Video & Transcript : 'professional licensing boards' :

Page 63 of 500
MO
Transcript Highlights:
  • This is part of a broader trend in state policy aimed at reducing barriers for licensed professionals
  • This part of a broader trend in the state policy aimed at reducing barriers for licensed professionals
  • This did come through your committee on Professional Registration and Licensing.
  • people who want to work across state lines to help bridge that employment gap on the professional licenses
  • Registration and the commissions that oversee the professional licenses.
Summary: The House established a quorum and then moved to House bills for perfection and printing. House Bill 2189, sponsored by the gentleman from Jasper, would allow five-year vehicle registrations, eliminate the current odd/even model-year registration rule, and limit the five-year option to vehicles six years old or newer. Members asked about emissions and safety inspections, insurance verification, and personal property tax compliance; the sponsor said the Department of Revenue could track those items electronically and that the bill was intended to simplify registration for citizens. House Amendment 1, which set the five-year fee at $45, was adopted, and the bill was then perfected and printed as amended. The House then took up House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1790, a “fair ballot language” bill. The sponsor said it would require clearer ballot language for local tax levies, including stating tax rates in cents and their dollar impact, labeling propositions alphabetically, requiring disclosure when a measure would nullify a prior voter-approved sunset, and closing a loophole in the Hancock Amendment so taxing entities still roll back levies after reassessment while retaining voter-approved increases. Members generally supported the transparency goals, and a brief amendment adding a comma to existing statutory language was adopted. The committee substitute was then adopted, perfected, and printed. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2178 was then considered, with several amendments. House Amendment 1, offered by the gentleman from Pike, capped assessment increases at 15% over two years and provided a tax credit for amounts above that threshold; after a roll call, it was adopted 92-43. House Amendment 2, from the gentleman from Clay, prevented assessors from reclassifying short-term rental properties from residential to commercial solely because of short-term rental use; it was adopted after debate over whether LLC-owned properties should be treated differently. House Amendment 3, from the gentleman from Jackson, incorporated ballot-language provisions from earlier bills to require clearer labeling and disclosure on property tax measures, and it was adopted. House Amendment 4, also from the gentleman from Jackson, required assessors to disclose valuation methods and supporting data, set a 30-day refund deadline with interest for late refunds, and allowed taxpayers to recover certain litigation costs when appeals succeed; it too was adopted. The bill then continued with discussion of Hancock-by-subclass and related property tax issues, with members debating how the proposal would affect residential, commercial, and agricultural taxpayers.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Health and Human Services - 02/25/25

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • from both the Iraq Board and the Arab Board of Dermatology.
  • College of Medicine and earned my board College of Medicine and earned my board certification<00:04:02.079
  • </c><00:04:06.280><c> of</c> the Iraq board and the Arab Board of the Iraq board and the Arab Board of
  • I had a very hard time getting her a license in Minnesota, and I finally wrote the medical board myself
  • ><01:38:10.639><c> just</c> professional licensing and I I just professional licensing and I I just would
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee Jun 22nd, 2026

Business, Professions and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • You know that we're against illegal usage across the board.
  • We also, I forgot the board, we object. Good afternoon, Chair and members.
  • Aaron Bone with the Medical Board of California.
  • There is no internationally approved licensing type of approach.
  • So one thing that happened several years ago was that the board, the law was changed, and the board is
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Business and Commerce May 20th, 2025

