Transcript Highlights:

• GENERICS MAKE UP 90% OF PRESCRIPTIONS PRESCRIBED WOULD ONLY REPRESENT 15 TO 20% OF SALES. 10% REALLY
• IT IS AN INSULT TO THE PHARMACIST WHO WENT TO GRADUATE SCHOOL TO MAKE SURE THEY DISTRIBUTE PRESCRIPTION
• SO THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS WHY ARE INDEPENDENT PHARMACIST FORCED TO LOSE MONEY ON A PRESCRIPTION
• INDEPENDENT PHARMACISTS WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME IMPROVEMENTS IN THE BILL, THERE'S FIVE THINGS AND I WILL
• NUMBER THREE ALLOW OIR TO PUT CONSUMERS AND PHARMACIST COMPLAINTS ON THEIR HOMEPAGE.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a compounding pharmacist, a board-certified sterile compounding pharmacist.
• 600 compounding businesses and over 5,300 pharmacists, technicians, prescribers, and suppliers nationwide
• We prepare patient-specific medications prescribed by a doctor.
• Pharmacists.
• Pharmacists.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 1921 on video game shutdowns. The author and Consumer Reports supported requiring game operators to give 60 days’ notice before ending server support and to offer a menu of remedies, including refunds or playable/offline alternatives, while the Entertainment Software Association opposed the bill as an unwarranted new standard for digital products and raised safety and legal concerns about community servers. Members questioned the scope of refunds, copyright, and community-server issues, and the author said he was open to further amendments. The bill was moved on a due-pass motion to Senate Appropriations and placed on call. AB 1965, dealing with cannabis testing, was presented as a measure to strengthen the Department of Cannabis Control’s authority over testing labs and improve product safety and transparency. The California Cannabis Operators Association supported the bill, saying it would help ensure consistent standards and protect consumers in a market with a large illicit component. There was no opposition, and the bill was moved on a due-pass motion to Senate Appropriations and placed on call. The committee also heard AB 2141, which would allow the Board of Pharmacy to resolve certain disciplinary matters through a voluntary pre-accusation settlement process. The author and a supporting pharmacist said it would speed resolution of smaller, technical cases and reduce costs, while a member raised concerns about transparency and whether the public would have less information about licensee misconduct. The bill passed the committee on a due-pass motion to Senate Appropriations, with Senator Menjivar voting no, and was placed on call. AB 2163, creating strategic clean energy and critical mineral development zones, was supported by the author and Imperial County as a way to prioritize geothermal and lithium development in areas like the Salton Sea region; it passed on a due-pass motion to Senate Appropriations and was placed on call. Later, AB 1990 on compounded weight-loss drug advertising drew significant debate. Supporters argued it would curb misleading ads and require disclosures about risks and non-FDA approval, while opponents from the compounding pharmacy community said it would create burdens, duplicate existing false-advertising law, and could harm patient access. Members questioned whether the bill actually addressed targeting minors and whether it would force use of FDA-approved labeling; the author said the bill was meant to add specificity and guardrails. The bill was moved on a due-pass motion to Senate Judiciary, with some no votes, and placed on call. The committee also heard AB 2783 on court reporters, which would add a national certification pathway and extend a remote reporting pilot; it drew support from court reporting stakeholders and passed unanimously on a due-pass motion to Senate Appropriations, placed on call. Finally, AB 2771, the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education sunset bill, and AB 2772, the interior design certification sunset bill, were presented and heard with mixed testimony: AB 2771 received support from student and borrower advocates and was moved to Senate Education, while AB 2772 drew both support and strong opposition over CCIDC governance and accountability, with the committee hearing extensive public comment before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under Medicaid, we have a team of pharmacists and physicians who set the preferred drug list, and we
• And then we may put you on the one that the physician actually prescribed or wanted to start with.
• And under that bill, we allowed a physician or an osteopathic physician to collaborate with a pharmacist
• David Allen, with the Florida Society of Health System Pharmacists, is in opposition.
• These conditions were deemed to be simple enough to allow pharmacists, in collaboration with physicians

