Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, the why it matters: Kentucky is still continuing this chronic disease burden that is very high
• Kentucky is still continuing this<00:27:02.960><c> chronic</c><00:27:03.360><c> disease</c><00:27:03.760
• burden</c><00:27:04.080><c> that</c><00:27:04.240><c> is</c><00:27:04.400><c> very</c> this chronic disease
• burden that is very this chronic disease burden that is very high<00:27:04.799><c> and</c><00:27:05.039

Committee: House Health Services

Keywords: 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:38 - Discussion of 26RS SCR 9 22:00 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SCR 9 23:15 - Discussion of 26RS SJR 23 33:20 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS SJR 23 35:18 - Adjournment, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There'd be a lot less heart disease, a lot less strokes, and a lot less, frankly, even cancer.
• longer uh there'd be a lot<00:21:46.600><c> less</c><00:21:46.760><c> heart</c><00:21:47.000><c> disease
• </c><00:21:47.360><c> a</c><00:21:47.440><c> lot</c><00:21:47.640><c> less</c> lot less heart disease
• a lot less lot less heart disease a lot less Strokes<00:21:48.919><c> um</c><00:21:49.120><c> and</c

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• than the higher ed programs, and that's probably due to shared population differences, different diseases
• That's probably due to shared population differences, different diseases, and that kind of stuff, I'm
• than the higher ed programs, and that's probably due to shared population differences, different diseases
• than the higher ed programs, and that's probably due to shared population differences, different diseases

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hawthorne studied the cellular causes of rare diseases commonly termed childhood Alzheimer's.
• So, members, on behalf of families and patients alike dealing with this disease, I respectfully ask for
• It is important to remember the effects of this devastating disease and do all we can to combat it.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Excessive added sugar consumption is linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, heart disease,
• dietary environment for Californians and protecting them from early risk factors tied to cardiovascular disease
• type 2 diabetes, and obesity. ...and protecting them from early risk factors tied to cardiovascular disease

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Childhood cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among children in the United States.
• It is not a single disease, but more than 13 major types and over 200 subtypes of pediatric cancer, each
• Everyone in this chamber has a connection to this terrible disease, and today I want to highlight a story

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, opened with a Native American prayer/song and a moment of silence for former staff member Eric Washington, then proceeded through a series of procedural motions, guest introductions, and floor ceremonies. Members also recognized Assemblymember Ward’s birthday and welcomed several guests, including family members, business and community leaders, firefighters, and students. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to the Native American Day ceremony and adoption of ACR 208 by Assemblymember Ramos, which recognized California Native American Day and the California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference. Multiple caucus leaders spoke in support, emphasizing Native history, sovereignty, cultural preservation, missing and murdered Indigenous people, and the need to tell California’s history honestly. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 61 coauthors were added, followed by a ceremonial honoring of tribal elders and leaders. The Assembly also adopted several other resolutions and concurred in Senate amendments on multiple bills. These included ACR 126 designating the Captain Vida Anderson Memorial Highway, AB 1651 requiring disclosure of AI use in bar exam development, AB 2789 on mediation, AJR 27 urging federal disaster aid for Eaton and Palisades fire victims, and AB 2134 protecting local officials taking parental leave. Later, ACR 213 designated September 2026 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, HR 102 recognized Filipino American History Month, and ACR 230 proclaimed California Firefighter Appreciation Month and California Firefighters Memorial Day; all were adopted with broad support and many coauthors. The Senate file also began with SCR 136 on coastal protection and SJR 12 opposing offshore drilling, with debate reflecting strong environmental opposition and a dissenting view that the resolution was too absolute and could raise energy costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• an estimated 16,900 California residents were diagnosed with lung cancer, and 9,300 died from the disease
• have on program funding dealing with the tobacco tax, like Medi-Cal dental programs and then tobacco disease
• have on program funding dealing with the tobacco tax like Medi-Cal dental programs and then tobacco disease

