Video & Transcript Research : 'voting'
Page 243 of 500
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- I respectfully urge you to vote no on SB 28. I respectfully urge you to vote no on SB 28.
- With that, I urge an aye vote. Thank you so much.
- I ask for your aye vote on SB 1049. Thank you. Thank you. I ask for your aye vote on SB 1049.
- I appreciate your aye vote. Thank you very much.
- asking for an aye vote.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/04/2026 - House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections
Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections
Transcript Highlights:
- I vote aye. Representative Márquez? Mr. Chair. Go ahead. Explain my vote. Rep.
- I vote a firm aye.
- I vote. Mr. Chair.
- Maybe I should vote present too. That's my vote. Present. I feel like you feel.
- Thank you, and I vote aye.
Keywords:
veteran status, veterans court, treatment court, diversion program, initial appearance, arrestee processing, criminal procedure, DD-214, Department of Veterans' Services, prosecuting agency, court notification, military service, armed forces, veterans benefits, reentry, mental health court, drug court, specialty court, Arizona criminal law, pretrial hearing
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (05/07/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- The clerk votes yes. Terry, yes. The clerk votes yes.
- will be voting no today. will be voting no today. Representative<00:12:50.719>
Terry. - So I'm going to be respectfully voting So I'm going to be respectfully voting no. represent<00:15
- passed it, but I certainly didn't vote passed it, but I certainly didn't vote for<00:46:50.639><
- <00:46:56.080>
To I'll be voting no on this. Thank you. To I'll be voting no on this.
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 34, concerning parental consent for student participation in the Medicaid-to-schools program. Members said they were not comfortable with a suggested amendment and wanted more information from Health and Human Services about how the program and billing work. On motion by Representative Noble, seconded by Representative Freeman, the committee voted unanimously to retain the bill, 18-0.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 102, which would make informational materials about type 1 diabetes available on the Department of Education website. Supporters said the bill could help parents and teachers recognize warning signs early and could be life-saving in some cases. Opponents argued the material belonged on the Health and Human Services website rather than the DOE site, and some suggested a narrower link-only approach. After discussion, the committee voted 13-5 to ought to pass, with a minority report requested.
The final major item was Senate Bill 97FN on intradistrict public school transfers. The committee first adopted an amendment that incorporated provisions from House Bill 68, required superintendents to approve best-interest transfer requests unless they failed to meet requirements, and revised language on capacity and accommodation. Supporters said the changes would help students, including those facing bullying, while opponents raised concerns about local control, capacity, and fairness to families who can transport children. The amendment passed 10-8, and the bill as amended also passed 10-8, with a minority report requested. The chair then announced the next meetings would be on the 21st and 27th, and reminded members to watch the Senate calendar.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Are there any no votes or reservations?” “Are there any no votes or reservations?
- Any no votes or reservations?” “Any no votes or reservations? Hearing none, measures adopted.
- <00:25:59.919>
or with amendments any no votes or with amendments any no votes or reservations - Any no votes or reservations? No vote for Senator Ra. The measure is adopted. Thanks.
- <00:29:49.159>
or any no votes or any no votes or reservations<00:29:51.440>hearing
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee continued hearing several bills. HB 399 would create an additional district court judgeship in the First Circuit; it drew support from the Judiciary, Public Defender, State Bar, Financial Services Association, and others, and there was no opposition. HB 560 would appropriate funds for Judiciary contracts with community-based organizations; many service providers and coalition representatives testified in support, emphasizing the growing gap between contract payments and the actual cost of services, especially for domestic violence, youth, legal aid, and other vulnerable populations. HB 648 would establish a two-year pilot program in the First Circuit probate and family court for guardianship and conservatorship-related resources; the Office of the Public Guardian and disability advocates supported it, while suggesting amendments to clarify that the bill refers to professional evaluations, including psychological, neurocognitive, or functional evaluations, rather than just physicians’ letters.
