Video & Transcript Research : 'interstate licensing'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Electronic driver's licenses 3/9/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- >
faces The licensed beverage industry faces The licensed beverage industry faces inherent<00: - As I understand, license, is this already being done to license, is this already being done to for<00
- picture ID or a license? picture ID or a license? Chair<00:27:16.560>
Tapkey. - If we are out giving driver's licenses, electronic driver's licenses, but I would argue all, okay, to
- This is not a bill for licenses.
Summary:
The committee took up House File 1335, a bill to authorize Minnesota digital/mobile driver’s licenses and related electronic credentialing. Chair Tapkey moved the bill as amended to Ways and Means, and the committee adopted the A2 author’s amendment changing the effective date. Tapkey described the bill as a modernization measure modeled on other states, intended to add convenience and security for ID checks at bars, restaurants, airports, hotels, and car rentals, while keeping physical IDs in place. Chair Kosnick objected that the bill’s subject matter should be heard in other committees, especially Commerce, Public Safety, and Judiciary, citing privacy and law-enforcement concerns, but the hearing continued.
Several testifiers supported the broader move toward digital credentials and e-titling. Brian McDaniel of the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association said the hospitality industry supports tools that make it harder for minors to access alcohol, while noting privacy concerns and wanting a role in developing the system. Amanda Doerr of the Minnesota Automobile Dealers Association supported the A3 amendment as an incremental step toward electronic titles and electronic signatures, saying Minnesota is behind other states and that the transition should be gradual. Jim Hurst of the Minnesota Deputy Registrars Association said deputies support moving toward e-titling but raised concerns about liability for fraudulent electronic documents and strongly opposed the A4 revenue-sharing amendment, warning it could put deputy registrars out of business. Sam Krieger, representing private deputy registrars, said the A4 amendment could exclude private deputies and close about half the offices in the state.
Chair Tapkey said the A3 and A4 amendments were intended to improve customer service, digital access, and future title transfers, but after hearing objections, both amendments were withdrawn. The committee then considered the A5 amendment offered by Rep. Anderson, which would bar electronic driver’s licenses for people not lawfully present in the United States. Anderson argued it would prevent issuing credentials to people in the country illegally, including suspected terrorists. Opponents, including Rep. Kegel and Rep. Lucero Nicolai, argued it would create unequal treatment and could wrongly affect refugees or asylum seekers. DVS Director Pong Xiong testified that current applications do not include NCIC checks and that standard credentials are validated through document review rather than broader database screening. The transcript ends amid continued debate over the A5 amendment and related privacy and eligibility questions.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (01/21/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- licensed by OPLC. licensed by OPLC.
- I'd like to see your license, please. >> Mhm. Uh, your masseuse license.
- that you have licensed right now? that you have licensed right now?
- or have copies of someone else's licenses. license, we'll find out that they're license, we'll find
- licensed therapist. licensed therapist.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations (2-25-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- spouses that have real estate licenses spouses that have real estate licenses and<00:18:22.600><
- <00:21:11.559>
in <00:21:11.720>another license if you have a license in another license - in both States they'll get an licenses in both States they'll get an Ohio<00:23:52.480>
license - just happen to get their Ohio license just happen to get their Ohio license first<00:23:57.360><
for <00:26:00.840>that Virginia or a Florida license for that Virginia or a Florida license
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met with a quorum and first heard Senate Bill 20, sponsored by Senator Matt Nunn, which would bar state agencies from adopting administrative regulations with implementation and compliance costs above $500,000 over a two-year period unless an exception applies. Nunn said the bill is intended to increase legislative oversight, reduce burdensome regulation, and preserve agency authority for routine rules, with exceptions for emergency actions, loss of federal funds, express legislative authorization, and health facility/service matters. Senators asked about the definition of “major economic impact,” whether broader societal costs were considered, and how the legislature could respond quickly to year-round agency rulemaking; Nunn said the bill is meant to force those larger policy choices into the legislative process. Several members voiced concern that the threshold was too low and could tie agencies’ hands, while others supported the bill as a check on regulation. The committee voted to report SB 20 favorably, with some members voting no or passing.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 127, sponsored by Senator Shelley Frommeyer, concerning real estate license reciprocity. Frommeyer and representatives from Perry Real Estate College explained that the bill would codify Kentucky’s current education and licensing standards for out-of-state real estate licensees, rather than relying on bilateral agreements that can be terminated by other states. They said the measure was prompted by the end of reciprocal agreements with states such as Ohio and West Virginia, which left students and licensees uncertain, and argued that codifying the standards would provide stability, help military spouses, and support Kentucky’s real estate industry. Senators questioned whether a compact would be better, whether the bill would disadvantage Kentucky licensees seeking to practice elsewhere, and whether it would weaken Kentucky’s leverage in future negotiations. Supporters said the bill only fixes Kentucky’s side of the process and could encourage other states to adopt similar standards; opponents worried it was unilateral and might not produce reciprocity from other states. The committee ultimately reported SB 127 favorably, with several members explaining yes, no, or pass votes, and then adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration Apr 1st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- licensing fees.