Committee: House Health

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• research, with institutions that rely heavily on federal funding to drive breakthroughs in treating diseases
• anyone think this is a good idea—to cut research that can help cure cancer and other debilitating diseases
• Thank you. ...that can help cure cancer and other debilitating diseases.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate convened with routine opening business, including the Pledge of Allegiance and the filing of several reports, such as the Parole Board’s 2023 annual report and a fiscal year 2025 prior-year deficiency report from the Comptroller. Those reports were ordered placed on file. The remainder of the session was devoted almost entirely to a series of brief statements by the Senate President and many senators responding to what they described as federal actions under the Trump administration, especially immigration enforcement without due process, court defiance, and broader threats to democratic norms. Senators repeatedly condemned the detention and deportation of immigrants, students, researchers, and even some U.S. citizens, citing specific Massachusetts cases including Ramesa Ozturk of Tufts, Juan Francisco Mendez, Sunua Petrova, and others. Members also raised concerns about cuts to federal funding affecting Massachusetts, including NIH and university research, asthma prevention, education, climate resilience, and veterans’ services. Several senators tied these issues to the state’s economy, higher education, health care, and immigrant communities, and many invoked Massachusetts and American history to argue for due process, the rule of law, and resistance to authoritarianism. A few policy responses were mentioned, including support for increasing funding for the Attorney General to handle lawsuits, and references to bills or proposals such as the Immigrant Legal Defense Act, the Dignity Not Deportation Act, the Safe Communities Act, and the Location Shield Act. The Senate President also referenced the chamber’s broader “Response 2025” initiative. No substantive legislation was debated or voted on during the statements themselves, aside from the adoption of an order to adjourn and the setting of the next meeting for Thursday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have already proven success through fall prevention and chronic disease studies that show supervised
• diabetes, obesity,... ...and effectively improving outcomes in diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease
• The same model proves outcomes in diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and mental health.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered a wide range of public health bills, with much of the testimony focused on two major themes: expanding access to care and stabilizing health-related workforces and services. On House 2364, an act relative to medical health and fitness facilities, representatives from Dedham Health and Athletic Club argued for a pilot program recognizing supervised exercise as medicine, saying it could improve outcomes for chronic disease, fall prevention, and mental health while reducing costs. On House/Senate bills concerning community health workers (H. 359/S. 251), multiple witnesses from MACHW, Health Care for All, MHA, Cambridge Health Alliance, Mass General Brigham, Boston Children’s Hospital, Asian Women for Health, and the City of Somerville described CHWs as essential for navigation, trust-building, language access, and addressing social needs, and urged reimbursement by MassHealth, the GIC, and private insurers, along with workforce development measures. One pediatric neurologist also told the committee that losing grant-funded CHW support led to more avoidable ER visits and threatened clinic operations. The committee also heard extensive testimony on hospital closures and essential services. Witnesses including Dr. Alan Sager, MNA President Katie Murphy, nurses from Brockton Hospital and Providence Behavioral Health, and local officials and legislators from Norwood described the loss of hospitals and service lines, especially maternity, pediatric, and behavioral health care, and argued current closure processes are too weak to protect communities. They supported bills such as H. 2460/S. 1503 and H. 2534/S. 1574, which would require earlier notice, community input, stronger state oversight, possible receivership, and limits on reopening or expanding after closures. Testimony emphasized the impact of Steward’s bankruptcy, the closures of Carney and Neshoba Valley, and the need to preserve access to essential services in underserved areas. Several end-of-life and professional regulation bills were also discussed. On H. 2436, Representative Omar Gomez and funeral industry witnesses supported eliminating Office of the Chief Medical Examiner fees for the removal of a child’s body in cases involving children five and under, describing the bill as a small but important relief for grieving families. On H. 2444 and related Senate bills, cemetery and consumer advocates supported legalizing alkaline hydrolysis and natural organic reduction as environmentally friendly after-death options, while cemetery representatives opposed H. 2360, which would allow funeral establishments to operate crematories, arguing cemeteries should retain that role. The committee also heard support for H. 2382, which would exempt dentists and oral surgeons from a new office-based surgical center framework, and for H. 2461, which would create hospital efficiency standards; employers and retailers backed that bill as a way to address rising health care costs. Finally, the committee heard testimony on autism services and hospital governance. On S. 1414, behavior analysts and school representatives said Massachusetts already licenses assistant-level ABA providers but MassHealth does not reimburse them, causing long waitlists and limiting school and family access; an actuary testified that a three-tier ABA reimbursement model could reduce MassHealth costs by up to 6% per child served. Senator Lovely also testified in support of S. 1572, which would require at least one registered nurse on each acute care hospital governing board, arguing nurses’ frontline perspective would improve quality and retention. No votes were taken in the hearing excerpt, but many witnesses urged favorable reports on their respective bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Increasingly, physical activity could help prevent up to 80% of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, as well
• Serious mental illness and substance use disorders are real diseases just like any other disease, and

