Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:18.759> of and I saw the professionalism of and I saw the professionalism of teachers
• so a teacher must be professionals so a teacher must be professional<01:56:14.040> towards<01
• :56:14.520> people<01:56:14.760> you're professional towards people you're professional
• So now we’re talking about the professionals, you working with your professionals, your professional
• your Professional Professional Professional Organization<01:58:07.040> of<01:58:07.400> students

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 362, which would give the Department of Education rulemaking authority over educator licensing and testing requirements, including professional education assessments. Representative Ladd argued the bill is meant to preserve New Hampshire’s higher standards for teacher preparation and to avoid lowering requirements for licensed educators, while also allowing flexibility for career and technical education (CTE) instructors who may have strong industry experience but not traditional classroom credentials. Members discussed whether the bill should preserve industry-recognized credentials and basic academic skills testing while exempting CTE teachers from content exams; DOE Director Steven Appy said an amendment would clarify that the bill applies to initial licenses, exempt CTE teachers from the content-testing requirement, and keep current administrative practice on basic skills and industry credentials in statute. The committee also noted that an executive session would be scheduled later, likely the following week, to act on the bills and amendment. The committee then took up House Bill 90, dealing with the definition of part-time teachers. Representative Ladd explained that the bill is intended to let university and community college faculty teach limited hours in high school concurrent enrollment settings, especially in subjects like math and STEM where some schools cannot find locally certified teachers with a master’s degree. He said the measure is designed to expand student access to college-level courses, not to replace fully certified teachers or reduce standards, and emphasized that the bill is limited to faculty employed or contracted by the University System of New Hampshire or the Community College System of New Hampshire, with criminal background checks and ethics/conduct rules still applying. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the discussion ended with the understanding that further action would come in executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• organizational structure and accountability of the certification pathways for advancement and professional
• Technical Assistance Centers, which were authorized in 2023 to support professional learning for 520
• Also, the centers will create professional development opportunities in Indigenous pedagogy.
• This structure allows traditional language holders to maintain sovereign control over how professional
• You've been a wonderful addition and always pleasant, very professional.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Powerful AI capabilities can enable them to convincingly mimic a health professional.
• California law establishes strict standards for licensing and certification of health professionals.
• AB 489 will draw a bright line and say an AI system cannot represent itself as a health professional,
• As a result, patients trust highly trained physicians and other licensed health care professionals for
• And target our hardworking professionals.

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee held its first regular bill hearing of 2025 and considered a wide range of measures on health care access, professional regulation, animal welfare, and consumer protection. Early in the hearing, the committee adopted its rules and then approved a consent calendar of several bills, including measures by Chen, Caloza, Carrillo, Arreguín, Berman, and Flora. The committee also took up AB 1082, which would allow California nursing students enrolled in out-of-state programs to complete clinical training in California; supporters said it would help address the nursing shortage and keep students closer to home, while opponents warned it could worsen already limited clinical placement capacity and reduce oversight. The bill passed on a do pass recommendation to Appropriations after a quorum was established. The committee then heard and advanced several health-related bills. AB 50, by Assembly Member Bonta, would ease Medi-Cal access to over-the-counter hormonal contraception by removing the need for a prescription for coverage purposes; pharmacists, reproductive health advocates, and medical groups supported the bill, and it passed unanimously to the Committee on Health. AB 489, also by Bonta, would prohibit AI systems from misrepresenting themselves as licensed health professionals; supporters from medical, psychiatric, behavioral health, and other professional groups said the bill would protect patients from misleading chatbot advice, and it passed to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 481, by Assembly Member Rubio, would expand the tasks that federally qualified lab personnel can perform under CLIA supervision to help address lab staffing shortages; labor groups raised concerns about training, certification, and supervision, but the bill passed to Appropriations with an amended do pass recommendation. The committee also considered animal welfare and access-to-care measures. AB 631, by Assembly Member Lee, would require animal shelters to post intake and outcome data online; supporters said the reporting would improve policy and resource allocation, while members discussed how the requirement would work for shelters without websites, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 867, also by Lee, would prohibit cat declawing except when medically necessary for the animal; animal welfare groups strongly supported the bill, while the veterinary association opposed it as an improper legislative regulation of veterinary surgery, and the bill passed to Appropriations. Finally, AB 1307 would create a pilot program allowing a limited number of qualified dentists trained in Mexico to practice in underserved California areas; supporters framed it as a cost-neutral way to address major dental access gaps, the California Dental Association remained opposed unless amended, and the bill passed to Appropriations. Several members later added their votes on the various items after the hearing, and the committee kept the hearing open briefly to allow additional add-ons.

