Transcript Highlights:

• SB 490 by Umberg regarding alcohol and drug programs.
• You've got—and, you know, we stated it in our testimony—a massive increase in the cost of drugs and drug
• The drug costs thousands of dollars per month.
• Drug companies often keep their drug prices high by setting their own list price, and they're offering
• Sarah Weber, with the Drug Policy Alliance, in respectful opposition.

Committee: House Health

Transcript Highlights:

• But moments before the briefing was scheduled to begin, you and the administration abruptly, without
• and immunotherapy, NCI-funded research has developed numerous new drugs and therapies for cancer.
• to beat metastic cancer in 1956 to drug to beat metastic cancer in 1956 to promising<00:57:10.400><c
• new drugs, therapies for cancer. cancer. cancer.
• The private sector needs this public sector investment for them to do the drugs, many of the drugs, and

Transcript Highlights:

• We believe solving the drug crisis is multifactorial.
• Xylazine, also known as Trank, is a drug used by veterinarians.
• So let's talk for just a moment about the drugs that we're adding this to.
• It's put into other drugs. Why?
• People who inject drug mixtures containing xylazine can also develop...

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee heard and advanced a series of bills on inmate medical billing, court-order transmission, animal abandonment during disasters, first responder peer support, firearm purchase waiting periods, capital felony aggravators, domestic violence protections, boating safety, restitution for leaving the scene of a crash, xylazine trafficking, and offenses against law enforcement officers. Testimony was generally supportive across the agenda, with some opposition or caution raised on the xylazine bill, the boating safety bill, and parts of the law-enforcement-officer bill. Several measures were presented as responses to specific tragedies, including the Martin County jail medical billing bill, the Baker Act transmission bill, Trooper’s Law for restrained dogs, the Jason Rayner Act, and Lucy’s Law. HB 407 would cap certain emergency medical charges for Martin County jail inmates at 110% of Medicare rates, mirroring Department of Corrections practice; it passed 15-0. HB 513 would require faster electronic transmission of certain court orders, including Baker Act orders, to law enforcement within six hours; it passed 15-0. HB 205, Trooper’s Law, creates a third-degree felony for abandoning a restrained dog during a natural disaster; it passed 15-0. HB 421, as amended, expands peer support for first responders to certain support personnel involved in crime scene work or evidence handling; it passed 16-0. PCS for HB 383 would let law enforcement, correctional officers, correctional probation officers, and active military service members bypass the three-day handgun waiting period without a concealed carry permit; it passed 18-0. HB 693 adds an aggravating factor in capital cases when the victim was gathered with others for a school, religious, or public government meeting; it passed 17-1 after opposition testimony from Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. PCS for HB 19 and HB 41, the Haven Act, would expand domestic and dating violence protections, including a feasibility study for a web-based 911 alert system and confidentiality/public-records protections for victims; both passed 18-0. PCS for HB 289, Lucy’s Law, would align boating penalties with driving offenses and expand boating safety card requirements; it passed 18-0 despite concerns from one witness that the bill should go further. HB 479 would allow courts to order restitution in leaving-the-scene property-damage cases; an amendment changing mandatory to discretionary restitution was adopted, and the bill passed 18-0. PCS for HB 57 would regulate xylazine, add trafficking penalties, and include veterinary-use exceptions; it passed 17-0 after one witness opposed mandatory minimums. HB 175, the Jason Rayner Act, clarifies that officers are protected when acting within the scope of their duties and adds manslaughter of a law enforcement officer to offenses requiring life imprisonment; it passed 17-0 after debate over self-defense and unlawful police conduct.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's just not safe enough for a drug that you inject.
• This is weight loss drugs.
• This is weight loss drugs.
• So once upon a time, these weight loss drugs were very expensive.
• drug.

