Transcript Highlights:

• and foremost be a jobs program for the employees.
• This program, which is identical to the tax credit, will be a jobs program for a stand-up.
• Assistant, please call the roll.
• Assistant, can you call the roll?
• That is how the program is designed to work.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Insurance Program.
• you an overview of the Medicaid Program you an overview of the Medicaid Program in<00:03:03.360>
• uh inte program within the program uh inte program Integrity<00:42:31.480> division<00:42:31.880
• in the program.
• in the program.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services held its first meeting and received an overview from the Department for Medicaid Services on Medicaid’s behavioral health and substance use disorder services. Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Beal said Kentucky Medicaid serves about 1.4 million members, including over half of Kentucky children, with 485,000 expansion members, more than 69,000 enrolled providers, and total fiscal year 2024 expenditures of $18.5 billion. They said Kentucky covers a broad range of behavioral health services, and behavioral health provider enrollment has grown from a little over 4,500 in 2019 to nearly 8,000 in 2024. They also described how Medicaid spending and utilization are tracked through claims and encounter data, with most members served through managed care organizations. Members focused on sharp increases in certain behavioral health billing codes, especially peer-to-peer services, and asked about reimbursement, utilization review, and whether the growth reflected increased need or expanded coverage. DMS said the rise was partly tied to combining facility and nonfacility behavioral health fee schedules in 2023, choosing the higher reimbursement rate to avoid cuts, and that the department has seen an uptick in peer-to-peer services. In response to concerns about overutilization, DMS said it mailed a letter to behavioral health providers, is considering limits and prior authorizations for some services, and plans to create a standardized monthly behavioral health report to monitor trends consistently and identify when controls may be needed. Lawmakers also asked whether the provider network is sufficient and whether access is adequate, especially for children. DMS said provider enrollment has expanded because behavioral health services were added to Medicaid in 2014 and because demand increased after COVID, but acknowledged studies showing children have less access than adults and said that would be an area of focus. The department said managed care organizations are required to ensure access to needed services and that current trends indicate access is available, though one member disagreed and said workforce shortages remain a major concern. Another member asked about non-emergency medical transportation spending, and DMS explained that it is handled through a capitated arrangement administered by the Transportation Cabinet rather than directly by the managed care organizations.

Transcript Highlights:

• protocol development, training, and technical assistance.
• We're providing technical assistance today, as we often do.
• I'm just here to provide technical assistance if there's any questions.
• The program is run by the Department of Health.
• 37:22.040> by<01:37:22.199> the 2011 the program is run by the 2011 the program is run

