HOUSE RESOLUTION Number 78

(By Delegates Howell, Arvon, Atkinson, Blair, Cadle, Caputo, Faircloth, Ferro, Flanigan, Hartman, Hill, Ihle, Lynch, McGeehan, Moffatt, Nelson, J.Pushkin, Smith, R., Sponaugle, and Stansbury)

[Originating in the Committee on Government Organization, February 19, 2016]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study professional and        occupational licensing boards.

Whereas, The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that state licensing boards comprised of a majority of market participants do not enjoy automatic immunity from antitrust laws; and

Whereas, The Legislature is committed to promoting public safety through the reasonable regulation of professions and occupations and reviewing those requirements to insure they protect the public; and

Whereas, Certain levels of professional expertise on professional and occupational boards helps promote public safety through the detailed understanding of professional practices, industry standards and emerging trends among the various professions and occupations; and

Whereas, The Legislature is committed to preventing the overregulation of markets by unwarranted influences of market participants and protectionist anti-free market pressures; therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Delegates:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study professional and occupational licensing boards; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2017, on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study and to prepare and draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.