Transcript Highlights:

• We're not talking about pharmaceuticals today.
• ><c> regulated</c><01:21:26.800><c> by</c> Atrizine is also regulated regulated by Atrizine is also regulated
• </c> moves faster than federal regulations moves faster than federal regulations and<01:24:23.440><c>
• <c> the</c><02:06:59.599><c> board</c><02:06:59.760><c> of</c> regulations passed by the board of regulations
• </c><02:57:06.640><c> to</c><02:57:06.880><c> natural</c> regulations, Senate Bill 65. to natural regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• Sparks has been instrumental in advancing the pharmaceutical industry.
• Since then, he has been invaluable in various settings within the pharmaceutical industry. Mr.
• </c> excellence in pharmaceutical excellence in pharmaceutical compounding.<00:14:53.279><c> Prior</c
• </c><00:15:59.600><c> Basani</c> the pharmaceutical industry. Mr.
• Basani the pharmaceutical industry. Mr.

Bills: HJR60 , HB1442 , HR859 , HR1402 , HR354

Keywords: Glen Canyon, National Park Service, environmental regulation, motor vehicles, congressional disapproval, sodium nitrite, poisoning prevention, consumer product safety, banned hazardous product, youth poisoning, public health, toxic chemicals, online sales, retail regulation, industrial chemicals, food additives, meat curing, poultry products, egg products, FDA

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

Committee: All ALC-GAME & FISH/STATE POLICE

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 They described the current building as overcrowded and outdated, and said the new lab will expand workspace, improve workflow, double morgue autopsy tables, and allow new technologies such as 3D firearms microscopy,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:

• They're eliminating all regulations that provide any...
• They're eliminating all regulations that provide any different treatment for people with disabilities
• clear that our health care system, based on market forces and barely constrained by planning or regulation
• responding to their costs and more pressure and they're seeking to blame care providers in the pharmaceutical
• industry. providers in the pharmaceutical industry.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on 16 bills, with the chairs noting a busy legislative day and asking speakers to keep testimony brief. The committee first heard testimony on Senate 860/House 1405, the Medicare for All bill, with Sen. Jamie Eldridge and many advocates, clinicians, municipal officials, and patients arguing that a single-payer system would make care a right, reduce administrative waste, lower costs, and protect residents from rising premiums, medical debt, and hospital closures. Several speakers cited the Steward hospital crisis, affordability problems, and polling or ballot questions showing public support for single-payer coverage. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then took testimony on S. 863, a bill on non-opioid options for chronic pain. Pain specialists, patients, and advocates said the bill would improve care coordination for MassHealth members, expand access to non-opioid medications, require provider education, and collect data on chronic pain. Testifiers described long delays in diagnosis and treatment, stigma toward pain patients, and the need for multidisciplinary care and transportation support. Again, the committee heard testimony only and took no action. A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 1360/S. 869, which would prevent discrimination against people with disabilities in health care. Disability advocates, clinicians, and patients described being denied or delayed care, pressured into DNR orders, or treated based on assumptions about quality of life rather than medical facts. Speakers referenced COVID-era crisis standards of care, discriminatory metrics, and personal stories involving canceled procedures, inadequate accommodations, and poor treatment in hospitals. Committee members thanked speakers for their testimony and said they would review the bill and its implications, but no vote was announced. The committee also heard testimony on H. 1399, an individual Medicare marketplace option for municipal retirees, where supporters said it would give cities and towns a lower-cost alternative for retiree health benefits through HRAs and individual Medicare plans. The hearing then returned to Medicare for All testimony, with additional supporters repeating arguments about cost, access, municipal budget pressure, and the need for global budgeting and universal coverage. The transcript ends with continued testimony and no recorded committee vote or final action on any bill.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• fund TML, which then lobbies against pro-business policies and reforms that would curb excessive regulations
• Innovation, not regulation, in our economic powerhouse of the state.
• access to vaccines, they've become the marketing firm for vaccine manufacturing. workers, helping pharmaceutical
• be spending hard-earned tax dollars on lobbyists who work to diminish our rights and increase pharmaceutical
• But to that point, it's hard to be regulated. by those that do.

Bills: SB 18 , SB 19 , SB18 , SB19 , SB666 , SB688 , SB707 , SB888

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• As background, this act regulates commercial email, and an email is considered a commercial email if
• As we have background, this act regulates commercial email, Act.
• As we have a background, this act regulates commercial email and an email is considered a commercial
• Burples recommends rules and regulations to administer licensing and regulatory laws.
• We do so with highly trained and regulated professional engineers and land surveyors, and I'm happy to

Bills: HB2229 , HB2274 , HB2294 , HB1269 , HB1078

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: professional engineers, registration act, licensing, engineering practice, state regulations, email regulation, commercial communications, consumer protection, data privacy, electronic mail, consumer access, real property, food security, medicine access, restriction, pawnbroker, fees, interest rates, financial regulation, pet insurance

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.

