Transcript Highlights:

• I will say we do have a very collegial relationship with the board of medical examiners.
• We actually had a examiners.
• Most of the physicians on the board of medical examiners don't even employ a PA.
• </c><00:29:06.960><c> A</c><00:29:07.120><c> lot</c> examiners don't even employ a PA.
• A lot examiners don't even employ a PA.

Bills: HB31, HB31

Keywords: absentee voting, disabled, blind, voter assistance, voting rights, SNAP, public assistance, nutritional standards, waiver, food regulation, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Kanya Martin to the Board of Examiners of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.
• Boyd, M.D., Muskogee, to the Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology to serve
• And so very thankful that he's willing to serve on the Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology
• And so very thankful that he's willing to serve on the Board of Examiners for Speech, Language, Pathology
• Committee of Home Inspector Examiners to serve a three-year term ending June 30th, 2029.

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met to consider a series of gubernatorial nominations, first for several boards and commissions and then for key health-related executive positions. Early confirmations included Michael Vaughn to the Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors, Tina Frazier to the State Board of Licensed Social Workers, Dr. Kanya Martin and Dr. Edgar Boyd to the Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Dr. Christopher Thurman to the Health Care Workforce Training Commission, Samuel Haubrick and Robert Wipp Jr. to the Committee of Home Inspector Examiners, and Dr. Gabriel Pittman to the State Board of Health. Each nominee briefly described their background and qualifications, and committee members generally emphasized professional experience, public service, and rural health needs. All of these nominations advanced on unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The committee then considered Clayton Bullard for two roles: Cabinet Secretary of Health and Mental Health and Administrator of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. Senators focused heavily on Medicaid managed care, provider payment delays, MCO oversight, and the short timeline before a new administration. Bullard said his priority would be stabilizing the agency, building a balanced budget, monitoring contractors and managed care organizations, and ensuring claims are paid promptly; he reported high rates of clean-claim payment within 14 days and said the agency would continue fining MCOs for noncompliance. Members also pressed him on legislative oversight and the need to keep lawmakers informed about policy changes. Both nominations were approved and sent to the full Senate. Sharon Schell Millington was then nominated to lead the Office of Juvenile Affairs. Senators asked about security concerns, staff safety, de-escalation training, pay for direct care staff, and coordination with local law enforcement. Millington said the agency had increased staff pay, adopted nationally recognized restraint/de-escalation training, and was working to improve communication with law enforcement. Her nomination also passed and moved to the Senate floor. At the end of the meeting, the chair answered a question about board membership requirements, clarified that the statute limits how many members may reside in one congressional district but does not require every district to be represented, and thanked committee staff for their work as the committee’s final HHS meeting of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><04:13:41.680><c> are</c> passed and um but our examiners are passed and um but our examiners are
• </c> also an issue of um the examiner safety. also an issue of um the examiner safety.
• <04:19:05.279><c> and</c><04:19:05.520><c> re-exam</c><04:19:06.159><c> examinations,</c> examinations
• and re-exam examinations, examinations and re-exam examinations, but<04:19:07.120><c> does</c><04:19
• So, the examiner doesn't even button.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So current law allows the insurance commissioner to conduct examinations of insurers to evaluate their
• Tony oversees the examinations and insurers follow consumer protection laws.
• division and other examinations departments.
• But once they do, we have the examination.
• We have the financial solvency component to these financial examinations.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several insurance-related bills. SB 1209 by Senator Allen, sponsored by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, would give the Department of Insurance stronger enforcement tools when insurers fail to implement corrective actions identified in market conduct or financial examinations. Supporters said the bill would close gaps that allow repeated violations, improve solvency oversight, and protect policyholders; opponents argued CDI already has broad authority and raised concerns about duplicative penalties, due process, and the bill’s scope. Members discussed amendments to limit the bill to legal violations rather than recommendations, apply penalties per exam rather than per policy, and clarify accounting language. The committee voted to send SB 1209 to Appropriations, with the bill placed on call after a roll vote that included one no vote from Senator Niello. The committee also considered SB 1301, which would require more detailed non-renewal notices for residential property insurance, give policyholders time and information to address correctable issues, and restrict certain non-renewal reasons such as claims below deductible or not covered by the policy. Support came from homeowners, fire survivors, and consumer groups who said notices are often vague and leave families unable to keep coverage; insurers opposed the bill, warning that California’s notice period is already among the longest in the country and that the bill could worsen availability and add burdensome reporting requirements. The author said he was willing to reduce the notice period from 180 days to about three months and work on a mitigation-based process. The committee passed the bill to Appropriations, with Senator Niello voting no and the item placed on call. SB 1026 by Senator Gonzalez would tighten regulation of bail fugitive recovery agents by allowing the Department of Insurance to suspend or revoke licenses without a criminal conviction, adding conduct restrictions, and requiring continuous liability coverage and proper appointment notices. Supporters, including Commissioner Lara, said the bill addresses serious misconduct and loopholes that have led to unsafe conduct and weak oversight. Bail industry representatives and crime victims’ advocates opposed the measure, arguing that the required insurance coverage is unavailable or unlawful as written, that the bill would be hard to comply with, and that it could reduce the number of recovery agents and delay justice. The committee moved SB 1026 to Appropriations, with Senator Niello voting no and the bill placed on call. The committee then heard SB 982 by Senator Wiener, the Affordable Insurance and Recovery Act, which would authorize the Attorney General to sue fossil fuel companies to recover costs tied to climate disasters and insurance losses, with supporters framing it as a way to shift some climate-related costs away from policyholders and taxpayers. The author said amendments would remove retroactivity and delay liability until 2032, while supporters from flood and wildfire survivor groups and climate organizations said the bill would help fund recovery and stabilize insurance costs. Opponents from industry and building trades argued the bill was legally vulnerable, would create a de facto tax or liability scheme, and could harm jobs, energy production, and affordability. Testimony on SB 982 was extensive, but the transcript ends before any committee vote or final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tony oversees the examinations and ensures insurers follow consumer protection laws.
• division and other examinations departments.
• But once they do, we have the examination.
• We have the financial solvency component to these financial examinations.
• And I agree. ...within some of these examinations, or is it the actual legal violation?

