(1)Existing law, the Pharmacy Law, provides for the licensure and regulation of pharmacies, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, wholesalers of dangerous drugs or devices, and others by the California State Board of Pharmacy. Existing law authorizes the board to appoint an executive officer. Under existing law, the board and its authority to appoint an executive officer will be repealed on January 1, 2013. Under existing law, boards scheduled for repeal are required to be evaluated by the Joint Sunset Review Committee.

This bill would extend the operation of the California State Board of Pharmacy and its authority to appoint an executive officer until January 1, 2017, and would specify that the board is subject to review by the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature.

(2)Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of court reporters by the Court Reporters Board of California within the Department of Consumer Affairs. Existing law authorizes this board to appoint an executive officer and committees as necessary. Existing law repeals these provisions on January 1, 2013.

This bill would extend the operation of these provisions until January 1, 2017, and would specify that the board is subject to review by the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature.

Existing law requires, until January 1, 2013, certain fees and revenues collected by the board to be deposited into the Transcript Reimbursement Fund, to be available to provide reimbursement for the cost of providing shorthand reporting services to low-income litigants in civil cases. Existing law authorizes, until January 1, 2013, low-income persons appearing pro se to apply for funds from the Transcript Reimbursement Fund, subject to specified requirements and limitations. Existing law requires the board, until January 1, 2013, to publicize the availability of the fund to prospective applicants. Existing law requires the unencumbered funds remaining in the Transcript Reimbursement Fund as of January 1, 2013, to be transferred to the Court Reporters’ Fund.

This bill would extend the operation of these provisions until January 1, 2017, and would make a technical change to these provisions. By extending the operation of the Transcript Reimbursement Fund, which is a continuously appropriated fund, the bill would make an appropriation.