Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, the cap, again, is on the certification by EMNRD, not the claim with TRD.
• At the certification level. That's when it would pause for the year.
• You can only apply for certification in the year where you made the expenditure.
• Madam Chair and Representative Duncan, no, the cap is at the certification level.
• So once $25 million per year have been certified by EMNRD, no more certifications will happen.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Certificates are everywhere.
• Certificates are everywhere.
• Certificates are everywhere.
• Certificates are everywhere.
• Certificates are everywhere.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 167, a PFAS-related measure to add ski, snowboard, and boat wax to the state’s list of banned consumer products containing PFAS. The sponsor said the product is already banned in many other places, alternatives exist, and the concern is that these products go directly into water rather than landfills. She cited high PFAS levels in several New Hampshire lakes and argued the bill would help stop further contamination. A member of the public also described personal experience with ski wax products disappearing from the market, suggesting PFAS may have been the reason. The chair then closed the hearing on HB 167. The committee next opened a hearing on House Bill 312, dealing with college athletes’ name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. Representative Moffett explained the bill was prompted by the U.S. Supreme Court’s NCAA v. Alston decision and was modeled on New Jersey law. He said the bill would prevent colleges from restricting NIL compensation, require athletes to use licensed attorneys or registered sports agents, and limit certain endorsements involving addictive drugs, adult entertainment, firearms, and weapons. He framed the measure as a proactive response to a changing college sports landscape and noted possible future conflicts involving schools, agents, and endorsements. Committee members raised several concerns and suggested changes. One member questioned the bill’s exclusion of two-year institutions, another objected to the weapons restriction, and others asked how the bill would affect scholarships. The sponsor said the intent was to protect scholarships, especially athletic scholarships, and clarified that need-based scholarships were not meant to be affected. He also acknowledged discomfort with the endorsement restrictions and said the committee might want to broaden or revise the language. The hearing remained open for further consideration, with no vote taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recommended for certification for the local and uncontested calendar. Is there any objection?
• The chair hears none; Senate Bill 1143 is unanimously recommended for certification.
• The chair hears none; Senate Bill 1534 is unanimously recommended for certification.
• Senate Bill 2004 be recommended for certification for the local and uncontested calendars.
• Senate Bill 2004 is unanimously recommended for certification.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Sparks moves that the committee substitute for Senate Bill 1143 be recommended for certification
• The chair hears 9/11-43 is unanimously recommended for certification.
• Senator Sparks moves that Senate Bill 1534 be recommended for certification for the local and uncontested
• Senate Bill 1534 is unanimously recommended for certification.
• Senate Bill 2004 is unanimously recommended for certification.

Transcript Highlights:

• Woods. >> 30 ayes, certification resolutions adopted.
• ] >> certification resolution [laughter] >> certification resolution [laughter] >&
• Certification resolutions adopted. >> Thank you, Mr.
• President, I move certification >> Mr.
• Certification >> 30 eyes. Uh, zero nay. Certification resolutions<00:29:58.799> adopted.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, confirmed a quorum, and adopted the prior day’s journal. The chamber then handled a series of confirmations, including Thomas Ellis to the Agriculture Exhibition Center Board of Directors, Evelyn Vans Malden, Robert C. Brock, Mila Calhoun, and Elena Baranco to the University of Alabama or University of Montevallo boards of trustees, Chip Fugquay to the Alabama Workforce Board, and Thornton Stanley and Jemsticken Pum to the Alabama Forestry Commission. All of these confirmations were approved overwhelmingly, generally by 29–30 votes with no nays. Committee reports advanced several county and municipal government bills, including SB 23, SB 71, SB 105, SB 109, SB 115, SB 131, SB 148, and SB 165, with some receiving amendments. The Senate also adopted and passed multiple resolutions, including SJR 14 honoring Drew and Lauren Winland as America’s top young farm family, and resolutions mourning Mary Anne Peak Phelps and Sam Palmer Faucet III. A local bill package for Marshall and Walker counties was taken up, with several bills receiving BRs, final passage, and certification resolutions. The Senate also received numerous House messages referring local and finance-related bills to committees, including measures on county subdivision regulations, homestead exemptions, unclaimed property, sales and use tax, income tax, municipal audits, and other local matters. The Rules Committee report set a special order calendar for the next legislative day, listing SB 126, SB 33, SB 55, SB 102, SB 118, and SB 128. On that calendar, SB 126 extending the Alabama Private Investigation Board, SB 33 updating veteran license tag provisions, SB 102 extending the Board of Home Medical Equipment, and SB 128 reorganizing the Alabama Sickle Cell Oversight and Regulatory Commission were passed; SB 55 on military spouses was amended and carried over; and SB 118 on the Alabama Justice Information Commission was amended and carried over. The Senate adjourned until 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21st.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, they lack the authority to sign a death certificate and instead must delegate that task to a
• AB 583 will authorize nurse practitioners to sign death certificates.
• And I kept explaining to them, there just isn’t a physician who can sign these death certificates.
• They can’t apply for any of her death benefits because they don’t have a death certificate.
• It gives nurse practitioners the ability to sign death certificates.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long series of health-related bills, with most measures focused on access to care, administrative simplification, and behavioral health. Early items included AB 583, allowing nurse practitioners to sign death certificates; AB 492, requiring DHCS to notify local governments when new alcohol or drug recovery facilities are licensed; and AB 280, which would tighten provider directory accuracy requirements, add enforcement benchmarks, and allow use of a centralized database. Testimony on AB 280 highlighted the harms of “ghost networks,” while insurers and some provider groups opposed the bill as written, arguing it placed too much responsibility on plans and did not fully address provider-side data problems. AB 280 passed on a roll call vote, and several other bills were placed on consent and approved. The committee also advanced AB 636, expanding Medi-Cal coverage for medically necessary diapers for children up to age 21 and lowering the age threshold for access; AB 1041, streamlining physician credentialing with a uniform form and 90-day review deadline; and AB 787, requiring health plans to help enrollees find in-network providers quickly when directories fail. Supporters of these bills emphasized family financial strain, delays in care, and the burden of administrative red tape, while opponents of AB 1041 and AB 280 raised concerns about provider participation, accuracy, and liability. All three measures were approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 4 and AB 29. AB 4 would allow income-eligible Californians to buy Covered California coverage regardless of immigration status, and AB 29 would authorize Medi-Cal reimbursement for community health workers and doulas conducting ACE screenings. Both bills drew strong support from immigrant-rights, health access, and community-based organizations, and both passed on roll call votes, with AB 4 receiving some no votes. The committee also approved AB 416, which would allow emergency physicians to place 5150 holds in certain circumstances; supporters said it would reduce delays and overcrowding in emergency departments, while Disability Rights California and others warned it could increase unnecessary involuntary hospitalization and transfers to locked facilities. Despite those concerns, the bill passed and was sent onward for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• would love to reward them also with the life skills certification. that they're working towards and
• due to the complex nature of certification. state.
• You mentioned the certification pathway extension, something to that effect, is that correct?
• I know that there are some issues that the federal level with certification and requirements but yes
• All the certification requirements they have now, they had to be special education certified.

Bills: SB568, SCR5, SB57, SB1447, SB27, SB24

Keywords: special education, funding, individualized education program, visual impairments, accessibility, support services, state education code, SCR 5, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5, Texas School for the Deaf, TSD, Robert Rives, gymnasium naming, building naming, honorary resolution, commemorative resolution, deaf education, hard of hearing, Gallaudet University, alumni hall of fame

Transcript Highlights:

• And so for every physician certification, their qualified physician is checking a block on which routes
• And so we reviewed, in a desk-audit fashion, some of the certificates of analysis, the data packages
• And so we reviewed in a desk audit fashion some of the certificates of analysis, the data package is
• So there's the labeling and there's also the certificate of analysis tied to each batch.
• So there's the labeling and there's also the certificate of analysis tied to each batch. there's the

