STAND. COM. REP. NO.  247-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.B. No. 716

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 716 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DISCIPLINARY AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTANCY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to protect consumers of public accounting services by clarifying the disciplinary actions and fines that the Board of Public Accountancy (Board) may impose for violations of the public accountancy laws.  Specifically, the measure:

     (1)  Authorizes the Board to take one or more disciplinary actions for a violation of the public accountancy laws;

     (2)  Removes language limiting the suspension or period in which the Board can refuse to renew a license or permit to no more than two years; and

     (3)  Increases the maximum amount of administrative fines the Board may impose for violations of public accountancy laws from $1,000 to $5,000.

The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Board of Public Accountancy testified in support of this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 716 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

____________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair