Video & Transcript Research : 'client consent'
Page 51 of 415
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nominations of Jonathan Gould, of Virginia, to be Comptroller of the Currency for a term of five years, Luke Pettit, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Paul Atkins, of Virginia, to be Mar 27th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Atkins wasn't making millions of dollars off clients like Sam Bankman Freed, he was a commissioner at
- And I've known Paul not only as a friend, but as a client, because I've called Paul and his team in to
- Potomac counts every time a kind of financial firm subject to the SEC's rules among its clients, banks
- Your clients pay you north of $1,200 an hour. for advice on how to influence regulators like the SEC.
- I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record letters from Mr. Ackes.
Keywords:
financial regulations, SEC, Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Transit Administration, nominees, Empowering Main Street in America Act, capital formation, economic growth
Summary:
The committee meeting focused on several nominees within key financial institutions, including discussions surrounding the SEC, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Comptroller of the Currency. Notable dialogue included concerns over regulatory balance, with various members emphasizing a need to streamline regulations to foster innovation while ensuring accountability and safety for investors. The importance of the proposed 'Empowering Main Street in America Act' was highlighted as a means to facilitate access to capital for small businesses, underlining the current administration's approach towards financial regulations.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (02/11/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- Are there any objections to the consent<00:19:56.480>
calendar? consent calendar? - consent calendar?
- putting this on the consent calendar? putting this on the consent calendar?
- there's this cannot go on the consent there's this cannot go on the consent calendar<01:44:52.880
- <01:54:36.080>
calendar Um, it will go on the consent calendar Um, it will go on the consent
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Commerce and Tourism Mar 3rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR CONSENT PUSH NOTIFICATIONS.
- I AM NOT THAT CONSUMER PROTECTION ATTORNEY BUT I DO SEE SOMETHING IN MY CLIENTS ALL THE TIME AND I'D
- I SAY TO A LOT OF CLIENTS, THANK GOODNESS WE LIVE IN FLORIDA BECAUSE THE FCCA APPLIES TO ALL PERSONS.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- consent. Thank you. consent. Thank you.
- removed from the consent calendar. removed from the consent calendar.
- We're going to move on to the consent calendar. On to the consent calendar.
- implicit consent?
- that were removed from the consent that were removed from the consent calendar.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 10, 2026 - 01:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Informed consent is treated as resistance.
- The patient must have consent.
- The patient must have consent. And only the chiropractor Thank you. Thank you.
- The patient must have consent, and only the chiropractor can give the injection.
- on lines 259 to 262, it talks about a court-appointed representative or a person designated by a client
Summary:
The Health and Human Services Committee considered eight bills and reported all of them favorably, several as amended. HB 1347 on clinical laboratory personnel was presented as a response to staffing shortages in Florida labs; the sponsor and Quest Diagnostics supported aligning state licensure with CLIA standards to improve hiring and turnaround times. The bill passed 24-0. CS/HB 47, dealing with specific medical diagnoses in child protective investigations, drew extensive emotional testimony from parents and advocates who said children had been wrongly removed after misdiagnoses; the bill was amended to tighten timelines and record-sharing requirements, then passed 26-0. CS/HB 287 created a public records exemption for applicants, owners, operators, and references of family foster homes and passed unanimously.
The committee also approved CS/HB 439, allowing chiropractors to inject vitamins and nutrients under training and safety limits, after an amendment clarified they may not prescribe prescription drugs; it passed 26-0. CS/HB 1021 would allow pharmacists to administer medications in trauma centers under physician direction, and an amendment added pediatric trauma centers; it passed 26-0. HB 867 would let occupational therapists perform dry needling after specified training and supervision, and it passed 25-0.