Summary: The Senate Health Policy Committee received updates from the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Department of Health on implementation of 2024 health care laws. AHCA reviewed progress on workforce and reimbursement measures in Senate Bill 7016 and related bills, including FRAME and TEACH funding, graduate medical education reporting, behavioral health teaching hospitals, acute hospital care at home, advanced birth centers, non-emergent care access plans, and rural emergency hospitals. Agency officials said several programs are already operational or have begun payments, while others are still in rulemaking, federal approval, or report-preparation stages. Senators asked about timing, funding reversion concerns, and whether appropriated dollars would be spent on schedule, especially for behavioral health teaching hospitals and the new birth center category. The Department of Health then reported on practitioner licensure and public health programs. MQA described implementation of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, the Mobile Act licensure pathway, massage therapy enforcement changes, background screening expansion, liposuction safety requirements, pharmacist HIV post-exposure prophylaxis authority, and chiropractic dry needling. Public health staff updated the committee on FRAME and dental loan repayment, the Sinati screening grant program, the cancer research and innovation changes, the health care innovation council and loan program, the pediatric rare disease grant program, telehealth maternity care expansion, newborn screening for congenital CMV, the sickle cell registry and grants, and the swimming lesson voucher program. Members focused questions on how practitioners were being recruited to underserved areas, the pace of licensure approvals, and whether new programs were on track to use appropriated funds. The committee also heard a lengthy update from the Office of Medical Marijuana Use. The director reported more than 900,000 qualified patients, real-time seed-to-sale tracking now integrated across most dispensaries and labs, and ongoing compliance work on product testing, advertising, diversion, and patient safety. Senators questioned the decline in qualified physicians, how THC potency is labeled and verified, and what the agency can do about diversion to non-patients. The director said the office relies on complaints, inspections, lab audits, and coordination with law enforcement, and that patients can be suspended if violations are confirmed.

Transcript Highlights:

• , CTE programs are designed to equip students with academic and technical skills that lead to certifications
• So you do get a certification in JROTC.
• you need to go to go into the military should you choose to do that, but you do come out with a certification
• of progressive achievement that lead to a high school diploma and a child development associate certificate
• Childcare obviously is a tremendous workforce need and the credentials and certifications of that needs

Transcript Highlights:

• of new preschools, you know, or early childhood centers getting their certification?
• Are you working on the problems regarding certification?
• The problems with certification is a separate issue in this situation.
• with certification the problems with certification<00:31:52.880> is<00:31:53.000> a<00
• <00:32:02.960> it's Facilities so certification it's Facilities so certification it's definitely

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 72 on pharmacy drew only support, with testimony from the University of Hawaiʻi system, the Board of Pharmacy, pharmacists, and others; no questions were raised. HB 237 on peer support programs also received broad support from the Department of Health, DHS, early learning officials, families, and advocates, with testimony emphasizing the value of peer-to-peer mentoring and support for parents, youth, and people with disabilities; no opposition or questions were noted. HB 250, the prior authorization bill, generated the most discussion. SHPDA supported a revised version focused on reporting prior authorization practices and creating a nonbinding working group to develop automation standards, while PCMA, HMSA, Kaiser Permanente, and others raised concerns about duplicative pharmacy requirements, unintended consequences, and alignment with federal timelines and reporting. Several medical groups and individual patients supported the measure, describing delays and burdens caused by prior authorization. A committee member asked whether the bill’s working group differed from a similar group in Senate Bill 1449, and the witness said it was intended to be the same. HB 303 on health care preceptors was supported by the Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi, nursing and health care organizations, and the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, which asked that pharmacists’ residency programs be specifically tied to national accreditation standards. HB 341, relating to issuance of SPURS to assist the Hawaii Island Community Health Association, drew support from the health center and related groups. HB 692 on Preschool Open Doors received extensive support from early learning, education, family, labor, and community organizations; testimony stressed the shortage of child care and preschool slots, especially on Kauai, and the need to expand access for families. Committee members asked about adding family child care providers and about licensing/certification barriers, and DHS said the bill was focused on current licensed child care facilities and that certification issues were a separate, broader problem. HB 700 on cognitive assessments also drew strong support, with the Department of Health, the Executive Office on Aging, disability advocates, the Alzheimer’s Association, caregivers, and others urging use of a validated cognitive assessment tool during annual wellness visits and asking that the age 65 threshold be removed; some witnesses supported keeping the data-collection portion as a pilot and emphasized early detection and reporting.

