BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                AB 431
                                                                Page  1
        CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
        AB 431 (Ma)
        As Amended  August 30, 2011
        Majority vote
         
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        |ASSEMBLY:  |72-0 |(May 12, 2011)  |SENATE: |33-0 |(August 31,    |
        |           |     |                |        |     |2011)          |
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         Original Committee Reference:    B., P. & C.P.  

         SUMMARY  :  Authorizes the California Board of Accountancy (CBA) to 
        establish a retired status license for certified public accountants 
        (CPAs) and public accountants (PAs).

         The Senate amendments  :

        1)Remove a reference to minimum age requirements and minimum years 
          as a licensee from the CBA's authority to establish minimum 
          qualifications for a retired status license.

        2)Authorize the CBA to exempt the retired status license from 
          renewal requirements specified in current law (rather than 
          requiring that a retired status license shall not be subject to 
          any renewal requirements); and,

        3)Make clarifying and technical changes, including removing outdated 
          references to the enactment of practice privilege provisions.

         EXISTING LAW  regulates the practice of public accountancy under the 
        California Accountancy Act by the CBA within the Department of 
        Consumer Affairs, requires persons licensed by the CBA to complete 
        specified CE requirements to maintain an active license, and sets 
        various examination, certification, registration, and renewal fees 
        for licensure.  

         AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY  , this bill authorized the CBA to establish 
        a retired status license for CPAs and PAs, and provided that a 
        retired status license shall not be subject to any renewal 
        requirements.

         FISCAL EFFECT  :  According to Senate Appropriations Committee:

                            Fiscal Impact (in thousands)









                                                                AB 431
                                                                Page  2
         Major Provisions        2011-12      2012-13       2013-14     Fund
         Revision of licensing  Likely significant ($50 to up to $300)    
        Special*
        categories and fees    decrease in license fee revenue annually  
        through 2017; fee revenue increase or
                               decrease may vary at board discretion
        * Accountancy Fund

         COMMENTS  :  This bill is substantially similar to the 
        Assembly-approved version, with minor technical changes and the 
        addition of an authorization for CBA to exempt the retired status 
        license from renewal requirements specified in current law (instead 
        of requiring that a retired status license shall not be subject to 
        any renewal requirements).

         Analysis Prepared by  :    Angela Mapp / B.,P. & C.P. / (916) 319-3301 
                                                          FN: 0002463