Occupational licensure; fee waiver; appropriation
The bill establishes the Occupational Licensure Fee Waiver Fund, which is administered by the state treasurer and is allocated $32 million from the state general fund. The fund’s purpose is to support regulatory boards and agencies that demonstrate financial needs during the waiver period. By ensuring that these boards can still function without the generation of revenue from licensure fees, the bill addresses potential concerns that regulatory quality and oversight may deteriorate due to lack of funding.
SB1386 introduces significant changes to the occupational licensure framework in Arizona by mandating a fee waiver for various licensing processes. Specifically, the bill prevents any regulatory board or agency from charging fees for applications, initial licensure, renewal, temporary licensure, or examinations from fiscal years 2023-2024 to 2024-2025. This initiative aims to alleviate economic barriers for individuals seeking licensure in a variety of professions, thereby promoting workforce participation.
While proponents of SB1386 argue it is a progressive move towards making professional licensure more accessible, critics may express concerns about the sustainability of funding and the effectiveness of regulatory oversight without the revenue generated from licensure fees. Additionally, the bill includes a delayed repeal clause, allowing for the fee waiver provisions to be scrutinized as it approaches its sunset date of June 30, 2026. This aspect may lead to further debate regarding the long-term implications on state regulatory processes.