Video & Transcript : 'local pharmacies' :

Page 142 of 500
MO
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Commerce Apr 15th, 2026

Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • But in summary, the bill allows our local wineries, or excuse me, our local distillers, spirits, and
  • Mostly, it looks like they're local brewers and distilleries.
  • I don't have expertise in the pharmacy.
  • I guess it'd be good to know what is the local business.
  • Well, you forget about what it generates in the local economy.
Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment
Summary: The Commerce Committee first heard Senate Bill 1020, which would let the Department of Revenue award a Missouri license office contract without rebidding if no qualifying bids are received on the initial solicitation. Senator Sandy Crawford and Director of Revenue Trish Vincent said the change would help keep rural license offices open, reduce repeated bidding delays, and allow the department to work with local entities such as chambers, counties, or cities when smaller offices are hard to staff profitably. Members asked about the process, the challenges in low-volume communities, and whether more online services could eventually reduce the need for offices; no opposition testified, and the hearing concluded without a vote. The committee then took up House Bill 3093, which would extend Missouri’s direct-to-consumer shipping framework from wineries to distillers and breweries. Sponsor Rep. Nick Kimball and many supporters argued the bill would create parity for Missouri craft producers, preserve age-verification and signature requirements, and keep tax collection and other safeguards in place. Supporters included distillers and brewers who said the current system favors wine, limits small Missouri businesses, and makes it harder to reach customers who want products shipped after visiting a taproom or distillery. Several members also raised questions about enforcement, the three-tier system, and whether the bill could be narrowed or paired with other changes. Opponents, including representatives of wholesalers, grocers, convenience stores, and beer wholesalers, argued the bill would weaken the three-tier system, increase competition from out-of-state producers, and create enforcement and tax-collection problems. They said wine shipping has shown compliance and auditing difficulties, cited concerns about underage access and online ordering, and urged the committee to preserve the existing distribution structure or strengthen wine-shipping rules before expanding them. Supporters countered that alcohol shipments are already tightly regulated, that direct shipping is already occurring in other forms, and that the bill would simply add another regulated avenue for Missouri-made beer and spirits. The hearing ended after extensive testimony and questions, with no final committee action reported in the transcript.
WA
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Consumer Protection & Business Jan 20th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Consumer reporting agencies, financial institutions, state agencies, local governments, or businesses
  • This proposal removes local preemption.
  • So, removing the local preemption, would that allow local governments' jurisdictions to either ban flavor
  • Local governments are great for zoning, property, and other types of local issues, but a regulatory controlled
  • Oregon has had the same where they do it locally. It gets extremely confusing.
Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2483, which would create an annual data broker registry at the Department of Licensing beginning in 2027. Staff explained that data brokers would have to register, pay a fee, and disclose information about the types of data collected, security measures, opt-out options, and whether precise geolocation or consumer health data is involved. Prime sponsor Rep. Kloba said the bill is intended to make data collection and resale more visible to consumers and to address harms such as scams, tracking, and surveillance pricing. Testimony was mixed: TechNet, the Association of Washington Business, and the Washington Retail Association opposed the bill as drafted, saying the definition of data broker is too broad and could sweep in businesses that are not true data brokers, while the sponsor and committee members discussed possible clarifying amendments and public-data carve-outs. The committee then heard House Bill 2400, which would regulate monetized social media content featuring children. Staff described provisions requiring vloggers above certain revenue thresholds to register with the Department of Revenue, creating trust accounts for minor children appearing in monetized videos, allowing young adults to request deletion of monetized childhood content, requiring reporting by social media services, and establishing civil penalties and statutory damages. Rep. Reeves said the bill is meant to draw a line between ordinary family posting and monetizing children online, citing concerns about child labor protections and exploitation. TechNet and AWB opposed the bill, arguing that social media platforms should not be made the middleman for trust accounts and that the private right of action and enforcement structure should be revisited; they urged further work during the interim. Finally, the committee took testimony on House Bill 2439, an omnibus tobacco and vapor product bill. Staff said it would create a responsible vendor program, raise license fees and penalties, require retailers to buy from licensed wholesalers or distributors, add certification requirements for vapor manufacturers, study extended producer responsibility for vapor waste, expand lab testing authority, tighten age-verification rules, prohibit certain imitation or entertainment vapor products, remove state preemption so local governments could adopt stricter rules, and redirect portions of tobacco tax revenue to public health accounts. Supporters, including public health groups, King County, the American Heart Association, and pediatricians, backed the youth-prevention, local-control, and funding provisions. Industry and retail witnesses opposed the bill, focusing on the loss of preemption, higher fees, compliance burdens, and the risk of pushing sales to the illicit market; some also argued the bill should rely more on state-level uniform regulation and stronger enforcement rather than new restrictions.
NH
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Health and Human Services Oversight Committee (04/25/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • The fourth page is the two changes we made in the pharmacy benefit management.
  • have</c><01:08:58.359><c> pharmacist</c><01:08:59.359><c> actuaries</c> And then on the high-cost pharmacy
  • </c><01:17:02.159><c> Polyfarm</c><01:17:03.000><c> pharmacy</c><01:17:04.000><c> such</c><01:17:04.239
  • Polyfarm pharmacy such as health needs.
  • Polyfarm pharmacy such as a<01:17:04.560><c> need</c><01:17:04.719><c> for</c><01:17:04.960><c> comprehensive
Summary: The committee first handled roll call and approved the prior meeting minutes. Members discussed attendance and substitutions, then moved to the DHS commissioner’s update, which focused on New Hampshire’s Medicaid 1115 waiver and the new community re-entry initiative for people leaving correctional facilities. The presenter explained that the waiver lets the state cover certain services not normally covered under Medicaid, including substance use disorder treatment, serious mental illness services, adult dental benefits, and the new community re-entry component. She also noted that a separate youth re-entry component is federally required, with youth defined up to age 21 and foster-care-related coverage extending to age 26. The update described how the adult re-entry program works for incarcerated individuals with behavioral health needs, providing up to 45 days of pre-release services, care coordination with managed care organizations and DOC staff, telemedicine assessments, discharge prescriptions, insurance cards, and connections to community mental health, primary care, and substance use providers. For youth, the program includes more intensive case management, 30 days of pre-release services, and 30 days of post-release care coordination, with a stronger emphasis on screening, diagnosis, and holistic assessment. The presenter said New Hampshire received the adult waiver in July 2024, has implemented the program in state correctional facilities, and is beginning work at the youth center. Members and the presenter discussed why the program is structured as a waiver rather than a standard Medicaid benefit, with the explanation that CMS is allowing this as a newer policy area and that states generally pursue waivers for certain services. The chair and others emphasized the need for real cost and outcome data, and the presenter said an independent evaluator and evaluation plan are required under the 1115 waiver. Early results cited included 30 adults enrolled so far, 10 released, five youth enrolled with one released, and anecdotal early successes such as housing, employment, and better continuity of medication and treatment. The committee did not take any additional votes or formal actions beyond approving the minutes.
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Veterans and Military Affairs Division 2/12/25

Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:
  • They have post meetings where the membership decides which local organizations to donate the proceeds
  • In this manner, they support small local nonprofits providing important community services, including
  • </c> our membership decides which local our membership decides which local organizations<01:02:48.680
  • </c><01:02:56.760><c> nonprofits</c><01:02:57.760><c> providing</c> small local nonprofits providing
  • </c><01:10:14.400><c> veterans</c> Memorial with local veterans Memorial with local veterans memorabilia
Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division
MN
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Taxes Committee 5/6/25

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> local sales taxes enacted by um local local sales taxes enacted by um local governments<00:13:19.440
  • </c><00:13:24.160><c> sales</c> modifications to existing local sales modifications to existing local
  • </c><01:41:34.159><c> sales</c><01:41:34.480><c> tax</c> local governments or a local sales tax local
  • They do have that local charge in terms of their local retail registrations.
  • Thanks. comments about the local cannabis aid. I comments about the local cannabis aid.
Bills: HF2730 , HF2257 , HF2768 , HF1932 , HF2437
Committee: House Taxes
NM
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Aug 12th, 2025

New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • The local VC ecosystem.
  • Of investors investing in local companies.
  • There is access to certain VCs by local entrepreneurs.
  • And so they don't know the local landscape.
  • So that does happen at the local level.
Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee
MS
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

MS Senate Floor - 24 February, 2026; 10:00 AM

Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Next is Express Scripts Pharmacy.
  • That is a PBM monitor bill against the Board of Pharmacy, $100,000.
CA
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Labor and Employment Committee Apr 2nd, 2025