- much since the license.
- Over 7,100 cultivation licenses have vanished, 60% of manufacturing licenses.
- Nearly 21% of cannabis storefronts have abandoned their licenses, leaving just 1,200 licensed shops,
- There are 430 available licenses.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/5/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Child Care Center child care licensing Child Care Center licensing<00:17:49.080>
Child <00:17: - and private child placing licensing and private child placing agency<00:17:56.440>
licensing < - 5,800 licensed providers.
- licensing reform?
- c> hinders license licensing supports not hinders license licensing supports not hinders highquality
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Executive Departments and Administration (03/26/2025)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- licensed um a licensed professional. licensed um a licensed professional.
- license does not exist anywhere else. license does not exist anywhere else.
- So, they're licensed as an LNA. These trainees would not be licensed.
- So, they're licensed as an LNA. These trainees would not be licensed.
- just to pass that license.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Executive Departments and Administration (03/18/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- licensed drillers and New Hampshire licensed pump installers for water supply wells.
- licensed drillers and New Hampshire licensed pump installers for water supply wells.
- a license is established in their rules. a license is established in their rules.
- a specific group of licenses here? a specific group of licenses here?
- license, and there's not a license for radon either.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a license in order to have your license honored is you would have to take a test of some sort
- Well, these licenses aren't just something that you work at plumbing, you get a license.
- This is a license in order to have your license honored is you would have to take a test of some sort
- In line 12, the license holders shall still get a business license and the other political subdivision
- Louis County license. I believe there's a cost to...
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (01/14/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- , their own licenses.
- /c> the the popup license uh is a license the the popup license uh is a license that<00:17:02.399>
- licenses Only The other manufacturing licenses Only The Brew<00:17:22.319>
Pub <00:17:23.319>< - <01:30:25.119>
it license on the face of the license it license on the face of the license - license they have a different license license they have a different license they<04:54:50.200>
Summary:
The committee opened with House Bill 242, a liquor bill concerning brew pub licenses. Testimony from the New Hampshire Beer Distributors Association, the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association, and the Liquor Commission explained that the bill is intended to correct a clerical error from the prior session and restore the agreed-upon language. The bill would allow a brew pub, within the existing 2,500-barrel limit, to self-distribute its own product to one authorized on- or off-premise license; otherwise it must use wholesale distribution. Witnesses said the measure is a narrow fix specific to brew pubs and does not affect other manufacturing licenses. No opposition was raised during the hearing, and the chair closed the hearing after no committee questions remained.
The committee then heard House Bill 81, which would allow patrons to take purchased alcoholic beverages into restaurant restrooms. The sponsor argued the current prohibition is outdated and can create safety risks by forcing people to set drinks down, citing concerns about drink tampering and a personal story about a friend who was drugged and assaulted after leaving a drink unattended. Committee members and the sponsor discussed whether the bill would increase liability for restaurants, how enforcement would work, and whether the current law is aimed at preventing underage handoffs or drink spiking. The sponsor said the bill would be permissive for establishments, not mandatory, and that liability would still depend on overservice and Liquor Commission investigations. The New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association testified in opposition, saying the bill could raise liability and create concerns about underage consumption in bathrooms. The hearing ended without a vote, with the chair noting the bill would move on to further committee/subcommittee consideration.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Budget Review Sub. on Economic Development, Pub. Protection, Tourism, and Energy (2-3-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- licenses and certifications. licenses and certifications.
