Faye Thompson — Representative Faye Thompson moved to approve the minutes as written, and the chair acknowledged her motion in response.
Josh Wheeler — Josh Wheeler is identified as the Vice Chair and takes over to conduct the rules agenda.
Josh Wheeler — Returned the gavel to the chair and announced the committee would reconvene Monday at 10:30.
John Price — Was invited to the podium to present the rules docket.
John Price — Identified himself as Bureau Chief of the Occupational Licensing Bureau and presented the docket on behalf of the Barber and Cosmetology Services Licensing Board.
John Price — Confirmed the board would be where it needs to be by 2027.
John Price — Said the board would continue in a downward trend and dip into the negatives starting next year without the fee increase.
John Price — Said the mobile inspection process should not increase costs and explained how inspections would be scheduled.
John Price — Was asked to explain the expenditure jump from fiscal 24 to fiscal 25.
Kyle Harris — Representative Kyle Harris asked whether the proposed fee increase would put the board on track to meet its 2027 timeline, and followed up by asking how the timeline would change if the fee increase were not approved.
Richard Cheatum — Representative Richard Cheatum asked whether mobile systems would increase inspection costs for the board, focusing on the cost implications of using mobile systems for inspections.
Michael Veile — Representative Veile questioned the justification for the increase in expenditures, comparing 2025 spending to 2024 and pressing for an explanation of the roughly 25% rise despite fewer complaints and only modest license growth.
Jeff Ehlers — Asked about the increase in expenditures and whether discipline cases had decreased.
Mr. Price — Mr. Price explained that the board’s costs have risen due to the Oasis licensing system, two inspector vehicles, fuel, statewide travel, dedicated inspector staffing, and growth in licensees from 28,000 to 31,000, which has increased inspections and workload. He said discipline cases are still being investigated but are being handled more informally to change behavior without formal discipline. He also stated that projections show a fee increase is necessary because costs continue to rise, and that renewals make up most of the board’s revenue. He noted the proposed increase is from $25 to $30, emphasizing that even a $5 increase is significant given the number of licensees.
Brent Crane — Asked whether existing renewal fees are enough to cover the fund balance or whether new applicants will generate additional fee revenue.
Brent Crane — Asked whether new applicants and growth would affect fee revenue.
Brent Crane — Thanked the witness and praised the department for withdrawing a confusing guidance document after meeting with him.
the director — Met with Representative Crane and helped resolve concerns about a guidance document.
department — Was praised for being responsive and correcting the guidance issue.