HB 64-EXTEND BOARD OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTANCY   CHAIR ANDERSON announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 64, "An Act extending the termination date for the Board of Public Accountancy; and providing for an effective date." JULIE LUCKY, Staff for Representative Mike Hawker, Alaska State Legislature, explained that the extension of the board of public accountancy is to June 30, 2009, following approval. This board she said, protects public interest by ensuring that only qualified people are licensed as accountants and that appropriate standards are enforced. The board's fees cover the cost of regulatory costs. The board is actively working on the number one recommendation which is giving additional test sites for uniform CPA examinations. PAT DAVIDSON, Legislative Auditor, Legislative Audit Division, indicated that indeed the recommendation of the legislative audit was to make a four-year extension for this board. The division made an additional recommendation with regard to changing the CPA exam from a manual model to a computer model. The CPA exam used to be offered twice a year, and now its offered four times a year. The division also asked that financial barriers to the profession be eliminated. CHAIR ANDERSON asked whether or not there had been any legislation that changed the testing procedures. MS. DAVIDSON replied yes, there were changes made last year. REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG asked what the relationship between the board and Culmetrix and how well they get along and if there is any way that the board is moving to take this over. MS. DAVIDSON explained that it is a nationalized test. Culmetrix is a contractor with a nationwide organization. The board is allowed to use this test to test participants and all the candidates get their license from this test. This means that it is not realistic to move away from the nationwide test. Alaska is working with a contractor and is trying to expand the number of sites. REPRESENTATIVE LYNN asked how long it will be [for the expansion] and who determines this. MS. DAVIDSON reported that the normal limit in statute is set at four years. If recommendations are made for something further out, the [division] specifies why. For the sunset process in total, [the division] is recommending that the Board of Public Accountancy be extended to eight years. REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked how long the Board of Accountancy has been in existence and how long have the legislature has been going through the sunset reviews. MS. DAVIDSON answered that the board has been in existence for a long time. She added that for the record she and the division's staff are all CPA's, and therefore are not without review. Anytime something occurs that is not in accordance with standards is always noted. DON RULIEN, Chairman, Legislative Committee; past President, Alaska State CPA Society, outlined a letter he had written previously and stated that he wanted the continuance of the board. He announced that his group is currently working on the same bill being discussed. REPRESENTATIVE LYNN moved to report HB 64 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HB 64 was reported from House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.