BILL ANALYSIS Ó ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |Hearing Date:June 16, 2014 |Bill No:AB | | |1685 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, PROFESSIONS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Senator Ted W. Lieu, Chair Bill No: AB 1685Author:Williams As Amended: April, 21, 2014Fiscal: Yes SUBJECT: Structural pest control operators: fees. SUMMARY: Increases the statutory cap on the fees that the Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB) may assess for license examinations in order to fund the implementation of computer-based testing (CBT). Existing law: 1)Provides for the licensure and regulation of the practice of structural pest control by the SPCB. (Business and Professions Code (BPC) § 8500 et seq.) 2)Requires the SPCB to examine all applicants for a license to practice as an applicator, field representative, or operator in any of the three branches of structural pest control and apply all fees. (BPC § 8560 et seq.) 3)Permits the SPCB to charge a fee for examinations for the renewal of licenses, but prohibits the fee from exceeding $50 dollars per examination. (BPC § 8593) 4)Establishes a fee schedule for the various stages in the application process, including examination fees. The fees are set at $10 for applicators, $15 dollars for field representatives and $25 for operators. (BPC § 8674) This bill: Increases the maximum amount of fees the Board can charge applicants to take an examination to $60 for applicators, $75 for field representatives, and $100 for operators. AB 1685 Page 2 FISCAL EFFECT: This bill is keyed "fiscal" by Legislative Counsel. According to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations analysis dated April 30, 2014, this bill will result in minor special fund revenue increase to the SPCB. COMMENTS: 1.Purpose. This bill is sponsored by the Pest Control Operators of California (PCOC). According to the Author, this bill will help fund the implementation of computer based testing (CBT) for licensees which will accomplish the following: reduce the risk of cheating; simplify test validation, scheduling and monitoring for SPCB staff and examinees; and significantly increase the number of examination sites in and out of state, making it easier and cheaper for applicants to take an exam. 2. Background. In January 2013, the SPCB's examinations were compromised when examination participants misappropriated examination questions. This subversion led to suspension of the examinations until the Board was able to draft a new examination at a cost of $41,532. CBT is seen as a way to decrease the risk of the occurrence of cheating. Further, because the Board currently only has two examination sites, CBT will improve testing availability and efficacy, particularly for out-of-state candidates who will save on costs associated with airfare and other travel to California to take an examination. There are currently 17 proposed CBT sites in the state of California and 22 sites in other states. Currently, the Board is paying the increased cost for CBT. However, the Board is only authorized to incur this increased cost through 2014 in anticipation that it can raise the fee in 2015. Fees assessed for these examinations will be based on actual costs to administer the examinations (currently $37.50 under contract with the Department Consumer Affairs and an outside vendor for CBT) and miscellaneous costs for staffing. A moderate increase in these fees to modernize testing methodologies will allow the Board to more efficiently and effectively offer the tests required to become a licensed operator in California. The Committee requested that the SPCB complete a fee bill worksheet AB 1685 Page 3 (see attached worksheet for more detailed information). The following is a table with the proposed changes: ------------------------------------------------------------------- | | | | | | | | | Examination Type | Current Fee | Proposed Fee | |----------------------+---------------------+----------------------| | | | | | | | | | Operator's | $2 | | | Examination | 5 | $100 | |----------------------+---------------------+----------------------| | Field | | | | | | | | Representative's | $1 | | | | 5 | $75 | | | | | | | | | | Examinatio | | | | n | | | |----------------------+---------------------+----------------------| | | | | | | | | | Applicator's | $1 | | | Examination | 5 | $60 | |----------------------+---------------------+----------------------| | Operator's | | | | | | | | Continuing | $2 | | | | 5 | $100 | | Education | | | | Examination | | | |----------------------+---------------------+----------------------| | Field | | | | | | | | Representative's | $1 | $75 | | | 5 | | | | | | | | | | | Continuing | | | | Education | | | | Examinatio | | | | n | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------- AB 1685 Page 4 3. Arguments in Support. According to the Pest Control Operators of California (PCOC), this bill will help bring the industry up to date with advances in today's technology. PCOC believes the bill will help improve the application and licensing process in a manner that will save pest control companies far more than the nominal fee increases proposed. The organization also adds that this bill will improve consumer protection and help small businesses in California. The SPCB supports the bill and writes, "The ability to offer CBT examinations will help the Board ensure its applicants meet an acceptable level of competency for licensure. This helps the Board achieve its goals of protection of public health and the promotion of worker safety." SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION: Support: Pest Control Operators of California (Sponsor) Structural Pest Control Board Opposition: None on file as of June 11, 2014. Consultant:Vince Chee