05/09/2007 08:30 AM House FINANCE

SENATE BILL NO. 85                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     An Act extending the termination date for the State                                                                        
     Medical Board; and providing for an effective date.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
RICHARD  BENAVIDES, STAFF,  SENATOR BETTYE  DAVIS, noted  that                                                                  
SB  85 extends  the sunset  date of  the  State Medical  Board                                                                  
until June 30,  2013, in accordance with recommendations  from                                                                  
the Legislative  Auditor,  who concluded  the Board meets  the                                                                  
statutory requirements  of public need and it  should continue                                                                  
to regulate the occupations under its purview.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Mr.  Benavides  commented  that  the Board  consists  of  five                                                                  
licensed  physicians,  one licensed  physician  assistant  and                                                                  
two  people  with   no  direct  financial  interests   in  the                                                                  
healthcare  industry.   The board serves  the public  interest                                                                  
by  establishing the  minimum  education  and work  experience                                                                  
requirements  that  an  individual   must  meet  to  become  a                                                                  
licensed  physician,  osteopath,  podiatrist,  paramedic,  and                                                                  
physician  assistant.   The board  further  serves the  public                                                                  
interest   by  investigating   complaints   against   licensed                                                                  
professionals  and taking disciplinary  licensing action  when                                                                  
appropriate.    The  board  has  consistently   proven  to  be                                                                  
efficient.  He urged passage of the bill.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
9:04:18 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
PAT   DAVIDSON,   LEGISLATIVE   AUDITOR,   LEGISLATIVE   AUDIT                                                                  
DIVISION,  LEGISLATIVE  AFFAIRS   AGENCY,  offered  to  answer                                                                  
questions of the Committee.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
RICK  URION, DIRECTOR,  DIVISION  OF  OCCUPATIONAL  LICENSING,                                                                  
offered to answer questions of the Committee.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
PUBLIC TESTIMONY CLOSED                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
9:05:00 AM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Co-Chair Meyer pointed out the fiscal note.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
Representative  Foster MOVED to REPORT SB 85 out  of Committee                                                                  
with  individual  recommendations  and with  the  accompanying                                                                  
fiscal note.  There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SB  85  was  reported  out  of  Committee  with  a  "do  pass"                                                                  
recommendation  and with fiscal  note #2 by the Department  of                                                                  
Community & Economic Development.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
9:06:15 AM