The committee also heard HB 990, which appropriates funds for claims against the state, with the Attorney General noting 21 claims totaling about $6.5 million plus two additional resolved claims and requesting corrections to identify two matters as judgments rather than settlements. HB 991 would clarify that the Attorney General may conduct FBI fingerprint-based background checks on contractors and employees; it was supported by the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center and others, with an amendment to include subcontractors. HB 998 would provide that omissions or errors in citations do not require dismissal or reversal if they do not prejudice the defendant; the Attorney General and Honolulu Prosecutor supported it, while one testifier opposed it, and members discussed whether the language adequately protects due process and how it would apply when identifying information is unavailable.
Finally, HB 1174 would address payment-under-protest lawsuits by allowing interest earned on certain funds to be paid in non-taxation cases if the claimant prevails and by setting procedures for premature filings. After testimony, the committee moved into decision-making and recommended passage of HB 399, HB 560, HB 648, HB 990, HB 991, HB 998, and HB 1174, generally with amendments where noted, including effective-date changes and the requested clarifications. The measures were adopted, and the meeting adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Republican Press Conference 2/20/25
Transcript Highlights:
- And so we're going to bring this vote forward.
- <00:02:40.239>
for should be an obvious uh gimme vote for should be an obvious uh gimme vote - This should be a 133 to 0 vote.
- <00:12:06.200>
it the Democrats threat to vote against it the Democrats threat to vote against - <00:12:28.800>
against as voting against as voting against yeah<00:12:30.399>I <00:
Summary:
House Majority Leader Harry Niska discussed House File 20, a bill he said would amend Minnesota’s Data Practices Act by adding the words “on individuals” to clarify that the private-data exemption applies only to information actually tied to an individual person. He argued the bill would overturn a 2022 Minnesota Supreme Court decision in Energy Policy Advocates v. Allison that, in his view, allowed the Attorney General’s office to withhold policymaking and closed investigative data even when no individual privacy interest was involved. Niska framed the measure as a transparency and democracy issue, saying the Attorney General’s office should not have a special secrecy privilege that other state agencies and prosecutors do not have.
In response to questions, Niska said the Attorney General opposed the bill, citing concerns about the cost and burden of data practices requests and raising a broader question about whether some businesses might have privacy interests similar to individuals. Niska said the bill is not meant to eliminate legitimate privacy protections for actual individuals, including sensitive investigative information, but to prevent the office from using the private-data category to shield non-personal information. He also said the issue arose in part from information about outside influence on the Attorney General’s office, including funding for positions through NYU and the Bloomberg Foundation.
Niska said the bill had been introduced by Republicans two years earlier but did not receive a hearing, and he expected it to come to the House floor because Republicans now control committees. He said Democrats were expected to vote as a bloc against it, and he suggested the vote would show where members stand on transparency. He also said other GOP priorities may move through committees and to the floor as they are ready, mentioning permitting reform, repeal of the nuclear moratorium, and an OIG-related bill, but he did not provide a detailed schedule. No vote on the bill was taken during the exchange.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Jun 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Oh, vote. One, two, three, four, five. Okay.
- I respectfully ask for an aye vote.
- And with that, I ask for your aye vote. Thank you very much.
- That vote has five votes, and we'll keep the roll open for absent members.
- Ted Topman for the California State Retirees, urge an aye vote.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Military and Veteran Affairs heard several veteran-focused measures, with extensive testimony in support from veterans’ organizations and individual veterans. SB 888 would exclude VA service-connected disability compensation from household income calculations for the low-income disabled veterans’ property tax exemption, addressing a situation where disability benefits can disqualify veterans from tax relief. SB 1354 would prohibit military personnel from another state, territory, or district from entering California to perform military or law enforcement functions without the Governor’s express permission, while preserving Title X activity, training, and mutual aid arrangements. SB 623 would place the Veterans Bond Act of 2026 on the ballot to authorize a $1.25 billion general obligation bond for the CalVet Home Loan Program, which supporters said is nearing depletion of bond authority and remains a critical path to homeownership for veterans and military families. SB 1407 would increase the state income tax exclusion for military retirement pay and surviving spouse benefits to the first $40,000, subject to income caps, as a retention measure to keep military retirees in California.
