB 121 and read the following:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Summary of Changes
HB 121 Version N to CS HB 121 (STA) Version G
The following provisions were added to the bill:
Page 1 Line 1: Updates title to reflect changes in the
bill.
4:27:03 PM
MR. HAYES continued with the summary of changes for HB 121:
Section 14: New section that adds previous licensing
as a CPA under AS 08.04 as an alternative to
certification by a national guardianship group in
order to become a licensed conservator.
Section 15: New section that adds conforming language
regarding issuing temporary licenses for private
professional guardians.
Section 16: New section establishing that a temporary
license holder may submit proof of a required
guardianship certificate or CPA license to obtain a
permanent license.
Section 17: Adds a new section authorizing DCCED to
issue temporary licenses to eligible individuals
seeking a private professional conservator license.
Section 18: Adds conforming language stating that
failure to maintain either a CPA license or a national
guardianship certification is grounds for disciplinary
action.
Section 19: Amends requirements for conservatorship by
adding a mandatory education requirement to be
completed within 30 days of being appointed.
Section 20: Adds a new section that would revoke
conservatorship if an appointee does not complete the
mandatory education within 30 days. The court is
required to remove an individual under this section
and appoint a replacement.
Section 21: Conforming changes to rule 17(e) of the
Alaska Rules of Probate Procedure. This change will
ensure the same education requirements will apply and
that they are consistent in both law and court
procedure.
Section 23: establishes an immediate effective date
for sections 14-21.
The following provisions remain unchanged:
Section 1-13: Unchanged
Section 24: Unchanged, former section 15
Section 22: Unchanged, former section 14
4:29:23 PM
VICE-CHAIR BJORKMAN removed his objection
4:29:31 PM
VICE-CHAIR BJORKMAN found no further objection and SCS HB 121
was adopted as the working document.
4:30:09 PM
VICE-CHAIR BJORKMAN asked for a recap of HB 121 and an
explanation of how the changes in the committee substitute
affect the underlying bill.
4:30:24 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CALVIN SCHRAGE, District 12, Alaska State
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, sponsor of HB 121 presented a recap
of the bill and stated that the committee substitute does not
change the underlying bill. He said the committee substitute
adds CPAs to those eligible for conservatorship and requires a
one-hour training for conservators. HB 121 reduces the education
requirement for CPAs from 150 to 120 credits, eliminating the
extra year of school. He said HB 121 also grants out-of-state
accounting firms the same mobility as individual CPAs, expanding
access to accounting services in Alaska and increasing
opportunities for aspiring CPAs.
4:32:35 PM
VICE CHAIR BJORKMAN opened public testimony on HB 121; finding
none, he closed public testimony.
4:33:18 PM
VICE-CHAIR BJORKMAN asked whether the State Board of Accountants
has an opinion on CPAs being automatically considered as
conservators without going through the current legal process.
4:33:52 PM
BETH STUART, CPA, Board of State Accountancy, Anchorage, Alaska,
answered a question on HB 121 and answered that the Board of
State Accountancy discussed the changes and did not have any
concerns.
4:34:11 PM
REPRESENTATIVE SCHRAGE stated that HB 121 does not make CPAs
automatic conservators; it simply allows CPA certification to
substitute for the credentialing process. He said applicants
must still apply and be approved.
4:35:09 PM
VICE-CHAIR BJORKMAN held HB 121 in committee.