Summary: The committee heard three major insurance-related bills. SB 1209 by Senator Allen would give the Insurance Commissioner new authority to require insurers to implement corrective actions found in market conduct and financial exams, with penalties for failure to comply. Supporters, including Commissioner Ricardo Lara and his deputies, said current law leaves CDI without a direct way to compel remediation of repeated violations or obtain needed financial information, while opponents argued the bill expands CDI authority too far, could duplicate existing penalties, and should be limited to legal violations rather than recommendations. After discussion, members and the author agreed to narrow the bill through amendments, including tying it to legal violations, applying penalties per exam rather than per policy, and clarifying accounting language; the committee then passed the bill 5-1 to Appropriations, with one member on call. SB 1301, also by Senator Allen, would reform residential property insurance non-renewals by requiring clearer written explanations, giving homeowners a chance to mitigate correctable issues, and prohibiting certain unfair non-renewal bases such as claims below deductible or claims not paid by the insurer. The author and supporters said Californians face unusually high non-renewal rates and often receive vague notices that make it hard to keep coverage, while opponents warned the bill’s original 180-day notice period and reporting requirements were too burdensome and could worsen availability. Senator Richardson said he would support the bill after the author agreed to reduce the notice period to about three months and continue working on a mitigation-based process; the committee then approved the bill 4-1, with one member on call. The committee also considered SB 1026 by Senator Gonzalez, which would strengthen regulation of bail fugitive recovery agents by allowing CDI to suspend or revoke licenses without a criminal conviction, expanding prohibited conduct, and tightening insurance and appointment requirements. Supporters, including Commissioner Lara, said the 2022 licensing law left loopholes that allow misconduct to continue and that the bill would improve public safety and accountability. Opponents from the bail industry and crime victims groups argued the bill requires unavailable or impractical insurance coverage, including coverage for willful acts, and could reduce the number of recovery agents and delay justice. Members raised concerns about the insurance language and availability, and the author said the bill was still being worked on with opposition; the committee passed it 4-1, with one member on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 982 by Senator Wiener, the Affordable Insurance and Recovery Act, which would let the Attorney General seek recovery from fossil fuel companies for climate-related costs affecting the Fair Plan and private policyholders. The author said Californians are paying rising insurance and disaster costs while fossil fuel companies that contributed to climate change are not, and witnesses from flood and wildfire communities and climate policy experts supported the bill as a way to fund recovery and resilience. Opponents, including business and labor representatives, argued the bill would impose broad liability, invite litigation, and harm jobs and energy affordability. The hearing included extensive testimony, but no vote was taken on SB 982 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Examiners. LBB, David Pettit, you can get going. In the meantime, Dr.
• Examiners.
• President of the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
• We are the only examining board to have a director of chiropractic in the United States.
• start with Board of Dental Examiners.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to move to suspend the rules and allow the public examiners' employees to join us on the floor
• HB29 deals with the Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators. We...
• Pringle, relating to the Board of Examiners of Speech and Language Pathology and Audiology. Mr.
• House Bill number 118 by Representative Simpson, relating to the Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
• This is relating to the Board of Chiropractic Examiners.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would really like to examine the entire system and figure out how we can best move forward.
• I would really like to examine the entire system and figure out how we can best move forward.
• I would really like to examine the entire system and figure out how we can best move forward.
• </c><00:25:46.559><c> some</c> make sure that we're re-examining some make sure that we're re-examining
• . examinations. examinations.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners retains oversight authority over veterinary...
• Client-Patient Relationship, or VCPR, without first examining the animal.
• , or the Veterinary Board of Examiners.
• Initially through a visual examination, a discussion with the owner.
• The Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners is neutral on the bill. Was that correct?

