Transcript Highlights:

• illness and substance use disorder, enhanced penalties for homeless providers that tolerate crime and drug
• Civil commitment, enforcement of drug laws, integrating treatment and housing, and removing barriers
• illness and substance use disorder, enhance penalties for homeless providers that tolerate crime and drug
• treatment centers. ...make for places like CCBHCs or drug treatment centers or things like that, versus
• So those are the kinds... ...for drug and other crimes going on under their noses.

Transcript Highlights:

• another gentleman accused of multiple illegal entries and histories of DUIs, including fatalities and drug
• The drug runners and the cartels are still active, and they're still working on trying to cross.
• And the drug cartels ruled the day. They brought the drugs up. And the drug cartels ruled the day.
• They brought the drugs up, the fentanyl, the poisons of our children.
• And when you have a porous border, they run them across and bring those drugs and the people who become

Summary: The Military Affairs and Border Security Committee met for its second meeting, opened with a lengthy reminder about Senate decorum rules and the consequences for disruption, then approved the January 26, 2026 minutes. The committee first heard SB 1268, an emergency measure clarifying that a veteran with a 100% service-connected disability receives a full property tax exemption on a primary residence, including when the home is jointly owned with a spouse. County assessors said the bill was a needed cleanup to prior legislation and urged quick passage so applications could be processed before tax deadlines. The bill passed 7-0 with a do pass recommendation; one senator supported it in committee but objected to the emergency clause on the floor because it limits referendum rights. The committee then considered SB 1152, which would make people with pending asylum applications eligible for state or local public benefits until an immigration judge grants asylum. Supporters argued it would prevent state funds from going to people whose status is not yet verified and emphasized taxpayer responsibility; opponents said existing law already covers the issue, warned it could encourage racial profiling, and cited the economic contributions of refugees and asylum seekers. After debate, the bill passed 4-3. Next, SB 1156 appropriated $20 million to DPS to reimburse cities, towns, and counties for short-term detention costs for unauthorized persons. Supporters said local governments were bearing an unfair burden and needed backfill funding; opponents argued the money was unnecessary, not requested by DPS, and should not be spent on detention. The bill passed 4-3. SB 1157, which would appropriate $20 million for reimbursement of local border fencing or walls in high-crossing areas, drew the most extended and contentious testimony. Supporters framed it as a response to border gaps, cartel activity, and local security needs, while opponents said it would worsen fear, harm wildlife and communities, and divert funds from education and other priorities. The meeting briefly became disorderly during public testimony, prompting a rules clarification from the committee attorney about audience decorum and the chair’s authority. After debate, SB 1157 also passed 4-3. Finally, the committee heard SB 1213, as amended, which makes unlawfully present persons convicted of state or local offenses ineligible for probation and requires ICE notification; the amendment removed CBP from the notification provisions. The sponsor tied the bill to a recent child sexual assault case and said it would ensure convicted noncitizens are not placed on probation at taxpayer expense. Opponents raised due process and equal protection concerns and said the bill would profile noncitizens. The amended bill passed 4-3, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's not just one, like drugs, or just child abuse, or it's all of the above. Is that correct?
• He was using drugs and alcohol to cope with his dad's recent death and his mother's alcoholism, with
• Okay, our final presentation is by Representative Redman, a drug use awareness program.
• Not every don't-do-drugs campaign works, actually.
• Again, this policy actually would be through the Office of Drug Policy.

