Video & Transcript : 'local pharmacies' :
Page 14 of 500
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill, we've had a huge wave, as you know, but would you agree, have had a huge wave of local pharmacies
- There weren't any pharmacies closing. Pharmacies were opening.
- pharmacy, which is one of the largest mail order pharmacies in the country.
- pharmacy?
- So if there were pharmacies like... ...pharmacies like currently Caremark Specialty Pharmacy, where it's
Bills:
HB4336 , HB1818 , HB3194 , HB3538 , HB3682 , HB3762 , HB3793 , HB3930 , HB3931 , HB3934 , HB4124 , HB4200 , HB4410 , HB4457 , HB4473 , HB3884 , HB1912
Committee:
House Public Health
Keywords:
interventional pain management, pain management clinic, chronic pain, acute pain, spinal injections, epidural steroid injection, peripheral nerve block, nerve ablation, spinal cord stimulator, intrathecal infusion pump, endoscopic diskectomy, fluoroscopy, physician supervision, allopathic physician, osteopathic physician, CRNA, certified registered nurse anesthetist, nurse anesthetist, freestanding pain management facility, medical licensure
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- for pharmacy what the new B&O rate will be for pharmacies?
- So critical access pharmacy.
- I'm a former San Juan County Council member and the president of Ray's Pharmacy and Independent Local
- Pharmacy on Orcas Island.
- So I was thinking about online pharmacies. My brother gets his meds through an online pharmacy.
Committee:
House Finance
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Our local pharmacies form the cornerstone of our communities, with many patients seeing their pharmacist
- This bill will ensure that local and independent pharmacies in greater Minnesota and our urban centers
- pharmacies every day.
- Pharmacies need help now.
- There's a substantial need for local community pharmacies throughout Minnesota.
Committee:
House Health Finance and Policy
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 03/18/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Patients need high-quality local pharmacy care.
- I would highquality local pharmacy care.
- </c> diabetic, having access to a local diabetic, having access to a local pharmacy<01:00:16.160><c>
- </c><01:00:52.720><c> like</c><01:00:52.880><c> us</c> And once a local pharmacy like us And once a local
- local pharmacy was crushed because their local pharmacy was crushed out<01:17:04.320><c> of</c><01:17
Committee:
Senate Health and Human Services
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- As a local pharmacy, we are deeply rooted in our community.
- , our local pharmacies.
- If I go through my local pharmacy, I can only get a 30-day supply.
- , our local pharmacies.
- If I go through my local pharmacy, I can only get a 30-day supply.
Committee:
House Health
Summary:
The committee heard several health-related bills. SB 27 by Senator Umberg would expand and clarify the CARE Court process, with amendments narrowing the new diagnosis category to bipolar I disorder with psychotic features, clarifying the “clinically stabilized” standard, and limiting the role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Supporters, including a psychiatrist, a family member, and several local and business groups, said the bill would help more people access needed services; opponents, including counties, disability rights, peer-run organizations, and consumer advocates, warned it would expand the program faster than counties can provide housing, staffing, and court-related services. The committee discussed capacity concerns at length, then passed SB 27 on a do pass motion to the Committee on Public Safety.
SB 503 by Senator Weber Pearson would require AI 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, the California Medical Association, hospitals, and psychiatrists said the bill would help prevent discriminatory outcomes and improve trust in AI tools. Committee members noted the need to clarify deployer and developer responsibilities and accepted amendments before voting. The bill passed as amended to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee.
SB 68 by Senator Menjivar would require allergen disclosure on restaurant menus, with different requirements for larger chains and more flexible options for smaller restaurants. The bill was presented with emotional testimony from the author and a nine-year-old witness with severe food allergies, along with broad support from medical, nursing, parent, and allergy advocacy groups. The California Restaurant Association opposed the bill unless amended, seeking broader menu-format flexibility and additional liability language. After discussion of those concerns, the committee passed SB 68 as amended to Appropriations.
SB 403 by Senator Blakespear would remove the sunset date from California’s End of Life Option Act, making the law permanent. Supporters, including a physician, a social worker, hospice professionals, and family members of terminally ill patients, described the law as a compassionate, carefully regulated option that has worked as intended. Faith-based and Catholic health organizations opposed the measure. The committee approved SB 403 and sent it to Judiciary. The hearing also included consent items, which were approved, and a vote change on SB 68 from no to aye by Senator Sanchez.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- The PBM must make the pharmacy whole.
- And are you representing the pharmacies, independent pharmacies? Thank you, Matthew.
- pharmacy and to be steered towards a chain pharmacy because they say, oh, well, if you go to this local
- away from her local pharmacy.
- Access to their local pharmacies that's within driving distance, the patient's freedom to choose.
Bills:
SB25 , SB250 , HB22 , HB27 , HB33 , HB47 , HB233 , HB290 , HB308 , HB324 , HB382 , HB533 , HB559 , HB575 , HB980 , HB1157 , HB1207 , HB1236 , HCR45
Committee:
Senate Finance
Keywords:
HB22, Act 279, Clerks of Court Retirement and Relief Fund, retirement system, pension, cost-of-living adjustment, COLA, retirees, beneficiaries, survivors, funded ratio, actuarial valuation, Consumer Price Index, CPI-U, employer contributions, funding deposit account, unfunded accrued liability, public retirement, Louisiana retirement law, court clerks
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
CPC Public Hearing - Wed Apr 2, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Consumer Protection & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:54:54.480><c> or</c><00:54:54.640><c> the</c><00:54:54.799><c> local</c> mail order pharmacy
- or the local mail order pharmacy or the local pharmacy<00:54:56.079><c> but</c><00:54:56.440><c> when
- or the local pharmacy.
- c> de</c><00:55:29.400><c> um</c> the local Pharmacy like what de um the local Pharmacy like what de
- Everyone has a choice: they can use a mail-order pharmacy or the local pharmacy.
Committee:
House Consumer Protection & Commerce
Summary:
The committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 1046 SD1 on condominiums. Testimony on that bill focused on reserve funding and enforcement of reserve study requirements. The Community Associations Institute opposed the bill, saying it would create hardship, confusion, and be difficult to administer, while also urging stronger penalties for boards that fail to comply with reserve study rules. The Real Estate Commission offered comments, and one testifier spoke in support. No vote was taken during the portion provided.
The committee then heard SB 532 SD2 HD1 relating to the Department of Education, which would improve access to pre-approved medications for students with health conditions at school and during off-campus activities. The Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi nursing and medical programs, and the Department of Education all supported the measure, with DOH suggesting amendments to better identify the correct student and improve medication safety. Members had no questions, and the bill moved on.
Next was SB 1245 SD2 HD1 relating to pharmacists, a bill to allow reimbursement for clinical services pharmacists are already trained and licensed to provide. The University of Hawaiʻi, Board of Pharmacy, Walgreens, Mikai Drugs, and the Hawaiʻi Pharmacists Association supported the bill, emphasizing improved access to care, recruitment and retention of pharmacists, and better chronic disease management. The Hawaiʻi Pharmacists Association also discussed proposed amendments to prevent plans from denying coverage or network participation when pharmacists meet credentialing requirements. Members questioned whether insurers would actually use pharmacists and how the bill would affect pay and contracting; no vote was taken in the excerpt.
The committee also heard SB 1279 SD2 HD1, another pharmacists bill focused on telepharmacy and 340B-related issues. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation supported it, saying telehealth could reduce costs and avoid travel for audits, while the Board of Pharmacy opposed it. Lānaʻi representatives opposed the bill and asked for an exemption, arguing the island already has close in-person access to a resident pharmacist and clinics. The Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association supported the measure, citing large patient savings from 340B pricing, while Mikai Drugs opposed it, arguing that mail-order and telepharmacy are not necessary on some islands and can create delivery and medication-safety problems. Members asked questions about insurer participation, scope of practice, and whether the bill would meaningfully change reimbursement; the transcript ends before any final action or vote.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Public Health - Part 1 Feb 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- That current trend that we're seeing of our local pharmacies being shut down and having to close because
- There weren't any pharmacies closing. Pharmacies were opening.
- own mail-order pharmacy.
- pharmacy, which is one of the largest mail-order pharmacies in the country.
- pharmacy?
Summary:
The Public Health Committee heard several bills, beginning with HB 4336, which updates definitions of acute and chronic pain to align with the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act and adds certain violations as unprofessional conduct. The committee adopted a PCS as the working draft, took no questions, and passed the bill 7-0. HB 3194, which would prevent pregnancy centers from being singled out for discrimination or censorship based on pro-life principles, drew questions about oversight, medical staffing, ultrasound interpretation, and contraceptive counseling; after discussion, it passed 6-1.
The committee then passed HB 3934, described as a measure to help rural Oklahoma children get dental care through dental hygienists, with a question confirming parents could opt in or out. HB 3762, dealing with chiropractic practice and defining “serum” to cover vitamins, minerals, and nutrients while excluding blood products, was amended in committee but did not receive a motion and remained in committee. HB 1818, clarifying licensed social workers as licensed bachelor social workers and aligning Oklahoma with neighboring states, passed 6-0.
Later, HB 3538 on pharmacy benefit manager vertical integration and community pharmacy reimbursement passed 7-0 after extensive discussion about independent pharmacy closures, mail-order pharmacy issues, specialty drugs, and network access. HB 3682, the Oklahoma Clean Indoor Air Act, would prohibit smoking in most public gathering places while allowing certain exceptions and local governments to adopt stricter rules; it passed 7-0. The committee also heard HB 3793, a placeholder bill on nursing education and diploma programs intended to address workforce shortages, but no motion was made and it remained in committee. The meeting ended with a short recess for the swearing-in of a new representative-elect.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- pharmacies to close.
- PBMs limit which drugs can be dispensed locally and reserve the most profitable drugs for their own pharmacies
- Without SB 41, PBMs will continue to run afoul, causing more pharmacies to close, local jobs to be lost
- I'm the owner of Ten Acres Pharmacy. My name is Sonia Frosto. I'm the owner of Ten Acres Pharmacy.
- pharmacies and chain pharmacies and affiliate pharmacies, among a number of other things, including
Committee:
House Judiciary
Summary:
The committee began without a quorum and heard several bills. SB 41 by Senator Wiener would regulate pharmacy benefit managers by increasing transparency, banning patient steering and spread pricing, and requiring full pass-through of rebates. Supporters, including independent pharmacists and health groups, said PBM practices are driving pharmacy closures and higher costs; opponents argued the bill overlaps with recent PBM licensing and reporting changes in AB 116 and may be preempted by federal ERISA law. Members raised questions about confidentiality, legal preemption, and whether savings would reach consumers, and the author asked for an aye vote.
The committee then heard SB 378, also by Senator Wiener, which would let consumers seek civil penalties against online marketplaces that advertise illegal intoxicating hemp and unlicensed cannabis products. Supporters said online sales are undermining the licensed cannabis market and exposing children to unsafe products; opponents, including TechNet and hemp businesses, warned the bill is overbroad, could sweep in general-purpose platforms, and may raise First Amendment and dormant commerce clause concerns. The author said he would narrow the bill, remove industrial hemp references, and address strict liability and standing issues. Members generally supported the goal of protecting children and legal cannabis businesses, while asking for narrower language.
SB 243 by Senator Padilla would impose guardrails on AI companion chatbots, including disclosures, anti-addictive design limits, self-harm response protocols, reporting, audits, and a private right of action. Supporters, including Common Sense Media and AI transparency advocates, said companion chatbots can intensify loneliness, manipulate users, and have been linked to self-harm risks for minors; opponents said the definitions are too broad and could capture general-purpose AI tools, and several objected to the private right of action. Members expressed strong concern about child safety but also questioned the breadth of the bill and the need for clearer standards.
The committee also heard SB 522, which would preserve just-cause eviction protections for rental units destroyed by disaster and later rebuilt, and SB 259, which would restrict businesses from using device data such as hardware state or geolocation to set prices. SB 522 drew support from Los Angeles officials and tenant advocates who said rebuilt disaster housing should retain tenant protections, while landlords and Realtors opposed it as a burden on reconstruction. SB 259 was supported as a consumer protection against device-based price discrimination, but business groups opposed it as overbroad and harmful to legitimate pricing models. In both cases, members discussed the balance between consumer protection and business concerns, and the bills were held pending a quorum.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- I don't know the mix in it, because I just, you know, we know the mix that, you know, the local pharmacies
- Had this been enforced in 2025, and had this been enforced for only the local pharmacies—I didn't even
- That's why you don't usually have local pharmacies negotiating with PBMs because you don't have scale
- pharmacies.
- pharmacies.
Committee:
House Insurance
Summary:
The House Insurance Committee met on April 1 with a quorum present and first took up House Bill 938 by Rep. Turner, which would overhaul pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) regulation by setting a flat administration fee, requiring dispensing fees and NADAC-based reimbursement, mandating rebate pass-through, giving the Department of Insurance access to PBM data, and creating a reverse-auction process for PBM procurement. Turner said the bill is intended to level the playing field for independent pharmacies, improve transparency, and reduce hidden PBM practices. The committee adopted amendment set 1444 without objection, and Turner said additional conceptual amendments were still being worked on. Supporters included independent pharmacies and the PBM Accountability Project; opponents included union plan representatives, benefits consultants, and PBM/insurance industry witnesses who warned of higher costs, ERISA preemption problems, and likely litigation. After extended questioning on cost, preemption, and vertical integration, the committee reported HB 938 with amendments.
The committee then considered House Bill 870, also by Rep. Turner, dealing with formulary placement and cost-sharing for generic drugs and biosimilars and limiting certain utilization management practices. Amendment set 1540 was adopted, revising and tightening technical definitions. Turner and a representative of the Association for Accessible Medicines argued the bill would help lower-cost generics and biosimilars gain market share and reduce patient costs, citing examples such as insulin and Humira biosimilars. Opponents from Louisiana Blue said the bill would force coverage based on wholesale acquisition cost rather than net cost, would raise premiums for fully insured members, and would mandate coverage of drugs that are not always the lowest net-cost option. Rep. Jordan again raised ERISA and preemption concerns, and committee members discussed whether the bill would interfere with tiering and plan design. After closing comments and a motion by Rep. Glorioso, HB 870 was reported with amendments, and the committee adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I think that our local advisory council or local school boards are those closest to the people.
- Local school leaders or local school board leaders in a position where they're not sure.
- declaration that the local entity is a violating local entity.
- that the local entity is a violating local entity for that fiscal year.
- Localities, and so it would be an unfunded local mandate. How expensive?
Bills:
SB6 , SB30 , SB13 , SB2878 , SB2501 , SB66 , SB268 , SB331 , SB618 , SB414 , SB1394 , SB2425 , SB898 , SB993 , SB442 , SB735 , SB784 , SB2538 , SB1919 , SB1013 , SB2215 , SB2322 , SB626 , SB570 , SB747 , SB2183 , SB673 , SB1015 , SB1447 , SB1370 , SB1784 , SB1897 , SB2873 , SB2891 , SB2933 , SB2540 , SB2681 , SB2695 , SB1965 , SB2203 , SB872 , SB875 , SB1030 , SB1277 , SB1730 , SB1681 , SB1152 , SB2969 , SB2747 , SB2705 , SB2541 , SB1708 , SB2080 , SB2721 , SB1986 , SB2392 , SB2539 , SB2857 , SB2799 , SB2785 , SB2782 , SB1531 , SB1927 , SB1263 , SB1098 , SB835 , SB3070 , SB22 , SJR27 , SB25 , SB7 , SB552 , SB1612 , SJR87 , SJR1 , SB6 , SB30 , SB13 , SB2878 , SB57 , SB127 , SB293 , SB441 , SB3059 , SB512 , SB241 , SB1718 , SB140 , SB2055 , SB2075 , SB2018 , SB1534 , SB1567 , SB785 , SB1233 , SB1580 , SB1663 , SB413 , SB447 , SB519 , SB467 , SB1579 , SB1191 , SB1021 , SB1838 , SB2807 , SB2835 , SB546 , SB2121 , SB2167 , SB2035 , SB2024 , SB1032 , SB1049 , SB1266 , SB1400 , SB1302 , SB401 , SB1596 , SB1281 , SB1242 , SB1343 , SB310 , SB1346 , SB2753 , SB2703 , SB2221 , SB1719 , SB2177 , SB800 , SB790 , SB748 , SB571 , SB1957 , SB1923 , SB1896 , SB1760 , SB1335 , SB2368 , SB2477 , SB2587 , SB2972 , SB2986 , SB2965 , SB1563 , SB1467 , SB1164 , SB1137 , SB614 , SB705 , SB961 , SB918 , SB955 , SB869 , SB850 , SB863 , SB1610 , SB1055 , SB2206 , SB457 , SB2337 , SB1362 , SB926 , SB1494 , SB251 , SB456 , SB500 , SB1307 , SB2615 , SB2995 , SB2321 , SB973 , SB974 , SB865 , SB506 , SB781 , SB1522 , SB1558 , SB510 , SB667 , SB763 , SB2073 , SB1858 , SB1660 , SB505 , SB2900 , SB1433 , SB1540 , SB1964 , SB1300 , SB1644 , SB2217 , SB2373 , SB2431 , SB1758 , SB2480 , SB3039 , SB3047 , SB3073 , SB2920 , SB2781 , SB826 , SB766 , SB2460 , SB527 , SB1946 , SB2885 , SB1243 , SB2610 , SB2595 , SB857 , SB2501 , SB66 , SB268 , SB331 , SB618 , SB414 , SB1394 , SB2425 , SB898 , SB993 , SB442 , SB735 , SB784 , SB2538 , SB1919 , SB1013 , SB2215 , SB2322 , SB626 , SB570 , SB747 , SB2183 , SB673 , SB1015 , SB1447 , SB1370 , SB1784 , SB1897 , SB2873 , SB2891 , SB2933 , SB2540 , SB2681 , SB2695 , SB1965 , SB2203 , SB872 , SB875 , SB1030 , SB1277 , SB1730 , SB1681 , SB1152 , SB2969 , SB2747 , SB2705 , SB2541 , SB1708 , SB2080 , SB2721 , SB1986 , SB2392 , SB2539 , SB2857 , SB2799 , SB2785 , SB2782 , SB1531 , SB1927 , SB1263 , SB1098 , SCR9 , HB5560 , HB762 , HB 107 , HB 114 , HB138 , HB4386 , HB2495 , HB581 , HB3348 , HB5323 , HB1584 , HB4341 , HB6 , HB171 , HB143 , HB449 , HB3486 , HB4263 , HB5246 , HB2 , HB2011 , SB17 , SB21
Keywords:
electric power, interconnection, utilities, ERCOT, large load customers, water supply, sewer service, demand management, school libraries, library advisory councils, parental rights, library materials, educational content, challenging materials, judicial branch, court security, expunction, pretrial intervention, youth diversion, record retention
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Finance Mar 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- pharmacies.
- However, pharmacy...
- pharmacies don't close.
- I'm a former San Juan County Council member and the president of Ray's Pharmacy, an independent local
- pharmacy on Orcas Island.
Summary:
House Finance held public hearings on three Senate bills. SB 6129 would raise cigarette taxes, replace current nicotine/vapor product taxes with a 95% tax on nicotine products, and adjust revenue distributions to the Andy Hill Cancer Research account, the Foundational Public Health Services account, and a youth prevention account; staff and supporters said it would correct an unintended loss of public health funding and reduce youth nicotine use, while opponents argued it would be highly regressive, harm retailers and wholesalers, and push sales into illicit markets. SB 6231 would repeal the data center sales tax exemption for refurbishment and end replacement server equipment eligibility; the sponsor and staff said it would raise roughly $200 million and remove an obsolete preference, while labor, port, business, and data center representatives opposed it, citing lost jobs, reduced investment, and concerns about upsetting existing contracts and rural economic development. SB 6228 would repeal the preferential B&O rate for warehousing and reselling prescription drugs and create a lower preferential rate for critical access pharmacies; the sponsor said it would restore horizontal equity in the tax code and offset impacts on rural pharmacies, but pharmacy groups, wholesalers, retailers, and business organizations warned it would raise medication costs, worsen pharmacy closures, and be passed through to patients.
The committee heard extensive public testimony on all three bills. Supporters of SB 6129 included public health, cancer, pediatric, and emergency medicine advocates who emphasized youth prevention, cessation funding, and long-term health savings; opponents included tobacco, vape, retail, and business groups who said the bill would increase black-market activity and burden small businesses. SB 6231 drew opposition from construction trades, ports, local governments, chambers, and data center interests, who argued the tax preference supports ongoing construction, permanent jobs, and local tax bases, while committee questions focused on whether the bill would affect existing refurbishment contracts. SB 6228 was opposed by pharmacy associations, independent pharmacists, wholesalers, grocery retailers, and AWB, who said the tax increase would be passed through and could accelerate pharmacy desert conditions; the sponsor and supporters framed the bill as a correction to an outdated preference and a way to protect critical access pharmacies. No votes were taken; each hearing was closed, and the chair announced amendment requests were due Thursday at 5 p.m. and amendments posted by Friday at 5 p.m.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, March 25, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Families and businesses in southern Arizona saw how local ownership translates into local solutions.
- </c><00:57:57.920><c> I</c> translates into local solutions. I translates into local solutions.
- </c> for her commitment to delivering local for her commitment to delivering local news,<01:04:53.200
- s local economy.
- </c> carrying out local laws and policies. carrying out local laws and policies.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- The PBM must make the pharmacy whole.
- And are you representing the pharmacies, independent pharmacies? Thank you, Matthew.
- pharmacy and to be steered towards a chain pharmacy because they say, 'Oh, well, if you go to this local
- away from her local pharmacy.
- Out of local funding, and I can answer any questions.
Committee:
Senate Finance
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee met with eight members present and deferred HB 127. It then considered a series of bills, most of which were reported favorably without opposition. HB 22 revised COLA rules for the clerks of court retirement system, allowing more frequent COLAs when the system is better funded; HB 324 made judicial stipends permanent and added future COLAs subject to available funding; HB 233 increased jury mileage reimbursement; HB 47 reorganized assessor retirement COLA statutes; HB 533 allowed St. Tammany Parish to transfer unused witness-fee account balances to the 22nd Judicial District Court; HB 980 adjusted eligibility for the Firemen’s Supplemental Pay Board; HCR 45 urged Congress to clarify ARPA deadlines for water projects; HB 559 increased court costs in the 4th Judicial District; HB 290 recreated the Department of Treasury and related entities in statute; and HB 382 addressed Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget review authority over Group Benefits plans. The committee also reported HB 1157 favorably, creating a financing bank mechanism for infrastructure projects, and HB 575 favorably, giving youth aging out of foster care preferred access to surplus state vehicles through the Louisiana Property Assistance Agency.
Several measures drew more discussion. HB 1236, dealing with pharmacy benefit managers and professional dispensing fees, prompted extensive testimony from the sponsor, the Legislative Fiscal Office, the Department of Insurance, independent pharmacies, and PBM representatives. Supporters said it clarifies and strengthens enforcement of existing PBM law and protects independent pharmacies; opponents argued the bill’s requirement that PBMs bear dispensing-fee costs would be difficult to implement and could raise premiums. The sponsor said he would work on amendments, including clarifying language and a delayed effective date, and the bill was nevertheless moved favorably. SB 25, on registrar of voters compensation, was amended to a revised pay structure and then reported favorably. HB 47 and HB 533 were also presented as funding and administrative cleanups for retirement and court-related accounts, with local support noted.
The committee also heard HB 233 on jury duty mileage reimbursement, which the sponsor said updates a 1961 rate and would be funded locally at an estimated average increase of about $4,000 per judicial district. HB 324 on judicial salaries was described as self-funded by the judiciary and subject to available funding, with no budget impact. HB 575 on foster youth transportation was presented as a non-appropriation measure aimed at helping youth aging out of foster care by giving them preferred access to surplus vehicles. HB 382, which concerns the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget’s role in approving Group Benefits plans, was reported favorably with little discussion. The meeting ended after a motion to adjourn.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Governmental Organization Committee Apr 23rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- AB 342 is a bipartisan, pro-business, pro-local control bill that allows local governments to create
- In these markets, local controls exist to manage consumption in accordance with local values and to maintain
- with pharmacies to stop selling tobacco products.
- Association has issued a policy calling on pharmacies and places with pharmacies to stop selling tobacco
- In conclusion, pharmacies and retail locations that contain pharmacies have no business selling tobacco
Summary:
The Governmental Organization Committee heard a series of bills focused largely on alcohol licensing, nonprofit funding, tribal grants, public transparency, and tobacco policy. AB 342 (Haney) would allow local governments to create hospitality zones with extended last-call hours on certain days; supporters argued it would boost tourism, nightlife, and major-event readiness, while opponents warned of alcohol-related harms and public safety risks. AB 684 (Patel) would subject the UC Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools to open-meeting requirements, with supporters saying admissions-related changes should be more transparent and allow schools time to adjust. AB 1008 (Addis) would authorize up to 10 new on-sale general licenses in San Luis Obispo County to meet tourism demand, and AB 1039 (Hart) would require state agencies to offer advance payments on new nonprofit grants and contracts, which supporters said would help cash-strapped nonprofits deliver services. AB 221 (Ramos) would revise the Tribal Nation Grant Fund to provide more predictable annual distributions to eligible non-gaming and limited-gaming tribes, and it drew broad support from tribal representatives and others. AB 795 (Jeff Gonzalez) would create a California commission for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, with supporters describing it as a privately funded, nonpartisan planning body. AB 828/AB 28 (Mark Gonzalez, as referenced in the transcript) would expand neighborhood-restricted liquor licenses in Los Angeles County to reduce costs and support restaurant recovery, and AB 1246 (Hoover) would increase craft distillers’ direct sales limits and address barrel-storage rules; both were supported as small-business measures. AB 1428 (Ta) would require reporting of all surplus and underutilized state land, and AB 957 (Ortega) would prohibit tobacco sales in pharmacies, with strong public health support. Several bills were voted out on motions to Appropriations, some with amendments, while others were held or left on call until quorum was established; the committee also adopted a consent calendar and left rolls open for absent members on multiple measures.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- I don't know the mix in it, because I just, you know, we know the mix that, you know, the local pharmacies
- Had this been enforced in 2025, and had this been enforced for only the local pharmacies, I didn't even
- That's why you don't usually have local pharmacies negotiating with PBMs because you don't have scale
- That's why you don't usually have local pharmacies negotiating with PBMs because you don't have scale
- pharmacies.
