Transcript Highlights:

• in the rural population factor, the enrollment growth factors, and now the increasingly complex landscape
• rural population factor, the enrollment growth factors, and now I think the increasingly complex landscape
• Within the education choice state policy landscape, states face questions and make decisions that include
• So, moving beyond definitions and after taking a glance at the state policy landscape, I'll be digging
• Chairman, and others in the committee, what is the landscape of New Mexico? What is it?

Transcript Highlights:

• Therefore, any sediment that's removed out of that acequia will fertilize the landscape on that downslope
• and House Bill 1 funding, it's not enough for what the state is currently facing in our disaster landscape
• So, it was emergency stabilization work to kind of keep some of that soil up on the landscape and reduce
• the wheat farmers in Kansas would have been jealous of the stands of wheat that we put up on the landscape
• And be able to organize large-scale landscape forest thinning, as opposed to how the State Forestry has

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here today because the forest... of East Texas aren't just scenic landscapes, they're working lands
• Curtis Smith testifying neutrally on behalf of Texas Nursery and Landscape Association.
• , irrigation specialists, landscape holders. sellers, and suppliers across the state of Texas.
• The nursery and landscape industry is a vital part of our economy, contributing over $40 billion annually
• Texas' ongoing water challenges affect our industry in multiple ways. from nursery production to landscape

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and um and this shift in the landscape and um and this is<00:36:16.480><c> impacting</c><00:36:17.079
• Kind of setting the main tone and landscape of how the industry feels.
• So the whole landscape started to change.
• </c><01:04:54.279><c> started</c><01:04:54.599><c> to</c> well so the whole landscape started to well
• so the whole landscape started to change<01:04:55.279><c> all</c><01:04:55.440><c> the</c><01:04:55.720

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology met on March 12, 2025, and heard testimony on several measures. On SB 9, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation testified in support, and there were no questions or objections. On SB 148, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs offered comments, and a member of the public testified in support of combining boxing and MMA oversight into a single combat sports commission, with amendments to preserve safety standards and separate or distinct treatment for the two sports. Committee discussion focused on whether proposed requirements were primarily safety-related or cost-related, how to handle smaller events, and whether a one-year implementation delay was necessary; the department said many safety provisions already exist in the MMA program, that it was open to continued discussion on costs, and that it needed time to combine rules and appoint new commissioners. The chair suggested possible amendments to account for event size and to reduce burdens on smaller events. The committee then heard SB 816, which drew extensive testimony on providing legal representation for immigrants in immigration proceedings. Supporters included the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission, ACU Hawaii, the Refugee and Immigration Law Clinic, the Legal Clinic, Hawaii Friends of Civil Rights, the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights, Pride at Work Hawaii, and others. Supporters argued that immigration cases can be as serious as criminal cases, that counsel is essential for due process, and that representation improves outcomes; several also emphasized the economic importance of immigrants to Hawaii. One supporter noted a suggested amendment to include training for attorneys and partners doing deportation defense and asylum work. Opposition came from a Navy veteran who argued the bill would use state resources for a federal issue, create inequities, and impose fiscal burdens. The chair noted 69 testimonies in support and 44 in opposition, and later an additional supporter brought the total to 70 in support. No vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided. The committee also heard SB 125, with the Department of Economic Development, the Agreed Business Development Corporation, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association in support, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii offering technical comments about complicated nested definitions in the bill. Testimony on SB 125 focused on updating the Enterprise Zone Program so local manufacturers selling directly to retail could qualify, along with value-added products and certain health-related sectors. Finally, on SB 732, the State of Hawaii Creative Industries testified with comments, raising concerns about county permit-fee waivers, implementation timing, and the bill’s lack of a carry-forward provision for the film tax credit. The witness said uncertainty in the credit was already causing productions to delay coming to Hawaii and urged stability to support the industry and local workers. The committee then moved on to additional testimony on the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• at the Oregon Department of Justice and how do we evolve in meeting the needs of an ever-changing landscape
• Can you speak to some of what came out of that meeting and the federal landscape around Medicaid fraud
• Can you speak to some of what came out of that meeting and the federal landscape around Medicaid fraud
• how do we need to adapt and modify to make sure that we're continuing to evolve with the changing landscape