Bills: HB 43, HB 3364, HB 3469, HB 3479, HB 43, HB 3364, HB 3469, HB 3479

Keywords: agriculture, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, veterinarian, veterinary medicine, veterinary telemedicine, telehealth, telemedicine, veterinarian-client-patient relationship, VCPR, animal health, livestock, pets, remote care, electronic means, telephone consultation, controlled substances, prescription drugs

Summary: The second bill, House Bill 3469, was introduced to address pest control regulations concerning nuisance birds. Representative Campos explained how the bill proposes non-lethal methods to deter these birds, such as the use of laser lights and sounds, which avoids conflict with both state and federal regulations. The committee heard impassioned testimonies from members of the public who shared firsthand experiences regarding the adverse effects of these birds on property and public health. The meeting concluded with both bills being left pending, reflecting a desire for further deliberation among the committee members.

Transcript Highlights:

• The training is going to be just as important for the medical examiners who respond at these incidents
• And yes, strangulation is very hard for medical examiners to know what it is.
• Due to the fact of how she got trained and how she learned, and I don't blame the medical examiners.
• Now she learned, and I don't blame the medical examiners. They only know as much as they know.
• Mazer USA to testify virtually on S. 2861 and an act creating a special commission to examine school

Bills: S2743, S2861, S3021

Keywords: domestic violence, police training, suspicious deaths, homicide investigation, victim support, school bus safety, commission, student safety, operator training, safety standards, Legislative oversight, public health, student transportation, school bus, school pupil transportation, pupil transport, child passenger safety, school van, transportation contractor, motor vehicle safety