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> [applause] Congratulations, young men, on an outstanding season and program.
• The other half's going to be used to fund the educational program.
• You know how many times since assistant...
• >> Yes, sir. >> It was a statewide program.
• I'd like to recognize our Hartfield Academy exchange program.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 1 April, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What kind of assistance have they been able to offer? Well, um, they have...
• Yes, um, we work with what kind of assistance have they been able to offer? Well, um, they have...
• We're not really a provider of this very beneficial distance education program.
• school of medicine to support programs school of medicine to support programs that<00:19:25.240>
• So would this program or training come under the medical school? Would it?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education met on February 6 and began with decision-making items. SB 663, concerning additional positions for the University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, was deferred again after the chair said the university’s response did not include the requested details on vacant positions, recruitment status, and fill dates. The chair said the committee needed the full information before considering new positions, and the university apologized for treating the request as informal rather than a formal committee inquiry. The committee then discussed SB 672, relating to capital improvement projects for the Y. Manalo Research Station. University representatives said the project had been identified late because of timing and that they were still developing a broader plan for SEAR research facilities. The chair questioned how the project fit within the university’s existing Board of Regents-approved CIP priorities and whether any current priorities should be displaced. The university said it could not unilaterally reprioritize the budget, and the measure was deferred pending better direction on how it fits into the overall plan. For SB 557, which would require the John A. Burns School of Medicine to direct a study on physician and dentist recruitment and retention for Maui, the committee heard strong testimony in support from Maui health care providers and community representatives. Supporters described severe shortages of physicians and dentists, long waits for care, and the need for housing, loan repayment, scholarships, transportation, and telehealth support to retain providers. The university said it was willing to help and suggested the work could be done through existing rural health and AHEC efforts. The bill was kept alive for further work, with the chair encouraging the parties to develop a plan. The committee also heard SB 1107, establishing a medical education position at JABSOM to support ECHO-style mentorship and guidance programs. The university opposed the bill, saying it did not believe the measure addressed a problem that needed fixing and that Hawaiʻi already has five ECHO clinics administered through the Hawaiʻi State Rural Health Association, not JABSOM. The committee then took up SB 1204, concerning integration of the Kakaʻako medical school and cancer center. University leadership asked for time to develop a plan and timeline, possibly with an external consultant, and requested the bill be withdrawn. The chair expressed skepticism, citing long-standing concerns about the cancer center’s finances and planning. Testimony included support from the American Cancer Society and a patient who warned that integration could jeopardize the cancer center’s NCI designation and clinical trials, while a university vice president said the NIH P30 grant does not require the cancer center and medical school to remain separate and that many NCI centers are integrated. No final votes were taken on the measures discussed in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a great program.
• It's a great program.
• It's an intermediary pilot, I would say, program, or a program that we're really starting to enforce
• The program was originally intended to assist rural counties and municipalities in recruiting attorneys
• Well, the whole idea, as regarding even the name of the program, is a recruitment program.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What programs are available to individuals without regard to immigration or citizenship status as well
• But a lot of what our population, you know, they may be living in a residential program, a group living
• So, you know, if federal enforcement or federal agents were to show up at a day program or something
• So we really appreciate your office's cooperation and assistance with the commission.
• They're learning along the way as they fund some of the programs. Wonderful.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Workforce Support Subcommittee of the Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met to discuss workforce issues affecting people who provide services to individuals with disabilities, with a focus on immigration enforcement concerns and an upcoming employment event. Ethan Marks, Deputy Chief of the Health Care Division at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, presented the AGO’s late-January guidance for health care providers and patients on how to respond to ICE activity at health care facilities, what information and access ICE may request, and what protections and access-to-care issues apply. He said the guidance is broad, includes contact information for the Civil Rights Division, and will be updated if federal policy changes. Committee members asked whether residential programs, day programs, DDS/DMH facilities, and similar settings would fall under the guidance; Marks said the guidance is intended to be broad but that specific scenarios may require follow-up with the Civil Rights Division. He also said he was not aware of significant ICE activity at health care facilities so far, though there is fear and some rumors, and members discussed sharing the guidance with hospitals, academic medical institutions, the Health Equity Compact, and other stakeholders. The subcommittee then reviewed plans for a June 23 State House event titled Strength and Support: Networking and Resource Sharing Event for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities, Personal Care Assistance, Job Coaches, and Inclusive Workplaces. The event will feature a panel-style conversation with prepared questions, success stories, challenges to employment, and strategies to improve outcomes, while also highlighting the shortage of direct support and human services workers. Confirmed or potential participants and partners mentioned included Partners for Youth with Disabilities, MassAbility, NextGen, JVS, the Federation for Children with Special Needs, the PCA Council, and the Arc of Massachusetts, which has launched a PSA campaign for direct support worker hiring. The PCA Council’s resume directory for people interested in becoming PCAs was also noted as a recruitment resource. Members suggested inviting employers and other stakeholders to the June event, including Eastern Bank, Mass General Brigham, and possibly representatives connected to apprenticeship programs. The group also discussed reaching out to contacts at the Federation and NextGen, and one member suggested Kathy Pitkowskis as a possible connection. The subcommittee said it would continue outreach and finalize the event details, and noted that the next regular meeting will be August 28, with Patricia Wu from EHS scheduled to provide statewide updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it’s like a call from God’s assistant when Becky would call.
• And you would discover that God’s assistant a lot of the time was more powerful than God himself.
• , process to participate in the program, process to participate in the program, and<03:05:30.640>
• capital, the 2026 LRC intern program capital, the 2026 LRC intern program participants<03:05:46.560
• Commission intern program, composed of Commission intern program, composed of outstanding<03:08:01.440

