Bill No. 835, introduced by Senators Daniels and Lepak, establishes new procedures for state licensing boards, referred to as "qualifying boards," regarding their proposed actions that may have anticompetitive effects. The bill defines key terms, including "proposed qualifying actions" and "qualifying board," and mandates that any qualifying board intending to take non-rulemaking actions with potential anticompetitive implications must submit these actions to the Secretary of State for review. The Secretary of State is required to provide a written determination within sixty days, and the qualifying board must adhere to any recommendations made. Failure to comply with the Secretary's determination can result in misconduct charges against board members, leading to their removal by the appointing authority.

Additionally, the bill outlines specific actions that do not require submission to the Secretary of State, such as actions agreed upon by the respondent, those resulting from criminal convictions, or actions that do not affect a licensee's ability to work. The bill also allows qualifying boards to seek clarification from the Secretary of State on whether an action qualifies as a proposed qualifying action. This legislation is set to take effect on November 1, 2025.