Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Licensing Fees topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances HB 5028; LFO recommends pharmacy licensing fee increases
Summary
A legislative committee accepted Legislative Fiscal Office recommendations on House Bill 5028, approving package changes that raise several pharmacy-related licensing and registration fees and move the bill, as amended, to the full Ways and Means committee with a due-pass recommendation.
A legislative committee accepted Legislative Fiscal Office recommendations on House Bill 5028 on a voice vote and moved the bill, as amended, to the full Ways and Means committee with a due-pass recommendation.
The LFO recommendation approved a package of policy changes that includes a 40% increase to licensing registration fees expected to raise about $3.5 million in the 2025–27 biennium; a separate package increases other‑funds expenditure limitation by $1.5 million for licensing-database replacement; another adds $126,441 for the health professional services program; and a fourth provides $38,169 to reclassify the agency’s licensing and permitting manager. The committee also approved a dash‑1 amendment that reflects a recommended other‑funds budget of $14,259,298 and 24 position equivalents.
Why it matters: LFO staff said most license and registration fees were last raised in 2019 and that the agency’s current licensing system will not be supported after 2026, prompting the database replacement request. The recommended fee increases would change several common charges: a two‑year pharmacist license from $250 to $350; a two‑year certified pharmacy technician license from $100 to $140; and the most common nonprescription drug‑outlet registration from $75 to $105. LFO estimated those increases would generate roughly $3.5 million in the 2025–27 biennium.
Committee discussion focused on workforce development and outreach rather than changes to the fee detail. Representative Wright asked whether there are mechanisms to promote pharmacy careers in high schools and colleges; Co‑Chair Sanchez suggested the Board of Accountancy’s scholarship fund as a model and recommended proposing a similar scholarship approach to the Board of Pharmacy as an option.
Formal actions: Co‑Chair Sanchez moved to accept the LFO recommendations on HB 5028; the motion carried by voice vote. The committee adopted the dash‑1 amendment and then moved HB 5028, as amended, to the Ways and Means full committee with a due‑pass recommendation. No roll‑call vote tallies were recorded in the hearing transcript.
Background and next steps: LFO materials posted with the committee packet identify four policy option packages: 101 (licensing fee increases), 102 (licensing database replacement), 103 (health professional services program continuation), and 104 (classification change). Committee members approved key performance measures without change. The bill will be scheduled for the full Ways and Means committee; the committee member who will carry it to the House floor said timing is not yet known.
Sources: Legislative Fiscal Office presentation and motions recorded during the committee hearing.