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call and opened with a prayer and pledge, then held a ceremonial observance for Jewish American Heritage Month. Assembly Concurrent Resolution 195 by Assembly Member Gabriel was presented with extensive remarks from members of multiple caucuses highlighting Jewish Californians’ contributions, the importance of solidarity amid rising antisemitism, and themes of tikkun olam and tzedakah. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 67 co-authors were added, and the chamber then recognized 14 honorees for their service in public life, philanthropy, media, faith leadership, education, and civic engagement. The floor also featured guest introductions and a procedural vote on Assembly Constitutional Amendment 9 by Assembly Member Borrero, which would add affordability as a required consideration in CPUC rate-making, remove telecommunications from the commission’s portfolio, create an office of broadband, and expand legislative appointments. The amendment was adopted. The Assembly then moved through a long third-reading file, passing measures including AB 1697 delaying implementation of a 2025 employment law, AB 2322 on stormwater permit definitions, AB 1653 on hearing-illness education, AB 2274 closing a loophole involving secrecy in trafficking cases, AB 2512 on Anaheim Angels naming language tied to a land exemption, AB 1956 prioritizing young men and boys in suicide prevention, and AB 2273 addressing prosecutorial handling of a local sexual abuse case. Additional bills passed included AB 1809 extending job order contracting for school and community college districts, AB 1970 banning step therapy for serious mental illness and substance use disorder medications, AB 1973 expanding practice authority for advanced practice clinicians, AB 2055 updating vessel law, and AB 2059 narrowing CEQA vehicle-mile-traveled mitigation for certain rural highway projects. The Assembly also adopted ACR 186 designating May 2026 as California Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being Month and H.R. 11 recognizing the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia after a lengthy debate that included support from several caucuses and some disagreement over the resolution’s framing of current threats to LGBTQ+ communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Increasingly, physical activity could help prevent up to 80% of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, as well
• Serious mental illness and substance use disorders are real diseases just like any other disease, and

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• directly responding to your question about the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase mutation, it's not a disease
• I wouldn't characterize it as a disease. It is not toxic. It is not deadly.
• And what I would emphasize again is that the mutation is not a disease, is not toxic, it is not deadly

Bills: HB3552 , HB2984 , HB4124 , HB3934 , HB3448 , HB3131 , HB4200 , HB4201 , HB3011 , HB1912 , HB3380 , HB3881 , HB3538 , HB3851 , HB3907 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB4457

Committee: House Health and Human Services Oversight

Keywords: childcare, differential pricing, Department of Human Services, child care subsidy, licensed providers, emergency legislation, child care, subsidy program, annual report, program integrity, overpayments, ivermectin, over-the-counter medication, pharmacy immunity, healthcare access, FDA approval, prescription, public health, dentistry, licensing

