CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 385(L&C) - Summary

• Amends AS 08.01.065(c) to clarify that the department shall adjust occupational licensing fees only when fee collections and regulatory costs are not approximately equal for reasons other than fees being reduced under economic hardship provisions.

• Defines "regulatory costs" as department costs attributable to occupation regulation plus all board expenses (if the board regulates only one occupation) or attributable board expenses (if the board regulates multiple occupations).

• Adds new subsection (l) allowing licensees to submit proof of economic hardship for any calendar year after their initial licensing year.

• Requires the department to reduce fees to 50 percent of the established amount for licensees who demonstrate economic hardship in the previous calendar year.