Transcript Highlights:

• <04:12:36.399> alternative number of these therapies alternative number of these therapies
• behavioral therapy is a psychological<04:15:48.479> therapy<04:15:49.000> which<04:15:
• 49.359> really psychological therapy which really psychological therapy which really should<04
• behavioral therapy.
• and occupational therapy therapy and occupational therapy chiropractic<05:20:55.600> care<05:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 167, a PFAS-related measure to add ski, snowboard, and boat wax to the state’s list of banned consumer products containing PFAS. The sponsor said the product is already banned in many other places, alternatives exist, and the concern is that these products go directly into water rather than landfills. She cited high PFAS levels in several New Hampshire lakes and argued the bill would help stop further contamination. A member of the public also described personal experience with ski wax products disappearing from the market, suggesting PFAS may have been the reason. The chair then closed the hearing on HB 167. The committee next opened a hearing on House Bill 312, dealing with college athletes’ name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. Representative Moffett explained the bill was prompted by the U.S. Supreme Court’s NCAA v. Alston decision and was modeled on New Jersey law. He said the bill would prevent colleges from restricting NIL compensation, require athletes to use licensed attorneys or registered sports agents, and limit certain endorsements involving addictive drugs, adult entertainment, firearms, and weapons. He framed the measure as a proactive response to a changing college sports landscape and noted possible future conflicts involving schools, agents, and endorsements. Committee members raised several concerns and suggested changes. One member questioned the bill’s exclusion of two-year institutions, another objected to the weapons restriction, and others asked how the bill would affect scholarships. The sponsor said the intent was to protect scholarships, especially athletic scholarships, and clarified that need-based scholarships were not meant to be affected. He also acknowledged discomfort with the endorsement restrictions and said the committee might want to broaden or revise the language. The hearing remained open for further consideration, with no vote taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would be happy to take any questions. molecules or or therapies that may be molecules or or therapies
• , and then turn that into a a therapy, and then turn that into a a therapy, something<01:29:46.320
• receive experimental therapies. receive experimental therapies.
• <02:17:01.920> and about access to these therapies and about access to these therapies and
• I think if if you're a therapies.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• therapy animals or service dogs. therapy animals or service dogs.
• Therapy dogs have their therapy dogs. Therapy dogs have their own<00:15:13.519> certification.
• What's a therapy What's a comfort dog? What's a therapy dog?
• therapy dog.
• A therapy dog is therapy dog.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On behalf of the California Physical Therapy Association, in support. Thank you.
• I am Katie Birch, Doctor of Physical Therapy, and Chair of the California Physical Therapy Association's
• Physical Therapy Association.
• , stop therapy after completing a few... ...visits requires that patients begin therapy, stop therapy
• Physicians check on your condition before self-referring to physical therapy.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on April 22 and took up a special order of bills focused largely on prior authorization and utilization management in health care. The chair framed the discussion as part of a broader legislative effort to reduce delays and barriers to care, especially in behavioral health, chronic disease management, cancer treatment, and rehabilitation services. AB 384 by Assembly Member Connolly would prohibit prior authorization for inpatient mental health or substance use emergency admissions and related physician care; supporters said it would prevent dangerous delays in crisis care, while insurers and health plans warned about fraud, abuse, and ambiguity around residential treatment facilities. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and passed the committee on a party-line style vote, with Republicans largely absent or not voting. The committee then heard AB 510 by Assembly Member Addis, which would require health plans, upon request, to provide a peer reviewer of the same or similar specialty when a treating provider appeals a prior authorization denial or modification. Supporters argued that specialty-matched review would make appeals fairer and more clinically informed; opponents said the requirement was too rigid and that timelines and electronic submission rules needed changes. After discussion about the need for timely, specialty-specific review, the bill was approved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. AB 539 by Assembly Member Schiavo would extend prior authorization approvals to one year or the duration of the physician’s prescribed treatment for chronic conditions; supporters cited repeated denials and treatment interruptions, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, fraud, and the need for shorter validity periods. The bill was also passed as amended and placed on call. The committee next considered AB 669 by Assembly Member Haney, which would bar concurrent and retrospective review for the first 28 days of medically necessary substance use disorder treatment and limit prior authorization for related outpatient medications. The bill was presented with a powerful personal story from Ryan Matlock’s mother about her son’s death after an insurer cut off treatment early; supporters said the measure would keep patients in care long enough to stabilize, while opponents argued it would reduce oversight and could allow lower-quality or non-evidence-based care. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. Finally, AB 512 by Assembly Member Harabedian would shorten prior authorization response times to 24 hours for urgent requests and 48 hours for non-urgent requests; supporters said delays can worsen outcomes, while opponents warned the timelines were unrealistic and could increase administrative burdens and safety issues. The bill was approved as amended and placed on call. AB 574 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez was then heard; it would allow up to 12 medically necessary physical therapy sessions for a new episode of care without prior authorization, with supporters emphasizing stroke and neurological recovery and opponents warning of reduced oversight and unnecessary care. The transcript ends during testimony on AB 574, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• that nonopioids can't have step therapy that nonopioids can't have step therapy or<00:05:30.479>
• ,<00:05:38.240> but through opioids for step therapy, but through opioids for step therapy
• therapies.
• life-changing therapy. life-changing therapy.
• To understand how, let's talk about what VNS therapy is. The FDA approved VNS therapy in 1997 as...