Committee: House Business and Professions

Transcript Highlights:

• K2 is not a drug; it is a poison.
• ... ...analysis of tests data provided by the drug abuse lab at UMass Medical.
• Any illicit drugs or anything that's on paper or newspapers, magazines.
• The most common way inmates have access to this drug is through mail received from the outside.
• The only way inmates have access to this drug is through mail received from the outside.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of public safety bills, with strong support from law enforcement, advocates, and other stakeholders. Several measures focused on police and correctional officer wellness and protections, including bills on critical incident leave and post-incident support for officers, a bill to improve POST Commission representation, and a bill to protect correctional officers from assaults and exposure to synthetic drugs like K2. Witnesses described traumatic incidents, rising assaults in prisons, staffing shortages, and the need for confidentiality in peer-support debriefings. Committee members asked questions about assault classifications, K2 smuggling, tablet-related contraband, and whether counseling records would remain confidential. No votes were taken during the hearing. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to canine-related bills. Testimony supported creating a fund for retired police dogs and expanding emergency care training for working dogs injured in the line of duty. Speakers described police dogs as partners who locate suspects, missing persons, drugs, and weapons, and said retirement and medical costs are currently borne by handlers or nonprofits. The committee also heard testimony in favor of a purple alert system for missing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with advocates citing wandering risks, drowning dangers, and data from other states showing faster recovery times. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to expand the definition of sexual assault by an officer to cover situations beyond formal custody, including investigations and other encounters where police have coercive power. Advocates for sex workers and anti-trafficking organizations said the change would close a loophole, protect vulnerable people, and address documented abuses. In addition, testimony was taken on a bill to protect Massachusetts residents from federal surveillance through fusion centers, with critics calling for stronger oversight of BRIC and related databases. Representative Jeff Turco also testified on bills to change POST Commission membership, arguing for more law enforcement representation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to start with some background on current drug possession crimes.
• To start with some background on current drug possession crimes, possession of a controlled substance
• information about the composition of unregulated drugs.
• Sixty-four percent were interested in using drug checking services, but only 14% already did.
• important information about toxicity and trends in the unregulated drug supply.

Summary: The committee first waived the five-day notice rule for five House bills, then held public hearings on several measures. On Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2548, the committee heard staff and sponsor testimony on expanding health care merger notice requirements to the Attorney General, adding transactions involving majority ownership/control and asset sales, requiring public posting of notices, pausing closings until information requests are substantially complied with, and adding filing fees. Supporters, including the sponsor, the Attorney General’s Office, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, nurses, and patient advocates, said the bill would improve transparency and oversight of consolidation and private equity in health care; the Washington State Medical Association and Washington State Hospital Association were neutral after compromise language, though the hospital association raised concern about the added fees. The hearing closed with many people signed in pro and con but not testifying. The committee then heard Second Substitute House Bill 2333, which would allow candidates and elected officials to use campaign or surplus funds to reimburse personal security expenses related to threats tied to their public roles. The sponsor and several prosecutors described personal threats and argued the bill is needed to protect public servants, while public disclosure officials said current PDC processes and the state Address Confidentiality Program already provide some protections and cautioned against over-codifying agency discretion. Some testimony urged restoring earlier address-protection provisions, while county auditors said the revised bill removed operationally unworkable redaction language and was acceptable as amended. The bill had broad signed-in support and opposition, but no vote was taken. For Engrossed House Bill 1574, staff explained the bill would expand Good Samaritan-style protections for people seeking overdose help, bar arrest or conviction for possession in those circumstances, limit related penalties and forfeiture, and allow hospitals and other health facilities to distribute public health supplies without committing paraphernalia infractions. Supporters said it would save lives and improve access to drug checking and harm reduction services, while prosecutors and law enforcement groups said the bill was too broad, especially regarding arrest limits, protection-order violations, probation/parole, warrants, and civil forfeiture. The sponsor said the bill was intended to keep people alive and encourage calls for help. The committee also heard Engrossed House Bill 2156, which would let Attorney General investigators be designated limited authority peace officers to electronically serve search warrants in economic and financial crime cases; the AGO and retailers supported it as a tool against organized retail theft and wage theft, while sheriffs and police chiefs opposed it and urged added guardrails and deconfliction with local law enforcement. Finally, on Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2320, the committee heard a bill to regulate 3D-printed and digitally manufactured firearms and digital firearm manufacturing code. The sponsor and supporters, including students, pediatricians, and a gun-violence survivor’s family member, said it was needed to address untraceable ghost guns and keep pace with technology, while opponents argued the bill was overbroad, raised constitutional concerns, and targeted files and speech rather than criminal conduct. No votes were taken in the hearing excerpts provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We would like to note that in 2024, there was an additional finding related to the schedule of expenditures
• You scheduled me at a good time. Okay, continue. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Status: The board is currently researching issues with its current records retention schedule in order
• We'll be researching other states' comparable boards and their records retention schedules.
• So that is on schedule. We will have some results there.

