Transcript Highlights:

• The skilled professionals, such as nurses... Do we have a handout? No?
• Then there are also the direct support professionals, who are largely caregivers that provide direct
• The bill also addressed the wages necessary for direct support professionals based on 150% of the minimum
• a 100% response rate from the 91 provider agencies providing services utilizing direct support professionals
• This range for the 11,602 reported direct support professionals created an overall average hourly wage

Transcript Highlights:

• Geographical health professional shortage areas within those counties, so that we can make sure that
• By adding this designation of a high needs geographical health professional shortage, We would be able
• If we were to just say that the criteria was all health professional shortage areas, the whole state
• Chair, Minority Whip, it is specific to high needs geographic health professional shortage areas, which
• We're adding that high needs health professional geographic shortage area to be an additional catchment

Transcript Highlights:

• Professionals in real workplace settings or simulated environments at an educational institution.
• Let's say if you are investing in a teacher's professional development, you get classroom engagement.
• We provided professional development to schools and implemented credit recovery through service learning
• We worked really closely with Pro Parents Reaching Out in giving professional development about that
• Offer professional development in assessment for the teachers that are teaching these courses.

Transcript Highlights:

• And here we are, debating whether or not their local elected officials have the right to hire professionals
• our own decisions and vote according to what we believe is correct, informed or uninformed, by professionals
• And I find it very valuable to hear from the professionals. ...presentations of perspectives from both
• consistency of welcoming into our offices the perspective from the private sector that funds expensive professional
• lobbyists and makes donations to our campaigns, while saying that cities don't get that same professional

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB5, SB11, SB12

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, the term licensed specialist in school psychology refers in statute to professionals trained
• My name is Amanda Fifi, and I chair the Government and Professional Relations Committee for the Texas
• Again, the change will not remove or undermine the authority of other health professionals practicing
• The effectiveness: Since its establishment, the professionalism of the appraisal districts has increased
• Appraisal districts outsource complex property appraisals to four or five professional appraisal firms

Bills: HB4, HB20

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard a series of higher education and K-12 bills, initially without a quorum and with several measures left pending subject to the call of the chair. Early bills included HB 1868, which would direct a study on lowering the dual-credit funding threshold for public junior colleges from 15 to 9 semester credit hours; HB 2598, which would replace statutory references to “licensed specialist in school psychology” with “school psychologist”; HB 3629, which would bar registered sex offenders from serving on independent school district boards of trustees; and HB 4361, which would require the Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt rules for timely emergency notifications at public institutions of higher education. Each received brief sponsor explanations, no opposition testimony, and was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4848, requiring public higher education systems to ensure at least one institution offers affordable competency-based bachelor’s degree programs in high-demand fields, and HB 1211, which would remove the age 25 deadline for former foster youth to use public college tuition waivers. HB 1211 drew extensive supportive testimony from Texas CASA, a former foster youth who benefited from the waiver, and a current student headed to medical school, all arguing the change would better match the realities faced by youth aging out of care. Members discussed the bill’s fiscal uncertainty and the argument that the waiver is an investment in workforce participation; the bill was left pending. Later, the committee heard HB 20, creating an Applied Sciences Pathway Program to let high school students earn certificates in targeted industries such as welding, plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing, and oil and gas while in school. Industry and workforce groups strongly supported the bill as a way to address labor shortages, while Texas 2036 raised concerns about allowing applied versions of core academic courses to substitute for traditional instruction. HB 4687, which would extend governmental immunity protections to certain campus/district charter schools and adult charter high schools, also received support from a charter-school attorney who said it would align statutes with existing case law and not expand charter rights. HB 4236, as substituted, would create a study group to examine the property value study’s effect on school finance and alternative valuation methods; it was adopted as a committee substitute and left pending. The committee also heard HB 824 on civics instruction in high school government courses and HB 2243, which would create a commission on teacher job satisfaction and retention; the latter prompted debate over removing “ethnic diversity” language from the commission’s makeup. After adopting the substitute for HB 2243 by roll call, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most will probably require professionals, such as a CPA or a tax attorney, to assemble and articulate
• These are the groups that already have the resources for and access to experienced tax professionals
• I don't believe my viewpoint is unique among tax professionals, CPAs, and lawyers.
• So I guess I just would want our testifiers, who are professionals that get paid to do this, to ensure
• , when that happens, Happens, the high earners are entertainers, or football players, or other professionals

