Transcript Highlights:

• the end product does not allow the board to actually request a BCI background check for a compact license
• I believe that all of the licensing and background check requirements are done by the state in which
• the physician assistant is licensed.
• The physician assistant wouldn't be licensed here in North Dakota if the physician assistant is licensed
• We would be able to report those to the state in which they are licensed, and that state is to give,

Summary: The committee reviewed four bill drafts for the Rural Health Transformation effort. The first required the presidential physical fitness test in PE classes; members asked about DPI and school support, then moved and approved the draft. The second required physicians to complete one hour of continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health each renewal cycle and included legislative intent encouraging other health boards to consider nutrition-related CE; it was approved after brief discussion. The third bill adopted the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact. Members discussed a separate issue involving occupational therapy compact background checks and whether that fix could be added now or would need to wait until later; the committee also discussed Board of Medicine input and the compact’s workforce benefits. The draft was moved forward to the full committee. The fourth bill expanded pharmacists’ prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution. Legislative Council explained the draft, and Senator Roars proposed substantial amendments to narrow motion sickness, UTI, diabetes supply, and substitution provisions. Members debated whether to vote on amendments now or wait for the special session public hearing; concerns were raised about transparency, stakeholder input, and avoiding premature action. No amendment vote was taken, and the bill was left for later consideration. The committee then recessed until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:19.480><c> And</c> license or seeing prosecution. And license or seeing prosecution.
• Why licensed educator? There's a lot of people that would fit this criteria that aren't licensed.
• Why licensed educator? There's a lot of people that would fit this criteria that aren't licensed.
• And I think you have a good point, especially about licensed.
• The move to online license initial license and licensure renewal has been a very big deal for our members

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• S. 279, an act relating to caterers' licenses and the distribution of malt beverages by licensed manufacturers
• And the distribution of malt beverages by licensed manufacturers, introduced by Senator Rahm Hinsdale
• S. 279, an act relating to caterers' licenses and the distribution of malt beverages by licensed manufacturers
• fee revenue, introduced by license fee revenue, introduced by Senator<00:15:34.639><c> Brennan.
• </c> S. 289, an act relating to reimbursing the Department of Fish and Wildlife for lost license fee

Transcript Highlights:

• a hospital adding a new service or including an off-site emergency department under its hospital license
• The new licensing system brings increased functionality to the oversight process and data management,
• So the state goes in and does a license inspection, and then they are, all hospitals are CMS certified
• You can read, kind of, those are the number of hospitals licensed in our state and the type.
• You can read, kind of, those are the number of hospitals licensed in our state and the types.

