Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1258, Child Placement Services, Advertising by Unlicensed Person, Prohibition.
• ><00:58:44.520><c> by</c> placement services, advertising by placement services, advertising by unlicensed
• </c> unlicensed person, prohibition. unlicensed person, prohibition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, unlicensed mental health professionals cannot directly bill Medicare or Medicaid.
• Currently,<00:25:03.279><c> unlicensed</c><00:25:03.919><c> mental</c><00:25:04.320><c> health</c> Currently
• , unlicensed mental health Currently, unlicensed mental health professionals<00:25:05.279><c> cannot<

Bills: HB2488 , HB2456

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HP 1972, which would create a nonrefundable family caregiver tax credit, and on a related tax measure to increase the existing dependent care tax credit. Supporters of HP 1972, including AARP, the Executive Office on Aging, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and others, said unpaid caregivers are essential to keeping kūpuna and other loved ones at home and described significant out-of-pocket costs. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation raised technical concerns, including the need to avoid overlap with existing credits and to prevent double-dipping. The department said taxpayers can claim credits to the extent allowed, but recommended explicit language barring the same costs from being claimed under more than one credit. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair moved the bill along after questions. The committee then heard HP 1975, which would repeal the sunset on the state rent supplement program for kūpuna. AARP, Catholic Charities Hawaii, the Executive Office on Aging, and others supported making the program permanent, saying it helps low-income older adults avoid eviction and homelessness and allows them to remain in affordable housing. Catholic Charities described clients who were paying unsustainable shares of income for rent before receiving the supplement. Members also shared a constituent example of an elderly retiree who needed the subsidy to stay housed. Written support was noted from additional organizations and individuals. Next, the committee took up HB 1706, which would expand Medicaid prospective payment reimbursement to include mental health services furnished in federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics by mental health professionals under supervision. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, and DHS said it appreciated the intent to address workforce shortages and expand training, but cautioned that unlicensed professionals cannot currently bill Medicaid and that a state plan amendment would be needed, with limited precedent for approval. Members asked about the likelihood and timing of federal approval and whether the bill could help rural areas; DHS said approval is uncertain and the process can take time, though it saw possible alignment with the state’s rural health transformation efforts. The committee also discussed HB 546, a three-year health coverage continuity pilot program for people losing Medicaid coverage. DHS, the Attorney General’s office, DCCA, Catholic Charities, the University of Hawaii, and others testified, with DHS warning that federal changes could increase uninsured rates and that the state may need to act quickly. Catholic Charities and others emphasized the risk to Medicaid recipients, including homeless and near-elderly residents, while DHS explained the state’s existing premium assistance program for certain immigrants and compared it to the proposed pilot. The excerpt ends during discussion of that comparison, with no vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It protects the religious liberties of Texas teachers, as well as ensures that teachers can focus on
• Instead, teachers discussed their pay and the lack of resources.
• How is encouraging teachers and staff to bully their co-workers and their students while punishing teachers
• So let's give teachers some credit.
• I have not heard from any teacher groups about this.

Bills: SB3 , SB810 , SB965 , SB1073 , SB1119 , SB1505 , SB 3

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• work-based learning, spending their summers working in the fireworks facility that, again, was unlicensed

