Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a licensed elementary school teacher and dad of a kindergartner.
• ><c> school</c><00:17:57.840><c> teacher</c> I'm a licensed elementary school teacher I'm a licensed
• ><c> clinical</c> I'm a licensed independent clinical I'm a licensed independent clinical social<00:20
• > Licensed student support professionals, Licensed student support professionals, at<00:31:42.320><c>
• </c> there's only one licensed there's only one licensed drug<00:36:20.880><c> and</c><00:36:21.000><

Summary: The committee heard House File 3493, the Safe Schools Revenue Increase bill, and first adopted the DE amendment before moving the bill on for re-referral to Ways and Means. Representative Lawrence described the bill as a multi-layered school safety package for all students and schools, including public, nonpublic, charter, and tribal schools, with increased safety funding, mental health support, anonymous threat reporting, school safety plans, and student discipline changes. Several supporters emphasized the need for flexible safety funding and cited real-world safety concerns, including anonymous tip systems that had generated many reports, classroom evacuations, staff injuries, and the need for more resources for mental health and safety infrastructure. Some supporters, including charter school leaders and Catholic Conference testimony, argued the bill’s flexibility and broader safety approach were important, while others supported the K-3 suspension language as a needed tool in severe cases. Opponents focused heavily on the bill’s repeal of Minnesota’s K-3 suspension ban and non-exclusionary discipline requirements. Legal aid, disability advocates, and education groups argued that suspensions harm young children, worsen disparities, and disproportionately affect students of color and students with disabilities, and they urged the committee to keep restorative and non-exclusionary practices in place. Disability advocates also asked that any safety planning explicitly account for students with disabilities and that the bill remain aligned with IDEA protections and individualized education decisions. Several testifiers opposed using public funds for private schools, saying public money should stay in public programs. Other testimony came from school administrators and staff who supported restoring limited suspension discretion, describing serious elementary incidents, classroom evacuations, and injuries that they said required a short-term removal option to stabilize classrooms and plan for students’ return. Mental health and school support personnel witnesses stressed that safety and mental health funding should remain distinct and that more counselors, social workers, and related staff are needed to address student crises. No final vote on the bill itself was taken in the portion provided beyond adoption of the DE amendment and the motion to re-refer the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is about licensings to be an LPN.
• best I can tell, in such a way to make certain that if there's anything that affects a hospital's licensing
• So, first of all, we're telling a private facility that has licensed physicians, or a public hospital
• So, first of all, we're telling a private facility that has licensed physicians, or a public hospital
• So, first of all, we're telling a private facility that has licensed physicians, or a public hospital

Committee: Joint Public Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• do have to find a way to get around this moratorium, but I don't know that this bill was the right vehicle
• bill<00:22:09.440><c> was</c><00:22:09.679><c> the</c><00:22:09.919><c> right</c><00:22:10.080><c> vehicle
• </c> bill was the right vehicle to do that. bill was the right vehicle to do that.
• Now, do we have one of your other bills before us, or did — sorry, the licensing of substance use disorder
• Thank you, members of the committee. sorry, the licensing of substance use sorry, the licensing of substance

Summary: The Division 3 work session focused largely on amendment 1176 to HB 2, which would have incorporated the substance of HB 548FN, a House-passed bill creating a direct-pay or membership-based model for health care facilities. Representative Mlan described the proposal as a way to increase competition in health care by extending the direct-care model used in primary care to facilities, arguing it could encourage innovation and that concerns about widespread harm to critical access hospitals were overstated. He pointed to Oklahoma’s long-standing Surgical Center model as evidence that the approach had not spread broadly or displaced hospitals there. Several members and witnesses raised concerns. Representative Stringham questioned whether the model would shift profitable services and patients away from existing hospitals, potentially worsening their finances and affecting Medicaid-related funding. David Ross, speaking for county nursing homes, opposed the language because it also removed moratoriums on nursing home, skilled nursing, inpatient rehabilitation, and self-pay beds, warning that it could increase pressure on Medicaid rates and undermine community-based care. Ben Bradley of the New Hampshire Hospital Association said the proposal appeared to create a separate regulatory framework for direct-pay facilities and raised concerns about patient safety, CMS participation rules, and a separate patient bill of rights. The chair concluded that, because HB 548 was already moving through the Senate, the HB 2 process was not the best vehicle for the policy and that the issue should be left to the Senate’s more deliberative committee process. Representative Ferski moved to not accept or remove amendment 1176 from the agenda, and the committee approved the motion by roll call, 9-0, withdrawing the item from HB 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• So licensing services as another method to where we can ensure program integrity controls.
• So licensing um services and standards.
• Then other licensing violations would increase from 100 to 300.
• ><c> provider</c><01:14:18.160><c> is</c> out to do licensing and the provider is out to do licensing
• My name is Rachel Romanelli, and I'm a licensed massage therapist of 29 years, licensed in Washington

