Transcript Highlights:

• benefit manager practices in the state to ensure transparency and fairness for consumers and in the pharmaceutical
• Thanks for being here. fairness for consumers and in fairness for consumers and in pharmaceutical<00:
• </c><00:18:15.679><c> lower</c><00:18:16.000><c> drug</c><00:18:16.400><c> costs</c> pharmaceutical sectors
• . lower drug costs pharmaceutical sectors. lower drug costs for<00:18:17.120><c> patient</c><00:18:17.600
• My name is Tanya Neil, and I'm with the Pharmaceutical Care Management Trade Association.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Health met on April 11, 2025, and heard testimony on a series of Senate concurrent and Senate resolution measures focused on health system oversight, workforce standards, and access to care. Topics included an auditor study on mandated insurance coverage for intravenous ketamine therapy for depression (SCR 8 SD1), a working group on prior authorization reform (STR 10 SD2), a task force on minimum professional standards for community health worker training (STR 16 SD1), a pharmacy benefit manager reform working group (SCR 69 SD1), a pharmacy reimbursement working group (STR 70 SD1), an aeromedical services working group (STR 86 SD1), a catchment-water feasibility study for business use (STR 118 SD1), an auditor study on mandatory coverage for continuous glucose monitors (STR 120 SD1), and a resolution encouraging reduced use of disposable surgical equipment and more sustainable health care practices (STR 194 SD1). Testimony was generally supportive across the measures, with several agencies and organizations noting the need to address complex health policy issues and improve access, transparency, and sustainability. For STR 16 SD1, community health worker advocates strongly supported the resolution but asked for amendments to include the Hawaii Community Health Worker Association on the task force and to require that at least half of the task force members be community health workers. For the PBM-related measures, SHPDA said it was willing to convene the work group and described the issue as complex, while the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association asked that PBMs be included in the working group. For STR 10 SD2, SHPDA supported the effort to reduce prior authorization burdens and said the process is a "black box" that needs reform; the chair later noted the administration’s commitment to the issue. For STR 86 SD1, the Department of Health supported the aeromed working group, and the chair proposed a House Draft 1 with technical changes and added representation from independent provider operators. In decision making, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations on all measures considered. SCR 8 SD1 was passed as is. STR 10 SD2 was deferred. STR 16 SD1, STR 70 SD1, STR 118 SD1, STR 120 SD1, and STR 194 SD1 were passed as is. SCR 69 SD1 was passed with amendments, and STR 86 SD1 was passed with amendments. The meeting concluded with adjournment after all votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Looking forward, there's been incredible technology and changes in pharmaceuticals.
• I mean, we can move the needle for a pharmaceutical company or somebody who has a lot of this, because
• Analysis, which was established as part of that pharmaceutical law.
• pharmaceutical Looking at the intersection of pharmaceutical policy and pharmaceutical access.
• I'm not sure for the Office of Pharmaceutical Policy and Analysis, OPPA, really important work.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Whether we are talking about baby products, fashion goods, pharmaceuticals, or even electronics, this
• Whether we are talking about baby products, fashion goods, pharmaceuticals, or even electronics, this
• Whether we are talking about baby products, fashion goods, pharmaceuticals, or even electronics, this
• Whether we are talking about baby products, fashion goods, pharmaceuticals, or even electronics, this
• Data transcription errors can lead to prolonged disputes, and the issues compound from there.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 27, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee will be meeting upon adjournment today to hear two sunset reviews, which are the Veterinary Pharmaceutical
• 23:14.960><c> Veterary</c> reviews uh which are the Veterary reviews uh which are the Veterary Pharmaceutical
• <00:23:16.159><c> Advisory</c><00:23:16.720><c> Committee</c><00:23:17.200><c> and</c> Pharmaceutical
• Advisory Committee and Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee and the<00:23:17.919><c> Forest</c><00:23:18.400

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She was given a starter pack of an anti-anxiety drug that the pharmaceutical rep left with her physician
• She was given a starter pack of an anti-anxiety drug that the pharmaceutical rep left with her physician
• </c> have the most hours of pharmaceutical have the most hours of pharmaceutical training<02:22:45.439
• In this environment, even small disruptions in support compound existing unmet needs across communities
• In this environment, even small disruptions in support compound existing unmet needs across communities