Summary: The Committee on Emergency Management heard several bills related to public safety, wildfire preparedness, and fireworks regulation. SB 1299, by Senator Arreguín, would place in statute a certification and training framework for fire sprinkler fitters and apprentices after a court decision disrupted prior State Fire Marshal regulations. Supporters said the bill would protect life safety by ensuring qualified installation and maintenance of fire suppression systems, while opponents raised concerns about added costs, housing affordability, and labor-related effects. The committee passed the bill as amended to the Committee on Labor and Employment on a roll call vote, with DeMaio and Hadwick voting no. SB 1153, by Senator Caballero, would require urban retail water suppliers to incorporate wildfire-specific procedures into emergency plans and clarify that water systems are not designed to serve as wildfire defense systems. Supporters from water agencies and fire organizations said the bill would improve coordination, planning, and ratepayer protection while acknowledging infrastructure limits. Members discussed transparency, backup generators, and whether the bill should require more public disclosure; the author said he would continue working on possible amendments. The committee passed the bill as amended to the Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. SB 828, by Senator Cabaldon, responds to the Esparto fireworks warehouse explosion by requiring fireworks licensees to disclose storage locations, verify local permits, and meet other compliance conditions. The author said the bill was developed with the State Fire Marshal and local public safety partners to close information gaps and improve enforcement. An opposition witness argued the permit-verification requirements could not be met in all jurisdictions, especially for hobby rocketry and small-scale uses, prompting discussion about clarifying different rocket categories and administrative implementation. The committee passed SB 828 as amended to the Committee on Local Government, and the meeting then adjourned after all bills were reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendments six and seven restore present law that prohibits unlicensed private security activity and

Summary: The Senate Commerce Committee met on May 13 with a quorum present and approved the prior meeting minutes. The committee then heard and advanced a series of House bills, many of them described as modernization or consumer-protection measures. HB 555, as amended, expands the definition of financial exploitation under the Protection of Eligible Adults from Financial Exploitation Act, adds training and transaction-delay provisions for financial institutions, and was reported favorably after technical and substantive amendments. HB 1166 creates a disclosure form for vacant residential property transactions and was also reported favorably. HB 267, which changes how candidates for the Louisiana Board of Home Inspectors are submitted to the governor, and HB 1195, which updates rules and penalties for athletic contests, exhibitions, and sports-agent/NIL regulation, were each moved favorably without objection. The committee also advanced several licensing and regulatory bills. HB 917 modernizes life safety and property protection licensing by reducing burdens on some employees and moving to a three-year license cycle; it was reported favorably. HB 1230 overhauls Louisiana’s money transmission laws, replacing older statutes with a new framework for digital payments and stronger consumer protections; a technical amendment was adopted and the bill was reported as amended. HB 1103, described as opening Louisiana for business in certain commerce areas, was reported favorably. HB 478 requires utility bills to clearly label and reimburse overcharges within 90 days and was reported favorably. HB 1096 gives electric cooperatives an opt-out from a prior law allowing boards to amend bylaws without member approval, and HB 921 modernizes private security licensing while restoring penalties for unlicensed activity; both were reported favorably, with HB 921 amended. HB 548 adds CPA licensure pathways to help address shortages, especially in rural areas, and was also reported favorably. Several bills drew more extensive discussion. HB 670 would promote wood pellet manufacturing and related workforce development; supporters argued it could create jobs and help manage timber waste, while an opponent warned about pollution, environmental violations, and the risks of biomass facilities. Committee members raised concerns about permitting and environmental oversight, but the bill was ultimately reported favorably, with discussion of possible follow-up with DEQ. HB 259, dealing with BEAD broadband projects, extends notice requirements before excavation, requires coordination with utility operators, and addresses damage reimbursement; an amendment was adopted and the bill was reported as amended. HB 848 clarifies repair obligations for ATV and golf cart sellers, aiming to ensure consumers have meaningful repair access and to level the playing field between small dealers and big-box retailers; it was reported favorably after questions about enforcement and service requirements. The committee also heard HB 672 and HB 670 as economic-development measures tied to brick manufacturing and wood pellets, respectively, and both were moved favorably. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced that remaining bills would be carried over to the following week, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It treats unlicensed driving the same as other serious traffic offenses for purposes of habitual traffic