Labor and Employment

Transcript Highlights:
  • is based on apprenticeship fairs being mandatory for all school districts with no consideration to local
  • captain with Sacramento Metro Fire and chair of the cancer committee for Sacramento Area Firefighters Local
  • or mid-project. ...and as we all know, primarily the prevailing wage rate in the state and the localities
  • Sarah Taket, on behalf of the rural county representatives of California, along with the coalition of local
  • signing bonuses and those types of things to get them to come into a particular facility, hopefully local
Committee: House Labor and Employment
Summary: The committee heard several labor-related bills, with testimony largely focused on workforce development, worker privacy, wage theft, and workplace safety. AB 296 would require schools and districts to host apprenticeship fairs at least once per year; supporters said it would expose students to skilled-trades careers, while school administrators opposed the mandate as too broad, especially for elementary schools and districts without local apprenticeship programs. AB 1221 and AB 1331 both sought to curb invasive workplace surveillance, with labor groups arguing that AI, biometric, and algorithmic monitoring can be discriminatory and chill worker rights, while business and industry groups warned the bills were too broad and could interfere with security, cybersecurity, and ordinary workplace operations. AB 1181 would require firefighter turnout gear to be free of cancer-causing chemicals, and AB 1198 would require prevailing wage rates on public works to reflect the wage in effect when work is performed; both drew support from labor and construction witnesses, while local governments and other stakeholders raised cost and implementation concerns. AB 1251 would require private employers to disclose whether a job posting is for an actual vacancy, and AB 692 would prohibit employer debt agreements that require workers to repay training or other costs if they leave employment; both bills were supported by worker advocates and opposed by employer groups who said the measures were overly broad or unnecessary under existing law. The committee also heard AB 552, AB 1110, AB 1136, and AB 1234, which respectively would allow the Agricultural Labor Relations Board to locate its main office outside Sacramento, update Cal/OSHA poster information, expand high road training partnership eligibility, and strengthen the wage claim process by encouraging employer participation and allowing judgments when employers fail to respond. Several bills were voted out on due-pass motions, including AB 1198, AB 1251, AB 1221, AB 1331, AB 552, AB 1110, AB 1136, and AB 692; AB 1181 was approved by the committee but remained on call, and AB 296 was heard in subcommittee without a vote. AB 963 was pulled by the author.
CA
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 15th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Assembly Bill 632 by Assembly Member Hart and others, an act relating to local government.
  • AB 632 will provide local governments with the authority. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
  • We will be judged. ...for local taxpayers.
  • Talk to your local elected officials. Look at their judgments and rulings.
  • local small businesses in a community where we rely on them for employment and services.
Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then moved through a long Daily File with several major policy bills and multiple commemorative resolutions. The most debated measure was AB 379 on human trafficking and child exploitation. The bill was presented as a stronger, more comprehensive version that increases penalties for adults soliciting minors, adds a loitering offense tied to purchasing commercial sex, raises fines for businesses that facilitate trafficking, creates a Survivor Support Fund, and establishes grants for victim services and vertical prosecution. Several members spoke in support, while Assemblymember Sharp-Collins raised concerns that the loitering provision could be vague and disproportionately enforced against Black, Brown, and LGBTQIA+ people. The bill passed after debate, with the clerk reporting 72 noes and the measure still passing. The Assembly also passed AB 1415, which expands the Office of Health Care Affordability’s authority to review more health systems, private equity and hedge fund acquisitions, and managed service organizations in order to better track cost drivers and medical debt. Other policy bills approved included AB 711 on coordinating court reporters for motion hearings, AB 1142 on horse event entry fees, AB 309 on preserving access to sterile syringes for HIV and hepatitis prevention, AB 358 on allowing victims to consent to searches of hidden surveillance devices like AirTags and spy cameras, AB 592 on outdoor dining for restaurants, AB 1341 on clarifying contractor licensing violations, AB 752 on easing child care center siting, AB 1166 on extending debt-settlement rules to commercial financing, AB 806 on mobile home resident cooling rights, AB 972 on explicit sex discrimination protections in higher education, AB 416 on emergency room 5150 authority, AB 632 on expedited collection of penalties for serious local code violations, AB 672 on PERB notification and intervention rights, AB 876 on CRNA scope of practice, and AB 760 on temporary mobile home housing after disasters. Most of these measures passed with broad bipartisan support, though AB 672 drew sharp opposition from Assemblymember DeMaio over concerns about PERB and state bureaucracy. The chamber also adopted several resolutions recognizing May observances and public service groups. These included ACR 63 designating May as California Fairgrounds Appreciation Month, ACR 69 for California Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being Month, ACR 76 for California Small Business Month, ACR 77 for Drowning Awareness and Prevention Month, HR 36 for Lung Cancer Action Week, HR 39 for National Public Works Week, and HR 41 for National Hospital Week. Members used the resolutions to highlight local institutions, public health, and community services, and each was adopted after co-author rolls and voice votes. The session ended after the Assembly completed the day’s file and moved through a series of routine procedural motions and adjournment-related business.
TX
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Committee on Health and Human Services (Part I) May 21st, 2025

Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • I am with the Foundation as the Senior Fellow for Health Care, and I have my own practice here locally
  • Local, I think it has a fiscal note.
  • House Bill 721 be recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. Is there an objection?
  • House Bill 4129 be recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. Is there an objection?
  • It be recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. Is there an objection?
Bills: HB 1106 , HB3284 , HB541 , HB713 , HB1403 , HB1586 , HB1942 , HB2070 , HB2844 , HB2851 , HB3151 , HB3749 , HB3940 , HB3963 , HB4454 , HB4466 , HB4795 , HB5154 , HB5394 , SB1357 , HB 1052 , HB4099 , HB4638 , HB5147
Committee: Senate Health & Human Services
WY
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Joint Appropriations Committee, February 5, 2026 PM 2

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • And then third, you authorized local revenue for all community college projects in the form of PR, which
  • And then third, you authorized local revenue for all community college projects in the form of PR, which
  • The only change is that JAC added a footnote for the local share.
  • And section 59, the Board of Pharmacy, did have a technical correction to move $6 from T0 to special
  • And section 59 the board of pharmacy<02:00:35.119><c> did</c><02:00:35.360><c> have</c><02:00:35.520>
Committee: Joint Appropriations
WA
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session Mar 3rd, 2026 at 05:50 pm

Washington House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • provider is in the position where they have to, may I read, show that it would violate a state or local
  • There is a challenge for our local health departments often to get enough staff.
  • Generally speaking, coming out of the local government world, it may surprise you or may not surprise
  • In this case, the underlying policy removes local control.
  • Clark County and local organizations for their financial losses.
Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , SB5467 , SB5820 , SCR8406 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5995 , SB6278 , SB5831 , SB5915 , SB5963 , SB6025 , SB6046 , SB6084 , SB6134 , SB6136 , SB6137 , SB6188 , SB6291 , HB2689 , SB5922 , SB5944 , SB5957 , SB5988 , SB5994 , SB6011 , SB6065 , SB6103 , SB6151 , SB6244
Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government, RCW 57, real property disposal, personal property, notice of intent to sell, public auction
WA
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session Mar 3rd, 2026 at 02:00 pm

Washington House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • But it drags along local law enforcement.
  • Our state law enforcement agencies and our local law enforcement agencies.
  • , nor should it be in any local government or state government law enforcement agency.
  • That's not how we do it here in my local sheriff's office. I think we could have done better.
  • That's not how we do it here in my local sheriff's office. I think we could have done better.
Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , SB5467 , SB5820 , SCR8406 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5995 , SB6278 , SB5831 , SB5915 , SB5963 , SB6025 , SB6046 , SB6084 , SB6134 , SB6136 , SB6137 , SB6188 , SB6291 , HB2689 , SB5922 , SB5944 , SB5957 , SB5988 , SB5994 , SB6011 , SB6065 , SB6103 , SB6151 , SB6244
Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government, RCW 57, real property disposal, personal property, notice of intent to sell, public auction
WA
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session Mar 3rd, 2026 at 09:00 am

Washington House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think that should be left more to local school districts and local school boards.
  • I think that should be left more to local school districts and local school boards.
  • Let's let the school districts and the superintendents and the locally elected school boards make their
  • Let's let the school districts and the superintendents and the locally elected school boards make their
Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , SB5467 , SB5820 , SCR8406 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5995 , SB6278 , SB5831 , SB5915 , SB5963 , SB6025 , SB6046 , SB6084 , SB6134 , SB6136 , SB6137 , SB6188 , SB6291 , HB2689 , SB5922 , SB5944 , SB5957 , SB5988 , SB5994 , SB6011 , SB6065 , SB6103 , SB6151 , SB6244
Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government, RCW 57, real property disposal, personal property, notice of intent to sell, public auction
WA
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session Mar 3rd, 2026

