Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, basically HB 1512 would allow local majorities to revoke a benefit created by the state at the individual
• And it also enables them to request and receive information as to the applicant's certification and their
• And it also enables them to request and receive information as to the applicant's certification and their
• information as to the<06:19:37.760> applicant's<06:19:38.878> uh<06:19:39.200> certification
• the applicant's uh certification the applicant's uh certification uh<06:19:41.520> and<06

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So from career certificates, industry certifications, college credit certificates applied technology
• The department uses the certifications identified only seal to adopt the Cape Industry certification
• Each post-secondary certification was funded, meaning certifications are invested and sat one of the
• If we were to fully fund every certification of the statutory rate of $1000 per certification, the total
• Each tier one includes certifications tied to entry level wage occupations and 7,624 certifications were

Transcript Highlights:

• The 520 certificate does not require a degree.
• The next stage then is for PED to release the certification.
• And so I know pretty well the 520 certification process.
• So once you attain a certificate, what are those next steps?
• They're the ones hiring the 520 certificate holders.

Summary: The committee began with a presentation on the 520 Native American Language and Culture certificate, created to let proficient tribal language and culture speakers teach in K-12 schools without a bachelor’s degree. LESC staff, PED, and HED described the certificate’s statutory basis, the role of tribes and pueblos in setting proficiency standards, and ongoing challenges such as uneven MOAs, limited professional development, rural access barriers, data gaps, and retention concerns. PED said oversight of 520 is moving from the licensure bureau to the Indian Education Division, and HED reported that the tribal education technical assistance centers authorized in 2023 are still in procurement but are expected to be awarded in early 2026. A student, Alonzo Hughes, testified about how learning Tewa from 520-certified teachers helped him understand his culture and speak with elders, and members praised the program’s role in language revitalization and asked about funding, teacher pathways, and whether similar models exist in other states. Committee members then discussed several PED rule updates. Staff reviewed an adopted rule implementing HB 54 on AEDs and cardiac emergency response plans, including staff training requirements and staggered compliance dates, and a proposed rule for school nurse licensure under HB 195 that would create a three-tier system and align nurse pay with teacher pay. They also reviewed proposed changes to the Community Schools Act rule, including a full-time community school coordinator requirement, updated grant language, and broader coalition membership criteria; PED said the broader language would not conflict with the Martinez-Yazzie work. A proposed bilingual teacher rule would standardize coursework requirements, add trans-languaging and culturally relevant curriculum competencies, and allow Native American language certification applicants to demonstrate proficiency using tribal standards. In questions, members raised concerns about AEDs being present at athletic events, the need for the amended school nurse bill to move experienced nurses directly into higher levels, and whether the community schools rule’s broader coalition language could affect current education litigation. Members also asked about funding for 520 programs, teacher residency or cohort models, and how to support advanced language instruction and sustainability. PED said the Indian Education Fund and school budgets can support some of the work, but additional strategic funding and cross-training are needed. The committee also heard that New Mexico’s 520 system is unusually robust compared with other states, and members encouraged staff to present the model at national conferences. The meeting ended with the director’s report, which noted a flat budget request of $2,024,300, staff turnover including Natasha Davalos’s departure, and appreciation for the committee’s work before adjournment for the holidays.

Transcript Highlights:

• I-1163 established a home care aide certification.
• Let's start with an overview of the certification process.
• Applicants quit the certification process for different reasons.
• So when certifications are delayed, so are these aides' raises.
• Applicants quit the certificate. January, 26. Oops.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee held a public hearing on the State Auditor’s Office performance audit of Washington’s Restoring Quality Home Care Initiative (I-1163). Auditors said the initiative’s background checks and 75-hour training requirement are widely viewed as safety measures, but the state lacks pre-2011 data to directly measure safety outcomes. They also found Washington’s long-term care workforce is still short, though the state ranks better than many others in workers per disabled person, and that some groups and regions have larger gaps between authorized and actually used Medicaid care hours, suggesting access problems for certain clients. The audit focused heavily on the certification process for home care aides. Auditors reported that many applicants never finish certification, that the process often exceeds the 200-day legal deadline, and that delays can cause lost income, job loss, and in some cases repeated employer changes that allow aides to keep working without becoming certified. They recommended that the Department of Health accept applications only after training and testing are completed, move testing into training programs more broadly, and eliminate redundant DOH verification of FBI background checks. Committee members asked about testing contract incentives, language access, and the role of immigration in workforce shortages; auditors said they found no financial performance standards in the Prometric contract, did not specifically study immigration status, and did not focus on language barriers in this audit. Department of Health and Department of Social and Health Services officials largely agreed with the audit’s findings and recommendations. They said they have already made improvements, including expanded in-program testing, more staffing, and rule changes, and that testing has been integrated into more than 110 training programs. DSHS noted testing is offered in 13 languages. Both agencies said they support further streamlining and expect continued collaboration, including possible budget or legislative requests. No public testimony was offered, and the committee adjourned without taking any vote or formal action on the audit.