Bills: S0086 , S0642 , S0712 , S0758 , S0896 , S1224 , S1300 , S1370 , S1712

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 1300 on education and workforce development for current and former inmates. Senator Claudio explained that the bill is intended to expand collaboration between the Department of Transportation and the Department of Corrections to provide training opportunities tied to Florida’s need for CDL drivers. The bill was reported favorably without debate. Members then considered SB 896 on campus safety, as amended by strike-all and late-filed amendment. The bill would require postsecondary institutions to adopt active assailant response plans, conduct security risk assessments, improve threat reporting and information sharing, and allow voluntary participation in the guardian program; the late-filed amendment removed a prohibition on guardians wearing uniforms. After questions about the firearm-discharge provision near campuses and testimony both for and against, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also reported favorably SB 86 on commercial motor vehicles operated by unauthorized aliens, SB 642 on foreign and alien bail bond insurers, and confirmed appointees listed on tabs 10 through 19. The committee next heard SB 712 on pyramid promotional schemes, which would create a new prohibition and increase penalties while preserving legitimate direct sales plans. Members raised concerns about whether participants in such schemes might themselves be victims, and the sponsor said prosecutorial discretion would distinguish victims from primary wrongdoers; the bill was reported favorably. SB 1224 on rental housing application fraud was also amended and reported favorably after testimony from apartment and realtor groups in support. In the latter part of the meeting, Chair Martin presented SB 1370 to expand habitual traffic offender status to repeated unlicensed driving, and SB 1712 to create a statewide FDLE counterintelligence and counterterrorism unit. SB 1370 was reported favorably unanimously. SB 1712 drew extensive questioning and public opposition over concerns about broad language, surveillance, and possible impacts on speech and protest, but the sponsor said the unit would focus on protecting the state from adversary intelligence threats and operate within constitutional limits; it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 758 on the Justice Administrative Commission was amended to adjust commission membership and reported favorably unanimously. The committee then recorded additional votes for members and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They didn't get their notifications that have 3 unprofessional unlicensed staffers are 23 years old.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 800 imposes progressively higher fees for subsequent offenses of unlicensed engineering practice

Bills: S0408 , S0986 , S0678 , S0800 , S1050 , S0484 , S1118

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Transcript Highlights:

• And if this bill passes, it will eliminate regulated businesses like ours and will encourage unlicensed

Bills: HB 12 , HB149 , SB229 , SB1361 , SB1749 , SB1897 , SB2113 , SB2566 , SB2677 , SB1652 , SB2327 , SB2344 , SB2696 , HB12 , HB149

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• and implemented a 17-week program for marine engineers who have experience and qualifications as unlicensed

Committee: Senate Education Postsecondary

Summary: The Committee on Education Postsecondary heard a presentation on Florida’s maritime and ocean economy from Florida Atlantic University, the College of the Florida Keys, and Star Center. Speakers emphasized the importance of maritime industries such as aquaculture, marine engineering, shipbuilding, transportation, coastal resilience, and offshore renewable energy, and described workforce programs, certifications, and partnerships designed to train students and workers for these fields. They also highlighted federal and state initiatives supporting ocean economy research and commercialization, including tech hubs and innovation programs. The committee then considered SB 312 relating to the Florida Institute of Human and Machine Cognition. Senator Gates explained that the bill would allow IHMC to create a subsidiary to commercialize research, similar to Moffitt Cancer Center. Senator Fine offered and the committee adopted a friendly amendment addressing board membership concerns tied to a University of West Florida trustee. However, after questions arose about whether the bill and analysis aligned on whether subsidiaries would be for-profit or not-for-profit, the bill was tabled. Finally, the committee took up SB 270 on the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. The bill would extend eligibility for students in certain military/public-service family situations, giving families more time to establish Florida residency after returning to the state. Senator Fine’s amendment was adopted to add AP Capstone Diploma students to the automatic Bright Futures eligibility provisions, alongside IB and Cambridge AICE students. The committee then reported the bill favorably as amended by a vote of 7-0, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Why weren't the teachers' union upset about that and telling us where were the...
• We got 50 teachers being laid off up there. A mess.
• But it's Nick Archeletta and the teachers' union. And I've been in several...
• But it's Nick Archeletta and the teachers' union.
• And I've been in several cases right now trying to defend teachers.

