Transcript Highlights:

• and sell liquor by the drink under a quota-type license.
• If approved, the distillery would pay a $400 fee for their license.
• The legislation... ...would pay a $400 fee for their license.
• liquor license.
• Utah allows it if you either obtain a restaurant or bar license.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Like, we have a license to manage it. A long-term license to manage it.
• Just to follow up, are they for someone going in to get a license, say a hunting license.
• Here, but the number of licenses went down.
• Licensing on online buying licenses.
• And we're buying licenses for them.

Committee: House A&B Select Agencies Subcommittee

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:02:09.160><c> so</c> new license called a Tavern license so new license called a Tavern license
• Okay, so instead of a liquor license, they would have a Tavern license.
• /c><01:04:36.200><c> a</c><01:04:36.319><c> liquor</c> license is a liquor license a liquor license is
• They were getting it in Maine, so it's still a liquor license, but it's a unique liquor license.
• </c><01:07:37.720><c> can</c><01:07:37.880><c> be</c> license new license the liquor can be license new

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up House Bill 507, which concerns the timeline for credentialing mental health care providers. Members discussed and approved an amendment that removed section 2 and changed the bill’s effective date to January 1. A motion for ought to pass as amended was made, seconded, and approved by a 6-0 vote, with Representative Miles assigned to write the committee report. The bulk of the meeting focused on House Bill 705, a price-transparency measure requiring insurance-related data reporting and uniform formatting. Committee members and a representative from Anthem discussed how the bill would interact with federal requirements, including a recent presidential executive order and anticipated CMS guidance on uniformity standards. Anthem testified that the federal timeline was uncertain, that final rules could take months, and that the machine-readable files involved are complex and costly to produce. Some members argued the state should mirror federal standards but wait for final federal guidance; others said the bill should create a firm state requirement and not leave everything to rulemaking. The main unresolved issue was timing. Members debated whether the bill should be effective upon passage, apply to plan years beginning January 1, 2026, or be delayed until after federal guidance is finalized, with several references to a possible six-month implementation window after final federal rules. No final vote was taken on HB 705 in the portion provided; instead, the committee planned to revisit the bill the next morning after language was rewritten and circulated, with a straw vote anticipated before the executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• buying a fishing license.
• buying a fishing license both of those buying a fishing license both of these<00:02:24.480><c> bills
• And just a little plug: the first day of fishing license, when we can get our new fishing license for
• And just a little plug: the first day of fishing license, when we can get our new fishing license for
• </c><00:14:41.680><c> and</c> do we collect money through licenses and do we collect money through licenses

Bills: HF276 , HF413 , HF411

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: human services, Medical Assistance, Medicaid, long-term services and supports, LTSS, public assistance, application process, eligibility determination, customer service survey, wait times, form complexity, lead agencies, Department of Human Services, Department of Children Youth and Families, streamlining, administrative reform, case management, reassessment, intake system, adaptive eligibility form

Transcript Highlights:

• The ratio of licenses to the number of investigations a year is about 20,000 licenses to about 134 cases
• So, two weeks. licensing. But endorsement is they have licensing.
• </c> licensing boards are grouped together. licensing boards are grouped together.
• So we're is occupational licensing.
• And then the at the licensing stage.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the June 18 meeting amendments, then heard an update from Representative Emily Callaway on the State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors. She reported no major budget or regulatory concerns, but noted hiring challenges, especially for investigators, and said the board is pursuing a scholarship program using cash reserves and penalty payments. She also said the board has about 20,000 licenses, handled 134 cases in 2024, and had an open-investigation count that stayed roughly flat. The board said initial licenses take about 5 to 7 business days and endorsements about 10 business days, with one citizen-at-large vacancy on the 11-member board. Callaway and board staff also discussed emerging issues such as AI, digital plan submissions, and the use of drones and LiDAR in surveying education. They said Kentucky’s surveying exam pass rates are well above national averages and that universities such as East Tennessee State, Cincinnati State, Bellarmine, Spalding, and Eastern Kentucky are helping train students for the field. The committee then took up Callaway’s occupational licensing bill aimed at removing barriers for people with criminal records. The proposal would let applicants seek an upfront determination of whether a record would disqualify them, require boards to consider specified materials and give written reasons if they deny eligibility, and bind the board’s decision absent new or undisclosed offenses. Supporters said the goal is to help roughly 30,000 people reenter the workforce and avoid wasted time and money on training that could later be disqualified. The committee next heard from Representatives Fleming and Willner on a psychology licensing bill, a reintroduction of prior legislation. They said the measure is intended to address mental health workforce shortages by adding two members to the Kentucky Board of Examiners of Psychology, setting a more predictable timeline for licensure examinations, and requiring annual reporting on processing times for licenses and complaints. They said the bill is meant to speed entry into the profession as new psychology programs expand in Kentucky. No objections were raised. Finally, the Alcoholic Beverage Control commissioner and general counsel presented two administrative amendments tied to SB 202 to allow direct-shipping forms for cannabis-infused beverages, and the committee approved both regulations by voice vote. The committee then held a broader discussion about whether ABC should be expanded by statute to regulate additional intoxicating substances and emerging products. ABC officials said the agency already handles alcohol, tobacco, vape licensing, and some related enforcement, but any broader authority would require legislative action and likely more officers and funding. Members discussed the need to stay ahead of new products, possibly through an emerging-industries framework, while also protecting businesses and consumers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Menactra is then used as the control to license Menveo, and then Menveo is used as the control to license
• Yes, the DOE would be able to determine their license and allow that school to have multiple licenses
• A lead agency or a school board can have, at a school, two licenses—a dual license.
• Like their pre-K 4 can be licensed, and then a micro center like myself can go in and have a license
• Licensing is not just paperwork.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee first heard HB 1079 by Rep. Boudreaux, which would allow charter schools to give enrollment preference to children who attended a licensed early learning center operated by the charter school or under an articulation agreement. An amendment expanded the preference to include children of active-duty military members, foster children, and children in court-ordered custody situations, and a second amendment clarified that the preference is permissive. Supporters said the bill would improve continuity from preschool to kindergarten and encourage more early learning centers. The committee adopted the amendments and reported HB 1079 as amended. The committee then took up HB 737 by Vice Chair Amedee, which would remove the state requirement that students show proof of meningococcal vaccination for school or post-secondary entry. The author argued the bill aligns state law with updated CDC guidance and preserves parental choice and physician consultation, while opponents, including pediatricians, public health advocates, and meningitis survivors, warned that removing the requirement would lower vaccination rates and increase the risk of severe illness or death. After extensive testimony and questions, the committee voted 4-8 against the motion to report the bill, so HB 737 failed. Next, the committee considered HB 628 by Rep. Landry, as substituted, to allow school boards and the Department of Education to work with licensed early learning centers to operate micro centers at schools, including dual licensing at one location. Supporters said it would expand access for three-year-olds, improve school readiness, and help families and the workforce. The substitute was adopted, and the bill was reported by substitute without objection. Finally, the committee heard HB 1008 by Rep. Owen, which would prohibit public post-secondary institutions from retaliating against faculty for disclosing certain violations or exercising academic freedom and free speech. The author and a professor witness said the bill would protect open inquiry and reduce self-censorship in higher education. The committee adopted two amendments to clarify academic freedom and tighten remedies; the transcript cuts off before any final vote on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• it can reduce employment and geographic mobility in licensed professions.
• In general, multiple entities collaborate to regulate and license occupations.
• State legislatures establish licensing laws and specify requirements that must be met in a licensed profession
• State agencies and boards establish rules about licensing requirements and perform licensing functions
• . ...professional practice and licensure, such as reviewing license applications and issuing licenses