Transcript Highlights:

• This slide really shows and defines what a 520 certificate is.
• They also have the opportunity to attain a Level 2 certification.
• who receives the certificate.
• Who issues the certification? As I mentioned, the Licensure Bureau.
• They're the ones hiring the 520 certificate holders.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I-1163 established I-1163 established a home care aide certification.
• Let's start with an overview of the certification process.
• Applicants quit the certification process for different reasons.
• So when the certifications are delayed, so are these aides' raises.
• So when the certifications are delayed, so are these aides raises.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee heard a State Auditor’s Office performance audit on the Restoring Quality Home Care Initiative (I-1163), which created home care aide certification requirements, FBI background checks, and an abuse/neglect registry. Auditors said some requirements likely improve safety, especially background checks and training, but the state lacked pre-2011 data to measure outcomes directly. They also found Washington has a long-term care workforce shortage, though its workforce supply ranks better than many states, and that more stringent entry requirements do not appear to reduce workforce participation compared with other states. The audit’s main concern was that the certification process is slow and burdensome. Auditors reported that most applicants never finish certification, that only about one-third of fiscal year 2025 applicants were certified within the 200-day legal deadline, and that the average time to certification was 463 days. They identified delays between training and testing, limited testing access in some areas, and redundant Department of Health verification of FBI background checks as key causes. The audit recommended streamlining the process by accepting applications later in the process, expanding testing within training programs, and eliminating the redundant background-check verification. Department of Health and Department of Social and Health Services staff largely agreed with the audit’s findings and recommendations. They said they have already made improvements, including moving exams into more than 110 training programs, increasing credentialing staff, and reducing barriers through rule changes. DSHS noted testing is offered in 13 languages. Committee members asked about testing contract incentives, language access, and whether the agencies would seek statutory or budget changes to implement the recommendations. No public testimony was offered, and the meeting adjourned without any vote or formal action by the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that covers around a 25% growth in certifications.
• And so that covers around a 25% growth in certifications.
• And so that covers around a 25% growth in certifications.
• Um I presented to ANR certifications.
• obtain your national certification. obtain your national certification.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education and Workforce Development met for an information-gathering session and opened by clarifying that the subcommittee would not be voting on budget requests. Because there was no quorum at first, the committee did not take up approval amendments. The first presentation focused on a budget request to incentivize national certification for school social workers and school psychologists. Rep. Vanessa Gracal, along with Amy Oats and Leslie Gilpin, argued for a $500,000 annual appropriation to provide $2,000 salary supplements to nationally certified school social workers and school psychologists working primarily in their certification areas. They said the stipend would help recruit and retain professionals amid shortages, noted that current Kentucky certification numbers are low, and explained the rigorous certification and renewal requirements. In response to questions, they said there is currently no appropriation for this purpose in HB 500 and none they were aware of in HB 6 in 2024. The next topic was school facility funding needs, led by Rep. Bob McCool, Johnson County Superintendent Tom Cochran, Commissioner of Education Robert Fletcher, and other district representatives. They described the “gap funding” issue for school construction projects that had already started before COVID-era inflation sharply increased costs. Johnson County and Harrison County were highlighted as examples of districts that had already committed local funds, passed nickel taxes, and begun construction but now need additional state support to finish projects. Speakers emphasized that many projects were audited and approved, that the state has already funded about half of the gap, and that roughly $130 million more is being sought in HB 500 to complete the remaining work. They stressed that unfinished projects would leave districts with half-built schools and that completing them would bring long-term savings and better facilities for students. The committee then turned to testimony from KASA representatives on the impacts of HB 500 as introduced. The witnesses discussed the importance of school psychology and school social work certification, the benefits of advanced training for student services, and the need to recognize and support highly qualified staff. A member asked whether HB 500 or HB 6 included an appropriation for the certification stipend, and the witnesses answered no. The meeting also included a motion to approve the minutes from the prior meeting once a quorum was present, and the minutes were approved by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• system uh I believe before a certificate system uh I believe before a certificate of<00:08:07.599
• , becomes certified, renews certification, is denied certification, or loses certification.
• certification day one, but that's just not how the certifications work, with how in depth they want
• agree I would rather a certification agree I would rather a certification process<00:26:38.440><
• requiring approvals and certifications requiring approvals and certifications and<00:27:50.720><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So a passport or a birth certificate.
• A birth certificate? And that, so that's it, right? Birth certificate, yes. Okay.
• If it's a valid birth certificate?
• Amended birth certificate, a certificate of naturalization form.
• So this bill doesn't care if the birth certificate is real or not, as long as I present a birth certificate

