Transcript Highlights:

• In Missouri, incarcerating one person costs $14,000 to $36,000 per year, while alternatives like drug
• sentencing and three key drug epidemic indicators: illicit drug use, drug arrests, and overdose rates
• It's like, well, you are already incarcerated for drugs.
• It's like, well, you are already incarcerated for drugs.
• It is those lower offenses that give us concern: the drug offenses.

Committee: House Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first heard House Bill 2255, sponsored by Rep. Barry Hovis, which would update Missouri’s expert witness statute to align with the amended federal Rule 702 and the Daubert reliability framework. Supporters, including defense lawyers, the Missouri Hospital Association, business groups, insurers, and a sterilization company, argued the bill would clarify judges’ gatekeeping role, require expert testimony to be shown reliable by a preponderance of the evidence, and reduce inconsistent rulings and costly retrials. Opponents, including the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys, a public advocate, and a justice reform group, argued the bill was unnecessary, would shift too much discretion from juries to judges, and could increase pretrial litigation and costs, especially for plaintiffs. No vote was taken on HB 2255 during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 3155, sponsored by Rep. Benny Cook, on sentencing and parole eligibility changes. Cook and supporters, including prosecutors and some public safety advocates, said the bill would improve transparency in sentencing, make parole timing clearer, and help address repeat serious offenders by setting firmer service percentages. Opponents, including justice reform and anti-poverty advocates, argued it would increase incarceration costs, especially for lower-level and drug offenses, without improving public safety, and would reduce incentives for rehabilitation. Some members questioned whether the bill could lead to longer time served, while supporters said it would apply evenly and clarify existing sentencing practices. At the end of the hearing, the committee took up an executive session on House Bill 2637 and House Bill 3155 together under a House Committee Substitute. The substitute was adopted, and the combined committee substitute for HB 2637 and HB 3155 was voted do pass by an 8-3 roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• , you Has been involved in negotiating the price of drugs, you will either have coverage or you won't
• As it turns out, the manufacturers of those drugs... ...manufacturers of those drugs negotiate a part
• We would love to find a way to provide affordable access to those drugs.
• does not exist with any other drug.
• We don't do that with other drugs.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing during a snowstorm, with members participating both in person and via Teams, and the chairs said testimony would be kept open for an additional week. The first bill heard was H.4796, an act relative to organ transplant vehicles. NORA New England testified in support, arguing that dedicated organ transport vehicles need authority to use lights and sirens so time-sensitive organs can be moved more quickly and safely without relying on EMS systems already stretched by 9-1-1 calls. No opposition was heard and the bill was then set aside as the committee moved to the next item. The bulk of the hearing focused on H.4838, an act expanding access to perimenopause and menopause care. Chair Decker, who filed the bill, said it was the product of a year of meetings with dozens of individuals and organizations and was intended as a starting point to identify gaps in care, training, access, and coverage. Testimony overwhelmingly supported the bill and described widespread misdiagnosis, dismissal of symptoms, limited clinician training, insurance barriers, medication access problems, and workplace impacts. Speakers included patients, clinicians, advocates, the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, Blue Cross Blue Shield, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, and out-of-state and international experts, many of whom urged better education, public awareness, research, and workplace accommodations. Several witnesses emphasized that menopause affects whole-body health, including cardiovascular, bone, mental health, and work outcomes, and that Black women and other marginalized groups face greater barriers and worse outcomes. Some speakers noted the bill is important but largely a framework that will need further work to address coverage and access more directly. Blue Cross Blue Shield said it supports the bill and already covers menopause-related care and training, though the chair used the exchange to criticize broader insurer and state decisions on GLP-1 coverage for obesity. The committee took no vote during the hearing, and the chairs closed by thanking witnesses and stating that additional written testimony would be accepted.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also need more public support for drug development and for treatment.
• Drug repurposing, finding new uses for existing medications, this is also fast and cost-effective.
• DoD is looking at the early stage drug development. The FDA is doing clinical trials.
• approved. by the FDA in the last 2010 to 2019, 356 new drugs.
• You see them on television all the time. 356 new drugs. How many came out of NIH?

