Transcript Highlights:

• Having served on the Broadband Advisory Board, I didn't get paid.
• So I assume that the people on this board advisory committee will also not get paid.
• I'm a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and I'm board certified.
• David Peterman: I'm board certified.
• I don't know if across the board I would be able to answer that effectively or correctly.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Sena-Cortez: Yes, that's how we know the licensure is for New Mexico, and the research
• So it would be up to the Board of Pharmacy. Thank you.
• Drug distributors shall report to the board on a monthly basis.
• Thank you, Chair, and thank you, Representative, for bringing this board.
• And then when I saw you guys on the floor, I did email out to the school board and to the schools.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Education, it’s in the inventory and then any institution around the state of Florida, pending their Board
• of Trustees or school board approval, can pull down that framework and offer that program as well.
• We're going to go to the school board. We have the agreement. Once that's... Great.
• We're going to go to the school board. We have the agreement.
• They look at enrollment, they look at completion, and they look at placement and licensures.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education received an overview of Florida’s career and technical education (CTE) system from Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell, who described the state’s CTE pathways, program types, enrollment and completion growth, quality audit metrics, and the Master Credentials List used to identify credentials of value. He highlighted record postsecondary CTE enrollment and completions, strong statewide performance in talent attraction, and several funding tools supporting expansion, including Open Door, the Florida First Responder Scholarship, Workforce Development Capitalization grants, Perkins funding, CAPE performance incentives, and apprenticeship grants. Senators asked about eligibility for Open Door and first responder aid, top industry certifications, and the teacher apprenticeship initiative. A panel of college and technical school leaders then described how state and federal funding has supported local program growth and facility expansion. Santa Fe College, Palm Beach State College, North Florida Technical College, Lake Technical College, Florida Gateway College, and Manatee Technical College each cited increases in enrollment, high placement or licensure pass rates, and new or expanded programs in nursing, welding, CDL, automotive, manufacturing, public safety, and apprenticeship. Several speakers emphasized partnerships with hospitals, employers, school districts, and local governments, and noted that grants helped fund equipment, renovations, and new training hubs. Palm Beach State also raised a request to broaden line funding beyond nursing to other health science fields, and multiple presenters asked for more flexibility, multi-year support, and continued or increased funding to sustain growth. Members discussed broader challenges, including the difficulty of sustaining grant-funded growth after initial awards, the lag between enrollment growth and funding formulas, and alignment problems for dual enrollment and technical programs with high school schedules. Senators also noted the need to balance support for high-demand core programs like nursing and welding with the ability to respond quickly to emerging industries such as AI and space. The meeting ended with no formal action beyond adjournment after Senator Davis moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• guidelines for rules the Supreme Court must adopt to carry out this duty, such as qualifications for licensure
• The opening up of the University of Virginia had three presidents on their board of governors, they call
• it Board of Visitors: Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe, all after the Constitution and the Second Amendment
• Just to kind of go a little bit: the University of Virginia Board of Visitors is actually October or
• With that, the Senate board for questions. Thank you, sir. We don't have Senator Rogers here.

Bills: SB1039 , SB1061 , SB1068 , SB1069 , SB1099 , SB1127 , SB1148 , SB1271 , SB1426 , SB1448

Committees: House Judiciary , House House Judiciary Committee of Reference

Keywords: attorney discipline, legal costs, reputation damage, state bar, court costs, fentanyl, drug offenses, narcotic drugs, criminal penalties, Arizona Revised Statutes, educational institutions, public order, disruption, concealed weapons, safety regulations, firearms, muffling devices, weapon regulations, Arizona law, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• the possible perception that something is going awry or that it's not fair, we look bad across the board
• To remain at the building site would allow a board to allocate up to 40%, requiring only 60% to remain
• We believe that the way this is written, districts will hire people without the proper licensure.
• Our local school boards are deeply committed to the implementation of the READ Act and the promising
• We want to once again say thank you for listening to the voices of school board members in the areas