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Hurtell offers Senate Bill 1062, a bill to amend the State License Fee Act.
• Senate Bill 1062, a bill to amend the State License Fee Act. Second reading of the bill.
• Senator Hurtell offers Senate Bill 1062, a bill to amend the State License Fee Act.
• Senate Bill 1062, a bill to amend the State License Fee Act. Second reading of the bill.
• 136, Senate Bill 480, a bill to amend an act to provide for the protection of children through the licensing

Summary: The Senate met with 29 members present and a quorum, opened with invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, and approved several temporary and full excusals for absent senators. During introduction and referral, the chamber received a large number of new Senate bills and House bills, covering election law, public health, occupational and skilled trades regulation, school code and school aid issues, child protection, cemetery and funeral regulation, insurance, estates, food law, political activity, credit unions, social welfare, transportation, natural resources, and a veterans hyperbaric oxygen therapy grant/fund proposal. All of these measures were read and referred to the appropriate committees; no substantive debate occurred at this stage. The Senate then moved into the Committee of the Whole and considered Senate Bills 480, 517, and 278. SB 480, dealing with child care organization licensing and regulation, received and adopted a committee substitute and advanced. SB 517, a Revised School Code bill, received and adopted a floor substitute and advanced. SB 278, amending the State Housing Development Authority Act, was reported without amendment and advanced. The Committee of the Whole reported SBs 480 and 517 with amendments and SB 278 without amendment, and the Senate concurred in those recommendations. On third reading, the Senate took up Senate Bill 49, amending the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act, and Senate Bill 50, amending the Code of Criminal Procedure. Senator Albert offered an amendment to SB 49 to require citations within six months of a violation, arguing it would align with federal standards and provide certainty; the amendment failed. Both SB 49 and SB 50 then passed by votes of 20-15, with three senators excused. The Senate also suspended the rules to immediately consider Senate Resolution 134, which recognized June 23-29, 2026 as Grassroots Week; Senator Kavanaugh spoke in support, citing civil rights history and modern grassroots organizing, and the resolution was adopted. The chamber then proceeded to statements and adjourned until Wednesday, June 24 at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Issue four was the board charging penalties against non-licensed persons and entities.
• language. ...clarifies the penalty language, and it also cleans up penalties in process for late license
• addresses Issue Number Four, which prohibits the board from penalizing an applicant that is not yet licensed
• providing advice to and answering questions from... ...advice to and answering questions from the license
• I don't know if you realize we license every manufacturer and wholesaler... ...we license every manufacturer

Bills: HB159 , HB110 , HB114 , HB115 , HB116 , HB123 , HB125

Committee: House Boards, Agencies and Commissions

Transcript Highlights:

• of who was driving that vehicle. >> That's right.
• Had my back of my vehicle and the door.
• Had my back of my vehicle and the tag.<02:32:47.120><c> and</c><02:32:47.280><c> they</c><02:32:47.520
• They could just identify the vehicle, and I just thank you for this because it does create a place to
• and I just thank you for the vehicle and I just thank you for this<02:34:24.560><c> because</c><02:34

Transcript Highlights:

• a call on the morning of September 25, 2024, Deputy Campbell's life was cut short when her patrol vehicle
• a call on the morning of September 25, 2024, Deputy Campbell's life was cut short when her patrol vehicle
• a call on the morning of September 25, 2024, Deputy Campbell's life was cut short when her patrol vehicle
• I mean, I literally watched folks roaming around destroying windows, burning vehicles, shooting all this
• shooting</c><03:32:06.560><c> all</c><03:32:06.720><c> this</c><03:32:06.960><c> kind</c> burning vehicles

