Video & Transcript Research : 'ACT'
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NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Feb 3rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Energy Transition Act. Welcome to the House. Thank you. Any other announcements?
- An act relating to health care requiring notice be provided to patients seeking medication abortions,
- An act relating to taxation providing a gross receipts tax credit against the state.
- It is an act relating to gaming, amending definitions in the Gaming Control Act to include allowable
- It is an act relating to professional licensure, enacting the psychology interjurisdictional compact.
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session - 2026-03-19 - 11:00AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We have S. 278, an act relating to cannabis.
- <00:08:49.560>
to We have H. 588 an act relating to We have H. 588 an act relating to professions - [clears throat] 762, an act relating H.
- H. 841, an act relating to miscellaneous animal welfare procedures.
- We have created 400 new jobs since the passage of Act 67.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
Senate in Session Mar 10th, 2026 at 05:02 pm
West Virginia Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Secondary Transition Awareness Act, and reports the same back with the recommendation that they each
- Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 4481, West Virginia Load Forecast Accountability Act.
- Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 5327, West Virginia ALS Care Services Act.
- Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 5327, West Virginia ALS Care Services Act.
- Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 5327, West Virginia ALS Care Services Act.
Summary:
The Senate first took up Senate Bill 155 on adjunct teaching permits. After adopting a Senate amendment to the House amendment, the chamber concurred in the House amendment as amended and passed the bill 33-0, with one member absent and not voting. The amendment was described as creating an exception so a criminal history check would not be required every year, and the bill was presented as a tool to help county boards fill vacancies, especially in shortage areas.
The chamber then received a large number of committee reports and advanced several House bills on first reading. These included measures on creating the Team West Virginia Corporation, establishing the West Virginia Collaboratory, the Foster Youth Post-Secondary Transition Awareness Act, business-ready site programs, volunteer fire company allowances, extending qualified opportunity zones, natural resource police retirement, PEIA treatment flexibility, PANS/PANDAS, ALS care services, abuse prevention, the respiratory care interstate compact, peer support services, tax lien sales, the Neighborhood Investment Program, bonds for the Science and Culture Center, and a comprehensive energy development policy and plan. Several bills were reported as amended by committees, and one energy bill was referred to the Rules Committee.
Additional committee action included reports on a bill to repeal the school-transfer eligibility protection, a load forecast accountability bill, oil and gas well plugging provisions, a TANF drug-screening extension, and a bill authorizing the Supreme Court of Appeals to create child protection commissioners. Most of these were advanced on first reading after unanimous consent. The Senate then moved to adjourn until the next day, with announcements of upcoming committee meetings before the chamber adjourned.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- lives, communities, and futures not yet visible, and we pause to remember that governing is a moral act
- Senate Bill 100, a bill to be entitled, an act relating to the Florida Statutes.
- Senate Bill 100, a bill to be entitled, an act relating to the Florida Statutes.
- A revisor's bill to be entitled, an act relating to the Florida Statutes.
- A bill to be entitled and act relating to administrative efficiency in public schools.
Summary:
The Senate convened with an opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognitions for the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Thomas Clem of Lakeland, and a large YMCA delegation visiting for the organization’s 175th anniversary. Senators highlighted the YMCA’s youth leadership programs and community service, and the chamber entered a proclamation recognizing the YMCA’s long service and its work in community support, youth development, and public health efforts.
The chamber then took up several bills on the special order calendar. Senate Bill 100 adopted the 2026 Florida Statutes and the 2025 regular session’s statute materials; Senate Bill 102 removed repealed provisions from the statutes; and Senate Bill 104, the general reviser’s bill, deleted obsolete language, updated cross-references, and corrected drafting errors. Each of those bills was advanced to third reading and passed unanimously, 36-0. Senators also passed Senate Bill 7010, which authorizes Roth post-tax contributions in state and local deferred compensation plans, also by a 36-0 vote.
Senate Bill 320, relating to administrative efficiency in public schools, drew the most substantive policy discussion. Its sponsor said the bill would reduce district-level mandates, expand teacher apprenticeship pathways, create longer-term teacher contracts and certificates, streamline salary supplements and assessments, increase flexibility in district finances and Title I use, adjust facility planning requirements, and shift oversight of district-run VPK programs. The sponsor emphasized reducing bureaucracy while preserving accountability and focusing resources on students; the bill passed 36-0. The Senate also withdrew Senate Bill 1720 from further consideration, waived rules to immediately certify all bills passed that day to the House, and adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.
