Transcript Highlights:

• Texan over the age of 21 needs a copy of their birth certificate, they must pay $22.
• Now, currently, that can pay for the cost of the birth certificates.
• So they know that I really don't have enough money for the birth certificate.
• You're gonna come back here to pick your birth certificate up.
• . going to send their birth certificate when their birth certificate come in.

Bills: HB713 , HB827 , HB932 , HB499 , HB510 , HB163 , HB296 , HB879 , HB913 , HB163 , HB296

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: healthcare, maternal health, reporting requirements, Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee, health provider immunity, workplace violence, nurses, grant program, healthcare facilities, safety measures, safety, nursing, grants, healthcare safety, verbal abuse, physical abuse, nurse empowerment, occupational therapy, licensure, interstate practice

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, it amends the Criminal Justice Training Commission certification requirements to allow...
• Finally, SB 5936 addresses the certification forms for a U or T visa.
• Georgia requires certification.
• vacant if their certification is revoked.
• Certification is not an issue. Professional standards are not an issue.

Committee: House Community Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• But in our bigger school districts, we have a lot of certificated teachers that are more than willing
• Despite possessing a provisional certification from the United States Air Force and clear documented
• Despite possessing a provisional certification from the United States Air Force and clear documented
• One month later, on June 20th, I received my provisional certification.
• , it did not confirm full certification as a JROTC instructor.

Committee: Assembly Education

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will read: An act relating to resale certificates for units in common interest communities.
• Insert after the purchaser first received the resale certificate.
• that they need in order to do that, to ensure that the resale certificates.
• The original version was more broad in some places, and the good... ...certificates alone.
• , there's a $100 cap on a follow-on certificate, but we increased the document recording fee to $300

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer, approved the prior day’s minutes, and announced caucuses before moving through introductions, committee reports, and second reading bills. The chamber considered three bills on second reading: HB 1175, allowing small business establishments in residential zones; HB 1376, allowing voluntary prepayment of capital gains tax up to six months early; and HB 1500, concerning resale certificates for units in common interest communities. HB 1175 received Amendment 1461, which added a population-estimate reference for small communities, and then passed 94-2. HB 1376 passed 97-0 after supporters said it would let taxpayers capture a federal deduction by paying earlier, while still preserving state revenue. HB 1500 received a technical striking amendment updating condo-law language and then passed 85-12; supporters said it would improve access to complete resale certificates for condo sales, while some members raised concerns about added regulation and costs. The House then took up third reading bills. Substitute HB 1302, which would let local governments waive utility connection charges for certain green technology or industrial symbiosis projects, passed 76-21 after supporters emphasized environmental benefits and opponents warned it could shift costs to other ratepayers. HB 1796, allowing school districts to bond against capital levy collections to speed projects and reduce inflationary costs, passed 78-19; supporters said it would save taxpayers money and help districts complete needed construction sooner, while opponents argued it could bypass voter intent and increase indebtedness without renewed approval. Finally, Substitute HB 1980 was returned to second reading for a striking amendment, which was adopted, and then passed 97-0. Supporters described it as a pilot program to help employers and transit agencies work together to move workers more efficiently in congested areas, using existing transit/HOV infrastructure. The House also re-referred HJM 4010 and HB 2402 to different committees, then adjourned until the following Friday morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill provides that when the commission is making decisions on a certificate of public convenience
• necessity until it obtains from the commission a certificate of public convenience and necessity.
• The commission may not grant a certificate.
• Failure to satisfy these requirements constitutes grounds for denial of the certificate.
• Regarding the siting certificate, there are comparable provisions.

Committee: Senate Energy, Industry and Mining

Transcript Highlights:

• July 1, 2036, and all exemption certificates expire July 1, 2048.
• And all exemption certificates expire on July 1, 2038.
• So we do have some clawback language within those certificates.
• So we do have some clawback language within those certificates.
• The reimbursement certificate...

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• We understand that those things—a birth certificate, vital records, birth certificates, Social Security
• They must get two certifications in a particular trade, like two ASE certifications if they're in automotive
• These guys are learning and they're getting certifications in transcription, and they're getting certifications
• So whenever they get that certification, they have a certificate that not many people in the United States
• They have all kinds of certifications they can get.

