Video & Transcript : 'exam room access' :

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MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/25

Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • example, he said, how can we continue to sustain and innovate for our farmers and help them find access
  • We are not getting it in Minnesota for people who need access to food, especially locally grown food,
  • c> to</c><00:25:38.440><c> food</c><00:25:38.679><c> and</c><00:25:38.799><c> especially</c> need access
  • is up to a million dollars the first year and a million dollars the second year for the Good Food Access
  • That's going to be really challenging for the people in the room who sit behind us, that are paid to
Bills: HF1704 , HF2052
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 2/20/25

Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • the intent of the bill, and we look forward to working with you on how we can make fishing more accessible
  • And then, because again, some of our smaller cities have had challenges, you know, accessing just how
  • Director Johnson said they have not been able to reliably access the large $200 million CPRG grant.
  • </c> clear that we are not able to access clear that we are not able to access those<01:15:55.679><c>
  • but perhaps the amount that accessible but perhaps the amount that we've<01:16:03.480><c> requested<
Bills: HF276 , HF413 , HF411
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • Safety in the operating room must be equitable.
  • Safety in the operating room must be equitable.
  • rooms will be smoke-free.
  • Wherever mothers go to have babies by C-sections... ...rooms will be smoke-free.
  • We want everyone to pass the exam. This is a step forward to help students do that.
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum present and took up several health-related bills. CS/SB 1110, covering Medicaid and insurance coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics, including activity-specific devices without lifetime or continuous-use caps, received emotional testimony from families and athletes describing high costs and the importance of access for children and adults with disabilities. Members voiced strong support, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 1574, which would add biliary atresia screening to the newborn screening program using the existing birth blood specimen. The sponsor and a parent testified that earlier detection could prevent severe liver damage, transplants, and deaths, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 794, dealing with background screening for employees at residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities and a review of waiver support coordination, was amended to align with the House companion and then reported favorably after testimony emphasizing the importance of strong support coordinators for APD waiver families. Members then considered SB 162, requiring hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies for smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. Nurses and other supporters described surgical smoke as a serious occupational hazard, while the Florida Hospital Association said hospitals are already regulated in this area and the bill was somewhat prescriptive; an amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 254, which tightens oversight of nursing education programs, adds preceptorship and provisional licensure pathways for graduates awaiting NCLEX results, and increases transparency and accountability for low-performing programs, drew support from nursing advocates and opposition from private nursing schools concerned about workforce impacts; after amendment, it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 688 to reestablish licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors in Florida was heard with testimony both supporting expanded health care choices and opposing the bill over safety and scope concerns, and it too was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • She said it is a tough exam: a three- to five-hour practical exam and a timed written exam with 90 minutes
  • It's a But it's a tough exam, right? It's a tough<01:58:39.119><c> exam.
  • </c> same exam. same exam. Kobe<01:59:06.159><c> green</c><01:59:07.119><c> represent.
  • It's a practical exam.
  • </c> written exam is one form of assessment. written exam is one form of assessment.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 185, which would add timelines to Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) investigations. Senator Howard Pearl said the bill was prompted by concerns from the New Hampshire Association of Realtors about delays at the Real Estate Commission, and he explained that the proposal would require OPLC staff to make an initial determination within 30 days and, if misconduct is found, complete an investigation within 60 days. He said the goal is to improve transparency and give consumers and licensees more timely information, while preserving the board’s adjudicatory role. He also noted that the bill had been amended to delay implementation to give OPLC time to work through its backlog. Committee members questioned how the bill would work when an investigation is incomplete and whether the board could send a case back to OPLC without a firm deadline. Pearl said the board would have discretion to continue the investigation or make a final determination, and that the bill was intended to streamline OPLC’s process rather than impose a hard cap on complex cases. OPLC Executive Director Deanna Durus and General Counsel Nicholas Fry then testified that the agency has already changed its procedures under prior legislation, including a facial review of complaints and monthly board review of dismissal memos. They said the bill would substantially alter the current structure, could conflict with existing limitation periods and board duties, and would be difficult to implement without additional staff and funding. Durus said the agency’s backlog is large, that new complaints are being triaged and prioritized, and that some urgent matters are moved ahead based on risk and statutory deadlines. She said OPLC had completed a review of about 500 backlog cases that would now be dismissed under current screening standards, and that those cases are being turned into memos for board review. Board of Medicine public member Nina Gardner testified in favor of the bill but said the backlog is significant and that the agency needs more resources to make the process work effectively. She said the board is seeing progress, but not fast enough, and suggested the bill may not go far enough without additional staffing and funding. No vote was taken during the hearing.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Do you see what I'm saying, or do they have to retake the entire exam? Okay, yeah, yeah.
  • It's a cumulative exam, so each time they have to take the whole exam. Even okay, got it.
  • </c><00:19:10.280><c> of</c> dependence and the accessibility of dependence and the accessibility of
  • </c><00:21:21.440><c> to</c> flavors and colors remain accessible to flavors and colors remain accessible
  • Yet despite these repeated efforts, Kentucky still faces significant access issues.
Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met on February 18, 2025, and first took up Senate Bill 22 by Senator Reginald Thomas, which was presented as a cleanup measure following prior cosmetology reforms and a Legislative Oversight and Investigations report. The bill would allow cosmetologists to retake exams multiple times with a one-month wait, authorize the Board of Cosmetology to immediately close facilities that intentionally use unlicensed workers while preserving due process, give the board flexibility to hire an executive director based on qualifications rather than licensure, and recognize certain out-of-state or territorial cosmetology licenses. Board officials said the changes were intended to improve fairness, equality, and administrative due process. Senators asked about retesting fees and whether partial retests could dilute standards; Thomas clarified that the exam is cumulative and must be retaken in full. The committee approved SB 22 with all favorable votes, and Senator Meredith explained his support as a workforce and fairness issue. The committee then heard Senate Bill 100 by Senator Jimmy Higdon, as substituted, concerning tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product retail licensing and enforcement. Youth advocates from the University of Kentucky testified in support, describing youth nicotine use as a public health crisis and urging stronger enforcement, annual compliance checks, retailer licensing, and tougher penalties for illegal sales to minors. Higdon said the bill would create a Division of Tobacco, Nicotine, and Vapor Products Licensing within ABC, require licenses for retailers, authorize inspections and confiscation of contraband, impose escalating criminal and civil penalties for unlicensed sales and sales to minors, publish a list of licensed retailers, and dedicate fine revenue to enforcement and youth education. He said the measure targeted bad actors rather than responsible retailers. A retailer witness also supported licensing but raised concerns about contradictory product definitions that could sweep in hemp and medical marijuana vapor products, and asked that the bill be delayed until after an expected Supreme Court decision affecting federal vapor-product rules. The transcript ends during discussion of SB 100, before any committee vote on that bill.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Interim Joint Committee on Health Services. (7-16-26)

