DOPL budget hearing highlights audit findings, excess cash balances and inspector pay request

The Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) appeared before the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on Feb. 6 for its budget hearing. Agency leaders and legislative auditors described ongoing work to correct substantial cash balances in board accounts, implement a new licensing system and recruit and retain field inspectors.

Analysts and the DOPL administrator said the division now comprises 45 boards and commissions and that DOPL manages licensees and revenue for the consolidated entity. Kellen McGurkin, budget and policy analyst, told the committee the organization historically consolidated 11 agencies into DOPL after passage of House Bill 318 in 2020; the slide deck presented by staff said the division oversees roughly 200,000 licensees within 45 boards as of July 2024. Administrator Russ Baron later said the number of licensees is rising and described the total as "creeping up now more towards almost 300,000 licensees." Both statements were made on the record.

Audit findings and cash balances: April Renfro of Legislative Audit summarized recent audit work and…