Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Rocky Adams, Senator Wilson, Senator Yates, Representative Bridges here, Representative Gordon
• My co-chair, Senator West. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Jonathan Scott, legislative regulatory adviser, DMS. Thank you all very much.
• Senator Stephen West asked about KAR 205.
• /c> Scott, uh legislative regulatory Scott, uh legislative regulatory adviser,<00:48:15.280> DMS.

Keywords: 0:22 – Roll Call 0:30 – Approval of minutes 1:04 – Department of Veterans Affairs 2:06 – Board of Pharmacy 3:20 – Board of Optometric Examiners 39:26 – Board of Nursing 40:07 – Board of Emergency Medical Services 41:52 – Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources 44:36 – Transportation Cabinet: Department of Vehicle Registration 45:36 – Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control 47:00 – Cabinet for Health & Family Services: Department for Medicaid Services 49:59 – Cabinet for Health & Family Services: Department for Community-Based Services, 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee approved the minutes from the previous meeting and then took up several regulations. The first was a Department of Veterans Affairs regulation, with a staff amendment, to allow nurse practitioners to apply for the Veterans Affairs nurse loan repayment program year-round and to make technical drafting changes. The committee heard from the Office of Kentucky Veteran Centers, then adopted the staff amendment and approved the regulation without objection. The main item of the meeting was the Board of Optometric Examiners’ proposed amendment to 201 KAR 5:010, which would allow applicants to use the Optometry Examining Board of Canada written exam in place of part one of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry exam for licensure. The board said the change would improve access to care, provide an additional pathway for Canadian-trained candidates, and still require applicants to pass the remaining national board parts. Opponents, including NBEO officials, ARBO, Pearson VUE, and several optometrists, argued the Canadian exam is not equivalent, does not test the same biomedical science content, is not validated for U.S. scope of practice, and raises concerns about test security, transparency, and portability across states. They urged the committee to find the amendment deficient or vote no. Committee members questioned both sides about prior communication with the board, whether Kentucky would be the first state to adopt such a change, the rationale for the proposal, and the cost difference between the exams. Supporters said the board had received some written comments and one phone call, and that the proposal was driven by access concerns and the presence of Canadian students. Opponents said they had not had direct discussions with the Kentucky board before the hearing. No final vote on the optometry regulation is reflected in the transcript excerpt, but the committee heard extensive testimony and rebuttal before moving on.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of these bills are probably not going to agree perfectly with the Senate.
• >> Vice<00:40:07.480> Chair<00:40:07.720> Scott. >> Vice Chair Scott.
• Chair and Representative Scott, >> Mr.
• Senate File 856. Senate File 856.
• and we don't always think the Senate and we don't always think the Senate does<01:15:12.000>

Bills: HF3489, HF3393, HF3785, SF856, HF4006, HF4615, HF3919, HF4591, HF3682, HF4240

Keywords: grooming, child protection, student safety, sexual exploitation, educator licensing, teacher discipline, mandatory reporting, mandated reporter training, school misconduct, predatory offender, child abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, position of authority, school employee, school administrator, license revocation, license suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• And then John Scott. And then John Scott. Mike George is with DPS, I believe. All right.
• Okay, thank you, Scott. Mr. Hearn. Chief?
• Okay, thank you, Scott. Mr. Hearn. Chief? Okay, thank you, Scott. Mr. Hearn. Chief?
• We worked with Senator Schwartner, who was on the Sunset Committee, and then with Senator Paxson and
• So in the Senate...

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To unanimously pass payment withholding language, and I don't yet have a hearing scheduled in the Senate
• But the good news in all of this is that you saw with Tim O'Malley's report, this is stuff that goes
• So, big one from the House GOP, but also a hundred million from Senator Housley.
• So, big one from the House GOP, but also a hundred million from Senator Housley.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Mirror and I have lots has a bill that looked at high school redesign because honestly sometimes
• <01:10:29.440> Senator<01:10:29.840> Mirror<01:10:30.159> and piece of the puzzle
• Senator Mirror and piece of the puzzle.
• Senator Mirror and I<01:10:30.480> have<01:10:30.719> lots<01:10:31.440> has<01:
• members of the committee, my name is Tim members of the committee, my name is Tim McMillan<01:15

Bills: HF3650, HF2238

Keywords: student career pathways, education framework, experiential learning, employer engagement, career technical education, HF2238, Minnesota, workforce development, construction trades, youth skills training, youth apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, construction training, career and technical education, CTE, child labor laws, minor labor, labor exemption, workforce pipeline, skilled trades

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Scott: That was really helpful. I appreciate you just kind of walking through.
• Representative Scott: Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Uh seeing uh Representative<00:15:59.519> Scott.
• Representative Scott. Thank you, Mr. Representative Scott. Thank you, Mr.