Transcript Highlights:

• We distribute directly to undergrad students, graduate students and then professional students.
• Excuse me, professional in other services make up around 4% of our budget.
• So phd's and other professional master's programs is operated lower student-faculty ratios with higher
• I just kind of ask for your general input when we're talking about professional schools.
• I think the same could be said for professional schools as well.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to remove obstacles and ensure that we can compensate these professionals for the valuable experience
• executive director of the Career and Technical Association of Texas, representing over 1200 CTE professionals
• This bill directly supports attracting highly skilled professionals from industry into the classroom.
• AG teachers in Texas, of which over 37% are alternatively certified or come in with other, uh, professional
• This will hopefully allow districts to encourage those professionals in their communities to bring their

Transcript Highlights:

• The skill professionals on who we rely daily, the groom's. That's the bloc's miss.
• I am a licensed professional engineer here in the state of Florida.
• So she ation Afsp is represents possible professional in the state of Florida.
• I appreciate the the 5 year professional side that you have your question.
• So that would be 4 years prior to attempting to test under another qualified professional surveyor.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is to conduct leadership and professional development training.
• Give it to staff also on professional fees, because that's my question for both of them.
• It's a $25,000 transfer from professional fees to operating expenses.
• It's a $500,000 transfer from operating expenses to professional fees.
• This is a $100,000 transfer from operating expenses to professional fees.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AI systems misrepresenting themselves as health professionals.
• On AI systems, powerful capabilities can enable it to convincingly mimic a health professional.
• California law establishes strict standards for licensing and certification of health professionals.
• AB 489 will draw a bright line and say an AI system cannot represent itself as a health professional,
• As a result, patients trust highly trained physicians and other licensed healthcare professionals for

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• By designating January as Snow Professionals Appreciation Month, this bill validates the professional
• By designating January as Snow Professionals Appreciation Month, this bill validates the professional
• 03.960> the<01:13:04.720> as Snow professionals are offering the as Snow professionals
• professional license here in Minnesota. professional license here in Minnesota.
• than 40,000 cosmetology professionals than 40,000 cosmetology professionals and<02:13:32.360>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the proposed sales tax on Professional the proposed sales tax on Professional Services<00:26:44.399
• <00:51:18.839> who her with a financial professional who her with a financial professional
• practice IT discourages professional practice IT discourages professional assistance<01:01:30.400
• <01:02:12.680> our citizens to hire a tax professional our citizens to hire a tax professional
• <01:02:43.960> like Federal credentials professionals like Federal credentials professionals

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2437, the governor’s proposed tax bill, and first adopted the A25-Z42 amendment to put the bill in the desired shape. Commissioner Paul Marquardt of the Department of Revenue then presented the bill as part of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s budget, describing it as a response to budget pressures that would make the tax system more fair and stable while supporting economic development and jobs. Marquardt walked through the bill’s major provisions. These included sustainable aviation fuel policy, repeal of K-12 education credit assignment, elimination of the political contribution refund, expansion of the research and development credit, short-line railroad infrastructure modernization, changes to the state airport fund levy, replacement of attachments and appearances with distribution systems, a narrow personal property tax exception for low-income housing tenants, reduced aquatic invasive species aid, and a 34% reduction in PILT payments. He then focused on the sales tax article, saying it would lower the statewide rate by 0.75% while expanding the base to selected professional services such as accounting, banking, brokerage, and legal services, with business-to-business transactions exempt. He said the proposal would be effective for sales and purchases after September 30, 2025, and estimated a first-year rate-cut impact of about $99 million versus $215 million from the service expansion, while arguing that most households would see a net tax cut. He also noted other changes such as landlord penalty adjustments, a 30% reduction in sustainable aviation fuel incentive payments, repeal of local government cannabis aid, and repeal of the tax filing modernization account. Public testimony began with Kyle Playford of the Financial Planning Association of Minnesota, who strongly opposed the proposed sales tax on professional services, especially financial planning. He argued that financial planning is an essential service for retirement, investment, and long-term financial security, and said the tax would raise costs for consumers, reduce access for middle-class families, small business owners, and retirees, and put Minnesota firms at a competitive disadvantage. The chair then indicated that additional public testimony would continue before member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Friday, June 26th, Friday, June 26th, Senate Bill 1385, referred to Consumer Protection and Professional
• House Bill 76 referred to Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
• House Bill 1127 referred to Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
• House Bill 2224 referred to Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
• Attention all members of the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then received communications recalling it for voting session and referring gubernatorial nominations and a series of Senate and House bills and resolutions to standing committees. Leaves of absence were granted, and the chamber recessed briefly for committee meetings and party caucuses before reconvening. On the floor, the Senate unanimously agreed to House Bill 1102 and later passed Senate Bill 1133 and Senate Bill 1303 by 50-0 votes. Several measures were set aside to their proper place in the calendar or re-referred, including Senate Bill 1182 and House Bill 928 to Appropriations. The Senate also adopted multiple amendments to Senate Bill 1372, including a technical amendment from Senator Brooks, an amendment offered on behalf of Senator Loughlin, and Senator Fontana’s amendment requiring carbon monoxide detectors in child care facilities; after amendment, Senate Bill 1372 was held over. The chamber adopted Senate Resolution 326 urging a posthumous Medal of Honor for Major Richard Winters. During petitions and remonstrances, Senator Tartaglione urged action to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, noting it has been 20 years since the last increase. Senator Dush honored Colonel James C. Harding on his birthday, highlighting his military service and decorations. Senator Street introduced a discharge resolution to force consideration of adult-use cannabis legalization, arguing the issue has bipartisan support and should receive a vote. Senator Dush also delivered extended remarks on the Founders, John Adams, religion, and the Constitution. Committee reports followed, including Appropriations reporting Senate Bills 1061, 1182, and 1303 as committed and House Bill 2400 as amended, and Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure reporting House Bill 2426 as committed. The Senate then considered supplemental calendars, adopting an amendment to Senate Bill 1182 and passing Senate Bill 1303 on final passage, both by 50-0 votes. The chamber was also notified of upcoming committee meetings, and it recessed until June 30, 2026, at 11 a.m., unless recalled sooner.