Committee: Joint Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:05:54.319><c> spend</c> PBM or really a PBA that um drug spend PBM or really a PBA that um drug
• And at least the drug cost of the claim.
• </c> for drugs.
• We are paying for the drugs for drugs.
• </c><01:37:46.960><c> transparency</c> to the prescription drug transparency to the prescription drug

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• But we just don't want to put people who are drug addicts...
• , abortion drug, you know, inducing drug, whatever it is, that's a different scenario.
• So I would think that administering a drug to a woman would constitute assault.
• So do you think abortion drugs are too readily available? Madam Chair, Senator Kuby, yes, I do.
• It's the giving of the drug with the intent to cause it.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee heard and advanced several House bills dealing with criminal law, victims’ rights, and court fees. HB 2131 would remove the financial-gain requirement from weapons and explosives trafficking and make trafficking three or more weapons or explosives in one offense ineligible for probation, pardon, commutation, or early release until the sentence is served; it passed 6-1. HB 2132 lowered the fentanyl trafficking threshold from 200 grams to 100 grams and adjusted related sentencing language; supporters said it would help law enforcement and prosecutors, while opponents argued it would sweep in heavy users and lacked data on current enforcement; it passed 4-3. HB 2223 requires sex offenders seeking a name change to notify prosecutors and victims, and to register under the new name if granted; it passed 6-1. The committee also passed HB 2411, which creates the crime of coerced abortion for secretly or forcibly administering an abortion-inducing drug with intent to cause an abortion, as a class 2 felony. Supporters described cases of covert or forced abortion drug use and said existing laws do not clearly cover situations where the drug is given but no death occurs; opponents argued current assault, manslaughter, homicide, and food-contamination statutes already address the conduct and that the bill is unnecessary. HB 2043, which adds unborn children to the felony-murder statute, also passed 4-3 after testimony from prosecutors and advocates on both sides; supporters called it a cleanup measure, while opponents warned it advances fetal personhood and could have broader reproductive-health consequences. HB 2046, requiring victims to be notified of pre-hearings in probation review proceedings for certain sex offenders, passed unanimously after emotional testimony from a victim’s family and county prosecutors. The committee then approved HB 2666, which increases penalties for sexual extortion involving 15-, 16-, and 17-year-olds when the offender is an adult and knew or should have known the victim’s age. Finally, HB 2265, which eliminates court-imposed fees and assessments on criminal defendants for public defense, jury trials, and appeals, passed 7-0 despite county opposition over lost revenue and shifting costs to taxpayers. The last bill, HB 2133, would require commercial websites hosting sexual material to verify the age and consent of depicted persons, retain records, and treat synthetic depictions like AI-generated images similarly to existing revenge-porn laws; it drew support from adult-industry representatives on some implementation issues but also significant constitutional and privacy concerns, and the committee adopted an amendment before passing the bill as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• That sort of thing where they say yes, this drug makes sense for what the diagnosis has been and it's
• Those are typically things that are drug utilization review, where you're looking at whether there is
• </c><00:07:58.319><c> and</c> purposes of prescribing drugs and purposes of prescribing drugs and devices
• makes sense for what the the drug makes sense for what the the diagnosis<00:08:39.440><c> has</c><00
• are drug utilization review where you're<00:08:59.760><c> looking</c><00:08:59.920><c> at</c><00:09:

Bills: SF0121

Committee: Senate Labor, Health & Social Services

Transcript Highlights:

