Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Licensing is also within OIG.
• And we are currently completing an assisted living licensing evaluation.
• We are about to begin a nursing home licensing division.
• We are about to begin a nursing home licensing division.
• We are about to begin a nursing home licensing division.

Summary: The subcommittee met on May 8, 2026, to narrow 12 proposed Legislative Audit Commission evaluation topics down to 8-10 semi-finalists for a legislative survey. Deputy Legislative Auditor Jodi Munson Rodriguez reviewed the selection criteria and explained which topics were promising now, which might be better deferred to fall because of timing or data limitations, and which were less promising because OLA would have limited ability to add value. She identified the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy, DHS Adult Day Services Licensing, DHS county service approvals and provision, MDH mortuary science program, MPCA feedlot permitting, Minnesota paid leave, the Office of Cannabis Management, and several other DHS-related items as candidates, while recommending that DHS system modernization be shifted to an IT audit and that corporate concentration be narrowed substantially if pursued. Members discussed several topics in detail. Representative Lee asked how a broad DHS county services topic could be narrowed and suggested providing legislators with an addendum listing possible subprograms so they would know what they were ranking; Munson Rodriguez said OLA could add a few suggested subtopics and tailor the survey materials. Representative Hansen urged that the MPCA feedlot permitting review focus on effectiveness and environmental and health impacts, not just speed, and Munson Rodriguez said those kinds of questions could be added. The Office of Cannabis Management was viewed as promising but probably too new to evaluate immediately, and the MDH mortuary science program was also seen as worthwhile but potentially delayed because of overlap with other MDH licensing work. The Minnesota research tax credit drew the most extended discussion. Munson Rodriguez said it remained a weak fit for OLA because of limited data and unclear program goals, and Senator Rest argued it would be better handled by the Department of Revenue’s research staff or possibly the Legislative Budget Office’s tax expenditure research section. Representative Lee asked whether OLA’s financial audit division could review whether the credit “pays for itself,” but Munson Rodriguez said that would require econometric analysis outside the financial audit division’s normal work. The committee did not take a formal vote in the portion provided, but the chair indicated the tax credit issue should be brought to the full commission agenda, and the meeting continued with additional topic review, including the Attorney General Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, which staff said was heavily federally controlled and already reviewed by federal OIG, limiting OLA’s likely impact.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would require midwives to be licensed and other things in our state.
• </c> would require midwives to be licensed would require midwives to be licensed and<00:59:27.039><c>
• This bill would require midwives to be licensed and other things in our state.
• It's necessary because we need to address this issue and this gap in licensing that will occur if we
• It's necessary because we need to address this issue and this gap in licensing that will occur if we

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:22.880><c> moratorium</c> um the foster care licensing moratorium um the foster care licensing
• </c><00:21:45.679><c> professional</c> reference to licensed professional reference to licensed professional
• This is particularly important because the license is not yet effective.
• that um limited license also permits the that um limited license also permits the department<01:34:24.880
• </c> the health department's licensing the health department's licensing framework<01:36:36.480><c> that

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• People that are medically licensed there stay in their lane, and so they are still under the authority
• So she has that authority under her license to read them.
• So she has that authority under her license to read them.
• House Bill 1818 just clarifies licensed social workers.
• It puts it down as licensed bachelor social workers, which is more definite.

Summary: The Public Health Committee heard several bills, beginning with HB 4336, which updates definitions of acute and chronic pain to align with the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act and adds certain violations as unprofessional conduct. The committee adopted a PCS as the working draft, took no questions, and passed the bill 7-0. HB 3194, which would prevent pregnancy centers from being singled out for discrimination or censorship based on pro-life principles, drew questions about oversight, medical staffing, ultrasound interpretation, and contraceptive counseling; after discussion, it passed 6-1. The committee then passed HB 3934, described as a measure to help rural Oklahoma children get dental care through dental hygienists, with a question confirming parents could opt in or out. HB 3762, dealing with chiropractic practice and defining “serum” to cover vitamins, minerals, and nutrients while excluding blood products, was amended in committee but did not receive a motion and remained in committee. HB 1818, clarifying licensed social workers as licensed bachelor social workers and aligning Oklahoma with neighboring states, passed 6-0. Later, HB 3538 on pharmacy benefit manager vertical integration and community pharmacy reimbursement passed 7-0 after extensive discussion about independent pharmacy closures, mail-order pharmacy issues, specialty drugs, and network access. HB 3682, the Oklahoma Clean Indoor Air Act, would prohibit smoking in most public gathering places while allowing certain exceptions and local governments to adopt stricter rules; it passed 7-0. The committee also heard HB 3793, a placeholder bill on nursing education and diploma programs intended to address workforce shortages, but no motion was made and it remained in committee. The meeting ended with a short recess for the swearing-in of a new representative-elect.