Bills: HF2048, HF2360, HF2006, HF950, HF912, HF3140, HF2931

Keywords: individual income tax, retirement contributions, tax corrections, annuity contracts, tax year attribution, tax credit, economic development, community investment, data disclosure, Minnesota regulations, tax increment financing, municipal authority, job creation, transferred increment, public hearing, nonresident employees, income tax exemption, Minnesota taxation, employment duties, tax withholding

Transcript Highlights:

• protecting all pre-born children from abortion, we have seen some confusion crop up among medical professionals
• It's extremely important that medical professionals have quality education when dealing with pregnancy
• Not only will this bring peace of mind to healthcare professionals in this situation.
• This bill will support women by ensuring medical professionals are properly informed about the law. .
• ..but it also ensures that the medical professionals are trained in communicating with the patient on

Bills: SB801, SB1200, SB1410, SB1717, SB1862, SB1863, SB2216, SB2681, SB506, SB2626, SJR63, SB 3

Keywords: SB 801, birth certificate, birth record, certified copy, homeless, homelessness, unhoused, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, county clerk, fee waiver, identity documents, ID access, housing insecurity, shelter, transitional housing, Health and Safety Code, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• Because we only have professionalized two of those branches. They are not truly co-equal.
• This would professionalize our legislature, making us a truly co-equal branch and allowing the legislature
• It will be a significant step towards that professionalization that will be to the benefit of all New
• Is it because we're not a professional legislature? I don't know. Maybe, maybe not.
• But modernizing and professionalizing our legislature is a three-part endeavor.

Transcript Highlights:

• STATE SO IN ALL FLORIDA 67 COUNTIES WE HAD ALMOST 1000 EVENTS LAST YEAR ALONE AND WE'VE OFFERED PROFESSIONAL
• SINCE 2022 ONE OF THE PIECES THE NEW WORLD STATUTE BEGAN TO INCLUDE WAS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR
• WE'VE DONE WORK HISTORICALLY IN MATHEMATICS BUT TODAY WE HAVE ONLY BEGUN TO OFFER PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
• WE HAVE A PIECE OF WHAT THAT SYSTEM CAN OFFER IN THE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING WE HAVE LAUNCHED THROUGH THE
• SOME WAYS IN WHICH WE HAVE BEGUN TO IMPLEMENT THAT, WITHIN OUR EDUCATOR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING PLATFORMS

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're using the most professional design standards possible.
• That is the official position of the American Pilots Association, representing professionals who guide
• It creates instability and erodes consistent professionalism where consistency is paramount.
• The state pilots provide the maximum level of professionalism and independent thought process to protect
• So the state pilot commission, so I'm commissioned with responsibility of using independent professional