• But those approvals won't come on a specific drug.
• The drug discovery process, I think you mentioned, takes 12 years, right?
• I think it forms the foundation of our ambitions for AI and drug discovery.
• To us, that's a small part of the technology as it relates to drug discovery.
• You have to think of drug discovery as not just this one contiguous system.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um well, because develop this drug.
• We've got to do that before we bring a drug to market. You know, Mr.
• </c><01:02:19.200><c> again</c> actually start using their drugs again actually start using their drugs
• And I have to he had a drug problem.
• This is a remarkable drug.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're just going to make it easier, streamline that process to get those drugs.
• So we're just going to make it easier, streamline that process to get those drugs.
• Obviously, there's a whole list of how those drugs are now.
• Do we have any sort of impact for how that will affect our list of drugs?
• Item 3 was then introduced: the February 2026 medical drug recommendations.

Committee: All ALC-STATE INSURANCE PROGRAMS OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> offense of promoting a detrimental drug offense of promoting a detrimental drug in<00:38:02.040>
• In opposition, Alan Cardin Jr. of US states the War on Drugs has failed of US states the War on Drugs
• . ...used a lot of different drugs.
• I don't want to see drugs, this kind of drug, here in Hawaii.
• ><00:58:37.559><c> here</c><00:58:37.799><c> in</c> drugs this kind of drug here in drugs this kind of

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard SB 1231, which would repeal the Parentage Uniform Act of 1973 and update Hawaii’s parentage laws, including parts of the Uniform Parentage Act of 2017. Supporters said the current statutes are outdated and do not adequately address assisted reproduction, surrogacy, and modern family formation. The Attorney General’s office supported the bill with technical amendments, including conforming changes to the Probate Code and child support provisions, and several testifiers urged passage as a needed modernization of the law. A major point of disagreement was Part 10, which concerns donor anonymity. Some supporters, including members of the task force, the Uniform Law Commission, fertility and family law practitioners, and LGBTQ+ advocates, backed the bill as written or said it should move forward even if Part 10 is removed. Others, including donor-conceived adults, parents, and advocacy groups, opposed Part 10 and urged the committee to adopt the 2024 version of Article 9 or delete Part 10 entirely, arguing that anonymous donation harms donor-conceived people’s access to genetic, medical, and identity information and that anonymity is not realistic in the DNA-testing era. One task force member and attorney said she supported the bill but preferred removing Part 10 if necessary to pass the rest. The hearing included extensive public testimony both in support and opposition, with many individuals describing personal experiences with adoption, IVF, surrogacy, and donor conception. No committee vote or final action on the bill was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:44:26.640><c> biological</c> is in investigational drug biological is in investigational drug
• is not a drug used in your body. body. body.
• To treat my MS, I take a drug that is not approved for MS.
• I to treat my MS I take a drug that me.
• </c> lucky ones that this drug works for me. lucky ones that this drug works for me.

Bills: HB0028 , HB0080

Committee: Senate Labor, Health & Social Services

Transcript Highlights:

• We focused more on drug therapy and became experts on drug therapy, while the physician students and
• Can you help me pick the right drug?
• Pharmacology is, of course, about how the drug works.
• We have pharmaceuticals, which is how you make drugs.
• We have pharmacokinetics, which is what your body does to the drugs.