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee held an oversight discussion on Louisiana’s reentry landscape, with Chair Villio emphasizing that the hearing was informational only and that no bills were being considered. Department of Public Safety and Corrections officials outlined the state’s reentry mission and current programming in state facilities, local jails, regional reentry centers, and STEP facilities. They described services including literacy and GED preparation, career and technical education, industry certifications, postsecondary partnerships, mental health and substance abuse treatment, victim impact and trauma programming, and pre-release assistance such as state IDs, birth certificates, Social Security cards, Medicaid, SNAP, and driver’s licenses. Officials also discussed a new data-sharing MOU with DCFS for child support matters and a planned “return portal” with Louisiana Works to connect incarcerated people to jobs and training aligned with labor market needs. A major focus was the reentry court program at Angola for men and at the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women. Assistant Secretary DeLouche and Assistant Warden Easley explained that the program is limited to nine judicial districts, requires judge and district attorney consent, and includes a two-year institutional phase followed by three years of intensive supervised probation. Participants must earn a HiSET if needed, complete multiple certifications and life-skills programs, and then petition for resentencing; officials said the program’s current recidivism rate is under 14 percent. They also highlighted specialized offerings such as vocational mentoring, a Braille transcription and repair program, and family-focused events like a father-daughter dance. Testimony from employers and local officials was broadly supportive. Eric Lane described hiring formerly incarcerated workers through the parole project and said the program solved problems he had seen with halfway-house placements by helping people secure housing, IDs, and licenses before release. Sheriff Kevin Cobb said sheriffs are active partners, with 51 of 64 parishes offering some form of programming and more than 75 percent of local facilities providing services; he stressed that local jail programming has grown over time and that data collection is improving. Members repeatedly asked for more data on recidivism, employment outcomes, and what programs are available by parish, and several praised the department and sheriffs for the work already being done. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And, um, as it says, certificate holders must work towards a professional certification during that time
• </c> temporary teaching certificate temporary teaching certificate exclusively<00:40:18.320><c> for</
• </c> take another emergency certificate take another emergency certificate certificate<00:41:26.079><
• a certificate holders must work towards a professional<00:41:33.200><c> certification</c><00:41:33.680
• ><c> during</c><00:41:34.000><c> that</c> professional certification during that professional certification

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Funding should support both new instructor certification as well as ongoing instructor certification.
• So funding should support both new instructor certification as well as ongoing instructor certification
• As ongoing instructor certification.
• That was a grant requirement, not only training, but certification.
• is quite robust for districts to maintain certifications, excuse me, certification, recertification,

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 129 provides a mechanism for qualified third-party purchasers to purchase certificates of delinquency
• on vacant and abandoned residential properties 90 days after that certificate is created.
• uh certificates of delinquents uh delinquency<00:02:15.000><c> on</c><00:02:15.599><c> vacant</c><00
• is uh created uh to be that certificate is uh created uh to be a<00:02:23.680><c> qualified</c><00:02
• And, of course, the entities purchasing the certificates of delinquency under the program are subject

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor met and first took up SB 129, with a committee substitute adopted before testimony. The bill would allow certain qualified third-party entities in Louisville Metro, including public bodies and long-standing nonprofits, to purchase certificates of delinquency on vacant and abandoned residential properties after 90 days, with the goal of returning blighted property to productive use and back on the tax rolls. Several members supported the measure as a tool for housing and economic development, while Senator Boswell and Chair Willer noted concerns about protecting vulnerable property owners, such as widows, the elderly, and people with disabilities. SB 129 was approved by the committee with favorable expression. The committee then heard SB 178, which updates statutes related to the Education and Labor Cabinet by moving the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation’s Division of Program Policy into statute, renaming Business and Apprenticeship to Industry and Apprenticeship, and making related organizational changes. Testimony from cabinet staff said the changes reflect work already being done and that a floor amendment would be needed for one additional correction. The bill was advanced unanimously with favorable expression. Next, the committee considered SB 151, which would bar state tax dollars from being used to pay persons not legally present in the United States. The sponsor argued the bill was needed to prevent Kentucky funds from going to undocumented workers on state job sites, while Senator Wheeler questioned what the bill would change beyond existing law and how such payments would occur through contracts or appropriations. Senator Yates said he was not opposed to the premise but wanted more time to review the bill’s mechanics, and Senator Thomas voted no for the same reason. Despite those concerns, SB 151 passed with favorable expression. Finally, the committee heard SB 2011, a workers’ compensation bill that would delay newly appointed administrative law judges from taking office until Senate confirmation, extend current ALJ terms through June 1 of next year, and allow retention votes for board members to improve stability and attract more applicants. The sponsor said the bill addresses a loophole that can discourage qualified candidates from applying because they may have to leave private practice before confirmation. After a question about whether the bill would affect salaries, the sponsor explained compensation is set by statute and caseload need is separately reviewed. The bill received favorable expression and the meeting concluded with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• They would be the regulatory agency that would ensure our licensing, our training, and certifications
• It sounds like there's an issue of DHS testing certification that's necessary.
• The certification process ensures that the analysis is conducted in a way that results in sound data
• That can be a long period of time, and a couple of things happen if you apply for the certificate but
• They got the certificate; now they don't have the financing to do the whole thing, so half of it now