NH
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction - 03/24/2026
Crime Victims, Crime And Correction
Transcript Highlights:
- The committee clerk now will read: S-2508, an act to amend the Correction Law in relation to conditional
- S-2508, an act to amend the Correction Law in relation to conditional release for eligible offenders
- The committee clerk will read: S-3746, an act to amend the Executive Law in relation to requiring at
- The committee clerk will read: S-7137, an act to amend the Correction Law.
- S. 7137 and acts to amend the correction law.
Summary:
The Standing Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction met under Chair Senator Julia Salazar and considered nine bills, with the first bill laid aside at the sponsor’s request for further stakeholder discussion. The committee then took up measures on correctional policy, including prohibiting county correction officers from dispensing medications to incarcerated individuals, expanding conditional release for eligible offenders who complete post-secondary degrees or programs, requiring at least one formerly incarcerated person on the State Board of Parole, and authorizing vocational training in solar hot water system installation for incarcerated individuals. Members generally expressed support for the rehabilitative and workforce-training goals of several bills.
The committee also discussed a bill directing a study of gender disparities in programming and resources between men’s and women’s facilities, with Senator Pete Harckham noting concerns from women in his district about unequal access to programming. Another bill would authorize transfer of pregnant and postpartum incarcerated individuals to residential treatment facilities, and a separate measure would establish emergency management release plans for correctional facilities during declared state disasters. The final bill would provide mental health counseling for correction officers and civilian staff in correctional facilities.
Most bills were moved by motion and reported from committee, often with Senator Dean Murray voting no or noting opposition/abstention on several measures. The conditional release bill was reported to Finance, while the others were reported from committee. No additional amendments or substantive votes were described beyond the committee actions on each bill.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, June 9, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- McDow to act as Speaker pro tempore on this day.
- We cannot allow DACA Promise Act.
- not acted on more aggressively? not acted on more aggressively?
- the Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act. the Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act.
- under the National Labor Relations Act. under the National Labor Relations Act.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, September 2, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , or Armor Act.
- <05:14:06.400>
The <05:14:06.560>Armor and Review Act, or Armor Act. - The Armor and Review Act, or Armor Act.
- Act comes at a very important time. The Act comes at a very important time.
- Jobs Act had been allowed to expire. Jobs Act had been allowed to expire.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee 2/18/25
Rules and Legislative Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Nash: So, the bill clarifies the language in the Data Practices Act, the definition of
- ><00:01:50.799>
uh <00:01:51.000>data <00:01:52.000>uh <00:01:52.799>um Act - the definition of uh data uh um Act the definition of uh data uh um private<00:01:53.880>
data - Practices Act as it relates<00:01:59.439>
to <00:01:59.520>the <00:01:59.600>interne - He didn't need a fiscal note to decide what he thought the Data Practices Act was supposed to mean.
- Practices Act as it relates<00:01:59.439>
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Fernandes, Massachusetts Maritime Academy Bright Act amendment.
- We all understand the importance of the Bright Act.
- President, we all understand the importance of the Bright Act.
- In the Bright Act, very important obligations.
- The Committee on Rules of the Two Branching Act, acting concurrently, reports a Senate order relative
Summary:
The Senate took up a higher education capital bond bill, House 4769, and considered a long series of amendments focused largely on campus facilities, housing, and related policy issues. Many amendments were adopted, including funding or project language for MassBay Community College HVAC and window replacement, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Springfield Technical Community College, Cape Cod Community College nursing/allied health expansion and housing-related land use, Worcester State University and Quinsigamond Community College, Middlesex Community College, Salem State’s Sullivan Building, Roxbury Community College’s Center for Economic and Social Justice, UMass Boston’s Manning College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and several Massachusetts State College Building Authority updates. Some amendments were rejected, including proposals on a sustainable hand hygiene incentive program, unlocking housing on surplus land, a Senator Bill Owen Center designation, Urban College of Boston, and a board membership change. A number of amendments were held or withdrawn during the process.
