Transcript Highlights:

• And then Senate File 205, regarding prioritization of chemotherapy medications, you know, we certainly
• Now, for this benefit, chemotherapy drugs can be pretty dangerous stuff, and so prior authorization in
• And then Senate File 205, regarding prioritization of chemotherapy medications, you know, we certainly
• Chair. you know chemotherapy drugs can be you know chemotherapy drugs can be pretty<00:12:12.480><c>
• met before deciding what chemotherapy drug you should have instead of your oncologist?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations that provide coverage for chemotherapy
• </c><00:31:32.240><c> to</c><00:31:32.480><c> treat</c> coverage for chemotherapy to treat coverage for
• chemotherapy to treat cancer<00:31:33.520><c> to</c><00:31:33.840><c> provide</c><00:31:34.159><c> coverage
• </c><00:31:40.080><c> The</c><00:31:40.240><c> bill</c> the chemotherapy treatment.
• The bill the chemotherapy treatment.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He had surgery within two and a half days, did chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and wore an Optune device
• <00:05:16.680><c> half</c><00:05:16.960><c> days</c><00:05:17.680><c> did</c><00:05:18.160><c> chemotherapy
• </c><00:05:19.160><c> radiation</c> a half days did chemotherapy radiation a half days did chemotherapy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• In June, I underwent surgery to have five tumors removed, followed by six weeks of chemotherapy.
• In addition to that initial chemotherapy, my long-term treatment plan is monthly chemo for the next three
• One of the stressors that I will live with for the rest of my life was going through chemotherapy during

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee began by rolling House Bill 132 at the sponsor’s request because amendment language was still being worked on. The committee then proceeded without quorum as a subcommittee until additional members arrived. House Bill 285, as amended, was heard first. The bill was described as a cleanup measure to clarify New Mexico’s disabled veterans property tax exemption, including that it applies to a veteran’s primary residence and how it works for properties with multiple owners. Testimony from New Mexico counties, the Tax and Revenue Department, and the Department of Veterans Services supported the bill, saying it would reduce confusion for assessors and help veterans access the exemption. One member raised broader concerns about housing insecurity among unhoused and renting veterans and asked for interim data on how many veterans would actually benefit, but the committee noted those issues were outside the bill’s scope. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed HB 285 as amended with a do pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 128, which updates the state’s occupational disease and disablement law for firefighters by expanding the list of covered cancers and related conditions, aligning the state law with newer research and recent federal changes, and standardizing the employment period to five years. The sponsor and supporters said the bill reflects current science, removes outdated age limits for some cancers, and makes it easier for firefighters to receive workers’ compensation without having to prove causation case by case. Firefighters and union representatives gave emotional testimony about personal cancer diagnoses and the burden of fighting insurers while undergoing treatment. The Workers’ Compensation Administration, labor groups, and trial lawyers all supported the measure. Committee members asked about the federal model, the five-year threshold, the impact on rural jurisdictions, and why women’s cancers were not previously included; witnesses explained that the changes reflect updated data and the underrepresentation of women in the fire service. Dr. Dan Wu, speaking online, said firefighter cancer is an epidemic and argued the science supports the bill. The committee then adopted the motion and passed HB 128 with a do pass recommendation before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• He didn't accept that, and he went to Germany to obtain customized chemotherapy.
• These are cutting-edge medicines: chemotherapy individualized according to the patient's DNA.
• Again, customized, individualized chemotherapy. That was 10 years ago.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 3423 from Rep. Darren Chappell, which would require judges in Missouri courts of record to file annual financial disclosure statements, bar judges from hearing cases involving people who have given them money, and extend similar disclosure rules to members of judicial nominating commissions. Chappell framed the bill as a transparency and ethics measure. Business groups supported the proposal, but judges, bar groups, and trial and defense lawyers opposed it, arguing existing judicial ethics rules already address gifts and recusals, that the bill is overly broad in covering “anything of value,” and that it could create unintended consequences, including strategic donations to force recusal and reduced public access to judicial financial disclosures. The Supreme Court’s representative said the bill should be read alongside the full Code of Judicial Conduct and offered to provide the committee with that material. No vote was taken. The committee then heard House Bill 2922 from Rep. Jeff Myers, which would align Missouri’s right-to-try law with federal law by extending access from terminal illness to debilitating conditions and by addressing the use of Schedule I drugs in that framework. Myers said the bill is intended to help ensure access to emerging treatments and has passed in various forms in prior sessions. There was no opposition testimony, and the hearing concluded without action. Next, the committee heard House Bill 2643, also from Rep. Senate, the “Hope for Missouri Patients Act,” which would expand right-to-try access for individualized treatments such as gene therapies, enzyme replacement therapies, and substrate reduction therapies for patients with rare or debilitating diseases. Supporters, including the Goldwater Institute, a parent of a child with a rare disease, and Americans for Prosperity, said the bill could help patients access customized treatments sooner and reduce red tape. The sponsor and witnesses emphasized that the bill would not require insurance coverage and is meant to help patients who cannot wait for lengthy clinical trial or FDA pathways. No opposition testimony was offered. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3204 from Rep. Senate, which would create a tax credit to encourage private donations to prevention resource centers that work on substance misuse prevention. Supporters from prevention organizations and advocacy groups said the credit would strengthen local prevention coalitions, reduce future treatment and criminal justice costs, and stabilize funding for services such as school education, early intervention, and suicide prevention. One opponent warned that Planned Parenthood could qualify as a prevention resource center and receive tax credits, but supporters said they had no concern about that. The hearing ended with no vote or other committee action, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• both of my nurse practitioners so that I could get the shots that you have to have the day after chemotherapy
• both of my nurse practitioners so that I could get the shots that you have to have the day after chemotherapy
• So that I could get the shots that you have to have the day after chemotherapy.

