Video & Transcript Research : 'remote dispensing'
Page 32 of 243
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- PBM 938, and it's a different way of looking at how we regulate PBMs between administration fee, dispensing
- cost for the drug, and then we pay the pharmacist for their professional services a professional dispensing
- We have our own physician dispensing pharmacy at Pontchartrain.
- 52 years old, and she needed a medication that we had in our pharmacy, but we were not allowed to dispense
- control mechanism for utilization management: being paid under your acquisition cost, so you don't dispense
Summary:
The Senate Insurance Committee met on May 13, 2026, adopted the May 6 minutes, and then took up several bills dealing with pharmacy benefit managers, prescription access, behavioral health coverage, and Citizens Property Insurance. HB 938, as amended, was the main PBM reform measure. After the committee adopted a large amendment set that narrowed the bill, members heard extensive testimony in support from Mark Bloom, Justin Joseph of Capital Rx, and Kathy Ue of Pontchartrain Cancer Center, all emphasizing transparency, pass-through pricing, reverse auctions, and patient access. Supporters described savings from reverse auctions and administrative models, while the cancer center testified that PBM-owned specialty pharmacy requirements can delay cancer medications and create financial hardship. The committee reported HB 938 favorably with amendments.
The committee also heard HB 1154, which prohibits prior authorization for certain generic medications prescribed by qualified physicians, with a $250 cap discussed as a safeguard against higher-cost generics. The bill was supported by representatives from Ochsner Health and the Louisiana State Medical Society and was reported favorably. HB 909, which requires commercial coverage for behavioral health crisis services, was amended to clarify the insurers covered and then reported favorably with support from the Office of Behavioral Health and several outside groups. Testimony on HB 909 focused on reducing emergency room and law enforcement burdens and expanding crisis response capacity across the state.
HB 1187, dealing with excess emergency assessment funds from Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, was explained by the Insurance Commissioner as a way to transfer remaining Katrina-era assessment funds to the Fortified Roof Program. The committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, SB 511 and SB 512 were deferred and converted into a study resolution approach because there was not yet consensus on the underlying issue. The meeting then adjourned.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Special Session 2026 May 8th, 2026
Alabama House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker, I move that the reading of the journal at length for the fourth legislative day be dispensed
- Hearing no objections, the reading of the journal is dispensed House of Representatives, your standing
- Speaker, I move that the reading of the journal at length for the fourth legislative day be dispensed
- Hearing no objections, the reading of the journal is dispensed The reading of the journal is dispensed
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS House Floor - 24 February, 2026; 2:00 PM
Mississippi House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Gentleman from Rankin, Representative Powell, moves we dispense with the reading of the journal.
- I ask unanimous consent to dispense with the reading of the introductions.
- I ask unanimous consent<00:18:01.560>
to <00:18:01.640>dispense <00:18:02.200>with - c><00:18:02.360>
the <00:18:02.440>reading <00:18:02.880>of consent to dispense- with the reading of consent to dispense with the reading of the<00:18:03.120>
introductions. - c><00:18:02.360>
Summary:
The House convened with a prayer by guest minister James Colepepper, who asked for wisdom, unity, discernment, and justice in the legislature’s work, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. After confirming a quorum, the House dispensed with the reading of the journal and the reading of bill introductions, and there were no select committee reports or resolutions. The body also recognized the week’s pages, including Nora Grace Grubbs, and several guests in the galleries, including the Mississippi Lead Group, West Harrison High School students, and advocacy visitors from Six Dimensions focused on maternal health.
Most of the meeting consisted of introductions and recognitions. Members welcomed family members and visitors, noted a birthday for Rep. Cedric Burnett, and recognized Dr. Madu Munger for work empowering women and girls. There were also memorial announcements for retired Mississippi Highway Patrol Master Sergeant Roger Dale Blackman and for Oliver Short, the father of Rep. Tracy Rosebud, with the House pausing in their honor and members invited to be added as co-authors on the memorial.