Bills: HB2442, HB3697, HB4288, HB5256, HB5337, HB5362, HJR161

Keywords: HB 2442, Texas Election Code, Election Code Section 84.001, early voting, ballot by mail, mail ballot, absentee voting, runoff election, primary runoff, general runoff, voter application, election administration, county election officials, opt-out, voter choice, mail voting, ballot application, voting by mail, Election Code, size requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• There are national certifications certifications certifications that<00:54:42.400> can<00:54:42.559
• assessment certification.
• assessment certification.
• assessment certification.
• assessment certification.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , industry certification in high school.
• Industry certification in high school.
• Their certification, if they were to get an industry certification, that's outside of this certificate
• Certificate of attendance.
• a certificate of participation, existed.

Summary: The Student Academic Success Subcommittee met with a quorum and heard four bills, all of which were reported favorably by unanimous votes. The chair opened with remarks about student performance and assessment, then the committee took up House Bill 1111 by Rep. Valdes, which would eliminate the certificate of completion for students who do not meet standard high school graduation requirements. Supporters argued the certificate is a meaningless “participation trophy” that can mislead students and families, while the sponsor said students would instead be pushed toward additional support, concordance testing, or other pathways to a standard diploma. Members raised questions about effects on ESE students, timing, and alternative pathways; the bill passed 17-0. The committee next approved House Bill 921 by Rep. Overdorf, which adds cursive writing instruction for grades 2 through 5 and defines cursive proficiency. The sponsor and supporters said cursive has historical, cognitive, and fine-motor benefits and helps students read signatures and historical documents. The bill also passed 17-0. After a brief recognition of visiting students, the committee heard House Bill 423 by Rep. Bartleman, which requires private schools participating in the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program to give parents written notice about which services in an IEP, 504 plan, ELL plan, or similar plan will be honored. Supporters framed it as a transparency and consumer-protection measure for families, especially those with children with disabilities; the sponsor emphasized it does not require private schools to provide specific services, only to disclose them. The bill passed 17-0. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 251 by Rep. Tendrich, which would recognize January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida. The sponsor and public witnesses described rising antisemitism, the importance of remembrance, and the need for education about the Holocaust. Members from both parties shared personal reflections and support, and a survivor’s letter was read into the record. The bill passed 16-0. At the end of the meeting, the chair noted the committee had gone four-for-four on unanimous support and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next item on the agenda is the hearing on the Certificate of Need Rules.
• I represent the certificate of needs.
• check in with the Certificate of Need.
• So maybe we need to look at the certificate of need statutes for.
• But that will conclude the hearing on the Certificate of Need Rules.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Certificate of Appreciation, Certificate Number Six.
• Certificate of Condolence, Certificate Number Two.
• Certificate of Congratulations, Certificate Number Three. Certificate Number Four.
• Certificate of Recognition, Certificate No. 13. Certificate No. 14. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Certificate Number 15. Certificate Number 16. Certificate Number 17. Certificate Number 18.