Summary: The committee heard a JLARC presentation on the Department of Health’s oversight of hospital inspections, complaints, and reporting. JLARC said DOH was late on 72% of acute care hospital inspections as of December 2024, had not verified that third-party accrediting standards were substantially equivalent to state standards, did not consistently require proof of those inspections, did not review adverse health event corrective plans, and could make hospital data more accessible. JLARC also raised a possible language-access barrier in the complaint system. Members asked about complaint filing by staff, the meaning of adverse health events, inspection outcomes, and whether the audit compared DOH to other agencies. JLARC said it had not reviewed inspection results or cross-agency comparisons, but noted inspectors were dedicated and working long hours. DOH later said it concurred with the recommendations and outlined a strategic plan with target dates for improving timeliness, verifying accreditation standards, expanding language access, reviewing adverse event laws, and improving public data access, with annual reporting to the Legislature expected. The committee then heard a Department of Health presentation on certificate of need modernization. DOH described the current certificate of need process, which reviews need, financial feasibility, quality, and cost containment for certain facility changes and new services, and said the program has not been modernized since the 1980s. DOH proposed 10 statutory modernization recommendations, including clarifying the program’s purpose, creating a planning entity, adding flexibility, reducing legal costs, updating access-to-care standards, expanding oversight to freestanding emergency departments and urgent care, addressing equity, improving cost control coordination, strengthening long-term funding, and using better data systems. Members asked about oversight of freestanding urgent care and EDs, funding sources, and whether the process could be streamlined or made more responsive to complaints or other triggers. A third panel discussed artificial intelligence in health care. Lucy O’Rourke of the Coalition for Health AI described CHAI’s work on responsible AI principles, technical standards, model cards or “nutrition labels,” testing and governance tools, and educational resources for providers. She said the group is focused on trust, transparency, fairness, safety, security, and privacy, and noted Washington’s AI-related policy work as among the more progressive in the country. No questions were asked. The final portion focused on the financial impact of federal and state health care policy changes. The Washington State Hospital Association said hospitals are facing low or negative operating margins, service reductions, layoffs, and closures, and that state cuts and taxes enacted in 2025, combined with federal HR1 changes, will significantly worsen finances. Providence Swedish leaders described staffing reductions, service cuts, delayed capital investments, and pressure from denials, tariffs, and reimbursement changes, while emphasizing that frontline staffing cuts are tied to service reductions rather than nurse-to-patient ratio changes. The Washington Health Benefit Exchange then began a presentation on expiring federal ACA premium tax credits, state Cascade Care Savings assistance, and eligibility changes affecting lawfully present non-citizens, with examples showing large premium increases for customers if federal subsidies expire.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, looking at a couple of other things with licensing.
• We're just really having problems with delays in terms of getting licenses.
• Processing of their license has been delayed.
• I have a couple of questions, Madam Chair, and one of them deals with licensing.
• The average daily census, which is your filled and licensed beds.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair and members, Senate Bill 904 relates to the licensing and regulation of Hearing Instrument
• Generally, Senate Bill 904 would allow the Texas Commission on Licensing and Regulation to consult only
• Little's license under 577. Thank you. Thank you, Steve. Thank you, Madam Chair and Senators.
• Again, it's their license on the line. But I'm happy to work with you all on that.
• Licensed, proper degrees, the usual credentials to practice medicine, as defined in the law.

Bills: SB128 , SB640 , SB672 , SB904 , SB1141 , SB1263 , SB1525 , SB1528 , SB2041 , SB2306 , SB2308 , SB2357 , SB2446 , SB2695 , SB2857 , SB2891 , SB2583

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• AB55 will streamline licensing requirements for alternative birth centers or ABCs.
• A primary obstacle lies in the licensing requirements for freestanding birth centers.
• This is compared to the 12- to 18-month time frame for hospital licensing.
• Megan Bokem on behalf of the California Association of Licensed Midwives in support.
• Megan Bokem on behalf of California Association of Licensed Midwives in support.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on April 8 and heard a long series of bills, beginning with AB 54 on medication abortion access. The author and supporters, including the Attorney General’s office and reproductive justice advocates, said the bill would protect California’s medication abortion supply chain and shield providers and manufacturers from civil, criminal, and professional liability. Opponents from the California Family Council argued the bill removes safeguards and increases risks. The bill was moved forward on a committee motion. The committee then heard several reproductive and public health measures, including AB 551 to create a pilot program supporting emergency departments in providing reproductive health services, AB 260 to protect medication abortion access and telehealth, AB 309 to remove sunset dates on laws allowing pharmacy syringe sales and lawful possession of sterile syringes, AB 536 to preserve colorectal cancer screening coverage if federal guidelines are challenged, AB 804 to make housing support services a Medi-Cal benefit, AB 594 to address student health insurance billing and transparency, AB 836 to study and expand the midwifery workforce, AB 1418 to collect data on health coverage for eligible employees, and AB 1500 to maintain and expand the abortion.ca.gov information site. Supporters emphasized access, preventive care, workforce shortages, and public health benefits, while opponents raised concerns about abortion, syringe distribution, and the focus of state resources. Most measures were advanced by committee vote, with roll calls showing broad support and a few no votes from members on some bills. The final bill discussed in the transcript was AB 1037, which would update substance use disorder laws to reflect evidence-based, harm-reduction approaches and remove barriers to treatment. The author and supporters described it as a compassionate response to overdose and treatment access problems, while law enforcement opposition argued it would encourage drug use and endanger communities. The transcript cuts off during testimony on AB 1037, so no final committee action on that bill is shown in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so because under the licensing of a physical therapist, they are not allowed to do certain things
• They can only do what they are licensed to do. They are not allowed to do certain things.
• They can only do what they are licensed to do. Same as with dentists that are listed here as well.
• He continued that House Bill 754 allows licensed physical therapists to participate in direct primary
• I am a licensed child psychologist with a certificate in neuropsychological evaluation.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, we are aware of 22 licensed facilities operating in Anaheim.
• However, we know there are many more that are not licensed.
• However, we know there are many more that are not licensed.
• This facility being provided a license, that's it. Thank you. Thank you.
• Okay, but licensed in California. That's correct. Okay. Thank you.