Bills: HF601

Keywords: agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• on June 5, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.: that the Senate passed Senate 2; that the Senate agreed to a resolution
• <02:09:54.079> That that the Senate passed Senate 2.
• That that the Senate passed Senate 2.
• . former senator of the state of Michigan.<02:10:02.480> Senate<02:10:02.800> resolution
• Senate resolution 755 Michigan.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, June 8, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Berg, Senator Boswell, Senator Carpenter, Senator Carol, Senator Chambers Armstrong, Senator
• , Senator Storm here, Senator Thomas here, Senator Tishner, Senator Webb, Senator Senator West, Senator
• , Senator McDaniel, Senator Meredith, Senator Mills, Senator Neil, Senator Neimus, Senator Nun, Senator
• , Senator Wheeler, Senator Williams, Senator Wilson, Senator Wise. >> Senator Given, Senator Haron, Senator
• Senator from Scott. Senator from Scott. >> Thank you, Mr. President.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation and pledge, then completed the roll call and declared a quorum of 34 members. The chamber excused absent senators and approved the journal from Friday, January 9, 2026, without objection. No bills or resolutions were introduced at the first opportunity, and there were no orders of the day before the body recessed for a Rules Committee and Committee on Committees meeting. After reconvening, the Committee on Committees reported referrals: Senate Bill 38 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 9 to Health Services; Senate Bills 29 and 49 to Natural Resources and Energy; Senate Bills 10, 27, 40, and 51 to State and Local Government; Senate Bills 28 and 30 to Transportation; and Senate Resolutions 4, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 32 to the Senate floor. During announcements, one senator spoke at length in support of laws restricting transgender girls and women from competing in women’s sports, urging courts to uphold those laws in pending cases. Other members announced committee schedule changes and made several co-sponsorship requests, all accepted without objection. The clerk then reported new bills and resolutions, including measures on evictions during extreme weather, student journalist freedom, network authority, motor vehicle operation, the Kentucky Horse Park, the Autism Spectrum Disorder Trust Fund, pension oversight, financial training for local boards of education, health care workforce recruitment and retention, and tallow-based cosmetic products, along with two resolutions honoring Robert E. Bob Pernell, Sr. and former Governor Martha Lane Collins. The Senate then adjourned until 2 p.m. Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Zaffirini, you were next in Senator Kolkhoz. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Senator Hinojosa, and then Senator Becker. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Very well said, Senator Perry. Senator Campbell. Thank you.
• Scott, or Commissioner.
• That is correct, Senator.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

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:

• I see Senator Hoffner, Senator Hansen, and clearly I am here too as your chair, Senator Cruz.
• I see Senator Hoffner, Senator Hansen, and clearly I am here too as your chair, Senator Cruz.
• Thank you, Senator Hanson. Senator Party, I apologize.
• We have Senator Lachman with Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 342. Thank you, Mr.
• Thank you, Senator Hoffner. If no more questions at this point, I'll call up Scott Kiddner.

Bills: HB89, HB328, HB344, HB365, HB283, HB89, HB328, HB344, HB365, HB283

Keywords: home improvement, consumer protection, consumer fraud, dispute resolution, mediation, contractor registration, home repair, renovation, homeowner, building contractor, construction fraud, treble damages, attorney fees, Department of Justice, Division of Consumer Protection, Department of Labor, good faith, unfair trade practices, Delaware, regulations