Washington House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • There is a challenge for our local health departments often to get enough staff.
  • In this case, the underlying policy removes local control.
  • Clark County and local organizations for their financial losses.
  • Thank you. the underlying policy removes local control.
  • Clark County and local organizations for their financial losses.
Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , SB5467 , SB5820 , SCR8406 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5995 , SB6278 , SB5831 , SB5915 , SB5963 , SB6025 , SB6046 , SB6084 , SB6134 , SB6136 , SB6137 , SB6188 , SB6291 , HB2689 , SB5922 , SB5944 , SB5957 , SB5988 , SB5994 , SB6011 , SB6065 , SB6103 , SB6151 , SB6244
Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, SB 5467, water-sewer district, water sewer district, surplus property, public property sale, local government, RCW 57, real property disposal, personal property, notice of intent to sell, public auction
Summary: The House received several messages from the Senate announcing passage of engrossed or substitute versions of House Bill 2294, House Bill 2472, Senate Bill 606, Senate Bill 6335, engrossed substitute Senate Bill 6266, and engrossed substitute House Bill 3. The chamber then moved through second and third reading on a series of measures, often suspending the rules to advance bills to final passage. A major floor debate centered on Senate Concurrent Resolution 8406, which would reestablish the Joint Select Committee on Civic Health and expand its membership. Amendment 2131, offered to keep the committee at its current size rather than expanding it, was rejected after debate over fiscal restraint, committee scope, and whether the body functioned like a “proxy legislature.” The resolution then passed 83-10. The House also passed engrossed substitute Senate Bill 6200 on portable cooling devices for renters and mobile home occupants, Senate Bill 6084 on clarifying the prohibition on voting in more than one election, second engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5105 on sexually explicit depictions involving minors, and Senate Bill 6046 authorizing the Civil Air Patrol to be used by the governor in emergencies; each drew debate over policy scope, enforcement, and state-federal authority, but all ultimately passed. The House next passed substitute Senate Bill 6054, limiting HOA and common-interest community restrictions that conflict with wildfire-hardening measures; substitute Senate Bill 6091, requiring greater transparency in real estate broker practices; Senate Bill 6291, giving more time to train and certify on-site wastewater inspectors; substitute Senate Bill 6081, creating a Public Records Act exemption for sex designation information to protect transgender people from doxxing and harassment; Senate Bill 5963, automatically enrolling certain vulnerable students in the Washington College Grant; and substitute Senate Bill 6226, addressing audiology scope-of-practice and telemedicine concerns. Most of these bills passed with broad bipartisan support, though some drew dissent over added regulation, privacy, or scope-of-practice issues. The final portion of the transcript focused on Senate Bill 6106, which the Speaker ruled had an out-of-scope amendment related to agricultural seasonal workers; the bill itself passed 75-18 after debate over layoff notices and tribal sovereignty. Substitute Senate Bill 6014, dealing with pregnancy accommodations and related public records issues, saw a failed amendment to replace gender-neutral language with “pregnant woman” and then passed 68-25. The House also debated Senate Bill 5820, with multiple amendments concerning freight rail, greenhouse gas calculations, county planning, property rights, and rail safety; the excerpt ends amid that amendment debate before final action on the bill is shown.
WA
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Pro Forma Floor Session Mar 2nd, 2026 at 09:55 am

Washington House Floor Meeting

NH
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

Senate Session (05/07/2026)

New Hampshire Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> bills this year dealing with pharmacy bills this year dealing with pharmacy benefit<01:24:03.600
  • </c> these parents are still paying local these parents are still paying local property<01:37:33.760>
  • This takes away local control.
  • </c> it means more strain on our local it means more strain on our local businesses.<05:14:53.840><c>
  • </c><05:37:54.160><c> health</c> authority to enforce local health authority to enforce local health
CO
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 119 Part 2 May 13th, 2026