Transcript Highlights:

• certifications mean.
• So you can go online and get any number of. certifications on various software that's out there.
• Many employers and tell us that's nice but what I really need is this particular certificate.
• We're helping align courses with what certificates the workforce say they need.
• Every person that I came across, I started asking them what their certification was.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I had a teaching certificate.
• I had current teaching certificates in Georgia, Arkansas, and Mississippi.
• And Oklahoma did not recognize my teaching certificate.
• In Oklahoma, did not recognize my teaching certificate from other states.
• When I got to Oklahoma, they didn't recognize my teaching certificate with 11 years' experience and a

Bills: SB540, HB1085, HB1484

Keywords: service warranty, administrative fees, financial statements, insurance, Oklahoma statutes, fentanyl, drug awareness, schools, substance abuse prevention, education policy, youth education, public health, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Generally, the bill would remove antiquated language referring to the certificate of the clerk of the
• However, when a section of the estates code refers to the certificate of the clerk in addition to letters
• The practice of issuing certificates has actually fallen out of use, and so the reference to a certificate
• Affidavits can be filed in the real property records, as well as a certificate of mailing.
• Once that affidavit and that certificate have been on record with the county clerk for a period of 120

Bills: SB302, SB1335, SB1734, SB1760, SB1975, SB2127

Keywords: probate court, statutory judge, reimbursement, court costs, court proceedings, judicial assignments, judge assignment, cost reimbursement, judicial expenses, estate management, statutory requirement, court expenses, estates, inheritance, representative duties, court authority, personal representative, real property, deed fraud, title fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• Generally, the bill would remove antiquated language referring to the certificate of the clerk of the
• However, one estate's code section refers to certificate of the clerk in addition to letters testimony
• Um, this is an old reference in the Texas Estates Code as the practice of issuing certificates has actually
• fallen out of use and so, um, the reference to a certificate is being removed from by this bill.
• Once that affidavit and that certificate have been of record with the county clerk for a period of 120

Bills: SB 302, SB 1335, SB 1734, SB 1760, SB 1975, SB 2127

Keywords: probate court, statutory judge, reimbursement, court costs, court proceedings, judicial assignments, judge assignment, cost reimbursement, judicial expenses, estate management, statutory requirement, court expenses, estates, inheritance, representative duties, court authority, personal representative, real property, deed fraud, title fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• The PUC will Evaluate them for a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN).
• Certification to ASSE 5000 demonstrates that individuals took ASSE-approved courses, including those
• Written and practical exams are part of the certification process.
• Though despite holding the certification, an exception is required.
• It would allow TCEQ to accept this certification as an equivalent to the state license.

Bills: SB 438, SB 512, SB 647, SB 648, SB 1495, SB 2121, SB 2145, SB 2154, SB 2167, SB 2184, SB 2211, SB 2268, SB 2349, SB 2443, SB 2629, SB 2702, SB 2902

Keywords: SB 438, Texas, State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, administrative law judge, ALJ, public information act, open records, confidentiality, privacy, home address, home telephone number, emergency contact information, social security number, family members, Government Code 552.117, Government Code 552.1175, Tax Code 25.025, public records, government transparency

Summary: The meeting of the committee commenced with the establishment of a quorum, where members discussed and voted on five significant bills related to energy efficiency, insurance regulation, and public utility governance. Notably, Senate Bill 2717 was presented, incorporating feedback to foster collaboration among various state agencies for improved energy efficiency performance. This was followed by a detailed discussion on Senate Bill 1642, which proposed changes to the Texas Department of Insurance's executive structure to optimize management and consumer focus. Each bill saw active participation from senators who moved to adopt committee substitutes for clarity and responsiveness to stakeholder concerns, indicating a proactive approach to legislative issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill repeals the professional learning certification programs and professional education competency
• waiver of specified educator certification requirements based on participation in teacher preparation
• And then on June 30th of 2029, this other certification plane will land.
• Because we have teacher certification programs now that we need to test for.
• That's already once you've received your certificate, and now we're moving on.