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Before that, we were seeing a lot of your normal pharmaceutical drugs, and then most of the tablets we
• drug of the same family, but much more potent and not being, you know, not being created by a pharmaceutical
• drug of the same family, but much more potent and not being, you know, not being created by a pharmaceutical
• And so for a little while, we saw the regular pharmaceuticals start to come back.
• public would not notice the slight little differences that might be there between those and normal pharmaceutical

Summary: The committee met with representatives from the Arkansas State Crime Lab for an update on operations, staffing, technology, and major projects. Crime lab officials said the new facility is on schedule and under budget, with completion expected at the end of July next year and phased move-in beginning around August 1. They described the current building as overcrowded and outdated, and said the new lab will expand workspace, improve workflow, double morgue autopsy tables, and allow new technologies such as 3D firearms microscopy, improved drug testing for emerging synthetic drugs, and enhanced fingerprint visualization. Officials also said the lab has been able to hire positions tied to the 2023 overdose-autopsy law and that recruitment for medical examiners and fellows has improved, including two new medical examiners starting in August and a successful new fellowship program. Members asked about rapid DNA, CODIS, forensic genealogy, sexual assault kit backlogs, and staffing. The lab said rapid DNA is in final testing with Faulkner and Saline counties and could go live by the end of July, which would make Arkansas one of the first states to do so. Officials explained that CODIS is used routinely, with DNA profiles from qualifying cases uploaded automatically and audited regularly, and cited it as a key investigative tool. On forensic genealogy, they said Arkansas currently relies on private labs such as Othram, Bode, and DNA Labs International, and is exploring whether to bring that capability in-house in the future. They reported that the sexual assault kit backlog from around 2016 has been cleared and that the lab is now meeting the statutory 60-day turnaround time, with kits tracked through a barcode-based system for transparency. The committee also discussed overdose data and confidentiality. The lab said a new overdose dashboard is being developed with the Office of State Technology and should go live by the end of the year, using newly available reporting data to help public health and law enforcement target prevention efforts. Members praised a recent law allowing toxicology information to be shared with the state drug director and another law protecting coroner records and toxicology reports from public release during criminal investigations; lab officials said both changes have been very helpful. The meeting ended with no votes or formal actions on the crime lab items, and the chair announced an August site visit to the Lake Conway dam project.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what this paragraph talks about is the liability of a pharmaceutical manufacturer if they fail...
• Does this capture a pharmaceutical manufacturer? who sells abortion-inducing drugs in Denmark.
• Pardon me, if a pharmaceutical manufacturer is manufacturing, selling, and distributing these drugs for
• Under this bill, all that a pharmaceutical company must... do is establish a policy that they do not
• That pharmaceutical company, that doctor, that hospital, that friend, that mother, is going to have to

Bills: SB 2, SB 5, SB 10, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB17, HB7, HB7, HB15, HB15, HB27, HB1, HB7, HB15, HB18, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, HB17, HB27, HB1, SB8, HCR13, SB2, SB5, SB10

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments

Transcript Highlights:

• They all get the dispensing fee cost analysis by the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, which
• Let's find some other paths to sustain... let's find some other paths to sustain vital pharmaceutical
• So the question is, you know, do we have a pharmaceutical services access problem in the state of Alabama
• In my time in the legislature, there is almost an annual ask on pharmaceutical services.
• I really believe that pharmaceutical card systems got into being out in Arizona in the early 80s, and

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• treatment is $12,000, with total expenditures now representing more than 12% of Minnesota's overall pharmaceutical
• treatment is $12,000, with total expenditures now representing more than 12% of Minnesota's overall pharmaceutical
• treatment is $12,000, with total expenditures now representing more than 12% of Minnesota's overall pharmaceutical
• 12% 12% 12% of<00:03:31.760><c> Minnesota's</c><00:03:32.800><c> overall</c><00:03:33.640><c> pharmaceutical
• </c> of Minnesota's overall pharmaceutical of Minnesota's overall pharmaceutical costs. costs. costs.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:45:48.000><c> Veterinary</c> continuation of the Veterinary continuation of the Veterinary Pharmaceutical
• Advisory Committee and in Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee and in connection<00:45:50.160><c> there
• </c><00:45:56.640><c> Advisory</c> Veterinary Pharmaceutical Advisory Veterinary Pharmaceutical Advisory
• Uh, this bill repeals the Veterinary<00:46:08.720><c> Pharmaceutical</c><00:46:09.680><c> Advisory</c
• > Veterinary Pharmaceutical Advisory Veterinary Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee<00:46:10.720><c> in