Committee: Senate Senate Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Sometimes it's them being caught with drugs or being under the influence, having possession of a weapon
• So you think it's important that when somebody says, 'I didn't use drugs,' that is something we have
• And when someone says, 'I didn't use drugs,' that's like saying, 'It's not my gun.'
• And when someone says, 'I didn't use drugs,' that's like saying, 'It's not my gun,' or giving a false
• How drugs are connected to the crime. And so we would be negligent if we're not looking at that.

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2176 concerns collaborative drug therapy agreements, or CDTAs.
• As background, a CDTA is a set... ...drug therapy agreements, or CDTAs.
• who cannot prescribe drugs.
• Collaborative drug agreements are clinical tools.
• Collaborative drug agreements are clinical tools.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with House Bill 2333, which would expand protections for elected officials, candidates, executive state officers, election officials, and criminal justice participants by allowing address confidentiality, redacting campaign and property records, increasing some penalties for threats, and authorizing security assessments and reimbursement for personal security measures. The prime sponsor and supporters described rising political violence and personal threats, while opponents and agency staff raised concerns about implementation, constitutional issues, public-records transparency, costs, and whether the bill would actually prevent determined actors from finding addresses through other sources. The Secretary of State’s office, county officials, and the Public Disclosure Commission said the bill would create major logistical and fiscal challenges, while prosecutors, judges, and advocacy groups testified that the protections were needed for safety and retention in public service. House Bill 2176 would make collaborative drug therapy agreements confidential under the Public Records Act except when the agreement is the basis for a disciplinary action, in which case only relevant information would be disclosed with personal information redacted. The sponsor and supporters, including pharmacists, physicians, and reproductive-health advocates, said the bill would protect clinicians from harassment and out-of-state targeting while preserving accountability for misconduct. News media representatives and open-government advocates said the underlying agreements should remain accessible only in limited circumstances and emphasized the balance between privacy and transparency. Committee members also discussed how the bill would affect access to the agreements and the scope of disclosure. House Bill 2120 would eliminate two JLARC reporting requirements: the biennial report on municipal lodging-tax revenues and the periodic evaluation of the training benefits program. The bill’s sponsor and JLARC leadership described it as a cost-saving measure that would free staff for other audits, while the hospitality industry supported tourism funding but warned that the lodging-tax report provides useful oversight and accountability. The committee also received staff briefings on House Bill 2244, which would implement multiple Public Records Exemptions Accountability Committee recommendations by changing confidentiality rules in 13 areas, including grand jury reports, accident reports, driver case records, certain health and social-service records, corporate interrogatories, family court files, and other records.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last line: Potency synthetic opiote's phenyl residue and drug paraphernalia.
• And it's the first, these children are the first people that are harmed by that drug crisis. Mr.
• Not to say that they don't love their kids, but they love the drugs more.
• Not to say that they don't love their kids, but they love the drugs. of loving their kids.
• Not to say that they don't love their kids, but they love the drugs more.

Bills: HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1798 , HB1065 , HB2113 , HB2124 , HB2125 , HB2134 , HB2140 , HB2185 , HB2191 , HB2205 , HB2219 , HB2245 , HB2283 , HB2343 , HB2406 , HB2501 , HB2574 , HB1544 , HB1834 , HB2156 , HB2188 , HB2206 , HB2478 , HJM4012 , HB1104 , HB1152 , HB1254 , HB1443 , HB1982 , HB2006 , HB2179 , HB2203 , HB2297 , HB2322 , HB2329 , HB2379 , HB2388 , HB2399 , HB2462 , HB2464 , HB2495 , HB2544 , HB2551 , HB2636 , HB2192 , HB2251 , HB2262 , HB2266 , HB2298 , HB2320 , HB2323 , HB2351 , HB2401 , HB2405 , HB2442 , HB2523 , HB2593 , HB2632 , HB2661 , HB1496 , HB1898 , HB2095 , HB2157 , HB2225 , HB2274 , HB2311 , HB2325 , HB2333 , HB2476 , HB2508 , HB2552 , HB1343 , HB1634 , HB1707 , HB1906 , HB1909 , HB2196 , HB2244 , HB2339 , HB2361 , HB2384 , HB2389 , HB2410 , HB2468 , HB2475 , HB2521 , HB2548 , HB2619 , HB2637 , HB2720

