Date: 01/17/2012
Final
Department of Reg Agencies SMART Act Briefing
COMMITTEE ON JOINT BUSINESS AFFAIRS & LABOR
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10:38 AM -- Department of Regulatory Agencies SMART Act Briefing
Barbara Kelley, Executive Director of the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), began the briefing by distributing a copy of the department's strategic plan to the committee (Attachment A) and a spreadsheet documenting the number of Confidential Letters of Concern issued by each board/program in calendar year 2011 (Attachment B). She gave the committee an overview of the department and talked about the divisions within the department. Ms. Kelley also talked about the number of licensees the department oversees.
10:47 AM
Ms. Kelley began talking about the department's strategic plan. She discussed the following goals of the department for 2012-13:
- consumer outreach;
- professional outreach;
- complaint resolution;
- timely access;
- qualified professionals; and
- economic environment.
Senator Tochtrop asked about the number of letters of concern that were issued and listed in the handout. She said she would like to see percentages as well as totals.
11:08 AM
Ms. Kelley introduced the members of her staff.
11:10 AM
Representative Soper asked for more detail on the complaints regarding electricians. Representative Holbert discussed and distributed a list of occupations and professions DORA oversees (Attachment C). He asked whether the department ever looks at downsizing regulating industries. Ms. Kelley responded. A discussion ensued on the topic. Representative Wilson commented on the web hit count for DORA's website that Ms. Kelley mentioned and suggested categorizing the searches and clicks in addition to counting the number of clicks. Ms. Kelley stated that information will be captured with the new system and that it will be available on the department's website.
11:21 AM
Representative Swerdfeger commented on licensing and re-testing for professional licenses. Representative Szabo followed up on an issue that was discussed in the Joint Budget Committee briefings regarding when a complaint is filed with DORA. Ms. Kelley responded to questions from Representative Court regarding how DORA communicates with the public and how it uses its funding and fees. Representative Priola asked whether responses to complaints are available on-line. Ms. Kelley stated nothing is published regarding the disposition of a board's investigation and talked about the confidentiality requirements regarding complaints.