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Changes to lobbyist registration requirements in Idaho mean that, in addition to those lobbying legislators, individuals lobbying the governor, state agencies, and commissions must register as well. Registered lobbyists must report money they spend on lobbying efforts.
The SEC has approved guidelines for soft dollar arrangements, where money managers pay above-average trading commissions to brokerage firms to receive research. To combat abuse of the arrangements, guidelines now restrict eligible research services to advice, analyses, and reports and data. There may be discussion in the future about disclosure requirements.
The New York State Board of Regents recently revised its definition of "unprofessional conduct" to include disciplinary actions from the Securities & Exchange Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Accountants who lose the right to practice before the SEC can now be disciplined by the Board as well.
North Dakota Office of Attorney General - June 30, 2006 opinion
Although a private security service may conduct activities to protect personal property and prevent or detect theft of or damage to the personal property, it may not conduct investigative activities, directed Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem. A private investigative service license is required for investigative activities to determine a person’s conduct or to investigate the location or obtain the recovery of lost or stolen property.
Read the Opinion: 2006-L-20
In response to an inquiry, the Attorney General of Texas has indicated that under the Occupations Code, in order to provide rehabilitation, mental health, or medical services for the rehabilitation of sex offenders, a person is required to hold a sex offender treatment provider license as well as a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, or social worker license.
The New Zealand Registered Architects Board was created under the Registered Architects Act 2005 and became effective July 1. Under the Act, standards for the profession will be formalized and the role of architects will be more clearly defined. The complaints process has also been modified.
The Massachusetts Department of Education's "Education Reform Act" establishes the Certificate of Occupational Proficiency. Students in Vocational Technical Education programs can receive the Certificate for successful completion of a "comprehensive education and training program in a particular trade of professional skill area." In order to receive the Certificate, students must also acquire a competency determination.
The Education Department in South Africa has proposed a framework that would require teachers to be assessed and relicensed every five years. Teachers would need to take a specified number of training modules each year and every five years and submit proof of their training to the South African Council of Educators. The South African Democratic Teachers Union expressed doubt that the department had the capacity to undertake the training.
In a joint effort between the Goveror's Fiscal Fitness team, the Division of Information Technology, and participating licensing agencies, Rhode Island has begun their eLicensing initiative. Travel agencies and travel agents are the first to be able to renew their licenses and make payments online. The service streamlines the process and reduces paperwork and costs. Several other licenses have been idenified to be included in the progam.