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • They're career professionals.
  • They're career professionals.
  • It also allows the board to obtain license holder business contact information for website display.
  • the board.
  • There is a resource witness from the Texas Association of License Certification Board who can answer
Summary: The committee took up several pending business items and reported a series of House bills out of committee, including HB 2467, HB 2468, HB 2518, HB 4310, HB 4386, HB 4490, HB 5323, and HB 149. Most of these were advanced on committee substitute motions and sent to the local and uncontested calendar or reported favorably to the full Senate. HB 2467 drew one nay vote, while the others were approved without opposition. HB 4310 and HB 4386 were described as committee-substitute versions with changes narrowing disclosure requirements and preserving attorney-client privilege in certain circumstances. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 149, an AI governance bill. The substitute was explained as addressing biometric identifier capture and storage, exempting certain AI uses for security and fraud prevention, clarifying definitions, restricting AI systems that simulate explicit child sexual content, adjusting Attorney General investigative authority, refining sandbox program waivers, reducing Texas AI Council powers and membership, and adding DIR coordination provisions. The committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably. The committee then heard extensive testimony on HB 1500, the DIR sunset bill. The author said the bill would continue DIR for 12 years, restructure its board, update advisory committees, require regular cybersecurity assessments and penetration testing for state agencies, improve IT procurement training, and transfer the e-grants program to the Comptroller. A Texas 2036 witness supported the bill as a way to strengthen governance, procurement, and cybersecurity. Members asked detailed questions about the bill’s structure and then left HB 1500 pending. The committee also heard a lengthy presentation on HB 150, which would create the Texas Cyber Command as a component of the University of Texas System, administratively attached to UTSA and located in San Antonio. The author argued the command would centralize cyber threat intelligence, incident response, and digital forensics, and would be able to support state and local entities, with optional services for local governments. Members raised concerns about university mission drift, governance, security, chain of command, procurement authority, gifts and donations, and civil liberties implications of proactive cyber monitoring. Witnesses from UTSA/NSCC and SecurityScorecard testified in support, emphasizing the security of the downtown San Antonio facility, the existing cyber ecosystem there, and the need for a dedicated cyber capability. The bill remained under discussion with no final committee action announced in the excerpt.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • to access professional development, coaching and networking opportunities.
  • This facility is licensed for 14 vets and currently has 12 youth placed.
  • The timeframe for licensing any facility can vary by the facility.
  • The daily board rate of the bq Itp is 3.95.
  • And I'm hoping that we have more of these on board in a very rapid way.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Civil Rights & Judiciary Jan 27th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Civil Rights & Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • House Bill 2453 adds board-certified psychiatric pharmacists to this list of professionals who may sign
  • The bill does define the term board-certified psychiatric pharmacist as a pharmacist who's been licensed
  • These pharmacists may become board-certified in psychiatric pharmacy, or BCPP.
  • Licensing exam. It is challenging to become a BCPP pharmacist.
  • I'm a board-certified psychiatric pharmacist.
Bills: HB2453 , HB2590 , HB2445 , HB2386 , HB2585
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Judiciary Feb 14th, 2026 at 04:37 pm

Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm Melissa Salser, Director of Boards and Commissioners at the Regulation and Licensing Department,
  • Boards with similar licensure are the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists, the Board of Body Art Practitioners
  • The Board of Barbers and Cosmetology, it is the full establishment that is licensed.
  • individual license.
  • license denied.
Bills: SB23 , SB221 , SB261 , SB264 , HB294 , SB40 , SB43 , SB35
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Working Group on Omnibus K-12 Education Bill - 06/02/25

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • As you can see on line 111, $9 million is saved by removing it from the Professional Educator Licensing
  • licensing and professional educator licensing and standards<00:25:41.760><c> board.
  • educator licensing and the professional educator licensing and standards<00:27:05.520><c> board,</c>
  • Educator Licensing and Standards Board receives an operating adjustment on line 277.
  • Licensing and Professional Educator Licensing and Standards<01:48:51.600><c> Board</c><01:48:51.920>
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/26/2026 - House Health & Human Services

