BILL ANALYSIS
SB 1584
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Date of Hearing: July 2, 2008
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mark Leno, Chair
SB 1584 (Padilla) - As Amended: June 23, 2008
Policy Committee: Business and
Profession Vote: 7-1
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
Yes Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY
This bill increases various regulatory fees for veterinarians
and registered veterinary technicians (RVTs), establishes
investigatory and enforcement priorities for the Veterinary
Medical Board (VMB), and make other changes to the Veterinary
Medicine Practice Act. Specifically, this bill:
1)Increases the regulatory ceiling on various licensing-related
fees for veterinarians and RVTs. The cap on most fees will
double, and in some cases will increase by up to 250%.
2)Requires the VMB to prioritize its investigative and
prosecutorial resources, as specified, to ensure that the most
problematic veterinarians and RVTs are identified and
disciplined expeditiously.
3)Requires the VMB to:
a) Report annually and make publicly available the number
of disciplinary actions it takes.
b) Provide a notice of deficiencies and a reasonable time
for compliance prior to further action for any violations
found as a result of an inspection.
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c) Consider, in making regulations covering the assessment
of civil penalties, whether a violation is minor.
4)Requires every registrant to notify the VMB within 30 days of
changing their mailing address, and stipulates that the VMB
shall not renew the registration of anyone failing to comply
unless a penalty fee is paid.
5)Requires the VMB to appoint a voluntary advisory committee
until July 1, 2011 to assist, advise, and make recommendations
for the implementation of rules and regulations necessary to
ensure proper administration of the Act.
FISCAL EFFECT
1)Annual special fund revenues of $480,000 from increased fees
($440,000) and additional citations ($40,000). [VMB Contingent
Fund]
2)Special fund costs of $170,000 in 2009-10 and $150,000 in
2010-11 for one position to support the advisory committee and
for presumed additional citations and appeals related to a
more targeted enforcement program.
COMMENTS
1)Background and Purpose . The VMB licenses and regulates
approximately 9,800 veterinarians, 4,200 RVTs and 2,600
veterinary hospitals. The VMB's statutory fee ceilings have
not been increased since 1992. The board increased its fees to
the maximum allowable on October 1, 2007 to cover increasing
costs of its operations, but the board indicates that these
levels are insufficient to offset a dwindling fund balance,
and the fund will be nearly insolvent by 2010-11. This bill is
the result of efforts between the California Veterinary
Medical Association and the VMB to link the fee increases with
operational reforms at the board.
2)Amendments . The author is proposing amendments to (1) add
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additional investigative priorities and (2) provide the board
with authority to take immediate action, without notice of
deficiencies or time for compliance, in cases where violations
represent an immediate threat to health and safety.
Analysis Prepared by : Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081