Transcript Highlights:

• We work closely with a number of frontline professionals in the child welfare system.
• We work closely with a number of frontline professionals in the child welfare system.
• We work closely with a number of frontline professionals in the child welfare system.
• Second, training must be informed by professionals with expertise in child maltreatment.
• A mental health professional can advise on sensitive questioning, and a social worker can provide insight

Bills: HF1346, HF1169, HF1276

Keywords: mandatory reporting, training requirements, child maltreatment, abuse detection, local welfare agency, child protection, child welfare, paperwork reduction, social services information system, SSIS, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, foster care, children in placement, county social services, Tribal governments, private child placing agencies, case management, administrative burden, information technology, human services

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill brings this same model to veterinary care and creates the title Veterinary Professional Associate
• In the original legislation and this amended language, a veterinary professional associate is allowed
• Florida has a shortage of animal care professionals, but a large part of this is in our large animal
• Is it that overwhelming majority that you're concerned about will not be as fastidious and professional
• But the economic models show that using a veterinary professional associate will increase the average

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and took up two bills. First, it considered SB 754 on heated tobacco products. The sponsor said the bill would define heated tobacco products and exempt them from the cigarette tax, arguing they are a less harmful alternative for nicotine users. Senators asked about youth access and regulation, and the sponsor said he would research those issues further. A representative of the Florida Retail Federation appeared in support, and the committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then heard SB 796 on veterinary medicine, after adopting a delete-everything amendment. The amended bill would create a Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) role, allowing individuals with a master’s degree and national competency exam to perform certain delegated veterinary tasks under a licensed veterinarian’s responsible supervision. It also expanded the allowable period for telehealth prescriptions for flea and tick products and other medications. Supporters said the bill would expand access to care, reduce costs, and help address veterinary shortages, while opponents from the Florida Veterinary Medical Association argued the proposal was unnecessary, could create safety and federal-law concerns, and that existing veterinary technicians and other workforce measures were a better solution. After testimony and debate, the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. During final debate, several senators said the VPA proposal was more limited and better balanced than earlier versions, with the veterinarian retaining liability and control over delegated duties. The sponsor closed by emphasizing rising veterinary costs, shortages of care, and the need for more affordable access for pet owners. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, I do have through the chair my witness, Doug Supers, with California Professional Firefighters
• With that, I do have through the chair, my witness, Doug Supers, with California professional firefighters
• With that, I do have, through the chair, my witness, Doug Subers, with California Professional Firefighters
• Doug Subers on behalf of the California Professional Firefighters.
• Mitch Steiger with CFT, a union of educators and classified professionals, proud to sponsor this measure

