Transcript Highlights:

• So, it's getting a little long in the tooth, but this is when we're scheduled.
• It's like if they said, 'I've got this nausea and I heard this great drug called felitomide does a great
• and I heard said, "I've got this nausea and I heard this<01:11:55.840><c> great</c><01:11:56.000><c> drug
• called felitomide does a this great drug called felitomide does a great<01:11:57.679><c> job."
• in something else, it can occupy that pathway and therefore slow down the breakdown of that other drug

Summary: The Health and Human Services Oversight Committee met on April 17 and approved the prior meeting minutes, then set its next meeting for May 29 at 9:30 a.m. Members also discussed a New Futures effort to collect questions about Medicaid changes and post answers as an FAQ, with a preference that the FAQ live on New Futures’ website rather than the state website. The commissioner’s office said it would coordinate responses and that the issue is still evolving. The main presentation was an HHS update focused on the state public health laboratory and its work during Public Health Lab Week. Officials reviewed the lab’s history, its biosafety functions, and its role in disease prevention, food safety, preparedness, and response. They highlighted mosquito surveillance for eastern equine encephalitis, West Nile virus, and Jamestown Canyon virus, noting that the lab tested more than a quarter million mosquitoes last year and that mosquito testing helps provide early warning for local public health decisions. They also discussed rabies testing, saying New Hampshire’s lab is the only one in the state that performs it, that rabies is fatal once symptoms begin, and that the work is preventable through early prophylaxis. Members asked about federal funding cuts, water testing, and whether CDC changes to rabies testing would affect New Hampshire. The department said it had been affected by an $80 million federal clawback but was managing through other funds and staff reassignments; for the water lab, temporary staff had been hired to continue swimming-area testing. Officials said the state remains able to handle rabies testing and that federal changes would mainly affect areas without similar services. They also answered questions on Jamestown Canyon virus, saying New Hampshire had one human case in 2025 and three in 2024, compared with zero West Nile cases in 2025 and one in 2024, and that weather and protective measures influence mosquito-borne disease levels. Additional questions covered biosafety levels, cyanobacteria coordination with the Department of Environmental Services, and the Brown Building flood mitigation, which was described as about halfway complete with a hoped-for reopening of the west side by June.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um since DEA on drug enforcement issues.
• But now there's no drugs left in the car, right?
• But now there's no drugs left in the car, right?
• "But now there's no drugs left in the car, right?
• </c> 20-year-old drug conviction. 20-year-old drug conviction.

Bills: SF0101

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:51:36.800><c> I</c> especially on prescription drugs. I especially on prescription drugs.
• ,</c><01:21:09.199><c> I</c> pregnant women for um using drugs, I pregnant women for um using drugs,
• Um the kids that are affected by drugs.
• We don't want her to be consuming drugs and doing this anyhow.
• I mean, look at the drugs. What?

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• It makes me so angry because I became a lawyer despite being raised by a drug addict, living in poverty
• It makes me so angry because I became a lawyer despite being raised by a drug addict, living in poverty
• being</c><00:19:52.159><c> raised</c><00:19:52.440><c> by</c><00:19:52.520><c> a</c><00:19:52.679><c> drug
• </c> lawyer despite being raised by a drug lawyer despite being raised by a drug addict<00:19:53.200>
• developing the curriculum and developing, getting a person in place to manage that, finding time in a schedule

Bills: HF29 , HF921 , HF922 , HF1048 , HF1049

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: railroad, infrastructure, transportation funding, environmental remediation, capital investment, HF921, tax increment financing, TIF, excess tax increment, school district aid, levy adjustment, property tax levy, education finance, Minnesota education aid, decertification, local government finance, school funding formula, state aid reduction, referendum equalization aid, debt service equalization

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:

• 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:

• </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.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill removes the optional drug testing requirement for individuals on SNAP who have a prior drug
• :50:51.280><c> testing</c> removes the optional drug testing removes the optional drug testing requirement
• </c> under current law, anyone with a drug under current law, anyone with a drug felony<01:51:50.000>
• </c> conditioned on an optional random drug conditioned on an optional random drug testing<01:52:58.080
• </c> complexities of a person who uses drugs. complexities of a person who uses drugs.

Bills: HF3831 , HF3603 , HF1900 , HF495 , HF3750 , HF4316 , HF2136 , HF4384

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not going to gamble on a new drug. We're going to find one that works.
• Adjust the dose or frequency of a drug.
• This is not about looking at experimental drugs.
• approve that drug.
• So, and And a really large amount of drugs and treatment plans.