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security held a public hearing with opening remarks from Senators Cronin and Cahill, member introductions, and instructions limiting testimony to three minutes. The committee heard testimony on several bills, including S. 2743 addressing staged suicides in domestic violence cases, S. 2861 creating a special commission on school bus safety, and S. 3021 updating Massachusetts student transportation rules. On S. 2743, witnesses including Elizabeth Sherin Feiner and Susan Altman described cases in which domestic abuse deaths were initially misclassified as accidents or suicides, arguing that standardized protocols, training, and closer scrutiny of suspicious deaths would help law enforcement and medical examiners identify staged scenes and prevent perpetrators from escaping accountability. Committee members asked about how the bill would affect current police and medical examiner practices, and legislators noted that sudden deaths are already investigated through the chief medical examiner and district attorneys, while acknowledging the need for better training and awareness. On S. 2861, Amanda Taylor testified emotionally about the death of her daughter Summer Steele, who was killed when a school bus door closed on her backpack and she was run over, and urged adoption of anti-pinch sensor technology on new buses. Representative Sabadosa and later Nicholas Lusk of Mazer USA supported the bill, saying the technology already exists, is used in other transportation sectors, and could prevent similar tragedies. On S. 3021, representatives from Ever Driven and Chamber of Progress supported modernizing student transportation rules to allow smaller vehicles for homeless, foster, and disabled students while keeping core safety requirements, arguing the change would reduce costs and improve access without lowering safety. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded with adjournment after testimony ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• there was bipartisan support for establishing a committee including young people and educators to examine
• there was bipartisan support for establishing a committee including young people and educators to examine
• system that is sort of working as effectively as possible, and this seemed like an exciting thing to examine
• system that is sort of working as effectively as possible, and this seemed like an exciting thing to examine
• system that is sort of working as effectively as possible, and this seemed like an exciting thing to examine

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Examiners introduce representative Lawrence. Examiners introduce Representative Lawrence.
• Comm. examiners, members of the board, and their employees under the LA, and we passed a 2010 LA that
• HB114, Chairman, you are recognized to present your bill on the Board of Dental Examiners.
• The Examiners of Public Accounts did a tremendous job of examination, as they always do, and sus...
• Examination, as they always do, and the committee did very thorough work on this bill and recommend that

Bills: HB159, HB110, HB114, HB115, HB116, HB123, HB125

Keywords: U.S. Space and Rocket Center, Alabama Space Science Exhibit Commission, public facilities, space exploration, education programs, bond issuance, Governor involvement, pharmacy, pharmacist licensure, Alabama State Board of Pharmacy, renewal fees, continuing education, disciplinary actions, sessions, 2025-R, 1, 219

Transcript Highlights:

• I work with LDH, and we sat down and they examined the bill.
• Shea Corbyn with the Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
• Jim Morvan, Louisiana Board of Chiropractic Examiners; Shay Cosbin, Louisiana Board of Chiropractic Examiners
• Jim Morvon, Louisiana Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
• Examiners president, who would like to speak.

Bills: HB62, HB124, HB182, HB193, HB198, HB203, HB223, HB237, HB469, HB486, HB574, HB779, HB796, HB919, SCR2, SB4, SB36, SB38, SB109, SB152, SB168, SB195, SB216, SB221, SB236, SB404

Keywords: Louisiana Women's Policy, gender equality, policy research, commission membership, women's representation, Domestic Violence, judicial experience, legislation, criminal law, family law, HB182, sexual assault, rape kit, forensic examination, forensic medical exam, sexual assault survivor, sexual assault nurse examiner, SANE, emergency department, hospital staffing

Transcript Highlights:

• This relaxed requirements for our scheduled written examination to allow an electronic examination.
• That being said, the state board examination is an jurisprudence examination.
• That is an open book examination.
• So retaking the exam is on the examination, that is an open book examination, so retaking the exam is
• So we're going to have the state board examination.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first approved the December 3 minutes, then heard a request from the Board of Clinical Laboratory Practice to amend its proposed rule on exempt test methods to add certain closed-system DNA/RNA tests, including rhinovirus. After testimony explaining that the board had considered late comments from BioMérieux and wanted the rule record to reflect that review, the committee agreed to a limited amendment and passed the motion unanimously. The Department of Agriculture then outlined broad rule updates affecting dairy, eggs, poultry, pesticides, animal health, environmental mitigation, and the Egg Product Utilization Commission. The commissioner said the changes mostly clarified existing requirements, updated references, and reduced some burdens, such as easing dairy hauler training/licensing timing and clarifying out-of-state grade A milk language. Members asked about dairy industry decline, the APUC scoring system, and the rationale for the milk-hauler and out-of-state milk provisions. The State Board of Dental Examiners presented extensive rule changes tied to recent legislation and workforce issues, including a new professional health program for dentists, expanded duties for assistants and hygienists, broader local anesthetic authority for hygienists, and fee increases to fund the program and cover administrative costs. Testimony from Dr. Edward May strongly supported the professional health program based on his own recovery experience. The committee also heard from Game and Fish on rules easing some guide/outfitter experience requirements, allowing electronic exams, and modifying boating safety equipment rules, with no public comment and no fiscal impact. Later, Health and Human Services received approval for an extension to update tattoo/body art rules and a separate motion to repeal an obsolete nurse aide training chapter. HHS also described nursing facility rule updates, lodging sanitation revisions, and related clarifications on licensing, safety, pest control, and fire requirements. The Department of Environmental Quality received an extension for septic-system installer rules, and also presented rules for above-ground storage tanks and water/wastewater operator certification, including new fees and third-party testing options. The Industrial Commission’s oil and gas division described multiple rule changes, some withdrawn after comments, including drilling unit flexibility, site stability, wildfire authority, and streamlined transport/reporting procedures. Finally, DPI began presenting several rule packages, including school construction loan limits, school bus standards, cooperative agreements, special education rules for public charter schools, and new math curriculum and intervention requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• to offer a little testimony as well in support of S. 2861, an act creating a special commission to examine
• And yes, strangulation is very hard for medical examiners to know what it is.
• The medical examiner who did my sister’s autopsy has since been trained and has since determined homicide
• And I don’t blame the medical examiners. They only know as much as they know.
• Mazur USA is here to testify virtually on S. 2861, an act creating a special commission to examine school

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security held a public hearing with opening remarks from Senate Chair John Cronin and House Chair Dan Cahill, followed by member introductions and instructions limiting testimony to three minutes. The committee first heard testimony on S. 2743, an act addressing staged suicides. Elizabeth Sherin Feiner of Jewish Family and Children’s Service and later Susan Altman, a domestic violence advocate, described cases in which deaths initially treated as accidents or suicides were later found to be homicides, arguing the bill would improve training, investigation protocols, and accountability in deaths involving domestic abuse. Committee members asked about current police and medical examiner practices, and one member noted that sudden-death determinations are handled by the chief medical examiner in Massachusetts. The committee then heard testimony on S. 2861, a special commission to examine school bus safety, led by Representative Sabadosa and Amanda Taylor, whose daughter Summer Steel was killed in a school bus door incident. Taylor urged adoption of anti-pinch sensor technology on new buses, saying it could have prevented her daughter’s death. Representative Sabadosa and later a Mazur USA representative supported the bill, explaining that anti-pinch and anti-drag technologies are already used in other transportation sectors and could prevent similar tragedies. The hearing also included discussion of costs and the fact that the proposal would apply prospectively to buses manufactured going forward. Finally, the committee heard testimony on S. 3021, updating Massachusetts student transportation. Ever-Driven Technologies and Chamber of Progress supported the bill, saying it would modernize Section 7D requirements for smaller passenger vehicles used for alternative student transportation while keeping core safety standards in place. They argued the change would help districts serve students experiencing homelessness, in foster care, or with disabilities, reduce costs, and expand transportation options amid a statewide transportation crisis. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee adjourned after public testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• to offer a little testimony as well in support of S. 2861, an act creating a special commission to examine
• And yes, strangulation is very hard for medical examiners to know what it is.
• And I don’t blame the medical examiners. They only know as much as they know.
• She learned, and I don’t blame the medical examiners. They only know as much as they know.
• Mazur USA to testify virtually on S. 2861, an act creating a special commission to examine school bus

