Transcript Highlights:

• It is very much an inside-baseball kind of award, because it's for economic development professionals
• I know we pay up to 22%, take tax dollars, pay up to 22% of salaries depending on different qualifications
• Louisiana Auctioneer's Licensing Board to provide for board membership, to provide for board member qualification

Bills: HB207 , HB267 , HB300 , HB464 , HB618 , HB853

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Keywords: Louisiana Auctioneers Licensing Board, auctioneer licensing, professional licensing board, board membership, gubernatorial appointments, consumer members, public at large, Public Service Commission district, East Baton Rouge Parish, venue, domicile, licensure requirements, licensed auctioneer, occupational licensing, state board governance, Act 138, home inspectors, licensing, term limits, Louisiana State Board

Bills: SB266 , SB287 , SB266 , SB287

Committee: Senate Tourism

Keywords: contract review, legislative oversight, state agencies, funding transparency, professional services, Sheriff, Barbour County, law enforcement, qualifications, training, executive education, Covington County, Alabama constitutional amendment, local amendment, carbon dioxide sequestration, carbon capture and storage, CCS, Class VI well, underground injection well, Underground Injection Control Program

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• Alabama Association of Volunteer Fire Departments, the Alabama Fire Fighters Association, the Professional
• Volunteer Fire Departments, Alabama Fire Fighters Association, Professional Firefighters Association

Bills: SB249 , SB259 , HB67 , HB214 , SB249 , SB259 , HB67 , HB214

Committee: Senate County and Municipal Government

Keywords: municipal tax, license fee, local tax increase, ordinance, public hearing, 30-day notice, municipal notice requirements, city council, town council, Alabama municipalities, Code of Alabama 1975, Section 11-45-2, open meetings website, newspaper publication, local government finance, tax transparency, fee increase, municipal ordinance procedure, University of South Alabama, Board of Trustees

Bills: HB2 , SB48 , SB64 , SB100

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance

Transcript Highlights:

• New Mexico, the state's association representing commercial real estate development and related professionals
• planning and thoughtful legislative action, can create new opportunities for Local firms and industry professionals

Bills: SB48 , SB64 , SB100 , HB2 , SB48 , SB64 , SB100

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance, special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP

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• Tab 1 is Senate Bill 36 on use of professional nursing titles by Senator Sharif.
• In fact, it does the opposite by requiring clarity, honesty, and professional identification.
• Certainly, we want to recognize people's professional abilities as well as their professional education
• Patients deserve to know who is providing that care and what their qualifications are.
• It is necessary to maintain public trust and professional standards.

Bills: S0036 , S0864 , S0268 , S0844 , S0514 , S1404 , S0914 , S1758

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Keywords: nursing title, advanced practice registered nurse, advertising, professional standards, disciplinary action, uterine fibroids, public records, health privacy, epidemiology, medical information, emergency department, physicians, privacy, personal information, sickle cell disease, sickle cell anemia, pain management, controlled substances, prescribing education, continuing medical education