Summary: The committee took up a series of health, human services, and related bills. House Bill 3552, allowing child care providers to bridge the gap between subsidy reimbursement rates and standard tuition rates, was adopted and reported out 11-2. House Bill 2984, as a substitute, would direct DHS to compile a report on the child care system, including subsidy payment error rates, the number of facilities, closures, and voluntary closure feedback; it was reported out 14-0. House Bill 4201, changing master teacher requirements in child care from licensed capacity to actual enrollment, also passed unanimously. House Bill 3380, creating the Fostering the Future for Oklahoma Children and Families Act to modernize foster care data systems and improve outcomes, passed 12-0. House Bill 4430 and House Bill 4431, both cleanup measures tied to prior nurse practitioner/PA scope and pharmacy-related provisions, each passed 13-0. Several bills focused on health care access, regulation, and public safety. House Bill 4124 would allow over-the-counter ivermectin sales for human use with labeling and dosing information; after extensive questioning about safety, labeling, children, and liability, it passed 9-5. House Bill 3934, a large amended measure affecting dental practice and supervision rules, passed 14-0 after discussion about x-rays, telemedicine, and dental assistants. House Bill 3448, requiring insurance coverage related to group home provider liability for property damage, passed 14-0. House Bill 3131, setting baseline standards and oversight for homeless shelters with roles split between Commerce and Health, drew concerns about local control, temporary shelters, and fiscal impact, but passed 8-6. House Bill 4200, creating a revolving fund for forensic assertive community treatment teams to address the jail-to-homelessness cycle for people with severe mental illness, passed 11-3. The committee also advanced several public health, consumer, and industry bills. House Bill 1912, the Corn Masa Nutrition Enhancement Act, generated extensive debate over folic acid fortification, parental choice, MTHFR genetics, and potential health effects; with a PCS allowing a non-fortified option, it passed 9-5. House Bill 3011 repealed the home brewing license while keeping home-brewing limits and sales restrictions, and passed 11-3. House Bill 3881, the Alternative Nicotine Products Regulatory Act, increased application costs and removed a registry deemed inconsistent with federal law, passing 13-0. House Bill 3538, targeting pharmacy benefit manager vertical integration and its effects on access and pricing, passed 13-0 after discussion of mail-order restrictions and pharmacy closures. House Bill 3851, defining private label/control label alcoholic beverages under the three-tier system, also passed 13-0. House Bill 3907, requiring direct-hire staffing for facilities serving vulnerable adults and children with a short temporary staffing grace period, passed 13-0. The committee then moved on to House Bill 4457, a specialty-drug/PBM measure, with discussion beginning about PBM practices and specialty pharmacy access.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the future, these graduates will be standing in the gap between life and death, disease and health
• In the future, these graduates will be standing in the gap between life and death, disease, and health
• Disease and health. If you please, I'd love the body to make them welcome. Welcome to the House.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by a 134-0 roll call vote. Members then moved through a series of personal privileges and introductions of guests, including Turning Point USA chapters, CASA volunteers and staff, JAG students, university students, nursing students, interns, and other visitors recognized from across the state. On third reading, House Bill 1766, dealing with personal property tax treatment and new construction, was debated as a taxpayer relief measure. Supporters said it would treat personal property more like real estate under Hancock-style limits, while opponents warned it could reduce revenue for taxing districts. The bill passed 94-50. The House then took up House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2989, a major gaming bill aimed at cracking down on illegal “gray market” machines while creating a regulated local-option video lottery terminal system. Debate focused on enforcement, local control, consumer protection, revenue for education, veterans, and disability programs, and whether the bill effectively legalized gambling in a new form. A motion to send it to Fiscal Review failed 69-44, and the bill ultimately passed 83-66 with one present. The chamber next considered House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2014, the supplemental appropriations bill. The sponsor said it provides a little over $3 billion in additional authority for the rest of FY2026, including tax refunds, disaster response, St. Louis tornado relief, Medicaid-related spending, and Missouri Department of Transportation operations. Members discussed the size of supplemental spending, the use of federal and general revenue funds, and the first-time use of general revenue for the adult expansion Medicaid population. The House adopted an amendment reducing some unused Medicaid authority, then adopted the bill as amended and perfected it for printing. The session ended with announcements, including a notice that the Super Committee on Tourism would meet immediately in Hearing Room 6.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the U.S., about 300 children annually develop this horrific disease.
• In 2005, the compendium of measures to prevent disease associated with animals in the public setting
• In 2005, the compendium of measures to prevent disease associated with animals in the public setting

Bills: SB1082 , SB1200 , SB1335 , SB1336 , SB1559 , SB1761 , SB1762 , SB1785 , SCM1007

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Keywords: petting zoos, animal encounters, public health, handwashing, supervision, sanitization, safety regulations, civil penalties, water supply, groundwater, Phoenix, certificates, long-term storage credits, water conservation, municipal provider, replenishment obligation, water banking, annual report, Arizona Water Banking Authority, water supply management

Transcript Highlights:

• We included a definition, a CDC Centers for Disease Control definition for chronic health condition and
• We did it for rare diseases. Last year, two years ago, we included immunologic and biologic drugs.
• Patient conditions and disease severity and comorbidities can change over a year.

Bills: SB20 , SB21 , SB166 , SB177 , SB181 , SB189 , SM6

Committee: Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Keywords: prior authorization, pharmacy benefits manager, PBM, health insurer, prescription drugs, step therapy, formulary, auto-adjudication, electronic portal, appeals, medical necessity, serious mental illness, mental health, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, cancer, autoimmune disorder

Transcript Highlights:

• do to Can y'all expound on that, what we can do to eradicate the mosquitoes that are carrying this disease
• And on the bacteria side, it can carry Lyme disease, potential plague.
• that workshop, you actually have a discussion around the potential harm that insects can have and diseases

Bills: SB154 , SB187 , SB193 , SM3

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Keywords: insurance, wildfire, flood damage, natural disasters, property coverage, water projects, appropriation, New Mexico, finance authority, infrastructure, New Mexico Finance Authority, funding, SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law

Transcript Highlights:

• background, a worker who is injured in the course of employment or who is experiencing an occupational disease
• As we heard, under the current law, when a worker is injured or experiences an occupational disease and
• Occupational disease and is unable to work.