HB 1309, which shortens deadlines for patients to access their medical records and aligns nursing home access rules with federal law, drew opposition from health information management groups over privacy and portal/data-security concerns, but supporters argued it simply speeds access to records; it passed 21-5. CS/HB 915 codifies and expands Medicaid eligibility protections for working people with disabilities so they can keep coverage while employed, with strong support from disability advocates and emotional testimony from the sponsor about her son’s benefits concerns; it passed 26-0. After these votes, the committee adjourned.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Business meeting to consider S.558, to provide for the consideration of a definition of antisemitism set forth by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance for the enforcement of Federal antidiscrimination laws concerning education programs or Apr 30th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- This is an administration which seeks to punish law firms that have represented clients who took legal
- Yes, I'd like to begin by asking unanimous consent that we enter into the records the names of 400 Jewish
- I'd like to propose a unanimous consent request that we ask the floor to waive the two-hour limitation
- Is there any objection to that unanimous consent?
- So, again, what is before us is a request for unanimous consent for us to contact the floor and to ask
Keywords:
civil rights, higher education, discrimination, complaints, awareness campaign, antisemitism, education, Civil Rights Act, IHRA definition, federal enforcement, Jewish community, anti-discrimination laws, Anti-Semitism Awareness Act, Protecting Students on Campus Act, First Amendment, Senator Tim Scott, free speech, college campuses, legislation, Trump administration
Summary:
The committee meeting primarily focused on reviewing two significant bills: S558, the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act of 2025, and S163, the Protecting Students on Campus Act. Senator Tim Scott introduced S558, emphasizing its importance in combatting anti-Jewish violence and harassment, and providing the Department of Education with necessary tools to investigate incidents of anti-Semitism on college campuses. The bill sparked a vigorous debate among members who expressed concerns over potential implications for free speech, particularly regarding its definitions of anti-Semitism, and whether it would infringe upon First Amendment rights.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (03/05/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:40:56.599>
okay Nays thank you very much is consent okay Nays thank you very much is consent - No objection to consent. Thank you very much. Consent is okay for that one as well.
- No objection to consent. Thank you very much. Consent is okay for that one as well.
- No objection to consent. Thank you very much. Consent is okay for that one as well. Thank you.
- We have a client counseling unit.
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 763, an early bill concerning AED access at athletic events and venues. Representative Morris offered amendment 0743H to clarify the bill by removing charter schools from the language and tying AED placement to American Heart Association guidance, emphasizing that AEDs should be readily accessible within a reasonable walking distance rather than mandated on every field. The amendment and then the bill as amended both passed 17-0, and the bill was reported out as Ought to Pass with Amendment.
The committee then considered House Bill 781, requiring school districts to adopt cell phone-free education policies, and a related bill, House Bill 131. HB 781 was amended to include charter public school boards, cover other personal electronic communication devices, require at minimum restrictions on student personal cell phones during class instruction, allow superintendent-approved exceptions for medical or language needs, protect students with medical needs or disabilities under Section 504, and set an effective date of July 1, 2025. Some members argued the amendment was too prescriptive and limited local control, while supporters said it still left districts flexibility outside classroom instruction. The amendment passed 16-1, and the bill then passed Ought to Pass as Amended 16-1. HB 131, described as a mirror bill, was then retained by a 17-0 vote.
House Bill 398, a title bill requiring Holocaust and genocide studies to include impacts on people with disabilities, was moved to ITL after Representative Selig reported the genocide commission believed the topic was already being covered. That motion passed 17-0. The committee also agreed to hold several bills for later consideration, including HB 754, HB 1221, HB 360, and HB 699, citing the need for more review or missing copies.
Finally, the committee took up House Bill 361, prohibiting mandatory mask policies in schools. Supporters argued the bill would preserve individual choice while preventing statewide or districtwide mandates in future public health emergencies, and cited a Department of Health and Human Services letter saying masks remain effective but decisions should be based on individual choice and risk assessment. Opponents emphasized local control and the need for districts to respond to different public health conditions. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 361 was completed.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It also narrows the currently loose exceptions for attorney-client communications outside of rendering
- That's pure attorney-client privilege, and it's important as it relates to our legal framework.
- We support this bill, and I particularly want to speak to the... ...attorney-client privilege piece of
- set of information, and sometimes they'll come back and say, well, it's all covered by the attorney-client
- them, restoring a clear and direct line of account. ...accountability between the provider and the client
Bills:
HB111
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Local Government Committee Apr 29th, 2026
Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- the consent agenda.
- The consent calendar, the motion is to adopt the consent calendar, which consists of file item number
- The consent bill will remain on call. We will now hear SB 983.