Transcript Highlights:

• oversight whatsoever, as opposed to those businesses that we know have permits and have to have a licenses
• the question is To your point, I think the intent is to provide an outlet for someone who is not licensed
• I think my concern is the question is the question is when you say that there will be no license, no
• But this would not get into these other areas where additional licenses might be required, like with
• This would be geared toward licensed manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, and retailers to sell

Bills: SB1519 , SB1775 , SB1900 , SB1948 , SB2080

Committee: Senate Local and County Government

Keywords: municipal zoning, home-based businesses, no-impact businesses, local government, regulation, short-term rentals, municipal ordinance, municipal court, court of record, court not of record, city penalties, fine limits, penalty cap, ordinance enforcement, state statute, traffic offenses, speeding, parking, DUI, DWI

Transcript Highlights:

• for allowing me to present once again House Bill 13, the social worker compact which would allow licensed
• One of the examples is our member Kelsey who is a licensed clinical social worker for over 20 years and
• license in North Carolina, Georgia and Texas.
• Florida specific coursework another background screening and license verification fees for North Carolina
• And and, you know, as a licensed clinical social worker myself, you know, I need help.

Transcript Highlights:

• :02.239><c> a</c> guardians um, have a certification or a guardians um, have a certification or a license
• .<01:22:03.360><c> Um,</c><01:22:04.080><c> so</c> license.
• Um, so license.
• guardianship that requires guardians to follow the national standards of practice or be certified or licensed
• The guardian charges $90 an hour plus 90 cents a mile per vehicle.

Bills: HB0101 , HB0062 , HB0109

Committee: House Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• As part of the licensing process, LDH is required to conduct background checks on certain persons who
• The supervising doctor must be physically on site, and they must be a licensed chiropractor.
• So the licensed chiropractor then says, okay, these are the procedures that need to be done.
• So the licensed chiropractor then says, okay, these are the procedures that need to be done.
• The licensed chiropractor is making that plan, and then the student doctor will execute it.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 13 and approved the minutes from the prior week before taking up a series of House bills, many of them with testimony from sponsors, agency officials, and stakeholders. Early action included HB 971, which would direct LDH to equalize Medicaid reimbursement rates between independent rural health clinics and hospital-owned rural health clinics; the sponsor described a significant payment disparity and the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also deferred HB 1030 and HB 796 until the following week before moving to other items on the agenda. Several bills dealing with Medicaid and provider regulation were advanced. HB 414, as amended, closes a loophole so health care providers cannot hire unlicensed workers with certain serious out-of-state convictions; amendments addressed effective dates, FBI background-check issues for therapeutic group homes, and delays for direct support professional applicants caused by minor record issues. HB 740, as amended, creates an independent review process for Medicaid claims disputes in the coordinated system of care for behavioral health providers, with amendments clarifying applicability dates and program definitions. HB 786, which prohibits extrapolation in managed care claims recoupments and requires recovery to be based on actual overpayments or underpayments, was also reported favorably. HB 915 set timelines and accountability standards for prior authorization and utilization management in Medicaid managed care and was reported favorably after testimony about delays in care. The committee also heard and passed several bills affecting health professions and facilities. HB 405 simply updates the name of the national acupuncture certification body. HB 1095 allows nursing homes to use alternative power sources while keeping existing generator and fuel requirements. HB 557 defines long-term care pharmacies for policy purposes. HB 779 authorizes expedited partner therapy prescriptions for certain sexually transmitted diseases. HB 933 creates an optional commemorative birth certificate, with part of the fee going to the Office of Women’s Health. HB 796, carried by another representative for the author, establishes a chiropractic preceptorship program with on-site supervision requirements and was reported favorably after questions about student training and patient safety. The committee also heard emotionally charged testimony on HB 288, which would place the term “miscarriage” alongside “spontaneous abortion” in medical documentation and patient communication. Several witnesses described the distress caused by current coding language, and supporters said the change would make records more compassionate and understandable; the bill was reported favorably. HB 403 increased the cottage food gross-sales cap, and after testimony from small producers and the committee’s discussion of other states’ higher limits, an amendment raised the cap to $150,000 before the bill was reported favorably. HB 930 modernizes cosmetic-product regulation and creates a small home-based producer exemption under a wholesale-sales threshold; it was also reported favorably. Finally, HB 1041, a no-mandate bill restricting discrimination based on medical intervention status, prompted extended debate over exemptions for schools, hospitals, and other entities, with one amendment failing on a roll-call vote and the discussion continuing over the scope of the bill and federal funding concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Community Care Expansion is a program focused on expanding and preserving licensed care, and expanding
• This is the medical foster homes for veterans licensing category, which is new to the state.
• , we were immediately in communication with our licensed facilities.
• Through our licensing division, we did have 915 facilities monitored throughout the fires.
• I’m Molly Davies, licensed clinical social worker, and president and CEO of Wise & Healthy Aging.