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement heard several retirement and school employment measures. SB 301 by Sen. Grayson would prevent CERL-covered cities and districts from amending retirement contracts to exclude certain employee groups, closing a loophole similar to one previously addressed for CalPERS. The bill was supported by California Professional Firefighters and received no opposition. SB 443 by Sen. Rubio would clarify that employees transferring into a joint powers authority can retain CalPERS classic status even when the JPA expands later; the city of La Verne, a flood management agency, and AFSCME supported the bill, and it also drew no opposition. Both bills were moved out of committee on unanimous votes and sent to Appropriations, with the consent calendar items SB 521, SB 581, and SB 853 also approved. The committee then heard SB 494 by Sen. Cortese, which would give classified school employees the right to have disciplinary appeals heard by an administrative law judge rather than by the school board. Supporters, including CSEA, AFSCME, and CFT, argued the bill would create parity with teachers and community college faculty and provide a fairer appeal process. Opponents, including the California School Boards Association, county superintendents, school business officials, and community college groups, argued it would remove local control, impose a one-size-fits-all process, and shift costs to districts. The bill was passed out of committee and referred to the Committee on Higher Education. The committee also considered SJR 2 by Sen. Cortese, a resolution urging Congress and the President to enact federal protections for classified school employees, including better wages, benefits, safety, and workplace rights. Support came from CFT, CSEA, and other labor groups, with no opposition. The resolution was adopted and moved forward. At the end of the hearing, the committee reopened the roll to add votes, and all listed measures ultimately passed unanimously or near-unanimously before the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Flores: ...to promote, encourage, and advance the professional development of chiefs of police
• For over five decades, the TPCA has promoted the professional practice of law enforcement administration
• For over five decades, the TPCA has promoted the professional practice of law enforcement administration
• being named the 2024 Engineer of the Year by the South Plains Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional
• being named the 2024 Engineer of the Year by the South Plains Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional

Bills: SJR36, SB2, SR9, SR10, SR16

Keywords: American Public Works Association, public works, infrastructure, Texas, recognition day, local government, municipalities, APWA, Texas Chapter, community development, engineering, professional recognition, community impact, Texas Society of Professional Engineers, Lubbock leadership, recognition, professional achievement, Alpha Kappa Alpha, sorority, social service

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:34:15.879> they need to be a qualified professional they need to be a qualified professional
• <00:35:56.640> determines the qualified professional determines the qualified professional
• 36:42.440> governing<00:36:42.880> professional rules rules governing professional rules
• <00:37:42.480> they they have qualified professionals they they have qualified professionals
• I think that there's some counties that don't have qualified professionals on staff.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Housing Committee heard testimony on several housing-related bills. On SB 26, SD 2, relating to affordable housing, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development explained a prior transit-oriented development study that identified roughly 59,000 possible units and about 25,000 affordable units from known projects, and said the bill would help fill gaps by evaluating additional public lands for housing suitability and possible co-use with existing facilities. Members asked about the need for resources and staffing to do that work, and OPSD said it would need time and consultant support to carry it out. Testimony on the bill included support from state and county housing agencies and comments from planning and land use entities. On SB 66, SD 2, relating to housing and historic preservation review, SHPD and OHA both testified. SHPD said the bill would not override existing burial-site protections and that county staff with proper qualifications could make historic-property determinations locally, while OHA asked for clearer language requiring consultation when Native Hawaiian historic sites are involved and clearer procedures if an adverse effect is found. Committee members and SHPD discussed whether the bill should explicitly preserve existing Chapter 6E processes, whether counties have qualified staff, and how quickly a county would have to decide if it cannot complete the review itself and must use a third-party reviewer. Supporters said the measure could speed permitting and keep decisions local; one opponent argued it could rush approvals and strain infrastructure. The committee also heard support from housing, construction, business, and food-industry groups, and opposition from some preservation and community advocates. The committee then heard SB 332, SD 1, on foreclosure-related protections, with testimony focused on Lānaʻi and concerns about speculative real estate after the foreclosure moratorium ended. SB 414, SD 2, on restoring access to disaster-affected areas, drew support from HHFDC, DHS, and the Maui Chamber; HHFDC noted DOH plans for a temporary paved access road to the Kayola temporary housing site and said agencies were discussing which parcels would be needed. On SB 102, SD 2, relating to affordable housing and third-party historic review, SHPD said it would need to do more upfront screening and that the bill’s timelines and third-party provisions should be clearer; OHA said the measure should include a sunset and better staffing, and asked that the department fill positions to meet review demand. No votes or final committee actions were reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not a psychologist or a professional in the area, but I have been in dialogue with people who are
• requirements for both the professionals requirements for both the professionals and<01:30:41.440
• <01:40:00.199> with<01:40:00.360> clear provide professionals with clear provide professionals
• treatment from competent professionals treatment from competent professionals and<01:40:16.760><
• popular California Special professional popular California Special professional and<01:56:50.280

