BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1005
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 1005 (Block)
As Amended April 30, 2009
Majority vote
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONS 10-0 APPROPRIATIONS 11-3
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|Ayes:|Hayashi, Emmerson, |Ayes:|De Leon, Ammiano, Charles |
| |Conway, Eng, Hernandez, | |Calderon, Davis, Fuentes, |
| |Nava, Niello, | |Hall, John A. Perez, |
| |John A. Perez, Ruskin, | |Price, Skinner, Solorio, |
| |Smyth | |Torlakson |
| | | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+---------------------------|
| | |Nays:|Nielsen, Duvall, Harkey |
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Requires the California Board of Accountancy (CBA) to
publish on its Web site documents related to disciplinary
accusations, a live audio or video broadcast of public meetings,
and the meeting minutes, as specified.
EXISTING LAW provides for the licensing and regulation of
accountants and accounting firms by CBA, and prohibits a person
from engaging in the practice of public accountancy in this
state unless he or she holds either a license issued by CBA.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, unknown, moderate costs, likely less than $75,000 in
special funds, to implement the live webcasting of CBA board
meetings.
COMMENTS : According to the author's office, "The purpose of the
bill is to provide transparency and public access to California
Board of Accountancy meetings and formal accusations filed
against a licensee. Given the importance of the accounting
profession to the operations and disclosure requirements of
public and private entities required under both state and
federal law, increasing transparency and public access will lead
to more informed choices by consumers."
The documents related to a pending accusation against a licensee
AB 1005
Page 2
are considered a public record and obtainable upon request to
any of the 43 consumer protection entities in the Department of
Consumer Affairs (DCA). Six of these DCA entities provide
documents related to a pending investigation on their Web sites,
two publish supporting documents on final decisions, 21 entities
provide a summary of the final decision and order, and 14 do not
publish any information on their Web sites. In addition to a
summary of the final decisions and order, the CBA also publishes
supporting documents related to a final decision on its Web
site. However, CBA does not publish supporting investigatory
documents related to pending accusations on its Web site but
will provide this information in hardcopy form upon request.
AB 797 (Ma) of 2009 requires CBA to post on its Web site the
text of disciplinary decisions for a period of 10 years from the
date the decision was issued.
Analysis Prepared by : Ross Warren / B. & P. / (916) 319-3301
FN: 0000886