Transcript Highlights:

• Would Publix lose their liquor license?
• And this is, if you're licensed, right, you can't.
• There are regulations and the license is there for a reason, and we need to respect that licensing procedure
• Licensing hurdles.
• And those small churches, just the cost of getting those licenses like Class D and G licensing, the 40

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills. SB 624, by Senator Yarborough, would allow batterers intervention programs to offer optional supplemental faith-based activities, with no participant required to take part; supporters said it would expand provider options amid a shortage of certified programs, while opponents raised concerns about government speech and mixing religion with court-ordered programming. After debate, the bill was reported favorably 7-2. The committee also considered CS/SB 834, which repeals a 2022 restriction preventing licensed insurance agents from marketing or selling health care sharing ministries; supporters framed it as restoring choice and free speech, while opponents warned about consumer confusion, commissions, and lack of insurance protections. It was reported favorably 8-2. The committee next approved CS/SB 502, via a strike-all amendment, to give Florida concurrent jurisdiction over certain juvenile offenses on military installations so juveniles can be handled in state juvenile court rather than federal court; the amendment and bill both passed unanimously. CS/SB 52 also passed unanimously after testimony from church leaders and security personnel supporting an exemption from Class D/G licensing for unpaid armed security volunteers at places of worship. Supporters said the bill would clarify legal gray areas and help churches afford security, while members noted the broader concern that houses of worship need armed protection at all. Finally, the committee reported favorably SB 840, which revises last year’s emergency/local planning law by narrowing its application after storms from 100 miles to 50 miles of the storm track and exempting certain water, flood, and state/federal planning matters; local government representatives supported the clarification, and the bill passed 9-0. CS/SB 758, as amended, updated the membership of the Justice Administration Commission to better reflect the entities it oversees, and it also passed 9-0. The meeting ended with a recorded affirmative vote from Senator DeSigley on SB 624.

Transcript Highlights:

• care licensing.
• Amendments A6 and A12 provide that a child care license applicant is ineligible for a child care license
• if a child care provider has exceeded its license capacity.
• In the definition of an agency, licensed physicians and lawyers are exempt from licensing, and that was
• They, like everyone else, have to get a child, be a licensed foster home.

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee met on February 25 and received staff briefings on three bills. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2253, the DCYF licensing bill, was described as affecting foster care licensing, crisis residential center staffing ratios, and child care licensing. Staff reviewed multiple proposed amendments, including changes related to immediate threats to children’s safety, substance use, subsidy fraud, reporting channels, and DUI-related ineligibility, as well as a Wilson striking amendment that would remove many of those floor changes. After caucus, the chair announced she would pull ESHB 2253 from executive action for further work over the interim, and no vote was taken on the bill. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2319, which renames certain residential habilitation centers, had one amendment to rename Yakima Valley School as the Yakima Valley Residential Habilitation Center. The committee adopted the amendment despite opposition from Senators Warnick and Christian, who said constituents in Yakima did not support the change. The bill then received a do-pass recommendation and was sent to Rules, with Senators Warnick and Christian voting no. House Bill 2464, concerning incident reporting by private detention facilities to the Department of Health and local law enforcement, was also considered. Senator Christian offered six amendments, including a JLARC study, public posting and legislative sharing of reports, expanded reporting requirements, food-safety consistency, and reimbursement for compliance costs; all six amendments failed. The committee then approved the bill on a do-pass recommendation and sent it to Rules, with Senator Christian opposing and Senator Orwall supporting the measure as a human-rights and safety bill. The chair closed the meeting after noting the committee had reached the policy cutoff and thanking staff for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• No, the board cannot give them their DEA license or the licensing association.
• Here's your license back.
• No, the board cannot give them their DEA license or the licensing association.
• No, the board cannot give them their DEA license or the licensing association.
• No, the board cannot give them their DEA license or the licensing association.

Committee: House Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill goes to licensing of the occupational therapy.
• , but it also has something about a license and renewal of license.
• Madam Chair, Representative Cates, the Regulation and Licensing Department currently only licenses the
• So, you only have a license for the therapist, not the facility.
• I didn't mean to imply that RLD would do the licenses.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Professional Registration and Licensing will come to order.
• This maintains safety and licensing standards. It does not reduce any oversight.
• RXO is licensed in Missouri, but they serve nationwide.
• RXO is licensed in Missouri, but they serve nationwide.
• It simply makes changes about whether we have reciprocal licenses with other compact states.

Committee: House Professional Registration and Licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• If I understood this right, every licensed applicator If I understood this right, every licensed applicator
• or uncertified applicators with the licensed applicator for general use pesticides.
• or uncertified applicators with the licensed applicator for general use pesticides.
• People have the pesticide applicators license and they're supervising several people.
• We do offer pre-license training as well. We do offer pre-license training as well with the agency.