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

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.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

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:

• In the last about 15 years, the pharmaceutical industry used to send detail men around to the doctor's
• The Department of Insurance will regulate Senate Bill 252, which regulates the PBM industry.
• Senate Bill 252 regulates the PBM industry, and the Board of Pharmacy regulates the practice of pharmacy
• We're probably one of the most regulated professions in the healthcare field.

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• because, and really the sponsor has covered it, but I wanted to raise because in our experience regulating
• treating in-state food waste the same way you're treating out-of-state food waste, then you can regulate
• </c> regulate it in that way. regulate it in that way.
• <01:32:43.200><c> drug</c><01:32:43.560><c> waste</c><01:32:43.920><c> collection</c> pharmaceutical
• Um, and as I'm on the United States Marine Fisheries Commission, which regulates fisheries from Maine

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a real-time regulation.
• I'd just like to note... ...regulated under CDI.
• Dietary supplements are not regulated like pharmaceutical drugs, yet over the last decade, more than
• Rightfully so, infant formula is regulated like a medicine, whereas baby food is regulated like all other
• So we can't regulate that. I don't know. We can only regulate what's sold here.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health heard a series of bills focused on access to care, insurance coverage, and public health. AB 387 on youth sports AED access drew support from the author and safety advocates, but opposition from school, park, city, and county groups over liability, cost, and access concerns. The author said he would continue working on amendments to shift the bill toward requiring access to existing AEDs rather than mandating facility procurement. Committee members emphasized the life-saving purpose of the bill while also raising affordability and access concerns for youth sports programs. The committee also heard AB 1682, which would require health plans and insurers to cover FDA-cleared scalp cooling devices for chemotherapy patients. Supporters, including breast cancer survivors and health groups, described the emotional and quality-of-life benefits of preventing hair loss and said cost is the main barrier to access. There was no formal opposition, though one senator raised concerns about whether the mandate could exceed essential health benefits. The chair and members expressed support for the bill’s goals and said it would be taken up when quorum was established. AB 2093, a follow-up to the 988 crisis line law, sought to clarify statewide leadership, improve coordination among 988, 911, and mobile crisis teams, and create a more sustainable funding structure. Behavioral health organizations and crisis center representatives supported the bill, saying implementation challenges and demand growth require statutory fixes. Committee members generally supported the concept but noted the bill was a gut-and-amend and that additional work was needed with county and behavioral health stakeholders. The committee then heard AB 1843 on hepatitis C treatment, AB 1629 on dental assignment of benefits, AB 2540 on community college access to medication abortion services, and AB 1929 on disclosure of health plan investments. AB 1843 had broad support from medical and public health groups but opposition from health plans, which argued it conflicted with the prior-authorization framework in SB 306 and could raise drug costs. AB 1629 was supported by dental and patient advocates but opposed by dental plans and insurers over concerns about network participation and out-of-pocket costs. AB 2540 drew strong support from reproductive health advocates and student representatives, while community college health services and some others opposed or were neutral pending amendments; the author said the bill was about equity and accepted amendments to reduce burdens. AB 1929 was backed by labor and immigrant rights groups as a transparency measure, but opposed by health plans and insurers who said Covered California was not the right entity to administer the disclosures and that the information was already publicly available. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly weighed public access and transparency against cost, administrative burden, and implementation concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• consumption or inhalation and has not been tested in accordance with the Oklahoma law and these regulations
• marijuana or medical marijuana product is handled in violation of applicable laws or rules and regulations
• However, in regulations, it also states that the QA lab is supposed to be administering tests to the
• That's like a pharmaceutical company saying to me an email and an update.
• Yes, it's in our mission to regulate for public health and safety.