Supporters for the bills emphasized housing stability, affordability, retention of veterans in California, and the economic benefits of keeping military retirees and their income in the state. SB 888 and SB 623 drew broad support from veterans’ groups, county veterans service officers, and related organizations, with no opposition testimony. SB 1354 also received support from veterans’ advocates, while committee members sought clarification on training, mutual aid, and the bill’s scope, and the author agreed to work on amendments. SB 1407 drew strong support from veterans and military organizations, but also formal opposition from the California Tax Reform Association, which argued the state already provides generous veteran benefits and that the tax break would be unfair to other public servants.
The committee voted to advance all four measures. SB 888 was approved and re-referred to Revenue and Taxation; SB 1354 was approved as amended and re-referred to Public Safety; SB 623 was approved as amended, given urgency, and re-referred to Housing and Community Development; and SB 1407 was approved and re-referred to Revenue and Taxation. The consent item, SCR 143, was adopted unanimously. After the initial votes, the committee later took add-on votes to confirm passage of SB 888 and SB 1354, and the meeting adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Audit Committee Jun 1st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And we will bring this back to a vote.
- Harabedian, not voting. Arreguín, not voting. DeMaio? Aye. Hart? Aye. Hoover? Aye. Quirk-Silva?
- Not voting. Becker? No. Cervantes? Not voting. Cortese? No. Jones? Aye. Valderas? Aye.
- All right, and that audit fails based on the vote count. Cabaldon, no. Senator Ashby? Not voting.
- Not voting. Cortese? No. Jones? Aye. Valderas? Aye.
Summary:
The Joint Legislative Audit Committee met to hear new audit requests and receive a status update from the State Auditor. The auditor reported 10 JALAC audits in progress, noted that all 2025-approved audits are underway, said the first 2026 audit is focused on DMV license revocations, and described several statutory and high-risk audits already in progress. The committee also approved a consent calendar of four audit requests: UC library resources, law enforcement information sharing, EDD unemployment insurance claims, and Housing and Community Development housing development monitoring.
The committee then considered Assembly Member DeMaio’s audit request on SANDAG road project management. DeMaio argued the audit was needed to examine whether transportation funds, including voter-approved and restricted revenues, were used for allowable purposes and whether past management failures warranted outside review. SANDAG’s CEO and CFO said the agency already undergoes extensive oversight and audits, that funds are tracked by multiple “colors of money,” and that internal controls have improved. Several members questioned whether the issues were already addressed in public records or existing audits, and the request failed on a roll call vote.
Next, Senator Valadares presented an audit of the Board of State and Community Corrections’ Proposition 47 grant administration, arguing that more transparency is needed on outcomes, recidivism data, and oversight of grantees. The BSCC said it already has oversight mechanisms, that the State Controller conducts biennial audits, and that program data shows positive outcomes. The committee approved the audit unanimously. Senator Cortese then presented an audit of CalHR’s dental benefits procurement and Delta Dental contract, citing long-standing benefit caps, provider network concerns, and retiree out-of-pocket costs. CalHR said its network remains strong, that it recently completed an RFP adding MetLife as a second carrier starting in 2027, and that contracts include performance guarantees. Members from both parties expressed concern about access and competition, and the audit was approved unanimously. The committee then completed add-on votes on the consent calendar and adjourned.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Your vote of seven ayes, zero nays, and one not voting.
- Seven ayes, zero nays, and one not voting.
- Seven ayes, zero nays, and one not voting.
- And I vote aye. Yeah, I get to vote too, you know. Yes.
- So with that, I vote aye. And Jackson, where are we? 790 nays and 1 not voting.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Apr 15th, 2025
MN
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session - 2026-05-08 - 11:30AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Those voting yes 17. Those voting no 13. And the Senate has passed S324. "Senator from Washington."
- Those voting yes: 6. Those voting no: 24. And the amendment has failed.
- vote out of appropriations. vote out of appropriations.
- That's what you're voting no on.