Summary: The joint Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing focused first on long-term services and supports for older adults, especially the “forgotten/overlooked middle” who earn too much for Medi-Cal but cannot afford private long-term care. Administration witnesses from DHCS, the Department of Aging, and Social Services described Medicare’s limited long-term care coverage, Medi-Cal’s role, the elimination of the Medi-Cal asset test, and ongoing state studies and listening sessions on financing options. Testimony from advocates and researchers emphasized rising homelessness among older adults, the need for better navigation and coordination across health, aging, housing, and social service systems, and short-term policy steps such as share-of-cost reform, housing stability supports, and protecting home- and community-based services. Members highlighted the need for a coordinated, no-wrong-door approach and asked for the most impactful budget investments to address affordability and homelessness risk. The second major topic was the Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) program. CDA reported that CBAS helps participants remain in the community, that 304 centers operate statewide serving about 42,000 people, and that demand is stable but access gaps remain in some regions. DHCS explained that a 2024 rate increase authorized by SB 159 became inoperative after Proposition 35, and that a separate 10% rate change on the fee schedule was the result of a DHCS system error; the department said it would not require recoupment, though managed care plans may act under their contracts. CBAS providers and advocates warned that reimbursement rates have not kept pace with costs, that several centers have closed, and that clawbacks could trigger more closures. They requested $74.8 million ongoing General Fund to close part of the rate gap and preserve the program, while members expressed concern about closures and the cost savings of keeping people out of more expensive institutional care. The hearing then moved to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and statewide collective bargaining. CDSS reviewed provider recruitment and retention efforts, including electronic timesheets, direct deposit, and the now-completed IHSS Career Pathways program, which trained more than 59,000 providers. CDSS also summarized its AB 102 workgroup report on statewide versus regional bargaining, saying the final report would be sent to the Legislature soon and that statewide bargaining appeared more viable than regional bargaining, though it would require clear statutory scope and major fiscal changes. The department estimated that each $1 per hour statewide wage increase would cost at least $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion annually. Labor advocates argued that IHSS wages, benefits, and training are too inconsistent across counties and called for statewide bargaining, consumer participation, and ongoing state funding. County representatives supported stronger wages but cautioned that counties need protection from new costs and administrative burdens, and consumer advocates warned that moving bargaining to the state could weaken local consumer control and the program’s consumer-driven structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not that expertise under my own license.
• This bill removes licensed in Minnesota.
• </c> through allowing qualified licensed through allowing qualified licensed therapists<00:25:37.679>
• I'm a licensed name is Leah Seeger.
• The therapists to become licensed here.

Bills: HF4493 , HF3133 , HF4595 , HF4143 , HF4142 , HF3756 , HF4289 , HF1724 , HF2291 , HF4568 , HF4547

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The 245A licensed residential providers.
• We need more licensing staff. We need licensing staff that come out and visit the programs.
• Strengthening licensing capacity.
• Strengthening licensing let's see.
• </c> providers uh licensing staff coming out. providers uh licensing staff coming out.

Bills: HF3423 , HF2354 , HF3634

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

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:

• A license, because we license even a hair salon that gives away one glass of wine. >> No, no, they're
• So, it's not a license, but it's a baby step towards a license. I really like that.
• So, it's not a license, but it's a baby step towards a license.
• </c><00:45:49.720><c> for</c><00:45:49.840><c> the</c> repealing the license for the repealing the license
• . license. license.

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm happy to stand for any questions. to conditional license orders, all to conditional license orders
• </c> through a licensing revocation action. through a licensing revocation action.
• Instead, state licensed halfway houses.
• The ability to access licensing staff.
• </c><00:04:07.599><c> This</c> does not change jail licensing. This does not change jail licensing.

Bills: HF3405 , HF3413 , HF3769 , HF3768 , HF3771 , HF3465

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• an active license, including those that were displaced but have since relocated and remain licensed.
• care licensing team to expedite review and move that through the process.
• family child care, 31% chose family friend and neighbor, and 29% chose a licensed center.
• , 31% chose family friend and neighbor, and 29% chose a licensed center.
• It's based on sort of the basic licensing standards of STRTPs and nothing higher.

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:

• 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:

• 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