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:51:45.079> Midwife professional Midwife professional Midwife credential<00:51:47.079> it's
• Safe Care and ensured by professional Safe Care and ensured by professional and<01:07:13.880>
• people and certified professionals people and certified professionals stating<01:07:43.440> the
• that credentials certified professional that credentials certified professional midwives<01:45:42.599
• out in the community in a professional out in the community in a professional capacity<01:48:26.000

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint House Committee on Health and Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce heard two midwifery bills, with testimony focused primarily on HB 1194. Committee chairs opened the hearing with rules for Zoom testimony and noted the bills relate to midwives. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs said it supported the intent of HB 1194 and offered comments. Supporters of the bill, including the Midwives Alliance of Hawaii, argued that midwifery should remain subject to mandatory licensure to protect consumer safety, citing the state’s regulatory licensing standards and a 2025 state auditor sunset analysis. They said the bill would strengthen educational standards and public protection, and some offered clarifying amendments. Opponents argued HB 1194 would restrict access to care and fail to protect traditional, cultural, and community-based birth practices. Testifiers from the Hawaii Home Birth Task Force, the Hawaii Home Birth Collective, the Libertarian Party of Hawaii, the Center for Reproductive Rights, Pacific Birth Collective, and Papa Ola Lōkahi said the bill would limit licensure pathways, reduce access in rural and underserved areas, and burden Native Hawaiian and traditional practitioners. Several speakers said the measure could worsen Hawaii’s maternal health shortages, especially on Maui, and urged lawmakers to defer HB 1194 or instead advance HB 1328, which they said better protects practitioner access and cultural practices. The Hawaii affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives said it opposed HB 1194 because it did not align with national or state standards for certified midwives and could create conflicts with Medicaid reimbursement and prescriptive authority. The ACLU also opposed the measure, emphasizing reproductive rights, privacy, and the need to preserve apprenticeship pathways to licensure. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the hearing reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• and community members about professional and community members about the<00:14:43.240> needs<
• It's a new practice that we are bringing in to have professionals be able to talk amongst each other
• be able to talk uh have professionals be able to talk amongst<00:20:19.640> each<00:20:19.840
• This is a strategy to retain and recruit direct support professionals and impact their knowledge and
• so we uh direct support professionals so we uh just<00:34:01.799> completed<00:34:02.200>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services held an informational briefing on the Developmental Disabilities Council and related agencies. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities outlined its 2025 legislative priorities, including a pilot project for guardian ad litem and capacity evaluations in guardianship/conservatorship cases, a supported decision-making bill, a health disparities study for people with disabilities, an ABLE savings outreach/staffing measure, a Medicaid buy-in proposal, an adult changing tables equity bill, and a resolution on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Council representatives emphasized that supported decision-making would complement tools like powers of attorney and medical releases, and that the health disparities study would help identify unmet needs by ZIP code and improve state data on the intellectual and developmental disability population. The Center on Disability Studies at the University of Hawaii described its role as the research and training arm within the DD system, working with the DD Council and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center. It reported activities such as interdisciplinary training, community education, technical assistance, research collaborations, the Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity, publications, telehealth, ECHO Autism, and counseling for Maui fire survivors. The center said it leveraged about $16 million in outside funding last year and highlighted goals focused on workforce development, community capacity, research with direct participation from people with disabilities, and accessible dissemination of information. The Hawaii Disability Rights Center, the state’s protection and advocacy agency, supported the Council’s priorities, especially supported decision-making, which it said could help some people avoid guardianship while preserving liberty and reducing state resource use. The center also raised concerns about the DD system budget and urged legislators to review whether the Developmental Disabilities Division is requesting enough funding, noting possible backsliding in services and eligibility. The Developmental Disabilities Division of the Department of Health then outlined its statewide waiver program serving just over 3,500 people, its service array, and its budget request for increased waiver funding, a federal initiatives coordinator, and IT upgrades to comply with the new HCBS access rule; no votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• doctor, non healthc care professional doctor, non healthc care professional and<00:25:46.279>
• realizes that anyone in a professional realizes that anyone in a professional field<00:35:36.880
• <00:36:49.359> uh being in the care of professional uh being in the care of professional uh
• <00:42:15.520> is definition of health professional is definition of health professional is
• , medical professionals, public health workers, and criminal justice professionals.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all