A major debate centered on an amendment by Senator Tarr to dedicate $300 million of surtax revenue to K-12 education, framed as a response to Chapter 70 funding concerns and the need to modernize school aid. Supporters argued that local districts face rising costs and that the state should set aside fair share revenue for school funding and future school building investments. Opponents said the bill was the wrong vehicle and noted the Commonwealth already dedicates substantial surtax revenue to K-12 programs. The amendment was defeated by roll call. Tarr also offered amendments on a safety valve for surtax revenue declines, equity analysis of surtax allocations, bond covenant requirements, and Chapter 62F taxpayer protections; those were not adopted. The Senate also adopted a separate amendment on AP credit policies at public higher education institutions, though the transcript reflects some procedural confusion around that vote.
After completing amendments, the Senate ordered the bill to a third reading and then passed it to be engrossed by a recorded vote of 38-0. Senators then adopted several extension orders giving committees additional time to report on pending bills, including Environment and Natural Resources and Municipalities and Regional Government. The chamber also adopted an order to meet again the following Monday at 11 a.m. The session concluded with a unanimous memorial adjournment in honor of Bolton Police Chief Luke Hamburger, followed by a brief statement recognizing Rare Disease Day and the challenges faced by patients seeking diagnosis and treatment.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- be relieved of S 322, which is an act be relieved of S 322, which is an act relating<00:06:01.440
- Uh, please listen to the first reading of the bill. an act relating to removing the power of an act relating
- an act relating to extending the sunset an act relating to extending the sunset of<00:07:09.120>
30 - We have on the calendar now S23, an act We have on the calendar now S23, an act relating<00:21:07.520
- This is an act relating to the use of synthetic media in elections.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 25 (2-11-26)
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 45, an act relating to agrism. Senator Webb.
- Senate Bill 180, an act relating to property valuation. Senator Mills.
- Senate Bill 184, an act relating to education reporting. Senator Tishner.
- Senate Bill 188, an act relating to railroad safety. Senator Webb.
- McDaniel. 187, an act relating to branch McDaniel. 187, an act relating to branch budget<00:29:48.159
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call establishing a quorum, and approval of the previous day’s journal. The House clerk then informed the Senate that the House had passed House Bills 49 and 470 and requested concurrence. The clerk also read the second-reading calendar, which included Senate Bills 45, 98, 118, 145, 153, 155, 158, and 160, all of which were sent to the Rules Committee. Committee reports placed several bills on the calendar, including SB 69, 56, 72, 57, 172, 9, 141, and 110, with various committee substitutes and title amendments noted. The Rules Committee later posted those bills for the next day’s regular orders, and the Committee on Committees made several referrals, including SB 41 to Appropriations and Revenue; SBs 124 and 152 to Education; SBs 125, 138, 162, and 170 to Judiciary; SJR 90 to Transportation; SBs 47, 104, and 159 to Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection; and Senate Resolutions 85 through 89 to the floor.
During floor business, members filed amendments and co-sponsorship requests, including amendments to SB 39 and SB 110 and co-sponsorships for bills such as SB 98, SB 172, SB 63, SB 135, SB 179, and SB 169. Senators also made several announcements and remarks, including notice of upcoming committee meetings, a reception for working families, the National Farm Machinery Show, and concerns about coal, energy affordability, and a constituent’s high utility bill. One senator called up Senate Resolution 82 for the next day, and the chamber adopted Senate Resolution 84, honoring Harriet Thompson of Winchester for her service to the Clark County Republican Women’s Club and the Republican Party.
New legislation was introduced, including SB 180 on property valuation, SB 184 on education reporting, SBs 185-187 on branch budget recommendations and branch budget bills, SB 188 on railroad safety, and SCR 96 to reestablish the disaster prevention and resiliency task force. No floor votes were taken on the bills themselves during this meeting beyond the adoption of SR 84. The Senate then recessed for committee meetings, returned, and adjourned until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2026.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, uh, bad, bad acts or, um, prior, prior crimes or bad acts can be offered in the, uh, open part of
- If the acts that you are referring to are other sexually violent acts, yes, we cannot use this.
- Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts committed by the defendant against the child.
