Video & Transcript Research : 'Senate Resolution 44'
Page 15 of 500
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Education (3-14-24) Reuploaded
Keywords:
KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdywNgbEtHM, 2026-06-21T07:17:07+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, There was a technical issue that interrupted the previous live stream. This is the committee meeting in it's entirety.
Roll Call – 00:41
SB 6 – 02:04
Vote on SB 6 – 01:28:44, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Transportation (2-15-23)
Keywords:
KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5mD3pVa2bg, 2026-06-21T07:17:02+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, MEETING START 00:00
ROLL CALL 01:31
SB 60 DISCUSSION 02:26
SB 60 VOTE 09:44
SB 72 DISCUSSION 11:09
SB 72 VOTE 13:13
SR 27 DISCUSSION ONLY 14:36, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
TRN Public Hearing - Fri Feb 4, 2022 @ 10:00AM HST
Keywords:
HI House YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUHzMdJ4ckA, 2026-07-02T01:22:36+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, House Agenda:
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/Session2022/hearingnotices/HEARING_TRN_02-04-22_.PDF
0:00 - Introduction
2:32 -HB2218
3:27 -HB1953
13:00 -HB2246
14:44 -HB2336
16:39 -HB1619
23:09 -HB1971
30:34 -Decision Making, 910, house, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Mar 17th, 2026
Louisiana House Floor Meeting
Bills:
HR39, HR40, HR41, HCR19, HCR20, HCR21, HB2, HB3, HB15, HB441, HB976, HB977, HB978, HB979, HB980, HB981, HB982, HR19, HR20, HR21, HR22, HR23, HR24, HR25, HR26, HR27, HR28, HR29, HR30, HR31, HR32, HR33, HR34, HR35, HR36, HR37, HR38, HCR15, HCR16, HCR17, HCR18, SCR10, HB115, HB208, HB465, HB964, HB965, HB966, HB967, HB968, HB969, HB970, HB971, HB972, HB973, HB974, HB975, HB474, HB487, HB503, HB606, HB633, HB707, HB720, HB728, HB733, HB846, HB852, HB856, HB868, HB875, HB78, HB112, HB148, HB149, HB190, HB221, HB346, HB354, HB355, HB356, HB358, HB384, HB427, HB657, HB675, HB716, HB207, HB300, HB331, HB428, HB464, HB587, HB618, HB629, HB801, HB853, HB891, HB901
Keywords:
St. Joseph's Day, Saint Joseph's Day, St. Joseph's Altar, Italian American, Italian heritage, Italian immigrants, Louisiana culture, New Orleans, Sicilian heritage, Catholic, Feast of Saint Joseph, cultural resolution, heritage caucus, legislative caucus, ethnic heritage, jazz history, Italian Louisiana, immigrant contributions, cultural recognition, House Resolution 40
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HHS, HHS DEFER, HHS DEFER Public Hearings 04-08-2026
Keywords:
HI Senate YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22_yQ8_bo9w, 2026-07-02T01:23:36+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 00:00 - Start
01:57 - GM 531
05:28 - DM GM 531
10:44 - GM 532
13:07 - GM 553
16:11 - GM 568
19:17 - GM 734
21:13 - GM 780
23:12 - DM HHS 1:00 PM
06:06 - SCR 93/88 HHS DEFER 1:00 PM
07:05 - HHS DEFER 1:05 PM
Hearing Notices:
HHS 1:00 PM
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/hearingnotices/HEARING_HHS_04-08-26_.PDF
HHS DEFER 1:00 PM
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/hearingnotices/HEARING_HHS_04-08-26_DEFER_.PDF
HHS DEFER 1:05 PM
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/hearingnotices/HEARING_HHS_04-08-26_DEFER-1_.PDF, 912, senate, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HHS, HHS Public Hearings 03-16-2026
Keywords:
HI Senate YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_daPnUxAWR8, 2026-07-02T01:23:34+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 00:00 - Start
01:38 - GM 541
04:42 - GM 554
08:17 - GM 555
08:44 - GM 559
13:03 - GM 561
13:31 - GM 679
17:54 - GM 705
18:13 - GM 735
19:20 - DM HHS 1:00 PM
22:01 - HB 816
24:06 - HB 1131
25:14 - HB 1562
28:30 - HB 1705
28:42 - HB 2343
32:01 - DM HHS 1:10 PM
Hearing Notices:
HHS 1:00 PM
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/hearingnotices/HEARING_HHS_03-16-26_.PDF
HHS 1:10 PM
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/hearingnotices/HEARING_HHS_03-16-26-1_.PDF, 912, senate, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
WTL, LBT, LBT-HHS Public Hearings 4-16-2024
Keywords:
HI Senate YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eEU4nHUejQ, 2026-07-02T01:23:20+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Hearing Notices:
00:00 - Start
01:59 - GM730
22:57 - GM729
32:43 - GM731
51:50 - DM WTL 9:00 AM
54:07 - GM704
1:04:17 - GM726
1:20:08 - GM727
1:33:55 - HCR80
1:35:18 - HCR81
1:44:28 - DM LBT-HHS 10:20 AM
1:45:33 - DM LBT 10:00 AM
WTL 9:00 AM
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2024/hearingnotices/HEARING_WTL_04-16-24_.pdf
LBT 10:00 AM
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2024/hearingnotices/HEARING_LBT_04-16-24_.pdf
LBT-HHS 10:20 AM
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2024/hearingnotices/HEARING_LBT-HHS_04-16-24_.pdf, 912, senate, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EET, EET DEFER, EET-AEN Public Hearings 3-14-2024
Keywords:
HI Senate YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwSphobpByo, 2026-07-02T01:23:17+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 00:00 - Start
0:44 - EET DEFER 1:01 PM
4:00 - HB 1828 HD1
9:30 - HB 2103 HD2
17:29 - HB 2372 HD1
20:25 - HB 2354 HD1
22:10 - HB 2563 HD2
40:50 - DM EET 1:01 PM
43:45 - HB 1972 HD1
1:01:45 - DM EET-AEN 1:30 PM
Hearing Notices:
EET 1:01 PM
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2024/hearingnotices/HEARING_EET_03-14-24_.pdf
EET DEFER 1:01 PM
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2024/hearingnotices/HEARING_EET_03-14-24_DEFER_.pdf
EET-AEN 1:30 PM
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2024/hearingnotices/HEARING_EET-AEN_03-14-24_.pdf, 912, senate, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
WAM-JDC, WAM-JDC, WAM, WAM Public Hearings 2-22-2024
Keywords:
HI Senate YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2dus_70kAk, 2026-07-02T01:23:16+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 00:00 - start
01:16 - SB 3175
06:43 - SB 3176
19:44 - DM WAM-JDC 9:45 AM
22:02 - DM WAM-JDC 9:46 AM
01:16:56 - HB 2520
01:18:26 - DM WAM 10:05 AM
Hearing Notices:
WAM-JDC 9:45 AM
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2024/hearingnotices/HEARING_WAM-JDC_02-22-24_.PDF
WAM-JDC 9:46 AM
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2024/hearingnotices/HEARING_WAM-JDC_02-22-24-1_.pdf
WAM 10:00 AM
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2024/hearingnotices/HEARING_WAM_02-22-24_.pdf
WAM 10:05 AM
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2024/hearingnotices/HEARING_WAM_02-22-24-1_.pdf, 912, senate, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
CPN, CPN DEFER, CPN DEFER Public Hearings 2-09-2024
Keywords:
HI Senate YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hBIXo4mos4, 2026-07-02T01:23:15+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 00:00 - Start
01:40 - SB 2087
03:33 - SB 2922
30:26 - SB 2997
39:50 - SB 3081
41:55 - SB 3015
49:39 - SB 3067
53:04 - SB 3344
01:07:08 - DM CPN 9:30 AM
01:10:44 - DM CPN DEFER 9:45 AM
01:12:59 - DM CPN DEFER 9:46 AM
Hearing Notices:
CPN 9:30 AM
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2024/hearingnotices/HEARING_CPN_02-09-24_.PDF
CPN DEFER 9:45 AM
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2024/hearingnotices/HEARING_CPN_02-09-24_DEFER_.pdf
CPN DEFER 9:46 AM
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2024/hearingnotices/HEARING_CPN_02-09-24_DEFER-1_.pdf, 912, senate, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HHS, HHS DEFER, HHS DM Public Hearing 1-29-2024
Keywords:
HI Senate YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1l-z5Auol0, 2026-07-02T01:23:13+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 00:00 - Start
02:02 - HHS 1:00 PM DEFER
02:38 - HHS 1:01 PM DM
04:25 - SB 2538
06:27 - SB 2918
09:58 - SB 3129
18:28 - SB 2462
19:44 - SB 2285
22:11 - SB 3137
25:46 - SB 2467
28:53 - SB 3143
34:31 - HHS 1:00 PM DM
Hearing Notices:
HHS 1:00 PM
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2024/hearingnotices/HEARING_HHS_01-29-24_.pdf
HHS DEFER 1:00 PM
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2024/hearingnotices/HEARING_HHS_01-29-24_DEFER_.pdf
HHS DM 1:01 PM
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2024/hearingnotices/HEARING_HHS_01-29-24_DM_.pdf, 912, senate, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
WTL Public Hearing 02-13-2023 12:30pm
Keywords:
HI Senate YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC3LBNuPS0o, 2026-07-02T01:23:06+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, 00:00 - Start