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One is a new Office of Pharmaceutical Policy and Analysis, which we're just...
• One is a new Office of Pharmaceutical Policy and Analysis, which we're just going to call OPA internally
• The new law expands this assessment structure to be able to include both pharmaceutical manufacturers
• I know we put you heavily into the pharmaceutical game now.
• But it did not include leaders of pharmaceutical manufacturers or leaders of PBMs.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard budget testimony from Department of Mental Health Commissioner Brooke Doyle, who said DMH serves about 29,000 people and is facing rising demand, higher operating costs, and uncertainty about federal funding. She explained that the FY26 budget prioritizes fully funding the state-operated inpatient system, which is at 100% occupancy and often serves people transferred from Bridgewater State Hospital, while making reductions in other areas to balance the budget. Those reductions include a 50% cut to case managers, a pause on closing the Pocasset unit pending a working group on Cape access, and changes to youth and contracted services such as right-sizing IRTP and CIRT, reducing Youth PACT from seven teams to three, scaling back flex and jail diversion grants as ARPA funds wind down, and preserving the behavioral health helpline and community-based crisis services. Members from Western Massachusetts and the Cape raised concerns about access, staffing, and the impact of cuts, and Doyle said the department would continue operating IRTP services, improve the referral process, and work with stakeholders on the Pocasset review and other access issues. The committee also discussed school-based mental health, 988, loan forgiveness for workforce recruitment, and the role of co-response programs for law enforcement. Secretary Robin Lipson then testified for the Executive Office of Aging and Independence, describing a proposed FY26 budget increase of about 21% to support councils on aging, home care, elder abuse investigations, caregiver support, care transitions, and nutrition programs. She said the agency is managing rising demand, especially from the growing 80-plus population, and noted uncertainty around federal Older Americans Act funding after the federal disbursement agency was disbanded. To control costs, the office will manage intake and caseload growth in a fully state-funded home care program, but current clients will not lose services. Lipson also highlighted a new $1 million line item for local mini-grants to support age-friendly initiatives. In questions, members focused on elder scams, and Lipson said scams are increasing and the agency is working with banks, district attorneys, and public awareness campaigns. The Health Policy Commission’s Executive Director David Seltz presented the agency’s FY26 request and said the biggest challenge is health care affordability, with family premiums near $29,000 annually and many residents delaying care because of cost. He emphasized that recent legislation significantly expands HPC’s role through a new Office of Pharmaceutical Policy and Analysis, which will examine the drug supply chain and pricing, and a new Office of Health Resource Planning, which will support statewide planning around closures and access gaps. The new law also creates task forces on maternal health access and primary care, and adds transparency and oversight for private equity in health care. Members asked about pharmaceutical costs, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, 340B, and maternal health closures; Seltz said the data show rapid growth in GLP-1 spending and that the new offices will help the state better understand cost drivers and access problems. The Center for Health Information and Analysis then began its testimony, describing its role as the state’s data hub for health care spending, utilization, quality, and affordability analysis.