Summary: Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield held a press event marking National Health Care Fraud Takedown Day to highlight the state’s Medicaid fraud enforcement work and announce four new criminal filings. He said the Oregon Department of Justice’s Medicaid Fraud Unit, which includes investigators, auditors, attorneys, data analysts, and a nurse investigator, has secured hundreds of convictions and settlements since 2010 and recently received additional staffing from the legislature. He framed the work as bipartisan and aimed at protecting vulnerable Oregonians, recovering taxpayer dollars, and deterring fraud. The announced cases involved alleged provider or vendor fraud rather than Medicaid recipients: Ed Morgan of Beaverton was charged in connection with housing assistance funds tied to a health-related social needs program; Linda Thomas and her company, Gateway of Willamette Valley, were charged with billing Medicaid for day support services not provided; and Amanda Thorne, a former Lane County employee, was charged with using a government credit card for personal purchases. Rayfield also noted recent progress in other cases, including a nurse who pleaded no contest to false billing and theft and was sentenced to jail, probation, and restitution, and a medical transportation company owner recently charged with billing for services not provided. In response to questions, Rayfield said Oregon staff attended a federal meeting on Medicaid fraud despite late notice and political tensions, emphasizing that fraud enforcement should remain bipartisan. He said the federal landscape is complicated by cuts to enforcement staff even as there is talk of increased enforcement, and that states have had to step up. He also said Oregon’s managed care system has not been a major barrier to investigations, which typically begin with complaints and are developed with partner agencies. No votes or formal legislative actions were taken at the event.

Transcript Highlights:

• at the Oregon Department of Justice and how do we evolve in meeting the needs of an ever-changing landscape
• Can you speak to some of what came out of that meeting and the federal landscape around Medicaid fraud
• Can you speak to some of what came out of that meeting and the federal landscape around Medicaid fraud
• how do we need to adapt and modify to make sure that we're continuing to evolve with the changing landscape

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: Oregon Attorney General staff held a press event on National Health Care Fraud Take Down Day to announce new Medicaid fraud enforcement actions and highlight the work of the state’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The attorney general said the unit, created in 1986, has secured 348 criminal convictions, 156 civil settlements and judgments, and significant recoveries since 2010, and noted the legislature recently approved additional staffing. She framed the work as protecting vulnerable Oregonians and taxpayer dollars, and said the unit is a small multidisciplinary team of investigators, auditors, attorneys, data analysts, and a nurse investigator. The office announced criminal filings in four cases involving alleged fraud by providers or public employees, including charges against a Beaverton man tied to housing assistance funds, a Corvallis provider and company accused of billing Medicaid for services not provided, a former Lane County employee accused of improper personal purchases on a government credit card, and a Tigard man in a medical transportation-related case. The attorney general also cited recent outcomes in other cases, including a Portland nurse who pleaded no contest and was sentenced to jail, probation, and restitution for billing for services not provided. She emphasized that the defendants are presumed innocent. In response to questions, the attorney general said Oregon staff attended a recent federal meeting on Medicaid fraud despite late notice to many Democratic states, describing the issue as bipartisan even amid broader disagreements with the Trump administration. She said federal staffing cuts have made state enforcement more important and that Oregon is already evaluating how to adapt to a more complex fraud landscape. She also said the cases announced are primarily against providers and entities rather than Medicaid recipients, and that Oregon’s managed care system is not currently a major barrier to investigations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Krueger, an act amending the Public Authorities Law in relation to establishing the electric landscape
• Senator Krueger, an act amending the Public Authorities Law in relation to establishing the electric landscape
• Something that stood out to me on page two of this bill, talking about all of the different landscaping
• So if you’re a landscape company under this program, you buy a bunch of new electric equipment that needs