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> though those people are being licensed though those people are being licensed by<02:04:47.920><c
• So my question is, I know that we try to set the licensing fees to only cover the cost of licensing.
• The witness said that, instead of jumping right to license revocation or license suspension, they can
• </c> you pres gr thank you how many licensed you pres gr thank you how many licensed interpreters<02:
• There is a set license fee.

Summary: The subcommittee first took up House Bill 702, which would change how extra or special duty pay for retired police officers is treated for retirement and work-limit purposes. Supporters argued the bill would let retirees work more special-duty hours, helping municipalities fill traffic-detail and similar assignments without added state cost, and said it would not prohibit retirees from working but would simply stop those hours from counting toward the return-to-work threshold. Opponents argued the change would be inconsistent with the retirement system’s 2011 reforms, could increase pension liabilities, and would treat the same compensation differently for active employees and retirees. Members also discussed whether the bill would affect current and future retirees, the role of municipalities, and whether the policy amounted to “policing for profit.” The subcommittee ultimately voted 3-2 to recommend inexpedient to legislate (ITL) on HB 702, sending it to the full committee with that recommendation. The committee then discussed House Bill 581, which would create a Group Three retirement plan for new state employees hired after the bill’s effective date. The chair outlined a housekeeping amendment to delay implementation, moving the effective date to January 1, 2026, and noted a sponsor amendment addressing health insurance group inclusion and medical and surgical benefits so those benefits would not be put at risk for the new group. Testimony and discussion focused on the shift from defined benefit to defined contribution, with supporters citing Michigan examples and arguing the bill would help recruit and retain employees while giving them more flexibility. Opponents said the change could weaken retirement security and increase unfunded liability, though supporters responded that the bill still requires employer contributions toward accrued liability and is intended to keep the state on track to pay off its unfunded liability by 2039. The transcript ends with continued discussion of the bill and no final vote shown on HB 581.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, all that's going to keep happening, but we really see the vehicle for having our kids meet our goal
• c><01:20:48.600><c> really</c><01:20:48.920><c> see</c><01:20:49.120><c> the</c><01:20:49.240><c> vehicle
• </c><01:20:50.000><c> for</c><01:20:50.400><c> having</c> but we really see the vehicle for having but
• we really see the vehicle for having our<01:20:50.840><c> kids</c><01:20:51.160><c> meet</c><01:20:51.400
• they don't understand, well, grandma can't get up in the morning because she's sick, or there's one vehicle

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Tribal Relations

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> electric vehicles electric vehicles aren't<01:23:56.639><c> the</c><01:23:56.880><c> greatest</c
• So the transition to electric vehicles can happen through market incentives.
• So the transition to electric vehicles can happen through market incentives.
• So the transition to electric vehicles can happen through market incentives.
• So the transition to electric vehicles can happen through market incentives.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill proposes to delete the authority for licensed opticians to delegate specific tasks to a licensed
• of the bill. and it says in the statute 484.01 that a license is required.
• physician or licensed optometrist shall be required to secure a license under this part, so long as
• Without licensed opticians, offices lose money, productivity, and patient trust.
• Licensed opticians should not be optional; they should be mandatory.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:15.360><c> And</c><00:02:15.520><c> so</c> licensed with a sedation license.
• And so licensed with a sedation license.
• They just are able to take the radiographs. >> Two-year license or one-year license?
• They just are able to take the radiographs. >> Two-year license or one-year license?
• They just are able to take the radiographs. >> Two-year license or one-year license?

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2019, we passed a bill that allowed military spouses to practice some licenses.
• to a license issued by this state.
• out-of-state license and simplifies the process.
• So currently... in order to have a Texas license issued, each member or their spouse has to have a license
• A journeyman electrician license, and this is the scope of practice.

Bills: HCR46 , HB1389 , HB3359 , HB5629

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I think last time it was the Department of Licensing.
• Independent of the Department of Licensing, does this bill at all, as we're talking about licensing,
• Second, the bill increases license fees and certain penalties.
• It increases wholesaler, distributor, and retailer license fees.
• This bill will increase our tobacco license fees by 700%.

