SB 1259 Summary

• Establishes the Licensing and Regulation Fund in the state treasury to receive all licensing fees collected under the act, with funds used only to offset Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs operating costs.

• Adds new reporting requirement for the Department to submit annual reports to legislative appropriations committees and fiscal agencies detailing fees charged by third-party exam administrators.

• Requires the Department to use competitive selection process under the Management and Budget Act when contracting with third-party exam administrators, with contract specifying examination fees.

• Revises licensing, application, examination, and renewal fees for numerous professions including architects, engineers, land surveyors, landscape architects, barbers, cosmetologists, real estate brokers, appraisers, builders, and mortuary science practitioners, with many fees reduced effective October 1, 2015.

• Creates separate dedicated funds for real estate education, real estate enforcement, real estate appraiser education, and builder enforcement, funded by allocations from license fees within specified dollar amounts.