SENATE BILL NO. 53 "An Act extending the termination date of the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers." HEATHER BRAKES, STAFF, LEGISLATIVE BUDGET AND AUDIT COMMITTEE noted that SB 53 amends title 8 Chapter 3, Section 10 to extend the board an additional four years from June 30, 2001 to June 30, 2005. She observed that a legislative audit was released on Dec 6, 2000. The audit concluded that the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers should be reestablished and that the regulation and licensing of qualified barbers, hairdressers and estheticians is of benefit to the public's health, safety, and welfare. The board benefits the public by establishing minimum educational and experience requirements that provide reasonable assurance that persons licensed are qualified. Assurances that those licensed act in a competent manner is provided by active investigation of complaints conducted by the Division of Occupational Licensing's investigative unit within the Department of Community and Economic Development. Alaska Statute 08.03.010(c) (4) requires the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers be terminated on June 30, 2001. Under AS 08.03.020, the board has a one-year period to administratively conclude its affairs. The audit recommended that the board's termination date be extended to June 30, 2005. CATHERINE REARDON, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING, DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT provided information on the legislation. She explained that licenses are valid for two years. They expire at the end of August on even fiscal years. She explained that there would always be a high and low year. On the years when the licenses are not renewed revenues come from new licenses. There are no general funds in the component. The legislature generally rolls forward the excess revenue collections to allow the boards to cover their two-year costs with two-year revenues. Representative Foster noted that the number of commissions has increased. He suggested that the four-year sunset date is a waste of time. PAT DAVIDSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LEGISLATIVE BUDGET AND AUDIT DIVISION explained that they recommended that that the Board be extended for four years because tattooist is a new occupation under the Board. The normal four-year extension would allow the profession to establish regulations. Vice-Chair Bunde MOVED to report SB 53 out of Committee with the accompanying new fiscal note. Representative John Davies observed that the fiscal note would reflect the new. There being NO OBJECTION, it was so ordered. SB 53 was REPORTED out of Committee with a "do pass" recommendation and with a new zero fiscal note by the Department of Community and Economic Development.