Summary: The committee first considered SB 268, a public records bill for emergency physicians. A strike-all amendment narrowed and clarified the exemption, and the sponsor said it was intended to protect current emergency department physicians and eligible family members who submit a written request. Emergency physician Dr. Sean Patterson and several health care organizations supported the bill, citing threats, harassment, and safety concerns tied to mandatory reporting and patient encounters. The committee adopted the amendment and reported SB 268 favorably as a committee substitute. The committee then heard SB 514, creating the Doula Support for Healthy Births Pilot Program in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties for pregnant and postpartum women, with priority for those affected by substance use disorder. Members discussed how the Department of Health would implement the pilot, collect data, and work with existing maternal health partners. An amendment changed the funding source to specific appropriations in the General Appropriations Act. Supporters said doula care can improve maternal and infant outcomes and help address Florida’s maternal health crisis. The bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 36, on use of professional nursing titles, drew extensive debate over whether nurses with doctoral degrees should be able to use the title “doctor” in clinical and advertising settings while clearly identifying themselves as nurses. The sponsor said the bill was about transparency and patient clarity, while several senators raised concerns that patients could confuse DNPs with physicians. Supporters from nursing groups said the bill protects earned credentials and does not expand scope of practice. The committee adopted an amendment aligning the bill with the House version and reported SB 36 favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also reported favorably SB 864, creating a public records exemption for uterine fibroid research data; SB 844, requiring continuing education on sickle cell disease care management for certain health professionals; SB 1404, revising memory care licensing for assisted living facilities; and SB 914, clarifying dry needling authority for occupational therapists. Finally, the committee took up SB 1758, a broad public assistance bill affecting Medicaid and SNAP. The sponsor described reforms including stronger fraud enforcement, a Medicaid work requirement for certain able-bodied adults, expanded behavioral health services through a waiver, pharmacy program changes, and SNAP fraud reduction measures. Members questioned the work requirement, implementation costs, eligibility verification, and due process concerns, while the sponsor said the bill would require federal approval and legislative review before implementation. Three amendments were adopted to adjust drug list update timing, expand public testimony on the high-cost drug list, and require faster prior authorization responses with a temporary supply in emergencies. The transcript cuts off before the final disposition of SB 1758.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2025, the Professional Educator Standards Board, or PESB, adopted revised competencies for the literacy
• Secondly, requiring some teachers to renew their certificate with specified professional learning isn't
• Secondly, requiring some teachers to renew their certificate with specified professional learning isn't
• My name is Anna Karen Huffman, and I'm with the Professional Educator Standards Board.
• So you're speaking to a speech-language pathologist professionally.

Bills: HB1295 , HB2007 , HB2262 , HB2636

Committee: House Education

Keywords: reading instruction, structured literacy, early literacy, dyslexia, phonics, phonological awareness, language comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, oral language, orthographic knowledge, multi-tiered system of supports, MTSS, screening assessments, intervention, reading intervention, elementary education, kindergarten, first grade, second grade

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• House Bill 2524 seeks to create stability and professional.
• And this will certainly professionalize this field.
• Recognizing security guards as essential public safety professionals.
• The expectations play Instead of professionals trying to do our job safely.
• House Bill 2524 is about safety, professionalism, and respect for the work that we do.

Bills: HB2513 , HB2524 , HB2611

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: plumbing contractor, plumber, license suspension, credential suspension, administrative penalty, infractions, repeat violator, consumer protection, residential plumbing, construction licensing, Washington Department of Labor and Industries, advisory board of plumbers, plumbing certificate fund, code enforcement, professional licensing, trade regulation, security, regulation, employment standards, security guards

Transcript Highlights:

• access program and a covered lives assessment to leverage state and federal funds to increase professional
• It increases professional service rates that are not reimbursed at or above Medicare rates as of December

Bills: HB2251 , HB2254 , HB2385

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: climate change, commitment act, emission reductions, sustainability, environmental policy, HB 2254, Washington, Health Care Authority, partnership access line, psychiatric consultation line, first approach skills training, behavioral health, mental health, assessment, administrative costs, health insurance, health carriers, self-funded plans, multiple employer welfare arrangement, MEWA

Bills: SB89 , SB54 , SB127 , SB128 , SB77 , SB78 , SB100 , SB101 , SB102 , SB103 , SB113 , SB126 , SB122 , SB136

Committee: Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

Keywords: pilotage, commission, statewide laws, maritime regulation, repeal, sunset law, Alabama Surface Mining Commission, environmental regulation, mining, state commission, Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling, state agency, continuous operation, government efficiency, sickle cell disease, healthcare, regulatory commission, public health, 911 services, 911 Board

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't believe that professional boards should be able to condemn property.