Bills: SB2, SJR36, SB2, SB2, SR29, SB2

Keywords: Maverick County, recognition, economic development, Texas Senate, community celebration, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• cooling, a treatment that helps reduce chemotherapy-induced hair loss.
• Chemotherapy is a critical tool in fighting cancer.
• Hair loss is one of the most visible and emotionally distressing side effects of chemotherapy.
• Mine required chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation.
• I began chemotherapy in December of that year, and on Christmas Eve, I lost all of my hair.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• cooling, a treatment that helps reduce chemotherapy-induced hair loss.
• Chemotherapy is a critical tool in fighting cancer.
• Hair loss is one of the most visible and emotionally distressing side effects of chemotherapy.
• Mine required chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation.
• I began chemotherapy in December of that year, and on Christmas Eve, I lost all of my hair.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health-related bills, with most items presented for later vote once quorum was reached. Early in the hearing, the committee adopted a consent calendar of multiple bills with motions for due pass to Appropriations, and it noted that AB 2029 had been pulled from the agenda. The committee also took up AB 1973, a bill by Aguiar-Curry to expand who may provide procedural abortion care. Supporters, including physicians and certified nurse midwives, argued the bill would align law with current training and improve access, while opponents said later-term abortion procedures require physician-level surgical training and raised safety concerns. The author emphasized hands-on training, consultation, and transfer protocols, and the bill was held pending quorum with a motion and second recorded. The committee then heard AB 1558 by Arambula, which would adopt the Uniform Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act to speed the use of out-of-state licensed volunteers during declared disasters. Supporters from the Uniform Law Commission and the Red Cross said the bill would reduce delays and clarify legal authority for volunteer health workers; there was no opposition testimony. AB 2282 by Alanis, a temporary rural emergency stabilization center for Patterson while a permanent hospital is built, drew support from local emergency responders and a late opposition from the California chapter of ACEP. The chair praised the bill as a creative local solution and agreed to coauthor it; a motion and second were recorded, with the vote to occur later. Several public health access bills followed. AB 1843 by El-Hawari would limit prior authorization and align hepatitis C treatment coverage with medical guidelines; supporters said it would remove barriers to a curable disease, while health plans opposed it as a mandate, citing premium impacts and the recent SB 306 prior-authorization process. AB 2247 by El-Hawari would create the THRIVE program for mental health services for youth affected by gun violence; Youth Alive and other supporters described trauma-informed, community-based care, and the chair and another member asked to be added as coauthors. AB 2138 by Krell would expand access to certified peer support specialists in enhanced care management and remove automatic disqualifications based solely on criminal history; supporters said peers are essential to engagement and recovery, and the bill was held with a motion and second. Later, AB 1682 by Hart would require coverage of scalp cooling for chemotherapy patients, with emotional testimony from cancer survivors and clinicians; insurers opposed it as another mandate, but the author stressed the modest per-member cost and the bill was moved with a motion and second. AB 1879 by Dixon would standardize data reporting for alcohol and drug treatment facilities, including private providers, to improve statewide information on outcomes and access; the bill drew broad support from recovery organizations and the prior opposition was withdrawn after amendments. AB 1906 by Aguiar-Curry would require coverage of at-home cervical cancer screening kits without cost sharing; supporters cited improved access for rural and working Californians, insurers opposed it on affordability grounds, and the bill passed on a recorded roll call after quorum was established. Finally, AB 1556 by Haney would clarify and support drug-free recovery housing and return-to-use policies; supporters said it would expand sober housing options, while opponents warned it could allow evictions after relapse and conflict with Housing First principles. The hearing ended with the bill still under discussion and opposition-unless-amended concerns noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• CANCER TREATMENT SUCH AS CHEMOTHERAPY AND RADIATION CAN CAUSE PERMANENT INFERTILITY LEAVING SURVIVORS
• MEDICALLY NECESSARY TREATMENT AND EXPANDS COVERAGE TO THOSE FACING INFERTILITY DUE TO SURGERY, CHEMOTHERAPY