Transcript Highlights:

• After they would get their license, but it's trying to put them ahead of it because there's a shortage
• We work with them to find that curriculum development, as well as the schooling, as well as any licensing
• So if it's a four-year program and there's going to be an exam or license at the end of that, you're
• There will be smooth sailing and there won't be any hiccups or delays in their license as well.
• So that's why we say, like, there is a way for us to structure it, work with licensing boards, work with

Summary: The Workforce Support Subcommittee met to discuss using registered apprenticeships to help address workforce shortages in disability services, human services, and other high-need fields. Co-chairs and staff introduced the session as a follow-up to earlier discussions with state labor officials and representatives from developmental disability and behavioral health provider associations. The panel focused on how apprenticeships can create paid, structured pathways into jobs while also supporting credentialing and retention. Amara Ramon of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards explained how Massachusetts apprenticeship programs are registered and supported, including the roles of apprenticeship liaison staff, operations, quality assurance, and grant support. She described the core features of apprenticeships—paid on-the-job training, related technical instruction, wage progression, and industry credentials—and contrasted them with internships or co-ops. Melissa Chabelli of the MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board described the intermediary role her board plays in designing programs, registering apprentices, coordinating employers, and handling compliance. She emphasized flexibility, employer investment, tax credits, retention benefits, and the importance of mentors and local workforce partnerships. Lisa Morris of UMass Chan/For Health Consulting described a developing apprenticeship for medical interpreters, built from an existing training foundation and designed to address the gap between classroom preparation and work experience. She said the model would combine pre-apprenticeship training, employer interviews, 2,000 hours of apprenticeship, and related technical instruction tied to national certification. Speakers also discussed examples for nursing, early childhood education, CNC machining, and programs serving neurodivergent learners, including Bridgewater State’s Excel program. In response to audience questions, panelists said state agencies can serve as intermediaries, recruitment can come through career centers, youth programs, community colleges, ESL centers, and incumbent workers, and accommodations or modified curricula can support apprentices with disabilities. No votes were taken; the session ended with encouragement for attendees to contact the presenters and Division of Apprenticeship Standards for help developing programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• The State Fire Marshal licenses fireworks businesses of various types.
• They rely on the applicants to self-verify that they have the opposite permit or license.
• correct by closing that loophole, so requiring that anybody that's applying for a state fireworks license
• This helps to ensure that state and local agencies... ...that their licenses have been denied or revoked
• The bill closes critical gaps in fireworks licenses and storage laws that have limited the ability of

Committee: Senate Local Government

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard six bills. SB 828 by Senator Cabaldon would require fireworks license applicants to disclose storage locations and prove they have local permits, with the state notifying local agencies when licenses are denied or revoked. The bill was presented as a response to deadly fireworks explosions and illegal storage gaps; fire officials and fireworks industry representatives supported it, while county groups raised liability concerns. The committee approved SB 828 unanimously and sent it to Appropriations. SB 799 by Senator Allen would revise the South Bay Regional Housing Trust’s governing rules, including more flexibility on appointing board leadership, alternate participation, and board selection under the joint powers agreement. Supporters said the changes would help the new housing trust operate effectively and allow knowledgeable alternates; questions focused on accountability for non-elected alternates handling public funds. The bill passed on a 6-0 vote as amended to the Senate floor. SB 762 by Senator Arreguín would authorize the city of Hercules to place a local ballot measure for up to a 1% sales tax increase to fund city services and infrastructure. Supporters said Hercules has limited revenue options and high service needs; some senators cautioned about how such measures are presented to voters. The bill passed 5-2 to the Senate floor. SB 722 by Senator Wahab would add protections for mobile home residents from displacement tied to transit-oriented development and redevelopment, described as a cleanup to preserve affordable housing stock. Mobile home residents, housing advocates, cities, and the League of California Cities supported the bill, and no opposition was heard. It passed 7-0 as amended to Appropriations. SB 222 by Senator Wiener would streamline permitting for heat pump water heaters and HVAC systems through automated permitting, consolidated permits, and limits on local fee and siting barriers; supporters framed it as a climate and affordability measure, while local government and HOA groups objected to statewide preemption, fee caps, and liability concerns. The committee approved it 4-1 to Appropriations. SB 677, also by Senator Wiener, made technical clarifications to SB 79’s transit-oriented housing rules, but local governments and regional agencies warned the changes could expand the law’s scope and disrupt mapping work; the bill passed 5-2 to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The State Fire Marshal licenses fireworks businesses of various types.
• They rely on the applicants to self-verify that they have the opposite permit or license.
• correct by closing that loophole, so requiring that anybody that's applying for a state fireworks license
• This helps to ensure that state and local agencies... ...that their licenses have been denied or revoked
• The bill closes critical gaps in fireworks licenses and storage laws that have limited the ability of

