Professions and vocations.
This amendment holds significant implications for the Department of Consumer Affairs and the boards operating within it. By standardizing the fee structure for penalties and certification, AB 2104 seeks to create a more predictable and manageable financial exposure for licensed individuals. This could ease the financial burden on businesses and professionals who may struggle with fluctuating penalty rates and provide a clearer framework for compliance within the regulatory environment.
Assembly Bill 2104, introduced by Assembly Member Flora, aims to amend sections of the Business and Professions Code concerning the licensing and regulatory framework for various professions. The bill proposes to maintain the maximum certification fee for copies of records at $2 while revising the structure of late fees associated with license renewals. Under current law, late fees for licensees are set at 50% of the renewal fee, with a minimum of $25 and a maximum of $150. AB 2104 clarifies that the delinquency and penalty fees should not exceed the maximum of $150, departing from any previously broader interpretations.
The provisions of AB 2104 may not elicit much opposition as they focus on clarifying existing regulations rather than introducing new penalties or restrictions. However, there might be discussions around the effectiveness of maintaining fees at these established amounts, especially in light of future inflationary pressures. Stakeholders, especially those engaged with the Department of Consumer Affairs, may express their views on whether the proposed limits on fees appropriately reflect the administrative costs associated with regulation and oversight.