Keywords: In an effort to stave off issues that may occur with long format live streams, we have split this stream into two parts., 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 05.519> government assistant director of government assistant director of government relations
• <00:14:24.639> codes storage and in our UFARS program codes storage and in our UFARS program
• of any type of uh who or assistants of any type of uh who assist<00:14:37.920> in<00:14:38.160
• > educational<00:14:38.720> process assist in educational process assist in educational
• <01:09:06.960> without provide excellent programming without provide excellent programming

Bills: HF3790, HF3654, HF3371, HF3470, HF1099

Keywords: education finance, lease levy authority, graduation ceremonies, school districts, Minnesota Statutes, local revenue, funding increase, education, state appropriation, local control, HF3371, local optional revenue, school finance, general education aid, school district funding, referendum revenue, referendum market value, equalization aid, state aid, property tax levy

Transcript Highlights:

• My bill uses non-taxpayer dollars to ensure vital programs can survive and victims receive the assistance
• My bill uses non-taxpayer dollars to ensure vital programs can survive and victims receive the assistance
• compensation and assistance programs. compensation and assistance programs.
• Annual distributions to states for victim services and assistance have been cut by 40%, forcing programs
• Annual distributions to states for victim services and assistance have been cut by 40%. ...forcing programs

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, January 12, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• word 'assistance' to also provide some clarification.
• I just do have to jump on and say, in particular, thank you for including the adult day care program.
• And say, in particular, thank you for including the adult day care program.
• It encourages green infrastructure projects through the Resilient Florida grant program.
• basically green infrastructure projects through the resilient Florida grant program.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met with a quorum present and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 108 on administrative procedures. That bill, as amended, would require agencies to review all rules on a five-year cycle, submit regulatory plans and annual reports, publish intended agency action within 90 days of new rulemaking authority, improve public access to incorporated materials, and streamline rule publication and correction procedures. After brief testimony from the Florida Bar’s Administrative Law Section and support from Americans for Prosperity and the James Madison Institute, the committee adopted two amendments and reported CS for SB 108 favorably. The committee then approved several other measures, including the Senate veterans package (CS for CS for SB 116), which made technical changes and was supported by veterans and advocacy groups; SB 118 on presidential libraries, which preempts local barriers while preserving state and federal law and building codes; CS for SB 126 allowing mail distribution of prescription hearing aids after a Florida-licensed professional examination; CS for SB 150, “Trooper’s Law,” making it a third-degree felony to abandon restrained animals during declared disasters; SB 294 limiting collaborative pharmacy practice expansion for complex cardiac conditions; SM 314 urging Congress to increase Florida National Guard force structure; CS for SB 322 creating a nonjudicial process to remove unauthorized persons from commercial property; CS for SB 348 on ethics, addressing false military rank claims and delinquent ethics fines; SB 356 designating January 27 as Holocaust Remembrance Day; CS for SB 160 expanding CPA licensure pathways and clarifying administrative outsourcing; and CS for SB 50 promoting nature-based coastal resilience measures. Most of these bills received supportive testimony and were reported favorably. The committee also considered and reported favorably the annual reviser bills SB 36, SB 38, SB 40, and SB 42, which adopt the 2025 Florida Statutes, conform statutory names, remove expired provisions, and clean up obsolete language and cross-references. Throughout the meeting, members asked questions on a few bills, but no roll-call votes were recorded as opposed; each measure was approved and reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, senators requested that a few missed affirmative votes be recorded, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:47.680> and<00:04:47.919> professional<00:04:48.320> assistance assistance
• and professional assistance assistance and professional assistance to<00:04:48.880> the<00:04
• evaluate tax expenditures and to assist evaluate tax expenditures and to assist them<00:32:21.440
• I'm a program evaluator with the LBO.
• Examples of programs not included in these estimates are incentive programs offered by utility providers

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, yes, those programs would be acceptable. Those aren't programs that I've spoken to thus far.
• So, yes, those programs would be acceptable. Those aren't programs that I've spoken to thus far.
• And that's how we had our program start at our health department.
• If it's less than 5%, Medicaid's a $41 billion program.
• ACA to support deficits in the Medicaid program.