Bills: SB45 , SB61 , SB222 , HB385

Committee: House Boards, Agencies and Commissions

Keywords: athlete agents, commission, state regulation, Alabama, higher education, athletics, membership diversity, school psychologist, school psychology, interstate compact, licensure compact, license reciprocity, portable license, equivalent license, professional licensing, psychology board, school mental health, student services, educational services, interstate practice

Transcript Highlights:

• But there's also large numbers of teachers that are getting professional development training.
• We believe this bill misapplies the construction tools of bonding to a professional services role.
• Policies that reflect the distinct role of professional project managers in public construction.
• Professionalism.
• I stress that this is a topic that is near and dear to me personally, as well as professionally, as a

Bills: HB178 , HB178 , HB1551 , HB1939 , HB2040 , HB2354 , HB2674 , HB3029 , HB3460 , HB3631 , HB3662 , HB5201 , HB5381

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: efficiency audit, political subdivision, tax rate, fiscal management, government accountability, Texas education, public schools, curriculum, social studies, high school graduation requirements, State Board of Education, Education Code, ethnic studies, world history, world geography, U.S. history, government, economics, personal financial literacy, free enterprise

Bills: HB178 , HB1551 , HB1939 , HB2040 , HB2354 , HB2674 , HB3029 , HB3460 , HB3631 , HB3662 , HB5201 , HB5381 , HB178

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: Texas education, public schools, curriculum, social studies, high school graduation requirements, State Board of Education, Education Code, ethnic studies, world history, world geography, U.S. history, government, economics, personal financial literacy, free enterprise, religious literature, Hebrew Scriptures, Old Testament, New Testament, ninth grade

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Barrault provides relative to artificial intelligence to require a health care professional
• It provides that a health care professional disclose the use of any recording device, software, or service
• This is lived professional experience.
• 962 by Chairman Miller, relative to the administration of medication by a nurse, to provide for qualifications
• Relative to the administration of medication by a nurse, to provide for qualifications to administer

Bills: HB414 , HB457 , HB475 , HB611 , HB616 , HB740 , HB897 , HB925 , HB926 , HB931 , HB949 , HB962 , HB1076

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: healthcare, criminal convictions, employment, background checks, prohibited offenses, consent, recording, artificial intelligence, patient rights, pregnancy help centers, healthcare services, licensure, Department of Health, medical services, counseling, regulatory compliance, public health, healthcare data, privacy, pregnancy services

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also leading advocacy efforts with AZHPE, which is Arizona's Professional Association for Physical
• I'm also leading advocacy efforts with AZHPE, which is Arizona's Professional Association for Physical
• Professional memberships, by the way, my name is Jeannie Cassstein, and I'm with Secular AZ.
• Professional members should not be dictated by personal bias. That is exactly what HB 2008 does.
• These professional organizations and oversight agencies exist to maintain rigorous professional standards

Bills: HB2008 , HB2075 , HB2203 , HB2395 , HB2409

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Senate Education Committee of Reference

Keywords: school libraries, public school libraries, library funding, professional associations, library associations, librarians, information services, dues, membership fees, public monies, school governing body, county free library district, municipal library, library contracts, library services, books and programs, Arizona education, Title 15, Library Freedom Act, school district transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• monitoring, and investigations of former guardians, and grants the Office of Public and Professional
• Senators, CS for Senate Bill 36 on professional nursing titles.
• In fact, it does the opposite by requiring clarity and honesty and professional identification.
• And currently right now for nurses that hold their professional titles, we wanted to make sure that we
• While there are doctors who specialize in sickle cell disease, many health care professionals receive

Bills: S0006 , S0036 , S0560 , S0778 , S0844 , S0864 , S1002 , S1016 , S1022 , S1030 , S1630

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Keywords: child welfare, negligence, settlement, injury compensation, Department of Children and Families, nursing title, advanced practice registered nurse, advertising, professional standards, disciplinary action, psychotropic medication, community-based care, liability insurance, forensic services, defendants, mental health, judicial system, defense, legal definitions, sickle cell disease

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a bill to do professional loan repayment in the medical fields.
• The bill... ...health professionals.
• What is left over can then go to allied health professionals.
• They would fall in the other allied health professionals at $40,000 a year.
• We oversee the health professional loan repayment program as it exists now.