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:

• The commission provides enforcement of forensic analyst licensing.
• GRD 5173 is funded by revenues generated from forensic analyst licensing. testing fees, which occurs
• The Texas Forensic Science Commission, they're using a new license renewal fee collection model.
• attached to OCA, the Judicial Branch Certification Commission oversees certification. registration, and licensing
• of court reporters, guardians, process servers, and licensed court interpreters.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:20:25.600><c> and</c> someone in the room who is licensed and someone in the room who is licensed
• So we stay away from the interstate commerce clause licensing those facilities and then also licensing
• So we stay away from the interstate commerce clause licensing those facilities and then also licensing
• So we stay away from the interstate commerce clause licensing those facilities and then also licensing
• So we stay away from the interstate commerce clause licensing those facilities and then also licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• It takes four points to suspend a license. SB 953 does not overreach.
• It requires four to have your license suspended. It requires four to have your license suspended.
• And to state that in the case of a driver's license that's suspended, and some of them lacking.
• Driver's license that's suspended, and some of him in Lacki, rightfully pointed out, this doesn't do
• I've been a California licensed bail agent for 42 years.

Committee: House Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Watershed Advisory Committee. 5344 amended an act removing the seating capacity requirements for licenses
• taken out of the orders of the day: an act authorizing the town of Weston to grant an additional license
• Third reading of a bill: an act authorizing the town of Weston to grant an additional license for the
• The Senate bill authorizing the town of Truro to convert a full license for the sale of wines and malt
• beverages, not to be drunk on the premises, to four licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages

Summary: The Senate convened, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and then recessed subject to the call of the chair. When it returned, the chamber took up several local and municipal bills for final action, including measures affecting the Quabbin Watershed Advisory Committee, alcohol licensing in Belmont, and a means-tested senior property tax exemption for Wakefield. Those bills were passed to be enacted and sent to the governor. The Senate also acted on additional local bills, including a Foxborough alcohol licensing bill, a Dennis bill allowing digital publication of legal notices, a Weston alcohol licensing bill, and a Truro bill converting a license structure for off-premises alcohol sales. In one case, a substitute draft was adopted for the Foxborough bill, and the Senate suspended its rules to concur in a House amendment on the Truro measure. The chamber then passed or engrossed the bills as required. Finally, Senator O'Connor offered a motion that the Senate adjourn in memory of Irene Janet Hirschman of Hull, a longtime English teacher, performer, traveler, and devoted family member remembered for her leadership, service, and resilience. The motion was supported with remarks about her life and family, and the Senate voted on the motion before the transcript ends.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:03:07.119><c> school</c><01:03:07.359><c> nurse</c> um Molly Forest, licensed school nurse um
• 01:09:00.080><c> a</c><01:09:00.239><c> legally</c> licensed school nurse is a legally licensed school
• 23.920><c> the</c> Licensed school nurses increase the Licensed school nurses increase the trust<01:09
• I'm a licensed school counselor and I'm from Minneapolis, Minnesota.
• I am a licensed clinical social worker and have been a school social worker at RPS for 10 years.