Colorado Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • centers to provide medication abortion and, for those campuses with health centers that include pharmacies
  • It compels pharmacies at public Colleges to maintain supplies and turns our universities into distribution
  • The direct cost of the drugs at abortion medication from an on-campus Medication from an on-campus pharmacy
  • This creates hidden taxpayer burden and strains local emergency services.
  • That's a local governance thing.
MA
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Businesses Apr 7th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • That's long, I mean, I grew up in my father's pharmacy. That ship has long sailed.
  • We might still be able to eat out, but we will change the dynamic of our local communities.
  • We hire locally. We give back. We create spaces where people gather.
  • It stays local. It supports jobs. It strengthens our communities.
  • It stays local. It supports jobs. It strengthens our communities.
Summary: The commission met to continue studying credit card payments, interchange fees, fraud, chargebacks, and the impact of card processing costs on small businesses, especially restaurants and retailers. Members heard extensive testimony from credit unions, retailers, restaurant owners, payment-industry representatives, and an airline trade group. Supporters of reform argued that swipe fees are a major and rising expense, that businesses are paying fees on sales tax and tips that are merely pass-through amounts, and that merchants have little negotiating power. Several restaurant and retail witnesses described thin margins, higher costs for card-not-present transactions, and chargebacks that they said usually favor cardholders and leave merchants absorbing losses and fees. Witnesses from the Cooperative Credit Union Association cautioned that state-level interchange regulation could reduce revenue used for fraud prevention, compliance, and member services, and could lead to higher rates or reduced access. Retail and restaurant representatives countered that fees have risen sharply, that statements are difficult to decipher, and that rewards programs and card-network pricing are subsidized by merchants and ultimately by all consumers. The Massachusetts Restaurant Association and independent operators urged legislation to bar fees on tax and tip portions of transactions and to allow businesses to pass along card fees if they choose, saying this would improve transparency and fairness and help keep small restaurants open. Other testimony came from the National Restaurant Association, which supported interchange reform and said modern point-of-sale systems can already separate tax and tip amounts, and from a payments-industry group that emphasized the broader economic benefits of digital payments and warned against state-by-state rules. Airlines for America opposed changes that could undermine airline credit card rewards programs. Commission members asked detailed questions about fee structures, card types, chargebacks, POS systems, and whether consumers paying cash are also affected. No votes or formal actions were taken at the meeting.
PA
PA

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Session (Jun 29 2026)

Pennsylvania House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • individuals with disabilities often rely on rideshare services to get to their medical appointments, pharmacies
Summary: The House convened, approved a prior journal, confirmed a quorum, and received several bill referrals and calendar motions before moving into caucus and committee announcements. Members also welcomed a number of guests and student visitors to the chamber. After recess, the House resumed with committee reports from Appropriations and Rules, agreeing to re-reported bills including House Bills 1006, 106, 2014, 2037, 2460, 2512, 2559, 2644, 733, 2455, 2499, and 2529. The chamber adopted two resolutions: House Resolution 462 designating May 17, 2026, as World Neurofibromatosis Awareness Day, and House Resolution 553 designating May 19, 2026, as Pontian Greek Genocide Remembrance Day. Both sponsors spoke in support, with the NF resolution emphasizing awareness, diagnosis, and research, and the Pontian Greek resolution focusing on remembrance of historical persecution and ethnic violence. The House also passed several bills on final consideration, including House Bill 2014 on opportunities for minors in emergency service organizations, House Bill 2037 on cryptocurrency-related ethics restrictions, House Bill 2512 on rideshare pricing protections, House Bill 2644 on legislative authorization for capital bridge projects, and House Bill 2559 on state property conveyances. Amendments were considered on several measures. On House Bill 2359, which prohibits government agencies from entering nondisclosure agreements related to data centers, one amendment requiring hyperscale data centers to pay their own energy costs failed on a 101-101 tie, another amendment making the bill effective immediately was adopted, and a third amendment protecting trade secrets failed. On House Bill 779 regarding abusive towing practices, an agreed-to amendment was adopted. House Bill 733 modernizing marriage ceremony law, Senate Bill 1294 on penalties for unlicensed commercial driving schools, and Senate Bill 1259 clarifying parole record privilege and access were agreed to, and House Bill 2499 concerning the State Workers Insurance Fund and Investment Authority was also advanced. The House then recommitted several bills to Appropriations, removed others from the tabled calendar, and adjourned until June 30, 2026.