Summary: The Senate Elections and Government Affairs Committee met in hybrid format, approved the June 10 draft minutes, and then heard a long agenda of bills. HB 89 (home improvement fraud dispute resolution) was presented as a consumer protection measure developed with DOJ to address contractor fraud, especially against vulnerable homeowners; members voiced support and asked to be added as sponsors. HB 283 updated realty transfer tax exemptions to use gender-neutral “spouses” language and add a direct grandparent-to-grandchild transfer exemption; it drew supportive public comment. HS1 for HB 390 would let DelDOT choose electronic-only bidding for projects, remove newspaper bid-opening notices, and clarify bidding records, with no opposition raised. HB 328/H.A. 2 modernizes the Register of Regulations statute, keeps newspaper distribution requirements, and delays some effective dates to 2027; it was described as a technical update. HB 365 would create the Delaware Indigenous Affairs Commission, prompting supportive testimony from Indigenous community members and some discussion about representation and internal tribal اختلافs, but no formal opposition. HB 423 would automatically enroll new state employees in the 457B deferred compensation plan unless they opt out, with exclusions for collective bargaining units and implementation tied to payroll readiness; it was presented as a retirement-savings measure. SS1 for SB 342 would modernize the Delaware Motion Picture and Television Development Commission to support a broader film/media incentive package, with support from the Delaware Arts Alliance and a request to help attract productions to Delaware. The committee also heard SB 331, a cleanup bill on garagekeeper liens for manufactured housing and related assets. The sponsor and an attorney explained it as clarifying who can recover funds and attorney’s fees in lien sales, but the Chief Magistrate and the manufactured housing association said the issue should be addressed more carefully and possibly in another section of code; they were open to further work. HB 436 would update the Smyrna charter, including school impact fees, election challenge procedures, vacancy rules, domicile standards, Board of Elections terms, and meeting schedules. HS1 for HB 376 made technical and organizational changes to the Millville charter, including a tiebreaker for municipal elections and a property tax cap, with the town solicitor saying there was little substantive change. HB 460 would require New Castle County municipalities to submit permit data monthly rather than on a much slower schedule, limited to closed permits with certificates of occupancy, to improve property assessment data; it was presented as part of broader reassessment/data-quality efforts. Public comment was heard on several items, especially HB 365 and SS1 for SB 342. Indigenous speakers supported the commission as a way to preserve heritage, improve representation, and create a formal seat at the table. The Delaware Arts Alliance supported the film commission modernization bill as part of a broader creative-economy plan. No recorded votes were taken on the individual bills in the transcript, and the meeting ended with a unanimous motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Cornyn. Wait, Senator Cornyn, did you want him to respond to it? No, go ahead.
• I have a question of the senator senator could you put him a little more meat on this bone?
• Like, for instance, Senator Scott and I were really concerned about xylosine.
• Senator Schiff? Aye. Senator Grassley? No. On this vote, the ayes are 10, the nays are 12.
• Senator Guerrero's amendment is heeded 12 to 10 will because of the vote in the Senate floor will adjourn

Bills: SB331

Keywords: fentanyl, controlled substances, drug trafficking, public health, research regulations, law enforcement, S-331, Halt All Lethal Trafficking and Fentanyl Act, fentanyl crisis, public testimony, drug legislation, bipartisan support

Summary: In this committee meeting, the focus was primarily on S-331, the Halt All Lethal Trafficking and Fentanyl Act, aimed at addressing the fentanyl crisis. The bill's key components include making permanent the class scheduling of fentanyl-related substances, confirming existing sentencing penalties, and easing registration requirements for scientific research on Schedule I substances. Numerous parents shared heartbreaking testimonies about their losses due to fentanyl, which fueled an urgent call to pass the legislation without alterations. The committee members engaged in passionate discussions highlighting the urgency of the situation as overdoses continue to claim American lives.

Transcript Highlights:

• Two years ago, Senator Anberg passed a bill that would require the registration of franchise brokers,
• Senator Quirk-Silva, aye; Assemblymember Caloza; Senator Haney; Assemblymember Ortega, aye; Senator Wallace
• Assemblymember Quirk-Silva, aye; Assemblymember Caloza; Senator Haney; Assemblymember Ortega, aye; Senator
• Assemblymember Quirk-Silva, aye; Assemblymember Caloza; Senator Haney; Assemblymember Ortega, aye; Senator
• Senator Wallace, Assemblymember Ward, aye. That will close out item number 11.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration heard a series of budget change proposals and trailer bill items, beginning with Housing and Community Development (HCD) requests. HCD sought permanent authority for seven existing temporary positions to support the HCD Connect IT system, and a separate proposal to fund implementation of eight 2025 housing-related laws with $4.2 million General Fund and 16 positions, plus $470,000 one-time General Fund. Members asked about how HCD Connect would interact with programs moving to the new Housing Development Finance Committee, and HCD also explained that the estimated cost to implement AB 1053 had been revised downward from about $6 million to $1.9 million because of shared implementation with CalHFA and the new committee structure. The committee also heard a Cal ICH proposal for $339,000 one-time General Fund to implement AB 678 on LGBTQ+ inclusive and culturally competent homelessness services, with testimony emphasizing data gaps and the need for a contract-based approach because HMIS cannot be changed unilaterally. The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation presented three continuation proposals: $15.34 million and 53 positions for the California Consumer Financial Protection Law program, $13.5 million and 51 positions for the Debt Collector Licensing Act program, and $49,000 ongoing for two positions in the broker-dealer/investment adviser education program. Members and the public raised concerns about the size and fairness of debt collector assessments and licensing fees, while DFPI explained the pro rata fee structure, the current license count, and how larger assessments fall on larger firms. Public testimony also supported retaining funding for the Student Loan Empowerment Network and requested funding for a franchise broker registration program. The committee also considered a mandate item involving suspension of a disclosure requirement related to property taxation, and trailer bill language from the Government Operations Agency to amend AB 91 on MENA demographic data collection, with the administration emphasizing data nondisclosure, protection of federal funding, and delayed implementation. The Secretary of State’s office then presented Help America Vote Act funding requests: $10.3 million for VoteCal maintenance and operations and $4.492 million for HAVA spending plans supporting voter education, training, accessibility, auditing, and county assistance. The office also requested $660,000 General Fund to implement AB 1392, which would make voter registration information for elected officials and candidates confidential, and explained the need to modify VoteCal and county election systems. The committee also heard requests to continue the Cal-Access Replacement System with $11.8 million General Fund and to continue the Notary Automation Program Replacement Project with $9.75 million from the Business Fees Fund. Members asked about total project costs, testing, data migration, and the expected November 2026 go-live date for Cal-Access replacement. Votes were taken on the vote-only items once quorum was established, and the committee approved the items considered. The final informational item was an overview from the California Arts Council, which highlighted the agency’s 50th anniversary, its statewide grantmaking, and the economic impact of arts funding. Council staff described Creative Corps, cultural districts, and the role of arts funding in local economies, while members and public witnesses urged increased support, including a request to raise local assistance grant funding to $50 million and to provide additional funding for cultural districts. Testimony emphasized the arts as economic infrastructure, community infrastructure, and a source of civic and cultural vitality across California.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am Senator Tim Lang from District 2, the Lakes Region.
• I am Senator Tim<01:02:14.559> Lang<01:02:14.880> from<01:02:15.040> District<01
• I am still Senator Tim Lang from District 2.
• Senate Bill 287 recognizing Senator Senate Bill 287 recognizing Senator Pearl.<04:55:18.560>
• Senator Pearl. Senator Pearl.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Seabaugh, here. Senator Pressly, here. Senator Barrow, here. Senator Myers, here.
• Senator Selders, here. Senator Stine, here. Senator Talbot, here. A quorum is present.
• Senator Stine, here. Senator Talbot, here. A quorum is present. Thank you.
• Senator Seabaugh. Yes. Senator Pressly. Yes. Senator Barrow. No. Senator Myers. Yes. Senator Stine.
• Senator Sebal. Yes. Yes. Senator Presley. Yes. Yes. Senator Barrow. No. No. Senator Myers. Yes.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Seabaugh, here. Senator Presley, Senator Barrow, Senator Myers, here.
• Senator Selders, Senator Stine, here. Senator Talbot, here. Four present. Senator Stine, here.
• Senator Abraham is at the table for his third bite at the apple on Senate Bill 358.
• Senator Abraham, the floor is yours. Yes, we're going to defer Senate Bill 358.
• Senator Pressly. Yes. Senator Barrow. No. Senator Myers. Yes. Senator Stein. Yes. Senator Talbot.