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health Policy met with a quorum and heard five bills. SB 126, on prescription hearing aids, would remove Florida’s prohibition on mailing hearing aids when required tele-audiology testing and procedures are completed before sale. The sponsor said the bill would improve access, especially for people with travel or geographic barriers. The Florida Academy of Audiologists expressed support in concept but said it was still working with the sponsor on an amendment for consumer safety. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 152 would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies using smoke evacuation systems during certain surgical procedures. Supporters, including the Florida Nurses Association and several nurses, described surgical smoke as a workplace and patient safety hazard containing harmful chemicals, viruses, bacteria, and other contaminants, and said evacuation technology is available and already required in some settings. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 264 would expand step-therapy exemptions for severe mental illness, including certain postpartum and pregnancy-related mental health conditions, so physicians would not have to require patients to fail preferred drugs in specified circumstances. Support came from Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, NAMI Florida, and several medical and pharmacy groups, who argued that delays in effective treatment can worsen crises and increase hospital and crisis-care costs. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 342 would create a public-records exemption for current and former AHCA employees and certain family information, citing threats and harassment directed at inspectors and regulators. President Gaetz said he generally opposes such exemptions but supported this one because the employees are not elected officials and face real safety risks. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 294 would limit the Board of Pharmacy’s ability to add heart failure, coronary heart disease, and cardiac rhythm disorders to the list of chronic conditions eligible for collaborative pharmacy practice, keeping those conditions under direct physician management. The Florida Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons, Florida Medical Association, and the Florida chapter of the American College of Cardiology supported the bill, while the Florida Society of Health System Pharmacists opposed it. The committee voted the bill favorably. Senator Trumbull asked to be recorded in support of SB 126 and SB 152, and the meeting adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, the issue is we hope that on telemedicine they're not prescribing those medicines.
• Would you prescribe heartworm medicine? Only with a heartworm test, sir.
• But I do not prescribe heartworm without a negative heartworm test.
• So we're not talking about pharmacists themselves that are interacting with patients.
• So we're not talking about pharmacists themselves that are interacting with patients.

Summary: The Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency approved the February 11, 2026 minutes and then heard several bills. SB 1668, dealing with funeral and disposition timelines and related requirements for unborn children and minors, drew emotional testimony from funeral industry representatives and a parent about burdensome deadlines and problems obtaining signatures from an ex-partner; it also drew opposition over language referencing abortion clinics and reproductive freedom. The committee adopted a due-pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote. SB 1286, on veterinary telemedicine prescription limits, was amended to shorten non-antimicrobial prescriptions to 30 days and allow antimicrobial prescriptions for up to 14 days without an in-person exam; veterinarians and industry representatives were neutral with caution or supportive, while opponents warned about overprescribing and inadequate diagnosis. The amended bill passed 4-3. The committee then passed SB 1235, joining the emergency services personnel licensure interstate compact, on a 7-0 vote, with the sponsor describing it as a reciprocity measure for EMTs and paramedics. SB 1446, which changes dialysis social worker documentation from monthly to quarterly to match federal and most state practice, also passed unanimously after support from DaVita. SB 1515, an Industrial Commission cleanup bill that renames positions, removes obsolete private employment office oversight language, and shifts publication of fee schedules online, was amended and passed 7-0. SB 1678, concerning documentation and oversight in health care institutions and group homes for vulnerable adults, was amended to remove a patient-form requirement and instead require DHS investigation when EMS personnel complain that a DNR was not provided; providers moved to neutral or support after the amendment, and the bill passed 6-0 with one not voting. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1747, which would require social media platforms to terminate accounts for minors under 14 and certain 14- and 15-year-olds without parental consent and impose age-verification and harmful-content restrictions. Opponents from NetChoice, TechNet, and Meta raised privacy, security, and constitutional concerns and argued for app-store-based parental controls instead, while a parents’ advocate supported the bill as a starting point for child safety. The transcript ends during that hearing without a final committee action on SB 1747.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> especially important to a pharmacist. especially important to a pharmacist.
• A pharmacist is a pharmacist, though, and there is only one way to become a pharmacist, and that's to
• Again, all pharmacists are clinical pharmacists. We all have the same background.
• A pharmacist is a pharmacist, say.
• Again, all pharmacists are<02:43:32.040><c> clinical</c><02:43:32.480><c> pharmacists.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill expands the prescriptive authority of pharmacists.
• The proposed substitute expands the practice of pharmacy to include limited diagnosing and prescribing
• The bill expands the prescriptive authority of pharmacists.
• The proposed sub expands the practice of pharmacy to include limited diagnosing and prescribing or ordering
• We have Senate Bill 5924, expanding prescriptive authority for pharmacists, before us, and there is a