Bills: SB1137 , SB1176 , SB1287 , SB1335 , SB1336 , SB1445 , SB1677

Committees: House Natural Resources, Energy & Water , House House Natural Resources, Energy & Water Committee of Reference

Keywords: underground utilities, utility locating, dig safe, call before you dig, excavation safety, damage prevention, one-call center, locate request, white lining, large project coordination, buried infrastructure, subsurface utilities, utility marking, locator wire, locator strip, interactive positive response system, landlord duties, apartment community, mobile home park, sewer line

Transcript Highlights:

• That online certification form that our Quality Assurance Department at MassAbility put together sits
• That online certification form that our Quality Assurance Department at Massability put together sits
• Our mandate from the governor was to do the certification process.
• And we can be lean on us for the application for certification. Yeah. Hi, Joe. This is Jimen.
• They just wanted to verify from us that we provide the certification.

Summary: The Employment Subcommittee of the Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met on May 18, approved the prior meeting minutes, and heard an introductory announcement about ASL interpretation procedures for the Zoom meeting. The first presentation was an update on the Massachusetts Disability Employment Tax Credit from MassAbility. The speaker explained that the credit, created in 2022, offers employers up to $5,000 in the first year and $2,000 in later years for hiring and retaining certified employees with disabilities. The certification process was described as intentionally simple, relying largely on self-attestation and an online application that screens applicants in through participation in disability-related programs or receipt of certain benefits. Members asked about employer awareness, the website and application process, available data, and whether credits can be carried forward; the speaker said outreach is ongoing, one employer had used the credit in the prior tax season, and some implementation questions would need to be directed to the Department of Revenue. The committee then heard from Scott Pitta of the Office of the Veteran Advocate, who described the office as an independent agency created after COVID and the state veterans home трагедies to improve veteran services and investigate problems. He focused on veterans’ disability ratings, explaining that VA disability does not necessarily prevent work, and discussed how discharge status can affect access to benefits. He highlighted vocational rehabilitation, GI Bill supports, housing and mental health services, and the role of municipal veteran service officers under Chapter 115. A major theme was professional licensure and employment barriers for veterans, especially in nursing and other trades; members discussed whether Massachusetts is doing enough compared with other states and whether the office could connect with workforce and licensure stakeholders. Pitta said his office is beginning a narrow review of nursing licensure issues and invited follow-up through regional liaisons and the office inbox. In the final portion of the meeting, members turned to a SEED policy brief and related future work. Because time was short, they deferred a full discussion to a later meeting and agreed to revisit the brief at the August 31 meeting. The group identified two likely areas of focus: the “benefit cliff” and youth/young adult pathways into employment, including apprenticeships. Members discussed the need to map existing services, gather information from partner agencies, and possibly develop a white paper or spreadsheet-style summary for appointing authorities. The meeting ended with a request for members interested in the benefit cliff work to contact the co-chairs, and the subcommittee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• really also increased our direct certification numbers by about 34%.
• They have to make sure they check their direct certification process.
• certification to maintain our Title I funding?
• I don't know if the direct certification numbers would be enough.
• And the reason is because if your direct certification percentage is 25%, that's the threshold.