The clerk announced committee meeting times for Ways and Means, Military Affairs, Technology, Universities and Colleges, Corrections, Energy, Marine Resources, and Drug Policy, along with a cancellation for the Education meeting. Members also promoted several caucus and association events. No bills were debated or voted on, and the only formal action taken was adjournment, with the House voting to stand adjourned until 10:00 a.m. the next day.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
January 27, 2026 - 03:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- idea of pricing set by the federal government, CMS plus 4% for administrative overcharge, and the dispensing
- negotiate contracts with manufacturers and wholesalers and determine what pharmacies are paid when dispensing
- They buy and dispense medicines based on nationally negotiated reimbursement rates.
- CONTRACTS WITH MANUFACTURERS AND WHOLESALERS AND DETERMINE WHAT PHARMACIES ARE PAID WHEN DISPENSING
- THEY BUY AND DISPENSE MEDICINES BASED ON NATIONALLY NEGOTIATED REIMBURSEMENT RATES. 477 THERE'S
Summary:
The committee first took up CS/House Bill 981, which would restore the Ocklawaha River and related natural resources. Supporters, including environmental groups, Save the Manatee Club, business owners, and Reunite the Rivers advocates, argued the bill would improve manatee habitat, fish passage, flood protection, tourism, and long-term economic returns while reducing dam maintenance costs. Opponents and skeptics focused on concerns about water quality, nutrient loading in the St. Johns River, loss of the Rodman Reservoir’s habitat and water-supply value, and potential ecological and economic harms. Members in debate largely supported the restoration effort, and the bill was reported favorably on a unanimous vote.
The committee then heard HB 697, the PRICE Act, which would use international reference pricing to set a drug cost benchmark, address pharmacy benefit manager practices, and require health plans to keep drug prices stable for the year. The sponsor said the bill would lower costs and improve access, especially for uninsured Floridians. Supporters, including independent pharmacists, argued PBMs are squeezing pharmacies and that the bill could help lower prices. Opponents from BioFlorida and PhRMA warned the proposal could disrupt the national drug supply chain, fail to pass savings to patients, and lead to shortages, reduced access, and less innovation. After debate, the bill passed favorably, with Rep. Chambliss voting no.
The committee also considered CS/HB 1081, which was amended to include private colleges and universities with NCA designation in the program. After brief discussion and support from United Way Miami, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, CS/HB 177 was introduced as a framework for Florida’s regional councils to cross-assign bills among regions; it received supportive testimony and was also reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Mar 26th, 2026 at 12:10 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- They make sure that pharmacies are not forced to dispense at a loss.
- Which would institute a similar reimbursement and dispensing fee requirement.
- Keep in mind, PBMs do not manufacture drugs; they do not dispense drugs.
- They make sure that pharmacies are not forced to dispense at a loss.
- They are the ones who choose where the dispensing fee goes.
Bills:
SB65, SB248, SB330, SB378, SB844, SB1330, SB1410, SB1475, SB1476, SB1565, SB1618, SB1623, SJR39, SJR47, SB2084, SB1655, SB1679, SB2174, SB1775, SB1873, SB1204, SB1884, SB1916, SB1937, SB1447, SB1500, SB2007, SB2074, SB1944, SB2018, SB1984, SB2026, SB2045, SB2049, SB2062, SB2112, SB2118, SB2127, SB2134, SB2135, SB2139, SB2154, SB1195
Keywords:
SB65, naloxone, Narcan, opioid overdose, overdose reversal, opioid antagonist, emergency opioid antagonist, substance abuse services, harm reduction, public health, overdose prevention, good samaritan, civil immunity, criminal immunity, controlled substances, addiction treatment, fentanyl, opioid crisis, school overdose response, first aid
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Transportation (04/22/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- have become a valuable cross-functional tool for our team, particularly when we need to get power to remote
- So you have anywhere from one to six meters in a gasoline dispenser.
- Now, if you have four meters in a dispenser, that's already you're up to $500.
- So you have anywhere from one to six meters in a gasoline dispenser.