Summary: The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee held confirmation hearings for Ryan Moran to lead the Health Care Authority and Dennis Worsham to serve as Secretary of Health. Moran emphasized his personal background, experience in Maryland Medicaid, and priorities of protecting coverage amid federal changes, addressing health disparities, strengthening tribal partnerships, and improving agency operations. Worsham described his long public health career in Washington, his statewide listening tour, and his focus on collaboration, science-based decision-making, accountability, workforce support, and rebuilding public trust. Senators raised questions about behavioral health, social determinants of health, communication, misinformation, and the impact of federal policy changes; both nominees said Washington should continue leading on coverage, prevention, and public health resilience. In executive session, the committee advanced several bills. It passed SB 5899, allowing qualified chiropractors to perform chiropractic diagnosis and adjustments on animals; SB 6292, creating a joint legislative-executive committee on health care financing with a substitute; SB 6182, establishing an abortion savings program, after rejecting several Christian-sponsored amendments and adopting a Bateman amendment limiting eligible organizations to DOH-contracted abortion providers or funds; SB 5947, creating the Washington Health Care Board; SJR 8206, proposing a constitutional right to affordable health care; and SB 5933, on overdose mapping information sharing, with a substitute. The committee also recommended confirmation of both gubernatorial appointments. In a second group of bills, the committee passed SB 5823 on patient advocates with a substitute requiring at least one person physically present daily in acute care settings and expanding exemptions for certain hospitals; SB 6210 on the health plan certification process with a substitute; SB 5921 on psilocybin; SB 6226 protecting audiologists’ clinical autonomy with a substitute; and SB 5924 expanding pharmacists’ prescriptive authority with a substitute. Members discussed access, affordability, rural workforce shortages, and patient safety, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lex Garcia, and I'm a pharmacist and the CEO of the New Mexico Pharmacists Association.
• I'm here today on behalf of our membership and pharmacists across the state to articulate our strong
• Medical Board to ensure that future changes to ACIP... recommendations would not undermine the pharmacists
• ' ability to prescribe vaccines in our state.
• So, do I understand that someone, say a doctor, can prescribe a COVID vaccine?

Transcript Highlights:

• So if they are prescribed medication on a 90-day basis, they would still need to visit the provider to
• How often drugs need to be refilled and prescribed.
• We're not just talking about physicians; we're talking about dentists, pharmacists, physical therapists
• Chiropractors, pharmacists, massage therapists, and acupuncture.
• Yes, Madam Chair and Representative, pharmacists are covered.