Summary: The Legislative Management Committee met to address the fiscal impact of Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 3, which would require public schools, public school districts, and public charter schools to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to students and allow reimbursement from the state, with implementation beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The committee first filled a vacancy created by Representative Jared Hagert’s resignation by appointing Representative Berg to the committee. Legislative Council and DPI staff explained the measure’s requirements, including federal reimbursement participation, possible use of the legacy earnings fund if other funding is unavailable, and the authority of the Legislature and superintendent of public instruction to clarify implementation details. Linnell Johnson of DPI testified that the estimated fiscal impact for the 2027-2029 biennium is between $124 million and $134 million, based on participation assumptions, federal reimbursement rates, and the extent to which schools continue to collect applications or use community eligibility/provision 2 options. She also noted a likely additional administrative cost of about $300,000 for DPI to operate the program. Members asked about school participation, Title I implications, special diets, staffing, and whether the measure could reduce federal reimbursements if families stop applying. Johnson said the estimate is uncertain and could be higher if applications decline, but that schools would still have incentives to participate in federal programs because of reimbursement and other funding ties. After discussion, the committee adopted a motion to report a fiscal impact range of $124,300,000 to $134,300,000 per biennium to the Secretary of State. The committee then received an informational update from Legislative Council attorney Dustin Richard on the ongoing redistricting litigation. He explained that the U.S. Supreme Court vacated the Eighth Circuit’s ruling and sent the case back for reconsideration in light of Louisiana v. Callais, while the district court-imposed map remains in effect for now. No action was taken on that update, and the meeting adjourned after members noted minutes from the prior meeting were not yet available for approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the simple part is changing health certificates to official certificates of transfer, we refer to
• So the simple part is changing health certificates to official certificates of transfer, we refer to
• </c> the uh health certificates are valid. the uh health certificates are valid.
• :49.359><c> official</c> health certificates to official health certificates to official certificates
• </c> exams and certificates to be completed. exams and certificates to be completed.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• WOULD PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE PATHWAY TO LICENSURE FOR SURVEYORS AND WOULD SUBSTITUTE INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION
• EXCEPT PASSING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE EXAM AND HE OR SHE HAS EARNED A NATIONAL INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION
• QUESTIONS BUT SENATOR GAETZ WHAT IS THE LEVEL OF EDUCATION, I HEARD YOU SAY THIS IS A TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE
• WHAT IS THE LEVEL OF EDUCATION REQUIRED BY THESE FOLKS THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ON A TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE
• WITH THIS PERSON THAT HAS OF THE EXPERIENCE, THEY COME IN NOW WITH A TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE, WILL THEY

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> clarification. um the VA certificate, clarification. um the VA certificate, the<00:06:22.960><c
• The boating certificate is just that: it's a certificate, not a license.
• it's a voting certificate is just that it's a certificate,<00:48:48.000><c> not</c><00:48:48.240><c>
• </c> to get the full-blown certification. to get the full-blown certification.
• ,</c><00:52:33.760><c> is</c> they don't have the certificate, is they don't have the certificate, is

Summary: The hearing began with SB 12, which would let certain veterans who already qualify for a disabled veteran license plate use that VA disability determination to obtain a walking disability placard without having to undergo a second physical or submit additional proof. Senator Waters, the prime sponsor, said the bill was prompted by a constituent and would reduce redundant paperwork. Melinda Sims of United Spinal and Leo Pacquin of the State Veterans Advisory Committee both supported the bill, saying veterans already go through an extensive VA certification process and should not have to repeat it for the state. A DMV representative said the department had no known objection and explained that the change would let the placard travel with the veteran in another vehicle. The hearing on SB 12 was then closed. The committee then took up SB 40, which would allow safe boater education certificates to be completed and tested online, rather than requiring an in-person final exam. Representative Coker and Senator Tim Lang described the bill as a cleanup measure to make a COVID-era online process permanent and said it would improve convenience and keep more revenue in New Hampshire. Tom Praol, representing the vendor, said the state lost significant revenue when the online option ended and argued that online proctoring can verify identity and prevent cheating. The New Hampshire Marine Trades Association supported the bill, saying it would help boaters learn New Hampshire-specific laws and keep dollars in-state. The Department of Safety Marine Patrol was neutral: Captain Tim Dunlvy said the current system includes classroom and online coursework followed by an in-person proctored final exam, and he raised concerns about safety, exam integrity, and lower scores in computer-only testing, while noting New Hampshire’s strong boating safety record. Committee members asked about reciprocity, proctoring methods, costs, and crash data, but no vote was taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So today I'm going to give a little bit of the history about the 14C certificates, which are certificates
• Labor Standards Act or FLSA, employees can actually or employers can request a certificate that allows
• But the use of that certificate, those 14C certificates, really grew throughout the 20th century and
• They were going to put a freeze on issuing any new certificates.
• The red color indicates that those states have eliminated the use of the certificates.

