Video & Transcript : 'meat curing' :
Page 28 of 172
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA ADVISORY COUNCIL Jul 9th, 2026
ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA ADVISORY COUNCIL
Transcript Highlights:
- But most of all, this, again, is not a cure.
- But most of all, this, again, is not a cure. It only promises more time to spend time with level.
- It's not a cure.
- Hopefully, one day, I work myself out of a job because we've cured this thing, because it is an awful
Summary:
The Arkansas Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Advisory Council met to introduce members, adopt its rules and procedures, approve prior minutes, and authorize the co-chairs to approve special expenses. The main discussion focused on updating the Arkansas State Plan for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, with David Cook of the Alzheimer’s Association outlining major changes in prevalence, caregiving burden, diagnostics, and treatment since the prior plan. He noted rising disease and caregiver numbers in Arkansas, the expansion of amyloid PET access, the growing use of blood-based biomarkers, and the availability of FDA-approved treatments such as Leqembi and Kisunla, while emphasizing that access, insurance coverage, and provider education remain major barriers.
Members and presenters also discussed the need to better reach rural primary care providers, who may not be aware of new diagnostics and therapies, and the bottlenecks caused by limited specialists and infusion capacity. There was concern about overreliance on blood tests without confirmatory evaluation, and several members stressed the importance of collaboration, public education, and promoting brain health through exercise and diet. The council also heard about existing programs such as the dementia services coordinator, the BOLD grant, caregiver respite grants, workforce training, and a pilot dementia resource center with UAMS Centers on Aging.
The council approved a new four-part outline for the next state plan: advancing risk reduction and brain health/early detection, strengthening family caregiver support, improving access to diagnostics and treatment, and supporting access and quality of care, including workforce and crisis response. Members also agreed to consider future agenda items on new treatments, brain health and lifestyle prevention, workforce training, and possible legislative changes to the enabling statute. The meeting ended with discussion of scheduling the next meeting, tentatively set for August 12 in Hot Springs, and adjournment.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA ADVISORY COUNCIL Jul 9th, 2026
ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA ADVISORY COUNCIL
Transcript Highlights:
- But most of all, this, again, is not a cure.
- But most of all, this, again, is not a cure. It only promises more time to spend time with level.
- It's not a cure.
- Hopefully, one day I work myself out of a job because we've cured this thing, because it is an awful
Summary:
The Arkansas Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Advisory Council met with legislative members and agency, advocacy, and provider representatives present. The council adopted its rules and procedures, approved the prior meeting minutes, and authorized the co-chairs to approve special expenses. Members then heard an extensive update on the state Alzheimer’s plan and current developments in diagnosis, treatment, research, caregiving, and workforce issues.
David Cook of the Alzheimer’s Association described major changes since the first state plan, including the growth of blood-based biomarkers, broader access to amyloid PET scans, and the availability of disease-slowing treatments such as Leqembi and Kisunla. He emphasized that Arkansas still faces major barriers in rural areas, including limited provider awareness, insurance coverage concerns, shortages of specialists, and long wait times for memory care and infusion services. He also highlighted caregiver burden, the need for better education and care navigation, and new efforts such as a dementia resource center pilot with UAMS, respite grants, and workforce training. Members discussed the importance of public education on brain health, diet, exercise, and risk reduction, as well as the need to collaborate with chronic disease partners and improve outreach to primary care providers.
The council approved four proposed focus areas for the next state plan: advancing risk reduction, brain health, early detection and diagnosis; strengthening family caregiver support; improving access to diagnostics and treatment; and supporting access and quality of care, including workforce training and crisis response. Members also discussed possible legislative or statutory changes to keep the council active and engaged, and they agreed to pursue a future meeting in August, tentatively August 12 in Hot Springs, with additional meetings under consideration for later in the month. The meeting adjourned after no further business.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Health and Mental Health Apr 23rd, 2026 at 08:30 am
Health and Mental Health
Transcript Highlights:
- So, and there's no cure.