- majority of our licenses. majority of our licenses.
- Uh, journeyman plumbing license costs $60 annually. Master plumbing license costs $250 annually.
- plumbing contractor license. $60. plumbing contractor license. $60.
- license, a journeyman plumbing license license, a journeyman plumbing license to<00:04:42.600>
Keywords:
00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call
01:32 Approval of Minutes
01:46 Public Protection Cabinet
19:05 Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet
33:14 Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The Budget Subcommittee met without a quorum at first, then approved the minutes once a quorum was reached. The first presentation was from the Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction within the Public Protection Cabinet. Commissioner Max Fuller and Deputy Commissioner David Moore reviewed the department’s licensing structure, noting about 50 license types and roughly 42,000 active licenses, with most tied to plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work. They compared Kentucky’s fees and requirements with neighboring states and said Kentucky is generally in line or slightly below surrounding states when local and contractor licensing requirements elsewhere are considered.
The department also described staffing and inspection pressures. Officials said boiler inspections have a measurable backlog, with about 18% of state-jurisdiction boilers and pressure vessels past due statewide and a higher percentage in Jefferson County. They said building code plan review turnaround has risen from about 30 days to roughly 33–35 days, and that some areas are struggling to maintain same-day plumbing inspections and three-day HVAC inspections. Members asked whether the agency could handle increased housing construction, especially in rural areas; the department said it had requested additional plumbing staff and a plan reviewer, particularly for the Bowling Green/Warren County area, and noted that electrical inspectors are stretched across the state and are also pulled into disaster response work.
The committee then heard from Kentucky Venues and the Kentucky State Fair Board on the Kentucky Exposition Center renovation and related operations. David Beck, board chairman David Williams, CFO Tony Shrek, and others said the project is progressing ahead of schedule, with keys to the new building expected in December and the facility already booked for future events. They reported strong tourism and economic impact, including record activity at the Exposition Center and downtown convention center, and said the Farm Machinery Show and other events continue to drive demand. Members asked about budget status, and the presenters said inflation, delayed access to funds due to the RFP/design process, and added costs have left them short of money to finish all planned work. They identified phase three funding needs, including food and beverage service improvements and completion of Freedom Hall seating, and said they are considering bringing food and beverage operations back under their control to improve efficiency and revenue. The meeting ended with no formal votes on the presentations and an announcement that the committee would meet again the following Tuesday.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Feb 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Driver's licenses who are registered voters.
- a Wisconsin driver's license when I was a student in Wisconsin, and I had a Florida driver's license,
- within 30 days if you had a Georgia driver's license.
- within 30 days if you had a Georgia driver's license.
- have driver's licenses.
Summary:
The committee first took up CS for SB 1342, a transit-oriented development bill intended to expand housing near fixed transit corridors. The sponsor said the measure builds on the Live Local Act by reducing regulatory barriers and encouraging private investment around transit investments. An amendment was adopted that narrowed definitions, limited the bill to land use and development regulations, removed a private cause of action, and exempted certain sensitive areas including military installations and environmentally sensitive lands. Supporters argued the bill would increase housing supply and maximize the return on state transit spending, while local government groups and other opponents warned it would preempt local zoning, impose uniform density rules, and create infrastructure, evacuation, and public input concerns. The bill was then reported favorably.
The committee then considered CS for SB 1334, an elections bill that would require documentary proof of citizenship in certain voter registration and verification processes, update candidate qualification rules, require U.S. citizen markers on driver licenses and ID cards, and clarify that paper ballots are the primary voting method. Two technical amendments were adopted. The sponsor said the bill would streamline verification by allowing agencies to rely on Real ID and DHSMV records, reduce duplicate documentation, and improve communication between state systems. Senators questioned the fiscal impact, data-sharing procedures, storage of sensitive documents, effects on students, disabled voters, and people without driver licenses or Real IDs. A large number of public speakers opposed the bill, arguing it would burden eligible voters, especially students, seniors, disabled people, low-income residents, naturalized citizens, and people with name changes, while a smaller number supported it as an election integrity measure. The bill was ultimately not finished in the portion of the transcript provided, but the committee continued taking testimony and questions.