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU

Summary: The House first considered House Bill 2156, which would authorize investigators in the Attorney General’s Office to serve electronic search warrants in limited economic and financial crime investigations, especially organized retail crime. Members debated a series of amendments on training standards, scope, background checks, warrant service, and definitions of covered crimes. Some amendments were adopted, including changes clarifying training and decertification standards, narrowing the scope of economic and financial crimes, and refining warrant-service language; others were rejected or ruled out of scope. The amended striking amendment passed 52-39, and the bill then passed final reading 54-43. The House then moved through several other measures. House Bill 2219, dealing with child care operational efficiency and licensing, was amended to strengthen safety language around opioids in licensed child care settings and passed 95-1. House Bill 2124, which raises the threshold for lump-sum retirement allowance payments, passed 96-0. House Bill 2266, concerning permanent supportive housing, traditional housing, and indoor emergency housing, was amended to add local-government notice, transparency, community-meeting, and siting provisions, then passed 56-40. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1784, on certified medical assistants and telemedicine-related practice, received a cleanup amendment and passed 96-0. The House also passed House Bill 2523, which codifies the Community Reinvestment Program, after rejecting an amendment that would have redirected some funds to economic development; the bill passed 88-9. House Bill 2113, allowing certain medical supervision of diagnostic radiologic procedures in emergency settings, passed 97-0. House Bill 2632, updating state law terminology from “alien” to “non-citizen,” passed 58-39 after debate over precision versus respectful language. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2476, expanding seating limits for theaters serving alcohol, passed 81-50. Finally, House Bill 2320, addressing firearms manufacturing involving 3D printers and CNC machines, was heavily amended to narrow and clarify language around code and additive manufacturing before the striker passed. The bill’s supporters framed it as a response to ghost-gun risks and recent incidents involving 3D-printed firearms, while opponents raised constitutional concerns about speech and gun rights. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 2320 is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a drug that supposedly worked... I have a drug that supposedly works.
• The drug doesn't work, as you probably can tell already.
• Older Americans are struggling with rising prescription drug costs.
• Older Americans are struggling with rising prescription drug costs.
• The truth is it'll be any drug and all drugs, and for certainty the switch to that process because it

Bills: HB 107 , HB742 , HB1639 , HB1700 , HB2071 , HB2187 , HB2402 , HB2516 , HB3211 , HB4529 , HB5342 , HB694 , HB923 , HB4655 , HB107

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of health and human services bills and left each one pending after public testimony. HB 4655 would expand financial literacy instruction for youth aging out of foster care to include credit scores, predatory lending, scams, banking, budgeting, and related consumer topics; the sponsor and Buckner International described the need to protect foster youth from financial pitfalls. HB 923 would add three public members and one physician to the Texas Medical Disclosure Panel; supporters said it would improve informed consent and patient voice, while a witness raised concerns about a House amendment requiring a physician majority for decisions and senators questioned scope-of-practice limits. HHSC said the panel is an independent body and the bill expressly bars it from changing scope of practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:50.320><c> the</c> on the politics of the war and drugs the on the politics of the war and
• The man and his ex-wife were very poor and had to sell drugs to make a living.
• </c> one uh authorizes non- injection drug one uh authorizes non- injection drug users<00:45:07.119><
• </c> pertaining to authorize objects drug pertaining to authorize objects drug parap<00:45:37.599><c>
• :45:39.000><c> the</c> parap drug paraphernalia by removing the parap drug paraphernalia by removing

