SENATE BILL NO. 16 "An Act relating to the Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors and to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development." 1:56:44 PM MARGARET DOWLING, STAFF TO SENATOR CATHY GIESSEL, presented the bill. She stated that SB 16 revised current law, which allowed the state board of registration for architects, engineers and land surveyors to hire a full-time investigator. The bill had a provision changing a section allowing electronic licensing examinations. The board shared a part time investigator with 6 other boards serving a total of 18 thousand licensees. Every board had its own investigation needs and the investigator must have expertise in each subject and familiarity with the detailed regulations pertinent to each board. Ms. Dowling continued that the primary mission of the board was to regulate the profession to assure that a specified level of competence through testing, certification and education. The process protected the safety and welfare of Alaska's public. The professional's reputations were also protected by the regulatory process. If competency standards were breeched or a question arose about a person practicing without a license, the public and other professionals were at risk. Ms. Dowling continued to explain that once a complaint was filed, an investigation into the validity of the complaint was initiated. When investigators were few, the public was at risk. The board regulated 15 engineering specialties, with 9 of the 15 specialties added last year. The number of licensees and claims continued to increase. She noted that 116 cases were opened in the last 15 months adding to the already heavy workload of the part-time investigator. The investigator could not possibly keep up with the demands of the position. 2:01:19 PM Ms. Dowling discussed increasing licensing fees to cover the expenses associated with the board. Representative Holmes asked if the issue was supported by the board members. Ms. Dowling replied in the affirmative. She explained that board members brought the issue to Senator Giessel's attention. Senator Giessel then agreed to carry the bill. The potential cost increase per license was minimal. Co-Chair Stoltze returned to the room. COLIN MAYNARD, MEMBER, AELS BOARD, ANCHORAGE (via teleconference), spoke in favor of the legislation. He stated that the board had two and one half investigators, but was now down to one seventh of an investigator. The investigator had very little opportunity to travel because of the high workload. He added that the board of the Alaska Professional Design Council supported the bill. Representative Wilson discussed the fiscal impact note from the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. Representative Costello CLOSED public testimony. Representative Wilson MOVED to REPORT SB 16 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal note. Co-Chair Stoltze OBJECTED. He reviewed the bill and found no "featherbedding." Co-Chair Stoltze WITHDREW his objection. There being NO further OBJECTION, it was so ordered. SB 16 was REPORTED out of committee with a "no" recommendation and with one previously published fiscal note: FN2(CED). 2:06:01 PM AT EASE 2:08:23 PM RECONVENED