- And so in talking about the Michael Morton Act. Yes sir.
- of violence that was actually documented was a part of a continuous set of violent acts.
Keywords:
HB 207, Texas Government Code, Section 411.201, license to carry, LTC, handgun license, concealed carry, federal judge, immigration judge, immigration court, U.S. immigration court, judicial security, firearm carry permit, Texas handgun license, federal judiciary, HB235, Texas, sales tax exemption, use tax exemption, disabled veteran
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- House No. 4815, pertaining to the town of Arlington, third reading of the bill: an act authorizing the
- Reports of a committee: the Committee on Rules reports that the two branches are acting concurrently
- The Committee on Rules reports that the two branches are acting concurrently on several Senate petitions
- Third reading of the bill: an act clarifying call firefighter rights, Senate No. 1915.
- Third reading of the bill: an act authorizing alternative members for the Conservation Commission of
Summary:
The Senate took up several local bills out of the orders of the day and advanced them through third reading and engrossment. These included a bill for Arlington allowing a town ballot question to increase off-premises liquor licenses, a Brookfield land conveyance bill amended by a substitute draft, a Beckett bill authorizing alternative members for the Conservation Commission, and a Swampscott bill authorizing a fall annual town meeting. The Senate also ordered to a third reading and then engrossed a bill clarifying call firefighter rights, after accepting a third-reading committee report recommending a new draft.
The chamber also acted on a House bill concerning teacher preparation and student literacy. After the House disagreed with a Senate amendment, the Senate insisted on its amendment and agreed to a conference committee, naming Senators DiDomenico, Lewis, and O'Connor as conferees. In addition, the Senate suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer several concurrent Senate petitions to committees, including a House petition on manufactured housing community accommodations in Attleboro, which was sent to the Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government.
The Senate adopted resolutions congratulating Owen Kirby and Jonathan Rothwell on attaining Eagle Scout rank. Later, the Senate gave final passage to two bills: the Agawam charter amendment striking a reference to the Board of Appeals, and the Arlington liquor-license bill. The session ended with adoption of an order to reconvene the following Thursday at 11 a.m. and to dispense with printing a calendar, followed by adjournment.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Civil Service and Pensions - 03/10/2026
Civil Service And Pensions
Transcript Highlights:
- The committee director will read the title: An act to amend the Retirement and Social Security Law in
- The committee director will read the title: An act to amend the Retirement and Social Security Law in
- The committee director will read the title: An act to amend the Retirement and Social Security Law in
- The committee director will read the title: An act to amend the Retirement and Social Security Law in
- An act on under retirement and social security law in relation to providing certain debt.
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Civil Service and Pensions met on March 10, 2026, with a quorum present and 11 bills on the agenda. The committee chair noted that all measures were recommended to be referred to the Finance Committee. The bills largely concerned retirement and pension-related changes for public employees, including increased military service credit, retirement rules for 911 operators and dispatchers, salary base determinations for NYC police pension members, retired firefighters serving as fire science instructors, borrowing from accumulated contributions for certain NYC correction members, a cost-of-living-related benefit for Verrazzano Bridge toll employees, restoration of 20-year service credit for certain NYC correction officers and sanitation workers, death benefits for Orange County correction personnel, pension benefits for fire marshals with service beyond 25 years, prior service treatment for NYC Police Pension Fund members, and death benefits for certain retirement system beneficiaries.
Members moved each bill without substantive debate, and each received unanimous support in the recorded vote tally of seven ayes, zero nays, and zero AWRs. Several bills were sponsored by Senator Jackson, who also participated in the motions on those measures. Senator Cooney arrived during the meeting and joined the committee proceedings. No opposition or amendments were recorded.
At the conclusion of the agenda, all 11 bills were reported to the Finance Committee, and the chair adjourned the meeting after noting the completion of the committee’s third meeting of the 26th legislative session.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Education
Transcript Highlights:
- going to start with the first two bills on the docket today: House Bill 752 and Senate Bill 313, An Act
- We're going to be switching to a different bill for just a moment: House Bill 4217, An Act to Ensure
- Those are the Massachusetts Administrative Procedure Act, the Disability 93A.
- Law, the False Written Reports Act, and the Unfair and Deceptive Practices Act.