Summary: The Senate Labor Committee met on March 14 and adopted the prior minutes. It voluntarily deferred Senate Bill 358, which would have addressed workers’ compensation coverage for independent contractors and sole-proprietor subcontractors. Senator Abraham said the bill would instead be studied to determine whether such workers should be able to buy occupational accident coverage or be required to carry workers’ compensation coverage, particularly where no employees are involved. The committee then heard House Bill 456, which would expand and clarify workers’ compensation petition requirements and broaden employers’ and payers’ ability to file disputed claims beyond fraud and medical-director appeals to other disputes under the chapter. The bill drew strong support from business groups and strong opposition from injured-worker attorneys, who argued it would revive problems seen in 2012 when employers could sue injured workers without a ripe dispute, burden unrepresented claimants, and increase litigation and administrative costs. Supporters said it would improve access to the courts and help employers investigate questionable claims. After debate, the committee voted 5-1 to report HB 456 favorably, with Senator Barrow voting no. The committee also heard House Bill 549, which creates the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program, or Bayou Works, a proposed statewide workforce training grant program aimed at helping employers quickly train workers for specific skill needs. The sponsor and Louisiana Workforce Commission representatives said it would be privately funded, modeled on Michigan’s “Going Pro” program, and coordinated with technical colleges, apprenticeships, internships, and other workforce partners. Members asked about statewide reach, youth pipeline efforts, and timing; the department said implementation would likely begin later next year. The committee reported HB 549 favorably by unanimous consent and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Avila, here. Senator Bradley, here. Senator Collins, here. Senator Garcia, here.
• Senator Avila? Yay. Senator Bradley? Yes. Senator Collins? Yes. Senator Garcia? Yes. Senator Grall?
• Senator Avala? Yay. Senator Bradley? Yes. Senator Collins? Yes. Senator Garcia? Yes. Senator Grohl?
• If not, Senator Tina Scott Polsky [member_1047], you're at bat. Thank you very much.
• Senator Tina Scott Polsky [member_1047]. Yes.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections met to consider SPB 7016, a major bill revising Florida’s constitutional initiative petition process. Senator Grall presented it as a fraud-prevention and ballot-integrity measure that would add sponsor training, stricter circulator rules, more voter identification information, faster submission deadlines, notice to voters whose signatures are verified, and additional civil and criminal penalties. The committee also considered several amendments, including a $1 million bond requirement, font and page limits for petition forms, restrictions on incentive-based circulator pay, removal of a criminal-conviction prerequisite for certain fines, deposit and reimbursement procedures for supervisors of elections, invalidation of petitions gathered by ineligible circulators, mandatory circulator training, and a prohibition on public funds being used to advocate for or against constitutional amendments. All of the amendments were adopted, with some roll-call votes recorded and most passing on party-line or near party-line splits. The bill drew extensive questioning from senators, especially about the practical effects of the new requirements. Senator Polsky and Senator Rouson raised concerns about disenfranchising voters, burdening grassroots volunteers, the cost of bonds and deposits, the 10-day return deadline, and whether voters would be notified if a petition they signed was later invalidated. Grall said the measures were intended to protect the constitutionally significant initiative process, reduce fraud, and ensure sponsors—not taxpayers—bear administrative costs. Dave Ramba, speaking for supervisors of elections, supported the deposit and reimbursement concepts but warned that the bill’s implementation would be operationally difficult and that software vendors might not be ready for the changes by the effective date. He also said the process should avoid subsidizing petition drives with county taxpayer money. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers from Common Cause Florida, the League of Women Voters, the NAACP Florida State Conference, Florida Rising, Equal Ground, Voices of Florida, and other civic groups arguing the bill would suppress direct democracy, criminalize volunteer activity, impose excessive costs, and create confusion and litigation risk. One speaker from the Florida Chamber of Commerce supported the bill, saying the initiative process should be protected from fraud and outside interests. During debate, Senator Polsky argued the Legislature has steadily made the initiative process harder after recent citizen-led amendments succeeded, while supporters framed the bill as a necessary integrity measure. The committee had not yet taken final action on the bill itself by the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Stephen's Baptist Church in Scott. And whereas Bishop Robinson was referred to by Paul S.
• chairman of the Gospel Music Workshop of America Quartet Division, and whereas Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott
• resolved by the House of Representatives of the 95th General Assembly of the State of Arkansas, the Senate
