Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of all complaints of professional of all complaints of professional misconduct<00:14:08.079><c>
• </c> is also a step on the professional is also a step on the professional development<03:11:01.920><
• </c> both Public Safety Professional both Public Safety Professional accountability<03:26:49.920><c>
• it upholds professional Integrity it upholds professionalism<03:29:53.600><c> it</c><03:29:53.760><c
• </c> rules rather than in each professional rules rather than in each professional or<04:36:23.039><c

Summary: The meeting was an orientation-style overview from the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC), led by Executive Director Deana Jurus and staff. They described the office’s mission to protect public health, safety, welfare, the environment, and the public trust, and outlined the agency structure: enforcement, licensing and board administration, operations, legal counsel, board counsel, and the hearings bureau. OPLC said it currently supports 57 boards, including seven advisory boards, and has about 104 filled positions out of 120 authorized. They also noted new voluntary certifications for doulas, lactation consultants, and community health workers that are in rulemaking. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on how boards and staff divide responsibilities under RSA 310:4. Staff explained that the office handles application processing, complaint intake and initial review, records retention, 91-A requests, and rule drafting, while boards make final decisions on licensure criteria, complaint dismissals or investigations, disciplinary actions, and some hearing matters. They also described the rule structure by chapter number ranges and the distinction between full licensing boards and advisory boards. The committee asked about complaint notifications, and OPLC said it is tightening policies so complainants are told whether a matter is closed or moving forward. The licensing process was discussed in detail, especially for nursing. Bethany Katrell explained that applicants apply through an online portal, may receive approval to sit for exams, can work under provisional authority in some cases, and then receive full licensure after exam results and criminal background checks are complete. OPLC said the portal now reduces back-and-forth paperwork and that, as of the latest biweekly report, 87% of applications were decided within the statutory 90-day period and 57% within 14 days. Members also raised questions about why some professions require board approval before taking an exam, and OPLC said that requirement varies by statute or board rule. No votes or formal actions were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I was just thinking that if you could change it from just certain health professionals, but all health
• If you could change it from just certain health professionals, but all health care professionals, because
• </c> all the qualifications all the qualifications uh<00:18:27.840><c> and</c><00:18:28.320><c> uh</c
• </c><00:18:43.600><c> and</c><00:18:43.840><c> they</c><00:18:44.080><c> are</c> their qualifications
• and they are their qualifications and they are eligible<00:18:44.559><c> to</c><00:18:44.799><c> vote

Bills: HB63 , HB19 , HB80 , HB41 , HB20 , HB60 , HB100 , HB71 , HB91 , HB93 , HB63 , HB19 , HB80 , HB41 , HB20 , HB60 , HB100 , HB71 , HB91 , HB93

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: paternity, child custody, joint custody, parental rights, family law, domestic violence, shared parenting, Ebony Alert, missing youth, public safety, law enforcement, racial equity, human trafficking, victim restitution, civil action, criminal prosecution, labor servitude, sexual servitude, class A felony, class B felony

Transcript Highlights:

• by professional people like managed by professional people like yourselves. yourselves. yourselves.
• . ...healthcare professionals.
• I don't see a lot of professionals.
• professionals professionals &gt;&gt; one<03:31:33.200><c> followup.
• just mental health professionals, any professional cannot disclose information publicly that they've

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• What are the Qualifications for foster parents for some of these children that are more troubled Madam
• Chair and members of the committee, we do have very strict qualifications for any foster parents.
• There need to be qualifications in my Estimation for those who are providing services to our children
• We're here to present House Bill 66, Healthcare Professional Loan Fund Changes.
• This dedicated fund is going to strengthen the recruitment and retention of health care professionals

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the legislative and regulatory affairs chief of the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses
• Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors, pending rule.
• However, this rule has the support of the Idaho Society of Professional Land Surveyors.
• Chief at the Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses.
• Bernard, what qualifications must an inspector have to do this job? Mr. Bernard: Mr.

Committee: House Business

Transcript Highlights:

• To create the organizational structure and decide what qualifications the staff members should have.
• Yes, they, they have certain qualifications.
• Uh, let's see. 5 years of documented professional experience working in child protective or juvenile
• for the child advocate in the law and the authorizing statute for CYFD has no qualifications for the
• It requires professionals that have to go through rigorous national constant trainings.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, industry standards describe qualification pathways; contractors rely on statutory language for
• pathways, contractors rely qualification pathways, contractors rely on<00:25:48.800><c> statutory</c
• programs in the field, but qualification programs in the field, but the<00:26:43.640><c> bill</c><00
• Uh, as far as the qualifications and certifications, you don't want an entry-level certification that
• Steve Kelly, contract lobbyist for the Kentucky State Police Professional Association.