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications, chaired by Senator Kevin Parker, considered a lengthy agenda of energy- and utility-related bills. The committee discussed measures on utility outage penalties for combination utilities, a NYSERDA-backed electric landscaping rebate program, stronger utility storm response compliance, a study on utility reporting of late payments to credit agencies, a used zero-emission vehicle rebate program, alternative fuels along the New York State Thruway, a property tax exemption for energy-related utility real property, a NYSERDA pilot microgrid at Glenwood Houses, a prohibition on PSC approval of certain utility rate increases, a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit, a usage monitoring program, and a bill on denial of increased utility rates and charges. Several bills prompted questions about who would pay for the programs or penalties, with sponsors and staff repeatedly stating that fines would be paid by utilities and that many programs would be funded through NYSERDA or existing appropriations, though members raised concerns about whether ratepayer funds or system benefits charges could be used. The electric landscaping rebate bill drew extended debate over whether its equipment definitions could allow companies to use battery equipment charged by generators, while the microgrid pilot and used EV rebate bills were defended as investments to improve reliability, lower peak costs, and build a secondary EV market. Senator May spoke in support of the Glenwood Houses microgrid and the related investment rationale. Most bills were advanced after motions and votes, often with some no votes or without-recommendation votes. The committee reported several measures to third reading, including the utility outage penalties bill, the utility storm response bill, the utility rate increase restriction bill, the usage monitoring program, and the denial of increased utility rates and charges bill. Other bills were advanced to the Finance Committee, Budget and Revenue Committee, or Local Government Committee, including the electric landscaping rebate program, the used EV rebate program, the alternative fuels bill, the tax exemption bill, the Glenwood Houses microgrid pilot, and the sustainable aviation fuel tax credit.

Transcript Highlights:

• This beautiful landscape There it is. That's Starvation Peak out there.
• They want to be able to contribute to what is a beautiful landscape that is New Mexico, right?
• It impacts the entire agricultural landscape. It impacts the Rio Grande ecosystem.
• Is That, how much of that is within the tribal landscape?
• We're always keeping an eye on the landscape to see what's out there.

Transcript Highlights:

• California has a unique and complicated regulatory landscape, and only professionals licensed in California
• Additionally, AB 2106 will also extend the protections provided by the certificate of merit to landscape
• I'd like to say, unlike lawyers, architects, engineers, and landscape architects are willing to admit
• Jason Eichard, on behalf of the California Council of the American Society of Landscape Architects, very
• And look, I believe what we're seeing in the national landscape and the negativity isn't new.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here today because the forest of East Texas aren't just scenic landscapes, they're working lands
• committee, thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony on behalf of the Texas Nursery and Landscape
• , irrigation specialists, landscape wholesalers, and suppliers across the state of Texas.
• The nursery and landscape industry is a vital part of our economy, contributing over $40 billion annually
• appreciates the committee's attention to the challenges and opportunities facing the Nursery and Landscape

Transcript Highlights:

• It summarizes the activities of the commission, provides a landscape of tax expenditure evaluations.
• And my last piece is a look at the landscape of tax expenditure evaluations. the heating fuels and um
• </c><00:20:11.280><c> of</c> The last piece is a look at the landscape of tax expenditure evaluations
• This is a high-level overview of the landscape of tax expenditure evaluation.
• landscape of tax expenditure of the landscape of tax expenditure evaluation. evaluation. evaluation.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a physical place on the landscape, but it is more than that. It is where you grow your family.
• It's a physical place on<00:14:15.040><c> the</c><00:14:15.199><c> landscape,</c><00:14:15.600><c> but
• on the landscape, just by following<00:14:59.440><c> the</c><00:14:59.600><c> North</c><00:14:59.920
• He wishes that we could do something more meaningful so that we could change the landscape of what is
• </c><00:19:58.480><c> of</c> that we could change the landscape of that we could change the landscape

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's continued development in fire-dependent landscapes.
• These are landscapes that do have a natural return interval.
• It's continued development in fire-dependent landscapes.
• These are landscapes that do have a natural return interval.
• People don't want to part with certain landscapes, but we're all in this together.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's continued development in fire-dependent landscapes.
• These are landscapes that do have a natural return interval.
• It's continued development in fire-dependent landscapes.
• These are landscapes that do have a natural return interval.
• First, defensible space, removing flammable landscaping and materials...