Committee: Senate Health

Transcript Highlights:

• prescription drug benefits for approximately 280 million Americans.
• Many of these drugs were for cancer, $3.3 billion. Medicare Part D.
• Gleevec, a drug used for leukemia, was marked up 4,000 to 5,000 percent.
• —$700 million a year from one PBM for one drug.
• , $700 million a year from one PBM for one drug.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Transcript Highlights:

• acknowledge that the decision to waive your jury trial right might be because you cannot then be scheduled
• acknowledge that the decision to waive your jury trial right might be because you cannot then be scheduled
• acknowledge that the decision to waive your jury trial right might be because you cannot then be scheduled
• for several. to waive your jury trial right might be because you cannot then be scheduled for several
• And when drug usage became something popular to do, some people survived, some people died, and he got

Bills: HCR50 , HB123 , HB219 , HB251 , HB404 , HB769 , HB1065 , SB58 , SB81 , SB92 , SB97 , SB141 , SB156 , SB181 , SB207 , SB396 , SB410

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Keywords: electronic monitoring, GPS ankle monitor, ankle bracelet, pretrial release, post-conviction supervision, bail monitoring, house arrest, corrections, criminal justice, law enforcement, prosecuting authority, court reporting, provider registration, LCLE, Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice, data privacy, personal information, cybersecurity, confidentiality, monitoring violations

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, so looking at the schedule, the next three bills, we've got our whip, Madam Whip.
• under six, students enrolled at least part-time in school or other training, regular participants in drug
• We had a third one scheduled; it was canceled, and asked that we rescheduled, but have not come back
• We had a third one scheduled; it was canceled, and we asked that it be rescheduled, but have not come
• I don't know if it was something with their scheduling and their docket or what it was, but there wasn't

Bills: HB2180 , HB2184 , HB2188 , HB2194 , HB2206 , HB2321 , HB2322 , HB2438 , HB2442 , HB2448 , HB2727 , HB2797

Committees: House Health & Human Services , House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Keywords: appropriation, funding, University of Arizona, education, state budget, fetal death, funeral homes, informed consent, abortion, women's rights, medical assistance, emotional support, language acquisition, early intervention, hearing impairment, grant program, deaf education, health care, insurance claims, prior authorization

Transcript Highlights:

• then lastly, the budget proposes to extend the California Competes tax credit, which is currently scheduled
• then lastly, the budget proposes to extend the California competes tax credit, which is currently scheduled
• As I was speaking with the Chair earlier today, we have meetings already being scheduled for discussions
• that when they were forced to take treatment, because otherwise they would go to jail, they took the drug
• And then some funding to relocate courtrooms from federally owned facilities scheduled for divestment

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

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:

• chapter 26.1-36 of the North Dakota Century Code relating to out-of-pocket expenses for prescription drugs
• to amend and reenact section 26.1-36.6- zero. for prescription drugs to amend and reenact section 26.1
• are folks continually in some sort of anxiety about how they're going to address their prescription drug
• And we can argue what drugs, what this, this continue to go around.
• There's this perception that you demand, I want this drug, and the insurance is going to pay it, and

Summary: The Senate reconvened and handled several House messages and conference committee appointments before taking up a series of bills. It appointed conference committees on Senate Bill 2265 and House Bills 1454, 1448, and 1524. The chamber also adopted a Senate amendment to House Bill 1216, delaying its effective date for the copay accumulator prescription drug bill to January 1, 2026, with later renewal timing for non-PERS plans. House Bill 1216 then came up for final passage. Senators debated whether allowing copay accumulator programs to count manufacturer coupons toward deductibles would help patients with expensive drugs or unfairly shift costs to insurers and other policyholders. Supporters said it would help people afford life-saving medications and that the coupon payments go to pharmacies, not insurers; opponents argued it could raise premiums and create perverse incentives for drug pricing. The bill passed 29-18. The Senate also concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 2160, which changes health insurance benefits under the Uniform Group Insurance Program to move from a grandfathered to a non-grandfathered plan, with supporters emphasizing added benefits and flexibility and opponents warning of higher costs and irreversible changes. That bill passed concurrence 33-14 and final passage 39-8. The Senate next concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 2339, the wildfire mitigation bill, which requires utility mitigation plans to be updated every two years, incorporate national electric standards, and creates a rebuttable presumption of reasonable care if the plan is followed. The bill then passed final passage 46-1. The chamber also adopted conference committee reports and passed House Bill 1460 on adult foster care and monitoring devices, House Bill 1440 on cigar lounge tobacco use, and Senate Bill 2374 on insurance-related provisions including property insurance arbitration, managed repair programs, and surplus lines issues; SB 2374 also added a study on towing and recovery coverage. The session ended with announcements of upcoming conference committee meetings and adjournment until April 22, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• The master plan schedule: they came on site April 16 and 17.
• That is scheduled to begin the end of this month.
• And so that will adjust the potential schedule here a little bit.
• Initially, it was scheduled for completion in the fall of 2027.
• That is scheduled to start maybe around September of this year.