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Health Policy Committee heard and advanced several health-related bills focused largely on drowning prevention, surgical smoke, human trafficking training, and chiropractic patient funds. SB 428 would expand Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7; the sponsor and supporters from Nemours and the YMCA emphasized Florida’s high child drowning rates and argued that swim lessons reduce risk and should be more widely accessible. Senator Harrell noted the need to revisit funding levels as eligibility expands. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also considered SB 606, which adds drowning prevention and safe bathing education to postpartum education provided by hospitals, birthing centers, and home birth providers. A mother who lost her daughter to drowning testified in support, describing the bill as an early opportunity to educate parents. An amendment removed home birth providers from the compliance-proof requirement, and the bill was adopted as amended and reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 162 would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies for using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. The sponsor said the equipment is relatively inexpensive and already used in many facilities, while several senators raised concerns about the lack of supporting data, possible burdens on rural and smaller facilities, and whether the mandate should be narrower. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably, with the sponsor saying more data would be provided later. The committee also approved SB 340, requiring a two-hour human trafficking course for nursing students before licensure, after amending it to make the requirement apply to students rather than nursing programs. Finally, SB 192, presented by Senator Trumbull for Senator Martin, removed the $1,500 cap on advances chiropractic physicians may collect for examinations or treatment; the Florida Chiropractic Society supported the change, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee also received an OPAGA presentation reviewing Florida’s health care practitioner regulation system and comparing board oversight, rulemaking, funding, appointments, and term-limit models in other states.

Transcript Highlights:

• from two years ago, but it really does provide a lot of what you're talking about and would be a vehicle
• asking for a brand new bill draft when we just finished one that we tossed aside, I think we have a vehicle
• work we still have to do in several other areas under our topics for this interim. think we have a vehicle
• And to think we have a vehicle to do it.

Committee: Joint Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><04:04:39.120><c> go</c><04:04:39.279><c> on</c><04:04:39.520><c> down</c> vehicle registration fees
• . go on down vehicle registration fees. go on down the<04:04:39.840><c> line.
• </c><04:04:57.760><c> registration</c><04:04:58.399><c> fees</c> estate tax etc vehicle registration
• fees estate tax etc vehicle registration fees we<04:04:59.840><c> think</c><04:04:59.920><c> it's</c>
• Um, but it seems that going forward we might need a lot more as we electrify vehicles, heating, and,

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it just so happens that those stablecoins are one of the main vehicles Trump is using to make his
• And it just so happens that those stablecoins are one of the main vehicles Trump is using to make his
• And it just so happens that those stablecoins are one of the main vehicles Trump is using to make his

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, July 17, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Community Care Licensing Division has 1,608.5 authorized positions.
• So the Community Care Licensing Division is tasked with overseeing the licensing monitoring of residential
• So the Community Care Licensing Division is tasked with overseeing the licensing monitoring of residential
• , the license has been revoked.
• Issue 11, licensing during emergencies and disasters.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• National Psychology licensing exam.
• We have two strategies: licensing and enforcement.
• For instance, we only have 9 FTEs to audit over 82,000 active licenses.
• That's over 9,000 licenses per licensing staff.
• Our second request is for the funding for 3 additional license and permit specialists.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

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:

• </c> programs will provide our um licensed programs will provide our um licensed teachers<00:10:21.680
• </c> become a special education license become a special education license teacher<00:15:34.759><c> um
• </c> fully licensed not being a licensed fully licensed not being a licensed special<00:35:30.440><c>
• </c> for retention and being fully licensed for retention and being fully licensed and<00:52:59.119><
• </c><01:21:40.120><c> at</c> Master's Degree teaching license at Master's Degree teaching license at

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• wholesaler licenses and virtual wholesaler licenses.
• Currently, they are just licensed as TPA... ...separate licensing class to be able to do this effectively
• Currently, they are just licensed as TPAs.
• TPAs need to license by the end of April 30.
• So the wholesale or license fees, if that's the one you're referring to, that is a license issued by

