The Arizona Legislature is looking to diminish the influence of experts on the boards that license and discipline engineers, certified public accountants, barbers and a variety of other professionals.
A state Senate panel advanced legislation Thursday that would make licensed professionals a minority of the members on the licensing boards.
People appointed by the governor who aren't licensed in the profession would comprise a majority.
Supporters say people with a financial stake in an industry shouldn't control who can work in it.
Critics of the bill say high technical expertise in an industry is needed to enforce rules and protect the public from incompetent work.