• concurring therein, that the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring therein, remember Bishop
• They've been on the Senate end.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a quorum present, and several guests recognized, including state troopers, a doctor of the day, community groups, and students from the Arkansas School for Math, Science, and the Arts. The chamber then moved through routine business, including committee reports from Joint Budget recommending passage of several House bills, and the reading of bills and resolutions on the calendar. Two resolutions were adopted by unanimous or near-unanimous vote. House Resolution 1034, offered by Rep. Moore, expressed support for Arkansas poultry producers in the Illinois River watershed and urged a return to good-faith negotiations in the long-running Oklahoma litigation over nutrient management; it passed 97-0. House Concurrent Memorial Resolution 1001, offered by Rep. Steele, honored Bishop Kenneth Liddell Robinson, Sr. for his ministry, music, business leadership, and community service; it passed 98-0. The House also adopted several budget amendments to appropriation bills, including changes affecting education, public safety, county jail reimbursement language, agriculture fees, drug task force funding, pregnancy help organizations, and tire recycling language. The House then took up the budget calendar in batches. House Bill 1006, the appropriation for the Department of Labor and Licensing boards and commissions, passed 87-5 with four present. House Bill 1053, the appropriation for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, failed 71-19 with eight present. Four supplemental appropriation bills passed: HB 1086 for Pulaski County Technical College’s culinary facility, HB 1087 for the Racing Commission, HB 1088 for a DFA fire-protection disbursing officer, and HB 1094 for the homestead property tax credit. Several reappropriation bills also passed, including HB 1084 and HB 1097, but HB 1098, a Parks and Heritage reappropriation, failed after Rep. Henley spoke against it and the final vote was 0-85 with four present. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 11:00 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator Waters. >> Senator Waters.
• >> Senator<01:01:31.119> Waters. >> Senator Waters. >> Senator Waters.
• For the record, my name is David Roer, Senate Senator from Senate District 1.
• >> Senator<02:00:34.560> Waters. >> Senator Waters. >> Senator Waters.
• Senator Rosen. need to start doing it. Senator Rosen.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, and thank you, Senator.
• Did we see Senator Caballero?
• On Senate Bill 754 as currently drafted.
• Vice-chair Yes, senator. Thank you.
• Item 2, 466, yeah, 466, authored by Senator Caballero.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this is Senate Bill No. 192 by Senator Foil.
• Members, this is Senate Bill No. 192 by Senator Foil.
• Members, this is Senate Bill number 84 by Senator Myers.
• Senator Myers will take up Senate Bill 275 next. Dr.
• This is Senate Bill number 169 by Senator Talbot.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on April 29 with a quorum present and considered several insurance- and health care-related bills. SB 192, concerning dental reimbursement and payment methods, was amended to clarify opt-in for electronic acceptance and then reported as amended. SB 84, which expands prostate cancer screening coverage for men over 40 and bars cost-sharing, was also amended and reported as amended after testimony from the American Cancer Society supporting earlier detection and reduced out-of-pocket barriers. SB 275, dealing with reimbursement and network access for certified registered nurse anesthetists, was reported favorably with broad support from nurse anesthetists, hospitals, and related groups. SB 169, a biomarker testing cleanup bill, was amended to clarify legislative intent and reported as amended. The committee spent substantial time on two major drug-pricing bills. SB 401 would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board to study selected prescription drug prices, collect manufacturer and related pricing data, and report findings to the legislature; amendments narrowed the scope, addressed confidentiality, and delayed implementation. Supporters said it would provide transparency similar to Texas and help lawmakers understand drug pricing, while opponents warned about government overreach and confidentiality concerns. SB 387, the companion PBM reform bill, would restrict PBM compensation to flat fees and performance bonuses, require rebate pass-throughs, limit formulary practices, expand audit and reporting requirements, and create enforcement mechanisms; it was amended to delay implementation, refine definitions, and address ERISA-related concerns. Supporters argued it would curb PBM abuses and lower drug costs, while opponents from the Pelican Institute and PCMA said it would interfere with private contracts, reduce flexibility, and could raise premiums. After a roll call vote, SB 387 was reported with amendments. The committee also took up SB 241, which requires certain insurance adjusters and appraisers to include license numbers in written communications. After amendments narrowing the requirement to individual claims and public adjusters, the bill was reported as amended. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly raised concerns about unintended consequences, especially for cities, school boards, and other non-ERISA plans, and sponsors said they would continue working on the drug-pricing bills before floor consideration.