Transcript Highlights:

• No, I'm not a chiropractor, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express. The idea of being...
• Chiropractors—our board is given the mission of promoting, preserving, and protecting the health and
• thank you for funding the first ever... ...chiropractic medical director in the country for the chiropractors
• because we are the first chiropractic board to actually put a chiropractor on staff to review the complaints

Bills: SB1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met to review Article 8, regulatory agencies, and began Article 9, general provisions, before recessing for floor action. The committee first heard budget presentations from the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and the Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC). The PUC budget recommendation was about $5.07 billion in all funds, including an additional $5 billion for the Texas Energy Fund, plus funding for staffing and technology needs tied to contested cases, infrastructure resiliency, and outage mapping. PUC witnesses emphasized the agency’s growing workload, the need for more staff and modern systems, and oversight of the Texas Energy Fund. OPUC’s recommendation was about $6.9 million, with a reduction in authorized FTEs to better match actual staffing; the agency requested additional funding for salaries, expert witnesses, and budget flexibility, and members highlighted OPUC’s role representing residential and small commercial consumers in utility proceedings. The committee then heard from the Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC), whose recommendation was just over $11.2 million. BHEC’s main requests included funding to fill vacant positions, money for continuous National Practitioner Data Bank queries, and a proposed Texas-owned psychology licensing exam in response to concerns about changes to the national exam. Agency leaders also discussed a rider request that would shift responsibility for certain judgments or settlements to the comptroller. Members asked about prior complaint backlogs, and BHEC said those backlogs had been cleared. The Board of Chiropractic Examiners followed, with a recommendation of just under $2.4 million; the board sought support for staffing, training, broadband, and salary retention, and described its work regulating chiropractors and workers’ compensation-related doctors. The Board of Dental Examiners was the last agency heard before the committee recessed. Its recommendation was just under $10 million, and it requested a 10% salary increase for eligible staff, three additional licensing staff, one staff member to handle required background checks, an additional attorney, and an executive director salary adjustment. Dental board witnesses said licensure growth, increased complaints, and low salaries were straining licensing and enforcement operations, even though the agency reported strong performance and high case completion rates. The chair ended the hearing early because the Senate had to return to the floor, and the committee remained in recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, in my day job I'm a chiropractor, so I saw human needs.
• > I'm<00:05:15.240> a there well in my day job I'm a there well in my day job I'm a chiropractor
• 16.240> saw<00:05:16.720> human<00:05:17.039> needs<00:05:17.720> but chiropractor
• so I saw human needs but chiropractor so I saw human needs but when<00:05:18.080> I<00:05:18.199

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• lien-based medical bills so that you have the same codes for the same treatment, i.e., like a chiropractor
• ...a health care provider that the attorney might have an interest in, i.e., your husband's a chiropractor
• , and you're the attorney, and you refer your client to that chiropractor.
• to a health care provider that the attorney might have an interest in, i.e., your husband's a chiropractor
• , and you're the attorney, and you refer your client to that chiropractor.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not a chiropractor, but I did stay in Holiday Inn Express, so we're good to go.
• We are the only chiropractic board with an actual chiropractor. on staff that reviews cases, gives us
• Some of the accomplishments is two thirds of all workmen's comp doctors are chiropractors.
• Oklahoma pays their staff members at their chiropractor board more than Texas.
• The chiropractor, yes. And then obviously y'all have to give somebody some due process.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, my horse has a chiropractor. I can't afford one, but my horse has a chiropractor.
• So the chiropractors are in here too, to allow them accountability and credibility and a path to certification
• You know, my horse has a chiropractor. I can't afford one, but my horse has a chiropractor.
• So the chiropractors are in here too, to allow them accountability and credibility and a path to certification

Keywords: 00:00 – Introduction 00:17 – Attendance Roll Call 02:09-- Discussion of SB 69 26:57 – Roll Call Vote, 958, all