Summary: The committee met to hear presentations on possible uses of temporary Millennium Fund dollars for youth- and family-focused prevention programs. Members first approved the prior meeting minutes, then heard from the Idaho Children’s Trust Fund, which requested $682,000 for mid-sized grants to community organizations for child abuse prevention, parenting support, family resource centers, and school-based programs. The presenter emphasized the link between adverse childhood experiences and later substance use, and described the fund’s statewide grant-making process and current projects. Committee members asked about grant selection, funding sources, and how families are identified for services. The committee also heard from Children’s Bridge, which requested $3.5 million over four years to build a shared-services infrastructure for child care providers. The proposal focused on helping providers stabilize their businesses through software, coaching, shared purchasing, bookkeeping, and access to benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans. The presenter argued that child care is part of Idaho’s prevention infrastructure and said the model would transition toward earned income and employer support over time. Members asked about similar programs, infrastructure, and how the model would be sustained after 2029. Idaho Safety Assessment Centers requested $1 million to support 12 youth assessment centers that divert youth from court, ERs, and school discipline into screening, counseling, and family support. The presenter cited individual success stories and said the centers served more than 12,000 youth in a year, with an estimated return of more than $3 in benefits for every dollar invested. The committee also heard from the Idaho Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, which requested $3 million in one-time bridge funding for 10 centers that conduct forensic interviews and coordinate child abuse investigations; members asked about coordination with state agencies and sustainability. Ross Edmunds of the Department of Health and Welfare requested $150,000 for a 10th recovery community center in Kamiah, explaining that the department already oversees nine centers through quarterly payments and reporting requirements. Finally, Representative Jordan Redman proposed a $5 million statewide drug-use awareness campaign using research, surveys, and targeted media buys; he said the campaign would be evaluated through impressions, reach, and frequency. No decisions were made, and the chair said the committee would return later to continue reviewing the requests, noting the fund is one-time money and that the governor’s recommendations and a $25 million request reduce the amount available.

Transcript Highlights:

• He told us that drug prices have come down a minimum of 500%.
• So I'm assuming you all have your checks that you get every time you go purchase drugs.
• He<00:04:14.080><c> told</c><00:04:14.239><c> us</c><00:04:14.400><c> that</c><00:04:14.640><c> drug<
• He's told us that soon purchase drugs.
• These are folks that again drug three governors in front of them on immigration.

Transcript Highlights:

• There was a new drug that was approved in 2003 for kidney... a specific type of kidney cancer that was
• We have new drugs to treat Alzheimer's that have only been approved in the past several years.
• With no FDA-approved drugs, this is a drug that, while not a magic solution, slows down the progression
• A group that is in the process of taking a drug called...
• And that drug is helping with Alzheimer's to...

Bills: SB5 , SJR3 , SB 5 , SJR 3

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• stems from the limitations of punishment for dealing with small scale dealers who commit multiple drug
• For example, drug task force operations often encounter small time dealers who exclusively sell in small
• These people are career drug dealers. That's all they do when they're not in jail.
• They live off Social Security and their drug funds, and to them, going to state jail for less than a
• Uh, even drug dealers understand the economy and scale that our major retailers engage in every day.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a role currently held by the US Food and Drug Administration.
• Food and Drug Administration had already... uh, they right.
• So it says the FDA no longer allows for the use of Red Number Three in foods and ingested drugs.
• It would be great to get a drug...
• It would be great to get drug manufacturers to comply by January 18th of 2028. Yes, sir.

Bills: SB87 , HB491 , SB43 , SB101

Committee: House Health

Keywords: midwifery, licensed midwives, State Board of Midwifery, licensure fees, professional liability insurance, complaints investigation, emergency care plan, out-of-hospital care, HB491, public schools, K-12, school nutrition, school lunch, cafeteria, artificial dyes, food additives, food coloring, synthetic dyes, Red Dye No. 3, Red Dye No. 40

Transcript Highlights:

• lot of time to build out policies and procedures to run a state agency, to get a data retention schedule
• lot of time to build out policies and procedures to run a state agency, to get a data retention schedule
• lot of time to build out policies and procedures to run a state agency, to get a data retention schedule
• program on a different kind of pain management, whether that's a prescription or over-the-counter drug
• </c> prescription or over-the-counter drug prescription or over-the-counter drug about<01:09:48.799><