Transcript Highlights:

• A proof of change of names, such as a marriage certificate, is sufficient to tie with the birth certificate
• You think it's easy for folks to access birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates
• , all of these certificates.
• You think it's easy for folks to access birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates
• , all of these certificates.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by roll call vote, 117-1. Members then spent much of the morning recognizing guests and groups in the chamber, including students, local officials, fraternity and sorority members, banking and county association representatives, and other visitors. The Speaker also suspended business several times to sign enrolled bills, including House Bill 2641, House Bill 2934, and Senate substitutes for House Bills 261 and 2423. The main floor debate centered on House Concurrent Resolution 48, which urges Congress to pass the SAVE Act requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote. Supporters argued it would protect election integrity and prevent non-citizens from voting, while opponents said it would create burdensome documentation requirements, function like a poll tax, and disenfranchise eligible voters, especially women, rural residents, the elderly, students, military members, and people with limited access to records. After extended debate and a successful previous-question motion, the House passed HCR 48 by a vote of 92-43. The House then took up House Concurrent Resolution 23, which calls on Congress to reaffirm state authority over elections under the Constitution’s Elections Clause. It was presented as a federalism measure, and members discussed the tension between state control and federal election standards. The resolution passed overwhelmingly, 137-0. The chamber also perfected and printed House Bill 2855, which adjusts workers’ compensation fund tax increments from 0.5% steps to 0.1% steps and included an amendment allowing replacement of attorneys in long-running permanent total cases; and House Bill 1906, which lets township counties offer annual, semi-annual, or quarterly property tax payment options. The House then recessed until 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm happy to present SB 1398, Green Globe Certification.
• However, we do not believe the solution is to bypass the DGS for just one certification.
• However, we do not believe the solution is to bypass the DGS for just one certification.
• For these reasons, USGBC respectfully, ...pass the DGS for just one certification.
• ...make a project-based decision on which certification system is best in that case.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We review these service-disabled veteran-owned businesses for certification.
• And I about the certification process.
• The certification process is managed through the unified certification program in each state.
• A DBE applies once, and the certification is recognized by all U.S.
• process<00:26:30.320> is certification and compliance process is certification and compliance

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The August 2025 interim meeting of the Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity began with roll call, confirmation of a quorum, approval of the June meeting minutes, and welcoming a new member, Ivonne Smith, who noted her background in MWBE and DBE work. The chair also offered condolences to a member whose father recently passed away and explained that the committee had invited agency officials to answer questions raised at the prior meeting. The first presentation was from Singer Buchanan of the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, who described the state’s equal opportunity and contract compliance office and its certification programs for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses and minority/women business enterprises. He outlined outreach efforts, including partnerships with veterans’ organizations, the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, UK, and transportation-related groups; explained that the programs are intended to expand market access rather than provide grants; and said the office has moved to an online application portal that has processed 227 new applications since December 2023. He reported 536 total vendors across the programs, including 29 service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and said the office is considering website testimonials to improve outreach. Members asked about staffing, application assistance, and whether the state program conflicts with federal policy; Buchanan said the office has three staff members and that the program is state-funded and, based on legal advice, should continue under Kentucky law. Tony Yusefi of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet then presented on the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program. He explained the program’s legal basis under federal DOT regulations, its eligibility standards, and its purpose of creating a level playing field while helping firms grow and eventually compete without assistance. He described certification requirements, annual documentation, prompt-payment protections, commercially useful function reviews, good-faith effort requirements, and sanctions for violations. He also discussed barriers facing DBEs, including access to capital, bonding, insurance, training, and prequalification requirements, and noted that 50 firms were removed last month for noncompliance with annual documentation rules. Yusefi said the cabinet has expanded supportive services, including an online application platform, bid notifications, and a nine-class business development program; 95 DBEs are enrolled this year, and the bid-matching system reaches an average of 377 DBEs monthly.

Transcript Highlights:

• Davis explained that entities may transact on a number of energy certificates or ammonia certificates
• and certificates or ammonia certificates and certificates or ammonia certificates and then<00
• , then retire those ammonia certificates, then retire those ammonia certificates, and<00:13:35.720
• all the green ammonia certificates all the green ammonia certificates issued<00:14:22.440> whether
• <00:15:38.880> We certificates in other states. We certificates in other states.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• just have to go through the certificate just have to go through the certificate of<00:08:24.479>
• provide as many child care certificates provide as many child care certificates as<00:16:46.720>
• one-year certificate.
• one-year certificate.
• certificate program. certificate program.