Bills: SB101, SB21, HM52, HB132, SB14, SB20

Keywords: SB 101, Health Care Delivery and Access Act, repeal of repeal, sunset repeal, delayed repeal, health care, healthcare, access to care, medical services, provider regulation, state health law, New Mexico, SB 21, Medicare supplement, Medigap, open enrollment, guaranteed issue, birthday month enrollment, health insurance, insurance regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• Alejandra on Parin, who is the pharmacist with OSI, and I have Dr.
• Kenan Ryan, who is the pharmacist, and now the chief medical officer for Medicaid at the health care
• So the idea here is that if somebody, and it would be a clinical psychologist who has prescribing privileges
• The three-year period is put in because if you go to the pharmacy, you’ll find that the pharmacist is
• And this is something that is one of the top 10 drugs prescribed in the country.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 20, as amended, which would limit prior authorization for certain medications used to treat serious mental illness and extend prior authorization approvals for other chronic maintenance drugs to three years. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would reduce treatment interruptions and administrative burden for patients, clinicians, and pharmacies, while opponents argued the three-year period could raise safety concerns, reduce annual clinical review, and increase costs and premiums. After public testimony and committee discussion, the bill passed on a 7-2 vote. The committee then considered SB 21, as amended, establishing an annual Medigap open enrollment period with guaranteed issue protections for eligible Medicare beneficiaries already enrolled in Medigap plans. The Aging and Long-Term Services Department said the measure would give seniors more flexibility to change plans as their needs and premiums change, and OSI said premium impacts were expected to be limited. An amendment setting the effective date at January 1, 2027 was adopted, and the bill passed unanimously. Next, the committee heard SB 177, a large economic development package centered on quantum, advanced energy, defense, and related workforce and research investments. The sponsor and administration witnesses described New Mexico as uniquely positioned to attract major private and federal investment, while members raised questions about guardrails, reporting, use of the Research and Development Fund, and whether EDD could manage the spending and educational components. An amendment removed the public safety section, a technical title fix was adopted, and the bill passed 9-1. The committee also took up SB 189, which would protect existing coverage and expand insurance coverage for reproductive and gender-affirming care, including mid-year enrollment options for pregnancy and coverage for double electric breast pumps. Supporters said the bill would prevent abrupt coverage changes and ensure access to care, while opponents objected to abortion-related coverage and argued existing law and Medicaid already cover much of the care. A motion to table failed, and the bill then passed 6-4. Finally, the committee unanimously passed Senate Memorial 6 honoring golfer Nancy Lopez and her New Mexico roots and achievements.

Transcript Highlights:

• have the people involved in figuring out what's best as far as the immunizations that would be prescribed
• where they go if they don't prescribed where they go if they don't they<02:52:42.239><c> don't</c><02
• The role of just prescribing an off-label medication is one entity; another entity is prescribing a medication
• </c> um the the role of just uh prescribing um the the role of just uh prescribing an<03:46:43.120><c
• </c><03:46:49.239><c> a</c> another entity is being prescribing a another entity is being prescribing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then in terms of Barriers, it's the amount of physicians willing to prescribe.
• So, is telehealth an option for the prescribers?
• And I agree with Representative García's point about stigma, but when you're prescribing to prisoners
• So, even if there isn't a prescribing physician in each public health office, they are able to reach
• We did prescribe that a little bit and have shared it with each of the accountable entities.

Transcript Highlights:

• administration of medication and the ordering of administration of an immunization or vaccination by a pharmacist
• administration of medication and the ordering of administration of an immunization or vaccination by a pharmacist
• constitutional amendment specifying the authority of the Attorney General to prosecute a criminal offense prescribed
• constitutional amendment specifying the authority of the Attorney General to prosecute a criminal offense prescribed