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• consideration, and we will start with the very motivated Representative Salzman for HB 477 regarding drug
• So we want all the tools to save lives so people can Representative: Outlive these deadly drugs.
• he realized how important it was that we put things in place to help save those individuals who are drug
• They're walking outside of their homes with guns and drugs.
• And they're always fighting the local drug dealer or the Anyone that wants to attack when children are

Transcript Highlights:

• for a therapeutically equivalent drug as limited by this section.
• Safeguards are put in there with regard to informing patients that the therapeutically equivalent drug
• There's also notice requirements to the provider within 24 hours of dispensing the drug.
• I think a sulfa drug, that kind of thing, would be a standard drug.
• I want a list of five drugs, and I feel like we got a pretty expansive scope bill instead, and so I was

Summary: The committee reviewed four bill drafts for the Rural Health Transformation effort. The first required the presidential physical fitness test in PE classes; members asked about DPI and school support, then moved and approved the draft. The second required physicians to complete one hour of continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health each renewal cycle and included legislative intent encouraging other health boards to consider nutrition-related CE; it was approved after brief discussion. The third bill adopted the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact. Members discussed a separate issue involving occupational therapy compact background checks and whether that fix could be added now or would need to wait until later; the committee also discussed Board of Medicine input and the compact’s workforce benefits. The draft was moved forward to the full committee. The fourth bill expanded pharmacists’ prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution. Legislative Council explained the draft, and Senator Roars proposed substantial amendments to narrow motion sickness, UTI, diabetes supply, and substitution provisions. Members debated whether to vote on amendments now or wait for the special session public hearing; concerns were raised about transparency, stakeholder input, and avoiding premature action. No amendment vote was taken, and the bill was left for later consideration. The committee then recessed until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• But right now we do have the pharmacy, the prescription drug price transparency program that was passed
• I think it was a fair shot to try to shine some light on the cost of prescription drugs.
• Section 14 is the repeal of the Prescription Drug Transparency Program.
• Section 16 transfers the existing funding from the prescription drug price transparency program into
• It does require us to enforce chapters of the Food and Drug Code, Chapter 19.

Committee: Senate Industry and Business

Summary: The Senate Committee on Industry and Business reconvened to work on House Bill 1584, which would create a new pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) regulatory structure within the Insurance Department. Insurance Commissioner John Godfrey and Deputy Commissioner John Arnold explained a revised set of amendments negotiated with Representative Casper and the North Dakota Pharmacists Association. They said the bill largely kept the House policy intact but added technical corrections, narrowed some references in Chapter 19-02, created a separate PBM licensing class, set a delayed effective date for licensing, and established emergency authority so the department could begin building the new division. They also described the proposal to fund the program through existing trust fund resources, PBM license fees, and a transfer of about $1.6 million from the prescription drug transparency program fund, while allowing the department flexibility to hire needed attorneys, pharmacists, and examiners. A major point of discussion was Section 10, which would have required the Attorney General to represent and bear costs for lawsuits related to the bill. Chief Deputy Attorney General Claire Ness said the language was too broad and would go beyond normal constitutional defense work, potentially obligating her office to cover all lawsuits against the commissioner or state under the section. Representative Casper said the intent was only to avoid the Insurance Department having to seek emergency funding for litigation, and both he and department officials said they were open to removing the section or narrowing it. After further discussion, the committee agreed to remove Section 10 from the amendments. The committee then voted 4-0 to adopt the amended amendment package, and then voted 4-0 to give House Bill 1584 a do pass recommendation as amended and refer it to Appropriations. Members noted the bill was still a work in progress, but said the revised version was intended to move the PBM regulation issue forward while continuing discussion in the appropriations process.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cases that involve drug abuse and misuse.
• I had my first son at 20, and while I was able to stop using drugs for short periods of time, I just
• I had my first son at 20, and while I was able to stop using drugs for short periods of time, I just
• </c><00:32:07.399><c> and</c> started experimenting with drugs and started experimenting with drugs and
• using drugs for short periods<00:32:22.919><c> of</c><00:32:23.200><c> time</c><00:32:23.919><c> I</