Summary: The committee met to receive a series of audit presentations, beginning with the statewide Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for fiscal year 2025. The State Auditor’s Office and OMB reported a clean, unmodified opinion for the state, with strong financial results including a $40.6 billion net position, $30.99 billion in assets, $1.81 billion in liabilities, and continued Legacy Fund growth. OMB also explained the new GASB 101 compensated-absences reporting change and discussed pension-liability fluctuations tied to discount-rate assumptions and investment performance. Members asked about how the state compares to others and about the effect of short-term commodity price swings, and OMB said the report reflects actual fiscal-year results rather than forecasts. The committee then heard the University System audit, which also received a clean opinion but included four findings: misreporting of Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund revenue, insufficient monitoring of service organizations at CTS, NDSU, and UND, improper bank reconciliations at Dakota College of Bottineau, Dickinson State, and Williston State, and investment/cash reconciliation problems at Bismarck State College related to bond proceeds. University officials agreed with the findings and said corrective actions were underway, including internal review of bank reconciliations. Members raised questions about NDSU’s use of certificates of deposit, and university staff explained that CDs are used to earn interest on funds being accumulated for future projects. Several other audits were presented, most with clean opinions and no findings, including the State Auditor’s Office, Workforce Safety and Insurance, Housing Finance Agency, Housing Incentive Fund, Job Service North Dakota, the Retirement and Investment Office, PERS, the Center for Distance Education, the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents, the Ethics Commission, and the Office of Administrative Hearings. Notable exceptions included a State Fair Association audit with an adverse opinion on the foundation component unit because its financial statements were not available for audit, and a Securities Department performance audit finding that performance-based pay increases and bonuses were issued without required evaluations. The committee also discussed the State Auditor’s future needs, including more staff capacity, data analytics, cybersecurity reviews, possible subpoena authority, independent legal counsel, and whether some audits—such as the Ethics Commission and State Fair—should be handled by independent third parties or under different statutory arrangements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead, may we quietly and faithfully meet the needs of the widow, the orphan, the farmer, the teacher
• And we also Clarified that it is for teachers with less than 5 years of experience.

Bills: HJR1088 , HJR1090 , HJR1091 , HB1370 , SB2154 , HJR1092 , HJR1093 , HJR1095 , HJR1099 , HJR1100 , HB3021 , SB893 , SB206 , SB248 , SB259 , SB423 , SB563 , SB604 , SB633 , HJR1077 , SB667 , SB1224 , SB1257 , SB1264 , SB1319 , SB1360 , SB1437 , SB1531 , SB1543 , SB1806 , HB3004 , SB1572 , HB4342 , SB1618 , SB2 , SB237 , SB1632 , SB1687 , SB1726 , SB1859 , SB1894 , SB1461 , HB4432 , SB1948 , SB1589 , SJR52 , SR46 , HCR1030 , SB2071 , SB2182 , SB1451 , HJR1088 , HJR1090 , HJR1091 , HJR1092 , HJR1093 , HJR1095 , HJR1096 , HJR1099 , HJR1100 , SB2185 , SB893 , HB3021 , SR46 , SB206 , SB237 , SB248 , SB259 , SB423 , SB563 , SB604 , SB625 , SB633 , SB667 , SB1224 , SB1257 , SB1264 , SB1319 , SB1360 , SB1378 , SB1437 , SB1531 , SB1543 , SB1572 , SB1618 , SB1632 , SB1687 , SB1726 , SB1806 , SB1859 , SB1894 , SB1948 , SB2071 , SJR52 , HB1370 , HJR1077 , SB2 , SB1451 , SB2182 , HCR1030