Summary: The Senate Committee on Insurance held an information hearing on the impacts of climate change and catastrophic wildfire on California’s insurance market, with opening remarks focused on the state’s affordability, availability, and stability problems. Chair and members discussed the role of SB 254’s report, the Sustainable Insurance Strategy, the growth of the FAIR Plan, and the need to better align insurance regulation, mitigation, and land-use decisions. The Vice Chair noted the importance of hearing from industry as well as consumer and academic experts, and Senator Becker said the report would inform further committee work. Amy Bach of United Policyholders described how climate-driven wildfire and flood risk, combined with inflation, insurtech, and risk modeling, have reduced competition and pushed more homeowners into the FAIR Plan and non-admitted surplus lines coverage. She said availability is improving somewhat, but affordability will depend on mitigation, insurer competition, and fair rate regulation. In response to questions, she emphasized underinsurance as a long-running problem, supported stronger insurer responsibility for replacement-cost estimates, and suggested a public reinsurance backstop and more mitigation funding rather than removing wildfire coverage from basic policies. Nancy Watkins of Milliman and Michael Wara of Stanford argued that the market problem is fundamentally that expected claims and expenses now exceed premiums because too many homes are burning. They said California needs both risk reduction and actuarially sound pricing, along with a state mitigation framework that targets the highest-risk communities and prioritizes home hardening, defensible space, and community-scale mitigation over broad acreage-based spending. They also discussed the role of non-admitted carriers as a gap-filler, the need for better data on reconstruction costs and mitigation effectiveness, and the importance of sustained funding rather than one-time grants. A later panel with Frank Freebalt of Cal Poly and Michael Golnar of UC Berkeley focused on modeling and mitigation science. They said wildfire policy should treat the issue as a structure-ignition and urban conflagration problem, not just a wildland fire problem, and stressed integrated land-use, utility, and community mitigation. Members asked about zoning, building codes, utility hardening, and who should pay for mitigation; witnesses said older, denser neighborhoods are the highest priority, that utilities must improve operational safety measures, and that targeted mitigation in the highest-risk areas offers the best return. No votes or formal actions were taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Missouri Board of Architects, Professional Engineers, Professional Land Surveyors, Professional Landscape
• Missouri Board of Architects, professional engineers, professional land surveyors, professional landscape
• Now, somehow landscape architects have managed to get into the mix, and then there are data architects
• And that is the way it is written for landscape architects.
• Landscape architects shall have responsible charge of landscape architecture design.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee continued a public hearing on House Bill 2897, which would expand optometrists’ scope of practice. Supporters, including Dr. Kelly Deering, said optometrists are trained to perform the listed office-based procedures, that rural Missouri lacks access to ophthalmologists, and that the bill would reduce wait times, travel burdens, and costs while helping retain students and practitioners in the state. Opponents, including representatives of the Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, argued the bill does not guarantee rural access and said the procedures should remain within the medical/surgical training of physicians. Members also questioned training on live human eyes and how suspicious lesions would be handled. No vote was taken, and the hearing on HB 2897 was closed. The committee then heard House Bill 2353, which would create a licensing and sign-and-seal framework for interior designers and move oversight to the board that includes architects, engineers, land surveyors, and landscape architects. Sponsor Rep. Sherri Gallick and supporters said the bill modernizes regulation, recognizes accredited education and NCIDQ testing, and would let licensed interior designers take responsibility for non-structural interior design work without hiring an architect to stamp plans. Opponents from the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers and others said they were still negotiating but remained concerned about scope-of-practice language, especially phrases like “all interior design of buildings” and “publicly occupied buildings,” which they said could create overlap with architecture and engineering or unintended obligations for public entities. Testimony also focused on whether unlicensed interior designers would still be allowed to work under carve-outs. No final action was taken. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2241, which would create a separate framework for certain faith-based residential child care facilities to operate without a state license while registering with the state and meeting background-check, reporting, and oversight requirements. Sponsor Rep. Jamie Gregg and MACA representatives said the bill is intended to expand foster placement capacity for children in need while preserving the religious mission of Christian homes, and they cited federal and state initiatives encouraging partnerships with faith-based providers. Opponents argued the bill would create a two-tier system, weaken state licensing protections, and risk placing vulnerable children in facilities without the same direct oversight, inspections, and reunification safeguards as licensed foster homes. Members raised concerns about abuse history at some faith-based homes, the role of the proposed board, and whether religious practices or other mission-based rules would conflict with child welfare standards. The hearing continued with additional testimony; no vote was reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• support small businesses through the change in what national policies have before us and our economic landscape
• The evolving regulatory landscape under the current administration has also...
• The evolving regulatory landscape under the current administration has also brought some concerns and
• Treasury and we’re also an SBA microbusiness lender, we’re impacted by changes in the federal landscape
• With uncertainty surrounding the federal landscape, we absolutely need state-level investment to ensure