- Starting with the consent calendar, the motion is to adopt the consent calendar, which consists of file
- Starting with the consent calendar, the motion is to adopt the consent calendar, which consists of file
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Local Government met to hear a long agenda of local government, housing, labor, and transparency bills. The committee first adopted the consent calendar for SB 1187 and SB 1388, then heard SB 983, which would authorize the Port of San Diego to use job order contracting for repairs and repetitive maintenance work. Supporters said the bill would speed emergency and small repairs and reduce costs, while opponents raised concerns about construction definitions and project labor agreement language. The bill was ultimately moved forward on a 2-2 vote after discussion of amendments and labor negotiations, and later the committee’s final roll call showed it passing out on a 5-2 vote.
The committee also heard SB 1256, aimed at limiting duplicative litigation over a San Diego County housing project, and SB 992, which would make permanent and expand a small special-district audit flexibility by raising the revenue threshold from $150,000 to $250,000. SB 1256 drew support from the author and project counsel, who argued the project had already been litigated and was delaying needed housing, while opponents said the bill would interfere with wildfire and subdivision-map review. SB 992 had support from county auditors and special districts, with no opposition, and was approved 5-0. SB 1115, addressing governance failures at the Tulare County Public Cemetery District by allowing county supervisors to remove an individual trustee for cause, also passed unanimously after testimony describing serious dysfunction and opposition from the California Special Districts Association.
The committee then took up SB 1193, which would impose transparency and approval requirements on Alameda County discretionary funding to nonprofits and other entities. The author and supporters described the bill as a response to grand jury findings and alleged conflicts of interest, while Alameda County argued its current process is already transparent and that the bill would add burdens and could harm services. After amendments and discussion, the bill passed 5-0. SB 1383, a density bonus law bill clarifying that local labor standards cannot be waived through density bonus concessions, was supported by labor groups and moved forward despite no opposition, with the final roll call showing it passing out 5-1. SB 1361, intended to prevent local governments from undermining transit projects because of SB 79 density concerns, also passed after support from L.A. Metro and labor and no formal opposition, with the final vote recorded as 5-2. The committee later resumed to hear SB 1272, the CASH Act, which would limit certain sanctions on homeowners for prior unpermitted work by previous owners; the transcript cuts off before that bill’s full testimony and vote.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- The motion to adopt the consent calendar.
- The motion to adopt the consent calendar.
- You are the consent calendar. The consent calendar. Senators Strickland: aye. Archuleta: aye.
- The consent calendar will be next. The current vote is 9-0.
- Consent is out, 12-0. File item 1, SB 1087 by Senator Cabaldon.
Summary:
The Senate Transportation Committee heard a series of bills focused on transportation planning, emissions, freight, and vehicle regulation. SB 1087 by Senator Cabaldon would modernize SB 375 regional climate and transportation planning by moving regional plan updates from every four years to every eight years, clarifying roles for CARB and the California Transportation Commission, and better aligning funding and guidelines. Supporters, including SCAG, MTC/ABAG, MPOs, local governments, and some environmental groups, said the bill would reduce duplicative planning costs and improve implementation. Opponents, including Coalition for Clean Air and the California Building Industry Association, warned it could weaken climate accountability, expand VMT-related burdens, and create housing and CEQA concerns. The bill passed 9-1 and was sent to Appropriations.
The committee also heard SB 1315, which would require manufacturers to report software updates for semi-autonomous vehicle features to the Insurance Commissioner so the state can build data for future policy. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed 12-0. SB 1275 by Senator McNerney would replace the general fund portion of the state sales tax on motor vehicles with a one-time vehicle license fee so buyers could potentially claim a federal tax deduction; the LAO testified as a technical witness, and the bill passed 9-1. SB 1287 by Senator Hurtado would create a tax credit to spur private investment in short-line railroad infrastructure; supporters said it would improve safety, freight efficiency, and emissions, and it passed 12-0.