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• We are cutting 100,000 from the money that we're funding our current 30 licensed mental health providers
• And then also just kind of pointing out on folks' radar, I went to go get my driver's license renewed
• Many of you may know that for REAL ID purposes, they have various endorsements on your driver's license
• I'm in contact with our wonderful folks at the Department of Licensing, as well as WDBA, about the issue
• I'm in contact with our wonderful folks at Department of Licensing and as well as WDBA about the issue

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs met to hear updates from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the Washington Military Department, the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Commerce on federal and state impacts affecting veterans, military families, and military installations. JBLM’s garrison commander said the base remains focused on housing, child care, and spouse employment, but is facing workforce reductions tied to federal personnel actions, especially in air traffic control, 911 dispatch, and firefighting. He also said JBLM is preparing for increased mutual-aid needs during fire season, and that the Army Transformation Initiative could change unit composition at JBLM over time without a major overall population shift. He confirmed that the Lewis Army Museum is on a closure list, but said the building will remain in use for training and that the base is exploring partnerships to keep museum functions operating, possibly with volunteers or local partners. The Washington Military Department reported about 400 Guard members deployed on federal missions and described ongoing state missions in cybersecurity and firefighting. The department said the Army National Guard’s 81st Stryker Brigade will transition to a mobile combat team, with associated changes in equipment, manning, and end strength. It also warned that continuing resolutions are delaying funding, limiting new military construction starts, and increasing costs. The Washington Department of Veterans Affairs outlined a $3.2 million reduction from the governor’s budget and related cuts affecting internships, vacant positions, outreach travel, claims support contracts, counseling and wellness, veterans’ innovation assistance, and the military transition and readiness council staff position. WDVA said it is ending or scaling back several programs, including in-house nursing assistant training, the veteran farm at Ordean, Vet Corps due to AmeriCorps funding changes, and the tobacco cessation program, while noting that the legislature funded about $23.7 million in capital projects for veteran homes, cemeteries, and transitional housing. The Department of Commerce presented on the Defense Community Compatibility Account, which funds projects that reduce conflicts between military installations and nearby communities. The program currently has 10 projects across five legislative districts, including school and child care improvements, water wells, land acquisition, and a joint firefighting training center in Everett. The presenter said the main challenge is that DCCA projects often need non-state funding secured before they can compete, which can make it hard to leverage federal Defense Community Infrastructure Program dollars; he recommended more flexible state timing to help projects qualify for federal funding. In closing discussion, members raised possible future agenda items including child care near bases, veteran homelessness, suicide prevention, Navy Day, military family housing, and a possible Department of Licensing issue involving guard and reserve designations on driver’s licenses. No formal votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after members were invited to suggest topics for the October and December committee meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• system And the license holders, when it comes to criminal history background checks for convictions,
• To work in private security or obtain a license, but what we need to do is be able to find those people
• We're simply trying to find them because we've already had individuals who've applied for licenses, for
• If a person has a record, then by statute we could not legally give them a license even if we wanted
• That's not going to impact their license or their ability to enter the profession. Profession.

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We license and monitor safe homes and safe group homes, and we will soon be doing that certification
• This again really changed the way that we looked at survivors of human trafficking, mandated licensing
• This again really changed the way that we looked at survivors of human trafficking, mandated licensing
• We were working with them on and our system partners on trying to create a safe house licensing type
• They are 4E eligible, so that is a part of that funding model, and they do that during licensing.