Summary: The Health Policy Committee heard and advanced several health-related bills. SB 1546 on background screening for athletic coaches was explained as another extension of the deadline for coaches to be added to the background screening clearinghouse; it passed favorably with support from athletic and youth sports organizations. SB 958 on type 1 diabetes early detection was amended to match the House version, requiring the Department of Health to provide school districts, school boards, and charter schools with informational materials for parents; it was reported favorably as a committee substitute. CS/SB 1070 on electrocardiograms for student athletes drew extensive discussion about sudden cardiac arrest prevention, implementation timelines, costs, funding through private and public sources, and whether insurance, KidCare, or Medicaid should cover screenings; after supportive testimony from school and athletic groups, it was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also heard SB 1060, which would create a joint legislative oversight committee for Medicaid managed care to review encounter data, financials, audits, and rebate calculations with assistance from an actuary and the Auditor General. The sponsor and several senators framed it as a transparency and verification measure in response to large mid-year Medicaid funding increases and concerns about network adequacy and vertical integration; it passed favorably. CS/SB 944, which shortens the insurer overpayment recovery look-back period for claims involving psychologists from 30 months to 12 months, also passed favorably with support from the Florida Psychological Association. SB 1370, moving ambulatory surgical centers into their own statute rather than under hospital licensure provisions, was supported by surgery center representatives and reported favorably. The committee approved SB 768, as amended, to narrow the foreign-country-of-concern licensure attestation for health care entities to direct controlling interests and clarify the “reasonable efforts” standard; it passed after questions about how the standard would work in practice. SB 1544 on opticianry prompted significant debate over whether the bill would limit nonlicensed staff in ophthalmology and optometry settings; after a proposed amendment was withdrawn and multiple witnesses spoke both for and against, the bill was temporarily postponed. Finally, the committee adopted a strike-all amendment to SB 1808 requiring health care practitioners and facilities to refund patient overpayments within 30 days, with enforcement through AHCA fines or professional discipline, and then reported the bill favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:56.400> from receive CARES or ARPA assistance from receive CARES or ARPA assistance
• You need programs within your organization that support your staff.
• And that would be a bill, a program such as this that helps provide a...
• You need programs within your health.
• And that would be a a bill, a program And that would be a a bill, a program such<00:10:42.640>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Expanding our food assistance programs and seeing community-based solutions...
• Sure, kind of that program...
• , designed to provide financial assistance for college tuition. financial assistance for college tuition
• programs at participating public institutions. programs and participating public technical colleges
• Key program components include skills assessments... ...Program components include skills assessments