The committee also approved SB 1423 by Senator Stern, which would streamline review for certain transit and rail projects that have already undergone extensive environmental review; it passed 8-1. SB 1064 by Senator Daly would reduce the frequency of clean truck checks for very low-mileage heavy-duty and off-road vehicles, and passed 12-0 after supporters said it would reduce unnecessary trips and costs while opponents awaited CARB analysis. SB 1375 by Senator Cortese would similarly reduce duplicative environmental review for qualifying major transit and rail projects, and passed 12-0. SB 1392, also by Senator Cortese, would expand the smog-check exemption for certain historic collector vehicles used mainly for shows, parades, and charitable events; classic car and lowrider advocates supported it, while air quality groups opposed it as increasing emissions. It passed 10-2. The committee also adopted the consent calendar, including SB 1213, by a 12-0 vote.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 27th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The clerk will read the resolution on the consent calendar.
- Moving to a vote on the consent calendar.
- Does any member wish to remove an item from the consent calendar?
- Seeing and hearing none, the clerk will read the second day consent calendar.
- The consent calendar is adopted. The clerk will read the remaining items on the consent calendar.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Apr 10th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Unfortunately, you know, there's so many concerns with this, the definition of client legal representative
- Unfortunately, you know, there's so many concerns with this, the definition of client legal representative
- the bill would require such health care providers' physicians to provide patients with an informed consent
- ...how they're going to be monitored, making sure patients truly understand the risks of informed consent
Summary:
The committee met to consider a large agenda of health and human services bills, moving quickly because of a two-hour time limit. Early measures reported favorably included SB 976 on challenges to court-appointed psychologists in family law cases, SB 306 on Medicaid provider network access and after-hours availability, and SB 584 on housing supports for college students and youth in extended foster care. SB 1412 on home health regulation modernization also passed, with one support appearance from the Home Care Association.
Members then approved several bills focused on research and care delivery, including SB 1800 creating a Parkinson’s disease research consortium at USF with an adopted amendment adding academic medical centers, SB 524 adding Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening, SB 1156 revising a Medicaid home health aide program for medically fragile children, and SB 1490 transferring and redesigning the managed care program for critically ill children. SB 1174 on foster home licensure transfers, SB 1620 implementing mental health and substance use commission recommendations, SB 1568 revising e-prescribing exemptions, and SB 788 on veterans nursing home beds were also reported favorably.
The committee had more extensive debate on SB 1270, the Department of Health agency package, which included provisions on vaccination status, medical marijuana background screening, licensing and compact issues, and sovereign immunity for volunteer dental workers; it passed after an amendment and several members voiced concerns about patient treatment and “voting power” language. SB 1606 on patient access to records drew strong opposition from providers and health information professionals over privacy, HIPAA, and administrative burdens; it was initially reported unfavorably, then reconsidered and ultimately passed after a motion to reconsider. Other bills reported favorably included SB 1736 on insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives, SB 1808 on patient refunds from providers, SB 1842 on referral disclosure of network status, SB 1354 on behavioral health managing entity oversight, SB 1768 on stem cell therapies with informed consent requirements, and SPB 7032 on presumptive Medicaid eligibility for permanently disabled individuals, which was submitted and reported as a committee bill. The meeting ended after all agenda items were handled and the committee adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- the internet, how effective do you believe that this state level legislation will be in addressing consent
- It's the act of distributing sexually explicit images or videos of a person without their consent.
- the rules of evidence and I was able to keep everything out and I, and I don't think and, and so my client
- um use things that are proximate, right, because if I'm trying to go, like I've had cases where my client
Keywords:
HB 207, Texas Government Code, Section 411.201, license to carry, LTC, handgun license, concealed carry, federal judge, immigration judge, immigration court, U.S. immigration court, judicial security, firearm carry permit, Texas handgun license, federal judiciary, HB235, Texas, sales tax exemption, use tax exemption, disabled veteran
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (01/21/2026)
Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- my clients.
- Both of my clients are Therapy.
- <01:38:56.800>
So, speak directly from my clients. So, speak directly from my clients. - stop taking clients, if they change<01:40:00.880>
their <01:40:01.119>information. - <03:47:01.760>
with represent a few different clients with represent a few different clients
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Elected local officials must disclose certain representation of clients.
- Elected local officials must disclose certain representation of clients.
- Elected local officials must disclose certain representation of clients.