Bills: HF1388

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• first six months of board membership.
• We gather information on licensing boards.
• On-site monitoring means somebody from the board— The local boards identify the parents and their contractors
• So we will have it runs across the board.
• He came in on board.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met to hear interim charges on higher education transparency and on preventing fraud, waste, and abuse in state government. The chair emphasized accountability for taxpayer dollars and asked witnesses to address financial reporting, audit practices, and whether more frequent or comprehensive audits would improve oversight. Legislative Budget Board staff described how public university systems and most community colleges respond to requests about internal audit practices, noting that university systems generally follow a similar annual audit timeline and that community colleges use a more varied mix of internal and external audit arrangements. Members focused on gaps in reporting, especially Texas Southern University’s missing submissions for several years and Collin County Community College’s nonresponse to the LBB survey. The State Auditor’s Office then outlined its higher education audit work, including mandatory statewide single audits, DEI compliance audits, HUB and State Use Program audits, benefits proportional audits, and discretionary audits based on risk. The auditor said the office has released 43 higher-ed audit reports since fiscal year 2021 and has two audits in progress, and explained that internal audit reports from institutions help guide future audit selection. Senators pressed the office on the lack of enforcement authority, the value of internal auditors at each institution, and whether community colleges should have more standardized reporting and audit requirements. The auditor and general counsel said the SAO can refer suspected fraud to law enforcement but cannot itself enforce findings, while several senators suggested stronger clawback authority and more robust internal audit structures. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board explained that it collects annual financial reports, sources-and-uses data, and community college finance reports, and uses them for funding formulas and other reporting. It also trains governing board members and said it has limited regulatory authority, though community colleges must certify compliance annually and can lose eligibility for state funds if they do not. Members questioned the reliability of self-attested data, the adequacy of board training, and whether a single reporting structure would be more efficient. During public testimony, a ScholarShot representative argued for clearer, student-facing financial transparency so students can see total cost of attendance and the gap they must cover before enrolling.

Transcript Highlights:

• you have what you need in order to do the job that condo owners are expecting you to do, or condo boards
• As a business guy and as a guy who sits on several boards of privately held companies, I have to commend
• One, they implemented a new method of military licensure by endorsement in 2024.
• the Division of Real Estate completed additional training to streamline the processing of initial licensure
• the division of real estate completed additional training to streamline the processing of initial licensure

Summary: The subcommittee met to review agency travel, budget reduction exercises, and member reports from agency meetings. Early discussion focused on the Department of Management Services (DMS), where members questioned the cost of travel for four out-of-state data/cyber staff and the secretary’s absence. DMS defended the hires as highly specialized enterprise cybersecurity and data personnel, said the positions were lawfully paid and posted, and explained that the staff work on statewide data cataloging and cyber risk reduction rather than agency-by-agency systems. Members also raised concerns about fleet inventory discrepancies and requested follow-up information on hiring, travel, and data inventory timelines. The chair said she would consider travel guardrails and possible reductions, and noted that DMS, the Lottery, and the Florida Commission on Human Relations did not meet the requested reduction target, while the Public Employee Relations Commission did not submit reductions. The committee then heard from the Florida Lottery about the secretary’s trip to Paris for the World Lottery Convention. Lottery staff said the trip was reimbursed through the multi-state lottery organization and was intended to share best practices and improve operations, though members questioned the value of the travel and requested reimbursement records and the trip agenda. The subcommittee also reviewed agency reduction exercises from several agencies. The Department of Revenue exceeded its target and was praised for frugality; DFS, the Florida Gaming Control Commission, the Office of Financial Regulation, the Office of Insurance Regulation, the Public Service Commission, the Division of Administrative Hearings, and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation each described how they met or approached their reduction goals, often through vacancies, reversions, or expense cuts. OIR warned that further reductions could hurt insurance regulation capacity, while OFR and PSC said their reductions were based on historical reversions and lower post-COVID travel or vacancy levels. Members then reported back on agency meetings. DMS members raised fleet tracking, real property audits, salary studies, and health plan savings ideas, and asked for follow-up on the Florida PALM project, cybersecurity grants, and state IT modernization. DFS members said the agency was efficient and that its Palm-related work and insurance consumer programs were important. Lottery members emphasized the agency’s revenue generation for education and its low administrative overhead. Gaming Control members highlighted storage costs for seized gaming equipment and suggested technology-based alternatives. PERC members said a union-related law had doubled their workload and asked for more staffing and possible AI assistance. OIR members stressed the need for a Tampa satellite office and more resources to recruit and retain specialized staff. The chair closed by saying the committee would continue reviewing travel, staffing, and reductions with an eye toward taxpayer value and transparency.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have any programs that are ready to move, but obviously giving the authority to the board from
• And then it goes even further and says any additional areas determined by the Board of Trustees.
• The agency is overseen by a board appointed by the governor and with the consent of the Senate.
• The licensure requirements between the Department of Human Services for programs we offer differ from
• A supervised living facility, housing with services establishment, board and lodging establishment with