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on SB 284, which would remove the requirement that wiretapping applications to a designated judge be accompanied by a written memorandum from the Department of the Attorney General. The Department of the Attorney General opposed the bill as drafted and instead proposed a new emergency-wiretap procedure allowing county prosecutors to seek immediate judicial authorization in exigent circumstances, followed by AG review and a follow-up application within 48 hours. The Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s office supported creating an emergency exception, citing a kidnapping case involving a missing material witness and the need to obtain live phone location data quickly, but asked that the AG be required to respond clearly within the follow-up period. The AG said the current wiretap process often arrives incomplete and noted a prior Honolulu application that was returned for more information and then abandoned. The committee also heard public testimony, including one speaker in support and another in opposition, and discussed whether the proposed emergency process should include imminent danger findings and what happens if the follow-up application is not approved. No vote or final action was taken in the transcript. The committee then took up SB 295, which increases penalties for violating temporary restraining orders and orders for protection and makes related changes. The Deputy Public Defender opposed the bill’s higher penalties, arguing that not all restraining-order cases involve domestic violence and that the measure could affect family disputes, property conflicts, custody battles, and other non-domestic situations. The Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney supported the bill, saying it would create a more uniform and efficient charging framework and that violations of court orders can be serious even when the conduct appears minor in isolation. Domestic violence advocates also supported the measure, emphasizing the need for meaningful enforcement and deterrence; one witness cited statewide data showing thousands of TRO petitions but relatively few convictions and fines. A representative from the Domestic Violence Action Center supported the bill but requested amendments to reduce unintended consequences for survivors. During discussion, the committee focused on the proposed minimum sentence, with the Domestic Violence Action Center recommending reducing it from 15 days to 5 days. The witness explained that longer minimums can create hardships such as job loss, housing instability, and child care problems, while still allowing time for survivors to access shelter and services. The committee chair indicated support for amending the bill to reflect that recommendation. The Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney also clarified that the bill is intended to address violations of already-issued protective orders after judicial review, not the initial issuance of restraining orders, and said the office supports eliminating the distinction between domestic and non-domestic protective-order violations because charging decisions are often made under time pressure. Multiple individuals and organizations signed up in support, and one witness testified in opposition. No vote or final committee action was announced in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:45:32.000><c> and</c><01:45:32.239><c> roadway</c><01:45:32.719><c> deaths,</c> of alcohol and drugs
• and roadway deaths, of alcohol and drugs and roadway deaths, and<01:45:33.760><c> craft</c><01:45:34.159
• I am here to present the Kidney Disease Prevention and Education Task Force sunset as scheduled September
• /c><02:42:16.000><c> September</c><02:42:16.479><c> 1st,</c><02:42:16.880><c> 2026</c> sunset as scheduled
• September 1st, 2026 sunset as scheduled September 1st, 2026 to<02:42:18.319><c> the</c><02:42:18.479

Transcript Highlights:

• for civil and new prosecutors, a series of prosecutions on DWI training, including prosecuting the drug
• DWI training including Pro<00:26:28.279><c> excuting</c><00:26:28.720><c> the</c><00:26:28.919><c> drug
• </c> Pro excuting the drug Pro excuting the drug driver<00:26:31.279><c> driving</c><00:26:32.039><c>
• We just are running out of time for this room in the committee schedule, but we will do our best to hear
• uh but we will do our best to schedule uh but we will do our best to hear<02:12:19.159><c> that</c><

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• It covers Medicare Part A inpatient, Part B outpatient, drug benefits, and all covered MA benefits.
• <01:17:51.960><c> Part</c><01:17:52.159><c> B</c><01:17:52.440><c> outpatient</c><01:17:53.440><c> drug
• </c> in patient Part B outpatient drug in patient Part B outpatient drug benefits<01:17:54.600><c> and
• What is the schedule on this, or what is the future? Are we going to hear more?
• on this or what is the the schedule on this or what is the future<01:42:30.880><c> um</c><01:42:31.880