Bills: HB2355 , HB2151 , HB2372 , HB2472 , HB2409

Committee: House Labor & Workplace Standards

Keywords: labor protections, domestic workers, wage standards, employment rights, worker safety, factory built housing, commercial structures, national standards, construction regulation, building safety, workers' compensation, benefits, employment, injury claims, insurance, liability, fire protection, sprinkler systems, licensed contractors, certified fitters

Transcript Highlights:

• committed to delivering medicines for patients with cancer, immune disorders, and other serious diseases
• starting material for plasma-derived medications that treat rare conditions, including immunodeficiency diseases
• then used to make therapies for patients with immune deficiencies, bleeding disorders, neurological diseases

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2437, which would put the Department of Health’s authority to accredit opioid treatment programs into statute and allow the department to set a fee to cover the cost of those services. The prime sponsor and DOH said the bill would preserve a service that is especially important to tribal and rural providers and would be self-sustaining rather than supported by the general fund. Members asked about the relationship between DOH and HCA and whether the bill would duplicate existing authority; staff and the department said DOH already performs the accrediting role and the bill mainly formalizes that authority and fee-setting power. Public testimony on the bill was then closed. The committee then held an extensive work session on the federal 340B drug pricing program and later opened public testimony on House Bill 2145, which would prohibit manufacturers, distributors, and third-party logistics providers from restricting 340B drug acquisition or delivery and from requiring claims or utilization data as a condition of access. Committee staff and NCSL gave background on how 340B works, recent growth in the program, contract pharmacy issues, and state efforts in other jurisdictions. Testimony on HB 2145 was sharply divided: hospitals, community health centers, tribal representatives, contract pharmacies, and labor groups said the bill would protect safety-net providers, rural access, HIV and behavioral health services, and tribal programs from manufacturer restrictions; business groups, pharmaceutical companies, and employer coalitions argued the program has expanded beyond its original intent, lacks transparency, shifts costs to employers and taxpayers, and should be addressed through federal reform instead. No vote was taken in the excerpt. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2155, which would bar non-human entities from using nursing titles such as RN, APRN, or LPN or otherwise implying they are licensed nurses. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to protect patients from being misled by AI systems and to preserve transparency and public safety as health care technology expands. The Washington State Nurses Association testified in support, saying AI can be useful but should not replace nurses or be presented as a licensed professional. A member asked about enforcement and liability, and staff said they would follow up on those details.

Transcript Highlights:

• being heard, that there are solutions for them and for their neighbors that are suffering with the disease
• Adoptees may also face increased health costs to treat diseases which could have been prevented with
• Health costs to treat diseases which could have been prevented with the knowledge of their family history

Summary: The committee first took up SB 490 by Senator Umberg, which would require the Department of Health Care Services to investigate allegations of unlicensed sober living or residential recovery facilities within set timelines, issue notices promptly, and conduct follow-up site visits. Supporters, including a Garden Grove councilmember and the League of California Cities, said the bill would improve public safety, clarify enforcement, and address complaints about illegal operations in neighborhoods. County behavioral health representatives opposed the bill, arguing counties lack jurisdiction over these private facilities, could face liability and unfunded workload increases, and should not be pulled into enforcement responsibilities that belong to the state. After extensive discussion about whether the bill creates a county role or merely a pathway for local assistance, the committee passed SB 490 on an 8-0 vote and placed it on call for missing members. The committee then heard SB 381 by Senator Wahab, which would allow adult adoptees, and in some cases descendants of adoptees, to obtain their original birth certificates, create a contact preference form for birth parents, and remove current limits that omit certain birth information from amended certificates. The bill drew strong support from adoptees, birth parents, and advocates who said access to original records is a matter of identity, dignity, and health because it can reveal family medical history and cultural background. Several committee members expressed support for the goal but raised concerns about privacy, the potential emotional impact on birth parents, and whether the contact preference form adequately protects confidentiality. The author and supporters said the bill is narrowly tailored, that the form is nonbinding, and that many birth parents are open to contact; they also noted the bill had been amended to delay implementation and allow public notice. The transcript ends amid continued debate, with members indicating the bill would continue moving forward with further work, but no final vote is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, most of those people, the vast majority of these people, die of natural causes, heart disease Cancer
• can, without putting a mark on a body, do a CT scan and see if there's any trauma or any internal disease
• We can look at the soft tissues inside that body for trauma or disease in 4 out of 10 cases in my Patients

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 914, all