- As mentioned, there is no cure at this point. ...disease.
- As mentioned, there is no cure at this point, so research is ongoing.
- As mentioned, there is no cure at this point, so research is ongoing.
Committee:
House Health and Mental Health
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Higher Education Mar 19th, 2026
Joint Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- What matters most today is that there is no cure for celiac disease.
- While there's no cure for celiac disease, it can be managed with a strict gluten-free diet, which means
- And do you think there'll ever be a cure?
- By the way, or a cure or a treatment? A treatment, right.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Higher Education
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Higher Education held a hearing on two late-filed bills, H. 5012 and S. 2927, titled An Act Relative to Student Access, Food, and Nutritional Information, also referred to by witnesses as the “Snack Act.” The bills would require schools to make gluten-free and allergen-related meal information easier to find online, including menus, ingredients, food safety procedures, and contact information, so students with celiac disease and other medically necessary dietary restrictions can safely participate in universal school meal programs. Committee leaders explained the hearing process and invited testimony from pre-registered and in-person witnesses.
Most testimony came from parents, students, physicians, and advocates who described celiac disease as a serious autoimmune condition requiring a strict lifelong gluten-free diet. Witnesses said many families avoid school meals because information is hard to find or not clearly communicated, and they emphasized that the bill would not create a new system so much as make existing information accessible. Several speakers cited research showing that many children with celiac disease do not participate in school breakfast and lunch programs, and that communication gaps between school administrators, nurses, and food service staff are a major barrier. Witnesses also said the bill could help students with food allergies more broadly and would support equity in the state’s universal school meals program.
A number of students with celiac disease gave personal testimony about feeling excluded, managing food anxiety, and relying on clear school communication to stay safe. One parent and clinician described a child’s severe malnutrition before diagnosis and shared a photo to illustrate the seriousness of gluten exposure, while other doctors discussed long-term health risks from uncontrolled celiac disease and the need for better access to safe meals. Committee members praised the witnesses, especially the young students, and asked questions about cross-contamination, school procedures, and whether regulations or agency action might also address the issue. Senator Joan Lovely, the Senate sponsor, briefly endorsed the bill and thanked the panel. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the committee closed the hearing after testimony concluded.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Higher Education Mar 19th, 2026
Joint Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- While that journey is important, what matters most today is that there is no cure for celiac disease.
- While there's no cure for celiac disease, it can be managed with a strict gluten-free diet, which means
- And do you think there'll ever be a cure?
- This issue, by the way, is about a cure or a treatment.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Higher Education
Keywords:
student nutrition, food allergies, celiac disease, gluten-free meals, allergen-free meals, medically restricted diets, school meals, college dining, K-12 education, higher education, disability access, accessibility services, food service, nutrition information, website disclosure, school website, meal accommodations, special diets, Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 71
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Elections Committee Jul 16th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- manifestation of what we learned from Senate Elections March informational hearing about the signature curing
- As we know, with more than 80% of California voters now voting by mail, signature curing is rapidly becoming
- especially the presidential election last November, also shows the existing laws governing the signature curing
- include, for instance, a new requirement that county registers would only be able to accept signature curing
Summary:
The Assembly Elections Committee met on July 16, 2025, and heard five measures focused on election administration, voter participation, judicial retention elections, charitable solicitation by officials, and local transportation tax initiatives. The chair noted the committee’s rules for limited witness testimony and accepted written testimony through the legislative portal. Several authors presented their bills in person or through a committee member due to scheduling conflicts.
SB 3 by Senator Cervantes would tighten and clarify the ballot signature-cure process, including requiring standardized forms from election officials and adding a reminder on vote-by-mail envelopes about signature matching. Supporters said the bill would reduce rejected ballots and make the process more reliable; there was no opposition. The committee voted do pass as amended and re-refer to Appropriations. SB 316 by Senator Reyes, presented by Assembly Member Pellerin, would expand high school voter registration and pre-registration outreach to students, with testimony from students, education groups, disability advocates, and civic organizations in support. One member opposed on the grounds that it could be an unfunded mandate for schools. The bill passed 4-1.
