Sen. Johnson backs repeal of state licenses for four occupations, committee asks for study substitute

Sen. Johnson told the Senate Economic Development and Workforce Services Standing Committee that SB 327 repeals state licensing chapters in Title 58 for four occupations—commercial interior designers, court reporters, deception‑detection practitioners and music therapists—because other rules and market forces, not state licensing, govern safety and professional standards.

"Licensing should be reserved for professions where there is a clear demonstratable risk to public health or safety," Sen. Johnson said, arguing the four occupations do not meet that threshold and that removing state mandates would reduce unnecessary barriers to entry.

Sen. Owens and other committee members questioned the bill’s likely impact on industry recognition and whether the Department that conducts occupational licensing had been consulted. Sen. Milner suggested a middle path: substitute the bill to ask the relevant licensing reviewers to study these occupations and return recommendations next year. John England of the Libertas Institute testified in support, saying the group had spoken with licensing officials and wanted the Legislature to move faster than an extended review cycle.

Sen. Milner moved that the committee favorably recommend SB 327 to the Senate with a request that the sponsor substitute the bill so that licensing reviewers (referred to in testimony as DOPL) study the professions and report back. The committee approved the motion; the transcript records a 3–1 tally on the recommendation.

What’s next: The committee’s recommendation advances SB 327 to the full Senate; the substitute direction asks licensing reviewers to perform a year‑long study so lawmakers can consider a revised bill informed by that analysis.