Florida bill creates issues for local contractor licensing in Monroe County

A new bill from the Florida legislature regarding local contractor certification rules has led to a licensing crisis in Monroe County, officials say. The bill dictates that a local government may not require contractor licenses for jobs that do not “substantially correspond” to the scope of specified contractor categories. Under the bill, local governments may not enforce licensure for painting, flooring, cabinetry, and other related services that fail to fit the categories. Local government officials have expressed concern, noting that if the legislation is implemented as it stands, the public will have to be informed about the dangers of unlicensed contractors. Read more at Keys Weekly.

PEPSC moves forward with NC teacher licensing, pay reform

North Carolina’s Professional Educator Preparation and Standards Commission (PEPSC) is considering a new proposal that would overhaul teacher licensure and pay in the state. The model, which has been put together by PEPSC’s subcommittees over the past year, would require teachers to meet certain criteria in order to upgrade their licenses and raise their salaries. PEPSC’s latest update to the model includes changes to these criteria as well as a provision saying additional methods to evaluate teacher effectiveness could be used in the future. It also changes some of the pay rules, including how teachers earn their raises. Read more at EdNC.

ADA drafts model legislation for interstate dental licensing

The American Dental Association (ADA) is currently drafting model legislation in an attempt to achieve greater licensure portability in dentistry. The legislation, which has been drafted by a team of ADA staff members and other stakeholders, aims to create a model for an interstate dentistry licensing compact. The effort was made possible in part by grant funds from the U.S. Department of Defense, which has recently pushed for interstate compacts in an effort to simplify licensure for military spouses. Next steps will include creating a legislative resource kit and encouraging state congresses to create legislation that follows the ADA’s model. Read more at ADA.org.  

New bill would allow small US marijuana growers to market directly to consumers

A new bill aiming to help small cannabis growers compete against larger companies when the drug is federally legalized has been filed in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Small and Homestead Independent Producers (SHIP) Act would allow small marijuana growers to market and sell directly to consumers, eschewing third-party vendors. Though cannabis is not federally legal now, Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA), one of the bill’s sponsors, said that legalization is an “inevitability,” and that Congress should create regulatory policy making implementation easier for small and large businesses alike when it happens. Read more at Marijuana Moment.

Bank regulators call for cryptocurrency rules by year’s end

International banking regulators are currently pushing for the adoption of a cryptocurrency regulation model by the end of the year. In the wake of a financial crisis, leaders involved with the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision have created a series of reforms for the banking sector known as Basel III. The regulators emphasized that the rise of inflation and the tightening of financial conditions around the world have made implementing crypto regulation an urgent necessity. The Basel Committee is being asked by its oversight group to finalize crypto rules that would promote “responsible innovation” without risking “financial stability.” Read more at Advisor’s Edge.

In other news…

• Tasmania’s House of Assembly has passed a bill intended to boost labor mobility within the state and across Australia. The Occupational Licensing (Automatic Mutual Recognition Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022 would make it easier for Tasmanian professionals to work in different states and territories – a process that has typically involved fees and extensive paperwork. The bill now must pass through the Legislative Council before it can be implemented.
• New Jersey’s State Board of Chiropractic Examiners permanently revoked Archer Irby’s license after finding the chiropractor guilty of professional misconduct with at least four female patients. Dr. Irby was found to have inappropriately touched the patients in addition to making lewd and suggestive comments toward them. The Board noted that permanent license revocation was the only appropriate response to the misconduct.

Also noteworthy: 

• Modernizing government IT requires a new mindset (GovTech)
• New study identifies main drivers of government investment in clean energy innovation (ScienceDaily)
• Four strategies to alleviate health care staff burdens amid labor shortages (Medical Economics)

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