Transcript Highlights:

• When let's talk about the cost of pharmaceuticals now, I'm going to ask this of you and then I'm going
• Obviously, pharmaceuticals being a driver, reading through your stuff last night, seemingly you think
• I have Porter's designee on the advisory councils at the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative.
• Any other cost driver in the pharmaceuticals that you're seeing other than that?
• A cancer cure when it costs, you know, when the pharmaceutical companies are making more in treating

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations from the Legislative Budget Board and agency officials on several agencies, starting with the Texas Historical Commission. LBB described a large biennial reduction driven mainly by the removal of one-time funding and discussed capital projects, rider changes, and exceptional items including Presidio La Bahia and the National Museum of the Pacific War. Senators asked about heritage trails, courthouse grants, unexpended balance authority, and the status of historical-site funding. Historical Commission leadership emphasized preservation, courthouse restoration, heritage tourism, coordination with the Alamo and other Texas Revolution sites, and requested additional IT, staffing, and vehicle funding. No votes were taken. The committee then reviewed the Pension Review Board and the Employees Retirement System. The Pension Review Board’s budget was largely unchanged aside from IT maintenance and salary adjustments, with an exceptional item for additional IT enhancements. Members discussed the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System’s funding dispute and the need for a workable restoration plan. ERS presented a much larger budget, including funding for the retirement system, the group benefits plan, and the legacy payment intended to reduce unfunded liability. Senators focused heavily on pension investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health-care costs, especially pharmacy spending driven by GLP-1 drugs; ERS said the plan covers about 540,000 lives and that premiums would rise 8% while benefits remain unchanged. ERS also said it had no exceptional items, and committee members requested more detailed benchmark information. The committee also heard from the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. TESSORS reported an unfunded liability, an infinite amortization period, and requested additional state support, staffing, and IT funding, including a statutory change to allow a higher contribution level; the agency warned that without more funding it may have to cut benefits. CEPRIT’s presentation covered its bond-funded cancer research and prevention portfolio, revenue-sharing from funded projects, and a request to increase salary limits for its CEO and chief scientific officer. Senators questioned CEPRIT’s accomplishments and return on investment, while CEPRIT cited screening, prevention, and research outcomes, including tens of thousands of detected cancers and precursors and hundreds of thousands of first-time screenings. The meeting ended after these presentations and questions, with no recorded committee action or vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Looking forward, there's been incredible technology and changes in pharmaceuticals.
• Analysis, which was established as part of that pharmaceutical law.
• pharmaceutical access.
• pharmaceutical access.
• For the Office of Pharmaceutical Policy and Analysis, OPPA, really important work.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a Health and Human Services budget hearing in Clinton, with opening remarks from Chairs Meg Kilcoyne and Robin Kennedy, local officials, and many House and Senate members introducing themselves. The hearing focused on Governor Healey’s FY27 EOHHS and MassHealth budgets, with repeated themes of rising health care costs, federal funding uncertainty, workforce shortages, and access to care in underserved regions. Members also raised concerns about primary care shortages, rural and regional disparities, behavioral health access, maternal health, food insecurity, and the impact of federal policy changes on Massachusetts programs. EOHHS Secretary Kiame Mahaniah said the FY27 EOHHS budget totals $33.7 billion, reflecting mostly non-discretionary growth from health care costs, labor costs, caseload increases, and provider rate pressures. He highlighted targeted investments in foster care, family resource centers, maternal health, youth services, nutrition programs, immigrant legal services, and human service workforce rates, while warning that federal actions could strip roughly $3.5 billion annually from the state’s health care funding. In response to questions, he defended the administration’s cooperation with federal audits and program integrity efforts, discussed the primary care crisis, and said the state is trying to preserve core services while preparing for a more difficult FY28 budget cycle. MassHealth Undersecretary Mike Levine then described two major FY27 challenges: double-digit cost growth and the expected effects of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. He said MassHealth’s proposed $22.7 billion gross budget includes a 7.5% increase and relies on a moratorium on new expansions plus targeted reductions, including a $1,000 annual adult dental cap, ending GLP-1 coverage for weight loss only, reducing care management to peer-state levels, and work groups to slow growth in PCA, adult foster care, and adult day health spending. Members questioned the impact on Boston Health Care for the Homeless, preventive care, and regional access; Levine said the changes are meant to preserve sustainability, that children and certain disabled populations remain protected, and that the administration will continue working with providers, advocates, and the Legislature on implementation and longer-term reforms.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do want to clarify something when we talk about the cost of pharmaceuticals.
• The rising cost of pharmaceuticals is a key cost driver.
• I am Porter's designee on the advisory councils of the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative.
• Pharmaceuticals? Speaker: And this, with this 8%, that's included in SB1?
• Any other cost drivers in the pharmaceuticals that y'all are seeing other than that?