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security held a public hearing with opening remarks from Senate Chair John Cronin and House Chair Dan Cahill, followed by member introductions and instructions on testimony time limits. The committee heard testimony on several bills, including S. 2743 addressing staged suicides, S. 2861 creating a special commission on school bus safety, and S. 3021 updating Massachusetts student transportation rules. On S. 2743, advocates and family members described cases in which domestic violence deaths were allegedly misclassified as accidents or suicides, arguing the bill would improve training and require more careful investigation when there is a known history of abuse. Testimony emphasized the need for law enforcement, district attorneys, and medical examiners to recognize signs of coercive control and staged scenes. Committee members asked about current investigative practices and noted that sudden deaths are already reviewed by medical examiners and prosecutors, but that better training and awareness may still be needed. On S. 2861, Amanda Taylor testified emotionally about her daughter Summer Steel, who died after being trapped in a school bus door, and urged adoption of anti-pinch sensor technology on future buses. Representative Sabadosa and a company representative said the technology already exists, is used in other transportation sectors, and could prevent similar tragedies; they noted estimated retrofit and prospective costs and pointed to Maine’s similar action. On S. 3021, Ever Driven and Chamber of Progress supported modernizing vehicle requirements for alternative student transportation, arguing that current rules are designed for full-size buses and make it harder for districts to serve homeless students, foster youth, and students with disabilities. The hearing ended after testimony concluded, and the committee voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• It examines the entire process, including reporting, System-wide stakeholders.
• I couldn't agree more because having the medical examiners or having a medical examiner's opinion on
• We initially saw the numbers of trained forensic examiners grow.
• For sexual assault nurse examiners, they have to take days off to attend court and incur the expenses
• If you are the nurse on the end of which is the hub site, you're a trained forensic examiner.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, entered executive session, and passed three bills out of committee. House Bill 2323, relating to a domestic abuse offender registry, was discussed as creating a secure, confidential database for law enforcement use at the time of arrest; members noted it was similar to other domestic violence registry bills already moving separately. It was voted do pass 13-0 with three present. House Bill 2530, described as the scrap metal bill, was also voted do pass unanimously with 14 ayes and three present. House Bill 3332, dealing with public safety personnel recruitment and retention and first responder employment benefits, was amended to remove additional scholarship degree programs and to eliminate a sunset on line-of-duty death benefits, then rolled into a new committee substitute and passed 15-1 with one present. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 3174, Missouri’s version of Alyssa’s Law, which would require each school employee to have access to a wearable panic alert system tied to emergency responders and school personnel, subject to appropriations. The sponsor and supporters said the system would improve response times for active shooter, medical, and other emergencies, and the bill’s lead witness, Alyssa’s mother Lori Alhadeff, described the Parkland shooting and argued that faster alerts save lives. Members asked about cost, funding, implementation, liability, and whether schools could already adopt such systems on their own; the sponsor said some schools already use similar systems and that the bill was intended to avoid an unfunded mandate. No vote was taken on the bill. The committee also heard House Bill 3434, which would create a Missouri statewide sexual assault response task force to examine reporting, investigation, medical response, advocacy, and prosecution and report by December 31, 2028. The sponsor and supporters said the task force is needed to build on progress made in clearing the sexual assault kit backlog and to address ongoing inconsistencies across jurisdictions, shortages in advocacy and forensic services, and delays in testing and prosecution. Witnesses from the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and the Missouri Emergency Nurses Association supported the bill, while members raised questions about the task force’s membership, the role of the Attorney General in appointments, whether it should be narrowed, and how it would build on prior task force work. No action was taken on this bill during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• examiners examiners and<00:25:38.960><c> um</c><00:25:39.360><c> we</c><00:25:39.679><c> also</c><00
• </c><00:27:20.400><c> examiners</c><00:27:21.520><c> um</c> national board of examine examiners um national
• board of examine examiners um exams.<00:27:23.760><c> The</c><00:27:24.240><c> some</c><00:27:24.640
• Examiners. Examiners.
• Examiners. Examiners.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For students, it only allows one reimbursement for examination cost.
• different trades at the same time for construction, they should be able to get reimbursed for the examination
• And so this allows other CTE examination costs to be reimbursed for teachers.
• So for students, it only allows one reimbursement for examination cost.
• And so this, this allows other CT examination costs to be reimbursed for teachers.