Committee: Senate Industry and Business

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Industry and Business reconvened to work on House Bill 1584, which would create a new pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) regulatory structure within the Insurance Department. Insurance Commissioner John Godfrey and Deputy Commissioner John Arnold explained a revised set of amendments negotiated with Representative Casper and the North Dakota Pharmacists Association. They said the bill largely kept the House policy intact but added technical corrections, narrowed some references in Chapter 19-02, created a separate PBM licensing class, set a delayed effective date for licensing, and established emergency authority so the department could begin building the new division. They also described the proposal to fund the program through existing trust fund resources, PBM license fees, and a transfer of about $1.6 million from the prescription drug transparency program fund, while allowing the department flexibility to hire needed attorneys, pharmacists, and examiners. A major point of discussion was Section 10, which would have required the Attorney General to represent and bear costs for lawsuits related to the bill. Chief Deputy Attorney General Claire Ness said the language was too broad and would go beyond normal constitutional defense work, potentially obligating her office to cover all lawsuits against the commissioner or state under the section. Representative Casper said the intent was only to avoid the Insurance Department having to seek emergency funding for litigation, and both he and department officials said they were open to removing the section or narrowing it. After further discussion, the committee agreed to remove Section 10 from the amendments. The committee then voted 4-0 to adopt the amended amendment package, and then voted 4-0 to give House Bill 1584 a do pass recommendation as amended and refer it to Appropriations. Members noted the bill was still a work in progress, but said the revised version was intended to move the PBM regulation issue forward while continuing discussion in the appropriations process.

Transcript Highlights:

• LCB accepted applications for its first round of licensing for 46 retail licenses in 2023.
• producer-processor licenses.
• licenses.
• If all 10 of the new producer licenses grew to the maximum that their license allowed—that's 30,000 square
• There were 46 licenses.

Summary: The committee began with a work session on the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee’s cannabis market study, presented by JLARC staff member Susanna Pratt. The report found Washington’s cannabis production in 2023 was likely two to three times higher than retail sales, with production estimated at 292,000 to 443,000 pounds of THC versus 139,000 pounds sold. Pratt explained that canopy data are inconsistent and that the Liquor and Cannabis Board’s traceability system is incomplete and unreliable, limiting data-driven regulation, tax verification, recall tracking, and diversion enforcement. JLARC recommended that LCB submit a plan by the end of 2025 for obtaining accurate licensee data by the end of 2026; LCB partially concurred and said a 2027 timeline may be more realistic. JLARC also concluded that the social equity producer licenses would likely have only a minimal effect on statewide production capacity, and suggested the legislature consider broader ways to increase equity in the industry. Members asked about the slow issuance of social equity licenses and about comparable traceability systems in other states. The committee then heard a series of presentations on fraud and scam prevention. Paul Benda of the American Bankers Association described the scale of fraud losses, the role of telecom spoofing, social media scam ads, SIM farms, and crypto ATMs, and argued for a shared-responsibility approach involving banks, telecoms, and platforms. Katie Clark of IQ Credit Union described member-to-member fraud, romance scams, and the operational and financial impacts on credit unions, and recommended better information sharing, safe harbors for returning scam-related funds, and stronger fraud education. Kyle Innes of SIFMA highlighted investor fraud and Washington’s 2009 report-and-hold law, which he said helped shape similar protections in most states, and emphasized the need for better communication among financial firms, APS, and law enforcement. Brian Gerard and Ali Higgs from the Department of Financial Institutions discussed “pig butchering” and other investment scams, focusing on how scammers build trust through social media, dating apps, fake websites, and crypto schemes before extracting funds. Across the fraud presentations, witnesses repeatedly stressed consumer education, interagency information sharing, and stronger controls on telecom, social media, and crypto ATM activity. Members asked about model laws from other states, the role of financial education in schools, and whether crypto ATMs should be regulated or banned. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• talked about repealing the endangerment finding, that was only dealing with tailpipe emissions or vehicles
• talked about repealing the endangerment finding, that was only dealing with tailpipe emissions or vehicles
• only dealing with tailpipe<01:02:52.799><c> emissions</c><01:02:53.599><c> or</c><01:02:54.160><c> vehicles
• </c><01:02:55.359><c> It</c><01:02:55.680><c> looks</c> tailpipe emissions or vehicles.
• It looks tailpipe emissions or vehicles.

