health boards; fund balances; fees

SB 1037 requires all Arizona health and non-health licensing boards (like those for nurses, plumbers, or cosmetologists) to publicly review their fund balances annually before setting fees. If a board’s fund balance exceeds two years of operating expenses plus 5%, it must reduce or eliminate fees for licensees until the balance falls below that limit. The bill applies directly to professionals paying licensing or application fees, as boards must disclose fund balances in public meetings and adjust fees to prevent excessive reserves. It establishes a clear, objective threshold for fee adjustments without specifying outcomes. This is a policy change focused on fiscal accountability for regulatory boards.