Transcript Highlights:

• So which is correct, that it's the only company now or there's a second FDA-regulated product on the
• Now or there's a second FDA-regulated product on the market from a second company?
• As much as we say that we have protocols, rules, and regulations for our foreign physicians, We have
• protocols, rules, and regulations for our foreign physicians.
• These issues create operational strain while offering little benefit to patients or regulators.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 2726 would require coverage for diagnosis and treatment of mild obstructive sleep apnea, including a tongue-muscle stimulation device. The sponsor and medical witnesses said the device is a less burdensome alternative to CPAP and could improve adherence and reduce long-term complications, while Access said it already covers medically necessary sleep apnea treatment but was neutral and concerned the bill could narrow review and limit cost-effectiveness analysis. The committee adopted the Bliss amendment and then gave HB 2726 a due-pass recommendation by an 8-4 vote. HB 2435, as amended, would create a provisional licensing pathway for internationally trained physicians who meet specified ECFMG-related criteria, with supervision, fees set by the Medical Board, and automatic conversion to a full license after four years if conditions are met. Supporters argued Arizona faces severe physician shortages, especially in rural and tribal areas, and that the bill would bring in experienced doctors while preserving oversight. Opponents, including the Arizona Medical Board, said current law already allows case-by-case licensure review and warned the bill could weaken safeguards and bypass existing scrutiny. After adopting the amendment, the committee approved HB 2435 on a due-pass recommendation. HB 2958 would require Access coverage for comprehensive dental care for pregnant women age 21 and older, with a $500,000 general fund appropriation for a pilot program. The sponsor and public health witnesses said dental care during pregnancy is linked to better maternal and infant outcomes and could reduce emergency room use and complications. The committee adopted the bill and sent it out with an 11-1 due-pass recommendation. HB 2176, which sets timelines and standards for health care institution complaint investigations and dispute resolution, also received broad support from hospitals and was approved unanimously on a 12-0 due-pass recommendation. The committee then heard HB 2447, which would bar insurers from reimbursing certified registered nurse anesthetists at a lower rate than anesthesiologists for the same service. Opponents argued the bill would interfere with private contracting, ignore differences in training and liability, and likely raise costs for the state and taxpayers; supporters said anesthesia demand has outpaced reimbursement and that parity is needed to protect access, especially in rural areas. The transcript ends during testimony on HB 2447, before any vote is taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Basically, section 2-C, the online sales of hemp products being regulated in here must be taken out.
• Basically, section 2-C, the online sales of hemp products being regulated in here must be taken out.
• in here must be products being regulated in here must be taken<00:59:48.599><c> out</c><00:59:49.200
• </c> the canab containing products regulated the canab containing products regulated under<01:02:42.920
• <02:38:55.160><c> companies</c><02:38:55.760><c> government</c> pharmaceutical companies government pharmaceutical

Summary: The joint hearing opened with House Bill 1462 on crisis services. Testimony from the Department of Law Enforcement, the Community Alliance on Prisons, and the Department of Health supported expanding behavioral health crisis services as an alternative to arrest or incarceration. Witnesses said additional crisis sites would help divert people in mental health crisis to appropriate care, and the Department of Health described its current crisis center in Ewa, including the need for renovations such as a padded room and the time required to get the facility operational. In response to questions, the department estimated the Ewa center’s budgeted cost at about $4.3 million, not including rent or startup repairs, and said a second site’s cost would depend on whether it was freestanding or attached to an existing facility. The committee then heard House Bill 700 on cognitive assessments. The Executive Office on Aging supported the bill’s intent but asked that it be amended to make assessments optional rather than mandated, to pilot the program first, and to allow flexibility in handling HIPAA-protected data. SHPDA also supported the measure but said it should not be mandatory and suggested that payers reimburse for assessments when requested by patients, families, or physicians. The Alzheimer’s Association and caregivers strongly supported standardizing cognitive assessments to improve early detection and access to newer treatments, while noting the existing opt-out provision. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the bill but asked that the age 65 threshold be removed because cognitive decline can begin much earlier for people with Down syndrome, autism, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and related conditions. In response to a question, the Office on Aging said a pilot project could likely be done for about $150,000, with data security being the main added cost. The final bill discussed was House Bill 237 on peer support programs. Testimony from Family Hui Hawaii, Early Childhood Action Strategy, peer support workers, and families described peer-to-peer programs as a cost-effective way to reduce isolation, strengthen families, and provide long-term community support. Speakers said these programs help parents and caregivers navigate crises, child welfare involvement, addiction recovery, and other challenges, and can have lasting benefits for children’s development and family stability. Several witnesses tied the bill to broader state goals, including infant and early childhood mental health, trauma-informed care, and child welfare reform. Written testimony from about a dozen organizations and individuals was also noted in support.

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

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a real-time regulation.
• Covered California is not a health plan regulator.
• Dietary supplements are not regulated like pharmaceutical drugs, yet over the last decade, more than
• Rightfully so, infant formula is regulated like a medicine, whereas baby food is regulated like all other
• So we can't regulate that. I don't know. We can only regulate what's sold here.

Committee: Senate Health

Transcript Highlights:

• And basically it's like a planned regulation scheme that we're going to study how to regulate these markets
• We don't want to be regulated and have to report to the government.
• Hawaii Farm Bureau generally is opposed to oral regulation.
• We we are uh but again uh as regulation.
• Again, we don't or punitive regulations.