Keywords: Medicaid - Room 216, 4 February, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee heard presentations on several Medicaid-related topics. First, a pharmacy representative discussed nonopioid pain medications as a way to reduce opioid dependence and overdose risk, emphasizing that options such as acetaminophen, NSAIDs, and topical diclofenac can be useful for pain management. She cautioned that nonopioids can still have risks and said any policy should avoid requiring patients to step through opioids before accessing safer alternatives, while still allowing reasonable step therapy among nonopioid options. The presenter said the goal is to keep patients from being pushed toward opioids by cost or insurance design. The committee also heard emotional testimony from parents of a child with Prader-Willi syndrome, who described the condition as a rare genetic disorder that causes severe, lifelong hyperphagia and requires rigid supervision and ongoing treatment. They argued that alternative funding programs can disrupt access to medically necessary drugs such as human growth hormone, forcing families into costly and uncertain coverage gaps. They asked lawmakers to ensure insurance coverage remains stable for rare disease patients and thanked Senator Blackwell for prior support of rare disease legislation. Next, a Livanova representative urged the committee to support higher Medicaid reimbursement for vagus nerve stimulator surgery for drug-resistant epilepsy. He said inadequate hospital reimbursement has reduced access in Mississippi, causing patients to travel long distances or go without treatment, and argued that better reimbursement would improve outcomes and save money over time. He cited studies showing seizure reductions, lower ER use, and a projected $2.8 million in five-year savings for Medicaid based on 40 patients, and asked that hospitals be reimbursed at 100% of Medicare rates for the procedure codes. Finally, a Medicaid official gave a broad overview of hospital payment structure, including fee-for-service, managed care, MHAP, DSH, UPL, provider taxes, and related funding mechanisms. She explained that hospital payments are interrelated and have shifted over time, with major changes tied to managed care, MHAP/UPL increases, and provider taxes. At the end of the discussion, the committee was running short on time and asked her to skip ahead to the provider tax component; no votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• If I hadn't got the therapy I need, I probably wouldn't be here.
• If I hadn't got the therapy I need, I probably wouldn't be here.
• Fifteen states authorize dental therapy.
• HB 363 DENTAL THERAPY CREATES A MID-LEVEL PROVIDER BETWEEN DENTAL HYGIENIST AND DENTIST.
• and Michigan are states with accredited dental therapy practitioners.