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business held an informational hearing focused on the conditions facing small and micro businesses in Massachusetts and the state programs intended to support them. Chairs Andy Vargas and Adam Gomez opened by emphasizing equitable economic development, the importance of CDFIs, and the need to help underserved entrepreneurs, especially women, minorities, veterans, immigrants, and other groups facing barriers. Committee members noted the hearing would not take up bills, and testimony was limited to 10 minutes per organization. State and quasi-public agency witnesses described current programs and funding. Dico Gibral of the Executive Office of Economic Development highlighted the Business Front Door, multilingual access, small business office hours in Gateway Cities, and funding in the Mass Leads Act, including support for CDFIs, small business technology, and capital grants. Tom Hooper of Commonwealth Corporation described workforce training programs such as the Workforce Training Fund, Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, and Career Technical Initiative, saying they help small businesses train workers, fill labor shortages, and support returning citizens and people with disabilities. Committee members asked about federal funding uncertainty, workforce migration, training schedules, and program uptake. Business and advocacy groups focused on cost pressures and regulatory burdens. The Massachusetts Restaurant Association urged continuation of outdoor dining and takeout alcohol sales, and pressed for relief from high credit card swipe fees, support for surcharging, and streamlining municipal licensing. The Retailers Association of Massachusetts cited survey results showing inflation, utility costs, payroll taxes, health insurance, and interchange fees as major concerns, and said many members might sell or close within five years; it also backed ending the state prohibition on surcharging and creating an Office of Main Streets Massachusetts. MACDC, BECKMA, and the Coalition for an Equitable Economy emphasized the need for more technical assistance, CDFI and small business funding, and protections against rising costs, tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and immigration enforcement impacts on immigrant-heavy business districts. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• a robust fire protection response, vegetation management to help restore resilient and healthy landscapes
• , community-level preparedness, and parcel-level mitigations. ...and healthy landscapes, community-level
• are charged with preventing devastating fires, hardening our communities, and restoring healthy landscapes
• . ...preventing devastating fires, hardening our communities, and restoring healthy landscapes that are
• Cal Fire's natural resource management program... ...resilient communities and landscapes.