Summary: The House Agriculture Committee met briefly and took up Senate Bill 69, a measure creating a certification path for non-veterinarians who perform equine dental work, especially floating teeth. Sponsor Sen. Robin Webb and supporters said the bill was the product of about two years of open meetings and stakeholder discussions, and that it would provide accountability, insurance access, and a way to grandfather in long-time practitioners with additional training. They framed it as a rural access and affordability issue, arguing that many horse owners, especially in remote areas, cannot easily reach or afford large-animal veterinarians and that the bill would preserve a long-standing husbandry practice while setting limits so certified providers could not perform surgery. Opposition came from equine veterinarians Dr. Brad Tanner and Dr. William Rainbow, who agreed there is a shortage of large-animal veterinarians and that floating teeth is necessary, but argued the bill’s scope goes beyond simple husbandry. They said the proposed authority would include procedures such as tooth removal and other work they consider surgery, which should remain within veterinary practice because of the need for sedation, pain management, and broader oral and physical exams. They also objected to the title “equine dental provider,” saying it could mislead owners into thinking the person has dentist-like training, and suggested a term like “equine teeth floater” would be clearer. Tanner cited a KVMA survey he said showed only 14 of 214 respondents supported indirect veterinary supervision in the bill. Members asked about continuing education, the “good moral character” licensing language, and whether people with past criminal records could be excluded. Supporters said continuing education would be required through certification programs and that character determinations would be handled case by case, with reference to broader second-chance licensing efforts moving through the legislature. Rep. Stalker asked for clearer terminology and educational guidance for consumers; the witnesses reiterated that the public should understand the difference between floating teeth and a full dental exam. After discussion, the committee moved to a roll call vote on the bill, but the transcript cuts off before the final vote result is fully shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• in clinical practice as part of their college instruction if directly supervised by a licensed chiropractor
• in clinical practice as part of their college instruction if directly supervised by a licensed chiropractor
• chiropractic college, specify the requirements for direct supervision of a qualified licensed chiropractor
• as part of the licensed chiropractor as part of the students<01:09:51.759> educational<01:09:
• <01:10:01.679> and qualified licensed chiropractor and qualified licensed chiropractor and

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education heard several measures focused on health, environment, and research. HB 970 would allow chiropractic students to participate in clinical practice under direct supervision; the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic offered comments and asked for a delayed implementation date until July 2027 to allow time to adopt rules, while the Hawaii State Chiropractic Association supported the bill. Members also discussed that there are currently no chiropractic schools in the state. The committee then heard HB 1185, which creates a plant-based building materials working group, and HB 1337, which establishes an endemic plant seed bank pilot program. Supporters of HB 1185 said the bill could help create green jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by developing materials such as bamboo, hempcrete, and bio-cements, with questions raised about in-state processing. For HB 1337, witnesses supported the goal of preserving endemic species but said a large-scale refrigerated storage and seed-production facility would be needed; one witness estimated startup costs of about $6 million for one island and noted existing seed banks are small-scale and not designed for reforestation. HB 1300 would fund a University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center multi-ethnic cohort study on cancer disparities among Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Filipinos, and Asians, including environmental and social factors such as proximity to landfills. The Cancer Center, ACS CAN, and labor representatives supported the bill, emphasizing health disparities and concerns about landfill exposure; committee members asked about federal funding, and the Cancer Center said it would pursue NIH, private, and foundation support, with the state share described as $500,000 per year for two years. HB 736 would create a wastewater technology testing pilot program at the Water Resources Research Center; supporters said it could help certify cheaper alternatives to costly cesspool and septic upgrades, and the Department of Health supported the measure. The committee also heard HB 531, which authorizes special license plates for the Cancer Center; supporters said it would raise visibility and funds, and the Cancer Center estimated revenue would likely be under $100,000. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• My son, who works down here as a chiropractor, and he appreciates me. No problem.
• My son, who works down here as a chiropractor, appreciates me coming back down here.

Summary: The committee met to consider a waiver request related to Jackson County School District Superintendent Chester Shannon’s construction project in Tuckerman, Arkansas. Shannon explained that while the district was in the middle of construction, it received grants and was able to complete additional work, including some items that could be interpreted as maintenance rather than construction. He said the change orders allowed the district to make needed improvements at a reduced cost and that he wanted board approval to ensure he was covered by the waiver. Members asked no substantive questions beyond acknowledging the inconvenience of Shannon having to return to present the request again after a prior approval of a different amount. Representative Eaves apologized for the need for the second appearance, noting there was no procedure to handle the change without the superintendent’s testimony. A motion was made by Senator Rice and seconded by Mr. Speaker to approve the waiver request, and the motion passed by voice vote. In other business, Marty Garrity, Director of the Bureau of Legislative Research, reported that the Bureau’s independent biennial audit had no findings. Members congratulated the Bureau on the result, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's going to be a simple system so you can go to the doctor, the dentist, or the chiropractor whenever
• It's going to be a simple system so you can go to the doctor, the dentist, or the chiropractor whenever
• It's going to be a simple system so you can go to the doctor, the dentist, or the chiropractor whenever
• It's going to be a simple system so you can go to the doctor, the dentist, or the chiropractor whenever
• It's going to be a simple system so you can go to the doctor, the dentist, or the chiropractor whenever