Bills: SJ0001 , SF0017

Committee: House Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Keywords: mineral leasing, federal lands, Wyoming, energy policy, local control, federalism, forestry management, good neighbor authority, state lands, employee funding, donations, revolving account, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And really this will become the House File 1053 vehicle bill for our fiscal conversations around this
• c><01:14:54.960><c> become</c><01:14:55.600><c> the</c><01:14:55.840><c> the</c><01:14:56.239><c> vehicle
• </c><01:14:56.640><c> bill</c> 1053 will become the the vehicle bill 1053 will become the the vehicle
• > Therefore, we're going to send House File 1053 to the Education Finance Committee as a possible vehicle

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> initial um draft of revised licensing initial um draft of revised licensing standards<00:19:04.559
• We also created a new license class, the C3 license class.
• Class the C3 created a new license Class the C3 license<00:26:33.440><c> Class</c><00:26:34.159><c>
• They want a significant shift in how licensing works, split between licensing basic health and safety
• They want a significant shift in how licensing works, split between licensing basic health and safety

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some examples include graduating from an accredited dietitian program, holding a qualifying license,
• Some examples include graduating from an accredited dietitian program, holding a qualifying license,
• Because Washington has so many bases and military spouses coming in and out, if they are licensed, the
• She thanked the body for supporting the military and said the bill would help licensed spouses get to
• It requires an active, unencumbered license and good standing.

Bills: HB2088

Committee: House Postsecondary Education & Workforce

Keywords: nutritional health, dietetic professionals, licensure compact, interstate practice, healthcare regulation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You buy a car, they can tell me some of these bells and whistles, but what's the price of the vehicle
• really have to keep that in mind as a part of this discussion, that this is the direct collection vehicle
• thinking big picture, taking a comprehensive approach and not just fixated on this single delivery vehicle

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The subcommittee of the Tax Reform and Relief Committee met with a quorum to begin its study of whether the content of North Dakota real estate tax statements should be revised to improve transparency. Legislative Council staff reviewed the background for the study, including House Bill 1176, current statutory requirements for tax statements, and recent changes such as separate line items for bonded debt, primary residence credit, and legacy fund-related amounts. The Tax Department then explained the current statement format and noted that the form is prescribed and approved by the tax commissioner, with changes typically driven by statute and implemented collaboratively with counties and vendors. County officials from the North Dakota Association of Counties described the full annual process for preparing budgets, setting levies, calculating taxable values, and issuing notices and tax statements. They said counties spend significant time coordinating with taxing districts, neighboring counties, and software vendors, and that the new budget hearing notices and valuation notices have not generated much public response. Members raised concerns about the usefulness and clarity of certain line items, especially the legislative tax relief calculation and the primary residence credit, and discussed whether the current statement creates confusion rather than transparency. Testimony also addressed the 3% cap, mill levy worksheets, assessment cycles, and the role of county auditors and tax directors in maintaining accurate values. The committee also heard from software vendors CPT and Tyler Technologies about how legislative changes are programmed into tax systems and how online taxpayer portals can provide more detailed breakdowns of tax bills. Vendors said changes required by law are generally absorbed in contracts rather than billed directly to counties, and they demonstrated web tools and pie-chart style breakdowns that show where tax dollars go. NDACO presented a survey of eight counties estimating tax statement preparation and mailing costs, concluding that outsourced printing tends to be cheaper on average and that total statewide tax statement costs may be roughly $600,000, though the estimate was based on limited data. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational and focused on gathering testimony and identifying issues for possible future recommendations or bill drafts.