Keywords: education rules, administrative rules, joint resolution, Oklahoma State Department of Education, higher education, State Regents for Higher Education, Teachers' Retirement System, charter schools, Statewide Charter School Board, career and technology education, CTE, OEQA, rule approval, legislative oversight, permanent rules, school governance, teacher retirement, education agencies, Oklahoma Register, Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:27.399><c> that</c> lack of a better term um teachers that lack of a better term um teachers
• </c><00:24:20.400><c> can</c> the the the respondent the teacher can the the the respondent the teacher
• </c><00:30:21.840><c> credentialing</c> investigation of teacher credentialing investigation of teacher
• It's not defending teachers; it's because teachers are just implements to educate our children.
• </c> here is it's it's not defending teachers here is it's it's not defending teachers it's<01:30:56.560

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met to hear House Bill 520, which would authorize the Department of Education to issue subpoenas in investigations and hearings involving the code of conduct for New Hampshire educators. Representative Lynn, the bill sponsor, said the measure was intended to give the department standard subpoena power during investigations and in later adjudicatory proceedings, with a process for challenging overbroad subpoenas. He argued that agencies with investigative and hearing authority should also have the power to compel witnesses and documents, and said the bill was narrowed from an earlier broader draft to focus on teacher credentialing and address concerns about scope. Members raised several concerns about whether the department already has enough authority, whether the Attorney General could handle subpoenas instead, and whether the bill creates an imbalance by giving subpoena power mainly to the investigating side. Representative Burroughs said she did not feel she had enough information and was uncomfortable with the bill, especially regarding who bears subpoena costs. Representative Biron questioned the trial analogy and whether both sides truly have equal subpoena rights. Lynn responded that the investigative stage is like a grand jury process, where only the investigating body subpoenas witnesses, while the adjudicatory stage allows both sides to seek subpoenas through the hearing officer. Other questions focused on the bill’s scope. Representative Andreos asked what investigative authority the Department of Education already has, and Representative Organ questioned why the bill is limited to educators rather than also covering vendors, charter school boards, or the EFA scholarship organization. Lynn said the limitation to educators was deliberate, because earlier broader versions drew objections for being too expansive. Representative Tur asked whether the Attorney General could already handle such matters, and Lynn said that while the AG might be able to pursue some investigations or court subpoenas, agencies should be able to conduct their own internal investigations. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:18:21.120><c> which</c> there's many scenarios in which there's many scenarios in which unlicensed
• > professions</c><00:18:22.400><c> also</c><00:18:22.720><c> meet</c><00:18:22.960><c> that</c> unlicensed
• professions also meet that unlicensed professions also meet that standard.<00:18:24.080><c> Um</c><00
• licensed profession must meet these standards, but I can imagine there's many scenarios in which unlicensed
• You might see it with respect to student or teacher rights and parental rights.

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the idea is that it is a public awareness issue, and that way teachers, parents, adults, pediatricians
• on an internet's worth of data, encouraged my child to engage in sexual role play and provided unlicensed
• on an internet's worth of data, encouraged my child to engage in sexual role play, and provided unlicensed