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The interview focused on Senate File 3612, which the senator described as “patient-centered care” legislation for Minnesota’s Medicaid and MinnesotaCare programs. He said the bill would remove private insurers and HMOs from administering those public programs, replace them with a state contract for claims processing and administrative services, and shift care coordination directly to primary care clinics, counties, and nonprofits. He argued the current managed-care system creates churn, prior-authorization barriers, and fragmented care, and said providers should manage care rather than insurers. The senator repeatedly cited Connecticut as a model, saying that state moved away from managed care, improved primary care participation, and saved money. He also argued Minnesota’s current system lacks transparency and may be overpaying health plans, pointing to fraud concerns and a past example in which UCare returned money to the state after an overpayment. He said the bill would improve accountability, make fraud easier to detect, and could save taxpayers billions, though he emphasized his main goal was better care rather than savings. On support and prospects, he said the bill has backing from the governor and the American Cancer Society but currently only DFL co-authors. He said he does not expect it to become law this year because the fiscal note and details are still pending, and he does not expect insurance companies to support it. He added that he is open to discussion but sees the insurers as fundamentally opposed. The interview ended with him saying workers in insurance and claims processing should be treated fairly and offered retraining or dislocated-worker support if broader reforms reduce their roles.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I'm not a chiropractor, but I did stay in Holiday Inn Express, so we're good to go.
• We are the only chiropractic board with an actual chiropractor on staff that reviews cases, gives us
• Uh, some of the accomplishments is 2/3 of all workman's comp, uh, doctors are chiropractors.
• Oklahoma pays their staff members at their chiropractor board more than Texas.
• Um, that you hired a DC to internally, I'm sorry that you hired a chiropractor internally.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you want a chiropractor to do it, as far as we're concerned, if the chiropractor is venturing an opinion
• If you want a chiropractor to do it, as far as we're concerned, if the chiropractor is venturing an opinion
• If you want a chiropractor to do it, as far as we're concerned, if the chiropractor is venturing an opinion
• If you want a chiropractor to do it, as far as we're concerned, if the chiropractor is venturing an opinion
• If you want a chiropractor to do it, as far as we're concerned, if the chiropractor is venturing an opinion

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a chiropractor in Bedford, New Hampshire. Um, and I'm here in support of SB 641.
• chiropractors can enter practice<05:58:41.440> here.
• I am a chiropractor.
• <06:07:02.958> on testing all of our chiropractors on testing all of our chiropractors on
• <06:08:44.080> and saying you're a good chiropractor and saying you're a good chiropractor

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So my great uncle Joseph Jasper was a chiropractor practicing in Massachusetts around 1920, in the early
• Well, he was a young chiropractor, two young children at the time.
• This was a collective decision on the part of the chiropractors in Massachusetts.
• Well, he was a young chiropractor, two young children at the time.
• This was a collective decision on the part of the chiropractors in Massachusetts.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on House Bill 396, which would exempt meat and meat food products slaughtered and prepared in-state for in-state sale from certain inspections. Representative Comtois explained her amendment, saying she tried to address prior concerns by limiting the number processed monthly, adding a registration and disclaimer requirement, and folding beef, swine, sheep, and goats into the bill’s framework. Members discussed whether some sections from earlier language on bison, elk, and red deer had been inadvertently struck, and Comtois said she did not intend to remove those protections and would restore them if needed. Several members raised drafting and policy concerns. Representative Miner suggested the waiver language should be a signed, notarized statement kept on file rather than filed with the Department of Agriculture, and Comtois agreed. Representative Gruber and Representative Scully discussed labeling and wording, including clarifying that the meat would not be “exempt” from federal inspection in the same way as non-amenable species, and adding language that any prosecution would be federal rather than state. There was also discussion about whether ground meat should be included for the amenable species, with Miner and Comtois indicating that excluding ground meat would reduce risk. Commissioner Sean Jasper of the Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food testified strongly against the bill, saying it was a step in the wrong direction, lacked consumer protections, and could jeopardize food safety and the state’s meat processing system. He argued that the federal exemption for non-amenable species could not simply be extended to new species by state law, warned that USDA could respond by withdrawing federal inspections, and said the bill would not solve the real bottlenecks in slaughter capacity. He also said he did not believe there was a general shortage of inspectors, and that the practical issue was producers not scheduling animals year-round, which forces facilities to scale to the slow season. No vote was taken during the work session, and members continued discussing possible amendments and wording changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've made some changes at the request of the Chiropractors Association and the PT's Association, to
• 00:10:44.480> the some changes at the request of the some changes at the request of the Chiropractors
• , the PT's Chiropractors Association, the PT's Association,<00:10:47.400> to<00:10:47.480>
• I really do value the work, but we don't allow chiropractors or physical therapists to negotiate the
• or physical therapists to chiropractors or physical therapists to negotiate<01:14:45.800> the