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered several bills related to environmental, natural resources, and maritime issues. Representative Markey testified in support of H. 1000, which would create a commission to study financing wastewater infrastructure, especially in southeastern Massachusetts and the South Shore, citing combined sewer overflows and impacts on aquaculture. Members agreed the core challenge is finding long-term financing for wastewater solutions. The committee also heard testimony on H. 902 to establish an Office of Outdoor Recreation, with supporters describing its role in expanding access, supporting underrepresented communities, and helping grow the outdoor economy. Related testimony also supported H. 986, which would codify the Division of Ecological Restoration and the Office of Fishing and Boating Access within the Department of Fish and Game, with witnesses emphasizing habitat restoration, flood reduction, public access, and boating/fishing opportunities. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 901/S. 597, “An Act Providing Nature for All,” which would dedicate existing sporting goods sales tax revenue to a new conservation fund. Supporters from Mass Audubon, Environmental League of Massachusetts, Appalachian Mountain Club, Trust for Public Land, Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, and conservation groups argued the bill would provide a sustainable revenue stream for land conservation, parks, trails, wetlands, water protection, and climate resilience, while also advancing environmental justice and outdoor recreation. They said the state needs roughly $300 million more per year to meet land conservation goals and that the bill could generate about $100 million annually without raising taxes. Committee members asked about balancing conservation with housing and development, and witnesses said the goals are compatible and that the bill includes safeguards. Witnesses also noted similar funding models in other states. The hearing also included H. 1053, a bill to create a Merrimack River Collaborative. Regional planning and watershed advocates said the river faces bacterial contamination, heavy metals, combined sewer overflows, and other pollution, and that a formal collaborative would help coordinate municipalities, state agencies, and nonprofits across the watershed and possibly across state lines. Another bill, H. 4109, would relocate harbor lines in New Bedford Harbor to allow reconstruction of deteriorating bulkheads at a waterfront industrial site; the New Bedford Port Authority, engineers, and the property owner said the change is needed for permitting and would support port modernization and jobs. Finally, the committee heard extensive testimony on S. 641 regarding marine pilotage in New Bedford. Supporters argued the bill would remove a District 3 pilotage restriction and improve port flexibility and offshore wind operations, while opponents warned it would undermine the state’s compulsory pilotage system, weaken safety, and allow ship owners to shop for pilots. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• process protections, investigations against them involving egregious misconduct can result in professional
• Being wrongly placed into a database can ruin not only their professional careers, but their personal
• Tristan Brown with the CFT, a union of educators and classified professionals.
• And today I have with me individuals who are going to share with you, from their professional perspective
• Our professional firefighters put their lives on the line to contain those fires and protect our communities

Summary: The committee heard SB 921, which would create a tax credit to help agricultural employers offset overtime premium costs for farmworkers. Senator Grove and supporters, including farmworkers, the California Farm Bureau, and agricultural groups, argued the bill would restore lost hours and take-home pay after California’s agricultural overtime law reduced schedules. Opponents, including the California Federation of Labor Unions and CRLA Foundation, argued the proposal would subsidize employers with taxpayer dollars and undermine the principle that employers should pay overtime themselves. The bill was held in subcommittee until more members arrived. The committee then took up SB 1083, a cleanup bill to the prior year’s school employee misconduct database law. The author and supporters said it would add due process protections for classified school employees, require an administrative law judge review before placement in the database, and improve notice and vetting rules for contractors and non-permanent staff. School employer groups and other opponents warned the bill could slow investigations and weaken child-safety protections. The committee approved the bill 3-0 and sent it to Senate Appropriations. Members also considered SB 1089, which would require CalPERS health plans to cover GLP-1 medications and expand access through CalRX for chronic weight management and related health conditions. The author and supporters, including the American Diabetes Association and medical groups, said the drugs can prevent diabetes and improve health outcomes but remain unaffordable for many. Pharma representatives expressed concerns about the bill as drafted but said they were open to continued discussions. The bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. The committee also approved the consent calendar 4-0. Later, the committee heard SB 954, which would narrow and add guardrails to last year’s CEQA exemption for advanced manufacturing, including environmental review near disadvantaged communities and labor standards such as prevailing wage and skilled-and-trained workforce requirements. Labor, environmental, and community groups supported the bill as a cleanup of an overly broad exemption, while business and manufacturing groups opposed it, warning it would discourage investment and worsen California’s competitiveness. The bill passed 3-1 to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1299, a fire sprinkler fitter certification bill, was heard and passed 3-0 to Appropriations with support from the sprinkler fitters and building trades and no recorded opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is not only a practical step forward, but it's a professional one.
• I think the statutory expectations for the existing professional practices are critical.
• The bill aims to bring fairness, professionalism, and accountability to constables' departments in Texas
• We all have professional staff on hand that's doing this.
• Both of my parents are medical professionals, and my grandfather was also a practicing medical professional

Bills: HB240, HB2097, HB2731, HB3087, HB3234, HB3319, HB3394, HB3687, HB4105, HB4205, HB4350, HB4462, HB4642, HB4801, HB5403, HB240

Keywords: quorum, tax levy, county governance, local government, population regulations, quorum requirement, Texas counties, population threshold, deputy sheriff, civil service, law enforcement, appeals process, sheriff's department, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code

Transcript Highlights:

• The ACA is the largest professional organization for counselors in Texas, representing 7,800 counselor
• It is well known that many Texas schools struggle to retain certified teachers and other professional
• Children are without access to qualified mental health professionals.
• In supporting this bill, our are parents and early learning professionals who have witnessed the many
• It expands funded professional development for teachers in reading and math by paying them a stipend.