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2433, which would require insurers offering Medicare supplement policies to also offer them to people under 65 who qualify for Medicare because of ALS or end-stage renal disease, with enrollment periods and premium protections. Supporters, including patient advocates and an ALS patient, said the bill would improve access to needed coverage and transplant-related care and could have only a small premium impact. Opponents, including Blue Cross Blue Shield/AHIP, argued it would shift significant costs onto older seniors and shrink the Medigap risk pool. The bill was ultimately given a do-pass recommendation on a 12-0 vote. House Bill 2593 would appropriate $1.5 million to the University of Arizona for the Arizona Perinatal Psychiatry Access Line. The sponsor and physicians testified that the line helps providers quickly treat pregnant and postpartum patients with depression, psychosis, OCD, and suicide risk, and also supports pediatric mental health care. Supporters said it improves outcomes and reduces emergency and referral costs. The committee approved the bill with a do-pass recommendation by a 10-1 vote, with one member present. The committee also passed House Concurrent Resolution 2013, proclaiming June 2026 as Celebrate Life Month, after emotional testimony from a woman born with spina bifida and another supporter. Several members objected that the state should focus on concrete supports such as health care and family leave, but the resolution still received a 7-5 do-pass recommendation. House Bill 4010, creating a licensing and regulatory board for genetic counselors, also advanced 11-1 after testimony from genetic counselors and a cancer survivor who said licensure would protect patients and improve access. House Bill 2196, addressing pharmacy benefit manager reimbursement and dispensing fees, passed 11-1 despite opposition from PBMs and employers who warned of higher costs; independent pharmacies argued the bill would help them cover costs and stay open. The committee then adopted a strike-everything amendment to House Bill 2182 requiring insurers and health plans to report claims denial and prior authorization data to DIFI, which would publish aggregated information and hold a later stakeholder review. Supporters said Arizona needs state-specific transparency data, while opponents called it redundant to federal CMS reporting; the amended bill passed 12-0. House Bill 2189, directing the Board of Nursing to update rules for licensed health aides and collect annual data, also passed unanimously after the board said it was already working on curriculum and implementation. The committee held House Bill 2813 and 2725, and began discussion of House Bill 2404, as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any cash-paid member of the general public on the day the drug is sold.
• Determining the cash price of these drugs is effectively impossible. including these zero-cost drugs
• Amazon have the ability to negotiate. lower drug costs with the providers.
• percent of our drugs from foreign entities? Does Amazon have that ability?
• There's more for pharmacy drugs for the same drug as other countries in the world.

Bills: HB741 , HB 1199 , HB2070 , HB2402 , HB2542 , HB2665 , HB2789 , HB3096 , HB3396 , HB3595 , HB3747 , HB4116 , HB4127

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:03.680><c> support</c> temporary alcohol and drug support temporary alcohol and drug support
• </c> as a registered alen alcohol and drug as a registered alen alcohol and drug peer<00:03:13.040><c
• drug peer support<00:03:34.640><c> specialist.
• </c> alcohol and other drug treatment entity. alcohol and other drug treatment entity. and<00:09:28.800
• </c> Alcohol and drug peer support specialists achieve registration with the board.

Committee: House Health Services

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m very concerned about the chain of custody of these deadly drugs.
• That is not a physician that is going to be administering that drug.
• the drugs were administered, that those drugs are not in the wrong hands?
• WE'RE TALKING ABOUT LIFE-ENDING Drugs, and imagine having life-ending drugs in the home of someone whose
• By having someone else give them those drugs?

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, received messages and substitutions from the Assembly, and welcomed two new members, Senators Erik Bottcher and Jeremy Zellner. The chamber then adopted the resolution calendar and took up a privileged resolution sponsored by Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins memorializing Governor Hochul to proclaim February 2026 as Black History Month in New York. Senators Bailey, Baskin, Sanders, Scarcella-Spanton, Brisport, Parker, Cleare, Comrie, and others spoke in support, emphasizing Black history as American history, the importance of education and remembrance, and the contributions of Black New Yorkers and historical figures. The resolution was adopted, and the leader opened it for co-sponsorship. The Senate then moved to the bill calendar and passed several measures, including bills on civil procedure, urban development, labor, and public service law. One labor bill was substituted from the Assembly and passed. Several energy and utility-related bills drew debate, with supporters arguing they would improve affordability, utility rate-setting, and consumer protections, while opponents said they would not meaningfully lower costs and instead reflected broader policy choices. Senator Walczyk voted no on one utility bill, and Senators Tedisco and others criticized the package; Senators Mayer and Harckham defended the measures as needed reforms to utility regulation and return-on-equity standards. Most bills were approved by wide margins, including one public service bill that passed 53-9 and another that passed 61-1.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> prescription drug discount card program. prescription drug discount card program.
• </c><00:33:02.240><c> savings</c> pharmacies, prescription drug savings pharmacies, prescription drug
• </c> second sentence following drug discount. second sentence following drug discount.
• This is already prohibited as it drug.
• . drugs. drugs.