Subcommittee advances licensing‑reform bill that moves hearing‑aid, geology, auctioneers and cemetery oversight to Secretary of State

Representative Reeves presented House Bill 12 54 (LC560622S), a wide regulatory reform package that reorganizes administration for four licensee groups — hearing‑aid dispensers, professional geologists, auctioneers and cemeterians — moving many functions to the Secretary of State’s Professional Licensing Division while preserving licensure standards and consumer protections.

On hearing aids, the substitute would repeal a standalone hearing‑aid board, add two hearing‑aid dispensers to the State Board of Examiners for Speech‑Language Pathology and Audiology, and remove a separate dealer license for storefronts. Ralph Jackson (hearing professional and IHS representative) asked for more time to review the substitute and emphasized consumer protection; Gwen Cantrell and her son Brock (practitioners and state board participants) supported the amended approach that retains a clinical seat and practitioner representation.

The bill moves the professional geologists board to the Secretary of State while codifying objective ASBOG exam, degree and experience requirements; Jim Renner (professional geologist) said earlier concerns were addressed after meetings with the governor’s office. It moves auctioneers into the professional licensing division, preserves individual licenses, repeals the auction‑company license, and changes the recovery fund administration (no new contributions after 07/01/2026; fund to be transferred when balance drops below $10,000).

Cemeterians would move to the Secretary of State Securities Division; the bill adds an advisory group to assist with cemetery receiverships and requires business‑continuity plans for affected cemeteries. Several cemetery witnesses (Cliff Dempsey, Tim Smith) sought continued conversations on board structure and consumer protections.

After public comment and member questions the subcommittee voted to report HB 12 54 "do pass" to the full committee and scheduled it for the 2:00 p.m. session.