Summary: The House met briefly to read a large number of first-reading bills, joint resolutions, and concurrent resolutions and refer them to the appropriate committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including public health, education, criminal justice, taxation, transportation, water and natural resources, elections, housing, veterans issues, local government, and constitutional amendments. Several bills focused on school policy, health care regulation, property tax and sales tax changes, criminal penalties, and local or state agency authority. Among the notable items were proposals on name and sex changes on birth records, college admissions inquiries into criminal history, foster care contractor liability, school nutrition and assessment policy, election procedures, homestead and franchise tax exemptions, public retirement system reporting, and numerous transportation and infrastructure measures. The House also received resolutions designating local honors and observances, including Brownsville as the bicycling capital of the Rio Grande Valley, Port Aransas as the fishing capital of Texas, and Selena Quintanilla Perez Day. Some measures proposed constitutional amendments on legislative procedure, homestead taxation, and election-law enforcement authority. No debate or testimony occurred in this segment; the action was limited to first reading and referral. The session also referred several resolutions to the Local and Consent Calendars. At the end of the proceedings, the House adjourned without objection until 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Hawaii Pharmacists Association is in support. Hi, Chair, Vice Chair, members of the committee.
• Andrews, executive director of the Hawaii Pharmacists Association.

Bills: SB2607, SB2031, SB2043, SB2623, SB2876, SB2396, SB2964, SB2089

Keywords: landscape architecture, licensure, educational requirements, examination, professional standards, consumer protection, junk fees, live-event tickets, short-term lodging, transparency, pricing disclosure, deceptive practices, insurance, captives, regulations, policyholders, SB2623, Hawaii pharmacy law, Board of Pharmacy, registered pharmacy technician

Summary: The committee first heard HCR 168 and HR 158, which would create a temporary working group to study utility capacity, coastline infrastructure lifespan, and the costs of needed expansions. Public Utilities Commission staff said the commission was not the right entity to direct all of the work because it lacks authority over many affected agencies. Members discussed whether the study should be limited to a coastal area or broadened to the whole island, and in decision-making the committee amended the measure to focus on the County of Honolulu, correct references to the Public Utilities Commission, and revise the working group membership to include the PUC chair, legislative designees, and directors or designees from DLNR, DOT, HIEMA, and DCCA Consumer Advocacy. The committee then passed both resolutions with amendments; the vote was adopted unanimously, with some members excused. The committee next considered HCR 145 and HR 137, which would convene a working group on climate change impacts on insurance availability and affordability. The Insurance Division stood on its written comments, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission supported the intent, and the Attorney General opposed the measure, warning that a working group could create discoverable materials that might complicate the state’s climate litigation and noting a technical ambiguity in the reference to the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund administrator. After questions about discovery and the lawsuit, the committee amended the resolutions to replace the administrator reference with the chair of the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund Board of Directors, remove the Attorney General as convener while keeping the office as a member, and have the working group share findings and recommendations with the House CPC and Senate CPN committees instead of issuing a report. The committee passed the measures with amendments, with Rep. Martin voting with reservations. In the later agenda, the committee heard SB 2607, SD 1 on landscape architect licensure. The Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects supported the bill, explaining it modernizes licensure requirements to align with national standards and clarifies the profession’s design-focused role. The bill was discussed as distinguishing landscape architecture from groundskeeping and from civil engineering drainage work. No opposition was heard. The committee also heard SB 2031, SD 2 on consumer protection and price transparency for live ticket events and short-term lodging. The Office of Consumer Protection supported the bill, saying it largely mirrors an FTC rule requiring all-in pricing and would give the state enforcement authority and remedies. The Hawaii Financial Services Association opposed the bill as drafted and sought a limited exemption for credit card issuers relying on third-party hotel information, while the Hawaii Hotel Alliance supported the measure but asked for language deeming compliance with the federal rule sufficient for short-term lodging. Committee members questioned whether those proposed exemptions would conflict with federal law or weaken state enforcement, and the discussion focused on preemption, liability, and the value of state remedies such as restitution.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also states that a PBM may only recoup a dispensing fee if a pharmacist made a clerical error that
• Members, we do have a few pharmacists who may be here to testify.
• On behalf of pharmacists across the country, thank you.
• My name is Sean Sams, I'm a pharmacist.
• This is just a bill that's going to help our local independent pharmacists that...