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Families and Children met and first took up House Bill 479, which would require one hour of dementia training for DCBS workers. Representative Derrick Lewis and the Alzheimer’s Association said the bill was a straightforward, bipartisan effort to address dementia awareness and improve worker training, with no fiscal impact. Members spoke in support, including remarks about personal family experiences with dementia and the importance of recognizing symptoms early. The committee voted 11-0 to pass the bill with favorable expression. The committee then heard House Bill 574, the “Baby Maya” child protection bill, sponsored by Representatives Dossett and Lewis. The bill would require reporting when a child is born to a parent who previously had children removed for neglect or abuse, create a rebuttable presumption allowing the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to make an initial safety determination, authorize emergency custody procedures, and name the measure the Baby Maya Law. Sponsors said it was intended to add guardrails after the Baby Maya case and stressed that it would not automatically remove children or add new mandatory-reporter penalties. Members asked about hospital involvement, HIPAA, and information-sharing; the Cabinet commissioner said the agency would be open to better data-sharing with hospitals, but currently has no such system. The bill passed 12-1 with favorable expression. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 291, the Family Preservation and Accountability Act, with a committee substitute. The bill would expand sentencing alternatives for primary caregivers convicted of nonviolent offenses, allowing judges to consider family status and use options such as counseling, parenting classes, and related services. Supporters argued it would keep families together, reduce harm from parental incarceration, and save money; one witness cited a report estimating $4 million in direct incarceration savings and broader economic benefits. Another witness, Amanda Hall, gave emotional testimony about the long-term harm of parental incarceration and said access to help would have been better for her family than prison. The committee adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill 12-1 with favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate amendment requires DCS to provide quarterly reports on random employee drug screening results
• On random employee drug screening results at group homes to the House and Senate Health and Human Services
• The title is access to non-opioid prescription drug controls.
• extensive prior authorization or step therapy requirements, for any clinically appropriate prescription drug
• This drug was probably introduced in the early late 80s or early 90s, and when it became available, people

Transcript Highlights:

• It's under the Department of Energy, and it was scheduled to sunset.
• Was it scheduled this year or scheduled in the spring? Oh, Mr.
• But we'll try to get in that rhythm of, you know, scheduling it.
• I have just one last question because I know we're behind schedule.
• Who decides the training schedule?

Committee: Joint Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So on the hormone drugs and the hormone therapies that are being offered for gender modification care
• I mean, it's referring to, it says drugs, so it's referring to hormone therapy.
• Prescription drugs, which are typically hormone blockers.
• During that time, I knew, because they had sent me home before with drugs that made me drool.
• I get 48 hours to where they can drug me, that I don't even know how I'm gonna respond to.

Bills: HB 1239 , HB1990 , HB1748 , HB1749 , HB2578 , HB2986 , HB1970 , HB3163 , HB2733 , HB1922 , HB 113 , HB 1088 , HB1938 , HB3004 , HB2637 , HB2960 , HB113

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: public health, access to healthcare, insurance reforms, medical expenses, healthcare providers, mental health, protective custody, preliminary examination, detention period, emergency circumstances, emergency detention, legal framework, detention, healthcare, liability, landowners, nonagricultural land, trespassing, public safety, interpreters

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires the Manufacturer Disclosure and Transparency Act, requiring prescription drug manufacturers
• that the way this process is being set up here may interfere and actually delay certain brand-name drugs
• that the state is already governed by the federal government and we're dealing with pharmaceutical drugs
• that the state is already governed by the federal government and we're dealing with pharmaceutical drugs
• down the process or maybe even be a deterrent effect on these agreements that help get brand-name drugs

