9:02:40 AM SENATE BILL NO. 85 "An Act extending the termination date for the State Medical Board; and providing for an effective date." This was the first hearing for this bill in the Senate Finance Committee. Co-Chair Stedman announced intent to report this bill from Committee unless concerns were identified. AT EASE 9:02:59 AM / 9:03:06 AM 9:03:28 AM RICHARD BENAVIDES, Staff to Senator Bettye Davis, sponsor of the bill, testified reading the sponsor statement into the record as follows. Senate Bill 85 extends the sunset date of the State Medical Board until June 30, 2013, in accordance with the recommendations of the Legislative Auditor. The legislative auditor has concluded that the State Medical Board meets the statutory requirements of public need and should continue to regulate the occupations under its purview. The board consists of five licensed physicians, one licensed physician assistant, and two persons with no direct financial interests in the healthcare industry. The board serves the public interest by establishing the minimum education and work experience requirements that individuals must meet to become licenses physicians, osteopaths, podiatrists, paramedics, and physician assistants. The board further serves the public interest by investigating complaints against licensed professionals and taking disciplinary licensing action when appropriate. The board has consistently proven to be efficient, therefore I recommend that the State Medical Board be extended to June 30, 2013, and ask for your support in passage of this bill. 9:05:08 AM Co-Chair Stedman directed attention to an updated fiscal note prepared by the Senate Finance Committee. The original fiscal note incorrectly included an estimate of $846,000 as expenditures for FY 07. This legislation would have no impact on the current year budget. 9:05:48 AM Senator Dyson inquired about the auditor recommendation that the State Medical Board update certain regulations. 9:06:15 AM PAT DAVIDSON, Director, Division of Legislative Audit, testified that other than the Board's response to the preliminary audit report recommendations that the Board was willing to making the regulatory changes, she was unaware of whether the changes had been made. Co-Chair Stedman requested a response from the Board as to the status of the regulatory changes. 9:07:04 AM RICK URION, Director, Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, testified in support of this legislation. He informed that the Board had taken necessary action in amending regulations. 9:07:36 AM Senator Dyson asked the estimated date that the new regulations would be in effect. 9:07:41 AM Mr. Urion responded that the proposed regulations were currently before the Department of Law for review. 9:07:51 AM Co-Chair Stedman ascertained that no further testimony was forthcoming and that Members had no additional comments or questions. 9:08:15 AM Co-Chair Hoffman offered a motion to report the bill, 24- LS0584\A, from Committee with individual recommendations and updated fiscal note. Without objection SB 85 was REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE with a new fiscal note dated 3/27/07 from the Senate Finance Committee. AT EASE 9:09:01 AM / 9:09:24 AM