Committee: House Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• The sustained injuries prevented George from returning to his professional duties.
• This state needs highly trained professional firefighters who are ready to respond at a moment's notice
• No, I appreciate the opportunity and working professionally with everyone, and as I mentioned before,
• House Bill 2122 makes clarifying changes to the qualifications for registration through reciprocity or
• House Bill 2122 makes clarifying changes to the qualifications for registration through reciprocity or

Committee: House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Summary: The Commerce Committee heard three bills after announcing that House Bill 2118 would be held. House Bill 2091 would raise the maximum asset-based assessment DIFI can charge domestic insurers to fund financial surveillance staff, with future increases tied to inflation and capped. The sponsor and industry witnesses said the fees had not been updated in 25 years, that Arizona’s insurance regulatory workload has grown substantially, and that the change should help DIFI hire staff, reduce reliance on more expensive contracted work, and not increase premiums. The committee voted 11-0 to give HB 2091 a due pass recommendation. House Bill 2138 would clarify workers’ compensation coverage for professional firefighters injured while traveling to or from work, defining firefighter for that purpose. The sponsor and witnesses from Queen Creek and the fire community said the bill was intended as cleanup language to restore the original legislative intent after a claim was denied because of a statutory loophole, and that the change would protect firefighters and support recruitment and response readiness. The County Supervisors Association said it was neutral but requested counties be removed from the definition because counties do not employ firefighters; a floor amendment was expected to address that. The committee approved HB 2138 11-0. House Bill 2122 made clarifying changes to last year’s reciprocity/endorsement law for registration of BTR-related professions, including reciprocity with the United Kingdom. The sponsor described it as a cleanup bill to fix an omission and support workforce development and commerce, and the only witness offered no additional testimony. The committee passed HB 2122 on an 11-0 vote, and the meeting adjourned after all three bills received due pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Arizona laws, as currently written, allow professional boards for many other professionals.
• The Arizona laws, it's currently written, allows professional boards for many other professionals.
• It allows professional boards to regulate the use of fluoroscopy in X-ray.
• Information regarding their qualifications, skills, and knowledge.
• administer this type of care than medical professionals?

Committee: House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee began with two radiology-related bills focused on rural access and workforce shortages. HB 2049 would allow particle accelerators for cancer treatment in critical access hospitals and counties under 400,000 population under general supervision, with rural providers testifying that the change would let patients receive care closer to home while maintaining safety protocols. The bill passed on an 11-0 vote. HB 2050 updated outdated radiologic technologist statutes, revised school accreditation and clinical-hour standards, and allowed radiologist assistants to work under supervision rather than direct supervision; an amendment also added registered nurses to the list of professionals not needing an additional license to use diagnostic X-ray machines. Testimony centered on staffing shortages, national standards, and whether the change would preserve oversight. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 10-2, with some members citing the need for more vetting and concern about oversight of dangerous equipment. The committee then heard HB 2082, which creates a Childhood Cancer and Rare Childhood Disease Research Commission to award grants for phase-one pediatric cancer and rare disease trials using existing license-plate funds and other sources. Parents and patients gave emotional testimony about pediatric brain cancer diagnoses, the lack of effective treatments, and the need for Arizona to support local research; the bill passed unanimously 12-0. HB 2015 required Access to cover breastfeeding and lactation services, and an amendment made the coverage subject to CMS approval. Supporters described breastfeeding as preventive care with benefits for infants and mothers, while Access said it was neutral but appreciated the amendment’s fiscal safeguard. The bill passed 12-0 as amended. Next, HB 2177 directed Access to seek CMS waivers to restore Medicaid payments for certain services provided to American Indian and Alaska Native members by IHS and tribal facilities, including dental, diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive services. The sponsor and a Sage Memorial Hospital witness said the bill would help tribal facilities draw down federal funds and keep services local; it passed 12-0 as amended. HB 2178 required state agency chief medical officers to hold an active medical or osteopathic license and passed without opposition. HB 2179 clarified statutory definitions separating air ambulance from ground ambulance regulation, with industry testimony saying it was a cleanup measure that would avoid unintended consequences; it also passed 12-0. Finally, HB 2183 created an 11-member emergency medicine study committee to examine EMS system sustainability, rural and urban capacity, workforce burnout, and uncompensated care. Firefighters, health care advocates, and an emergency nurse practitioner supported the study as a way to gather data and make recommendations; it passed 12-0. The committee then returned to HB 2072, which establishes an optional state certification for lactation care providers under ADHS, along with rulemaking, fees, discipline, and an advisory committee; the sponsor said the credential was needed so Access could reimburse the service, and the bill was introduced for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, so in your professional expertise, you know, all of these laws, everything has a cost, right
• Chairman, so in your professional expertise, you know, all of these laws, everything has a cost, right
• And those are qualifications on similar work.
• What is the professional ability of the staff that will be working on the project?
• I think in many cases, it broke the relationship agencies had with their IT professionals.