01:25 - SB 66
10:46 - SB 1264
14:37 - SB 44
15:35 - SB 1377
17:25 - SB 1386
29:03 - SB 1066
30:28 - SB 1459
38:36 - SB 790
48:58 - SB 1064
59:15 - SB 1153
1:22:16 - SB 772
1:27:37 - SB 1083
1:36:42 - SB 1254
1:38:24 - SB 1258
1:41:12 - SB 1475
1:42:00 - SB 770
1:47:22 - DM WTL 12:30 PM
Hearing Notice:
WTL 12:30PM
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2023/hearingnotices/HEARING_WTL_02-13-23_.pdf, 912, senate, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (2-1-22)
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board (7-30-25) - Reupload
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Berg, Senator Carol here, Senator Meredith, Senator Richardson here, Representative Hein, Representative
- the provisions in the enacted Senate the provisions in the enacted Senate provisions<00:10:17.120
- >
applied <01:16:19.360>a Unfortunately, the Senate then applied a Unfortunately, the Senate - While the Senate bill contains a rural While the Senate bill contains a rural transformation<01:18:45.440
- Thank you. >> Senator Berg, thank you.
Keywords:
00:00:22 - Call to Order and Roll Call
00:03:00 – Approval of June 25, 2025 Minutes
00:03:22 - Update on Federal Changes to the Medicaid Program
01:03:44 - State Directed Payments, Provider Taxes, and the Rural Health Transformation Fund: How Medicaid Changes Could Impact Kentucky
Hospitals
01:29:42 – Public Comments
01:45:25 – Announcements
01:46:19 - Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on July 30, 2025, approved the June 25 minutes, and received a presentation from Katherine Castanza of the National Conference of State Legislatures on Medicaid provisions in H.R. 1. The presentation outlined more than 20 Medicaid-related provisions, emphasizing that the largest federal savings come from work/community engagement requirements, changes to provider taxes, limits on state-directed payments, more frequent eligibility redeterminations for expansion populations, and related eligibility/enrollment changes. She said the fiscal effects are backloaded, with most reductions occurring in the later years of the 10-year window, and noted potential significant impacts on hospital payments and state financing. She also described new funding opportunities, including a $50 billion rural health transformation fund and a new home and community-based services waiver with associated grants.
A substantial portion of the discussion focused on Kentucky’s pending community engagement 1115 waiver and how it would interact with the new federal requirements. Board members asked whether the waiver had been approved, what the cabinet’s contingency plan would be if CMS does not approve it, and what the timeline is for compliance. Cabinet representatives said the waiver has not yet been approved by CMS, remains under public comment, and that the state will wait for CMS guidance before moving forward; if needed, the state would amend the waiver or submit a new one. They said the work requirement must be in place by January 1, 2027, with a possible extension to 2028.
Castanza also explained that expansion adults with incomes between 100% and 138% of the federal poverty level would face new cost-sharing requirements beginning October 1, 2028, and that eligibility redeterminations would move from annual to every six months starting January 1, 2027. She then walked through provider tax changes, including a moratorium on new provider taxes beginning October 1, 2026, and a phased reduction in the hold-harmless threshold for existing taxes beginning January 1, 2028, with exemptions for nursing facilities and ICF/IID providers. Board members questioned the timing and likely impact on Kentucky, and Castanza responded that the effect would depend on each tax’s current rate and would phase in over time.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing on Appropriations and Revenue (2-19-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, and Senate Joint Resolution 25. 27 anyway so this is a cost one way or 27 anyway so this is a cost
- Senate Joint Resolution 25 deals with providing our farmers with an efficient manner of doing business
- joint resolution 25 members um senator joint resolution 25 um<00:26:00.279>
deals <00:26:00.720 - All right, so we have a motion on the resolution from Senator Givens.