Bills: HB2439 , HB2483 , HB2400

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: public health, tobacco regulation, smoking cessation, vapor products, health policy, youth prevention, data broker, registry, consumer protection, privacy, data regulation, social media, content creation, online platforms, digital marketing, user-generated content

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so are you looking for some sort of provisional license or a temporary license for individuals
• Okay, so are you looking for some sort of provisional license or a temporary license for individuals
• Okay, so are you looking for some sort of provisional license or a temporary license for individuals
• </c> full license they obtain a full license full license they obtain a full license with<00:13:09.440
• </c><00:22:02.400><c> licensing</c> that's not under any licensing licensing that's not under any licensing

Summary: The committee began by reviewing a large slate of administrative regulations and explaining that it does not approve regulations but can find them deficient and send them back for further work. Members then asked questions on several items, including EMS reciprocity, dental hygienist licensure, and interpreter licensure. The EMS board explained that reciprocity would extend to applicants from any state, not just contiguous states, because the underlying statute had been amended. On the dental regulation, staff said the changes mainly clarified licensure requirements, reinstatement fees, and that dental hygienists administering local anesthetic must do so under direct dentist supervision. The most extended discussion involved the Board of Interpreters for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The board chair said the main concern was that the EIPA is an educational specialty assessment, not a nationally recognized certification, yet the regulation would allow it to support full licensure. Members discussed whether that could let educational interpreters work outside their intended scope and whether a separate educational license or statutory change would be more appropriate. The board said it did not think the regulation could be fixed further at this point and suggested a statute could create a narrower educational interpreter license. After discussion, the committee voted to defer both related interpreter regulations, 201 KAR 39:030 and the companion regulation, for further work. The committee then took up two community mental health regulations, 907 KAR 1:044 and 907 KAR 5:005, which had been found deficient in Administrative Regulations. Department for Medicaid Services staff said the rules would expand and rename the mental health associate role as a behavioral health associate, making the role available in many more facilities, but would also require additional coursework or progress toward licensure. Some members and providers raised access-to-care concerns, especially for rural areas and unlicensed staff already working in the field. Staff said the proposal had been revised through work with CMHCs and licensing boards, but the committee ultimately voted to defer both regulations as well. After finishing the regulation review, the committee heard a presentation from the Kentucky Hospital Association on the ATRIP hospital rate improvement program. Hospital representatives said ATRIP is a Medicaid state-directed payment program funded through a provider tax and federal matching dollars, allowing hospitals to receive payments tied to quality measures. They reported improvements including lower Medicaid readmissions, high sepsis screening rates, reduced infections and opioid prescribing, expanded postpartum depression and suicide screening, and training for more than 1,000 people. They said the program has helped hospitals invest in staffing and quality improvement and warned that without it, many hospitals would face severe financial strain.

Transcript Highlights:

• Going down further, licensing number one basically says you need a license if you're in the business
• You need to have a license from the state.
• the street But you don't need a license.
• , typically what you would do with any other license.
• , typically what you would do with any other license.

Committee: House Energy and Natural Resources

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up Senate Bill 2276, which addresses water projects that cross county lines. Senator Larry Luick and Danny Quissel of the North Dakota Water Resource Districts Association explained that the bill would require joint boards for multi-county projects, with equal representation from each county, and would add a dispute-resolution process: mediation through the Agriculture Department, then appeal to the Department of Water Resources, and finally court if needed. An additional cleanup amendment was adopted to clarify that a district could proceed if a joint board or district refused to participate. Members raised concerns about possible county-versus-county litigation, but the committee approved the amendment and then passed SB 2276 as amended on an 11-0-2 roll call. The committee then heard the final bill of the day, Senate Bill 2267, on on-site wastewater treatment systems. DEQ Director Dave Glott presented a revised amendment reflecting prior discussion and input from local public health units and installers. The proposal would give the Department of Environmental Quality exclusive rulemaking authority, require public health units to inspect systems within 24 hours, allow MOUs with neighboring counties or health units, prohibit local rules that conflict with state standards, and create a state licensing system for installers while exempting homeowners working on their own property. It also set up permitting and appeals procedures, civil penalties for violations, and a $99,000 appropriation, with the department saying it would also rely on fee revenue and report back later on whether the program is working. Members asked about homeowner installation, local permitting, technical assistance, and whether the $99,000 appropriation and expected fees would be sufficient. Glott said homeowners could still consult with local health units and would likely still need permits, and estimated fees might be around $200 per year for installers, generating roughly $50,000 annually. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed SB 2267 as amended on a due-pass motion, with one no vote recorded. The chair then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> through the cosmetology licensing? through the cosmetology licensing?
• ><c> licenses</c><00:15:17.120><c> to</c> approving and issuing licenses to approving and issuing licenses
• </c> administer licensing exams? administer licensing exams?
• </c> licensing barriers. licensing barriers.
• </c> cost barriers of licensing. cost barriers of licensing.