Summary: The committee first heard HB 245, which would replace references in Florida law to “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material.” The sponsor said the change was overdue and more accurately reflects the criminal nature of the material. There was brief supportive public testimony, no debate, and the bill was reported favorably on a unanimous vote. The committee then took up HB 237 on the use of professional nursing titles. The sponsor said advanced practice registered nurses should be able to use earned academic titles such as DNP or PhD. Supporters testified in favor, there was no opposition or debate, and the bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The longest discussion centered on HB 173, which would expand parental consent and access requirements for minors’ medical care, medical records, certain school surveys, and biomedical devices. Supporters argued it restores parental rights and keeps parents involved in children’s health decisions, while opponents—many from medical, mental health, LGBTQ, and youth advocacy groups—warned it could block access to STI treatment, mental health care, crisis hotlines, and confidential services for vulnerable youth, including those in abusive homes. After extensive testimony and debate, the bill was reported favorably on a 19-7 vote. Finally, the committee began HB 327 on uterine fibroid research. The sponsor explained the bill would require health care providers to submit identified data so the Department of Health can build a usable de-identified research database, after prior implementation problems with duplicate or unverified data. A supportive local official testified, and members indicated support as the meeting moved toward a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• approved therapies.
• <02:33:21.600> and from therapy and from therapy and eventually<02:33:23.439> affirming
• Today, I work in massage therapy.
• believe we outlawed conversion therapy. believe we outlawed conversion therapy.
• Are you assisting in conversion therapy therapy therapy by<04:04:17.439> making<04:04:17.840><

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, committee. >> Hb 363 dental therapy.
• Dental therapy has been around for 100 years worldwide. 15 states have authorized dental therapy.
• It establishes licensure criteria for dental therapy.
• So I would like you to all consider supporting dental therapy moving this forward.
• They also develop the dental therapy program.

Transcript Highlights:

• CORE CONSORTIUM AND ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTERS THAT ALSO CONDUCT EXTENSIVE CLINICAL TRIALS ON NEW THERAPIES
• HOW WILL THE INSURANCE COMPANIES RESPOND TO THERAPIES AUTHORIZED UNDER THIS BILL BUT NOT APPROVED BY
• RESPOND TO THERAPIES AUTHORIZED UNDER THIS BILL BUT NOT APPROVED BY THE FDA?
• , THERAPY THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE FDA OR WILL THIS OPEN THE DOOR OR FOR VULNERABLE PEOPLE TO GET
• THE CONTRAINDICATIONS OF THIS PARTICULAR THERAPY SO THAT THE PATIENT TRULY DOES UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That means routine care, drawing blood, filling a prescription, providing therapy, could all be treated
•   76 THAT MEANS ROUTINE CARE DRAWING  BLOOD FILLING A PRESCRIPTION  77 PROVIDING THERAPY
• WHAT CAN BE INJECTED. 331 ALLOWABLE INJECTED SUBSTANCES INCLUDE EYE INJECTION ONLY, NO INTRAVENOUS THERAPY
• Respiratory therapists manage life-sustaining therapy such as mechanical ventilation, oxygen therapy,
• HB 169 updates injection therapy and prohibits use of controlled substances, antibiotics, vaccines, Botox

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and heard a series of health care-related bills, with Chair Tuck emphasizing respectful debate and noting that all bills on the agenda would be voted on that day. The first measure, HB 743, would give the Attorney General authority to investigate and bring civil actions against health care practitioners who violate Florida’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors, and would make aiding or abetting such conduct a third-degree felony. Supporters said it closed loopholes and protected minors and parental rights, while opponents argued it was vague, overbroad, and could chill lawful care and professional judgment. The bill passed 13-4 and was reported favorably. The committee then unanimously approved PCS for HB 567, which narrows a continuing-education requirement for podiatrists so only those who prescribe controlled substances must take the related two-hour course. It also unanimously approved HB 439, allowing chiropractors, under specified training and certification requirements, to inject vitamins and nutrients while continuing to prohibit intravenous injections. The committee also passed HB 1235 to enter Florida into the respiratory care interstate compact, and HB 1237, a linked public-records/public-meetings exemption needed to implement that compact; both measures were supported as workforce and access-to-care bills and passed without opposition. Later, the committee approved PCS for HB 809, which addresses temporary physician certificates in areas of need and aims to prevent doctors from losing the ability to practice when area designations change. Members asked about licensure pathways and the effect of federal or board designation changes, and supporters framed the bill as protecting continuity of care in underserved communities. The committee also unanimously passed HB 1347 to align clinical laboratory personnel licensing with federal CLIA standards amid staffing shortages, and HB 1515, a public-records exemption tied to a uterine fibroid research database. Finally, the committee approved HB 169 updating acupuncture statutes, including terminology changes and limits on injection therapy, and HB 1021, Representative Young’s first bill, allowing qualified hospital pharmacists in Level I and II trauma centers to administer emergency medications at a physician’s direction during life-threatening situations. HB 1021 drew the most questions, mainly about scope, definitions, and who could authorize the pharmacist, but after a technical amendment it passed unanimously. All remaining bills were reported favorably, and the meeting adjourned after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um all of us for all these therapies.
• <01:10:00.400> Association, American Physical Therapy Association, American Physical Therapy
• Physical therapy build strength.
• My stepdaughter is going to be in physical therapy. >> Excellent. >> Yeah.
• Our current therapies, SSRIs, trauma-focused therapies, are decent, but a substantial minority of patients