- All right, so we have a motion on the resolution from Senator Givens.
Keywords:
Due to a technical issue in the room, the quality of the stream will be diminished. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Meeting start 00:00:00
Roll Call 00:02:00
SB 61 Discussion Only 00:03:25
SB 13 Discussion Only 00:07:19
SJR 25 Discussion 00:25:33
SJR 25 Vote 00:28:40
SB 61 Discussion Only 00:29:44, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 61, relating to swimming pools, but initially had no representative from the governor’s office or cabinet available to explain the fiscal estimate. Senators questioned why the executive branch’s estimate was $4.25 million to $8.5 million while the committee’s internal fiscal note showed little or no impact. When Department for Public Health staff later joined, they explained their estimate was based on a roughly $85,000 cost for a large outbreak investigation, using a 2014 outbreak as a benchmark, and said the bill could increase workload and outside laboratory costs if private swimming pools became more common as rental properties. They reported 822 waterborne cases in 2024, with 8 tied to private swimming pools, and later corrected an earlier figure to 14 private-pool-related investigations over five years. Senators pressed on the discrepancy between those numbers and the projected 50 to 100 incidents, and staff said the higher figure was a ballpark estimate. The discussion also clarified that private pools are generally excluded by definition, while pools held out for rent may be treated as public pools under current definitions. No vote on SB 61 was taken in the portion provided.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 13, concerning the reprocurement of managed care organizations for Medicaid. Department for Medicaid Services officials said the bill would require work on a new RFP, system changes, and oversight improvements, and estimated the cost at $2.8 million based on prior procurement spending of about $2.5 million in 2018-2019, with a 10% growth adjustment. They explained that the work is administrative and therefore matched at 50/50 federal-state funding, not the 80/20 rate used for benefits, and said the expense would be incurred whether the bill passed or not if the state proceeded with an RFP. Senators discussed possible savings from reducing the number of MCOs from five to three, but agency staff said those savings were hard to quantify and that provider and member disruption could create offsetting costs. The committee later moved on to Senate Joint Resolution 25, which would ask the Revenue Department to report on the cost of issuing farmers a wallet-sized tax-exempt card instead of a paper certificate. The resolution was adopted by roll call, with all members present voting aye, and it was reported favorably to the floor.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Health Services (2-13-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, and first, um, I've, which I have the bill and then I have a concurrent resolution that kind of
- Is there a motion on the resolution? I have a motion and a second. No questions.
- We had it here and deferred it to try to get some resolution.
- Deferred it to try to get some resolution.
- came back before the Senate health came back before the Senate health services<00:19:54.799>
Keywords:
00:00 Call to Order/Roll Call
01:23 Discussion of 25RS HB 219
06:40 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 219
07:44 Discussion of 25RS HCR 20
09:36 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HCR 20
10:58 Discussion of 25RS HB 303
17:02 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 303
18:38 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations
21:46 Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 219, sponsored by Representative Rebecca Raymer. The bill requires emergency services to provide mandatory training for emergency medical staff on sexual assault emergency response requirements, with the training developed in collaboration with the Sexual Assault Response Team advisory committee. Testimony from Jenna Cassidy of the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs and WN Stevens of Children’s Advocacy Centers of Kentucky explained that the training would help emergency department staff properly respond to sexual assault patients, preserve evidence, and connect patients to needed resources; the committee also clarified that the bill is training-focused and not a certification requirement. HB 219 received favorable expression and was reported to the House floor.
The committee then heard House Concurrent Resolution 20, also from Representative Raymer, which directs the Legislative Research Commission to study gaps in sexual assault nurse examiner coverage, why those gaps exist, and what hospitals do when no SANE nurse is available. Raymer said the study was intended to gather data for future legislation, and members noted the importance of documenting current practices and supporting efforts to expand SANE coverage. The resolution was adopted with 16 favorable votes and recommended for passage on the House floor.
Next, the committee took up House Bill 303, sponsored by Representative Steve Bratcher, which creates a pathway for military medical personnel to translate their training into civilian Kentucky credentials through colleges and universities. The committee substitute broadened participation beyond KCTCS to any Kentucky institution with accredited programs, and Bratcher explained that schools would evaluate military experience, award applicable credit, identify gaps, and still require the relevant licensure exam. Members asked about university participation, credentialing standards, and how prior military radiology training would transfer; Bratcher said the program is voluntary for institutions and works with existing SkillBridge and veterans’ programs. HB 303, as amended by committee substitute, passed unanimously and was recommended for passage.
