Professions and vocations.
Moreover, the bill stipulates that the delinquency, penalty, or late fee for licensees will remain at 50% of the renewal fee, but will not exceed $150. This provision ensures that while licensees are penalized for late renewals, the financial repercussions are capped, thus offering a degree of protection against excessive fees. The intent is likely to balance the need for regulation with the protection of individual licensees' financial responsibilities.
Assembly Bill No. 768, introduced by Assembly Member Brough, aims to amend Sections 163 and 163.5 of the Business and Professions Code, specifically relating to licensing fees and penalties within the Department of Consumer Affairs. The bill maintains that the certification fee for records, documents, or papers in custody shall not exceed $2 per item. This provision is aimed at keeping costs low for individuals seeking certification from the department and its boards.
However, potential points of contention surrounding AB768 may arise from discussions about the effectiveness of such amendments. Stakeholders may argue whether these fee structures adequately reflect the cost of regulation and if they continue to incentivize timely license renewals. Additionally, varying perspectives on the appropriateness of keeping certain caps might emerge, particularly if economic and inflationary pressures result in heightened operating costs for the governing bodies involved.