Bills: HB367, HB497, HB549, HB983, HB 1188, HB 1290, HB1368, HB2243, HB2310, HB2849, HB3099, HB3546, HB3629, HB3627

Keywords: education, absences, severe illness, life-threatening, school policy, verification, healthcare, insurance, affordability, coverage, patient rights, school health, respiratory distress, airway clearance devices, medication training, public health, HB 983, Texas Education Agency, TEA, educator privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Beginning with item one, impact of educational professional salary increases.
• TSPVI is required by statute and by their Educational Professional Salary Increase Rider to provide a
• TSPVI is required by statute and by their Educational Professional Salary Increase Rider to provide a
• Recommendations include. ending their Educational Professional Salary Increase Rider, TSDs, to specify
• I do want to take the time to personally and professionally thank each individual here.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to talk about House Bill 3715, an act relative to school bus transportation professionals.
• opportunity to testify in favor of House Bill 3715, an act relative to school bus transportation professionals
• Furthermore, many of these missions require professional-grade drones that exceed the arbitrary 10-pound
• this section is overly broad and fails to differentiate between malicious intent and authorized professional
• this section is overly broad and fails to differentiate between malicious intent and authorized professional

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 36 bills covering aviation, commercial vehicles, school buses, veterans license plates, and related transportation issues. Chair Jim Arciero and Senate Chair Brendan Crighton outlined the hearing procedures, then the committee heard testimony on a range of measures, including a bill to modernize alternative student transportation for vulnerable students such as those covered by McKinney-Vento, foster children, and students with disabilities; a bill on unmanned aerial systems that would define drones and restrict weaponization, interference with aircraft, and certain surveillance; and a bill addressing airplane noise and reporting at Beverly Regional Airport. Supporters of the student transportation bill argued it would update outdated school bus requirements while preserving safety standards, while drone-related testimony was split between sponsors and public safety advocates who supported stronger restrictions and industry representatives who warned the bills could conflict with federal law and harm legitimate commercial uses. The committee also heard testimony on workforce and school transportation bills. Representatives and industry witnesses supported a proposal to create a grant program and career outreach for the trucking industry, citing a persistent driver shortage and the importance of trucking to the state’s economy. Teamsters Local 170 supported a bill to ease unemployment job-search requirements for school bus drivers and monitors who are expected to return to work within a short period, saying the current rules create unnecessary burdens during summer layoffs. Another school transportation bill would create an under-the-hood exception for CDL licensing of school bus drivers; several chiropractors testified in support, saying they already perform DOT-style exams and should be explicitly authorized to do school bus driver medical certifications. Veterans-related testimony focused on license plate and disability-definition bills. Advocates supported a Medal of Fidelity license plate for Gold Star families and a separate bill to create an air medal plate. The Office of the Veteran Advocate testified in favor of revising the state’s definition of disabled veteran for RMV purposes, arguing the current language is tied to special monthly compensation categories and does not adequately reflect modern service-connected disabilities, including invisible wounds. The American Legion also urged clarification of the definition, while opposing a separate women veterans plate on the grounds that it could divide veterans unnecessarily. The committee took no votes during the hearing and ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Megan Supers, on behalf of the California Professional Firefighters, in support. Good afternoon.
• They serve families during moments of profound loss, and they do so with professionalism, compassion,
• Their role is to conduct professional, thorough, and unbiased death investigations.
• current facts, the existing review options, and the employees who perform this difficult work with professionalism
• Professionalism and integrity.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This month provides the opportunity to recognize the dedicated professionals...
• The opportunity to recognize the dedicated professionals and volunteers—social workers, educators, health
• Since 2009, the Legislature has dedicated the fourth Tuesday in April to these professionals, and rightfully
• The Legislature is dedicated the fourth Tuesday in April to these professionals, and rightfully so, because
• I ask for your aye vote to honor the dedication of these professionals and recognize the essential role

