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.