Bills: SB874 , SB2097 , SB2098 , SB2126 , SB2154 , SB2153 , SB2160 , SB2123 , SB2110

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The committee heard several agriculture-related bills. SB 874 on veterinary medicine would require veterinarians, upon a client’s request, to provide a written prescription for an animal patient in an existing veterinary client-patient relationship, allow Hawaii-licensed pharmacies to dispense those prescriptions, and authorize the Veterinary Medicine Board to set penalties. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with supporters citing lower costs and consumer choice; the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association said veterinarians already should be doing this and supported the bill if amended. One testifier in opposition argued the bill needed a conspicuous notice requirement so pet owners know they can request prescriptions. Committee members and the Department of Agriculture said they were not aware of widespread problems, and discussion focused on whether the measure was already consistent with current practice and whether amendments would address remaining concerns. The committee also heard SB 2097, which would create a climate-resilient food systems grant program in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and appropriate funds. The department, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and others supported the bill, saying it could help farmers and ranchers invest in resilience, infrastructure, and technology. Several testifiers asked for clearer definitions, especially for terms like “food hubs” and “resilience hubs,” and suggested adding technical assistance and clearer eligibility criteria. The department explained the program was intended for shovel-ready projects in the middle of the supply chain, with a focus on farmers in a certain revenue range, and said it was modeled on a USDA program. SB 2098 would establish a clean plant program to produce and distribute disease-free plant material to growers, nurseries, and other producers. Testimony was supportive, emphasizing biosecurity, nursery industry needs, and preventing invasive species and crop disease. The department described the program as using tested clean stock, tissue culture facilities, and data collection to support future planting decisions, and estimated a two-year ramp-up. Members questioned whether the program duplicated existing work at CTR/other partners and whether data collection should be centralized, but the department said the effort would build on existing varieties and partnerships rather than overlap them. Finally, SB 2126 would create a conventional farming grant program for small and midsize conventional farmers. Supporters from the department, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council said conventional agriculture deserves support and that the bill would help increase food production. Opposition and comments focused on the bill’s exclusion of organic farmers; one farmer said the measure was unfair unless amended to include organic producers, while a Farmers Union witness said the bill was too vague about the grant’s purpose and should be clearer about its goals. In response to questions, the department said the exclusion of organic farming was not intentional and that the bill was meant to support all agriculture, though no vote or final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here this morning to discuss Title 63, Section 427.24A, as well as the current OMA regulations, 442
• consumption or inhalation and has not been tested in accordance with the Oklahoma law and these regulations
• promulgated by the executive director of the authority. ...laws or rules and regulations promulgated
• However, in regulations, it also does state that the QA lab is supposed to be administering tests to
• Yes, well, it's in our mission that we regulate for public health and safety.

Summary: The Executive Advisory Council met without a quorum, so no votes were taken, but the meeting proceeded with public comment and agency updates. Public commenters focused on medical marijuana issues including transparency in OMMA proceedings, delays and accreditation at the OMMA quality assurance lab, THC potency inflation, recall and embargo procedures, and the need for more public data and patient safety protections. One commenter also urged consideration of allowing first responders access to cannabis off duty, while another praised OMMA staff professionalism during inspections and enforcement actions. OMMA leadership responded with updates on the QA lab, saying the agency has been building the lab since receiving authority in 2023 and funding in 2024, and that validations and accreditation are being phased in. They reported current accreditation for pesticides, flower, potency, oils and concentrates, with additional validations for terpenes, water activity, filth and foreign material expected by the end of the month, and heavy metals, mycotoxins, residual solvents, and microbial testing to follow. Officials also said a website page will be launched to provide ongoing lab transparency. Compliance and enforcement updates included 779 inspections, 83 investigations, 65 administrative actions, and the hiring of a recall coordinator. The council also discussed legislative developments. OMMA said seven bills affecting the agency remain active, including HB 4454 on clearer THC labeling and child-resistant packaging, HB 3143 and HB 3144 on extending the grow-license moratorium and capping grow licenses, and amended bills SB 640, SB 1242, SB 1501, and SB 3 addressing cleanup, training, vendor standards, and THC products outside dispensaries. Members asked about access to METRC data, recall timing, inspector training, body cameras, and whether OMMA considers itself a public health agency. OMMA said METRC data is used internally and is confidential under state law, recalls are handled through a combination of agency notice and industry action, inspectors do wear body cameras under policy, and the agency is still building out its public health and education functions. The next meeting was announced for July 17 at 9 a.m.