- It amends the voter bill of rights to conform to a consent decree and changes consistent with other changes
- It amends the voter bill of rights to conform to a consent decree and changes consistent with other changes
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board (8-27-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- The 40,000 clients that were served by our connectors.
- were served >> Um the 40,000 clients that were served by<00:40:57.200>
our <00:40:57.520 - offers ongoing support to help clients offers ongoing support to help clients maintain<00:47:54.800
- It would show that they talked to a client and that it resulted in a Medicaid enrollment.
- Exactly. and I talked to this client. Exactly. and I talked to this client.
Keywords:
1. Call to Order and Roll Call – 00:00:00
2. Approval of Minutes – 00:02:10
3. Discussion of State-Based Marketplaces and the Federally-Facilitated Marketplace – 00:02:31
4. Discussion of the Role of Kynectors and Navigators – 00:27:29
5. Discussion of Presumptive Eligibility – 01:11:57
6. Discussion of Medicaid Eligibility, Enrollment, and Redeterminations – 01:20:09
7. Update on Rural Health Transformation Program Application Process – 01:47:35
8. Public Comment – 01:59:57
9. Adjournment – 02:06:10, 958, all
Summary:
The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board met for its third meeting and approved the July 30 minutes. The chair outlined a full agenda covering the state-based marketplace versus the federally facilitated marketplace, connectors and navigators, presumptive eligibility, eligibility/enrollment/redetermination, and a rural health transformation update. Commissioner Lisa Lee and Assistant Director David Barry presented first on Kentucky’s state-based exchange, Connect, explaining that it is an integrated eligibility and enrollment system for Medicaid, CHIP, SNAP, TANF, child care, and qualified health plans. They reviewed Kentucky’s move from a state-based exchange to healthcare.gov in 2017 and back to a state-based marketplace in 2021, and said the system helps route applicants to the correct program and allows families to move more easily between Medicaid and exchange coverage as circumstances change.
The presenters said the exchange is funded by carrier assessments on qualified health plans rather than general fund dollars, with costs allocated across programs based on use. They said Kentucky’s exchange fees are lower than the federal platform’s and that the state-based system provides local assistance through DCBS offices, connectors, and licensed agents in every county. Members asked about startup and operating costs, fee-setting, and whether any general fund dollars are used; the department said it would follow up with the CFO on fee details and said it was not aware of general fund support for exchange operations. Members also raised concerns about Medicaid eligibility verification and improper enrollment, while the department emphasized that the state system uses different questions than healthcare.gov and is designed to identify the correct coverage based on monthly Medicaid income and annual tax-credit income.
The board also discussed enrollment trends, including a COVID-era spike during the public health emergency when disenrollments were largely paused, and current qualified health plan enrollment of more than 97,000 people on Connect. Commissioner Lee explained presumptive eligibility as temporary Medicaid coverage, noting it applies to pregnant women and hospital-based cases, with hospitals able to grant it and certain providers able to grant it to pregnant women. She said full eligibility is still determined within 30 days and that presumptive eligibility ends when full Medicaid eligibility is determined or at the end of the following month. The meeting then shifted to connectors, with representatives from Community Action Kentucky and the Kentucky Primary Care Association describing their statewide outreach network, local offices, and role helping residents apply for Medicaid, renew coverage, report changes, and navigate benefits; they said connectors do not determine eligibility but assist with applications, recertifications, and outreach events across the Commonwealth.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Session Mar 14th, 2026 at 05:55 pm
West Virginia Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Unanimous consent to return to the sixth order of business.
- I ask unanimous consent to introduce a resolution from the floor.
- President, I ask unanimous consent to introduce a resolution from the floor.
- I request unanimous consent to introduce a resolution from the floor. Sir, objection.
- I request unanimous consent to take Senate Bill 197 from the table.
TX
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- is it allows choice and it allows access so that we do have the choice to broaden access for our clients
- However, the board still holds these positions where it's concerned for the safety of clients, for the
- broaden access for our clients. broaden access for our clients.
- for the kind of uh the safety of clients for the kind of uh disconnect<00:13:12.240>
that <00: - informed consent. informed consent.