House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:
  • Additionally, the bill requires licensed midwives to disclose their professional liability insurance
  • Licensed midwives like myself first become certified professional midwives.
  • Being led by professional or licensed midwives in the state.
  • licensed midwives in the state. being led by professional or licensed midwives in the state.
  • I always equate licensure of health care professionals to a driver's license.
Summary: The committee began with a presentation from the Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter and Dr. Anna Burke of Barrow Neurological Institute on the growing impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia in Arizona, the need for earlier diagnosis, better provider education, caregiver support, and continued research funding. They described current gaps in training and access to specialists, but also highlighted new therapies, lifestyle interventions, and Arizona-based research efforts. Members expressed support and optimism, but no action was taken on the presentation. The committee then heard HB 2202, which appropriates $300,000 from the general fund over fiscal years 2027 through 2029 for a dementia care tele-mentoring grant program through the Department of Health Services. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association, a dementia specialist, and a patient advocate, said the program would help primary care providers diagnose dementia earlier and improve care. The bill was passed out of committee on an 11-0 vote. Next, the committee took up HB 2251, the midwifery bill, which would authorize certain licensed midwives to dispense and administer specified medications and devices, require liability insurance disclosure and annual reporting, and create a Midwifery Advisory Committee. A committee amendment removed some medications and renamed the bill the Jordan and MacTerry Act. ACOG and the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association opposed the bill as drafted, citing concerns about oversight, peer review, and the medication list, while licensed midwives and other supporters argued the bill would improve safety, transparency, and alignment with national standards. The bill was held for further stakeholder work, with members indicating more amendments were likely. The committee then heard HB 2252, which would allow certified nurse midwives, certified professional midwives, or licensed midwives to accompany a patient in a ground ambulance during an out-of-hospital birth if approved by medical direction. Supporters described cases where continued midwife involvement during transport helped newborns and mothers, while firefighters and EMS representatives opposed the bill as written, saying it created ambiguity about command and scene control and could raise safety concerns. The chair said the bill would be held for further stakeholder meetings and possible language changes. After a recess, the committee reconvened for presentations on federal Medicaid and rural health funding impacts, beginning with JLBC’s overview of H.R. 1’s Medicaid provisions and the rural health transformation grant program.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am

Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Transcript Highlights:
  • He was granted a wine and malt license back in 2022.
  • value of the license.
  • When there is a license that's being transferred, notice to all existing license in the city or the municipality
  • House 420, an act relative to issuing licenses for professional opportunities.
  • House 323, an act relative to license caps. House 353, an act relative to record license and caps.
Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a hearing on alcohol licensing, sales, and consumption issues affecting bars, restaurants, package stores, and local communities. The chair outlined hybrid hearing procedures, including three-minute testimony limits and instructions for written testimony. The committee heard a local bill for Milford, H. 4169, authorizing an additional off-premises all-alcohol license for Charlie’s Mini Mart, with the understanding that the existing wine and malt license would be surrendered if the new license is granted. A major topic was the long-running debate over happy hour. The Massachusetts Restaurant Association opposed bills such as S. 217, H. 349, and H. 443, arguing that discounted alcohol would intensify competition, create pressure on restaurants to participate, and potentially raise liquor liability and insurance costs. In contrast, Senator Julian Cyr testified in support of repealing the happy hour ban through a local-option framework, saying the bill includes safeguards such as no discounts after 10 p.m., fixed pricing during promotions, and advance posting requirements, and that it could help downtowns and seasonal businesses without creating a public health risk. The Massachusetts Package Stores Association testified on a broad package of bills, opposing measures to reinstate happy hour, allow supplier control over retail shelf space (H. 350), impose a transfer fee on licenses (H. 351), authorize alcohol coupons or discounts (H. 381 and S. 219), and permit Thanksgiving alcohol sales (H. 428). It supported bills requiring beverage alcohol training for off-premise licensees (H. 344), restricting self-checkout for alcohol (H. 366), changing Section 15 grocery-store license rules (S. 213), and several other regulatory changes. The Distilled Spirits Council supported H. 350 on private label spirits, while acknowledging concerns about disclosure and preferential treatment; package store witnesses defended private labels as lawful products they create with manufacturers, and the council argued the bill should address consumer confusion and unfair competitive advantages. The hearing concluded with Chair Chan announcing committee poll results on other bills, including a number of favorable reports and study orders, and the committee then voted to close the hearing.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/13/2026 - Senate Regulatory Affairs & Government Efficiency Committee of Reference

Senate Regulatory Affairs & Government Efficiency Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:
  • the board met requirements related to some of its responsibilities, including timely issuing licenses
  • However, a review of board meetings, investigation files, and board policy... ...found that the board
  • review of five of 1,662 reciprocity applications across all license types in 2024 found that the board
  • across all license types in 2024 found that the board failed to ensure the licensees receive the required
  • to clearly establish an appropriate scope of practice for estheticians licensed by the board.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/24/26

Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> licensed professionals is critical. licensed professionals is critical.
  • And then also just a concern about licensed professional.
  • And then I looked licensed professional.
  • </c> at the definition of licensed at the definition of licensed professional,<01:29:28.360><c> and</
  • I concern about licensed professional.
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

ALC-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE Jan 15th, 2026

ALC-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:
  • We've got the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and the State Board of Registration for Professional Soil
  • Ashley Davis, Director, Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
  • David Dawson, General Counsel for the Board of Nursing.
  • Currently, the board regulates 72,000 nurses.
  • And that has been administered by the Arkansas State Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers
Summary: The Occupational Licensing Review Subcommittee met to review two occupational licensing reports: the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and the State Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers. For nursing, board officials described the board’s history, scope, and licensure categories, saying it regulates about 72,000 nurses across RN, LPN, advanced practice, medication assistant, and dialysis technician-related roles. Members asked about workforce shortages, complaint volume, and the board’s finances. The board said Arkansas has enough licensed nurses overall but faces vacancy and distribution issues, receives about 2,200 complaints annually, and most serious complaints involve criminal backgrounds, fraud or misrepresentation, misappropriation, drug abuse, and criminal investigations. Officials also said they are looking at ways to improve efficiency in case handling, including better documentation and added help positions, and noted outreach efforts through nursing associations and the Arkansas Center for Nursing. For professional soil classifiers, Agriculture Department officials explained that the occupation was created in 1975 and now is administered by the Natural Resources Commission after the former board was abolished in 2023. They said the profession is small and specialized, with about 29 registered soil classifiers in Arkansas, and requires a four-year degree plus coursework in biological, earth, and soil sciences. Members asked whether the current number is sufficient, what the work involves, and how the licensing fund is used. Officials said the current number appears adequate, though demand could change with more nutrient management or related work, and that soil classifiers commonly assist with septic system design, perk testing, wetland determinations, and other soil-related projects. They also noted the program has a small reserve and may look at training, curriculum, testing, and administrative budget adjustments. Both reports were reviewed without objection, and no votes were taken. The next meeting was announced for February 19 at 1:30 p.m.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • they do also have a member of the board that is a licensed surgeon?
  • can't get on board with us.
  • By requiring the New Mexico Medical Board to grant expedited licenses to qualified, already licensed,
  • I'm also board certified in internal medicine, and I have had my license and a practice in New Mexico
  • I'm also board certified in internal medicine, and I have had my license and a practice in New Mexico
Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 213, which would allow optometrists to perform three specific laser procedures. The sponsor presented a committee substitute adding 32 hours of approved advanced training, supervised live-patient practice, adverse-event reporting, and other accountability measures. Supporters argued the bill would improve access to care, while the New Mexico Medical Board opposed it, citing patient-safety concerns and the much greater training required of ophthalmologists. After debate, the committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill 6-3. The committee then considered House Bill 65, renamed the Foster Care Plus pilot program. The substitute changed the bill to require clinical assessment instead of CAN assessment, added reporting to the Legislature and LFC, and clarified contracting with clinical experts. CYFD officials said the $2.5 million request, combined with existing growth funding, would support more children, staff, foster-parent stipends, and related services, and that the program is already being implemented with help from Oklahoma-based experts. Some members remained concerned about cost, staffing, and whether the program could be sustained, but the committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill 8-1. House Bill 127, on expedited medical licensure, was amended to create a provisional pathway for internationally trained physicians, require a job offer and benchmarks before full licensure, and establish a telemedicine registry. The Medical Board supported the amended bill, while public commenters emphasized physician shortages and access to care. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill. House Bill 128, which updates firefighter occupational disease and disablement presumptions to add cancers and other changes, drew strong support from firefighters, labor, and workers’ compensation officials; the committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill. House Bill 156, which removes the sunset on the state’s authority to set vaccine guidelines and continue its vaccine program, also passed after supporters argued it preserves access and opponents raised broader vaccine-policy concerns. The committee then began hearing House Bill 137, a buprenorphine access bill, with the sponsor and advocates describing pharmacy supply barriers and a committee substitute aimed at setting minimum stock standards, requiring distributor reporting, and avoiding fines on pharmacies.
AR

Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session

ALC-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE Jan 15th, 2026

ALC-OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REVIEW SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:
  • We've got the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and the State Board of Registration for Professional Soil
  • Ashley Davis, Director, Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
  • David Dawson, General Counsel for the Board of Nursing.
  • Currently, the board regulates 72,000 nurses.
  • And that has been administered by the Arkansas State Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers
Summary: The Occupational Licensing Review Subcommittee met to review two occupational licensing reports: the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and the State Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers. For nursing, board officials described the board’s history, scope, and licensure categories, noting it regulates about 72,000 nurses and oversees RNs, LPNs, advanced practice nurses, medication assistants, and a new dialysis patient care technician registry. Members asked about workforce shortages, complaint types, and the board’s finances; the board said Arkansas has enough licensed nurses overall but has vacancy issues in some areas, complaints commonly involve criminal backgrounds, fraud, misrepresentation, drug abuse, and misappropriation, and the average case length is 191 days though some cases remain open much longer while awaiting criminal adjudication. Officials also said they are working on efficiency improvements and have added help positions with Department of Health support. The report was accepted without objection. The committee then reviewed the soil classifier program, now housed under the Natural Resources Commission after the former board was abolished in 2023. Agriculture Department officials explained that soil classifiers are a small, specialized profession requiring a four-year degree with coursework in biological, earth, and soil sciences, and that the state currently has 29 registered soil classifiers. Members asked whether that number is sufficient, what the work involves, and how the program’s finances are used. Officials said the profession is mainly used for septic system design, wetland determinations, nutrient management, and other soil-related work, and that current staffing appears adequate. They also noted the program has about $20,000 in reserves, above the statutory three-year balance, and discussed possible uses such as training, curriculum upgrades, and expanded administrative funding. The report was also accepted without objection, and the meeting adjourned with the next meeting scheduled for February 19 at 1:30 p.m.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/11/2026 - House Government #2

Transcript Highlights:
  • House Bill 2660 outlines the procedures for when a health profession regulatory board makes a licensing
  • I stakeholdered with other professionals that were in the health board.
  • Conversely, I found someone that was a protester against ICE but holds a professional license as a nurse
  • . ...ICE, but holds a professional license as a nurse practitioner.
  • Although the license is not suspended, they’re under a cloud for how long until the board adjudicates
Summary: The committee heard HB 2842, a deed-fraud prevention bill that would create an early alert system for property owners when escrow is opened on their property. The sponsor and several witnesses, including a victim, an Attorney General investigator, and the Department of Real Estate commissioner, described widespread deed fraud and said the bill would provide proactive notice before a fraudulent transfer is completed. The committee adopted the Blackman amendment shifting the reporting entity from DIFI to the State Real Estate Department, then passed the bill with a due pass recommendation by a 7-0 vote. Members then considered HB 2667, which would require recipients of state first-time homebuyer or down payment assistance programs to be Arizona residents for two years and to occupy the home as a primary residence for two years, while barring out-of-state investors from using the homes as rentals. The sponsor said the bill was intended to help younger Arizonans and keep assistance focused on residents invested in the state. Opponents and other members raised concerns that the bill could conflict with existing federal and lender requirements and could reduce participation in local down payment programs; after discussion, the committee passed the bill 4-3. HB 2020 was heard next and would reduce certain school-disruption offenses to a class 1 misdemeanor for minors and narrow the definition of interference with an educational institution. The sponsor and a parent described a case in which a student was charged too harshly after a school altercation, while a public commenter urged case-by-case discretion and warned against saddling children with felonies. The committee passed the bill 4-3. The committee also advanced HB 2793, which streamlines annexation procedures for single-owner annexations and updates notice rules, including electronic newspaper publication. After adopting two amendments, members passed it 4-3. HB 2327, which allows eligible individuals to restrict public access to certain identifying information held by county recorders, assessors, and treasurers, passed unanimously. HB 2858, creating a 1% Arizona-bidder preference in certain state procurement ties, also passed unanimously after amendment. HB 2660, which adds procedural protections and oversight for health profession licensing board actions, passed 4-2 after testimony from the sponsor and a physician who said board actions had chilled speech and due process. Finally, HB 2063, appropriating $1.5 million for the Independent Correctional Oversight Office, passed unanimously after strong support from oversight advocates and former corrections stakeholders, and HB 2681, extending civil-service appeal deadlines from 10 calendar days to 10 business days, also passed unanimously. The committee then discussed HB 2812, which would raise the sick-leave payout cap for retiring state employees from $30,000 to $57,000; witnesses supported the increase and members began discussing a possible amendment to allow retirees to transfer the payout into a health savings arrangement, but the transcript ends before final action on that bill.
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