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• In the coming months, I hope each of you can find time in your busy schedules to come visit our beautiful
• </c><00:50:37.920><c> to</c><00:50:38.119><c> come</c> find time in your busy schedules to come find
• time in your busy schedules to come visit<00:50:38.640><c> our</c><00:50:38.799><c> beautiful</c> visit
• our largest major, and the pathway we recently launched for students to become licensed alcohol and drug
• alcohol drug counselors was developed<01:25:56.320><c> by</c><01:25:56.440><c> our</c><01:25:56.639>

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Etc because kids can't read or drugs Etc because kids can't read or they<00:28:31.720><c> can't</c><
• Yeah, thank you, and welcome. schedule we try really hard to listen to schedule we try really hard to
• And again, if somebody's starting to have a schedule challenge, please let me know.
• Next week, we are scheduled to be here every day except Tuesday, and we are not here Tuesday because
• Next week, we are scheduled to be here every day except Tuesday, and we are not here Tuesday because

Summary: The Finance Division 2 work session first took up HB 506, a bill dealing with the return of seized firearms. Members discussed how the measure would shift background-check processing for firearm returns through the Department of Safety, while the physical firearms would still remain with local police unless State Police had taken custody. The department said the bill would change which cases come to it, and members clarified that the bill concerns the background-check decision rather than possession of the firearms. The committee then voted OTP on HB 506 FN by a 7-0 roll call. The committee next discussed HB 671, establishing a kindergarten literacy readiness program. Department of Education staff explained that the bill grew out of a COVID-era Waterford contract that provided home-based early literacy support for families using federal relief funds, at a cost of about $600,000 per year, but that the program ended when those funds expired. Members raised concerns that the bill’s $1 appropriation was not realistic, that the prior program lacked sufficient outcome data, and that the references to ESSA tier-one benchmarks were unclear. The department said it was conducting a broader literacy needs assessment and updating the state literacy plan, including data from the zero-to-five range, K-5, and dyslexia-related work. Waterford representatives described the program as an early-literacy, pre-K readiness service for children ages zero to five, originally designed to work in homes with computers and internet provided where needed, and later expanded in some settings such as daycares and pre-K classrooms. They said the program used assessments at the beginning and end, had served hundreds of children, and was intended to support family engagement and kindergarten readiness. Despite that testimony, members remained concerned about funding and the lack of clear results, and one member moved to retain the bill for more information. The discussion ended with the bill retained rather than advanced.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have President Gates, who is presenting SB 646 on drug paraphernalia by Senator Gates.
• Senate Bill 646 conforms to the laws of 20 other states to allow the use of drug-testing tools, test
• The bill is narrow; it doesn't change any Florida drug laws.
• You have fentanyl mixed with cocaine, all these other drugs combined.
• Senators, in 1989, Florida became the first state in the nation to create a drug court.

Bills: S0132 , S0418 , S0646 , S0820 , S1734

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• To stick on the theme of We will take up HB 697, drug prices and coverage, by Representative Kincard
• Most Favored Nation Upper Payment Limit Policy and the limitations on adverse changes to prescription drug
• It prohibits a PBM from forcing pharmacies to take a loss on a drug, and it allows consolidated PBM claims
• Because the PBMs are in a central position to... negotiate with the drug manufacturers in secret.
• I started this with not knowing anything about PBMs, drug manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, or

Transcript Highlights:

• It's people working together to schedule it out so that it will be as efficient and cost ...effective
• HB 1095 creates a pilot program in Hillsborough County designed to reduce drug and alcohol use among
• If your child is on drugs or is having a substance abuse issue and they don't want to share that with
• So why would we allow employers to schedule jobs?
• So why would we allow employers to schedule jobs? The parents' consent.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for fallen Oviedo Officer Jimmy Serrano-Torres, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Chief Joseph Tuminelli as law enforcement officer of the day. The chamber approved the journal and adopted the special order report, and the Speaker announced a schedule change canceling the floor on Monday and starting Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. The main business was CS for HB 7033, the House tax package, presented by Rep. Duggan. He described a broad set of tax changes, including the previously passed sales tax rate reduction from 6% to 5.25%, exemptions for certain bullion sales, changes to tourist development tax (TDT) use, property tax administration updates, affordable housing-related exemptions, repeal of the aviation fuel tax, delayed natural gas fuel tax implementation, corporate income tax changes, and other provisions. Debate focused heavily on the TDT section and the bill’s property tax relief structure. Amendments to preserve local flexibility or remove the TDT restrictions were offered and debated; one Duggan amendment was adopted to allow local governments to keep 25% of TDT revenues for general use while directing 75% to property tax relief, and another amendment requiring audit certification of compliance was also adopted. A combined reporting amendment offered by Rep. Eskamani to close corporate tax loopholes was debated at length but failed. On final passage, supporters argued the bill provides immediate, permanent tax relief and affordability help, while opponents said it diverts tourism dollars away from local needs and could harm tourism-dependent counties and services. CS for HB 7033 passed the House 78-29. The chamber then took up CS for CS for HB 1221 on local option taxes, which would give local governments more control over certain local taxes and, as presented, redirect TDT revenues toward property tax relief with some local flexibility. After questions and amendments, including a Miller amendment allowing 25% of TDT revenue for general purposes and another accountability amendment, the bill moved to final debate. Members split sharply: supporters framed it as immediate tax relief and local accountability, while opponents warned it would undermine tourism marketing, infrastructure, and county budgets. The transcript ends during closing debate on HB 1221, before final passage is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• continue carrying on undercover operations focused on investigating child sexual exploitation and drug
• Um, other exceptions exist for smoke inhalation, hazmat exposure, undercover drug operations, tactical
• <00:08:42.719><c> addiction</c><00:08:43.440><c> as</c><00:08:43.599><c> well</c> exploitation and drug
• addiction as well exploitation and drug addiction as well as<00:08:43.839><c> the</c><00:08:44.159><
• operations, tactical support, cold drug operations, tactical support, cold weather,<00:09:24.399><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> biggest problem it's a synthetic drug biggest problem it's a synthetic drug and<01:55:36.440><c>
• epidemic indicators: drug use, drug arrests, and overdose rates.
• epidemic indicators: drug use, drug arrests, and overdose rates.
• epidemic elicitors elicit three key drug epidemic elicitors elicit drug<02:02:13.639><c> use</c><02:
• </c><02:02:16.280><c> rates</c> drug use drug arrests and overdose rates drug use drug arrests and overdose

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• constitutional officers, elected officials, and sometimes appointed officials out of order because of their schedule
• Thank you so much, because you have a very busy schedule.
• Clinical trials that test drugs do not enroll enough lobular participants to be able to analyze them