Committee: Joint Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 12 amends 7 V.S.A. 241, caterer's license, to include that the holder of a caterer's license
• </c> sell products from other licensed sell products from other licensed manufacturers<00:07:18.720><
• </c> on or before January 15th, uh a licensed on or before January 15th, uh a licensed manufacturer<00
• </c><00:07:59.120><c> to</c><00:07:59.360><c> remove</c> caterer's license to remove caterer's license
• </c> third or second class licensed premises. third or second class licensed premises.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Professional Registration and Licensing will come to order.
• The patients deserve the greatest protections, and the respective professional licensing board should
• This is for, this maintains safety and licensing standards. It does not reduce any oversight.
• Henry Ollamock: RXO is licensed in Missouri, but they serve nationwide.
• RXO is licensed in Missouri, but they serve nationwide.

Committee: House Professional Registration and Licensing

Summary: The Committee on Professional Registration and Licensing met with a quorum present and first took up House Bill 1797, a public accounting bill. The committee adopted a substitute that was described as clarification language to mirror the Senate version, then voted the House Committee Substitute do pass by unanimous roll call. The committee also considered House Bill 2974, adopted Amendment 0.01H adding clarifying scope-of-practice language, rolled the amendment into a committee substitute, and then voted the House Committee Substitute do pass unanimously. The committee then heard testimony on House Bill 1623, which would add massage therapists and chiropractors to the list of health care professionals subject to emergency disciplinary action through the Administrative Hearing Commission. The sponsor said the bill is intended to protect patients and give licensing boards faster authority to act against bad actors in vulnerable settings. Supporters included a trial lawyer who described sexual assault cases involving massage parlors and a lobbyist for the Missouri Chiropractic Physicians Association, who said quicker action would improve public safety and professional integrity. No opposition was presented. Next, the committee heard House Bill 309, which would provide clarity for nonprofit pharmacies serving low-income and underserved patients in emergency situations, inspired by access problems after the St. Louis tornadoes. The sponsor and an RX Outreach representative said the bill would help pharmacies transfer or dispense needed medications during emergencies without reducing oversight, and they discussed limits on quantities and controlled substances. Members asked why the bill was limited to nonprofit pharmacies and whether it applied outside Missouri; the witnesses said they were open to amendments and clarified the bill was aimed at Missouri emergencies. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3129, the Physician Assistant Compact. The sponsor said the compact would improve access to care, especially in rural areas, by allowing reciprocal practice across participating states without changing Missouri scope-of-practice law. A PA testified in support, saying it would help retain and recruit PAs and improve flexibility near state borders. The Missouri State Medical Association opposed the bill, arguing it could affect scope of practice, give compact commission rules too much authority, and weaken Missouri’s regulatory control; the Division of Professional Registration supported it, saying it fits rural health transformation goals and that compact participants would still have to follow Missouri scope laws. A nonprofit workforce group also testified in support. No votes were taken on the hearing bills before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:06.879><c> mental</c> educated, trained, and licensed mental educated, trained, and licensed
• c><00:05:12.639><c> to</c> mental health professionals licensed to mental health professionals licensed
• </c><00:12:22.959><c> mental</c> new requirements for licensed mental new requirements for licensed mental
• Licensing boards already have of AI.
• </c> from presenting themselves as licensed from presenting themselves as licensed clinicians<00:13:27.680

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:43.560><c> health</c> page three it does say a licensed health page three it does say a licensed
• physician to a licensed physician in Kentucky with an unrestricted license, because what we’ve had is
• else, we have to give them a license.
• </c><00:19:46.159><c> um</c><00:19:47.120><c> but</c> driver's license um but driver's license um but
• </c><00:20:01.960><c> someplace</c> says if they have a license someplace says if they have a license

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 9, which would create a Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board modeled after the Public Pension Oversight Board. The sponsors said the board is intended to bring together the executive branch, legislative branch, and stakeholders to study Medicaid policy and its fiscal impacts before changes are made. Members generally supported the concept, with questions focused on board size and representation from providers and community-based service organizations. The bill was reported favorably by unanimous vote, including a title amendment. The committee then heard House Bill 152, which would create a Medicaid supplemental directed payment program for public EMS agencies, including fire departments and city, county, or taxing-district EMS providers. The sponsor said the measure is designed to draw down a higher federal match without any general fund impact, and noted support from local government groups. After brief discussion, the bill passed with favorable expression by unanimous vote. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 688, a two-part measure. One part would give the Board of Nursing more discretion to review out-of-state nursing credentials by changing mandatory acceptance of certification to permissive language, in response to concerns about fraudulent or substandard nursing programs and the effects of multistate licensure. The other part would allow certain diabetes medications to be stored and administered in schools, with training for school personnel and civil immunity for those acting in good faith. Some members supported the bill as a way to protect patients and maintain standards, while one senator voted no because of concerns about slowing licensure during a nursing shortage. The bill passed 10-1 with favorable expression. The committee announced it would meet again Wednesday at 8:30 a.m., then adjourned.