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee, chaired for the day by Senator John Liu, took up a long agenda of bills covering labor and benefits, corrections, health, taxation, government transparency, and public services. Early measures included increasing short-term disability benefits, adjusting a poverty-level-related earned income disregard, expanding correctional health staffing review, and authorizing the Inspector General to investigate sexual assault complaints in correctional facilities; each of these advanced to the floor. The committee also advanced bills on ovarian cancer screening access, retirement system membership changes, a trail stewardship program, live agency representative access, FOIL/open meetings fee awards, a Harriman campus development plan, court data reporting, educator conventions, park water testing, an energy storage tax abatement, a Native American Affairs office, adult changing tables in public facilities, Medicaid Inspector General audit standards, remote training certification for agency personnel, newborn Gaucher disease testing, electronic self-exclusion requests for gambling, and child daycare inspections and opioid antagonist requirements. Several bills drew discussion. The prescription drug transparency bill (Print 488A) prompted questions about possible overlap with federal Hatch-Waxman/FTC oversight and whether a New York notice requirement could slow generic-drug settlements; sponsors and staff said it was intended as a supplemental transparency measure for consumers. The court reporting bill (Print 1849A) raised concerns about mandates on local governments, but supporters said it mainly required OCA to compile data in one format. The Medicaid local-share phaseout bill (Print 5519) generated the most debate, with supporters arguing it would provide major property tax relief and should be addressed in the budget, while opponents emphasized the need to curb Medicaid fraud, waste, and abuse first. Two major fiscal oversight proposals were defeated. Print 8661, which would have required the Comptroller to hire an independent private auditing firm to review state-funded programs for fraud and abuse, was opposed despite support from some members who argued outside auditing was overdue; it failed by one vote. Print 5519 was also ultimately defeated after a recount confirmed it lacked the required majority of the full 22-member committee. Most other bills were approved and sent either to the floor or, in the case of the drug transparency bill, to the Rules Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• costs. ...management company now that is helping to reduce overall costs in prescription drug costs.
• We are targeting specific classes of drugs in which we can monitor and reduce costs for both the active
• So we’re increasingly reviewing... ...on the overall increase in spend in those drugs as well.
• It’s been very difficult on the market, especially on the prescription drug market as of late, in order
• to capture the specialty drug costs and the anticipation on those.

Summary: The Finance Advisory Committee approved the minutes from its May 14, 2026 meeting and then considered four fiscal transfers. FAC 2026-9 for the Office of the State Controller transferred $4.345 million among fringe benefit accounts in the General Fund and Special Transportation Fund. Members questioned several employee benefit accounts, including active and retiree health care, Social Security, higher education alternative retirement, and OPEB; agency staff explained the transfers were based on updated year-end projections, with some accounts showing surpluses and others needing additional funds. The item was approved, with two no votes noted. FAC 2026-10 for the Military Department transferred $150,000 from the Honor Guards account to personal services and Governor’s Guard accounts to cover operational needs, and it was approved without opposition. FAC 2026-11 for the Department of Social Services transferred $3.3 million among accounts. Most of the discussion focused on a surplus in the substance use disorder waiver/reinvestment account, lower-than-expected TANF/TFA caseloads, federal family planning backfill requirements, and staffing challenges in eligibility operations. DSS said some funds remained unused because a residential care vendor did not enter into a contract, some reserves were intended for future multi-year investments, and eligibility staff require 12 to 18 months of training; the item was approved. FAC 2026-12 for the Department of Children and Families transferred $3.05 million among accounts for year-end operational needs. Members asked about closures of day treatment and community-based prevention programs, and DCF said children were transitioned to other providers without service interruption, with closures driven by provider decisions and financial viability. DCF also explained that some prior funding had been used as gap funding and that ongoing support had been built into the budget. The committee approved the transfer and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And for understanding that public service doesn't always fit into a neat schedule.
• Chair of the Health Committee on the such important in Orange County and other communities, but the drug
• office, to my capital staff and my chief of staff, Usevio Padilla, Erica Dacumas, who's been my scheduler
• that works with me, you've given so much, you've worked long hours, you've dealt with impossible schedules
• We're now behind schedule, so please get here on time, everybody, and be ready to work.