- Now, if you have four meters in a dispenser, that's already you're up to $500.
Summary:
The hearing began with SB 12, which would let certain veterans who already qualify for a disabled veteran license plate use that VA disability determination to obtain a walking disability placard without having to undergo a second physical or submit additional proof. Senator Waters, the prime sponsor, said the bill was prompted by a constituent and would reduce redundant paperwork. Melinda Sims of United Spinal and Leo Pacquin of the State Veterans Advisory Committee both supported the bill, saying veterans already go through an extensive VA certification process and should not have to repeat it for the state. A DMV representative said the department had no known objection and explained that the change would let the placard travel with the veteran in another vehicle. The hearing on SB 12 was then closed.
The committee then took up SB 40, which would allow safe boater education certificates to be completed and tested online, rather than requiring an in-person final exam. Representative Coker and Senator Tim Lang described the bill as a cleanup measure to make a COVID-era online process permanent and said it would improve convenience and keep more revenue in New Hampshire. Tom Praol, representing the vendor, said the state lost significant revenue when the online option ended and argued that online proctoring can verify identity and prevent cheating. The New Hampshire Marine Trades Association supported the bill, saying it would help boaters learn New Hampshire-specific laws and keep dollars in-state. The Department of Safety Marine Patrol was neutral: Captain Tim Dunlvy said the current system includes classroom and online coursework followed by an in-person proctored final exam, and he raised concerns about safety, exam integrity, and lower scores in computer-only testing, while noting New Hampshire’s strong boating safety record. Committee members asked about reciprocity, proctoring methods, costs, and crash data, but no vote was taken in the portion of the transcript provided.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 23 March, 2026; 4:00 PM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I move we dispense with the reading of the journal. All in favor signify by saying I. I.
- I move we dispense with the reading of the committee reports. All in favor signify by saying I. I.
- I move we dispense<00:05:37.640>
with <00:05:37.800>the <00:05:37.880>reading <00 - :05:38.160>
of <00:05:38.240>the <00:05:38.320>titles dispense with the reading - >> Senator<00:05:39.960>
moves <00:05:40.200>to <00:05:40.240>dispense <00:
Summary:
The Senate opened with a quorum, an invocation by Brother Marvin Curtis, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Routine business followed, including dispensing with the reading of the journal and committee reports, and several items on the calendar were passed and retained without debate. The chamber then moved to nominations and concurrence items.
The main debate centered on Senate Bill 2588, the “Safeguard Honesty, Integrity and Elections for Lasting Democracy Shield Act.” Senator England moved to concur with House changes, explaining the bill would require voter-registration checks against DPS records and the federal SAVE database to verify citizenship, with the House amendment triggering SAVE review when no driver’s license or DPS information is available. Senator Blount opposed concurrence and moved to invite conference, arguing the bill could wrongly flag or burden lawful voters—especially elderly or inactive voters without current DPS records—and that the SAVE database was not designed to verify all state voter rolls. Senators Sparks and Dupree questioned Blount about whether the database would help prevent illegal voting and whether the bill’s process was similar to existing voter-roll maintenance procedures. England responded that the bill was narrowly tailored, not intended to disenfranchise anyone, and that even one non-citizen vote could undermine election integrity.
The Senate rejected Blount’s motion to invite conference and then adopted England’s motion to concur, passing the bill by a recorded vote of 20-31-16 as reported in the transcript. Earlier, the Senate also considered a nomination for the Emergency Communications Authority Advisory Board, with McClendon speaking against the nominee and Williams defending the appointment before the motion to table reconsideration prevailed. In other action, Senate Bill 2477, concerning Rural Health Transformation Fund monies and competitive bidding requirements, was explained by Senator Bryan as adding guardrails and prioritizing rural providers; it passed by use of the afternoon roll call.
At the end of the session, senators made announcements about upcoming committee meetings, including Judiciary, Forestry, Public Health and Welfare, and Gaming, and several members offered adjournments in memory of local residents and public figures. Senator England also thanked Elections Committee staff and noted that the committee’s work for the year was complete.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Health Policy Jan 26th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- They may dispense it and have no criminal or legal liability under that requirement.
