BILL ANALYSIS �
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|Hearing Date:June 16, 2014 |Bill No:AB |
| |1685 |
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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:
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| | | |
| | | |
| 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 | | |
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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