ACA 8 by Assembly Member Pellerin would change appellate and Supreme Court judicial retention elections so justices would appear on the ballot only if voters file a petition requesting it. Supporters, including the Secretary of State, the League of Women Voters, and the California Judges Association, said it would reduce ballot length, voter fatigue, and costs while preserving accountability. One member raised concern about the future petition threshold and the possibility it could be set too high, and voted no. The measure passed 4-2. SB 760 by Senator Allen would narrow behested payment reporting requirements for public appeals to charities, especially in disaster response, while preserving disclosure where officials, family members, or staff have conflicts of interest. Good-government groups supported the bill as a balance between transparency and encouraging charitable appeals; it passed unanimously on the recorded vote.
SB 512 by Senator Perez would clarify that voters in transportation districts may use citizen initiatives to propose transportation sales taxes where the district already has taxing authority. Supporters argued it aligns Elections Code with Proposition 218 and recent case law, while opponents from business and real estate groups objected to the measure’s implications for tax approval rules. The committee approved the bill 5-2. After calling absent members, the committee cleared the calendar and adjourned.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 111 May 4th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> for all industries, not just the meat for all industries, not just the meat packing<00:31:04.240
- If it is, that's a meat packing plant.
- Um, it's not people defecating all over the place, the meat packing plant at all.
- </c><00:46:26.319><c> packing</c> all over the place, the meat packing all over the place, the meat packing
- This is a plant that provides like 80 billion dollars worldwide of our meat. Thank you.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (02/11/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- dinner at our farm, and it's chaotic and they have questions; I might miss a temperature on a piece of meat
- 09:54.480><c> of</c> might miss a temperature on a piece of might miss a temperature on a piece of meat
- 55.798><c> whereas</c><05:09:56.160><c> if</c><05:09:56.320><c> I'm</c><05:09:56.520><c> preparing</c> meat
- um whereas if I'm preparing meat um whereas if I'm preparing something<05:09:57.320><c> that</c><05:
Summary:
The Solid Waste Subcommittee met to discuss proposed amendments to HB 171 and HB 215. For HB 171, Representative Gerna outlined technical changes to a landfill moratorium bill: DES would be allowed to accept applications only to review them for completeness, a notwithstanding clause would override automatic approval timing rules, the word “fully” would be removed, and an unnecessary reference to perennial water bodies would be deleted. Members raised concern about whether applications deemed complete during the moratorium would still have to comply with later changes in law or rule. Director Mike Whap of DES said applicants would likely need to amend applications if policy changes occurred, and suggested the bill could explicitly state that later changes apply to pending applications. The subcommittee generally supported the revised language and agreed the amended bill could go directly to executive session, though one member said the underlying legislation was ill-advised but preferred the amended version over the original.
The committee then turned to HB 215, which would create a two-stage landfill siting review centered on a “net public benefit” determination before full technical review. Representative Gerna explained that the amendment would define net public benefit, require an independent third-party assessment paid for by the applicant, and set up a process for selecting the contractor from a list submitted by the applicant, with DES and the host community involved and the commissioner choosing if no agreement is reached within 60 days. Members asked how “host community” would be defined; DES said it would generally mean the municipal governing body, though that body could appoint others. The amendment also broadened the factors considered in both harms and benefits, including human health, property values, tourism, recreation, wildlife, local economic benefits, and infrastructure improvements.