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:11 Discussion HB 527 00:02:29 Vote HB 527 00:08:02 Discussion HB 627 00:09:09 Vote HB 627 00:24:29 Discussion HB 355 00:25:59 Vote HB 355 00:34:28 Discussion HB 568 00:35:18 Vote HB 568 01:12:10, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 527, a cleanup bill related to insurance matters and the Strengthen Kentucky Homes program. The committee substitute removed language that would have repealed the workers’ compensation deductible range, added a one-time grant/reimbursement provision for contractor fortified-roofing certifications, and added an emergency clause. The Department of Insurance said the bill also updates licensing language, addresses issues with unlicensed pharmacy benefit managers, and supports contractor training tied to the roof grant program. The commissioner noted the program is set to go live March 1 and asked members to inform constituents about possible roof grants of up to $10,000. House Bill 527 received a favorable report after the committee adopted the substitute and title amendment by voice vote and then approved the bill on a roll call vote. The committee then heard House Bill 627, a PIP reform bill. The sponsor and State Farm’s legislative agent said the substitute clarified language so the Attorney General can prosecute insurance fraud and reflected negotiations with hospitals, the Kentucky Hospital Association, the Kentucky Justice Association, chiropractors, and physical therapists. The bill would apply the workers’ comp fee schedule to most PIP claims, require bills within 180 days, prohibit balance billing and credit impairment, raise funeral benefits to $5,000 and weekly wage benefits to $500, require an annual fraud report, and give the Attorney General concurrent jurisdiction over insurance fraud cases. A physician testifying in opposition argued the bill would cut reimbursement for non-hospital providers, shift costs to hospitals and other payers, reduce access to care, and create an uneven playing field that favors hospitals. Committee members asked about the lack of a PIP fee schedule and the effect of the workers’ comp schedule relative to Medicare and commercial insurance. After debate, the committee adopted the substitute and then passed House Bill 627 with favorable expression on a roll call vote, with one member voting no. The committee also considered House Bill 355 on real estate appraisers. The sponsor said the bill would restore an independent board, allow evaluations under federal guidelines, and move Kentucky from a voluntary to a mandatory appraisal state. Testimony from insurance and appraisal representatives said the bill would require licensure for real property damage appraisers, exempt insurance agents and claims adjusters licensed under the insurance code, and create clearer standards and oversight. Members asked about the cost of an executive director and whether the board could sustain itself through fees; the sponsor said the board had historically been self-sustaining. The committee adopted the substitute and then gave House Bill 355 a favorable report by roll call vote. Finally, the committee began House Bill 568, which would prohibit new public adjuster licenses while allowing current licensees to renew. The sponsor said the bill responds to ongoing complaints and investigations in the industry and noted that most licensed public adjusters in Kentucky are not residents of the state. The transcript cuts off as the bill’s presentation was beginning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on to in-person testimony from the Hawaii State Chiropractors Association in support.
• Aloha, An Shang speaking for Dean Shivers, representing the Hawaii State Chiropractors Association.
• We were hoping you would consider including chiropractors in the eligibility for the bill.
• Association and uh we were chiropractors Association and uh we were hoping<00:37:18.280> if<00
• in the eligibility for the chiropractors in the eligibility for the Bill<00:37:23.800> thank<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology met on February 7, 2025, to hear testimony on several bills and later take up amendments and votes. HB 1405, HB 1406, and HB 1407 drew broad support from business, housing, utility, and development groups, with no opposition noted on those measures. Testifiers generally said the bills would streamline permitting, improve coordination, and expand support for chambers of commerce and small businesses. After recess, the chair recommended amendments to each bill, including changes to broaden eligibility, add reporting requirements, and include funding and staffing notes. HB 1405 was amended to allow certain projects with one state and one county permit to qualify, require annual DBEDT reports to the Legislature, and note one full-time position and $125,000 in funding; the committee voted to pass it with amendments. HB 1406 was amended to move