- That's what you're voting no on.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee, February 27, 2026
Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions
Transcript Highlights:
- count or by using electronic voting count or by using electronic voting equipment<00:54:24.000><
- mountains and off the couch to to vote mountains and off the couch to to vote in<01:48:58.159>
- I'll be voting for it as well.
- Election voting machine and voting system tests. The House basically stripped out our amendments.
- Election voting machine and voting<01:51:30.000>
system <01:51:30.400>tests.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
CPC Public Hearing - Tue Mar 3, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Consumer Protection & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- vote.
- Voting on HB Okay, chair for the vote.
- Voting on Okay, vice chair for the vote.
- Voting on Okay, vice chair for the vote.
- Voting on Okay, vice chair for the vote.
Bills:
HB2323, HB2324, HB1509, HB2164, HB2165, HB2367, HB2619, HB1765, HB2187, HB1864, HB1452, HB2314, HB1898, HB2558, HB2319, HB1643, HB2121
Keywords:
workers' compensation, treatment plans, vocational rehabilitation, electronic submission, reporting requirements, occupational safety, hoisting machines, discrimination protection, Department of Labor, safety standards, treatment plan, injured worker, medical treatment authorization, employer response deadline, secure electronic transmission, facsimile, fax, mail submission, denial of care, medical necessity
Summary:
The committee heard several administration bills related largely to workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance. On HB 2323 HD1, which would modernize workers’ compensation notice and filing procedures, DLIR and other agencies testified in support of the original bill language but said HD1 removed key components and weakened the bill’s clarity and continuity. HB 2324 HD1, which would repeal state hoisting-machine certification requirements and the separate crane operator certificate, drew support from DLIR; members asked about whether the change would affect safety or local operators, and DLIR said OSHA-compliant certifications already exist and the union supported the change. HB 1509 HD1, which would require faster employer responses to treatment plans and impose penalties for nonresponse, received support from DLIR and others, while DHRD said it wanted an amendment.
The committee also took up HB 2164 HD1 on compounded prescription drugs in workers’ compensation. DLIR supported the bill as a way to define compounded drugs and curb inflated pricing, but DHRD and a medical provider opposed it and asked for amendments. Testimony focused heavily on whether the definition should include 503B compounding facilities and whether physician dispensing should be limited to the first 30 days after injury. HB 2165 HD1, dealing with unemployment insurance eligibility and removing the two-year limit on recouping overpayments, was supported by DLIR but opposed by Unite Here Local 5, which argued it would make it harder for striking workers and other claimants. Members questioned the impact of changing reporting deadlines from calendar days to business days and raised concerns about future benefit offsets; DLIR said the bill was needed for federal conformity and that the committee would revisit the offset percentage and effective date.
Later, the committee heard HB 2367 on pay transparency, requiring salary ranges in job postings and removing the small-employer exemption. The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, AAUW, Hawaii Women Lawyers, and an individual testifier supported the bill, saying pay transparency promotes fairness, trust, and pay equity; one testifier described being underpaid compared with a predecessor and said posting ranges would save applicants’ time. HB 2619 HD1, concerning homemade food products and farm kitchens, received generally supportive comments from the Department of Health, which requested an amendment to preserve flexibility in future rulemaking. HB 1765 HD1, on spear-fishing safety warnings, drew support from a safety educator and comments from DLNR; supporters said warning labels would help prevent hypoxic blackout deaths and were low-cost and easy to implement. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (03/18/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Clerk votes yes.