Committee:
House Insurance
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 4/13/26
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- So, this allows licensed pharmacies to operate secure remote sites such as local grocery store.
- A pharmacy depot is not a full retail pharmacy, but allows patients to safely pick up prescriptions locally
- ,</c><00:46:12.000><c> local</c> the hospital, pharmacies, local the hospital, pharmacies, local providers
- My goal is to have local pharmacy, that.
- we could allow local independent pharmacies to partner in these sites.
Committee:
House Health Finance and Policy
TX
Bills:
SB2 , SB3 , SB5 , SB9 , SB10 , SB14 , SB16 , SB18 , SB34 , SB6 , SB7 , SB8 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB 2 , SB 3 , SB 5 , SB 9 , SB 10 , SB 14 , SB 16 , SB 18 , SB 34 , SB 6 , SB 7 , SB 8 , SB 11 , SB 12 , SB 13 , SB 15 , SB 17 , SB 4 , SB1 , SB2 , SB3 , SB5 , SB9 , SB10 , SB14 , SB16 , SB18 , SB34 , SB6 , SB7 , SB8 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB17 , SB4
Keywords:
flooding, public safety, outdoor warning sirens, disaster preparedness, emergency response, flood warning, outdoor sirens, local government, safety measures, flood management, emergency preparedness, municipal safety, disaster response, disaster relief, emergency funding, Meteorological forecasting, local government assistance, training facilities, hemp regulation, consumable products
TX
Bills:
SB2 , SB3 , SB4 , SB5 , SB6 , SB7 , SB8 , SB9 , SB10 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB14 , SB15 , SB16 , SB18 , SB34 , SB2 , SB3 , SB4 , SB5 , SB6 , SB7 , SB8 , SB9 , SB10 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB14 , SB15 , SB16 , SB18 , SB34 , SB 2 , SB 3 , SB 4 , SB 5 , SB 6 , SB 7 , SB 8 , SB 9 , SB 10 , SB 11 , SB 12 , SB 13 , SB 14 , SB 15 , SB 16 , SB 17 , SB 18 , SB 34 , SB2 , SB3 , SB4 , SB5 , SB6 , SB7 , SB8 , SB9 , SB10 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB14 , SB15 , SB16 , SB17 , SB18 , SB34
Keywords:
flooding, public safety, outdoor warning sirens, disaster preparedness, emergency response, flood warning, outdoor sirens, local government, safety measures, flood management, emergency preparedness, municipal safety, disaster response, disaster relief, emergency funding, Meteorological forecasting, local government assistance, training facilities, Texas congressional redistricting, U.S. House districts
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:28:44.920><c> And</c> and the local match is $3.2 million.
- And and the local match is $3.2 million.
- </c> um with again with 3 million in local um with again with 3 million in local costs,<00:30:01.600>
- </c><01:02:28.600><c> unit</c> with the private sector, local unit with the private sector, local unit
- Next up, Representative Pryor. legislature, state agencies, local legislature, state agencies, local
Committee:
House Capital Investment
Keywords:
HF4470, Melissa Hortman, memorial, statue, memorial garden, State Office Building, Capitol Mall Design Framework, capital investment, appropriation, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, Department of Administration, public art, commemorative monument, landscaping, artist selection, family consultation, Minnesota legislature, state building site, capital appropriation, political subdivisions