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, what it does is provides experimental health therapy for first responders in this second go at it
• He told me it was an equine therapy program.
• So we talked a little bit about this being, you know, clinical coverage or clinical therapy.
• So a lot of them stop right away from even seeking therapy because they don't want that stigma.
• <00:21:13.480> or will not go to traditional therapy or will not go to traditional therapy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• or manufacture stem cells shall be obligated by this act to provide stem cell therapy or stem cells,
• or manufacture stem cells shall be obligated by this act to provide stem cell therapy or stem cells,
• stem cell therapy pursuant to this<00:50:29.119> act.
• <00:51:05.280> or this act to perform stem cell therapy or this act to perform stem cell therapy
• Right now, this therapy is taking place all over the world, just not in America.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On average, we're the therapy network.
• And in therapy within two to four weeks.
• continue to provide free trauma therapy continue to provide free trauma therapy to<01:22:27.440>
• It's EMDR, cognitive behavioral therapy, and prolonged exposure therapy.
• Um unfortunately for therapy at the VA.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And uses employment as part of their recovery and therapy.
• But these centers provide an opportunity for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and aquatic therapy
• , occupational therapy, exercise therapy, vocational services, and other supports.
• Following the evaluations, the therapy team collaborates to develop an individualized PT-OT therapy plan
• We have an exercise therapy team.

Keywords: 977, all

Summary: The committee met to receive a detailed financial operations presentation from the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, with staff walking members through funding sources, budgeting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and grants management. Sabrina Walker explained VR’s blended funding structure, including federal grants, state appropriations, program income, and interagency contracts, and emphasized that state funds are essential to meeting the federal match and maintenance-of-effort requirements. Members asked repeatedly about transparency, audit controls, and the risk that state cuts could reduce federal drawdowns; staff responded that all reports reconcile back to the SCEIS accounting system, are subject to state audits and internal reviews, and that even modest state reductions could significantly reduce total available funding. The committee also discussed pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities, with staff confirming services are offered through school districts, charters, and private schools, and that contracts are monitored for performance and compliance. The presentation then shifted to budgeting and internal controls. Walker described a zero-based departmental budgeting process, monthly monitoring reports, contingency reserves for unexpected expenses, and a formal annual cycle that culminates in board approval. Members asked about facilities tracking, culture, and how the agency maintains accountability; staff said facilities staff inspect buildings and equipment, supervisors justify line-item requests, and the process has become smoother over time as departments learned the system. Cynthia Johnson followed with an accounts receivable overview, describing invoicing, receipting, aging, customer verification, year-end reporting, and the use of cross-training, shared email inboxes, and spreadsheets as checks and balances. She also explained work training center billing, interdepartmental transfers, and the revolving fund used to issue consumer checks more quickly than standard vendor payments. Olivia Perez presented accounts payable operations, including invoice processing through SCEIS and OnBase, the three-way match, travel reimbursements, revolving fund checks, State Treasury Office interactions, and handling of reversals, rejections, and levy notices. She reported that AP processed 67,723 SCEIS payments, 13,670 case management system invoices, 3,379 travel reimbursements, and 15,693 revolving fund checks in fiscal year 2025, with only 70 payment rejections. The final portion of the meeting covered Grants and Funds Management, where Walker explained federal reporting, drawdowns, payroll allocation, asset tracking, lease and IT contract reviews, cost allocation, and closing packages. She noted upcoming system changes such as S/4HANA, Workiva, and SC Pro, but said the agency is receiving training and feedback opportunities. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the presentation portion beyond approval of the prior minutes and a brief recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• of prior authorization or step therapy of prior authorization or step therapy to<00:05:00.160>
• . therapy. therapy.
• Their first-line therapy was contraindicated.
• Chairman. step therapy for a prescription, step therapy for a prescription, they<00:08:31.840> should
• therapy was Their first-line therapy was contraindicated.<00:09:10.200> If<00:09:10.400> my