the intergovernmental task force from DBEDT to the House Legislature, add a Speaker-appointed chair, and include a $125,000 appropriation note; it also passed with amendments. HB 1407 was amended to convert the chamber support from a grant process to an RFP process and require a 1-to-5 match on a $100,000 award; it too passed with amendments. In each case, the chair’s recommendation was adopted, with Representative Tam excused. The committee also heard HB 796, a tax-credit review bill, which drew no support and 12 opposition testimonies with three comments. Opponents, including SAG-AFTRA Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, Catholic Charities Hawaii, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, argued that automatic sunset provisions or broad tax-credit cuts would burden working families and that existing review mechanisms already exist under state law. The Department of Taxation and DBEDT offered technical comments, and the Tax Foundation suggested the bill’s goals might be better addressed by cleaning up the existing review process. Later, the committee heard HB 303, which had 17 supporters and no opposition. Testifiers from the Department of Health, University of Hawaii, Hawaii State Center for Nursing, Queen’s Health System, and the Hawaii State Chiropractors Association supported the measure, with the chiropractors asking to be included in eligibility. The Hawaii State Center for Nursing said the program had been successful for five years and had room to expand. HB 577 also drew support, with the Department of Taxation offering comments and the Tax Foundation noting technical issues. HB 949 generated mixed testimony: Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce supported it, while Hawaii Children’s Action Network raised concerns about the bill’s effects and the lack of fiscal analysis; Sugar Creek Capital also supported the measure and clarified that the credit would not offset the GET. Finally, HB 933 and HB 959 were heard, with HB 933 receiving six support testimonies and comments focused on grocery tax relief and food insecurity, and HB 959 drawing strong support from labor and advocacy groups for its broad tax relief package, while the Tax Foundation and Hawaii Appleseed urged caution about the proposed 50% GET increase and asked for clearer fiscal analysis.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I would expect that if I went to a chiropractor, they're licensed and they're not just somebody like
• And I would expect that if I went to a chiropractor, they're licensed and they're not just somebody like
• And I would expect that if I went to a chiropractor, they're licensed and they're not just somebody like
• I know that I wouldn't want to have to work for a county in order to call myself a chiropractor.
• That wouldn't be myself a chiropractor.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They will not want to be nurses and doctors and chiropractors and nurse practitioners and PAs.
• be nurses and doctors and chiropractors be nurses and doctors and chiropractors and<01:00:13.839
• This bill currently, as far as I understand it, casts far too wide a net. social workers chiropractors
• <01:29:51.880> that<01:29:52.080> other doctors that chiropractors that other doctors
• that chiropractors that other providers<01:29:53.040> all<01:29:53.239> healthcare<01:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we charge or we are paid so little that it's not cost-effective for Alina to use chiropractors in
• And every study that's gone on has said if you see a chiropractor first for these spinal conditions,
• Um, we charge or we are paid so little that it's not cost-effective for Alina to use chiropractors in
• And every study that's gone on has said if you see a chiropractor first for these spinal conditions,
• Um, we charge or we are paid so little that it's not cost-effective for Alina to use chiropractors in

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have the privilege to serve in the Minnesota Senate and, um, as a chiropractor, and I have seen many
• Senate and um 46e chiropractor and I Senate and um 46e chiropractor and I have<00:05:05.280> um

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Bills: SB1421, SB1427, SB1484, SB1503, SB1553, SB1557, SB1564, SB1566, SB1567, SB1591, SB1642, SB1794, SB1837, SB2044

Keywords: mental health, nonphysical intervention, training, youth care, conflict resolution, staff training, pediatric screenings, type 1 diabetes, health care providers, parental consent, reimbursement, state funding, public health, medicolegal investigation, medical examiner, coroner, sudden infant death syndrome, SIDS, sudden unexpected infant death, SUID

Transcript Highlights:

• So all the bill does is kind of borrow from what we've done for podiatrists, optometrists, and chiropractors
• I think that if we're going to license acupuncture and massage therapy, chiropractors, podiatrists, and