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview from the California Conservation Corps on its 50-year history, current operations, and budget proposals. Director J.P. Patton described the CCC’s work in conservation, disaster response, education, and workforce development, noting 26 facilities, about 3,000 Corps members annually, and a funding mix of roughly 55% General Fund and 45% reimbursements. Members praised the program and asked about revenue sources, recruitment, retention, and post-service tracking. The CCC said it has a 5,000-person waitlist, uses first-come, first-served admissions with minimal eligibility requirements, and is working to improve data on outcomes. The committee also discussed the Greenwood Residential Center, where the CCC seeks staffing and operating funds to reopen a rebuilt facility in El Dorado County; the LAO suggested considering fewer new members or a delayed opening to reduce General Fund pressure, but no vote was taken and the item was held open. The committee then considered a CCC wildfire readiness proposal to move hand crews to a seven-day operational schedule. CCC and Cal Fire representatives said the change is needed because wildfire is now year-round and because the current model leaves crews unavailable in many months due to staffing gaps. They said the proposal would improve reliability for Cal Fire, preserve training opportunities for Corps members, and better align the CCC with Cal Fire’s 66-hour workweek. The LAO supported the concept but recommended considering lower-cost alternatives, such as relief staffing or partial reimbursement. Members also discussed the decline in incarcerated fire crews, with Cal Fire explaining that reforms and eligibility changes have reduced the pool of incarcerated people who qualify for camp and fire work. One member raised the use of goats and grazing for fuel reduction, and staff responded that such methods can help with prevention but cannot replace hand crews for suppression. The item was held open. Cal Fire then presented its department overview, emphasizing its expanded workforce, year-round wildfire response, vegetation management, community preparedness, and partnerships with federal, local, tribal, and private entities. Members asked about contract counties such as Orange County, reforestation and seedling capacity, federal reimbursement, and the 66-hour workweek rollout. Cal Fire said it is still below the seedling capacity needed for post-fire reforestation and relies heavily on public-private partnerships. The committee also reviewed a proposal for permanent funding for defensible space inspections. Cal Fire said it needs 31 positions and ongoing General Fund support to replace temporary funding that expires in 2027 and to maintain a goal of 250,000 inspections per year. The LAO said the proposal has merit but suggested alternatives such as a different General Fund/GGRF mix, reinstating an SRA fee, or approving the positions on a one-time basis. Members generally supported the work but raised budget concerns, and the proposal was held open. Finally, Cal Fire began presenting a fixed-wing pilot and mechanics contract increase, explaining that its aviation fleet has grown and become more complex, requiring more pilots and maintainers for year-round operations. The department said labor market pressures have increased contractor costs and that the contract is needed to support continuous aerial firefighting readiness. The transcript cuts off before further discussion or any action on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• But then I saw what landscape architecture was.
• So that was what the to the decision was made to go in the landscape architecture and, you know, examples
• The new Holocaust Memorial Plaza was designed by landscape architects actually out of our office and
• Just the same Cascades Park is here next to the FDOT burns building was designed by landscape architects
• We advise engineers, sometimes landscape, architects on and on the structure of the underlying ground

Transcript Highlights:

• Colorado forest health, this manifests as functioning forest ecosystems, resilient watersheds, landscapes
• Colorado forest health, this manifests as functioning forest ecosystems, resilient watersheds, landscapes
• Colorado forest health, this manifests as functioning forest ecosystems, resilient watersheds, landscapes
• Colorado forest health, this manifests as functioning forest ecosystems, resilient watersheds, landscapes
• Colorado forest health, this manifests as functioning forest ecosystems, resilient watersheds, landscapes

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent the American Society of Landscape Architects, Florida Chapter.
• I represent the American Society of Landscape Architects, Florida Chapter.
• Landscape architecture includes both green infrastructure and also the built environment.
• That was actually a project led by landscape architects. So their most important consideration.
• That was actually a project led by landscape architects.

Summary: The committee first took up a local beverage-license bill for the World Equestrian Center in Marion County. The sponsor described the facility’s size, economic impact, and rapid expansion, and explained that the bill would direct DBPR to issue a special license for qualifying equestrian sports facilities. After questions about whether the carve-out would set a precedent for other businesses, the sponsor said the unique facts of the facility justified the bill. An amendment narrowed the off-premises alcohol authority so the license would allow beer and wine only for off-premises sales, while still allowing on-premises sales of all alcoholic beverages and a standalone bar on the premises. The amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 16-1, with Representative Rayner voting no. The committee then heard PCS for HB 1461, a broad regulatory-reform bill that would repeal continuing education requirements for certain licensed professionals, eliminate several boards/councils/commissions at DBPR and DACS, remove some secondary licenses, and expand licensure pathways. The sponsors argued that most complaints are already handled administratively, that the boards create bureaucracy and cost, and that the bill would improve efficiency without changing initial licensure standards. Members raised concerns about whether DBPR has the subject-matter expertise to replace professional boards, especially for engineering, harbor pilots, electrical work, home inspection, architecture, interior design, and related fields, and about whether removing continuing education could weaken public safety and code compliance. Public testimony on the PCS was mixed but leaned strongly against the bill from affected professions. Opponents from architecture, electrical contracting, home inspection, geology, interior design, real estate, and related groups argued that the boards provide technical expertise, discipline, and updated knowledge tied to changing building codes and safety standards, and that continuing education is important for public protection. Some supporters, including representatives of CPAs and landscape architects, said they appreciated efforts to streamline licensing and reduce anti-competitive barriers but still had concerns about specific provisions. The committee adopted two amendments: one requiring 30 days’ notice for an address change for a prescription sales business, and a second technical amendment. No final vote on the PCS was taken in the portion provided.