- We're now going to move on to House Bill 670, an act relative to special education finance.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Education held a hearing focused primarily on special education-related bills, with testimony centered on two major themes: transition planning for students aging out of school-based services at age 22, and the fiscal strain special education costs place on districts. Committee members explained hearing procedures, noted the House was in formal session, and periodically stepped out for votes while staff recorded testimony. A separate bill on special education due process was also taken up briefly, along with a bill on special education finance and another on equitable access/data reporting.
On House Bill 752 and Senate Bill 313, witnesses from the Arc of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress, the Developmental Disabilities Council, families, self-advocates, and Senator Comerford described the “Turning 22” transition as a crisis point that often leaves families without adult placements, services, or clear communication. Testimony emphasized earlier planning, more accountability, better data collection, and a commission to improve coordination and residential placement. Several parents and advocates shared personal accounts of traumatic transitions, delayed placements, and the need for plans to begin at least a year before age 22. The committee later closed testimony on these bills after hearing from all signed-up speakers.
House Bill 4217, on special education due process, drew support from Representative Sullivan-Almeida, parents, and advocates who argued that the burden of proof should shift from families to school districts. Testimony described costly legal battles, delays, and parents having to become experts in reading instruction or hire advocates and attorneys to secure services. Brody Dwyer, a 10-year-old student with dyslexia, and his mother described how evidence-based instruction helped him after years of struggle. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 546/Senate Bill 317, which would require DESE to publish cross-tabulated data on race, disability, gender, income, and other factors; advocates said this would better expose disparities and help address the school-to-prison pipeline. Finally, on House Bill 691/Senate Bill 430, school leaders, educators, and union representatives testified that special education costs are outpacing district budgets and that increasing circuit breaker reimbursement and creating a commission to study long-term sustainability would help prevent staffing cuts and service reductions. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee repeatedly closed testimony on individual bills as speakers finished and moved through the agenda.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Housing Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Housing
Transcript Highlights:
- The time to act is now.
- It’s an act relative to cimex lectularius. I didn’t dare say that, by the way.
- It’s an act relative to bed bugs.
- Senate Bill 1006, An Act Creating the Homeworks Program.
- Please support S. 1022 and H. 1559, an act to maintain stable housing for families with pets.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Housing heard testimony on several housing bills, with much of the discussion focused on seasonal communities and funding for year-round housing in places like Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Cape Cod, and the Berkshires. Speakers supported bills including H. 4410/S. 966 and related seasonal communities legislation, which would allow local option real estate transfer fees and expand tools for towns to preserve and create affordable housing. Testimony emphasized severe housing shortages, high home prices, workforce displacement, and impacts on public safety, schools, health care, and local businesses. Many witnesses said the transfer fee would provide a sustainable local revenue stream, citing prior land bank models on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard as proof the approach can work.
The committee also heard testimony on H. 3989 regarding seasonal community designation, with supporters arguing that towns should be included automatically or through a simpler opt-in process, and on H. 4568 to expand the Family Self-Sufficiency Program, which would broaden access to a federal voucher-based savings and self-sufficiency model. Senator Edwards testified in support of a bill to create training for municipal board members, describing it as a toolkit to improve informed local decision-making. Senator O’Connor testified for a bed bug bill, saying it would create clearer landlord and tenant notification and treatment requirements and provide needed legal guidance after his family’s experience with an infestation. Senator Lovely also testified for the Homeworks program, which provides transportation so homeless children in motels and shelters can attend after-school activities.
The committee further heard testimony on a bill to fund housing in seasonal communities through a transfer fee and on a companion measure to expand the seasonal communities toolkit, with repeated calls for favorable reports. Witnesses from public safety, health care, housing nonprofits, schools, and local government described staffing shortages and housing insecurity as urgent problems. Later, the committee took testimony on H. 1559/S. 102 to maintain stable housing for families with pets, with animal welfare groups supporting protections against eviction, breed discrimination, and excessive pet rent. They said housing-related pet surrenders are a major driver of shelter intake. The hearing also included testimony on H. 1498 to limit criminalization of homelessness, which would restrict citations, fines, and related consequences for outdoor camping tied solely to homelessness.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Health Committee Jul 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Care Act petition dismissals.