Summary: The Assembly met in session after a quorum call and prayer, then proceeded to a ceremonial floor session honoring departing members. After the roll was called and a quorum established, the body moved through tributes to members leaving the Assembly, with remarks focused on their service, district priorities, and personal relationships built across party lines. No substantive legislation was debated or voted on in the portion provided, though the Majority Leader gave notice to remove SB 259 from the inactive file and the chamber suspended Rule 118A to allow guests on the floor and at members’ desks. Members were recognized in turn, with colleagues praising Stan Ellis for his science-based approach and work on water issues; Damon Connolly for environmental, housing, labor, and transportation work; Jackie Irwin for technology, cybersecurity, gun violence prevention, and implementation tracking; Jasmine Baines for her medical background, rural health advocacy, and work on fentanyl and emergency response; Esmeralda Soria for Central Valley agriculture, housing, water, and hospital recovery efforts; Avelino Valencia for tribal issues, cryptocurrency, and cultural advocacy; Diane Dixon for bipartisan work on public safety, e-bike safety, foster youth, and coastal protection; and Tom Lackey for his public safety record, CHP background, and reputation for honesty and bipartisanship. In their own remarks, the departing members reflected on the honor of service, thanked staff and family, and emphasized relationships, constituent service, and the importance of continuing public service in new roles. Several noted upcoming transitions to the Senate or other offices, while others said they would continue serving their communities outside the Assembly. The tone throughout was celebratory and reflective, with repeated emphasis on collaboration, district advocacy, and the personal bonds formed during their time in the Legislature.

Transcript Highlights:

• And for understanding that public service doesn't always fit into a neat schedule.
• chair of the Health Committee on the such important in Orange County and other communities, but the drug
• that works with me, you've given so much, you've worked long hours, you've dealt with impossible schedules
• Members, we're going to pass on all other items, and I'm going to move on to announcement session schedules
• We're now behind schedule, so please get here on time, everybody, and be ready to work.

Transcript Highlights:

• You still get to vote if you commit first-degree robbery or carjacking, or you're a drug trafficker in
• Speaker, this is the schedule for fire hydrants that we have passed in this chamber before.
• They set a schedule.
• Yes, yeah, they would set their own schedule. Okay, okay.
• Well, it's just setting them up that they're able to set up their own schedule to maintain their fire

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by a 129-0 vote. Members then used points of personal privilege to recognize Law Enforcement Week, discuss personal health and family matters, and honor colleagues, spouses, interns, and guests in the gallery, including students, community members, and a visiting governor from Uzbekistan. The chamber also received Senate messages on House Bill 1871 and House Bill 2818, and fiscal review committee reports recommending passage of several deferred bills, including Senate Bills 953, 1470, and 1871, and House Bill 1940. The House agreed to conference requests on Senate Bills 835 and 1111 and on Senate Bill 1020, the latter a Department of Revenue bill focused on customer service and inspection language. Senate Bill 977 and 1011, dealing with limits on international organizations and foreign law, drew extended debate. Supporters argued the bill would protect Missouri from foreign or international mandates and foreign laws that conflict with constitutional rights, while opponents said such bodies already lack authority in Missouri and warned the bill was unnecessary, politically motivated, and could create problems for forum non conveniens and private arbitration. The bill ultimately passed 99-45. House Bill 1470, revising legislative research and statutory publication procedures, was amended on the floor to remove privacy-sensitive provisions and change a state auditor duty from mandatory to permissive; a later amendment to alter committee composition was defeated 50-94. The bill then passed 148-1. House Bill 1940, the newspaper/public notice bill, was adopted and finally passed 142-1 with two present. House Bill 1871, an elections administration bill, was also taken up with debate over added Senate language, including campaign finance and election testing provisions; discussion continued near the end of the transcript, with no final vote shown before the excerpt ended.