Purpose of the Report
The audit was performed to determine if there is a continued need for the board and if its termination date should be extended. The board is set to sunset on June 30, 2026, and will have one year from that date to conclude its administrative operations.
Report Conclusions
The board served the public’s interest by generally conducting meetings in an effective manner, actively amending regulations, and effectively licensing professional counselors. The audit also concluded that one board position had been vacant for an extended period and license fees were not sufficient to cover the profession’s regulatory cost.
In accordance with AS 08.03.010(c)(6), the board is scheduled to terminate on June 30, 2026. We recommend that the legislature extend the board’s termination date six years to June 30, 2032, which is two years less than the maximum allowed by statute. The reduced extension reflects the need for more timely legislative oversight in light of the audit conclusions and recommendations.
Findings and Recommendations
- The Office of the Governor, Boards and Commissions director should take steps to ensure board seats are filled in a timely manner.
- The Division of Administrative Services director should establish procedures to ensure fee requests are submitted timely for review and approval.