The discussion also added a provision directing DES to consult with the Department of Transportation, the Department of Business and Economic Affairs, and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources as needed when reviewing the third-party assessment. Director Whap said interdepartmental consultation is normal and that DES would likely adopt rules to guide the process. Members questioned whether the new framework would be too vague or burdensome for applicants, but Whap said it would not be designed to stack the deck against applicants and that the process should provide clearer, more balanced criteria. No votes were taken during the meeting, and the subcommittee appeared to continue refining the amendment language before further action.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries
Transcript Highlights:
- We created infrastructure to properly store and freeze produce and local meat and a team of volunteers
- So if they can invest money in locally sourced produce and meats, that would be on their behalf.
- our regional hospitals, they are so excited about the possibility of being able to purchase local meats
- Our family of five had been eating PFAS-laden meat for close to five years.
- We recognize that they are food hubs that aggregate fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and meat that are
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries held a public hearing on 19 legislative proposals, with testimony limited to three minutes per speaker and seven minutes per panel. The hearing opened with testimony on bills promoting urban agriculture and vacant-lot conversion, including H.121/S.61, which Green Roots staff and community members supported as a way to turn vacant lots in environmental justice communities into urban farms and gardens that improve food access, health, community cohesion, and climate resilience. Rep. James Arena-DeRosa also spoke in support of H.109/S.56, the PFAS bill, describing it as a measure to protect soil and farms from contamination and to create relief for affected farmers.
A major portion of the hearing focused on H.109/S.56, which would ban land application of sewage sludge/biosolids, provide liability protection and relief funds for farmers, and address PFAS contamination in soil, water, crops, and animals. Testimony came from environmental groups, farm organizations, and individual farmers, including the Mass Food System Collaborative, Conservation Law Foundation, Clean Water Action, CEMAP, NOFA, Sierra Club, and several farmers who described contamination in Maine and Massachusetts and urged the committee to act. Witnesses emphasized that PFAS poses serious health risks, that farmers should not bear responsibility for legacy contamination, and that the bill should be paired with funding for testing, remediation, and assistance. Committee members asked questions about farm liability, the scope of the bill, contamination in different ownership situations, and the costs and timelines of remediation, with Senator Comerford and others clarifying that the bill is intended to protect farms and farmers rather than non-agricultural landholders.
The committee also heard strong support for H.416, a farm-to-institution pilot program, from Rep. Lee Davis, Berkshire Agricultural Ventures, and Berkshire Bounty. They said the pilot would connect Massachusetts farms to schools, hospitals, correctional facilities, and other institutions, creating new markets, strengthening local supply chains, and supporting food-is-medicine efforts. Members discussed whether the model could be statewide and referenced existing programs such as Island Grown Initiative and local hospital and insurance partnerships. Another agricultural bill, H.1058, was supported by Rep. Mark Sylvia and the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association as a way to allow unused cranberry water rights to be transferred within the same watershed for municipal mitigation while helping growers retire or consolidate bogs. The hearing also included testimony on the broader farm omnibus bill H.112/S.55 and related measures, with the Massachusetts Farm Bureau and others praising the committee’s work on agricultural resilience, food security, agritourism, workforce development, and farmland access, while suggesting additional transportation-related fixes for farmers. No votes were taken during the hearing.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HHS-HRE, HHS-EDT, HHS Public Hearings 03-19-2025
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Calling the 110 calendar, Health and Human Services, for HB 1334, relating to meat donation.
- Anybody else wishing to testify in HB 1334 relating to meat donation? Thank you very much.
- Anybody else wishing to testify in HB 1334 relating to meat donation? Okay, seeing none.
- Anybody else wishing to testify in HB 1334 relating to meat donation? Okay, seeing none.
- Anybody else wishing to testify in HB 1334 relating to meat donation? Okay, seeing none.