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, it updates the definition of indigency to include additional federal assistance programs that
• First, it updates the definition of indigency to include additional federal assistance programs that
• Second Assistance programs that require a financial eligibility determination.
• I'm the Chief Development and Programs Officer at Needs Service Dogs.
• So we really appreciate your assistance with this.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held its inaugural hearing of the session, led by Chair Michael Day and co-chair Senator Lydia Edwards, and reviewed a large slate of bills and constitutional amendments. The chair laid out hearing procedures, including three-minute testimony limits, priority for in-person witnesses, and deadlines for reporting constitutional amendments and House bills. The committee heard testimony on 29 proposals, with many witnesses and advocates speaking in support of measures they said would clarify the law, improve access to justice, or address public safety and fairness concerns. Several bills drew extensive testimony. Supporters of H.1686/S.1254 urged creation of a commission to study intentional misrepresentation of service animals, citing disruptive and dangerous encounters with fake service dogs and the need to protect legitimate service-dog teams. H.1649/S.1168 on court transcriber fees received strong support from transcribers and CPCS, who said rates have been frozen at $3 per page since 1988 and should be raised to $4.50, with an automatic CPI adjustment; they also described the work as time-consuming and essential to the justice system. H.1768/S.1037 on indigency was backed by CPCS, which said the bill would update eligibility rules, reduce unnecessary six-month reassessments, and eliminate the $150 counsel fee for indigent adults. H.1723/S.1193 to remove the charitable immunity cap was supported by legislators and attorneys who argued the current $20,000/$100,000 caps leave seriously injured people undercompensated and make Massachusetts an outlier. The committee also heard testimony on S.1046 regarding adoptions, with multiple adoptive parents, attorneys, and agency representatives describing recent probate court interpretations that have disrupted out-of-state surrender and finalization practices. Witnesses said the bill would restore predictability and allow birth parents outside Massachusetts to use either their home-state law or Massachusetts law, while preserving ICPC safeguards. Senator Feingold testified on H.1748/S.1109, “Conrad’s Law,” to criminalize coercing someone into suicide, arguing Massachusetts should join most other states in creating a specific offense rather than relying on involuntary manslaughter charges. Representative Donahue supported H.66 to remove “so help me God” from the constitutional oath of office. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee simply heard testimony and thanked witnesses, with chairs indicating they would continue reviewing the bills and written submissions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assistant Majority Leader. Assembly Member Hadwick, you are recognized. Mr.
• So AB 282... ...preference that benefits households with rental assistance.
• programs does not constitute discrimination based on source of income.
• I also think it's a great program because it's zero dollars to the state.
• We have a program that does that. It's amazing.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved routine procedural motions, and recognized several guest groups, including First Five California, a fourth-grade class from Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School, visitors from Modoc and Lassen counties, and representatives from the Port of Long Beach. The chamber then moved through second reading and concurrence items, with most bills and resolutions being read, deemed adopted, or passed on file without debate. The main floor action centered on ACR 39, designating May 2025 as Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Month. Assembly Member Ramos and many caucus members spoke in strong support, describing the crisis as a state of emergency and emphasizing violence against Native women, girls, and two-spirit people, the need for better data collection, agency coordination, tribal sovereignty, and continued action beyond symbolic recognition. The resolution passed concurrence with 67 ayes and 0 noes. The Assembly also passed a series of bills on topics including classified school employee pay stubs (AB 374), allowing voucher preferences in housing (AB 282), authorizing nurse practitioners to sign death certificates (AB 583), student health insurance protections (AB 594), local housing pre-approval programs (AB 1206), veterans education program administration (AB 1509), expanding the Family Urgent Response System (AB 898), Star Wars Day (H.R. 33), local news sale notice requirements (AB 611), mask-wearing protections in public spaces (AB 1326), a Chula Vista university land-use measure (AB 76), undercover officer record protections (AB 1178), and preservation of Clover Valley in Rocklin (AB 1152). Most passed with broad support, though AB 282 and AB 611 drew some opposition. A major debate occurred on AJR 10, which urged the President to reverse cuts to the U.S. Forest Service. Members from both parties discussed wildfire prevention, forest health, staffing, and federal-state responsibility, with some criticizing the administration and others emphasizing forest management and the need for bipartisan cooperation. The resolution was adopted after a co-author roll and final roll vote of 67 ayes and 0 noes. The chamber then adopted the second-day consent calendar, heard an adjournment in memory for Giovanni “Johnny” of East Side Italian Deli, and adjourned until Monday, May 12, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• We established Security Assistance Group Ukraine, now commanded by Lt. Gen. Curtis Buzzard.
• These programs are the backbone of our military activities on the continent.
• And I believe the services are programming it as the years go forward. So we've learned a lot.
• if we don't continue many of those programs?
• So continuing to assist Ukraine on the battlefield daily, I think, is very important.

Keywords: committee meeting, legislation, public testimony, SB4, HB2214, bipartisan support