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee opened its sixth and final interim meeting with roll call, quorum confirmation, approval of the prior minutes, and a brief change in agenda order to preserve quorum and accommodate presenters’ schedules. Members then moved through several proposed health-related items with limited discussion, and the chair noted the committee would reconvene in January for further conversation. The first substantive item was a proposal relating to utilization controls for non-opioid analgesics in Medicaid. Senator Gerald Neal and Tara Hyde of People Advocating Recovery argued that pain parity is needed so patients can access non-opioid options without prior authorization or step therapy barriers, especially in acute pain situations and for people in recovery. Senator Berg supported the concept and suggested expanding the approach to other prescriptions by allowing physicians to explain why step therapy is inappropriate at the time of prescribing; another member cautioned against unintended cost increases if non-opioid drugs are used as add-ons to opioids. The committee then heard a proposal on physician assistants from Senator Scott and Andrew Rutherford of the Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants. They described a shift from a supervisory to a collaborative practice model, with practice scope set at the practice level, limited Schedule II prescribing authority under guardrails, and permission for PAs to perform driver’s license vision testing. Supporters said the changes would improve rural access, reduce administrative burden, and align Kentucky with neighboring states; a question from Representative Bratcher focused on experience requirements and how the proposal compares with nurse practitioner rules. No vote was taken. Finally, Representative Nancy Tate, Adia Wuchner, and Representative Jason Nemes introduced a 2026 proposal aimed at “protecting vulnerable people.” They described a broad package focused on abortion pill trafficking, marketing to minors, commercial surrogacy, assisted suicide, and organ procurement safeguards, arguing that current law leaves gaps and that additional criminal and civil penalties are needed. The presentation was informational only, with no action taken before the meeting ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• First up, uh we're going to hear about um how artificial intelligence can be used in the therapy space
• Again, AI is not a licensed therapy.
• I'm just not sure on the mental health side or therapy side.
• Uh, and if you're a minor, that means that if it's a therapy tool, uh, if it's being marketed as a therapy
• > or being marketed as a therapy tool or being marketed as a therapy tool or being<00:31:01.360

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then heard testimony on the use of artificial intelligence in therapy and mental health settings. Representative Lisa Willner and Brenda Rosen of NASW Kentucky argued for “guard rails” on AI chatbots so they cannot present themselves as licensed therapists or replace school counselors, psychologists, or social workers. They said AI can support licensed professionals, but warned that chatbots cannot reliably recognize nonverbal cues, escalate crises, or provide accountable care, and they cited examples of harmful chatbot interactions, including a suicide case and a chatbot telling a user to “Please die.” The witnesses also raised concerns about data privacy, commercialization of sensitive mental health conversations, and the use of personal clinical content to train AI models. They said minors should require parental consent and suggested transparency about how a chatbot is trained and who created it. They distinguished between unvetted consumer chatbots and AI tools that have been scientifically validated or approved as digital therapeutics, noting that some evidence-based tools may be useful for specific conditions such as depression, anxiety, or eating disorders. Committee members asked whether regulation should be handled by the legislature or by professional boards, and whether a multi-state model would be preferable to 50 different state approaches. The witnesses generally favored expert-led standards and said a board or panel of experts could review and approve mental health chatbots, but members cautioned that boards can become too restrictive and that legislation should preserve flexibility and avoid discouraging children from seeking help. The discussion ended with a request for the witnesses to restate their proposed policy ideas, including privacy protections, bans on commercialization, limits on training AI with clinical content, transparency requirements, and informed consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:47:24.720> pre-authorization physical therapy pre-authorization physical therapy pre-authorization
• <00:47:33.400> last changes in the physical therapy last changes in the physical therapy last
• Treatments uh with of gene therapies.
• <01:08:22.120> work this type of cell and gene therapy work this type of cell and gene therapy
• It's that simple for some of these gene therapies.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If we can cut out those delays like we had and just introduce medicines, therapies, and treatments earlier
• There's 40 therapies that are currently in development by 25 different companies, and there's... 30 therapies
• Many of those are gene therapies, and what's unique about gene therapies is, unlike other treatments,
• , and adding Duchenne muscular dystrophy... ...with a gene therapy, they need to be treated before they're
• what we were treating and how to best treat it and how to best provide those early intervention therapies