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• a provision from the Senate requiring the governor to appoint a candidate to fill a vacancy on the Board
• a provision from the Senate requiring the governor to appoint a candidate to fill a vacancy on the Board
• MAPE is a union of over 18,000 workers at Minnesota's agencies, boards, commissions, and at Minnesota
• ,</c> Minnesota's agencies, boards, Minnesota's agencies, boards, commissions,<00:25:01.600><c> and</
• Minnesota State uh board of trustees and<00:38:20.960><c> the</c><00:38:21.119><c> requests</c><00:38

Summary: The conference committee received a nonpartisan walkthrough of the House and Senate side-by-side for higher education-related legislation, with staff identifying Senate-only, House-only, identical, and technical-difference provisions. Topics included paid blood donation leave for Minnesota State employees, a revised higher education attainment goal, athletic fee restrictions, developmental course disclosures, American Indian Scholars Program eligibility, protections and definitions for pregnant and parenting students, online program management contracts, student aid reporting, work-study and dual training grants, private and out-of-state postsecondary education regulation, private career school licensing and data privacy, college savings plan changes, and several University of Minnesota-related provisions. House-only items also included an unemployment insurance aid adjustment, a $1.5 million ongoing appropriation for an identity verification system to combat enrollment fraud, and $5,000 for Bemidji State University reforestation; Senate-only items included Board of Regents appointment language, limits on for-profit control of medical school curriculum, and reporting on for-profit funding in medical education. After the walkthrough, the committee moved to adopt the same and similar provisions and direct staff to make technical corrections. A senator asked about proposed adjustments to the pregnant and parenting student language, and the chair said amendments would be considered after adopting the same and similar provisions. The motion to adopt prevailed. During public testimony, Sydney Spre of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees supported the Senate’s paid blood donation leave language, saying it would create parity for Minnesota State employees and encourage blood and plasma donation. Commissioner Dennis Olsen of the Office of Higher Education thanked the committee for adopting most of the agency’s proposed language and said he was available to help clarify remaining differences. In response to questions, he explained the Senate’s higher education attainment goal proposal, saying it would extend and broaden the existing goal, raise the target from 70% to 75%, expand the age range, and use additional metrics and partner agencies; he also said the overall attainment rate had been 63.5 under the prior goal. The transcript ends as the commissioner was being asked whether the proposal would require additional appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ordered, that, notwithstanding Joint Rule 10, the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
• on Senate Rules, to whom was referred the Senate bill updating the Juvenile Justice Policy and Data Board
• Third reading of the bill, an act updating the Juvenile Justice Policy and Data Board, Senate No. 116
• His commitment to youth extended further as he served as former president of the Board of Directors of

Transcript Highlights:

• THE LICENSURE AND ALSO THE PLACEMENT MODULE.
• BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF JUNE, WE ARE FOCUSING ON THE REMAINING BUILDOUT OF LICENSURE AND PLACEMENT
• ARE YOU GOING TO BUY THEM THE LICENSURE AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU WILL NEED TO BE ABLE TO USE THAT AND

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator from Salem and was assigned to the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
• It would also establish a board registration of commercial interior design to oversee licensure and regulation
• state of New York has joined us, William 'Bill' Cassidy, as well as one of the members of my hometown Board
• He also gave generously of his time through his service to the Board of Health, the Historical Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also the chair of the Spokane Regional Transportation Management Center Executive Board.
• The legislation does require dealer licensure for qualifying manufacturers of battery electric vehicles
• The legislation does require dealer licensure for qualifying manufacturers of battery electric vehicles
• As a member of WASDA's board of directors, I participated in the negotiations with Rivian that resulted
• Yes, Senator Lewis and committee members, the board.

Bills: SB6225 , SB6005 , SB6354

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: transportation bonds, general obligation bonds, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, highway funding, road construction, infrastructure financing, motor fuel tax, gas tax, vehicle fees, bond authorization, state finance committee, highway bond retirement fund, corridor projects, interstate improvements, right-of-way acquisition, public-private partnerships, transportation capital projects, local matching funds, emergency clause

Transcript Highlights:

• therapy, nor firearm ownership, requires such frequent compulsory ideological training for continued licensure
• The state should not predicate licensure on adherence to third-party trainings whose authorship, oversight
• The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges must consult with the Student Achievement Council
• My name is Arlen Harris, and I'm with the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
• technical colleges is that, for every technical program—think about trades—we have technical advisory boards

Bills: HB2427 , HB2458 , HB2474 , HB2540 , HB2589

Committee: House Postsecondary Education & Workforce

Keywords: ink of hope act, mental health, substance use, rehabilitation, community support, Washington college grant, postsecondary education, nondegree programs, student access, financial aid, consumer protections, school closures, educational programs, student rights, emergency medical services, EMT recertification, healthcare, first responders, public health, encampments