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bob says chemotherapy is a roller coaster ride in the pitch dark.
• me that... ...she received her diagnosis of cancer a year prior and that she had been receiving chemotherapy

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Many patients getting chemotherapy have a port implanted in their skin.
• it's pretty good at chemotherapy it's pretty good at affecting<01:16:15.320><c> and</c><01:16:15.520
• do is can really dry out chemotherapy do is can really dry out your<01:16:28.560><c> nose</c><01:16:
• 18:09.800><c> the</c> we controlled the side effect of the we controlled the side effect of the chemotherapy
• if she had elected to say chemotherapy if she had elected to say well<01:18:12.760><c> I</c><01:18:12.880

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> responsibilities</c><00:26:35.679><c> and</c> I also wanted to touch on the comment about chemotherapy
• </c><00:27:32.640><c> versus</c><00:27:32.880><c> a</c><00:27:33.120><c> pineapple</c> CA chemotherapy
• versus a pineapple CA chemotherapy versus a pineapple smoothie.<00:27:34.559><c> While</c><00:27:34.880
• Of course, chemotherapy and surgery is big in the cancer world, but unfortunately, what gets left behind
• sent that poor child and her family home to wait out the remainder of her days while still on chemotherapy

Bills: HB0143, HB0129

Keywords: health care providers, free speech, discrimination, governmental agencies, civil remedies, physician access, internationally trained physicians, medical licensing, provisional license, healthcare workforce, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• yesterday, so I'm sweating chemotherapy right now.
• And in December, when I start a chemotherapy treatment called the red devil, and I don't say that for
• And in December, when I start a chemotherapy treatment called the red devil, and I don't say that for
• That means a 51% chance that the chemotherapy will get rid of my tumor to a 65% chance.
• And in December, when I start a chemotherapy treatment called the red devil, and I don't say that for

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, you wouldn't stop covering chemotherapy for patients who have cancer.
• > covering</c> For example, you wouldn't stop covering For example, you wouldn't stop covering chemotherapy
• 37.640><c> for</c><00:07:37.800><c> patients</c><00:07:38.200><c> who</c><00:07:38.280><c> have</c> chemotherapy
• for patients who have chemotherapy for patients who have cancer.<00:07:39.400><c> To</c><00:07:39.560

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , consolidation that runs several months, more chemotherapy, and maintenance that can run about two years
• <00:53:07.319><c> consolidation</c><00:53:08.280><c> that</c><00:53:08.400><c> runs</c> chemotherapy
• consolidation that runs chemotherapy consolidation that runs several<00:53:09.079><c> months</c><00:53
• :09.440><c> again</c><00:53:09.720><c> more</c><00:53:10.319><c> chemotherapy</c> several months again
• more chemotherapy several months again more chemotherapy and<00:53:11.480><c> maintenance</c><00:53:

Bills: HF1976

Keywords: paid leave, family leave, employment law, Minnesota statute, benefit eligibility, seasonal employment, workforce, labor rights, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• end up wasting a lot of money and sometimes patients lives because they're starting off in the chemotherapy
• And sometimes even though the biomarker tests might say do this chemotherapy, if it's a highly toxic
• chemotherapy and there's no way that that patients going to make it to that graduation, we might start

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's just say chemotherapy, where you're on a regular schedule, you know, so many weeks, once a week
• Let's just say chemotherapy, where you're on a regular schedule, you know, so many weeks, once a week
• Let's just say chemotherapy, where you're on a regular schedule, you know, so many weeks, once a week
• Let's just say chemotherapy, where you're on a regular schedule, you know, so many weeks, once a week
• Let's just say chemotherapy, where you're on a regular schedule, you know, so many weeks, once a week

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's like, as a nurse, we can go on and get additional training and chemotherapy, let's say, but right
• options for their patients it's like uri as a nurse we can go on and get additional training and chemotherapy

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of Senate bills and memorials, mostly on consent calendars, covering housing, elections, health care, public safety, land use, transportation, and water. Several measures focused on housing and local government regulation, including limits on municipal interference with home design standards, restrictions on alleged “malicious delays” in permitting, and rules on exactions. Election-related bills addressed internet access for voting equipment, timekeeping requirements for election systems, primary election timing, precinct committeeman vacancies, and other election administration changes. Other topics included liquor law updates, assisted living facility rules, deed and title fraud prevention, a Freedom of Speech Monument committee, renaming public spaces, and a bill restricting gender transition procedures for minors. Health and human services bills drew discussion on behavioral health technician definitions and AHCCCS/DHS coordination, Medicaid billing during facility ownership changes, breast cancer screening cost-sharing, naturopathic physicians administering IV antibiotics and similar drugs, safe-haven newborn surrender at hospitals, and reporting requirements for dialysis social workers. In public safety and judiciary, members considered bills on probation for dangerous crimes against children, sex offender registration limitations, victim restitution costs, unlawful alerting, increased penalties for unlawful flight, and a new offense for motor fuel theft. One member noted a no vote on extending the Vulnerable Adult System Study Committee, saying it would become a long-running study committee, while supporters said the committee had produced useful recommendations. The caucus also heard land, agriculture, energy, water, and transportation measures, including creation of a foreign entity land review commission, restrictions on transporting Mexican gray wolf pups with state resources, water reuse and banking provisions, solar installation disclosures and roof inspections, a larger revolving fund loan cap, and several congressional memorials. Transportation items included roadable aircraft registration, motor vehicle booting rules, military property signage, a towing and impound study committee, and photo enforcement penalties. Public safety bills included extending traumatic event counseling programs and requiring state data sharing with the federal government regarding unauthorized aliens. No formal votes were taken in the transcript; members mostly asked clarifying questions and several sponsors explained the intent and practical effects of their bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• have a child and being told I needed to have a tumor removed from my right breast and undergo chemotherapy
• facing cancer and who are facing potential infertility as a result of medical treatment such as chemotherapy

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A good example is the chemotherapy Taxol, where we can't actually synthesize the starting material.
• Chemotherapy, that was one part of the treatment.
• Is it like chemotherapy where I get hooked up and it's put into my system? What does it look like?
• So, it could be like chemotherapy if it was developed as an IV formulation.
• But it's very similar to a workflow for chemotherapy in the sense that you... who have this therapeutic

Bills: HB 44, HB 2200, HB 1612, HB 2747, HB 2038, HB 3717, HB 1431, HB 3800, HB 3801, HB 3560, HB 3246

Keywords: HB 44, Life of the Mother Act, abortion exceptions, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, fetal survival, Texas abortion law, abortion ban, physician liability, health care provider, disciplinary action, aiding and abetting, emergency abortion, obstetric care

Summary: The meeting of the public health committee focused on the pressing issue of opioid addiction in Texas, with a particular emphasis on House Bill 3717. Chairman Harris detailed the bill's intent to fund a grant program for Ibogaine clinical trials, framing it as a critical response to the ongoing opioid crisis. He shared poignant testimonies highlighting the struggles of families and veterans battling addiction and mental health issues. The conversation underscored the necessity of innovative treatments, like Ibogaine, which showed promising results in studies for reducing symptoms of withdrawal and PTSD.