Committee:
Senate Health and Human Services
Summary:
The joint Health, Human Services, and Higher Education hearing took up HB 441 HD2, a measure to increase cigarette taxes and dedicate the revenue to the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. The Department of Taxation said it had no substantive objection but requested an effective date of January 1, 2026 if tax rates change so it can order new stamps. The Department of Health, the Deputy Attorney General/tobacco enforcement, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the American Cancer Society, the Hawaii Medical Association, and several other health organizations and youth advocates supported the bill, arguing that higher cigarette prices reduce youth initiation, encourage cessation, and help fund cancer research and care. Several supporters asked for a larger increase, including at least $1 per pack, while opponents from retail, wholesale, and tobacco-related groups argued the tax would be regressive, burden low-income smokers, and drive sales to the illicit market. The Tax Foundation and other opponents also criticized reliance on sin taxes and said smoking rates are already at historic lows.
After testimony and questions, members discussed how the revenue should be used and whether higher taxes change smoker behavior or push people toward vaping or other alternatives. The chairs announced they would pass HB 441 HD2 with amendments, replacing the contents with SB 528 SD1 except for changes reflecting the Department of Taxation’s request and a provision directing all proceeds from the tax increase to the Hawaii Cancer Center’s debt reduction, with an effective date of December 31, 2025. The House Health, Human Services, and Higher Education committees then voted to adopt the recommendation; the Health, Human Services committee vote was adopted with Chair and several members voting aye and one member voting no in the Higher Education committee vote.
The hearing also briefly covered HB 1334 on meat donation, which drew support from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, food industry, and community groups, though no action was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard HB 1098 on crimes against protective services workers. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying assaults on protective services workers can have chilling effects and deserve stronger deterrence; a committee question raised whether the bill should instead be part of a broader, more proactive approach to assault statutes. The Department of Human Services also described safety steps such as panic buttons and phone apps for social workers. The excerpt ends before any final vote on HB 1098.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- This is actually from the Canadian shell height-meat weight equations, because I have access to the Marine
- there was a reduction of 60%, 70%, and it had nothing—it was just because of the condition of the meat
- climatic conditions this year, we had a pretty regular winter, we had a regular spring bloom, and the meat
- We had a regular spring bloom, and the meat weights are up.
Summary:
The joint hearing focused on the Atlantic sea scallop fishery, with particular attention to Massachusetts ports, federal scallop management, the proposed reopening of the Northern Edge on Georges Bank, and permit stacking/consolidation. The chair opened by noting the hearing would take written and oral testimony, that time was limited, and that the discussion was intended to inform legislative engagement with federal regulators rather than decide the issue directly. Dan McCarron of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and Dr. Kate O’Keefe of the New England Fishery Management Council outlined the federal management structure under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the role of annual catch limits and rotational closures, and the economic importance of scallops to New Bedford, Gloucester, and other Massachusetts ports. O’Keefe said the council’s current scallop framework is based on annual management, research surveys, and public input, and that recent environmental changes and uncertainty are affecting catch advice and biomass.
Dr. O’Keefe and later Dr. Kevin Stokesbury of UMass Dartmouth described the fishery’s recent condition: abundance has increased in some areas, but biomass has fallen because many scallops are still too small to harvest, and changing ocean conditions and natural mortality are affecting the stock. They said the Northern Edge action was considered as a joint scallop/habitat framework but was discontinued in 2024 because the council could not reconcile competing objectives involving scallop yield, habitat protection, and impacts on other species such as cod, lobster, and herring. Stokesbury emphasized the long-running collaborative survey work with industry, said the fishery remains highly productive, and argued that the science supports careful rotational management and that the Northern Edge could be highly productive for scallops, though he acknowledged habitat tradeoffs. Committee members pressed both witnesses on why the issue had remained unresolved for so long and whether the council could revisit it through a future framework.