Health Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> National Board of Examiners exams National Board of Examiners exams um<00:27:00.400><c> waved</c
  • other than the NBEO exam.
  • </c><00:32:29.360><c> However,</c> exams other than the NBEO exam.
  • However, exams other than the NBEO exam.
  • </c> no, you you can't have access to this. no, you you can't have access to this.
Keywords: 958, all
NV
Transcript Highlights:
  • is licensed in the state of Nevada includes passing the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam
  • This does not touch that secondary exam or that type of content-specific exam at all.
  • This does not touch that secondary exam or that type of content-specific exam at all.
  • So, for special education teachers, they would still be required to pass that special ed exam.
  • The bill revises provisions concerning access to certain library materials.
Bills: SB175 , SB277 , SB374 , SB400
Committee: Senate Education
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

CPC Public Hearing - Thu Feb 20, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST

Consumer Protection & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • They may have their own nationally normed exam.
  • </c> have their own nationally normed exam have their own nationally normed exam okay<01:00:17.240><c
  • </c><01:00:42.680><c> and</c> you take a nationally normed exam and you take a nationally normed exam
  • </c><01:01:22.640><c> so</c> their country's home licensing exam so their country's home licensing exam
  • practic exam as far as I know is only practic exam as far as I know is only offered<01:06:18.640><c>
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection met on February 20, 2025, and heard testimony on several measures. HB 850, relating to condominiums, drew support from the Community Associations Institute and the Hawaii State Association of Parliamentarians, who said it would improve owner participation, clarify voting rules, and preserve the use of proxies as a personal choice. A Zoom testifier supported the bill’s intent but warned that special meetings can be abused and suggested further amendments to address board president authority. Members asked about proxies versus electronic voting and whether the bill would reduce proxy use; no vote was taken. The committee also heard HB 48 on coffee labeling, with the Department of Agriculture in support, and HB 1370 on taxation, where a local brewery representative supported equal tax treatment for beer served from 5-gallon kegs and larger kegs when dispensed from a faucet, arguing the bill would clarify draft beer treatment and encourage sustainability. HB 1422 on motor carriers received comments from the Public Utilities Commission and the Department of State Parks, while representatives from a community-based shuttle initiative supported the bill and said nonprofit, community-led transportation solutions should not be regulated like traditional carriers. HB 874, relating to child performers, received support from SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, and individual performers, who emphasized protecting minors’ earnings, safety, and schooling. Testimony also discussed whether to include social media influencers and whether to add annual income limits or trust-account protections; the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations said the issue was outside its wheelhouse. Later, HB 799 on healthcare drew support from health plans and HMSA, with the Department of Health requesting amendments such as a sunset date, a Maui-only pilot, and a report back before changing its position. HB 1379 on health received support from Hawaii Pacific Health, but the Hawaii Medical Board raised concerns about vague language and public-safety implications for internationally trained physicians, asking for more time to study national licensing recommendations. Finally, HB 439 on education was heard, with the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board opposing the bill as drafted and warning about licensing standards and predatory third-party loans affecting J-1 teachers; the transcript ends before any action or vote on these measures.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Interim Joint Committee on Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations.(6-18-26)

Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations

Transcript Highlights:
  • There's always room for improvement.
  • </c> administer licensing exams? administer licensing exams?
  • </c><00:33:45.880><c> as</c> exams.
  • So, we have a written exam as exams.
  • </c> been access uh, in this particular area. been access uh, in this particular area.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Feb 13th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • aware of, and it left him oftentimes where he would go into AFIB and would have to make that emergency room
  • trek, and he was told that... ...to make that emergency room trek, and he was told that, you know, 10
  • We just want to say happy birthday to our favorite attorney in this room. Whoa.
  • I'm asking the Republicans to get their lunch and bring it to the caucus room as well in 10 minutes.
  • I'm asking the Republicans to get their lunch and bring it to the caucus room as well in 10 minutes.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Feb 13th, 2026

Washington Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • aware of, and it left him oftentimes where he would go into AFIB and would have to make that emergency room
  • We just want to say happy birthday to our favorite attorney in this room. Whoa.
  • communities in that streetscape that we're looking for in this bill, the public spaces that people can access
  • bit to go to lunch, so Democrats will have 20 minutes to gather that all up and meet in the caucus room
  • I'm asking the Republicans to get their lunch and bring it to the caucus room as well in 10 minutes.
Summary: The Senate opened with the usual ceremonial items, approved the previous day’s journal, received House messages, and introduced several bills. It also adopted Senate Resolution 868 honoring April as National Donate Life Month. Senators Gaynor and Dozier spoke in support, sharing personal stories about organ donation and transplant recipients, and the resolution was adopted by voice vote. The chamber also recognized guests in the gallery connected to those stories. The Senate then confirmed several gubernatorial appointments, including Colin L. Bannister to the Workforce Education, Investment, Accountability, and Oversight Board, Amina Hussein to the Washington State University Board of Regents, and Ramatou-Libah to the Eastern Washington University Board of Trustees. Each confirmation passed with broad support after brief remarks from Senator Schoesler, and several senators were excused from voting. The Senate also acknowledged MLA Jody Tour of British Columbia and a personal privilege recognition for Senator Leis receiving Finland’s Order of the Lion. On legislation, the Senate passed Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 6026, dealing with residential development in commercial and mixed-use zones, after adopting and rejecting several amendments that narrowed or clarified exemptions and local-control provisions. Senators argued both for housing supply and for preserving local planning flexibility. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 6106 on layoff notifications and worker information protections, Senate Bill 5890 on speeding and reckless driving standards, Senate Bill 5536 on equitable distribution of real property in divorce, and Substitute Senate Bill 6097 allowing federally recognized tribes to participate in the Conservation Futures Program. Senate Bill 5988, authorizing fee authority for Department of Health accreditation services for opioid treatment programs, passed after a close vote with one nay. The meeting ended with the Senate standing at ease for caucus and lunch.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/20/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • SB 1165, insurance cost hearing best exams, Finance. SB 1165, insurance cost hearing best exams.
  • SB 1171, access dual and warm notice, Health and Human Services.
  • SB 1165, insurance cost of hearing breast exams, Finance.
  • SB 1122, access prior authorization, behavioral health.
  • SB 1122, access prior authorization, behavioral health.
Keywords: 1182, all
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Jan 21st, 2026