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And you have people that are hearing these ads from the pharmaceutical companies claiming their vaccines
• We hear disclaimers at the end of general pharmaceutical commercials, sometimes all the potential side
• The pharmaceutical companies can educate doctors.
• We hear disclaimers at the end of general pharmaceutical commercials, sometimes all the potential side
• The pharmaceutical companies can educate doctors.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries heard and voted on several bills. SB 986 would prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana in public places and also restrict smoking in rooms and bars; the sponsor said it is intended to protect public health and outdoor spaces, while the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supported the goal but raised concerns about impacts on designated smoking areas, and cannabis advocates warned about unintended effects on patients and property rights. The committee reported SB 986 favorably. The committee also passed SB 678, which restores statutory authority for DBPR’s long-standing rule allowing alcohol distributors to deduct unsellable alcohol from monthly excise taxes; a strike-all amendment was adopted, including retroactive application to January 1, 2025, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 800, which increases penalties for repeat unlicensed engineering practice and creates an engineering student loan assistance program for engineers working for state agencies and water management districts, was amended and reported favorably as well. Members then considered SB 408 on vaccine advertising and liability. The sponsor argued the bill would address declining public trust in vaccines by allowing claims against manufacturers that advertise in Florida, while opponents said the measure is preempted by federal law, raises First Amendment concerns, and would create unnecessary litigation. After extensive testimony and debate, the committee reported SB 408 favorably. The committee also heard SB 484 on data centers, which would set PSC tariff requirements so large load customers pay their own costs, preserve local planning authority, and limit water permits for large data centers; testimony was mixed, with supporters emphasizing ratepayer protections and economic benefits and critics warning about overregulation and confidentiality limits. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SB 1118, which creates a time-limited public records exemption for certain data center development information held by local governments, after the sponsor said it was meant to prevent extended NDAs while still allowing local notice and input. SB 1050, requiring veterinarians to provide written prescriptions so pet owners can choose their pharmacy, was also reported favorably. The meeting ended after several members recorded votes on bills they had missed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council, the Colorado Forest Health Council, and the Veterinary Pharmaceutical
• Veterary</c> Forest Health Council, and the Veterary Forest Health Council, and the Veterary Pharmaceutical
• </c><00:25:46.080><c> So,</c> Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee.
• So, Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• effective and less risky than the expensive drugs with many side effects being pushed by the pharmaceutical
• absence of clear laws, the dignity of the dead is up for grabs, and families are left with grief compounded

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, received the House message that HB 35 had passed, and heard a gubernatorial message submitting Trinity River Authority board appointments for Senate confirmation. The chamber also adopted a slate of Senate resolutions by voice vote and later postponed reading and referral of bills and resolutions until the end of the calendar. Several members introduced bills with brief explanations before the Senate took them up under suspension of the regular order. The body then considered and passed a series of measures, often by wide margins, including SB 2846 on wildlife disease control and quarantine authority; CS SB 1224 requiring school superintendents or directors to report certain employee misconduct to local law enforcement; CS SB 2310 on transparency for degree and transfer requirements at public colleges; SB 1502 limiting school districts’ ability to exceed voter-approval tax rates after a failed TRE; CS SB 1141 on notice requirements before full adversary hearings in child-protection cases; CS SB 2568 exempting certain flood-control reservoirs from TCEQ permitting; SB 1524 on confidentiality of information about weapons in foster homes; CS SB 2925 creating a task force on modernizing manufacturing; CS SB 2269 on dispute resolution and enforcement for long-term care facilities; CS SB 1266 on Medicaid provider enrollment and disenrollment notices; SB 243 on migrant labor housing standards; SB 2200 on overweight vehicles transporting hazardous materials; CS SB 2480 on the Texas Physician Health Program; CS SB 1585 restricting government contracts with companies tied to foreign adversaries; CS SB 2357 establishing maternal health training; and SB 1551 requiring accessible AED placement in public schools. The Senate also debated more contested bills. CS SB 2019, which would extend vaccine exemption rules to medical and veterinary students, advanced only partway after a divided vote. CS SB 1442, directing a study on veterinary telemedicine relationships, and CS SB 1241, which would allow the Higher Education Coordinating Board to study alternative college entrance exams, prompted extended questioning about agency authority and whether changes should return to the legislature before taking effect. CS SB 2753, which would integrate early voting and election day voting into a single in-person voting period, was amended and passed to engrossment despite opposition. CS SB 2201, dealing with gang and foreign terrorist organization intelligence databases, and CS SB 2514, creating a DPS hostile foreign adversaries unit, drew detailed debate over civil liberties and national security. CS SB 2422, aimed at limiting Texas Medical Board discipline related to COVID-19 treatments and practices, also advanced after lengthy discussion and a close vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I do want to clarify something when let's talk about the cost of pharmaceuticals now.
• Obviously, pharmaceuticals being a driver, reading through your stuff last night, seemingly you think
• I am Porter's designee on the advisory councils at the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative.
• Any other cost driver in the pharmaceuticals that you're seeing other than that?
• I think there are exceptions on some medical pharmaceuticals and other things that are extended longer