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on a proposed Massachusetts baby bonds program, including H. 3429, S. 2146, and the Treasurer’s related bill H. 48. Treasurer Goldberg and a broad coalition of advocates, researchers, health professionals, and people with lived experience said the program would create trust accounts for children born into low-income families or in DCF custody, with funds available at age 18 for education, homeownership, business startup, or other long-term asset-building uses. Supporters argued the program would help close the racial wealth gap, improve economic mobility, and not affect eligibility for financial aid or public benefits. Committee members asked about administration, investment returns, eligibility, and withdrawal rules; the Treasurer said the accounts would be held in trust and managed by her office with an advisory board, with funds accessible at 18 and usable through age 35 if the beneficiary remains a Massachusetts resident. No vote was taken during the testimony shown. The committee also heard testimony on legislation establishing Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day, including S. 2666 and H. 4625. Senator Ross, Representative Badger, physicians, survivors, and advocates described invasive lobular carcinoma as difficult to detect because it often grows in lines rather than forming a lump, can be missed on mammography, and is underfunded and underrepresented in research and clinical trials. Witnesses said the bill would codify an annual October 15 proclamation to raise awareness, improve diagnosis, and encourage more targeted research and treatment. Committee members asked why the disease is so hard to detect, and medical witnesses explained the imaging challenges and the lack of lobular-specific protocols. The witnesses urged favorable reports. The committee then took testimony on H. 4648, a bill concerning the purchase or lease of Fenn Farm in Stockbridge by the Stockbridge-Munsee community. Representative Davis, the Stockbridge Land Trust president, and the tribal president testified that the bill would remove a conservation restriction tied to a state MVP grant so the tribe could manage the land without a restriction that they said would conflict with tribal sovereignty and Indigenous stewardship practices. They said the parcel is a sacred site connected to Monument Mountain and that the restriction is unnecessary because the land is already surrounded by conserved property. The witnesses asked for favorable action on the bill. Finally, the committee heard testimony on H. 3416, a resolution urging Congress to create a national infrastructure bank. Representative Senna and several advocates argued that an off-budget infrastructure bank could finance major repairs and upgrades to roads, bridges, rail, water systems, broadband, and housing without adding to the state budget, while creating jobs and supporting economic growth. Witnesses cited historical precedents for national infrastructure banks and said Massachusetts could benefit substantially from such a program. The transcript shown does not include a committee vote or final action on the resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm scheduled for tomorrow, and I'm requiring that 24 hours to get myself mentally ready to be in the
• We witnessed a couple of drug deals, I'm pretty sure. We witnessed several noonday rendezvous.
• payment through the pharmacies to the providers based on kind of contracts or alternating payment schedules

Bills: SB378 , SB985 , SB1246 , HB3720 , SB1500 , SB1984 , HB4118 , SB1644 , SB1546 , SB483

Summary: The House convened, called the roll, and heard an invocation focused on “leading with the farewell,” followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a series of floor recognitions honoring guests and student groups. Presentations included the nurse of the day, Susan Hollingsworth, and multiple student champions and visitors, including the Clinton High School 4A hip hop state champions, Pryor High School’s Life Smarts state champions, the Elgin High School wrestling team, the Fort Gibson FFA livestock judging team, Putnam City North’s girls basketball champions, visiting students from Douglas, OSU environmental science graduate students, and Oklahoma Energy Resource Board teachers of the year. The chamber then took up several Senate bills. SB 378, updating bail bondsman regulations, passed 77-3. SB 985, codifying the local food for school program in statute, passed 79-0. SB 1246, which would update and speed up DEQ permitting while preserving transparency, drew questions about agency outreach and environmental impacts; after a division vote on advancing the bill passed 30-28, the bill itself passed 81-0. Later, SB 1500 on pharmacy benefit managers passed 81-0, SB 1984 on osteopathic medicine passed 74-0, and SB 1644 creating a reporting mechanism for suspected alpha-gal syndrome passed 82-0. The House also adopted Senate amendments to HB 3720, the local food freedom bill, and passed it 81-0. HB 4118, the family caregiver credit, also passed 81-0 after the Senate amendment restored the title “Caring for Caregivers Act.” A motion was made to reject Senate amendments to HB 2992 and request conference. House Joint Resolution 1100, relating to OMES proposed major rule changes, was read on second reading and referred to administrative rules. A lengthy debate centered on an amendment to SB 1546, a teacher-related bill, which would expand the Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Scholarship Fund tax credit to support the Strong Readers Act, the Oklahoma Math Proficiency Act, and certain capital projects for scholarship-granting organizations. Supporters said it would encourage private investment in education and add instructional capacity; opponents argued it would favor wealthy private schools, do little for rural or high-poverty districts, and divert scholarship resources. The amendment was adopted unanimously, and the bill was advanced to final passage, with debate continuing at the end of the transcript.