Bills:
HB1853, HB1591, HB1961, HB1854, HB1965, HB1962, HB1959, HB2505, HB2576, HB1801, HB1804, HB1864, HB2319, HB2314, HB2115
Keywords:
HB1853, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, cognitive impairment, memory care, memory clinic, Hanai Memory Network, Executive Office on Aging, aging services, kupuna, caregiver support, long-term care, elder care, geriatrics, public health, dementia screening, care coordination, referral network, neighbor islands, rural health
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on SB 2047, relating to pharmacy benefit managers. The Insurance Division said the bill would require new enforcement resources and estimated an appropriation of about $1.5 million and five positions. Kaiser Permanente asked for an amendment to exclude HMOs from the definition of third-party PBMs, saying the bill should not interfere with integrated care models. PCMA and the Hawaii Pharmacist Association supported narrowing amendments, with pharmacists objecting to section 3 and warning the bill as amended could create major operational burdens and a significant general fund cost. No vote was taken in the portion provided, and the chair moved on to the next measure after questions.
The committee then took up SB 2080, which would allow Hawaii to join the psychology interjurisdictional compact. Supporters, including DCR, the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, the Grassroot Institute, and others, said the compact would expand access to psychology services, especially for people in rural areas or those needing continuity of care while traveling. Opponents, including the Board of Psychology and a Shamanad University psychology professor, raised concerns about client safety, crisis-response procedures, enforcement costs, FBI background checks, and possible loss of state control over training and specialization standards. The board said Hawaii’s current 1,900-hour internship/postdoc requirement is higher than the compact’s standard and that the state is still implementing a separate provisional licensing law that may address some access issues. The discussion focused on whether the compact would meaningfully reduce shortages and whether Hawaii should instead pursue changes within its existing licensing system.
Finally, the committee heard SB 2277 on hospital price transparency. The Office of Consumer Protection initially noted the bill could require significant staffing, but later testimony from SHIP suggested the measure could be handled more simply by working with the Healthcare Association of Hawaii and publicly posting violations. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii opposed the bill, arguing hospitals already must comply with federal CMS transparency rules and that adding state requirements would increase costs and legal exposure, especially if violations were treated as unfair or deceptive trade practices. Steve Fenberg testified in support, saying the bill would simply codify existing federal requirements in state law and that he was open to amendments removing state enforcement and the unfair trade practice language. No final action was taken in the excerpt provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (04/23/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Does anyone object to consent? All right. We’ll put this one on consent.
- anyone object to consent? anyone object to consent? All<02:18:13.840>
right. - collected from public or private clients collected from public or private clients shall<03:15:43.680
- Public or private clients. That's it.
- Is there any objection to consent? Okay, seeing none, we'll put that on consent.
Summary:
The committee discussed House Bill 185, which would amend RSA 3109 to add timelines for OPLC’s complaint review and investigation process. Members reviewed the existing five-year limitation period for misconduct complaints and noted that the bill would add a 30-day deadline for the office to make a recommendation to the board and a 90-day deadline to complete investigations. Some members raised concerns that the new deadlines could conflict with the existing statute of limitations, create pressure to dismiss cases too quickly, and potentially undermine the separation between OPLC’s investigative role and the boards’ adjudicatory role established by House Bill 655.
Nicholas Fry, OPLC general counsel, testified that the agency’s fiscal note originally assumed it would need roughly double its staff to meet the proposed deadlines, though a later amendment reduced that estimate somewhat. He said OPLC would still need additional personnel, including investigatory paralegals and a physician investigator for the Board of Medicine, to meet the timeframes. He also explained OPLC’s current complaint and hearing procedures, including new consumer-friendly correspondence, website guidance, and efforts by the enforcement division to improve transparency and communication with complainants and licensees.
Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors testified in support of the bill’s basic goal of speeding up intake and investigation, saying the 30-day intake/review period was reasonable and that the bill would not change OPLC’s role in that first step. He argued, however, that the investigation step is where delays occur, especially for lower-priority complaints, and that some cases have remained unresolved for years. Committee members also questioned how the added staffing costs would be paid, with discussion of whether they would come from license fees or the general fund. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.