At the end of the meeting, the committee briefly reviewed administrative regulations. Representative Fleming asked about a behavioral regulation that had previously been found sufficient, and staff indicated it had been deferred, later found deficient again in the Senate Health Services Committee, and may be addressed through Senate Bill 65. The chair then allowed members to record additional votes before adjourning and announced the next Health Services meeting would be February 20 at noon in Room 149.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Efficient and Effective School District Governance Task Force (8-19-24)
Keywords:
KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7cZDaKEaEo, 2026-06-21T07:17:08+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Call to Order and Roll Call – 00:00:10
Approval of Minutes – 00:01:07
Demographic Changes in KY and Jefferson County – 00:01:35
Overview of Education Governance – 00:44:56
Announcements and Adjournment – 01:33:57, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Education (7-16-24)
Keywords:
KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6c92X2JpyA, 2026-06-21T07:17:08+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Roll Call – 00:00:21
Approval of Minutes – 00:02:50
Growing Access to Advanced Coursework – 00:03:16
Middle School Athletics – 00:37:44
DEI in Postsecondary Institutions – 00:47:03
Consideration of Administrative Regulations – 02:17:13, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Transportation (3-23-22)
Keywords:
KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9Zjyah3cXI, 2026-06-21T07:17:01+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start 00:00
Roll Call 00:14
HB 490 Discussion 00:59
HB 490 Vote 01:31
HB 498 Discussion 02:34
HB 498 Vote 03:44
HB 274 Discussion 04:35
HB 274 Vote 08:29, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Berman, Senator Claudio, Senator Davis, Senator Gaetz, Senator Leek, Senator Massullo, Senator
- Bill 1082 on statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program by Senator Graal.
- Bill 1082 on statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program by Senator Graal.
- Bill 1082 on statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program by Senator Graal.
- Chairman, Senator Claudio, Senator Davis, Senator Gaetz, Senator Leek, Senator Massullo, Senator Osgood
Keywords:
provider disputes, health plan, dispute resolution, Medicare, Medicaid, healthcare regulation, background screening, athletic coaches, youth sports, criminal history, expungement, Florida statutes, medical freedom, vaccination, ivermectin, healthcare practitioner liability, immunization exemptions, ambulatory surgical centers, patient safety, licensure
Summary:
The committee took up several health-related bills. SB 1082, on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program, was presented as a way to let providers and insurers use the federal independent dispute resolution process for emergency out-of-network claims under state-regulated commercial plans. A late-filed amendment clarified when providers and health plans could access the state program, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1168, which would centralize background screening clearinghouse functions at the Agency for Health Care Administration, also passed as amended after an amendment requiring sealed and expunged records to be included in screenings for qualified entities. Supporters said centralization would improve turnaround times, reduce duplication, and save costs; the sponsor said the bill also addresses coaches’ background screening language from last session. The committee then approved SB 1156, which moves ambulatory surgery center regulation out of the hospital-focused chapter of law into a standalone section, and SB 1480, as amended by a strike-all, which would grandfather certain temporary certificate holders practicing in areas of critical need if federal designation changes affect those areas. Testimony on SB 1480 emphasized continuity of care for patients in underserved communities, and the bill was reported favorably.
The final and most heavily debated measure was SB 1756 on medical freedom, which would require state-approved educational materials on childhood vaccines, require practitioners to provide those materials and alternative schedules before vaccination, expand school immunization exemptions to include conscience-based objections, clarify that the Surgeon General cannot order vaccination during a public health emergency, and authorize pharmacists to provide ivermectin behind the counter without a prescription with written information and safeguards. The sponsor argued the bill strengthens parental choice and informed consent. Committee members raised concerns about vaccine-preventable disease risks, immunocompromised children, school outbreaks, and the impact of adding a new exemption. A Department of Health representative said the department would need to provide details on the history of exemption consultations and noted that removing the earlier consultation requirement had not been shown to increase outbreaks. The committee adopted a friendly amendment to give physicians the same liability protection as pharmacists for ivermectin dispensing, but rejected a substitute amendment that would have required a consultation for exemption requests. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed to the bill, with physicians, pediatric specialists, cancer advocates, parents of immunocompromised children, and public health groups warning that it would lower vaccination rates and endanger vulnerable Floridians. The bill remained pending after testimony, with the committee continuing to hear public comment.