Later, the committee took up CS for SB 1362 on advanced air mobility. A strike-all amendment was adopted to align the bill with the House version and authorize FDOT to fund vertiports and charging systems as part of public-private partnerships, including up to 80% of the non-federal share when federal funds are available and up to 100% if FDOT elects to do so. The sponsor framed the bill as helping Florida lead in advanced air mobility, and the measure was reported favorably with support from industry and local government representatives.
Finally, the committee heard SB 174, which would designate a portion of State Road 985 in Miami-Dade County as Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue and direct FDOT to install markers at an estimated cost of $2,400. The sponsor said the designation was tied to Turning Point USA activity at FIU and civic engagement. Several senators objected in debate, arguing Kirk was divisive and that the state should reserve road memorials for figures more broadly deserving of honor; others defended the designation as symbolic and non-regulatory. The transcript ends during the sponsor’s closing remarks, before a final vote is shown.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House commerce committee walk-through of omnibus cannabis bill, HF1615 4/2/25
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:03:10.959>
licensing line up with the licensing licensing line up with the licensing licensing - <00:03:36.080>
and cannabis business licensing and cannabis business licensing and operations - , but encourage reconsideration of the $10,000 license and renewal fee for that license type, which is
- >
$10,000 <00:12:47.839>license reconsideration of the $10,000 license reconsideration - for that license and renewal fee uh for that license type,<00:12:51.040>
which <00:12:51.279><
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 03/04/26
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- the reciprocal licensing process. the reciprocal licensing process.
- and go get a license.
- exemption and a licensing exemption. exemption and a licensing exemption.
- any change to the licensing exemption. any change to the licensing exemption.
- professional licensing bills now. professional licensing bills now.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 2/18/26
Children and Families Finance and Policy
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Mar 11th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- licenses in West Virginia must be recognized abroad.
- licenses in West Virginia must be recognized abroad.
- And so this is the first step of that, of us recognizing their driver's license here?
- to WVU or drive to Morgantown and see that beautiful area on their driver's license.
- I'd like to have a West Virginia driver's license, and they'd be able to do it.
Summary:
The Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee met, approved the March 9, 2026 minutes, and then took up the engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4577 relating to driver's licenses. Counsel explained that the bill would authorize the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to enter reciprocal agreements with Ireland and Japan to recognize each other’s driver’s licenses, provided the foreign licensing standards are at least as stringent as West Virginia’s. The bill also requires drivers using recognized foreign licenses to carry insurance and comply with state financial responsibility laws, clarifies that foreign license holders are not eligible to register to vote through the DMV, and allows the commissioner to set related fees and adopt rules. A strike-and-insert amendment and a title amendment were adopted.
The committee heard from DMV counsel Adam Hawley and the bill’s House sponsor, Delegate Mike Hornby. Hawley said the measure would allow citizens of the listed countries to avoid retaking written and skills tests when transferring licenses, and noted West Virginia already has similar arrangements with Taiwan, South Korea, and Germany. Hornby said the bill was intended to support economic development and trade ties, especially with Ireland, where American workers and companies face licensing hurdles; he said Ireland had requested state-level reciprocity and that Japan was added because of West Virginia’s existing trade relationship there. Several senators expressed support, describing the bill as a symbolic and practical step toward foreign investment and job creation.
After discussion, the committee voted to report the engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4577, as amended, with a recommendation that it do pass. The title amendment was then adopted, and the committee adjourned.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations (3-27-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- They are licensed.
