(Feb. 16, 2023) – Today, the House Committee on Commerce, Labor and Economic Development, chaired by Representative Sean Tarwater (R-Stilwell), held a hearing on House Bill 2388. The legislation requires that licensing bodies promote verified electronic credentials to credential holders, including military service members and others, receiving Kansas credentials based on their credentials from other jurisdictions, and use of centralized electronic credential data management systems with instantaneous credentialing verification and an auditable record.

Proponents:

• Colton Gibson, Alliance for State Providing Interoperable Reciprocity.

Neutral conferees:

• Carol Moreland, Kansas State Board of Nursing, expressed concerns about data security and privacy, technical issues, implementation and adoption, cost, and loss of customization and functionality.

The committee worked House Bill 2292, the apprenticeship tax credit bill. The committee amended the bill to not require seven consecutive months of employment but instead is based on the probationary period and added health care apprenticeship language. The bill was recommended favorably for passage as amended and now goes to the House floor.