- <01:48:29.440>
yes Freeman yes clerk votes yes Freeman yes clerk votes yes representative< - representative Freeman yes clerk votes representative Freeman yes clerk votes yes<01:51:14.360><
- <01:58:18.079>
yes Freeman yes clerk votes yes Freeman yes clerk votes yes representative< - representative Freeman yes clerk votes representative Freeman yes clerk votes yes<01:59:25.360><
Summary:
The committee opened a hearing on HR 18, a resolution urging New Hampshire’s congressional delegation to seek federal changes that would let very small slaughter plants use custom-exempt inspection criteria with a third-party inspector present, so beef, pork, lamb, and goat could be sold as individual cuts directly to consumers. Representative Judy Aron said the resolution was drafted in lieu of state legislation because the issue is governed by USDA rules, and she noted she was also working on an amendment to ensure the measure covered federal “very small” plants. Representative Miner asked for clarification about custom slaughter versus retail sales, and Representative Scully supported the resolution while suggesting language to make clear it applied only to local end consumers. Joyce Brady of the New Hampshire Farm Bureau testified in support, saying the state’s four USDA slaughterhouses and the bottleneck in custom cutting made the issue important. After no further testimony, the chair closed the hearing.
The committee then moved into a work session on several bills. For HB 616, members discussed an amendment that had been revised after public comments and Commissioner Jasper’s feedback; Representative Guber said it balanced the competing positions, and Representative Penza and Representative Ger said the language now addressed concerns about animal suffering by allowing euthanasia if a treating veterinarian determines the animal is in extreme suffering. The committee then discussed HB 77, with Representative Penza describing changes to landfill-related standards, including replacing aquifer references with drinking water wells, removing a penalty section, changing discretionary language to mandatory language for the department, and adjusting an in situ soils standard. Members praised the compromise, though Representative Scully raised concerns about the 1,500-foot setback and suggested engineering controls such as berms; Penza responded that current rules do not include such controls and that the setback was intended to address surface spills. Several members said the bill reflected a hard-fought balance and should not be rewritten at the last minute.
For HB 505, the freeze-dried food bill, Representative Aron explained that the amendment replaced a simple exemption with a requirement that homestead food operations selling freeze-dried foods from a farm stand, farmers market, or retail food store obtain a homestead food license under RSA 143-A:4. She said the amendment defines freeze-dried foods as fruits, vegetables, and commercially prepared dairy products, and delays the effective date 120 days to allow rulemaking. Members generally supported the approach as a light-touch oversight mechanism for potentially hazardous foods, though Representative Ktoa asked for clarification about how the amendment interacts with existing licensing and inspection exemptions, and Aron clarified that these products would not be exempt from licensing under the relevant law. The committee then turned to HB 250, concerning local authority over dog muzzling, where members broadly supported the amendment as a simple solution, while Representative Ktoa asked about the underlying definition of a vicious dog and whether all listed behaviors would warrant muzzling. The discussion noted that the amendment would allow towns to require muzzling for dogs meeting the statutory definition, while excluding hunting, working, herding, and similar dogs.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/04/2026 - Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency
Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- I will hold the vote. We will go to... Dedicated to the job. I will hold the vote.
- Seven ayes, zero nays, zero not voting.
- Seven ayes, zero nays, zero not voting.
- By your vote of 7-0, you have given House Bill 2501 a do pass recommendation. A, zero not voting.
- By your vote of 7-9-0-0-0-0-0-0-not-voting, you have given House Bill 2-501.
Keywords:
digital goods, advertising, ownership, license, consumer protection, refund policies, streaming services, minors, content creators, online platforms, compensation, trust accounts, child protection, video content, privacy, employment, independent contractor, marketplace, digital services, contractual agreements
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Mar 27th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Murrah votes aye. The clerk will close the roll.
- This is a good bill, and I appreciate your vote. Thank you.
- Members, please vote. The clerk will call the name of the member voting remotely.
- Please vote green. The clerk will take the roll. Thank you.
- Senator Moorlach votes aye. The clerk will close the roll.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, January 13, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Members will record their votes by electronic device. This is a 15-minute vote.
- Vote. vote [No audible transcript content.] [No audible transcript content.]
- No members voted. Does any Member wish to change their vote on this vote?
- vote the A's are vote on this vote the A's are 407<07:01:23.878>
the <07:01:24.040>Nays - Have all Members voted? Does any Member wish to change their vote?
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HHS, HHS DEFER, HHS-WTL Public Hearings 03-17-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair votes aye. Vice Chair for the vote.
- All five the vote, chair votes I. Okay.
