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SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 10
BY SENATOR MILLS
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the health profession licensing boards statutorily placed within the
Louisiana Department of Health to work with the commissioner of administration
to identify funds from their cash and cash equivalent year-end balances that can be
transferred into the state general fund.
WHEREAS, there are twenty-five health profession licensing boards statutorily
placed within the Louisiana Department of Health; and
WHEREAS, these boards have been created by the legislature to ensure the health,
welfare, and safety of the patients that utilize the services of the individuals licensed by the
boards; and
WHEREAS, the licensing boards have been given authority to impose fees to cover
the cost of ensuring that qualified individuals are licensed to practice in their respective
health related fields; and
WHEREAS, the licensing boards have been given authority to impose fines and
monetary sanctions as a penalty in disciplinary actions against licensed individuals; and
WHEREAS, based on information requested from the office of the Louisiana
legislative auditor, it appears that many of the licensing boards are operating with substantial
cash and cash equivalent fund balances, amassing considerable reserves in their individual
board bank accounts; and
WHEREAS, the monies collected by the licensing boards are not deposited into the
state treasury; and
WHEREAS, although maintained as separate bank accounts, there is nothing to
prevent the licensing boards from depositing funds into the state treasury; and
WHEREAS, during a financial crisis everyone should step up and willingly do their
part to help, and as a statutorily created entity placed within a state government agency, the
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twenty-five health profession licensing boards should be no different; and
WHEREAS, the commissioner of administration should work with the twenty-five
health profession licensing boards to identify fund balances that may be deposited into the
state treasury.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby urge and request the health profession licensing boards statutorily placed within
the Louisiana Department of Health to work with the commissioner of administration to
identify funds from their cash and cash equivalent year-end balances that can be transferred
into the state general fund.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commissioner shall develop a template for
the collection of data from the licensing boards to ensure consistency in reporting of
collected data, including a five year fiscal worksheet that provides:
(1) Expenses.
(2) Income from fees.
(3) Revenue from income, including revenue from licenses, permits and fines
identified separately.
(4) Amount generated from fines and penalties.
(5) All board liabilities.
(6) All restricted funds and explanation of specific restrictions.
(7) Where all funds reside, including all banks or financial institutions if there is
more than one.
(8) Any other information the commissioner deems relevant.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commissioner shall distribute the template
as expeditiously as possible and the licensing boards shall provide the requested information
in conformance with the template on a date set by the commissioner, which shall be no later
than May 1, 2017.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commissioner shall develop a plan and make
recommendations on the mechanism and amounts of a fund transfer from the licensing
boards to the state treasury and shall submit such plan to the Senate Committee on Finance
and the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare no later than May 15, 2017.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Department of Health, the commissioner of administration, the executive
directors of the Louisiana State Board of Nursing, Louisiana State Board of Dentistry,
Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners, Louisiana State Board of Optometry
Examiners, Louisiana State Board of Examiners for Sanitarians, Louisiana State Board of
Practical Nurse Examiners, Louisiana Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Louisiana State
Board of Medical Examiners, Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors,
Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, Louisiana Board of Examiners for
Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Louisiana Board of Veterinary Medicine,
Louisiana Board of Examiners for Nursing Facility Administrators, Louisiana Board of
Pharmacy, Louisiana Board for Hearing Aid Dealers, Louisiana Radiologic Technology
Board of Examiners, Louisiana Physical Therapy Board, Louisiana Licensed Professional
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors Board of Examiners, Louisiana Addictive Disorder
Regulatory Authority, Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board, Louisiana Board of Drug and
Device Distributors, Louisiana Board of Examiners in Dietetics and Nutrition, Louisiana
Board of Massage Therapy, Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselors Board of
Examiners, and the Louisiana State Board of Electrolysis Examiners.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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