- Counties have continued to have clients' interests at heart in implementing the act.
- Counties have continued to have clients' interests at heart in implementing the act.
- SB 403 removes the sunset, making the End of Life Option Act permanent.
- On February 5, 2018, the day of her choosing, she used California's End of Life Option Act.
Summary:
The committee heard several health-related measures. SB 27 by Senator Umberg would revise and expand California’s CARE Court by limiting the expansion to people with bipolar I disorder with psychotic features, clarifying the definition of “clinically stabilized,” and narrowing the role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Supporters, including behavioral health officials and family members, said the bill would reduce dismissals and better serve people with severe illness; opponents warned the expansion would strain county staffing and housing resources and could undermine voluntary engagement. The bill passed on a do pass motion to the Committee on Public Safety.
SB 503 by Senator Weber Pierson would require AI tools used in health care facilities to be identified, monitored, and mitigated for bias when used in clinical decision-making or resource allocation. The author and supporters from Kaiser Permanente and the California Medical Association said the bill would help prevent discriminatory outcomes and improve trust and safety. The committee discussed the need to clarify developer and deployer responsibilities, and the bill passed as amended to Privacy and Consumer Protection.
SB 68 by Senator Menjivar would require restaurants to provide written allergen information for the top nine food allergens, with tiered flexibility for smaller establishments. The bill was supported by patients, families, nurses, and allergy organizations, who described severe reactions and the difficulty of relying on verbal disclosures alone. The California Restaurant Association opposed unless amended, seeking broader use of the national model food code and additional liability language. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 403 by Senator Blakespear, which would remove the sunset from the End of Life Option Act; supporters described the law as a compassionate, well-functioning option for terminally ill patients, while faith-based groups opposed it. The bill passed to Judiciary. Later, SB 41 by Senator Wiener was introduced to rein in pharmacy benefit manager practices that steer patients to mail-order pharmacies and reimburse community pharmacies below cost; community pharmacists and several health organizations testified in support, describing pharmacy closures and patient access problems.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (2-20-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- acted.
- acted.
- acted.
- acted.
- acted.
Summary:
The committee met to hear a bill aimed at regulating paid veterans’ claims consultants and protecting veterans from bad actors. Chair Denine opened by emphasizing transparency, the need to hear concerns, and that the meeting was a hearing only, with no immediate vote expected. Senator David Yates, the sponsor, said the bill is intended to protect veterans by requiring clear written disclosure when a veteran uses a for-profit consultant, including that the consultant is not accredited or affiliated with VA or veterans’ service organizations. He said the proposal was based on best practices from other states, would include guardrails rather than a total ban, and was being slowed to allow further review and possible amendments.
Testimony reflected both support for the bill’s intent and disagreement over its scope. A committee member and later witnesses stressed that veterans should be able to make informed choices and that some private consultants and law firms have helped veterans, but they also acknowledged bad actors and the need for rules, accreditation, and fee limits. James Toby of the VFW opposed the bill as written, arguing it conflicts with federal rules by allowing fees on initial claims and urging the committee to reject it in favor of legislation that mirrors federal law and imposes real penalties. Mark Christensen of Veterans Guardian said veterans need more options because Kentucky has too few VSO representatives, supported guardrails and accreditation reform, and suggested the bill could be improved with a dollar-based fee cap, no late fees or interest, and clearer ethical rules. Daryl Casey of JVO said his organization supports the bill’s goal of leveling the playing field, noting that veterans service organizations do not charge fees and that any limits should apply consistently across providers.
The chair did not take a final vote during this hearing and instead encouraged the sponsor to circulate committee substitute language and continue discussions with veterans’ organizations and committee members before the next meeting. The sponsor said he was not pushing the bill forward that day and wanted more time to address concerns, especially around accreditation and disclosure.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- H. 585, an act relating to health H. 585, an act relating to health insurance<00:14:41.320>
reforms - H. 887, an act relating to crime victim status under the Fair Employment Practices Act, introduced by
- H. 887, an act relating to crime victim status under the Fair Employment Practices Act.
- H. 733, an act relating to designating a H. 733, an act relating to designating a franchise<00:15:34.040
- a disaster for us unless we act. a disaster for us unless we act.