Bills: SB20 , SB111 , SB211 , SB218 , SB14

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Keywords: prior authorization, pharmacy benefits manager, PBM, health insurer, prescription drugs, step therapy, formulary, auto-adjudication, electronic portal, appeals, medical necessity, serious mental illness, mental health, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, cancer, autoimmune disorder

Transcript Highlights:

• The last rate increase for the iBudget waiver direct support professionals was about three years ago.
• eligible foster youth and former foster youth's development of independent living, workforce, and professional
• eligible foster youth and former foster youth's development of independent living, workforce, and professional
• eligible foster youth and former foster youth's development of independent living, workforce, and professional
• Development of independent living, workforce, and professional skills.

Bills: S0068 , S0096 , S0340 , S0428 , S0606 , S1480 , S7018

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Keywords: pediatric care, emergency departments, hospital regulations, patient safety, health care standards, veterans, dental care, healthcare, grant program, income assistance, human trafficking, nurse licensure, registered nurse, RN, licensed practical nurse, LPN, Florida Board of Nursing, Department of Health, licensure by examination, nursing education

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services heard public testimony on concerns about changes to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program and the iBudget waiver, including warnings that HIV patients could lose access to medications and that direct support providers need a rate increase. Senators discussed possible alternatives such as medically needy coverage and FQHC/340B access, and a witness urged the legislature to delay implementation of the HIV-related changes and restore funding. Another witness asked for support for a modest increase for iBudget direct care providers. The committee then considered and reported favorably several bills. SB 428, by Sen. Yarborough, expands the state swimming voucher program from ages 0-4 to ages 1-7 to align with drowning-prevention guidance; it passed without opposition. CS/SB 68, by Sen. Harrell, requires hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric emergency care policies, training, equipment standards, and readiness assessments; an amendment aligning reporting dates with the House version was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. CS/SB 1718, by Sen. Grall, makes the Step Into Success foster youth pilot permanent, adjusts visitor/background screening rules for out-of-home placements, and modifies stipend provisions; it also passed favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 606, by Sen. Smith, which adds drowning-prevention and safe-bathing education to postpartum materials and requires hospitals and birthing centers to keep compliance records. CS/CS/SB 96, by Sen. Sharief, expands eligibility for the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program up to 400% of the federal poverty level; an amendment removed the $500,000 appropriation so funding can be handled in the budget process, and the bill passed. CS/SB 340, by Sen. Harrell, requires nursing education to include a human trafficking course before licensure, and CS/SB 1480, by Sen. Burton, creates a grandfathering process for certain health care providers in areas of critical need if federal designations change; both were reported favorably. The committee adjourned at the end of the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• requirement to complete the educator literacy training program or an equivalent program approved by the Professional
• currently in use and adoption or updating of compliant literacy curricula, and a plan for providing professional
• currently in use and adoption or updating of compliant literacy curricula and a plan for providing professional
• Access to the educator literacy training program, professional development aligned to the literacy curriculum
• While this makes sense if you were having a mandate for implementation and professional development to

Bills: HB1295 , HB2262 , HB2551 , HB2593 , HB2594 , HB2636

Committee: House Education

Keywords: reading instruction, structured literacy, early literacy, dyslexia, phonics, phonological awareness, language comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, oral language, orthographic knowledge, multi-tiered system of supports, MTSS, screening assessments, intervention, reading intervention, elementary education, kindergarten, first grade, second grade

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires that district professional development systems must have Yes.
• It requires that district professional development systems must include at least one autism-specific
• public school classroom across the state, regardless of local context, instructional goals, or professional
• I'm not sure how we can improve education that much through personal or professional development with
• I'm not sure how we can improve education that much through personal or professional development with

Bills: S0124 , S0206 , S0420

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

Keywords: Florida Virtual School, FLVS, virtual school, online education, distance learning, K-12 education, public school choice, charter-like franchise, student enrollment priorities, home education, homeschool, military families, active duty military, rural schools, inner-city schools, accelerated graduation, education technology, supplemental funding, direct-support organization, foundation