Summary: The committee began with roll call, introductions of a new fiscal analyst and a new member, and approval of the March 19 minutes. The first major presentation was from the Office of Management and Budget on the state’s general fund and special fund status through May. OMB reported general fund revenues were running below the legislative forecast by about $76 million, driven largely by weaker individual income tax and sales tax collections, though the projected ending balance remained positive and above the budgeted level. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap and would transfer excess earnings to the general fund, and the legacy fund balance continued to grow. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing revenue variability. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analyses, followed by discussion of a bill draft for the fixed-route city transportation network study. The draft would create a $15 million general fund grant program with a formula-based distribution to eligible fixed-route transit cities, intended to support operating and capital needs and help match federal transit funds. Transit officials from Minot and Fargo testified in support, explaining local fare and match structures and the difficulty of replacing aging buses and securing federal matching dollars. Several members questioned whether the program should be limited to the current four cities or broadened to future eligible urban areas, and whether local funding sources should be explored further. The committee did not finalize the bill draft at that point and planned to continue discussion at a later meeting. The committee also approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to approval of a bi-state authority with South Dakota, after staff explained that no agreements had ever been implemented and the provision appeared outdated. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried. Later, the Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site presented updates on uncrewed aircraft systems initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and efforts to build a revenue model for Vantis. Test site officials said FAA approval had been secured for the radar data program, replacement of noncompliant drones was underway, and future revenue could come from state and external users once pricing and intellectual property arrangements are finalized. Members asked about Chinese-made drones, supply chain issues, automation, and how the system would manage beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation then presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and a reentry housing study. Officials said the proposed facility would relocate the minimum-security prison to the penitentiary campus, reduce costs from an earlier estimate, and provide more beds and programming space, with construction potentially beginning in 2027 and opening around 2031. They also described staffing needs, the planned move of women to the New England facility, and possible expansion of men’s housing there. The parole and probation chief described a reentry housing task force studying housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with a goal of developing data-driven recommendations for subsidies and support services; a representative from Protection and Advocacy closed by expressing general support for fixed-route and paratransit funding.

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:

• Speaker, gentlemen, uh, the, um, just the drugs that are taken in by the pharmaceutical, uh, pharmacy
• A drug And, and, and maybe I should. Describe it more as a pill.
• these drugs, see if they, they haven't been tampered with or to me it sounds like a scary road to go
• Get their drugs directly from, from the, from the places where they make them and, and the pharmacies
• I, I just don't feel like I could support this kind of legislation with, with drugs being handled the

Transcript Highlights:

• Because we passed a recreational drug in 2013, we have more drug testing, and that has to go through
• We want to know all the other illicit drugs that are in the blood.
• They don't do drug testing. Now they only test to the per se level.
• They don't do drug testing after the per se level.
• affected by drugs.

Summary: The committee heard briefings and testimony on several bills, with members repeatedly noting limited time and that some measures were already familiar from prior hearings. Second Substitute Senate Bill 5880 would allow cities and counties to use ISO/IEC-accredited private toxicology labs for blood or breath testing, accept private donations for that purpose, and reimburse the State Patrol for evidence transport costs. Senator Wagoner said the bill is a temporary fix for a major toxicology backlog that delays justice; prosecutors, police chiefs, and the Seattle City Attorney supported it as a way to relieve the backlog, while defense representatives said it would not solve the problem and raised due process concerns about out-of-state labs and access to witnesses. Members discussed possible amendments on in-state/out-of-state labs and litigation logistics, and the bill was set for executive action the following Tuesday. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5436 would create a gross misdemeanor for willfully or recklessly interfering with access to or from a place of worship or disrupting religious services through obstruction, trespass, repeated calls or electronic communications, or threats. Senator Solomon said the bill responds to rising intolerance and is modeled on protections for health care facilities; supporters from the Anti-Defamation League, Faith Action Network, Jewish and Sikh community organizations described harassment, threats, and security costs at houses of worship. Defense and law enforcement groups raised concerns about overbreadth, possible impacts on peaceful protest, and unintended effects on law enforcement or immigration enforcement, and asked for clarifying amendments. The sponsor said he was open to changes, and the committee indicated it would continue working on the bill before executive action next Tuesday. Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5105 would expand child sexual abuse material offenses to cover digitally created or altered obscene depictions, even when the minor is not identifiable, extend the statute of limitations for those felony offenses from three to ten years, and broaden sexual exploitation of a minor to include knowingly causing a minor who is unconscious or unaware to be photographed or part of a live performance. Supporters including the Attorney General’s Office, prosecutors, and sheriffs’ chiefs said the bill is needed to address AI and other technology that can evade current law and to keep pace with rapidly changing digital abuse material. Opponents from the defense bar and the Sentencing Guidelines Commission argued the bill may still be overbroad and raise First Amendment problems under Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition, especially where no actual minor is identified. The committee also heard and then quickly acted on other bills: Second Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5268, requiring one year of community custody for unlawful possession of a firearm, was amended and reported out due pass as amended; Engrossed Senate Bill 5272, addressing penalties for violence against referees and school volunteers, was reported out due pass; and Engrossed Senate Bill 5286, concerning reimbursement for costs in cities with state psychiatric hospitals, was also reported out due pass.