Transcript Highlights:

• therapy, nor firearm ownership, requires such frequent compulsory ideological training for continued licensure
• The state should not predicate licensure on adherence to third-party trainings, whose authorship, oversight
• The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges must consult with the Student Achievement Council
• My name is Arlen Harris, and I'm with the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
• technical colleges is that, for every technical program, think about trades, we have technical advisory boards

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills related to higher education, workforce training, student protections, campus encampments, and EMT recertification. HB 2427 would require tattoo artists to complete annual human trafficking awareness training through the Department of Licensing; the prime sponsor and supporters said tattoo artists may be among the few people trafficked survivors encounter and could help identify and refer victims, while one opponent argued the bill imposes compelled speech and burdens small businesses. HB 2458 would expand Washington College Grant eligibility to approved non-degree credential programs; supporters from community and technical colleges, workforce organizations, and employers said it would help low-income students access short-term training tied to high-demand jobs, while one member raised concerns about short-term credentials and their long-term value. The committee also heard HB 2474, which would strengthen consumer protections when a private institution or program closes by expanding use of the Student Achievement Council tuition recovery trust fund, requiring teach-out or transfer options, and voiding certain student debts if closure rules are violated. The sponsor and agency witnesses said the bill responds to recent closures and gaps in federal oversight, while Independent Colleges of Washington opposed the bill as overly broad and potentially harmful to program innovation, and asked that private nonprofit campuses be excluded. Testifiers from student groups and a national higher-education advocacy organization supported the measure and argued that protections should also apply to public institutions. HB 2589 would regulate campus encampments at institutions of higher education by requiring advance notice, limiting authorization to registered student organizations or recognized bargaining units, and allowing institutions to impose content-neutral time, place, and manner restrictions to protect safety and access. The sponsor said it codifies existing practice and does not ban protest, but several testifiers described recent encampments as disruptive or unsafe, while others warned the bill could chill student expression and should not apply to private nonprofit campuses. Finally, HB 2540 would extend EMT recertification intervals from every three years to every six years for EMTs certified in Washington for at least 10 years; firefighters and EMS supporters said it would reduce administrative burden without changing training requirements. The committee took no votes and adjourned after hearing all testimony, with a reminder about amendment deadlines for upcoming bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• new teaching method concentrated in scientifically-based reading instruction reinforced through licensure
• recommendations to the Louisiana Department of Education, State Department of Education, and the Louisiana State Board
• administrators in the science of reading, while also requiring to practice elementary reading exam for licensure
• And the school board understand that the differences sometimes need to be adjusted.
• I'm sensing that there's an aversion to retaining students at the 3rd grade level, uh, across the board

Transcript Highlights:

• When we get those folks on board, everybody's aligned on the missions and goals.
• Then we can do things like contract with the Park Board in Galveston in order to create more revenue
• the bill outlines that the only social workers who are eligible for this program are those with licensure
• So, this would act as an incentive for social workers who have not received licensure to actually go
• We agree that it definitely moves things forward. board with efficiency and flexibility in our procurement

Bills: HB158 , HB714 , HB 1198 , HB1630 , HB1998 , HB3509 , HB3788 , HB3875 , HB3948 , HB3977 , HB4097 , HB4313 , HB4314 , HB4317 , HB158

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1606 by Hinojosa. of Nueces, relating to the authority of the Texas Water Development Board
• Health and Human Services, Senate Bill 1609. by Paxton relating to the Physician Assistant Licensure

Bills: SJR60 , SJR62 , SJR65 , SJR66 , SJR67 , SJR68 , SCR27 , SCR28 , SCR29 , SB1576 , SB1577 , SB1578 , SB1579 , SB1580 , SB1581 , SB1582 , SB1583 , SB1584 , SB1585 , SB1586 , SB1587 , SB1588 , SB1589 , SB1590 , SB1591 , SB1592 , SB1593 , SB1594 , SB1595 , SB1596 , SB1597 , SB1598 , SB1599 , SB1600 , SB1601 , SB1602 , SB1603 , SB1604 , SB1605 , SB1606 , SB1607 , SB1608 , SB1609 , SB1610 , SB1611 , SB1612 , SB1613 , SB1614 , SB1615 , SB1616 , SB1618 , SB1619 , SB1620 , SB1622 , SB1623 , SB1624 , SB1625 , SJR60 , SJR62 , SJR65 , SJR66 , SJR67 , SJR68 , SCR27 , SCR28 , SCR29 , SB1576 , SB1577 , SB1578 , SB1579 , SB1580 , SB1581 , SB1582 , SB1583 , SB1584 , SB1585 , SB1586 , SB1587 , SB1588 , SB1589 , SB1590 , SB1591 , SB1592 , SB1593 , SB1594 , SB1595 , SB1596 , SB1597 , SB1598 , SB1599 , SB1600 , SB1601 , SB1602 , SB1603 , SB1604 , SB1605 , SB1606 , SB1607 , SB1608 , SB1609 , SB1610 , SB1611 , SB1612 , SB1613 , SB1614 , SB1615 , SB1616 , SB1618 , SB1619 , SB1620 , SB1622 , SB1623 , SB1624 , SB1625