Committee: Joint Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency

Summary: The task force met with a quorum and first reviewed a memorandum summarizing a survey of state agencies on possible statute revisions. Levi reported that 20 agencies submitted 70 proposals, with about 33 potentially becoming agency pre-file bills. Common themes included procurement, concessions, architect/engineering services, liability limits, and IT-related efficiencies. Members asked about sharing the survey results more broadly and about cross-agency coordination, especially with higher education and ITD-related issues. OMB then presented three topics from its survey responses: concessions, pre-qualification of architects/engineers/construction managers/land surveyors, and publication of legal notices. OMB said the current concessions law is too rigid because it requires award to the highest responsible bidder and does not fit newer concession models, and it suggested a best-value approach, a higher threshold, and standardized templates. On architect/engineering pre-qualification, OMB said the law is fragmented across several statutes and should be consolidated and expanded for broader use. On legal notices, OMB described the current rate-setting and publication process, noted rising costs and shrinking newspaper availability, and proposed a collaborative effort to modernize notice delivery, improve accessibility, and explore online options. The task force discussed how to move these ideas forward, and a motion passed directing OMB to implement its suggestions and report back at the next meeting. The University of North Dakota then presented several proposed revisions focused on public buildings and procurement. UND recommended raising the threshold for treating routine maintenance and one-for-one replacements as construction, arguing that the current $250,000 threshold forces unnecessary architect/engineer involvement and adds cost. It also proposed changes to bid advertisement language to reflect electronic bidding, revisions to construction manager-at-risk selection criteria, changes to architect/engineer procurement criteria, a higher direct-hire threshold for design services, and an increase in the legislative approval threshold for privately funded projects. Members discussed the need for data, risk and complexity considerations, and collaboration with counsel and industry groups. A motion passed directing Levi and counsel to work with UND on bill drafts based on its proposals for a future meeting. DPI followed with a shorter presentation on credentialing and statutory cleanup. It suggested reviewing the department’s 23 credential categories for relevance, and said DPI and the Education Standards and Practices Board have discussed transferring some credentialing authority to ESPB. DPI also recommended removing outdated school safety patrol language, cleaning up waiver provisions, and updating dyslexia screening reporting requirements so districts are not burdened by obsolete reporting mandates. Members agreed the screening itself should remain in place, while the reporting requirement could be reconsidered. The committee then recessed until the afternoon session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Constitution states, 'No religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public
• are highly trained professionals who listen to the recordings of court proceedings and accurately type
• and continued re-qualification of officials.
• The same year that I began my professional career as an official court reporter for the trial court.
• It is the statute that dictates how professionals, whether stenographers, voice reporters, or digital

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

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:

• manner that only one contractor in the entire United States could meet the minimum experiences and qualifications
• an RFP, you have to write it so that more than one bidder can meet the minimum experience and qualifications
• For example, in Orange County and the one in San Diego, they set a minimum qualification.
• In San Diego, they set a minimum qualification.
• And someone I served with many decades ago in public office and who I've worked with professionally for

