| SUMMARY OF: | A Sunset Review of the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, Board of Chiropractic Examiners |
Why DLA Performed This Audit
The audit’s purpose was to determine if there is a need for the board’s continued existence and whether its termination date should be extended. The board is set to sunset June 30, 2022, and will have one year from that date to conclude its administrative operations.
Report Conclusions
Overall, the audit concluded that the board served the public’s interest by conducting meetings in accordance with State laws, amending certain regulations to improve the chiropractic profession, and effectively licensing and regulating chiropractic physicians. Additionally, the audit found one board member did not meet statutory requirements for appointment and additional resources were needed to investigate cases in a timely manner.
In accordance with AS 08.03.010(c)(5), the board is scheduled to terminate on June 30, 2022. We recommend that the legislature extend the board’s termination date five years to June 30, 2027, which is less than the eight-year maximum allowed in statute. The reduced extension is due to an issue identified during the audit that may impact the board’s ability to protect the public. The details of the issue are not included in this report to preserve the confidentiality of an ongoing investigation. The reduced extension reflects the need for continued oversight.
Findings and Recommendations
- The governor should make board appointments in compliance with statutory requirements.
- The Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing’s director should allocate sufficient resources to ensure cases are addressed in a timely manner.