Representatives of the Sustainable Scalloping Fund, including attorney Drew Kavage, John Lees, Sam Blasley, and Tony Alvernes, urged support for reopening the Northern Edge and for permit stacking, which would allow more than one scallop permit on a vessel while keeping ownership caps in place. They argued the fishery is a major economic driver, that industry-funded research has supported sustainable management, and that stacking would help family-owned operators reduce costs, improve safety, and avoid financial distress. They also stressed the need to protect working waterfront infrastructure in New Bedford and other ports. The chair said he was not opposed to stacking in principle but wanted to avoid a slippery slope toward excessive consolidation or private equity control; he noted that any stacking change would require an amendment to the fishery management plan or federal action. No votes were taken, and the hearing concluded with an invitation for continued engagement and future updates on the council process.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 4/8/25
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- This includes cracking down on price fixing in the meat industry, anti-competitive conduct among pesticide
- price<00:24:44.240><c> fixing</c><00:24:44.640><c> in</c><00:24:44.880><c> the</c><00:24:45.039><c> meat
- </c><00:24:45.279><c> industry,</c><00:24:46.320><c> uh</c> price fixing in the meat industry, uh price
- fixing in the meat industry, uh anti-competitive<00:24:47.440><c> conduct</c><00:24:47.840><c> amongst
Bills:
HF2783
Committee:
House State Government Finance and Policy
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- We would then probably sample them, and then anything that was healthy we would either return meat to
- would then probably we would sample them and then anything that was healthy we would either return meat
- conflicting interests, opinions, and desires of the public, such as the desires of trophy hunters versus meat
Committee:
Senate Resources and Environment
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 04/21/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- vinyl gloves tubing, conveyor belts and vinyl gloves or<00:05:21.360><c> from</c><00:05:21.600><c> meat
- </c><00:05:21.919><c> and</c><00:05:22.160><c> produce</c><00:05:22.800><c> via</c> or from meat and
- produce via or from meat and produce via contaminated<00:05:23.840><c> soil</c><00:05:24.160><c> and<
- Thank you. food, fast food, meat and seafood, all food, fast food, meat and seafood, all packaged<00:
- Schultz, for the presentation and also for the meat. Uh, Miss Webby. Thank you. It's Webbby.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 2/12/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Then I mentioned Ava and the meat science work previously.
- Then I mentioned Ava and the meat science work previously.
- Then I mentioned Ava and the meat science work previously.
- Then I mentioned Ava and the meat science work previously.
- B&T Meats is a new small and local regional meat processing facility up in Wabasha, Minnesota, and we
Committee:
House Agriculture Finance and Policy
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- If the AG feels like there has been a violation, then the AG provides notice and an opportunity to cure
- So it provides notice and an opportunity to cure.
- screening that comes with the Attorney General's office, and then it's a notice and opportunity to cure
- The law also doesn't include a provision to cure that.
- typically the other statutes that govern in these areas there's an opportunity for the individual to cure
Committee:
Senate Judiciary and Rules
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Administrative Rules Mar 9th, 2026
Joint Committee on Administrative Rules
Transcript Highlights:
- did the same thing, terminated their agreements, to... ...agreements, was there a grace period to cure
- Now, I think you might be referencing the cure period.
- The Constitution and rules mandate that there has to be a minimum of a 30-day cure period.
- your comment that, you know, that can't be... ...used to just pick and choose people, that 30-day cure
- In the first round, I was working with an applicant, and we cured everything well beyond the 30 days.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules met to review Missouri marijuana microbusiness rule amendments, especially 19 CSR 100-1.060 and 19 CSR 100-1.190. The Department of Cannabis Regulation explained that the changes were intended to clarify what it means for a microbusiness to be “owned and operated” by eligible individuals, move compliance review earlier in the application process, and address repeated instances where licenses were later found to be controlled by ineligible or noncompliant parties. The department said it had used stakeholder outreach, town halls, listening sessions, and public comments in drafting the rules, and noted that 25 standalone comments were received during formal rulemaking.
Committee members focused heavily on whether the rules were too broad, whether they effectively punished applicants for past agency revocations, and whether the department had clear authority to impose a lifetime ban on people denied or revoked under the ownership-and-operation provisions. Several members argued the language should be narrowed to intentional or egregious violations and better tied to specific conduct rather than prior agency action. Witnesses from the public, including applicants and attorneys, testified that the department’s guidance on “predatory practices” and acceptable ownership structures had been unclear, that some applicants relied on consultant arrangements later deemed problematic, and that similar agreements were treated inconsistently. Others supported stronger enforcement, saying the rules were needed to prevent manipulation of social equity applicants and preserve the constitutional requirements of the program.
