Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a pharmacist at Carvajal Pharmacy in San Antonio.
• Pharmacy...
• If it's $20 that the pharmacy bought it for, something lower than $20, and then you charge.
• It doesn't go to the pharmacy. Just to be clear, we are not the pharmacy.
• Representative Hopper, I had my own pharmacist from a local pharmacy that would do the same thing where

Bills: HB854 , HB 1052 , HB1642 , HB2076 , HB3042 , HB3695 , HB3787 , HB4062 , HB4092 , SB213 , SB493 , SB896 , HB5519 , HB4635

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: insurance, replacement cost, homeowner's policy, renter's policy, condominium insurance, property damage, claims process, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health benefit plan, insurance coverage, out-of-state services, anxiety, pain management, contraceptive devices, women's health, medical procedures, healthcare, laboratory

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there anything that deals specifically with the local pharmacist?
• , which was our local specialty pharmacies, if they've got a contract, shouldn't be held to all these
• to, at a minimum, inform the patient of alternate pharmacy locations.
• And Barney Bishop, Small Business Pharmacies. Small Business Pharmacies.
• We've lost 1,600 pharmacies in the past year.

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• pharmacy is... ...if the PBM defines that the local pharmacy is somehow violated one of their made-up
• And so this helps update some of those new terms that they're using as reasons why our local pharmacies
• pharmacy is somehow violated one of their made-up tenets.
• And so this helps update some of those new terms that they're using as reasons why our local pharmacies
• And so this helps update some of those new terms that they're using as reasons why our local pharmacies

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• And so this helps update some of those new terms that they're using as reasons why our local pharmacies
• And so this helps update some of those new terms that they're using as reasons why our local pharmacies
• Michael Cantanz, representing if the PBM defines that the local pharmacy is somehow violated one of their
• And so this helps update some of those new terms that they're using as reasons why our local pharmacies
• And so this helps update some of those new terms that they're using as reasons why our local pharmacies

Bills: S0006 , S0026 , S0206 , S0532 , S0576 , S1012 , S1110 , S1178 , S1192 , S1758 , S1760 , S7046 , S7048

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met and considered a large agenda of bills, reporting several measures favorably. Early action included SB 6, a settled claim bill involving the Department of Children and Families and the estate of Leila Estrada and Sapphire Williams, which was approved for $3.8 million. The committee also passed a cybersecurity internships bill creating a Department of Commerce program with Cyber Florida, and SB 532, which lets clerks of court retain the full amount of certain excess revenue and clarifies foreclosure-sale procedures. Veterans housing measures, CS for CS for SB 1602 and SB 1604, were approved to create a pilot program and a related trust fund for vacancy relief and risk mitigation for veteran housing. The committee also favorably reported SB 1110 on Medicaid and insurance coverage for orthotics and prosthetics, with emotional testimony from a student and family describing the high cost and importance of activity-specific prosthetics. Members also approved CS for CS for SB 1012 after adopting an amendment that removed inmate emergency and specialty medical service compensation provisions while retaining changes to the contractor-operated institutions inmate welfare trust fund. Another bill, CS for CS for SB 1614, was narrowed by a delete-all amendment to focus on limiting the use of excess fees for new building construction by local governments. All of these measures were reported favorably after brief debate, with some support testimony submitted in writing or waived. The most extensive discussion centered on CS for CS for SB 17, a major Medicaid and public assistance overhaul. The bill would create a Joint Legislative Committee on Medicaid Oversight, allow the Legislature to retain its own actuary, tighten Medicaid program oversight, update encounter-data reporting, set performance standards for managed care plans, revise pharmacy benefit manager rules, and require DCF to implement SNAP fraud-reduction and payment-accuracy reforms, including photo IDs on EBT cards and updated work requirements. It also would direct agencies to seek federal waivers for Medicaid work requirements for able-bodied adults and expanded behavioral health services. After lengthy questioning and testimony, the committee adopted amendments adding a transitional medical benefits glide path for people who gain employment and later lose Medicaid eligibility, and exempting hospice patients with six months or less to live. Supporters argued the bill would improve accountability, reduce fraud, and save money, while opponents warned it would create administrative burdens, increase paperwork, and cause eligible people to lose coverage or food assistance. The committee ultimately reported the bill favorably as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> regular pharmacy, which is a 503A. regular pharmacy, which is a 503A.
• </c> as if they were to go to a pharmacy. as if they were to go to a pharmacy.
• </c> have any kind of local have any kind of local um um um ties. ties. ties.
• </c> local guy anyway. local guy anyway.
• </c> have here locally. have here locally.