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through several recognitions during privileges of the floor, including students from the Fresno State Ag Leadership Development Program and members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. The body also approved the Senate journals and proceeded to confirmations, including Heather Lynn Gonzalez to the Court Reporters Board and reappointments of Anacubas and David Hübner to the California Law Revision Commission, each confirmed by roll call votes of 26 ayes and 10 noes. The chamber then took up SCR 136, commemorating the 50th anniversaries of the California Coastal Act, Coastal Commission, and Coastal Conservancy. Supporters emphasized coastal access, habitat protection, resilience, and the economic value of the coast, while Senator Grove raised concerns about regulatory overreach, delays, and impacts on local control and development. The resolution passed 27-4. The Senate also adopted SR 68 for Denim Day and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, with extensive remarks focused on survivor support, accountability, and the need for trauma-informed systems; it passed unanimously, 37-0. SCR 130, recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month, also passed unanimously after remarks about child abuse, trafficking, and prevention efforts. Several bills then passed on unanimous roll call, including SB 1058 on school nutrition procurement flexibility, SB 930 requiring end-to-end encryption for certain school exam proctoring services, SB 917 expanding farmers’ market sales opportunities for wineries, SB 1002 on continuity of out-of-state telehealth care for eligible patients, SB 1036 on mitigation fee credits for redevelopment, SB 1285 on juvenile record dismissal, SB 969 on remote developmental services, and SB 1418 and SB 1429 on the consent calendar. The Senate also adopted SCR 131 on unsheltered homelessness after debate over interim shelter, permanent housing, self-sufficiency, and housing-first approaches; it passed 34-0. Finally, SCR 157 recognizing School Bus Driver’s Day passed unanimously, committee announcements were made, and the Senate adjourned in memory of Sandy Steers, with the next floor session scheduled for April 30, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our concern about the Medical Freedom Act is that it might limit the ability of public health professionals
• It ensures medical judgment is evaluated by medical professionals, not solely through administrative
• This has shaped my professional life.
• Medical review panels have been termed traditionally in the area of medical professional liability.
• Medical review panels have been termed traditionally in the area of medical professional liability.

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on April 23 and first disposed of several items without hearing them, including HB 1093 and HB 1145, and voluntarily deferring HB 946. The committee then quickly reported HB 1095 favorably without objection. That bill would require nursing facilities to have fuel or another alternative power generation source to maintain power, and supporters said it preserves existing backup-power safety requirements while giving facilities more flexibility as technology changes. The committee then took up HB 926, which concerns vaccination status and admission to public buildings and seeks to prohibit medical mandates. After adopting an amendment set and additional changes clarifying exclusions for licensed health care providers and facilities, medical masks, and child welfare/school-related provisions, the committee heard testimony both for and against the bill. Supporters framed it as a civil-liberties measure limiting vaccine-card requirements for public buildings, while opponents warned it could interfere with public health measures, school immunization rules, and the ability of health care facilities to protect patients. The bill was reported favorably on an 8-4 vote. HB 1220, a cleanup bill for the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, was then reported favorably after a technical amendment set. HB 1227, which would require complaints involving medical judgment to be reviewed by a three-physician panel before formal disciplinary action, drew extensive testimony from a physician sponsor, a doctor describing his disciplinary experience, and the board’s executive director, who said the board already uses practicing physicians, nurses, and experts in its process and warned the proposed panel system could be impractical because physicians are difficult to recruit for such reviews. At the sponsor’s request, the committee voluntarily deferred HB 1227 for further work. Finally, the committee reported HB 1217 favorably with amendments to a pharmacy benefit manager transparency bill, after supporters said it would expose hidden pricing and rebate practices and opponents argued some provisions were duplicative or unnecessary. HB 1028, setting minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for non-emergency medical transportation, was reported favorably and referred to Appropriations after supporters described the need for higher rates and members discussed funding. The committee also reported HB 1185 favorably, with amendments preserving the existing Rural Hospital Preservation Act while extending similar protections to additional rural-lookalike hospitals, and adopted HCR 76 to continue the Health Inequities and Disparities in Rural Areas Task Force for another year.