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard budget presentations for the Texas Historical Commission, the Pension Review Board, the Employees Retirement System (ERS), Social Security and benefit replacement pay, the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System (TESSRS), and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). The Legislative Budget Board outlined recommendations and major changes for each agency, including reductions tied to one-time projects at the Historical Commission, continued funding for courthouse grants, heritage trails, and Holocaust/genocide education, as well as new or modified riders and capital items. For the pension-related items, LBB described funding changes for PRB, ERS, Social Security, and TESSRS, including ERS health plan cost growth driven largely by pharmacy costs, the status of pension funding reforms, and TESSRS’s request for additional state support to address its unfunded liability and staffing needs. Members asked extensive questions about the Historical Commission’s one-time funding, unexpended balance authority, courthouse preservation, the Presidio La Bahia and National Museum of the Pacific War projects, and coordination of Texas history messaging across sites such as the Alamo, San Jacinto, Washington on the Brazos, and other heritage locations. The Historical Commission chair emphasized heritage tourism, economic development, and the need for continued investment in historic sites, staffing, IT modernization, and vehicles. On the pension items, senators discussed PRB oversight of local systems, including the Dallas police and fire pension situation, and ERS investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health costs. ERS officials said the plan remains well funded overall, noted a 2021 cash balance reform and a planned supplemental legacy payment, and explained that GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro are a major driver of pharmacy spending; they also said the agency is working with the Texas Pharmacy Initiative and that rebates are contractually returned to ERS. For TESSRS, LBB and agency staff said the system serves volunteer and part-paid emergency personnel, is facing an infinite amortization period, and is requesting additional appropriations, staffing, and IT funding, along with a statutory change to allow an actuarially determined state contribution. The agency said it may otherwise need to cut benefits for volunteer firefighters. For CPRIT, LBB reported about $600 million in recommended funding for the biennium and a 10-FTE increase, while the agency described its $6 billion voter-approved program, $3.75 billion in grants awarded to date, and $10.4 million in revenue sharing since 2011. CPRIT’s only exceptional item was a request for a 10% salary increase for two exempt positions. No committee votes or formal actions were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Genomic data will be used to create pharmaceutical and therapeutic solutions and we make a great... to
• in society, but there is, I think, a constant theme, whether it's genomics... data or PPE or pharmaceuticals
• the growing global tensions and their potential impact on supply. key supply chains including pharmaceuticals
• We've got to start somewhere to get off this dependence that we have with our pharmaceuticals. our drones
• I'm not surprised they will push. for a bill that bans compound chicken because the Chinese people are

Bills: HB17, HB34, HB41, HB 118, HB 119, HB 127, HB 128, HB 129, HB 130, HB132, HB133, HB17, HB41, HB118, HB119, HB127, HB128, HB129, HB130, HB132, HB133

Keywords: foreign ownership, real estate, national security, designated countries, Texas property law, lobbying, foreign adversaries, compensation prohibition, transparency, civil penalties, higher education, foreign adversary, research security, trade secrets, academic partnerships, HB 128, sister city, sister-city agreement, international exchange, municipal diplomacy