Bills: HB1464, HB1635, HB2516, HB3317, HB3502, HB4012, HB4268, HB4386, HB4877, SB916

Keywords: prescription drugs, drug pricing, pharmacy benefits, health insurance, health benefit plan, insurer, HMO, self-insured employer, public employer, school district, county, municipality, university system, higher education, retirees, dependent coverage, stop-loss coverage, bulk purchasing, group purchasing, purchasing pool

Transcript Highlights:

• Alejandra on Parin, who is the pharmacist with OSI, and I have Dr.
• Kenan Ryan, who is the pharmacist and now the chief medical officer for Medicaid at the health care authority
• We have many psychiatric nurse practitioners who prescribe and take care of these patients.
• And this is something that is one of the top 10 drugs prescribed in the country.
• Prescribed in the country.

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

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:

• The bill expands the prescriptive authority of pharmacists.
• The proposed substitute expands the practice of pharmacy to include limited diagnosing and prescribing
• The bill expands the prescriptive authority of pharmacists.
• The proposed sub expands the practice of pharmacy to include limited diagnosing and prescribing or ordering
• We have Senate Bill 594, expanding prescriptive authority for pharmacists, before us, and there is a

Bills: SB5899, SB6292, SB6094, SB6182, SB5947, SJR8206, SB5933, SB6138, SB5823, SB6210, SB5921, SB6226, SB6159, SB5924, SGA9291, SGA9307

Keywords: chiropractic, animal care, veterinary medicine, license endorsement, nonhuman animals, health care, financing, legislative committee, joint committee, policy management, pediatric care, transitional services, healthcare, licensing, children's health, abortion, reproductive health, pregnancy termination, clinic access, abortion access fund

Summary: The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee began with confirmation hearings for Ryan Moran, nominated to lead the Washington State Health Care Authority, and Dennis Worsham, nominated as Secretary of Health. Both nominees gave extensive opening statements about their backgrounds, priorities, and commitment to improving access, equity, public health, and agency operations amid federal policy changes. Senators asked about Washington’s health care system, social determinants of health, behavioral health, communication and public trust, and how each nominee would respond to federal disruptions such as HR1 and CDC changes. At the close of the hearings, the committee voted to recommend both appointments for confirmation. The committee then moved through executive session on a series of bills. It advanced measures including a chiropractic animal care endorsement bill, a joint legislative-executive health care financing committee bill, a pediatric transitional care facilities bill, an abortion savings program bill, a Washington Health Care Board bill, a constitutional amendment establishing a right to affordable health care, and an overdose mapping information bill. The abortion savings program bill drew the most debate, with several proposed amendments offered by Senator Christian; most were rejected, one amendment was withdrawn, and one amendment clarifying funding for contracted providers was adopted before the bill was sent forward. The committee also approved the gubernatorial appointments of Moran and Worsham in executive session. In the second group of bills, the committee advanced a patient advocate bill, a health plan certification process bill, a psilocybin bill, an audiologist clinical autonomy bill, and a pharmacist prescriptive authority bill. The pharmacist bill prompted comments about access, affordability, rural workforce shortages, and the role pharmacists already play in care delivery. All measures considered in executive session received do-pass recommendations or confirmation recommendations and were reported out of committee, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So to the [clears throat] point that you guys um kind of cared about the mobile pharmacist, does that
• — is this maybe just a process thing that we're trying to do, and should the mobile pharmacist just be
• Um it's important<01:23:33.040><c> that</c><01:23:33.440><c> the</c><01:23:34.239><c> prescriber</c><
• 01:23:34.800><c> be</c> important that the prescriber be important that the prescriber be involved<01
• </c> patient and or the the mobile pharmacist patient and or the the mobile pharmacist who<01:23:41.360

Bills: SB2936, SB2850, SB2851, SB2521

Keywords: accessible parking, disability, kupuna, public accommodations, small business exemptions, Hawaii Revised Statutes, parking permit, blind, deaf, accessibility, deafness, traffic safety, law enforcement, vehicle registration, communication, emergency services, commercial driver's license, first responders, public safety, authorized emergency vehicle