Transcript Highlights:

• She is known for fostering a culture of accountability, compassion, and professional growth while maintaining
• businesses, and localities across the state, and supports the Oklahoma economy and these skilled professionals
• We cultivate their professional competence and their personal confidence so that they are ready not just
• Deputy Blumenthal's service is a testament to the courage, professionalism, and sacrifice of law enforcement
• me and I have had the honor of serving with Speaker McCall, who continues to show kindness and professionalism

Bills: HB4028, HB4075, HB4077, HB4074, HB4076, SB1221, SB1921, SB2118, SB1932, SB2134, HCR1025, SB1432, HCR1024, HCR1022, SB1122, HB4029, HB4063, HB4073, HB4078, SB1936, SB44, SB237, SB248, SB1360, SB985, SB1204, SB1239, SB1307, SB2143, SB1428, SB1390, SB1400, SB1405, SB1732, SB1832, SB1859, SB1989, SB2018, SB1427

Keywords: tax deduction, venture capital, economic development, Oklahoma, investment, water resources, appropriations, funding, state treasury, infrastructure projects, emergency act, emergency management, disaster relief, pandemic response, state appropriations, HB4074, Health Care Workforce Training Commission, Health Care Workforce Revolving Fund, health workforce, health care workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• contribution and report requirements to clarify that benefit experience history shall transfer if a professional
• suggested amendments. 810 KAR 3:020 amends to add license categories for an allied animal health professional
• ,<00:08:41.599> animal<00:08:42.039> chiropractor,<00:08:43.320> and professional
• , animal chiropractor, and professional, animal chiropractor, and equine<00:08:43.919> dental<
• We already have business licenses and professional licenses for these in Kentucky.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting’s minutes, and then reviewed a series of administrative regulations from multiple agencies. Most of the regulations were presented as technical updates or policy clarifications, and in each case the committee approved staff-suggested amendments without objection. The Department of Revenue regulation would delete a section on tax credits for trusts and estates to align with statute. The Kentucky Public Pensions Authority package updated definitions, sick leave credit rules, hazardous/non-hazardous employment participation, refund procedures, contribution limits, mortality table references, and incorporated federal tax references. The Board of Medical Licensure regulations addressed renewal and activation of inactive physician-assistant licenses and renewal/reinstatement timelines for athletic trainer licenses. The Fish and Wildlife regulations revised rules for Otter Creek and Peabody areas by deleting definitions and creating shooting-range permit exemptions. The committee also heard emergency vocational rehabilitation regulations that would clarify definitions, due process rights, federal compliance, service fees, in-state service preferences, and service-specific requirements; a workforce insurance regulation updating contribution/reporting rules for professional employer organizations; and a horse racing regulation adding license categories for allied animal health professionals, animal chiropractors, and equine dental providers, while updating fees, application timing, and special events licensing. Members asked questions about the horse racing licensure changes, and the agency explained they were responding to prior session changes and adding guardrails, including veterinarian sign-off for equine therapist licensure on the back side of a racetrack. The Department for Public Health package made several personnel and salary-related changes for local health departments, including salary ranges for new hires, probation and evaluation rules, salary increases after probation, and limits on certain leave payouts for employees who separate without proper notice or are dismissed for cause. The Office of Inspector General regulation added electronic prescription references and removed authority to create a new prescription number for partial dispensing of Schedule II prescriptions. The Department for Medicaid Services regulations updated provider group definitions, removed some service limits, required prior authorization for all genetic testing for non-MCO recipients, changed physician fee schedule updates from quarterly to annually, and added reimbursement for department-approved vaccines. Members asked detailed questions about genetic testing prior authorization and sleep disorder coverage; the agency said prior authorization is intended to take two to five days and that sleep disorder services generally involve sleep apnea-related treatments such as CPAP machines and sleep studies. The committee then adjourned and announced its next meeting for Tuesday, May 12 at 1:00 p.m.