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee met and took up four bills. First, CS/HB 633 by Rep. Koster on managing entity reporting and transparency for behavioral health services was amended to clarify reporting requirements and timing, and to address the bill’s fiscal implementation through conferencing. Members and one public speaker supported the measure, emphasizing accountability and better use of state funds. The bill was reported favorably. Next, CS/HB 531 by Rep. Hunschofsky on background screenings was amended with a strike-all that would require ACCA to create a public webpage with screening education, level-two screening standards, and a searchable catalog of positions requiring screening. Because the amendment changed the bill’s relating-to clause, the chair noted it would be temporarily postponed under House Rule 7.11D and returned to the committee later. The committee then heard HB 1089 by Rep. Booth, which adds Duchenne muscular dystrophy to the recommended newborn screening panel, subject to appropriation. A parent testified in strong support, describing the benefits of earlier diagnosis and treatment, and several members spoke in favor. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, CS/HB 907 by Rep. Anderson created the Sunshine Genetics Program, an opt-in newborn whole-genome sequencing program, and established the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU and a Sunshine Genetics Consortium. An amendment made funding contingent on appropriations and added Nicholas Children’s Hospital and Florida International University to the consortium board. After supportive testimony and debate, the bill was also reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• behavioral therapy is a psychological<04:15:48.479> therapy<04:15:49.000> which<04:15:
• 49.359> really psychological therapy which really psychological therapy which really should<04
• behavioral therapy.
• <05:20:53.200> and<05:20:53.400> occupational<05:20:54.040> therapy therapy and
• occupational therapy therapy and occupational therapy chiropractic<05:20:55.600> care<05:20:55.760

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 167, which would add ski, snowboard, and boat wax containing PFAS to the state’s consumer-product restrictions. The sponsor argued the product is already banned in many places, has PFAS-free alternatives, and is used in ways that can directly contaminate water rather than landfills. She cited high PFAS levels in several New Hampshire lakes and said the bill was a simple extension of prior PFAS legislation. A witness also described a personal experience where a liquid ski wax disappeared from the market and later returned, likely because of PFAS concerns. The chair then closed the hearing on HB 167 without a vote. The committee then opened a hearing on House Bill 312, dealing with college athletes’ name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. Representative Moffett said the bill was modeled on New Jersey law and intended to let student-athletes earn compensation from NIL without losing institutional scholarships, while also requiring licensed representation and setting limits on certain endorsements. He described the measure as proactive because NIL rules are evolving and could create conflicts among schools and future lawsuits. Members questioned whether the bill should apply to two-year institutions, whether it should exclude firearms and weapons, and whether the scholarship protections would cover need-based or academic aid as well as athletic scholarships. Moffett said the scholarship language was intended to protect scholarships generally, but not need-based aid specifically, and he acknowledged discomfort with some of the endorsement restrictions. Public testimony on HB 312 was mixed. One supporter, a former Division III athlete and coach, backed the bill but urged removal of a section allowing institutions or athletic bodies to use an athlete’s NIL without compensation, arguing most New Hampshire athletes do not receive NIL money and should not have to work extra jobs to cover basic expenses. The chair also raised concerns about the bill’s contractual and identity-rights implications, referencing prior committee work on a J.D. Salinger-related identity case and noting the committee had previously declined to get involved in similar contractual disputes. No vote was taken during the hearing.