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Agriculture met to hear one bill, SB 1223 by Senator Padilla, which would require district agricultural associations and fairs to follow competitive bidding standards under the Public Contract Code and prohibit sole-source contracting. Senator Padilla and his witness argued the bill was needed to close a loophole exposed by litigation and investigations involving fair contracts, citing alleged bid tailoring and favoritism in San Diego and Orange County fair contracting. They said the measure would promote transparency, accountability, and fair competition, while noting that existing exemptions and guidance should allow smaller fairs to continue routine procurement without difficulty. Committee members asked how the bill would affect small and rural fairs and what steps managers would need to take to comply. The author and witness responded that the bill was aimed at large contracts where abuse had occurred, and that fair managers generally already know how to write RFPs so more than one bidder can qualify. The vice chair indicated support after receiving clarification, and the chair and other members spoke in favor of the bill as a safeguard against corruption. No opposition was presented in committee or public comment. The committee then voted to send SB 1223 to the Appropriations Committee. The roll call showed the measure passing with eight aye votes. Before adjournment, the chair also recognized the committee’s chief consultant, Victor, and secretary, Nicole, for their long service and upcoming retirements, thanking them for their work with the Agriculture Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• My goal here is just to keep things professional and to keep state documents, state documents, and kind
• My goal here is just to keep things professional and to keep state documents, state documents, and kind
• Required to maintain a professional licensing, if you have to be an attorney as part of your state job
• It says, whereas there is a need for uniform state policy regarding payment of professional dues, fees
• It's not going to be fulfilling. ...to be required to maintain a professional license.

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• But the professional title of social worker must mean something specific.
• Title protection reinforces professional standards and recognition of expertise.
• But the professional title of social worker must mean something specific.
• Professionally, I'm an attorney.
• Testifiers are amazing, well professional in the end, the individual ones.

Bills: HF3454 , HF3917 , HF2906 , HF3832 , HF3769

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Scope of practice refers to the activities and procedures that a provider or professional with a specific
• level of education, training, or competency is authorized to engage in, as defined by state professional
• Medical professionals respect each other and know the areas where they can work within their scope, and
• I believe all professionals should be working up to their scope.
• Rebecca Polston, Certified Professional Midwife and Licensed Midwife.

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:35:50.599><c> Metropolitan</c> support for professionals Metropolitan support for professionals
• </c> direct support professional direct support professional certification<00:36:08.800><c> pilot</c>
• </c> Implement a direct support professional Implement a direct support professional certificate<00:37
• </c> support of updating the qualification support of updating the qualification requirements<01:46:28.599
• </c><01:49:06.679><c> meet</c> training and ensuring professionals meet training and ensuring professionals

Bills: HF2367 , HF2319 , HF2523 , HF1742 , HF671 , HF2331 , HF2722 , HF2406 , HF1674

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and just personally and professionally, um, she has my strongest support.
• </c><00:04:01.120><c> for</c> exceeds all the qualifications for exceeds all the qualifications for personal
• . qualifications. qualifications. 30<00:16:54.959><c> years</c><00:16:55.120><c> ago,</c><00:16:55.839
• </c> this is the highlight of my professional this is the highlight of my professional career<01:11:50.320
• </c> and her qualifications um are exemplary. and her qualifications um are exemplary.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Governor’s Message 790, the nomination of Karen T. Nakasone to serve as chief judge of the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals for a 10-year term. The chair announced that no vote would be taken that day and that the committee would vote on Thursday. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with the chair reading that there were 103 supporters, zero opposed, and one comment. Supporters included current and retired judges, public defenders, bar association representatives, former elected officials, and community members. They described Nakasone as intelligent, fair, hardworking, well respected, and a strong leader with deep legal experience. Several speakers emphasized her judicial temperament, her work as an advocate and judge, and her community involvement, including leadership in civic and civil rights organizations. One pro se litigant also testified that she had been treated kindly and respectfully by Nakasone in prior interactions. The Hawaii State Bar Association reported that it had conducted an interview and review process and found her qualified for the position. In her own remarks, Nakasone introduced family and colleagues, described her 30-year legal career, and said her first job after law school was as an ICA law clerk. She highlighted the court’s backlog reduction efforts under Acting Chief Judge Katherine Leonard, saying the number of older pending appeals had dropped significantly through team-based reforms, and stated that she would continue that work if confirmed. The hearing ended without questions from the committee and with the nomination held for a later vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• there are some dairy farms that have started since the date you're supposed to be using for the qualification
• you're supposed to be using<00:00:53.680><c> for</c><00:00:54.000><c> the</c><00:00:54.640><c> qualification
• </c><00:00:55.360><c> So</c> using for the qualification. So using for the qualification.
• MDI helps bring the professionals that support your dairy business to the table, and it provides the
• for the program um qualifications for the program um the<00:28:38.559><c> maximum</c><00:28:39.039><

Transcript Highlights:

• It also changes age qualifications for the PESS programs.
• It also changes age qualifications. vulnerable children while maintaining strong safeguards.
• It also changes age qualifications for the P-E-S-S programs. That's so important for me.
• This bill targets doctors and professionals who seek to provide the best possible care for transgender
• It also goes against and willfully ignores the medical professionals who stand in support of providing