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• A California license. We also recommend the department recruit more from out of state.
• What was your statement about the out-of-state license? Okay, okay. Those exemptions. Got it.
• me, the requirement for individuals who are licensed out of state to be able to work for us.
• staff members, licensed clinicians from other states, onto the staff.
• Chair, I don't know what the cost of getting a license is.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, there is a way to get a CPA license with experience in private industry and government
• </c><00:27:42.720><c> to</c> Pro uh providing a CPA license to Pro uh providing a CPA license to someone
• </c><00:28:07.080><c> with</c> way to get in a CPA license with way to get in a CPA license with experience
• </c><00:28:18.840><c> they're</c> government with the CPA license they're government with the CPA license
• Bachelor's degree, which would have allowed a candidate to obtain a CPA license.

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 117 on condominiums. Testifiers were split: reserve-study professionals and the Community Associations Institute opposed tying reserve requirements to assessed value, arguing reserve studies should be based on actual components and costs and that the bill could lead to over- or under-collection. Condominium owners and advocates supported the bill, saying some associations are not completing reserve studies or are failing to provide audits and adequate funding, and urging stronger fiduciary accountability. A member later asked about compliance rates, and a witness said he was not aware of any association that had failed to do a reserve study, estimating compliance at well over 95 percent, likely close to 100 percent. The committee then took testimony on HB 544 on pet insurance, which drew support from the Attorney General’s office and the Insurance Division with comments about contract-impairment issues, as well as support from the North American Pet Health Insurance Association and the Hawaiian Humane Society. Testifiers said the bill would help consumers understand and use pet insurance as veterinary costs rise. HB 983 on certified public accountants also drew mostly support, with the Hawaii Society of CPAs and the Hawaii Association of Public Accountants offering conditional support and proposed amendments. Public accountants said the bill could help address a shortage of CPAs and expand pathways into the profession, while some speakers cautioned that the language needed clarification and that public accounting experience should be tied to CPA-firm work. An instructor from UH West Oahu said students cannot afford the extra credits currently required and would benefit from a more accessible pathway. The committee also heard HB 1050 on Title 24, with DCCA supporting the measure and no opposition or questions. The discussion then moved to HB 256 HD1 on environmental protection and incinerator emissions. The Department of Health offered comments, while Energy Justice Network and Climate Protectors Hawaii supported strengthening the bill, warning that it could weaken existing standards at H-Power unless amended to preserve stricter state rules and require modern pollution controls. A member questioned the Department of Health about H-Power’s permits and whether additional controls would be required if federal rules change; the department said permits are reviewed every five years and that the facility currently meets state and federal requirements, while EPA rules remain in a public comment process. Finally, the committee heard HB 1051 HD1 on energy efficiency portfolio standards, with support from the Consumer Advocate, State Energy Office, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Public Utilities Commission, and Hawaii Energy. The committee then heard HB 350 HD1 on energy, where the State Energy Office supported the bill, Solar Ray Corporation offered conditional comments urging any new mandated water-heating technology to meet the same efficiency level as existing solar thermal systems, and the Kauai Climate Action Coalition testified in support. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for that question, and yes, you have to have a license from OBN.
• It is just a notification process and a requirement of a driver's license or a passport, is that the
• Driver's license, passport is gone.
• Driver's license, passport is gone.
• Now, when you go to apply for your water well permit, you have to have your OMMA license.

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including Veteran of the Week First Sergeant Jeff Osterdock, Nurse of the Day Madison Lehman, Psychologist of the Day Dr. Jennifer Steber, and a large group of student pages and visitors. Members also made personal announcements and welcomed guests from schools and community groups. On the floor, the House considered and adopted Senate amendments to House Bill 1484, a schools measure, and passed it 96-1; the emergency clause also passed 96-1. The House then took up House Bill 1085 on contracts, which would standardize service warranty fees with a delayed phase-in schedule, adopted the Senate amendments, and passed the bill 8-1. The House also considered Senate Bill 133 on groundwater permits. After an amendment and debate, members discussed how the bill would apply to commercial water wells and how it would interact with marijuana-related licensing and notification to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. The bill passed 85-12, and the emergency clause also passed by the same vote. The chamber then adjourned until February 24, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Consecutive years immediately before applying for licensure in Florida, even if the veterinarian is licensed
• would have handicapped them for the rest of their lives, whether they're applying for a professional license
• It's related to limited licenses for portable electronics and Iware insurance, and this bill allows portable
• This amendment creates a new section in law to require a license, more... Strike-all, sir.
• This amendment creates a new section of law to require a licensed mortgage or money service business

