Date: 12/16/2014
Final
Presentation by the Department of Regulatory Agencies
COMMITTEE ON JOINT BUSINESS AFFAIRS & LABOR
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11:36 AM -- Presentation by the Department of Regulatory Agencies
Barbara Kelley, Executive Director, Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), introduced herself and provided a handout to the committee (Attachment F). She discussed the responsibilities of DORA and the recent achievements of the department in assisting consumers. She noted efforts by the Department to reduce prescription drug abuse in the state, which she indicated is far too high.
141216 AttachF.pdf
11:51 AM
Ms. Kelley discussed the Department's performance plan. The department's 2015 goals include reducing regulatory burdens, increasing public trust and confidence including insuring that fees and fines reflect the minimum necessary to support the service, ensuring that regulatory and legislative agendas are transparent and understandable, and ensuring easy and efficient public participation and access to programs.
12:00 PM
Ms. Kelley further discussed the Department's regulatory agenda and detailed the Public Utilities Commission's efforts to bring together stakeholders to address rule making related to transportation network companies. She also noted the department's budget request. The Division of Professions and Occupations is actually requesting a reduction in the funds appropriated to that division in association with the reduction of fees and fines for services. The Department's legislative agenda includes a bill that would permit advance practical nurse (APN) prescriptive authority, allowing nurses the ability to prescribe medications. This would bring Colorado in line with many other states that already permit this of APNs.
12:14 PM
Ms. Kelly responded to questions from the committee regarding new guidelines for physicians in prescribing pain medications. She described efforts to educate small businesses about avoiding personnel issues that may result due to new civil rights claims that they are subject to. Small businesses were previously exempt from these laws. The Department is attempting outreach to make sure business owners are aware of these changes by contacting local chambers of commerce and other small business organizations.
12:22 PM
Michelle Peterson, Deputy Executive Director, DORA, responded to questions from the committee. Ms. Nesbitt also discussed the efforts of the department to improve their communication via the department's website.