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs received three presentations and took no bill votes. The Department of Children and Families gave an extensive update on human trafficking prevention and services, describing Florida’s statutory framework, hotline and investigation data, placement options such as safe houses and safe foster homes, new adult safe house certification rules, expanded screening tools for vulnerable adults, and prevention efforts including youth-led outreach and training. Members asked about whether current funding is sufficient, how DCF addresses grooming and re-victimization in residential settings, and how long youth typically remain in safe-house placements; DCF said funding is only one part of the support system, that families and youth receive prevention resources even when allegations are not substantiated, and that placement length varies by child. OPPAGA then presented its 2024 annual report on commercial sexual exploitation of children. The report found that verified CSE victims slightly declined in 2023, with Broward, Miami-Dade, Duval, Hillsborough, and Escambia among the highest-prevalence counties. Most verified victims were community youth rather than children already in care, though dependent youth had higher rates of prior maltreatment. OPPAGA also reported continued concerns about limited placement capacity, especially for less restrictive Tier 1 safe houses, and service gaps such as the need for survivor mentors. Its recommendations focused on expanding placement options, improving data collection, and strengthening collaboration to support survivor mentors. Finally, DCF presented the Step into Success pilot program for current and former foster youth ages 16 to 26. The program combines workforce education, professional development, and paid internships with mentor support; the first cohort launched in 2024 with 15 participants, all of whom secured placements, and the department reported strong satisfaction and early outcomes. Committee members asked about scalability, costs, and whether the model could be moved beyond DCF-run operations into community-based providers. DCF said the program was designed to be scalable, currently costs about $500,000 annually for the pilot, and could be expanded statewide with additional funding and partner support. The committee adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Whereas the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department requires supplemental funding to ensure it
• Whereas New Mexico may enter into an interstate medical licensing compact.
• Appropriating funds to supplement the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department's budget. 10.
• Appropriating funds to study and prepare for the implementation of any interstate medical licensing compact
• The Regulation and Licensing Department for a supplemental request and implementation of an interstate

Transcript Highlights:

• , depending upon what type of reactor you have and what type of license you're looking for.
• You have licensing projects. which is what we went through, a four-year project to get that permit.
• The factor is it's never been licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
• But if it was licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, then that would be a salt that we could
• step requires a different license.

Bills: SB1468 , SB1612 , SB1789 , SB2530 , SB2571 , SB2717 , SB2967

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• all, of the banking department's consumer credit division licenses.
• all, of the banking department's consumer credit division licenses.
• are analyzed by the Banking Department's licensing staff.
• So, have, they can't get licensed here.
• and then all of those driver's licenses and then all of those driver's licenses<02:48:02.240><c> were

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now they own a copyright to the standard license plate, the typical red, white, and blue ones.
• Right now they own a copyright to the standard license plate, the typical red, white, and blue one that
• you see, where they get 50 cents on the dollar, or for every license plate through that.
• What this bill does is it removes that 50-cent fee that every standard license plate user has to pay,

Committee: House Transportation and Defense

Transcript Highlights:

• All of them get their doctorate; they have to get a doctorate to get licensed.
• So, members, House Bill 2844 creates a uniform statewide licensing system for most mobile food vendors
• We don't have county driver's licenses; we don't... ...have county tags on cars.
• Or you have a policy that establishes a standard for what it takes to get a license.
• I've also been licensed for 35 years.

Bills: HB 1106 , HB3284 , HB541 , HB713 , HB1403 , HB1586 , HB1942 , HB2070 , HB2844 , HB2851 , HB3151 , HB3749 , HB3940 , HB3963 , HB4454 , HB4466 , HB4795 , HB5154 , HB5394 , SB1357 , HB 1052 , HB4099 , HB4638 , HB5147

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to ensure the future viability of this intersection for vehicles, for walking, and for biking
• I just—something I didn't pass on is there are 57,000 vehicles that go down this road, and this project
• addresses the need for a safe and reliable infrastructure on a corridor that serves thousands of vehicles
• This stretch is only a two-lane highway with nearly 50,000 vehicle trips per day.

Bills: HF4710 , HF4055 , HF3848 , HF3989 , HF4599 , HF3767 , HF3592 , HF3575 , HF3574 , HF3543 , HF4606 , HF4489 , HF3891 , HF3438 , HF3811 , HF3400

Committee: House Capital Investment