- Vice chair for the vote. All HB952. Vice chair for the vote.
- Voting on chair for the vote. Okay.
- Seeing none, vice chair, for the vote. Chair votes aye.
Summary:
The committee opened its Health and Human Services calendar, noted quorum, and first took up HB 194. The chair explained amendments to add an exemption for a person invited by a patient to attend a birth outside an accredited birth facility when no compensation is involved, remove a date reference in section 9, and accept Department of Health amendments. Members raised no objections, and the committee voted to pass HB 194 with amendments.
The committee then heard HB 139 on insurance, with the Attorney General flagging possible unlawful delegation issues and suggesting clarifying language, while the Insurance Division stood on written testimony. A number of health organizations and advocates, including HMSA, Hawaii Association of Health Plans, oncology and fertility groups, testified in support. HB 613 on homeless youth drew broad support from state agencies, counties, youth advocates, and community groups; testimony emphasized the need for permanent safe spaces and more attention to unaccompanied minors, with one witness asking for clarity on funding and shelter capacity.
HB 71 on a tax credit for family caregivers drew support from AARP, Alzheimer’s and children’s advocates, and several individuals, while the Tax Foundation raised concerns about blank provisions and the cost-effectiveness of administering a small credit. The Department of Taxation said a prior version with a $5,000 nonrefundable credit would have cost the general fund about $397.4 million. HB 716 on health care technology support received strong support from SHPDA, OHIN, and many provider groups, who described it as a one-time investment of roughly $20–25 million to connect rural and neighbor island providers to electronic health records; members questioned how the grant program would be allocated. HB 799 on physician hospital privileges also drew mixed testimony: supporters said it would align Hawaii with updated CMS rules and improve access, especially on Maui, while Maui Health and some members worried it could reduce on-call coverage and hospital safety, leading to discussion of a possible report and sunset date.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/10/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- election's tomorrow, but I don't think you have 68 votes.
- election's tomorrow, but I don't think you have 68 votes.
- election's tomorrow, but I don't think you have 68 votes.
- election's tomorrow, but I don't think you have 68 votes.
- you guys now have a one vote you guys now have a one vote majority<01:10:18.560>
but <01:10
Bills:
HF1704
Keywords:
Minnesota agriculture budget, Department of Agriculture appropriation, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, farm bill, rural development, agricultural grants, soil health, livestock compensation, crop damage, meat inspection, poultry inspection, county agricultural inspectors, biofertilizer, nitrogen management, commercial nitrogen fertilizer, water quality, farm down payment assistance, beginning farmers
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House passes bill to cut wait times for prescribed opioid addiction treatment drugs Apr 27th, 2026
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I appreciate your work, and thank you, and members, please vote green."
- So, members, I really appreciate the green vote. Uh thank you again, Mr.
- Momanyi-Hiltsley, I. >> [clears throat] >> Momanyi-Hiltsley votes I.
- the member voting remotely. the member voting remotely.
- The clerk will >> Momani Hiltsley votes I.
Summary:
House File 4493 would authorize pharmacists to initiate, prescribe, administer, and dispense certain drugs for opioid use disorder, especially buprenorphine/Suboxone. Representative Baker said the bill is intended to save lives by giving people immediate access to treatment at the moment they seek help, rather than making them wait for a doctor’s appointment or navigate more cumbersome methadone access. He emphasized that pharmacists are widely accessible, including in greater Minnesota, and that optional training would support safe prescribing.
Representative Bierman spoke in strong support, calling the measure a life-or-death step forward for people with substance use disorder and noting that many people do not receive treatment when they need it. He said he initially had concerns but Baker listened to his suggested changes and worked with him and bill drafters, which helped address those concerns. Bierman also referenced the ongoing fentanyl crisis and encouraged members to learn more from displays honoring overdose victims.
Baker closed by sharing personal remarks about losing his son to addiction and describing how limited treatment options were at that time. He said the new federal change allowing pharmacist training makes the bill timely and urged members to support it. After discussion, the House took a roll call vote and passed the bill 134-0, with the title agreed to.