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government met with a quorum present and first took up confirmation votes for appointees on tabs 2 through 6, which were recommended favorably without public testimony. The committee then heard and approved CS/SB 1474, which would direct DEP to stop issuing or reissuing permits for Class B biosolids land application when a wastewater treatment facility is reasonably accessible within 50 miles, and CS/SB 1708, which removes a timing requirement for out-of-state veterinarians seeking Florida licensure while keeping other competency safeguards in place. Both bills were reported favorably after brief discussion and support from public witnesses on SB 1708. The committee also approved CS/SB 204, as amended, to increase penalties for illegal slot machine operations, with the amendment setting misdemeanor treatment for lower-level violations and felony penalties for larger-scale or repeat offenses; the bill also creates a process for veteran service organizations to seek binding declaratory statements from the Gaming Commission about machine legality. Public testimony on that bill was largely supportive, including from gaming and veterans-related stakeholders, though one witness urged clarity so smaller, lawful operators would not face felony exposure. CS/CS/SB 1294 was then amended and reported favorably; it addresses oversight of Class AA biosolids by requiring application at or below agronomic rates, recordkeeping, IFAS guidance, and application of existing fertilizer-related requirements, while preserving an exemption for certain compost products. Later, the committee favorably reported CS/SB 772, which allows portable electronics limited licensees to sell warranty insurance and defines that coverage, and CS/SB 1504, which lets a high school student who completes a half-credit insurance and personal finance elective qualify to apply for a 440 customer service representative license upon turning 18. Finally, the committee adopted a strike-all amendment to CS/SB 540, creating cybersecurity program requirements for licensed mortgage and money service businesses, expanding oversight of certain investment advisers, clarifying emergency suspension authority for anti-money laundering violations, extending payment deadlines for examination costs, and updating director experience requirements for chartered financial institutions; the bill was then reported favorably. Senators McLean and Trunow requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on tabs 11 and 13, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since 2019, military spouses are allowed to practice in Texas if they hold a license this.
• And that license is in good standing.
• prevents the military members and their spouse applicants from being able to easily transfer their license
• Senate Bill 1818 would implement a six-month temporary licensing and certification process for military
• or a letter of good standing. of authority to operate in Texas, the temporary license or certification

Bills: SB651 , SB897 , SB1814 , SB1818

Committee: Senate Veteran Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• regulation of cannabis establishments, authorizing the imposition of fees, requiring an occupational license
• , creating criminal offenses and imposing a tax, report to the Committee on Licensing and Administrative
• 1234 by Geren relating to certain procedures required for the denial of certain applications for a license
• to the renewal by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality of certain expired occupational licenses
• HB 1337 by Isaac relating to the recognition of a handgun license issued by another state, referred to

Summary: The House met to read a large slate of newly filed bills and resolutions and refer them to committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including health care and insurance, public education, elections, criminal justice, public safety, taxes, transportation, agriculture, environmental regulation, higher education, housing, and local government. Several proposals focused on abortion and reproductive health, firearms, voter registration and ballot access, school curriculum and accountability, property tax and homestead issues, and state contracting and agency oversight. A number of constitutional amendments were also filed, including proposals on initiative and referendum, veto override authority, vaccination refusal, parental rights in education, gun rights, Medicaid expansion, and various tax exemptions. No substantive debate, testimony, or votes occurred during this portion of the meeting; the clerk simply read the bills and resolutions and announced their committee referrals. The list included both general legislation and joint resolutions, with many items sent to standing committees and several to subcommittees. The House then adjourned without objection until 2 p.m. on Tuesday.