The committee also discussed training and technical assistance requirements, the five-day document deadline, and whether the department should provide more concrete guidance or model forms. Members raised concerns that the proposed definitions could burden small or first-time business owners and that some applicants might be unfairly penalized despite acting in good faith. No substantive vote on the rule package was taken; instead, the committee voted to adjourn and return on Thursday after working with the department on possible corrections, clarifications, or amendments.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services May 27th, 2026
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- There's a lot of meat in there and a lot of facts and things that will obviously pour over in the coming
- We're working hard to bring new treatments and cures to market because patients need options, and they
- We're seeing treatments and cures in a variety of spaces.
- A perfect example of that is hepatitis C, where we've seen a cure in over 98% of cases.
- And now we see, as of the end of this year, the hepatitis C cure treatments are saving $43 billion.
Committee:
Senate Health & Human Services
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Rules Mar 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I could spend a long time probably trying to put all of the meat onto the bone that is this bill.
- very good posture, so they should not be concerned to find something prophylactic or to find some cure
- One, Ivermectin cured my asthma. I don't know. Lawson died of bacterial meningitis.
- One, Ivermectin cured my asthma. I don't know. Things I wanted to chair.
- One, ivermectin cured my asthma. I was on inhalers for a while. They caused problems.
Summary:
The Committee on Rules heard a long agenda of growth-management, elections, education, housing, and professional-licensing bills. The first major item was SB 354 on “Blue Ribbon Projects,” a framework for very large planned developments on at least 15,000 contiguous acres with 60% reserved area. After adopting a strike-all amendment, senators debated whether the bill adequately protected conservation land, local government authority, neighboring property, concurrency, and multi-county projects. Supporters argued it would create more orderly, master-planned growth and preserve large areas of land; opponents said the reserve areas were too weakly protected and the bill preempted local control. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably on a party-line style roll call, with Chair Pasadomo and Vice Chair Jones voting no.
The committee then approved SB 620 on candidate qualifying, which requires candidates to disclose any foreign citizenship and, through amendments, adds a 2026 congressional qualifying framework tied to apportionment and redistricting, including revised petition rules and deadlines. Members discussed disclosure, redistricting, and candidate vetting, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/CS/CS/SB 1452, a Department of Financial Services bill, was also amended and approved; the amendments addressed My Safe Florida Home, unclaimed property, firefighter hiring, workforce housing code accommodations, and related financial-services issues. CS/CS/SB 1620, the school board members’ bill of rights, was narrowed by substitute amendment to focus on access to records, fiscal transparency, NDAs, and related rights, and it passed after supportive testimony from school board and superintendent representatives.
The committee also passed CS/HB 245, which replaces the term “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material,” after debate over whether the terminology change could affect the seriousness of the crime or existing case law. SB 1548, a Live Local/affordable housing update, was reported favorably with little debate. Finally, the committee approved the veterinary medicine bill creating veterinary professional associates, after amending it to require immediate supervision by a licensed veterinarian. Throughout the meeting, many public commenters and senators weighed in on the balance between development and conservation, local control, and the scope of state regulation, with several bills drawing both strong support and strong opposition before final votes.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- We're seeing nearly 1,500 deaths each year in California, even though treatment today cures over 95%
- When treatment is delayed, people get sicker, and something that could have been cured becomes harder
- treatment, we at SF AIDS Foundation see firsthand the transformative impact that accessing a hep C cure
- These insurance company hoops often result in people living with hep C not getting cured.
- The ChBRP analysis of AB 1843 found that for every person cured of hep C, the health care system...
Committee:
House Health