- this uh another one is adding licensing this uh another one is adding licensing for<00:03:06.280
- :07.959>
therapist for ptas we license physical therapist for ptas we license physical therapist - <00:04:48.280>
they're this individual is not licensed they're this individual is not licensed - permit or provisional license temporary permit or provisional license it<00:04:57.680>
operates
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met on March 27, 2025, with a quorum present and first took up House Bill 255, relating to physical therapy. The bill sponsor and representatives of the Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy and APTA Kentucky said the measure is mainly a cleanup and modernization bill that updates outdated statutory language, changes PTAs from “certified” to “licensed,” gives the board authority to purchase liability insurance, moves fee and fine caps into regulation without changing current fees, renames temporary permits as provisional licenses, and creates a pathway to more easily recognize some internationally trained physical therapists already practicing in other states. Senators asked whether the bill changed training, scope of practice, Medicaid, or supervised practice standards; witnesses said it did not, and that supervised practice requirements remain in place with out-of-state practice accepted only when equivalent or more stringent. The committee approved HB 255 with favorable expression.
The committee then considered House Bill 618, an alcoholic beverages measure with a Senate committee substitute. The bill was described as having three parts: allowing restaurants to buy limited quantities of alcohol from retail outlets to meet customer demand while keeping the three-tier system intact and requiring quarterly reporting; creating a temporary auctioneer license to auction previously retail-sold alcohol in original packaging, such as estate or bourbon collections; and giving quota bar license holders the same opportunity restaurants already have to sell barrel picks by the bottle. Testimony supported the bill as a way to help restaurants, auctioneers, and bars, while a senator raised a question about sales tax on auction sales and another noted that nonprofit or church-related alcohol auctions already require permits under existing law. One senator suggested future guardrails to encourage local purchasing, but no amendment was adopted. The committee passed HB 618 with favorable expression.
MO
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division II (02/19/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- You didn't get the license; it's a residency thing. I get it, and it's a driver license thing.
- You didn't get the license; it's a residency thing. I get it, and it's a driver license thing.
- You didn't get the license; it's a residency thing. I get it, and it's a driver license thing.
- You didn't get the license; it's a residency thing. I get it, and it's a driver license thing.
- You didn't get the license; it's a residency thing. I get it, and it's a driver license thing.
Summary:
The committee first took up HB 129, which would redefine “evidence-based” in public education. The Department of Education testified that the bill’s definition would conflict with federal definitions and be very restrictive, potentially affecting a wide range of instructional methods, curriculum materials, teacher training, civics requirements, suicide prevention training, and other programs. The department said the bill could force a broad overhaul of school practices, create local implementation burdens, and require at least one new state position, with a fiscal note estimating roughly $118,000 in FY 2026 rising in later years. Members also raised concerns about possible impacts on federal pass-through funding and whether the bill was workable. Representative Papovich moved to retain HB 129, and the motion passed 7-0.
The committee then heard HB 133, a Department of Safety/DMV bill involving follow-up when a person votes using an out-of-state license or non-driver ID and then does not obtain a New Hampshire credential within the statutory timeframe. DMV officials said the bill would require a $40,000 technology upgrade plus a new full-time position, and that the fiscal note did not include postage or fully account for the manual work needed to match records, send notices, and review responses. They said the proposal also raised broader tracking issues because it would apply not only to voters but to anyone who had not obtained a New Hampshire license within 60 days, and they questioned whether DMV was the proper agency to make those inquiries.
Committee members pressed the department on how the 60-day clock would be determined, whether the bill could amount to a kind of poll tax or raise privacy concerns, and whether voter ID cards or other exceptions would avoid that problem. The department explained that New Hampshire offers a free voter identification card through town clerks for people without a license or state ID, but said the bill did not exempt those cards and that the DMV would still be asked to investigate status after voting. Officials also said the bill would be difficult to enforce, that some cases would be ambiguous, and that any response from the DMV would likely amount to a request for information rather than an enforceable consequence. No vote on HB 133 was taken in the portion provided.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Commerce May 11th, 2026
Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- The licensing board has more resources.
- "So there's a separate license from the cosmetology license?
- As she specifically said, the blow-drying license, because it actually is a license, because it actually
- is a license. ...said, the blow-drying license, because it actually is a license with a lot of hours
- I'm a licensed cosmetologist. I'm a licensed cosmetology instructor and a salon owner.