Bills: HB2323 , HB2324 , HB1509 , HB2164 , HB2165 , HB2367 , HB2619 , HB1765 , HB2187 , HB1864 , HB1452 , HB2314 , HB1898 , HB2558 , HB2319 , HB1643 , HB2121

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

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.

Bills: SB233 , SB233

Committee: House Public Safety and Homeland Security

Keywords: ad valorem, taxation, local governance, advisory committee, Alabama Department of Revenue, eluding officers, law enforcement, penalties, public safety, criminal justice

Bills: SB275 , SB276

Committee: House Shelby County Legislation

Keywords: entertainment districts, Alabaster, alcohol regulations, city council authority, open containers, weed nuisance, abatement procedures, city authority, public health, local government

Bills: SB275 , SB276

Committee: House Shelby County Legislation

Keywords: entertainment districts, Alabaster, alcohol regulations, city council authority, open containers, weed nuisance, abatement procedures, city authority, public health, local government

Bills: HB595 , HB583

Committee: Senate Madison County Legislation

Keywords: boundary alteration, corporate limits, Madison County, City of New Hope, local government, sheriff compensation, salary increase, law enforcement, elected officials

Bills: HB248 , HB311

Committees: House Tourism , House Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: weather modification, atmospheric pollution, chemical dispersion, environmental law, public health, improvement districts, assessment collection, property taxes, local governance, foreclosure procedures

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> programs other state and local programs other state and local agencies<00:26:20.960><c> State</c
• </c> technicians more than 2,100 pharmacies technicians more than 2,100 pharmacies 1100<01:25:28.760>
• Presently, pharmacy surveyors handle both in-state pharmacy inspections and complaint investigations.
• both instate Pharmacy surveyors handle both instate Pharmacy inspections<01:31:00.639><c> and</c><01
• <c> their</c> Pharmacy where pharmacies report their Pharmacy where pharmacies report their dispensations

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• And one locally makes it extremely difficult.
• You go to the pharmacy.
• DSHS does not enforce what pharmacy or pharmacists do? That would also be the Board of Pharmacy.
• I took ivermectin during, under prescription, not through a local doctor or a local pharmacy, but I had
• Thank you. said they were four, are you talking about the Texas Pharmacy Association or the Texas Pharmacy

Bills: HB5141 , HB4638 , HB2264 , HB2035 , HB4813 , HB4408 , HB2684 , HB1621 , HB2300 , HB216 , HB3829 , HB4466 , HB1747 , HB2284 , HB3614 , HB2587 , HB3219 , HB3318 , HB5147 , HB4014 , HB216

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: lease, state property, public purpose, Travis County, Health and Human Services, pharmaceutical initiative, drug distribution, healthcare services, generic drugs, advanced pharmaceuticals, cost savings, mental health, patient discharge, medical records, health care professionals, substance use, family involvement, chemical dependency, treatment facilities, minor admissions

Summary: The Committee on Public Health met with a quorum and heard public testimony on a long agenda, with members repeatedly reminded of a two-minute limit for witnesses. Several bills were voted out favorably, including HB 2588 on cottage food, HB 1639 on cancer incidence and female firefighters, HB 2581 on a reporting form for contracted services for pregnant women, and SB 922 on electronic disclosure of certain sensitive medical information. Those measures generally passed on party-line or near-unanimous votes, while HB 216 on itemized medical statements was left pending after the committee substitute was withdrawn. The committee also left pending HB 5141, HB 4638, HB 2035, HB 4813, HB 2264, HB 4014, and HB 3829 after hearing testimony and questions. The final item introduced in the excerpt was HB 4408 on health care market transparency and corporate consolidation, but the discussion was cut off before testimony or action was completed. A major theme of the hearing was mental health diversion and access to treatment. HB 5141, by Rep. Howard, would allow Travis County to use vacated Austin State Hospital property for a local mental health jail diversion center; law enforcement, the Travis County sheriff, county judge, and urban counties group all testified in support, describing the lack of alternatives for people in crisis and the burden on jails and emergency rooms. Members asked about eligible offenses, bed capacity, and whether the facility would serve only Travis County, and the bill was left pending. HB 2264, by Rep. Schoolcraft, would create a friends-and-family form for loved ones to provide information to providers during emergency mental health treatment; NAMI and hospital groups supported it, while one neutral witness and several members raised concerns about patient control, credibility of information, and liability protections. The bill was also left pending. The committee also heard multiple psychedelic-therapy and drug-policy bills. HB 4813 would speed Texas rescheduling of Schedule I substances if the FDA reclassifies them, with testimony focused on psilocybin and MDMA and their potential use for PTSD and depression; members questioned whether the bill was too broad and how state rescheduling works, and it was left pending. HB 4014 would direct HHSC to study psychedelic therapies, building on prior state research, and witnesses said Texas should prepare regulatory and clinical infrastructure before FDA approval; it too was left pending. HB 2035 would require parents to be informed that they may seek substance-use treatment for a child even if one facility turns them away, prompted by a constituent’s account of a fatal fentanyl overdose after receiving incorrect advice; it was left pending. HB 4638 would extend and expand the Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative board and timeline, with the author saying the program is still in early implementation and needs more time, and it was left pending as well. Other bills addressed public health administration and animal welfare. HB 3829 would require a study of the animal-friendly account and its grant process for spay/neuter funding, with the author arguing that the current application and reimbursement process is too burdensome for shelters and nonprofits; no opposition was heard and the bill was left pending. HB 2581 and HB 1639 were reported favorably, while HB 216 drew discussion about enforcement of itemized medical billing and was held after the committee substitute was withdrawn. Throughout the hearing, members also discussed broader concerns about homelessness, competency restoration waitlists, jail overcrowding, and the need for more treatment options outside the criminal justice system.