Bills: S0560 , S0590 , S0778 , S1010

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs considered four bills. SB 590, by Sen. Bradley, would toll the statute of limitations for failure to report suspected child abuse by mandatory reporters until the offense is known to law enforcement; an amendment clarified retroactive application for offenses not already time-barred by the bill’s effective date. Sen. Bradley said the bill is intended to ensure accountability in institutional abuse cases and not to change the reasonable-suspicion reporting standard. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard SB 778, by Sen. Simon, which would update the definition of forensic client so certain individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism whose charges were dismissed for incompetency can be housed with other Chapter 916 residents, reducing duplicative staffing and space needs at the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. Barney Bishop appeared in support, and the bill was reported favorably without amendment. SB 560, by Sen. Garcia, would streamline procedures for psychotropic medication prescriptions for children in DCF custody, reduce duplicative background checks and reporting, and simplify consent documentation. Amendments removed language allowing licensed clinical social workers and marriage and family therapists to serve as evaluators and narrowed changes to the Road to Independence Program’s postsecondary education services and supports, extending eligibility ages from 18 to 26 while keeping the five-year cap. Senators discussed the fiscal impact and funding blend for the education stipend. The committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably. The committee then took up SB 1010, by Sen. Yarbrough, which adds criminal and civil enforcement for violations involving sex-reassignment prescriptions or procedures for minors and related parental-rights provisions. An amendment clarified that the civil action authority applies to minors and that damages benefit the affected minor. Public testimony was heavily divided, with supporters saying the bill enforces existing protections and opponents warning it would chill care, counseling, and school-based support for transgender youth. Senators Harrell, Sharief, and Rouson raised concerns about vagueness, standing, and impacts on teachers and health professionals; Sharief voted no, while the bill was still reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was going to be professional and polite, but I think I will not.
• I mean, I do have the qualifications here. I can't say I'm an expert, Mr. Chair.
• The qualifications are different from the underwriting and also getting lenders to participate in down
• They have their own underwriting and qualifications. Yes. So everybody has to work together. Yes.
• I stakeholdered with other professionals that were in the health board.

Summary: The committee heard HB 2842, a deed-fraud prevention bill that would create an early alert system for property owners when escrow is opened on their property. The sponsor and several witnesses, including a victim, an Attorney General investigator, and the Department of Real Estate commissioner, described widespread deed fraud and said the bill would provide proactive notice before a fraudulent transfer is completed. The committee adopted the Blackman amendment shifting the reporting entity from DIFI to the State Real Estate Department, then passed the bill with a due pass recommendation by a 7-0 vote. Members then considered HB 2667, which would require recipients of state first-time homebuyer or down payment assistance programs to be Arizona residents for two years and to occupy the home as a primary residence for two years, while barring out-of-state investors from using the homes as rentals. The sponsor said the bill was intended to help younger Arizonans and keep assistance focused on residents invested in the state. Opponents and other members raised concerns that the bill could conflict with existing federal and lender requirements and could reduce participation in local down payment programs; after discussion, the committee passed the bill 4-3. HB 2020 was heard next and would reduce certain school-disruption offenses to a class 1 misdemeanor for minors and narrow the definition of interference with an educational institution. The sponsor and a parent described a case in which a student was charged too harshly after a school altercation, while a public commenter urged case-by-case discretion and warned against saddling children with felonies. The committee passed the bill 4-3. The committee also advanced HB 2793, which streamlines annexation procedures for single-owner annexations and updates notice rules, including electronic newspaper publication. After adopting two amendments, members passed it 4-3. HB 2327, which allows eligible individuals to restrict public access to certain identifying information held by county recorders, assessors, and treasurers, passed unanimously. HB 2858, creating a 1% Arizona-bidder preference in certain state procurement ties, also passed unanimously after amendment. HB 2660, which adds procedural protections and oversight for health profession licensing board actions, passed 4-2 after testimony from the sponsor and a physician who said board actions had chilled speech and due process. Finally, HB 2063, appropriating $1.5 million for the Independent Correctional Oversight Office, passed unanimously after strong support from oversight advocates and former corrections stakeholders, and HB 2681, extending civil-service appeal deadlines from 10 calendar days to 10 business days, also passed unanimously. The committee then discussed HB 2812, which would raise the sick-leave payout cap for retiring state employees from $30,000 to $57,000; witnesses supported the increase and members began discussing a possible amendment to allow retirees to transfer the payout into a health savings arrangement, but the transcript ends before final action on that bill.