Summary:
The House Committee on Commerce met on May 11, 2026, with a quorum present and took up a series of Senate bills, a resolution, and one House bill. The committee reported favorably Senate Bill 79 to recreate Louisiana Economic Development, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5 to establish the Louisiana-Ireland Trade Commission, Senate Bill 375 on firefighting foam with amendments clarifying use in declared emergencies, Senate Bill 398 moving manufactured and modular housing oversight under the Contractors Licensing Board with technical and substantive amendments, Senate Bill 163 on virtual currency business licensing with an amendment providing for federal preemption if Congress enacts a national licensing regime, and Senate Bill 287 on virtual currency kiosks with consumer-protection provisions and technical amendments. The committee also reported favorably House Resolution 197, as amended, urging the Public Service Commission to study distributed energy generation and storage resources with LSU involvement, and Senate Bill 54, which would allow estheticians to blow-dry hair after certain services; that bill drew extensive testimony from supporters and opponents in the cosmetology and aesthetics industries before being reported favorably.
Several bills prompted detailed discussion and testimony. On Senate Bill 398, the sponsor and Contractors Licensing Board representatives said the change would improve enforcement and consumer safety for manufactured-home installation, especially tie-downs, leveling, and foundation blocking, while not affecting HUD-regulated construction. On the virtual currency bills, OFI said it currently licenses 37 virtual currency businesses with 33 pending applications, and supporters described the kiosk bill as a response to fraud complaints by requiring clearer disclosures, refund procedures, live customer support, and reporting to OFI. For House Resolution 197, the sponsor, PSC officials, and energy stakeholders said the study would examine the value of distributed energy resources, including rooftop solar and battery storage, in light of rising demand and grid reliability concerns; PSC staff and LSU energy experts described the study as focused on market value and avoided-cost benefits.
House Bill 744, which would have shifted regulation of certain New Orleans utilities from the city council to the PSC, generated discussion about constitutional history, rate impacts, and utility consolidation. PSC officials and the sponsor said the current city-council regulation is a constitutional exception dating back to 1921, and they argued that PSC regulation could reduce costs and simplify oversight, but the sponsor ultimately moved to defer the bill rather than force a floor fight, and the committee agreed. The committee then began consideration of Senate Bill 386, the Louisiana Data Privacy Act, adopting technical amendments and then a larger amendment package that revised definitions and compliance provisions; the transcript ends while that bill’s amendment process is still underway, with no final action shown in the excerpt.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor (1-22-26)
Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor
Transcript Highlights:
- I had a commercial fishing license in 1982.
- <00:04:40.479>
in had a commercial fishing license in had a commercial fishing license in - Number one, this bill does not address fishing licenses.
- <00:20:48.960>
part was willing to give up the license part was willing to give up the license - <00:25:19.760>
to they have to have a fishing license to they have to have a fishing license
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor met with a quorum and first heard a brief presentation from Vice Chair Frommeyer on a resolution recognizing January as Kentucky Mentoring Month. She highlighted mentoring as important for personal, academic, and professional development and cited partnerships such as Northern Kentucky University’s Norse Network Hub and local community mentoring efforts.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 39, sponsored by Senator Gary Boswell, which would treat fish in private lakes and ponds as the property of the landowner and allow landowners to extend fishing rights by written or electronic permission. Boswell and supporter Jason Kenner argued the bill would strengthen property rights, reduce burdensome regulation, support selective harvest and stocking decisions, and could boost tourism, local economies, and aquaculture. Kenner also described bass fishing’s economic impact, youth fishing growth, and examples of tournaments and habitat projects in Kentucky. Boswell said the bill does not change fishing license requirements and does not alter invasive species rules except to clarify that largemouth bass, including F1 Florida bass, are not invasive.
Commissioner Rich Storm and other members raised concerns that the bill’s language could affect the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s fee-based funding, federal grant eligibility, enforcement authority, and creel-limit cases, especially if written permission on private waters were interpreted broadly. Senator Webb said she supported the idea of bass stocking but wanted more guardrails and a pilot approach. Senator Howell asked whether Boswell would consider further work on the language, but Boswell declined to accept a committee substitute or amendment at that time. The committee then voted 8-1 with one pass to report the bill favorably, and the chair announced the bill would be reported with favorable expression that it should pass.