Summary: The committee convened to discuss various bills and hear testimonies related to legislative matters, including public concerns and implications surrounding the proposed legislation. Notably, the members engaged in a vigorous debate over SB4, where several representatives shared differing viewpoints on its impact on local communities and the environment. Public testimonies were heard, with advocates arguing for the bill's potential benefits, while opponents raised significant concerns regarding the fiscal implications and land use. Following these discussions, the committee moved to vote on HB2214, which passed without issue, illustrating the bipartisan support for certain initiatives tied to public welfare.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are endeavoring to create a pilot program.
• And so he is working to put a program in place.
• This is not a release program.
• This is not a release program.
• I'm an assistant DA in Jefferson Parish.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then heard House Bill 1033, which expands the definition of critical infrastructure to include airports, heliports, spaceports, aerospace facilities, certain government and military sites, and oil and gas platforms. Supporters said the bill is part of a broader effort to position Louisiana for aerospace and defense investment, while opponents from the Sierra Club warned that repeatedly broadening critical infrastructure could chill protest and free-speech activity. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard House Bill 1034, which authorizes local officials to declare temporary protection zones for public safety for up to 72 hours, with one extension. The sponsor and the Department of Economic Development said it would be a tool for aerospace and defense projects and other public-safety needs; ACLU testimony raised concerns about notice, property rights, and possible impacts on public waterways. The bill was also reported favorably. The committee next considered several criminal justice bills. House Bill 51, barring post-conviction bail for defendants convicted of aggravated offenses against children, and House Bill 55, limiting public disclosure of juror information to protect juror privacy, both received broad support and were reported favorably. House Bill 635, aimed at protecting Louisianians from transnational repression by foreign governments through penalty enhancements for underlying crimes, was supported by a national security advocate and reported favorably. House Bill 133, increasing penalties for students who commit attacks on teachers or other students, was amended to address juvenile procedure and exceptionalities; teachers testified about serious injuries they suffered, while the ACLU and criminal defense lawyers raised concerns about mandatory minimums and individualized sentencing. The bill was reported with amendments. The committee also heard House Bill 676, which creates the crime of fraudulent patient referrals, or “body brokering,” in the substance-use treatment industry. The sponsor and Blue Cross Blue Shield representatives described schemes that steer vulnerable patients into fraudulent treatment arrangements for profit; the bill was reported favorably. House Bill 159 created a Caddo Parish pilot program for pretrial home incarceration with electronic monitoring to reduce jail overcrowding. The sheriff said the jail is far over capacity and that the program would be limited to nonviolent, non-sex-offense defendants with risk assessments, court approval, and behavioral-health check-ins. Witnesses supported the concept but urged tighter liability language; the committee adopted an amendment and reported the bill with amendments. House Bill 106, dealing with unauthorized administration of melatonin to children in child care settings, was reported favorably. Later, the committee amended and reported House Bill 108, which changes juror qualifications to exclude people convicted of crimes of violence or sex offenses from criminal juries, after opponents argued it would unnecessarily bar citizens from jury service. House Bill 784, a cleanup bill on sex offender registration and notification, was amended and reported with technical changes. Senate Bill 388, which removes a trigger clause tied to a border compact and authorizes review of state contracts for foreign-adversary benefit, was amended and reported. Finally, House Bill 772, a bail-procedure reform requiring accurate mailing and electronic notice information and consolidating notice rules, was presented as a fairness and efficiency measure and had support from the bail industry and prosecutors; the transcript ends before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fees have been unchanged since the inception of the program in 1999.
• Shane David, who is the branch chief over this licensure program here to help with any questions, as
• Program here to help with any questions as well as Mr. Smith. Be happy to take some.
• Our board licenses physical therapists and physical therapy assistants.
• We currently have 2,808 physical therapists and 1,781 physical therapy assistants for a total of 4,589

Summary: The committee met and first recognized a visiting student cohort from Arkansas State University’s Medical Laboratory and Radiation Sciences program. It then suspended the rules and approved a supplemental report, which was reviewed without objection. Members reviewed the Arkansas Fire Protection and Licensing Board’s occupational report. Department of Labor and Licensing counsel Lacey Kirchner answered questions and confirmed there were no fee increases. The report was then accepted as reviewed. The committee next heard from the Arkansas Department of Health’s Radiation Control Section. Officials Craig Smith, Charles Thompson, and Shane David explained the radiologic technologist licensing program, including full and limited-scope licensure, unchanged fees since 1999, and a current deficit covered through cost allocation from other programs. They also noted compliance with automatic licensure provisions for service members and said apprenticeship provisions already exist in the rules if such programs become available. The report was accepted as reviewed. Finally, the Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy presented its report. Staff described the board’s structure, licensing and complaint functions, compact participation, and growth in licensees. Members asked about the board’s $200,000 scholarship program, which provides awards to 10 recipients per year, and about low fees and a $1.1 million balance. Officials said recent fee reductions and the scholarship program are intended to return funds to licensees. The report was also accepted as reviewed, and the committee moved to other business.