Summary: The committee first heard AB 56, which would require social media platforms to display a warning label about potential mental health harms from prolonged use, with amendments shortening the initial warning and allowing immediate access to the platform. The author and supporters, including a parent who lost a daughter to suicide and a therapist, argued that social media contributes to teen anxiety, self-harm, and other harms and that families need clearer public health information. Opponents from tech and civil liberties groups argued the bill would be ineffective, burdensome, and likely unconstitutional, saying it would create warning fatigue and should be replaced by more targeted tools and digital literacy measures. Several members discussed emergency access concerns, language access, and whether the warning should be more actionable; the bill was moved on a 9-0 vote to the Judiciary Committee. The committee then took up AB 358, which would amend CalECPA to allow law enforcement, with the victim’s consent, to inspect certain abandoned tracking or surveillance devices found in a victim’s home, vehicle, or personal property without first obtaining a warrant. The author and a San Diego prosecutor said the bill is narrowly tailored to devices used solely for spying and is intended to help stalking and domestic violence survivors act quickly before evidence is lost. Opponents from EFF and the ACLU warned the bill would weaken warrant protections, create a loophole around CalECPA, and reduce transparency and accountability. Members debated Fourth Amendment issues, abandonment, and the practical need for rapid access; the bill passed the committee on a 9-0 vote to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 1137, which builds on last year’s CSAM reporting law by allowing any user to report child sexual abuse material, requiring clearer reporting mechanisms, adding human review in some cases, and mandating third-party audits and public reporting. Supporters, including survivor advocates and a parent of a child victim, said the bill would reduce the burden on survivors and improve removal of abusive content. Tech industry opponents said they support the goal but objected to the human-review mandate, public audit disclosures, and enforcement provisions, arguing they could create security risks and compliance burdens. Members generally supported the bill’s intent but raised questions about audit frequency and human review; the bill was moved on call with seven votes at the time of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• illegal hemp, VLTs, kratom, and 70H, the cannabis shops that are open all over the state that are unlicensed
• phones in schools for the students, and some school districts are taking that to the extent that the teachers
• The teachers can't have them either.
• It seemed like this was not necessarily the best way to provide safety if the teachers don't have them

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; Use your teacher voice. &gt;&gt; Use your teacher voice.
• </c> with ineffective and harmful teachers? with ineffective and harmful teachers?
• Yes, I've had that situation with my child as well with rigid teachers versus more open teachers.
• Special ed teachers are fabulous. All teachers are—I am not saying that against any teacher.
• All teachers are—I am not saying that against any teacher.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> See, I'm just like, I need to have a teacher start reading these. >> Sorry about that. >> She didn't
• has already referenced that it is overburdened and this distracts from the egregious activity of unlicensed
• the egregious this distracts from the egregious activity<01:49:56.880><c> of</c><01:49:57.199><c> unlicensed
• </c><01:49:57.840><c> and</c><01:49:58.080><c> non-compliant</c> activity of unlicensed and non-compliant
• activity of unlicensed and non-compliant groups.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• facility that, again, was— Spending their summers working in the fireworks facility that, again, was unlicensed

Committee: House Emergency Management

Transcript Highlights:

• Bad actors and unlicensed operators create risk not only for animals but for the ethical business and

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight

Summary: The joint Audit Committee hearing focused on implementation of Ollie’s Law, including MDAR’s progress on regulations for commercial boarding and training kennels and the new municipal reporting requirements. MDAR Director Mike Cahill said the department formed the required advisory committee, held two Zoom trainings for municipal officials, created a public information webpage, and completed draft regulations that are now under secretariat review. He reported that 269 of 351 municipalities had submitted kennel data, leaving 82 out of compliance, and said the department has been posting compliant and noncompliant municipalities online to increase transparency. Committee members pressed MDAR on the lack of a clear enforcement mechanism for municipalities that fail to report and on the delay in finalizing regulations. The chair urged the department to consider stronger sanctions and asked for a central reporting system for injury data, noting that injury reports currently go only to municipalities. Cahill said the statute does not give MDAR explicit authority to fine municipalities, though he supported a House bill that would grant that power. He also said the department could not easily add municipal penalties through regulation alone. Representatives from the Animal Rescue League of Boston and the MSPCA, including the advisory committee chair Jenny Mather, said the advisory process was thorough and aimed to balance animal safety, consumer transparency, and fairness to compliant businesses. They supported better municipal accountability, more standardized training and resources for animal control officers, and clearer reporting of injuries and kennel information to MDAR. They also raised concerns about third-party advertising platforms that may list unlicensed home-based kennels and argued that public education and enforcement should focus on bad actors rather than penalizing well-run facilities. The hearing ended without a vote or formal action, but with support expressed for the pending bill and for continued regulatory revisions.