Insurance - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 9:00 AM

Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • There was a board set up, and that board is in place now. Senate bill 2699. Senate bill 2699.
  • There was a board set up, and that board is in place now.
  • Uh there was a board set up which that<00:14:00.639><c> board</c><00:14:00.959><c> is</c><00:14:01.199
  • </c><00:22:39.440><c> We</c> licenses. We have to flag today. We licenses. We have to flag today.
  • </c> fraud and and not renew their license. fraud and and not renew their license.
Committee: Joint Insurance
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/02/2026 - House Health & Human Services

Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • The contractual professional is applied to only, in my reading... ...contractual professional is applied
  • boards.
  • The Podiatry Examiners Board has been given a presentation by the State Podiatric Medical Licensing Compact
  • The board members feel this legislation is important to the profession, The board members feel this legislation
  • There's approximately 490 licensed podiatrists and probably about, I would say, maybe 5% are also licensed
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Education Policy - 03/04/26

Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, as a plug to professional library people and licensed library media specialists, that is part of
  • So, as a plug to professional library people and licensed library media specialists, that is part of
  • professional library people and um<01:10:30.159><c> licensed</c><01:10:30.640><c> library</c><01:10:
  • Once you become a licensed licenses.
  • be able to renew your license every five years. deal with professional development and deal with professional
Bills: HF3776 , HF3557 , HF3585
AR

Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session

ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES Feb 19th, 2026

ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Transcript Highlights:
  • of Labor and Licensing.
  • I'm the chief legal counsel for the Department of Labor and Licensing, which includes our State Board
  • I'm the chief legal counsel for the Department of Labor and Licensing, which includes our State Board
  • The first part is our board rules; the second part is the profession's code of professional conduct.
  • It was actually in board rule.
Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee reviewed a series of agency rules and related requests. The Department of Corrections and Post-Prison Transfer Board reported quarterly updates with no questions, and several Commerce rules were approved, including repeals tied to the minority business enterprise and women-owned business enterprise programs and the Consolidated Incentives Act because they were superseded by Act 116 or duplicative of statute. The Insurance Department’s new rule for online marketplace guarantee providers was also approved, with Airbnb used as an example of the type of platform covered. The Department of Education presented an update to the Arkansas Adult Diploma Program to align payment milestones with Act 502 of 2025, and DFA presented a rule implementing a new tax credit for Arkansas rice used in beer and sake production under Act 874 of 2025. Members asked about verification of grain bills and whether the credit was broadly available; DFA said the rule tracks the statute and requires producers to submit the grain bill with their return. DHS then presented a SNAP rule implementing federal changes from Public Law 119-21, including raising the able-bodied adult without dependents age limit to 64, changing treatment of dependents and exemptions, and adjusting energy assistance income treatment; the rule was approved despite one public comment. Later, DHS Medical Services amended the Medicaid Rehab Hospital Manual to allow rehab hospitals to operate psychiatric units and bill Medicaid for those services, and also secured approval for a recovery audit contractor exemption because Arkansas law bars contingency-fee contractors and the state already has other program integrity safeguards. The Board of Public Accountancy’s rules implementing Act 428 of 2025 were approved after discussion of a new CPA licensure pathway requiring a bachelor’s degree plus two years of experience, changes to substantial equivalency for out-of-state CPAs, and removal of a government/not-for-profit coursework requirement. The committee also approved the Department of Education’s request to be excluded from certain reporting requirements, retained all 18 DAPSAF rules under a review of Group 3, filed outstanding 2023-session rulemaking updates, and adjourned after filing monthly updates.