Transcript Highlights:

• July 1, 2036, and all exemption certificates expire July 1, 2048.
• July 1, 2036, and all exemption certificates expire on July 1, 2038.
• July 1, 2036, and all exemption certificates expire July 1, 2048.
• And all exemption certificates expire on July 1, 2038.
• So we do have some clawback language within those certificates.

Summary: House Finance held public hearings on three Senate bills. SB 6129 would raise cigarette taxes, replace current nicotine/vapor product taxes with a 95% tax on nicotine products, and adjust revenue distributions to the Andy Hill Cancer Research account, the Foundational Public Health Services account, and a youth prevention account; staff and supporters said it would correct an unintended loss of public health funding and reduce youth nicotine use, while opponents argued it would be highly regressive, harm retailers and wholesalers, and push sales into illicit markets. SB 6231 would repeal the data center sales tax exemption for refurbishment and end replacement server equipment eligibility; the sponsor and staff said it would raise roughly $200 million and remove an obsolete preference, while labor, port, business, and data center representatives opposed it, citing lost jobs, reduced investment, and concerns about upsetting existing contracts and rural economic development. SB 6228 would repeal the preferential B&O rate for warehousing and reselling prescription drugs and create a lower preferential rate for critical access pharmacies; the sponsor said it would restore horizontal equity in the tax code and offset impacts on rural pharmacies, but pharmacy groups, wholesalers, retailers, and business organizations warned it would raise medication costs, worsen pharmacy closures, and be passed through to patients. The committee heard extensive public testimony on all three bills. Supporters of SB 6129 included public health, cancer, pediatric, and emergency medicine advocates who emphasized youth prevention, cessation funding, and long-term health savings; opponents included tobacco, vape, retail, and business groups who said the bill would increase black-market activity and burden small businesses. SB 6231 drew opposition from construction trades, ports, local governments, chambers, and data center interests, who argued the tax preference supports ongoing construction, permanent jobs, and local tax bases, while committee questions focused on whether the bill would affect existing refurbishment contracts. SB 6228 was opposed by pharmacy associations, independent pharmacists, wholesalers, grocery retailers, and AWB, who said the tax increase would be passed through and could accelerate pharmacy desert conditions; the sponsor and supporters framed the bill as a correction to an outdated preference and a way to protect critical access pharmacies. No votes were taken; each hearing was closed, and the chair announced amendment requests were due Thursday at 5 p.m. and amendments posted by Friday at 5 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• , a residential sprinkler fitter certificate, or a trainee-level sprinkler fitter certificate.
• The bill requires a contractor or fitter to produce evidence of a license or certificate upon request
• The bill also empowers local fire code officials to request proof of fire sprinkler certification.
• Dealing with a new union certification system will push some farming operations out.
• We're also concerned about card check certification without secret ballot elections.

Bills: HB2355 , HB2151 , HB2372 , HB2472 , HB2409

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: labor protections, domestic workers, wage standards, employment rights, worker safety, factory built housing, commercial structures, national standards, construction regulation, building safety, workers' compensation, benefits, employment, injury claims, insurance, liability, fire protection, sprinkler systems, licensed contractors, certified fitters

Transcript Highlights:

• The mandatory certification registration... Law to dispense them.
• It could be mandatory certification. It could be voluntary certification, whichever it is.
• And that is just because of our discussion of licensure versus certification.
• It also amends provisions governing the surety bonds and certificates of deposit.
• Governing the surety bonds and certificates of deposit.

Committee: Joint Business and Labor Interim Committee