Summary: The Subcommittee on Academic and Career-Oriented Education met briefly and considered only House Bill 1061, laid out by Representative Bojani. The bill would expand reimbursement for career and technology education (CTE) certification exam costs for students, teachers, and school districts. For students, it removes the current limit of one reimbursement so they can be reimbursed for multiple certification exams if they pass. For teachers, it broadens reimbursement beyond cybersecurity certifications to all CTE-related certifications. It also allows school districts that pay exam-related costs, including application or processing fees, to seek reimbursement from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) through an application process. During questions, members clarified that reimbursement would not be available if an individual failed the certification exam. Representative Schoolcraft asked about how the subsidy amount is determined and how the program is funded; the bill author said the amount is unchanged from current law and said he would follow up on funding details. No one testified for or against the bill. Representative Bojani closed on the bill, and the subcommittee left HB 1061 pending without objection. With no further business, the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• most of these large companies want our examiners in their office doing the examination.
• in their office doing want our examiners in their office doing the<00:05:56.319><c> examination</c><
• When we send examiners on site, the entity that we're examining fully reimbursed the department for those
• When we send examiners on site, the entity that we're examining fully reimbursed the department for those
• When we send examiners on site, the entity that we're examining fully reimbursed the department for those

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard the Banking Department’s fiscal year 2026-2027 budget presentation from Commissioner Amelia Galeri. She described the department as a self-funded consumer protection regulator overseeing two main areas: the Banking Trust Division, which supervises state-chartered banks, credit unions, and trust companies, and the Consumer Credit Division, which oversees more than 7,000 licensees including mortgage and money transmitter businesses. She said the department’s budget is about 86% salaries and benefits, with 53 positions all filled, and explained that the agency funds itself through fees, fines, and end-of-year assessments on regulated entities. Galeri said the department is facing workload growth from several directions: continued growth in the trust industry, increased fintech supervision, and a new requirement to regularly examine auto dealers that take finance applications, which adds about 300 exams over two fiscal years. She said the department was directed to flat-fund its budget based on 2025 levels but was allowed to increase travel and training. To stay within that limit, she said the department reduced office space, went paperless, converted administrative and licensing positions into examiner positions, and expects to defund an embedded DOJ database administrator position once a new SharePoint system is fully implemented. Members asked about how the department’s revenue and assessments work, including whether fees were increasing and how much existing banks would pay. Galeri said fees are not being raised, most banks pay little or no fines, and assessments are based largely on asset size, with trust companies paying the bulk. She also explained that fines are set by statute, generally capped at $2,500 per violation for consumer credit entities, and said she would not recommend increasing that cap. The committee then voted to accept the Banking Department’s budget proposal as presented in HQ1, with a motion and second and no discussion. The transcript then moved to the Department of Energy budget. Commissioner Jared Chakin and Chief of Operations Lenny Radio discussed federal program funding, including LIHEAP fuel assistance and weatherization. They said the apparent drop in fuel assistance funding from FY 2024 actuals to the budgeted amount is due to the loss of ARPA and CARES Act supplemental funds, while weatherization remains a federally constrained program with a waiting list and limited flexibility. Members also asked about a proposed transfer from the renewable energy fund; staff said the transfer would still allow the department to carry out its statutory duties for the year, though the committee deferred deeper discussion until House Bill 2.