Transcript Highlights:

• requires clinical psychologists employed by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to obtain licensure
• of Corrections and Rehabilitation to of Corrections and Rehabilitation to obtain<00:06:27.840><c> licensure
• > within</c><00:06:28.599><c> 10</c><00:06:28.800><c> years</c><00:06:29.000><c> from</c> obtain licensure
• within 10 years from obtain licensure within 10 years from the<00:06:29.240><c> date</c><00:06:29.360
• Reducing the amount of time before licensure does not seem like the best safety measure.

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs heard several bills on January 27, 2025. SB 24, relating to identification, would require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to help inmates obtain civil ID cards and other vital documents for reentry. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from DCR, the Hawaiʻi Correctional System Oversight Commission, DHS, the Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center, health and youth advocates, and others, with comments emphasizing that reentry should begin on day one and that lack of identification is a major barrier to housing and employment. A senator asked about the low number of IDs issued in 2022 and DCR said it already has a satellite ID card machine at Hālawa and plans to procure more for other facilities. The committee recommended passage of SB 24 as is. SB 474, relating to psychologists, would require DCR clinical psychologists to obtain licensure within 10 years of employment and would sunset in 2035. DCR strongly supported the bill, citing a severe staffing shortage, low exam passage rates, and many vacant positions, while the Hawaiʻi Psychological Association expressed concerns and one testifier argued psychologists serving incarcerated people should be licensed before employment. Committee members questioned whether the 10-year period was too long and discussed alternative solutions such as pay incentives and shortage differentials. The committee ultimately recommended passage with amendments, shortening the licensure period to 5 years, moving the sunset to July 1, 2030, and making other technical changes. SB 353, relating to emergency management, would clarify emergency authority, bar suspension of public records or vital statistics requests during emergencies, define “severe warning,” and allow the legislature or city councils to terminate a state of emergency. DHS and HMA opposed the bill, arguing it could limit executive flexibility and cut off access to the major disaster fund, while supporters included public-interest and good-government groups. The committee discussed whether legislative termination authority could interfere with ongoing emergency response and recovery, with the bill’s sponsor explaining it was aimed more at situations where emergency conditions have ended, such as prolonged COVID-era proclamations. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including a delayed effective date and committee report notes referencing DHS request data and HMA’s opposition. The committee also heard SB 259, relating to recordkeeping for secondhand dealers and pawn brokers, and SB 37, relating to recordings of law enforcement activities. SB 259 was set for amendment and deferred decision-making to January 29, 2025, so the committee could seek input from HPD. SB 37 drew support from the Legal Clinic and other advocates, with a clarifying question about civil enforcement actions, and the committee recommended passage with amendments and a delayed effective date. The meeting concluded with the committee adopting its recommendations and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have my dear friend Jeremiah Coda from the Phoenix Union School Board.
• He is on the Marana Unified School District Board, most recently served as president of that board.
• He is on the Morana Unified School District Board, most recently served as president of that board.
• HB 2733, University Board. Health and Human Services. HB 2733, Pharmacy Board. Homeowners.
• HB 2208, health boards violations. HB 2209, health boards retaliation.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Tammy Penhollow, a board-certified anesthesiologist, pain medicine physician, and Navy veteran. Members also introduced several guests in the gallery, including school board members and representatives from Republic Services, which was highlighted for its Arizona operations, employment, and sustainability work. Attendance was recorded at 57 present, zero absent, and two excused. The main floor business consisted of reading a large number of bills and resolutions for first and second reading and referring first-read measures to committee. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including public safety, education, health and human services, water and natural resources, commerce, taxation, housing, transportation, artificial intelligence, abortion-related issues, firearms, labor, and appropriations. No substantive debate or votes on individual bills were taken during this portion of the session. Toward the end of the meeting, members made committee announcements and birthday wishes, including a birthday greeting for Representative Aaron Márquez. Committee schedules were announced for Commerce, Education, Natural Resources, Energy and Water, Government, Judiciary, Ways and Means, and others. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.