Transcript Highlights:

• Olson, so so far the total local match is $50 million.
• Out of the $50 million, that's responsible for local state.
• Those are allocated per the pharmacy census, and because we are not building new brick-and-mortar pharmacies
• However, you did graduate from pharmacy school. Yes.
• locally, and with that I am a no.

Bills: SB1041 , SB1088 , SB1118 , SB1128 , SB1168 , SB1176 , SB1189 , SB1207 , SB1250 , SB1272 , SB1274 , SB1286 , SB1428 , SB1457 , SB1461 , SB1503 , SB1519 , SB1537 , SB1582 , SB1618 , SB1654 , SB1713 , SB1827 , SCR1012 , SCR1020

Committees: House Appropriations , House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Keywords: electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, cybersecurity, homeland security, artificial intelligence, state appropriation, VPN security, zero trust, housing, zoning, middle housing, urban development, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes

Transcript Highlights:

• She picks it up at her local CVS.
• That bystander can file a lawsuit for $100,000 against the pharmacist. assist and the pharmacy.
• And how do the pharmacist and the pharmacy defend themselves?
• That means providers and pharmacies. outside Texas can be sued in Texas courts for lawful conduct in
• What's going to happen to the insurance rates for pharmacies?

Bills: SB 8 , SB 1 , SB 2 , SB 5 , SB 10 , HB27 , HB7 , HB17 , HB1 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , HB20 , HB18 , HB7 , HB17 , HB1 , HB20 , HB18 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , SB1 , SR85 , SR87 , SB8 , SB5 , SB2 , SB10 , HB27

Transcript Highlights:

• What pharmacies are open at midnight on July 4th? Or what pharmacies are open on Christmas Day?
• And a paper prescription in these scenarios means a patient or a caregiver can find the pharmacy where
• It is sent to a single pharmacy, regardless of whether that pharmacy is open or even has the drug to
• So you can transfer a controlled substance once by law to another pharmacy, and that's it.
• to go to that pharmacy, only for them to say, oh, just kidding, it's in tomorrow.

Summary: The subcommittee met with a quorum present and took up five health-related bills. HB 1089, which would add Duchenne muscular dystrophy to Florida’s newborn screening panel, was presented as a way to enable earlier diagnosis and treatment; a pediatric neurologist from Nemours testified in support, noting existing FDA-approved therapies and ongoing clinical trials. After supportive debate, the bill passed 17-0 and was reported favorably. HB 1083 would standardize patient access to medical records by setting deadlines for providers to produce or allow inspection of records and requiring electronic delivery when available. Supporters said it would reduce delays in care and costs, while two industry groups appeared in opposition. Members from both parties spoke in favor, and the bill passed 17-0 and was reported favorably. HB 1297, which aligns Florida’s electronic prescribing rules more closely with federal law and removes some state exceptions, drew opposition from physicians who argued paper prescriptions are still needed for emergencies, shortages, and price shopping. The sponsor said the bill’s goals were patient safety, fraud prevention, and efficiency; despite concerns, it passed 18-0 and was reported favorably. The committee then considered PCS for HB 1421, the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which would create a statewide blood clot and pulmonary embolism registry, require hospital reporting and risk-assessment policies, and expand training requirements in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. The bill was presented with emotional testimony from Emily Adkins’ parents, who urged support and co-sponsorship in her memory. Members from both parties praised the family’s advocacy, and the PCS passed 18-0 and was reported favorably. Finally, HB 449 on optometry would expand optometrists’ authority to prescribe certain medications and perform specified laser and non-laser eye procedures after certification. The bill and amendment drew strong opposition from ophthalmologists and their association, who raised patient-safety, training, and delegation concerns, while optometrists argued the bill would improve access, especially in rural areas and counties without ophthalmologists. The amendment was adopted, and the bill as amended passed on a recorded vote and was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:40.279><c> it</c><00:10:40.399><c> would</c> try to fill it at the pharmacy it would try to
• fill it at the pharmacy it would be<00:10:41.120><c> uh</c><00:10:41.279><c> placed</c><00:10:41.519
• Driving to the pharmacy costs money.
• Representative Pavich Meller: So, is the pharmacy obligated to check with the medical provider?
• </c> everybody involved so is the pharmacy everybody involved so is the pharmacy obligated<01:04:08.880