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee met with a quorum and took up four bills. The first, HB 875 on educator preparation, would align teacher-prep programs under a uniform core curriculum, create a competency-based coaching program (CERT), standardize mentor and clinical educator requirements, allow certain certification waivers, and establish a Florida Institute of Teaching Excellence at Miami-Dade College subject to appropriation. Debate focused heavily on language in the bill related to systemic racism, identity politics, privilege, and historical distortion, with supporters saying the bill is about pedagogy and opponents warning it could limit discussion of important historical and social topics. The committee adopted a strike-all amendment and then reported the bill favorably, 12-4. The committee then considered PCS for HB 541 on minimum wage requirements, which would allow employees to knowingly and voluntarily waive the state minimum wage for up to 12 months in certain structured work-based training settings. Supporters argued it would expand access to training and career pathways for inexperienced workers and help address labor shortages, while opponents said it could depress wages, invite coercion, and conflict with the state constitution’s minimum wage provisions. Public testimony included opposition from workers and labor groups and support from NFIB. The bill was reported favorably, 12-4. Next, PCS for HB 681 on apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship program funding was presented as a transparency and accountability measure to improve funding reporting and address bargaining issues between education agencies and program providers. Support came from industry groups and the ranking member, and the bill was reported favorably without opposition, 16-0. Finally, PCS for HB 1105 on education and Bright Futures would broaden Gold Seal Vocational eligibility, align CTE diploma requirements with Bright Futures, add AP Capstone as an automatic qualifier, and remove barriers for certain military and public service families. The committee supported the bill, which was reported favorably, 15-0. The meeting ended after a correction to the record on one public comment card and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I would just note that by and large when you consider the use of certificates of obligation, those
• Only certificates of obligation.
• Uh, so the certificates of obligation, I believe, would be covered under Section 2. Uh, on page 2.
• So a bond is a certificate of obligation or a general obligation bond.
• So you put the certificates of obligation on the ballot. No, they were not on the ballot.

Transcript Highlights:

• or do we not count those certificates?
• Certificates are a little bit odd in the sense that we have a number of certificates that are offered
• Those are for the certificates.
• Madam Chair and Representative Chatfield, the certificates, I did not provide a comparison of the certificates
• Generally speaking, those are compared certificate to certificate, just like when we look at our completion

Bills: SB37, SB29

Keywords: high-quality literacy instruction, science of reading, structured literacy, reading instruction, literacy assessment, dyslexia screening, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, biliteracy, English language learner, ELL, bilingual education, dual language program, reading intervention, reading difficulty, reading improvement plan, literacy coach

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll get your birth certificate, passport, whatever that may be.
• Are we seeing issues with birth certificates?
• on what birth certificate fraud is and what that is specifically related to.
• And again, different states issue different birth certificates.
• to amend birth certificates to update critical information.

Summary: The committee met to receive a base budget overview for agencies under its jurisdiction, which include the Division of Emergency Management, Department of Commerce, Department of State, Department of Transportation, Department of Military Affairs, and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Staff explained the budget format and noted that the Legislature appropriated more than $20.2 billion to these agencies in the current fiscal year, a 66.7% increase over 10 years. The Department of Transportation then presented on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, describing it as a $7 billion effort to advance 20 major congestion-relief projects statewide. Secretary Jared Perdue said the department is ahead of schedule, with 14 of 20 projects expected to be underway by the end of the calendar year. He highlighted major projects including I-4 in Polk and Osceola counties, I-75 improvements, Southwest 10th Street in Broward County, Fruitville Road, Capital Circle in Tallahassee, and I-275, and discussed innovations such as aggregate supply grants, modified phase design-build, workforce hiring events, and voluntary acceleration. Senators asked about business impacts from construction, tourism-related transit funding, aggregate sourcing, and labor shortages; the secretary said FDOT works with local businesses and that additional revenue sources for transit would require legislative action. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reviewed motorist services, revenue collection, licensing, vehicle titling, specialty plates, insurance compliance, driver safety, and commercial driver licensing. Officials said the department collected about $2.9 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2023-24 and described modernization efforts, including electronic verification systems, Real ID compliance, mobile licensing units, and a planned digital driver license. Members asked about the driver license backlog in Miami-Dade and Broward, and the department said service delays were driven by growth and staffing constraints but should improve with $7.5 million in recent funding and the eventual transition of services to county tax collectors. Questions also addressed temporary paper licenses and birth certificate fraud prevention. The Department of Commerce presented on the Job Growth Grant Fund and Visit Florida. Commerce said the grant fund, created in 2017, has awarded $257 million to 70 projects in 37 counties since 2019, with demand exceeding supply about four to one. Officials emphasized that the program supports targeted industries and workforce and infrastructure projects, and they highlighted examples in CDL training, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and health care. Senators raised concerns about small businesses affected by transportation construction, and Commerce said it has an Office of Small Business Innovation and other tools, though the grant fund is limited by statute to targeted industries. Visit Florida then described its public-private tourism marketing role, saying the state’s $80 million appropriation is matched by private investment and that the latest EDR review found a $3.30 return in tax revenue for every state dollar spent. Visit Florida reported record visitation and tourism spending, along with hurricane recovery marketing and rural promotion efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:07:47.280> from of the approval of certification from of the approval of certification
• continued approval certification. continued approval certification.
• ,<00:08:44.640> establish<00:08:45.120> certification certifications, establish certification
• certifications, establish certification expiration<00:08:46.480> dates<00:08:46.800> and
• Increased infant and child certification Increased infant and child certification periods<00:16:

Keywords: 0:06 - Roll Call 0:30 - Approval of Minutes 0:45 - OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL 2:08 - FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION CABINET - OFFICE OF THE CONTROLLER 2:55 - BOARD OF DENTISTRY 5:30 - BOARD OF OPHTHALMIC DISPENSERS 7:30 - BOARD OF NURSING 8:32 - BOARD OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES 9:30 - EDUCATION AND LABOR CABINET - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, OFFICE OF DISTRICT SUPPORT SERVICES 15:35 - CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, DEPARTMENT FOR PUBLIC HEALTH 18:44 - CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, HEALTH SERVICES AND FACILITIES 23:39 - CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, DEPARTMENT FOR MEDICAID SERVICES 1:01:46 - CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, DEPARTMENT FOR PUBLIC HEALTH, OFFICE FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS 1:03:46 - Next meeting/adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then took up a series of administrative regulations from several agencies. Early items included Attorney General consumer protection rules on removal sales, health spas, liquidation sales, and nonresident sellers of visual aid glasses; Finance and Administration Controller rules on clearinghouse validation and fraud prevention; and Board of Dentistry rules updating exam requirements, controlled substance prescribing, training for neuromodulators and dermal fillers, infection control, sedation/anesthesia continuing education, and required education on pediatric abusive head trauma and controlled substance ingestion prevention. The committee also approved staff amendments on these items, generally to conform to KRS Chapter 13A, and members asked a brief question about the dentistry controlled-substances changes, which was answered as an alignment with statute. The committee next approved regulations for the Board of Ophthalmic Dispensers, Board of Nursing, and Board of Emergency Medical Services. The ophthalmic dispensers package would revise meeting and recordkeeping language, raise renewal fees, set reinstatement and apprentice-license rules, add complaint and hearing procedures, and repeal a duplicative regulation. The nursing regulations would streamline approval of training programs and require notice and documentation of site visits and deficiencies. EMS rules would create five EMS medical director certifications, set expiration and renewal requirements, require publication of disciplinary sanctions, and exempt currently approved directors before October 1, 2026. Staff amendments were adopted without objection on each set. The Education and Labor Cabinet’s school transportation regulation drew extended discussion. The agency explained the changes were intended to implement Senate Bill 46 and update references affected by later legislation, including an oral amendment to delete a subsection reference tied to KRS 160.380. The committee adopted both the agency and oral amendments without objection after brief questions about the scope of the bill changes and van transportation for students. The committee then heard a lengthy package from the Department for Public Health on WIC and related nutrition program regulations, including updates to infant and child certification periods, documentation requirements, vendor criteria, sanctions, hearing procedures, and high-risk vendor standards. Staff amendments were adopted without objection. Finally, the committee considered the Inspector General’s regulation for freestanding birthing centers, which included both staff and agency amendments. The agency changes would require two neonatal resuscitation program-certified staff, set rules for medical director vacancies and appeals, revise facility and staffing terminology, adjust transfer-agreement requirements, and allow waivers when agreements cannot be secured. Mary Katherine DeLodder of the Kentucky Birth Coalition testified in support, saying the parties had worked through concerns and were ready to move forward. The committee then moved on to Medicaid’s 1915C child waiver regulations, where staff amendments were adopted, but Lucy Heskins of Kentucky Protection and Advocacy testified against the package because it did not include person-directed services, which she said are required by Kentucky law and important for families using the waiver.