Keywords: Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 21 January, 2026; 3:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 3, a certificate-of-need measure that had passed last year but was vetoed by the governor because of one objectionable provision. The chair explained that the House had just passed the bill unanimously and urged quick Senate action so it could be sent to the governor again. He said the bill is intended to restore the prior law, with the main policy focus on rural hospitals and other future certificate-of-need changes. A question was raised about language affecting the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s academic exemption; the chair said the intent was to preserve the teaching hospital’s core exemption around its main campus while requiring certificate-of-need review for facilities it operates elsewhere, and the committee then voted title sufficient, due pass. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2476, requested by the Board of Pharmacy. Senator Hill explained that it would let licensed pharmacists self-report substance abuse or mental health issues and enter treatment before disciplinary action, similar to programs already available for nurses and with comparable provisions for physicians and dentists. Board representatives said participants would have to stop practicing until cleared, and that failure to comply would trigger discipline; the bill was described as an alternative to professional discipline, not immunity from criminal law. After questions about definitions and how many times a person could use the program, the committee voted title sufficient, due pass. The meeting concluded with an informational presentation from Mr. Anderson on child care funding and program operations. He said the state used ARPA funds during the pandemic to support child care certificates and providers, but those funds were exhausted, leading to a pause and a waiting list of about 20,000 families; the program currently serves about 18,000 children. He said the department is continuing $15 million in state support, is converting 30% of the TANF state assistance grant to child care, and is exploring additional TANF direct-assistance options, though cautiously because the state has not done that before. He also discussed child care tax credits, employer-based child care, and efforts to expand capacity through provider support and technical assistance.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first are career certificates.
• And then we have our advanced technical certificate, and the advanced technical certificate is often
• When we look at the industry certification passage rates, if we look at our welding certificates, we're
• For our tech certificates, 88%, and our NCCER construction certifications, we're at 90%.
• less for each certification.

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:

• One is the pre-election certificate and one is the post-election certificate, and from my perspective
• and one is the pre-election certificate and one is the post-election<01:40:15.040> certificate
• the L the naming of these certificates the L the naming of these certificates<01:40:24.080> was
• <01:40:30.760> specifically pre-election certificate specifically pre-election certificate
• the pre-election certificate certificate the pre-election certificate also<01:41:06.679> requires

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Election Law Committee held an orientation and then opened a public hearing on House Bill 67-FN-A, which would make permanent the use of accessible voting machines in local elections and provide funding for additional systems. The chair outlined committee procedures, noting a heavy workload of roughly 70 to 80 bills, mostly Tuesday meetings, likely time limits on testimony, and a default of executive session unless a bill is specifically noticed. Members and staff were introduced, and the Secretary of State’s office described its election-related responsibilities, including voter registration, cybersecurity, ballot-counting equipment, and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) program. Secretary of State David Scanlan and Deputy Secretary Aon Hennessy explained the current pilot program created by last year’s law, which requires accessible voting systems for local elections and allows the state to share machines with municipalities during the first half of 2025. They said the office has made hardware available, but towns have raised concerns about the speed of implementation and the cost of programming each election, especially for towns with multiple ballot questions. Scanlan said the state is also vetting longer-term options, including devices that could remain in polling places year-round, and suggested the committee consider delaying the bill’s effective date to January 1, 2026 to better align with implementation needs. Hennessy said the current state devices are older and complicated to reset for each election, and estimated programming costs could be about $600 for a small single-election ballot and much higher for towns with multiple elections. Supporters of the bill emphasized the importance of accessible voting for people with disabilities. Representative Robert Wy said the measure builds on 2024 law and would move the pilot into a permanent agreement, citing ADA concerns and prior testimony about discriminatory voting experiences. Fred Forier, a legally blind voter from Exeter, testified that accessible voting systems allow him to vote privately and independently and urged support for the bill. Committee members asked about the gap if the pilot ends before a permanent system is in place and about the cost range for programming. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the committee moved on after public testimony began.