Agency leaders reported a busy year and outlined near‑term obligations and operational changes.

Executive staff said the agency is preparing a five‑year strategic plan due to the Legislative Budget Board and the governor’s office by June 1, 2026, and a legislative appropriations request due in August 2026 for the fiscal 2028–29 biennium. Deputy executive director Leticia Capel reviewed budget timing (state fiscal year Sept. 1–Aug. 31) and said the agency’s operating budget is about $4,900,000 per year while revenue collections total about $9,200,000 for the year as presented to the board.

Licensing staff reported technical and process changes: military applicants may apply online, renewal deficiency notices will show in the portal, about 14,000 licensees will be selected for pre‑renewal background checks and inspections are scheduled through January 2026. Investigations staff said the investigations team is fully staffed with recent hires, completed more than 12,000 investigations in the last fiscal year and handled 330 cases since the last meeting.

Board members asked whether the investigations increase reflects specific trends; staff said the complaints are varied and not concentrated in one area, and reminded licensees to maintain continuing education records. Leaders asked board members to sign up as ISC volunteers and to recruit volunteers for DRP and other duties.

Staff noted several open positions in licensing and legal divisions; a new staff attorney (Nicole Gray) recently started in the legal division.