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• We entered an era of unprecedented mergers of insurers, of providers, and of pharmacies.
• We entered an era of unprecedented mergers of insurers, of providers, and of pharmacies.
• We entered an era of unprecedented mergers of insurers, of providers, and of pharmacies.
• Insurers, of providers, and of pharmacies.
• Leading to closures and leading many communities to be pharmacy deserts.

Transcript Highlights:

• I support AB 1990 because of compounding pharmacies like Empower Pharmacy in Houston, Texas.
• State Board of Pharmacy.
• There was a pharmacy that compounded. Now we just have sort of big-brand pharmacy.
• That was caused by under-reimbursement of pharmacies by pharmacy benefit managers.
• pharmacy.

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a long agenda of bills, with several cannabis-related measures drawing the most testimony. AB 1598 would extend and standardize licensing timelines for behavioral health professionals, AB 1850 would clarify that real estate wholesalers are subject to licensure and disclosure rules, AB 1794 would allow enteral formula to be shipped directly to patients’ homes, and AB 2402 would update an old cap on fees for multi-service health club studios. The committee also heard AB 1990 on compounded GLP-1 drugs, AB 2249 on cannabis packaging attractive to children, AB 2532 on cannabis beverage serving sizes, AB 2537 on prioritizing cannabis enforcement, and AB 1826 on due process protections for cannabis businesses facing embargoes or recalls. Testimony was generally split between public health or consumer-protection advocates and industry representatives. Supporters of the cannabis bills argued for clearer rules, better consumer safety, and more predictable enforcement, while opponents warned that some proposals could overreach, burden compliant businesses, or restrict legitimate branding and access. On AB 1990, supporters said compounded GLP-1 products need stronger testing and truthful advertising, while pharmacists and compounding advocates said existing law already covers much of the conduct and that the bill could create access problems. On AB 2249 and AB 2532, public health witnesses emphasized risks to children and accidental overconsumption, while industry groups sought narrower language and more implementation time. The committee took several roll-call votes after quorum was established. AB 2249, AB 1826, AB 2402, AB 1794, and AB 2532 were all approved and sent to Appropriations, and AB 1826 was sent to Judiciary. The chair and members repeatedly noted accepted committee amendments and, in several cases, said they were prepared to support the bills with those amendments. Some measures were left open or held pending further action as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• Forty-nine of Washington's 281 cities levy a local B&O tax.
• In Involve Pharmacy Solutions Inc. v.
• The court case specifically related to a pharmacy benefit manager.
• Okay, sorry: Involve Pharmacy Solutions versus Department.
• And with that, we also lost our last pharmacy as well.

Bills: HB2038 , HB2297 , HB2382 , HB2487 , HB2018

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: HB2038, Washington, B&O tax, business and occupation tax, social media tax, platform tax, youth behavioral health, mental health, adolescent mental health, children's mental health, telebehavioral health, behavioral health account, state treasury, digital services tax, internet platform, social media companies, youth services, depression, anxiety, public health funding

Transcript Highlights:

• It's really strapping many of our counties and local governments, especially the rural ones.
• We need to allow the locality to decide what's best for their communities.
• and local elected officials.
• Elizabeth Wren, staff to the Local Government Committee, briefs the committee.
• to sign development agreements that vary from their standard local regulations.

Bills: HB1073 , HB1128 , HB1316 , HB1408 , HB1591 , HB1592 , HB1634 , HB1906 , HB1960 , HB2073 , HB2145 , HB2248 , HB2266 , HB2301 , HB2333 , HB2365 , HB2401 , HB2416 , HB2421 , HB2438 , HB2474 , HB2475 , HB2515 , HB2517 , HB2523 , HB2548 , HB2597 , HB2637 , HB2640 , HB2660 , HB2675 , HB2685 , HB2720 , HB1742 , HB2104 , HB2186 , HB2405 , HB2557 , HB2593 , HB2636

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: national guard, military support, defense, state security, veteran services, child care, workforce standards, education, child development, training requirements, postsecondary education, homelessness, foster youth, education access, support programs, community preservation, development authorities, funding, local governance, state resources