CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 123(RLS) am "An Act relating to occupational licensing fees, fines, and penalties and to regulatory board fines; extending the termination dates of the Boards of Barbers and Hairdressers, Social Work Examiners, Pharmacy, Professional Counselors, Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners, and Veterinary Examiners; relating to psychologist licensing by credentials; relating to an exemption that allows one bill to continue more than one board, commission, or agency program; and providing for an effective date." This was the first hearing for this bill in the Senate Finance Committee. JOSH APPLEBEE, Staff to Representative Tom Anderson, the bill's sponsor, informed the Committee that this legislation would provide for the extension of six different State Boards slated to be terminated. The Division of Legislative Audit has recommended that each of the six boards be extended. This bill would extend the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers to the year 2011; the Boards of Social Work Examiners, Pharmacy, Professional Counselors, Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners to the year 2010, and the Board of Veterinary Examiners to the year 2009. Mr. Applebee shared that the bill would also allow the Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners to adopt regulations that would recognize other credentialing organizations beyond the current American Board of Professional Psychology. To this point, the Board must insure that this expansion would be limited to recognizing only those organizations whose credentials were similar or higher than the licensing requirements specified in State Statute. 6:19:51 PM Co-Chair Green asked whether the extensions of these Boards could be characterized as "routine" extensions. Mr. Applebee affirmed. Co-Chair Green noted that the one exception would be the expansion of the credential language pertaining to the Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners. PAT DAVIDSON, Legislative Auditor, Division of Legislative Audit, Legislative Affairs Agency commented in regards to the proposed extension dates. She noted that the Division was required to conduct audits of 12 boards and commissions that were due to terminate this year. Therefore, in an effort to avert overlaying auditing of numerous boards in the future, the Division utilized extension timeframes ranging between four to six years, as opposed to the standard four-year extension. In addition, the audit noted that contrary to previous audit findings in which the Board of Barbers and Hairdressers licensing fees had not sufficiently covered the expenses of operating its Board, the increased license fees are now sufficient in that regard. However, the Division would recommend that the licensing fees of both the Boards of Pharmacy and Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners be increased. AT EASE 6:21:50 PM / 6:22:37 PM Senator Olson understood that the credentialing expansion pertaining to the Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners, as reflected in Sec. 7(3) page two lines 25 through 28, would serve to allow a person meeting the specified credentials to obtain their license. Mr. Applebee affirmed that to be correct, provided that the individual's credentials were the same or higher than those specified in Statute. 6:23:21 PM Senator Olson asked the reason for expanding the credentialing organizations in that regard. Mr. Applebee responded that the goal would be to increase the number of people practicing in that field. Co-Chair Wilken moved to report the bill from Committee with individual recommendations and accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objections, CS HB 123(RLS) am was REPORTED from Committee with zero fiscal note #1 dated February 3, 2005 from the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. 6:24:27 PM