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 1871, establishing a maternal health monitoring pilot program, drew support from the Department of Health, the Hawaii State Commission on Status of Women, and the Hawaii affiliate of the American College of Nurse Midwives, with testimony urging provider-neutral language so midwives and other qualified providers would not be excluded. HB 1977, requiring a maternal and infant health information mobile app, received support from ACNM and Philips, which said similar apps in other states improved awareness of services and helped families navigate care; a member asked the Department of Health about implementation time. HB 1858, relating to certificates of fetal deaths, was supported by the Department of Health and clinicians, who said the current statute is outdated and inconsistent with CDC guidance; the department and a physician testified that the bill should shift documentation responsibilities to physicians and APRNs, and members discussed optional versus mandatory issuance language and whether the bill would improve data on home births and transfers. The committee also heard HB 1591, expanding definitions for preceptor and volunteer-based clinical training to improve income tax credits. The Department of Health supported the measure but preferred a similar, broader bill; Taxation suggested clarifying terms; the University of Hawaii and the State Center for Nursing supported it. ACNM asked that midwifery preceptors and Hawaii-based students enrolled in mainland programs be included, while the Hawaii Public Health Institute supported expansion of the program as a workforce solution. HB 1574, on the health care education loan repayment program, also drew broad support, including from the governor, SHPDA, OHA, and health organizations, but ACNM raised concerns that the bill’s 30% Medicaid-client threshold could exclude many providers and limit participation. For HB 1575, creating a feasibility committee on Parkinson’s patient air transport, the Department of Health supported the intent but said transportation is more likely an insurance or benefit issue and suggested redirecting funds to Parkinson’s research; the Michael J. Fox Foundation and the Hawaii Parkinson Association supported the bill, citing inter-island travel barriers and high costs for patients and caregivers. HB 1854, establishing certification of community behavioral health clinics, was supported by the Department of Health and DHS, which said certification would help clinics qualify for enhanced Medicaid reimbursement and expand access; the Attorney General’s office raised a legal concern about the special fund language and recommended a purpose section, and the committee discussed whether the fund would be self-sustaining and noted a possible amendment to change membership language and reduce the board size if the amendment moved forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 562, Senator Giles, State Board of Pharmacy prescriber-pharmacist agreement treatment of
• Senate Bill 562 adds requirements applicable to when a pharmacist enters into a prescriber-pharmacist
• The bill also repeals the requirement for a prescriber who enters into a prescriber-pharmacist agreement
• </c> prescriber who enters into a prescriber prescriber who enters into a prescriber pharmacist<00:28
• </c> board that regulates the prescriber. board that regulates the prescriber.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• by Senator... that extended protections to doctors. ...that extended protections to doctors who prescribe
• year, we passed a bill that extended protections to doctors, and all this does is extend that to pharmacists
• I will ask you that pharmacists don't write prescriptions; they just fill the prescriptions.
• people call me all the time that say, "Hey, my doctor wrote me this prescription for X, and my pharmacist
• refuses to fill it." and my pharmacist refuses to fill it.

Bills: HB45, HB79, SB79

Keywords: Medicaid, colorectal cancer, screening tests, noninvasive tests, preventive care, off-label, pharmacists, medical treatment, state board of pharmacy, employment protection, sex-based terminology, gender identity, male, female, man, woman, boy, girl, single-sex spaces, women's rights

Transcript Highlights:

• This addresses the concerns that pharmacists and nurses without prescribing authority could otherwise
• And that was the discussion that we actually had with the pharmacists.
• without pharmacists and nurses without prescribing<01:26:07.520><c> authority</c><01:26:08.000><c> could
• </c> for why the medication was prescribed. for why the medication was prescribed.
• It protects due process the pharmacists.

Keywords: 916, all