Business

Transcript Highlights:
  • This RS deals with reinstating an open book exam for land surveyors.
  • still be trying to make sure that our land surveyors know Idaho law, and they should be doing this exam
  • Prior to 2023, when this was revoked, this exam had 60 questions, was open book, and had a 100% pass
  • So there's not an issue with folks taking the exam and not getting the questions right or not getting
  • It says reinstate the open book exam that they can test: 60 questions, open book.
Committee: House Business
Keywords: 989, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Sep 10th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • State Auditor in light of the disastrous administration of that exam.
  • This includes administration of the bar exam.
  • This includes administration of the bar exam.
  • This bill will help ensure access to counsel for our immigrant youth.
  • This bill will help ensure access to counsel for our immigrant youth.
Summary: The Assembly convened, initially lacked a quorum, then returned to session with prayer, pledge, and a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk following news of his shooting. Members then handled a series of procedural motions, including suspending rules, moving several bills to the inactive file, re-referring bills to committees, and authorizing committee meetings. The chamber also observed adjournments in memory for several individuals, including Ermilo Don Rodas, John Burton, Nina Chomsky, and Barbara “Bobby” Samperey. On the floor file, members considered and passed a long list of Senate bills, largely on bipartisan or unanimous votes. Topics included consumer protection and transparency for self-storage contracts (SB 709), adoption jurisdiction (SB 450), privacy and name/image protections (SB 683), an audit of the February 2025 bar exam (SB 47), data broker transparency (SB 361), used-car buyer protections (SB 76), state parks land acquisition streamlining (SB 630), cemetery work group deadlines (SB 777), financial enforcement authority (SB 825), utility outage reporting and reliability planning (SB 292), vital records confidentiality (SB 313), health care coverage and hormone therapy access (SB 418), workplace outreach (SB 578), Holocaust and genocide education (SB 472), county jail treatment for misdemeanor incompetency cases (SB 820), and AI companion chatbot safeguards for minors and self-harm risks (SB 243). Most measures passed with little or no opposition, though SB 578 drew sharp debate over the workplace outreach program and its funding. The Assembly also took up concurrence items and approved numerous Assembly bills with Senate amendments. These included transparency in legislative nondisclosure agreements (AB 1370), affordable faculty/staff housing provisions at community colleges (AB 648), tribal youth foster care reforms (AB 1378), EV charger payment regulations (AB 1423), technical Political Reform Act changes (AB 1511), diacritical marks on vital records (AB 64), reproductive health protections with urgency (AB 260), union and collective bargaining protections (AB 288), bench trial statement-of-decision streamlining (AB 515), agricultural land stewardship (AB 524), geothermal exploratory project rules (AB 527), Medi-Cal field medicine changes (AB 543), tobacco-related provisions (AB 573), social media platform rules (AB 656), state parks transaction reporting (AB 679), professional licensing changes (AB 742), and child care staffing and assistant teacher pathways with urgency (AB 753). Votes were generally strong, with several measures passing unanimously or near-unanimously.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Feb 25th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • Finally, it requires a review of gaps in access to services geographically throughout Florida.
  • Safety in the operating room must be equitable.
  • rooms will be smoke-free.
  • Wherever mothers go to have babies by C-sections,... ...rooms will be smoke-free.
  • We want everyone to pass the exam. This is a step forward to help students do that.
Bills: S0162 , S0254 , S0688 , S0794 , S1110 , S1574
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum present and took up several health-related bills. CS/SB 1110 on Medicaid and insurance coverage for orthotics and prosthetics was heard first. The bill would require coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics without lifetime or continuous-use caps, direct AHCA to seek federal approval and update contracts, and require annual reporting. Testimony from a child using prosthetic “gymnastics blades,” his mother, and another young person with a prosthetic leg emphasized the high cost of activity-specific devices and the impact on children’s mobility, sports participation, and quality of life. Senators voiced strong support, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then approved SB 1574, “Maddie’s Law,” which adds newborn screening for biliary atresia using the existing blood specimen collected at birth. The sponsor and the child’s father described the condition as time-sensitive and potentially fatal without early detection, and argued the screening could prevent transplants and save money. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also considered CS/SB 794 on background screening for employees of residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities, plus a review of waiver support coordination quality, training, and access issues. Parents and a support coordinator testified that strong support coordination is essential for families and that the bill would help standardize expectations and improve services. An amendment aligning the bill with the House companion was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. Members next heard SB 162, which requires hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. Supporters, including nurses and the Florida Nurses Association, described surgical smoke as a workplace hazard with toxic chemicals and potential cancer risks; hospital representatives said they support the intent but argued existing federal and state standards already regulate the issue and the bill is too prescriptive. A late-filed amendment clarifying the smoke must be “effectively captured and filtered” was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 254, a major nursing education bill that tightens oversight of low-performing nursing programs, creates a temporary provisional license and preceptorship pathway for graduates awaiting NCLEX results, requires remediation for delayed testing, and increases transparency by posting passage rates. Nursing groups supported stronger standards, while private nursing schools warned the bill could reduce capacity and discourage program directors; the amended bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 688, which would reestablish licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors in Florida, create a board of naturopathic medicine, set licensure and renewal requirements, and define the scope of practice while excluding most prescription authority. Supporters said it would expand health care choices and allow naturopathic doctors to practice openly, while opponents from the medical community warned the bill could authorize diagnosis and treatment without sufficient training and rely on unproven therapies. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned after members thanked staff for their work.