- They may dispense it and have no criminal or legal liability under that requirement.
- Who is the provider number for that prescription, that dispensing?
- We're allowing pharmacists to dispense without a prescription.
- Those who dispense the medication without a prescription, a pharmacist, to have that type of immunity
Summary:
The committee heard several health-related bills. SB 1082 would let providers or insurers in state-regulated commercial plans opt into the federal independent dispute resolution process for emergency out-of-network claims, with a late-filed amendment clarifying access to the state program in certain circumstances. The bill sponsor and emergency physicians said the measure would reduce litigation and improve payment resolution; the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute.
SB 1168 would centralize background screening work for the care provider clearinghouse at the Agency for Health Care Administration and update related screening rules, including sealed and expunged records for qualified entities. The sponsor said the change would speed turnaround and reduce duplication; an amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1156 would move ambulatory surgical center regulation out of Chapter 395 into a standalone section of law, and it was reported favorably without amendment.
SB 1480, as amended by a strike-all, would grandfather certain temporary certificate holders practicing in areas of critical need if federal designations change, allowing them to continue seeing current patients and potentially new patients in their existing area subject to board oversight. The committee heard support from health system representatives and reported the bill favorably. The final and most debated measure, SB 1756 on medical freedom, would require vaccine education materials and alternative schedules, expand school immunization exemptions to conscience-based objections, clarify limits on emergency vaccination orders, and allow pharmacists to dispense ivermectin behind the counter with written information. The sponsor and supporters framed it as parental choice and access, while physicians, public health advocates, cancer advocates, and parents of immunocompromised children warned it would lower vaccination rates and increase disease risk. The committee adopted a liability-related amendment, rejected a substitute amendment that would have required consultation for exemptions, and continued hearing public testimony opposing the bill; the transcript ends before final action on SB 1756.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Public Safety Committee Mar 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Item 13 has been dispensed with. Item 14 has been dispensed with. Item 15 was pulled by the author.
- Item 17 has been dispensed with. Item 18 was on consent. Item 19 has been dispensed with.
- Item 21 has been dispensed with. Item 19 has been dispensed with. Item 20 was on consent.
- Item 21 has been dispensed with. Item 22 has been dispensed with. Item 23 has been dispensed with.
- Thank you. 19 has been dispensed with, 20 was on consent, 21 has been dispensed with, 22 has been dispensed
Summary:
The committee heard several public safety and criminal justice bills. AB 837 by Assemblymember Davies would add ketamine transportation to existing drug trafficking law; supporters, including district attorneys and peace officer groups, said it would address a growing and dangerous drug trend, while opponents argued increased penalties do not reduce drug supply and can worsen health harms. The bill was approved on a due-pass-as-amended vote and sent to Appropriations. AB 352 by Assemblymember Pacheco would make threats against judges and court commissioners an aggravating factor in sentencing; judicial and law enforcement groups supported it as a response to rising threats, while ACLU and criminal justice advocates said existing law already covers threats and the bill is unnecessary. It also passed to Appropriations.
The committee then took up AB 938 by Assemblymember Bonta, which expands vacatur and affirmative-defense relief for survivors of human trafficking, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence, including for some violent offenses. Survivors and advocates testified that the bill would allow people coerced into crimes to tell their full stories and seek relief, while district attorneys and sheriffs warned it could sweep too broadly and affect public safety. The chair and several members strongly supported the measure, and it passed as amended to Appropriations. AB 475 by Assemblymember Wilson would make prison work assignments voluntary and is tied to a broader effort to remove involuntary servitude language from the state constitution; supporters framed it as a rehabilitation and dignity issue, while one member objected to the premise and cited the defeat of a related ballot measure. The bill was voted out to Appropriations but left on call pending additional votes.
Assemblymember Lowenthal presented AB 704, which would allow people convicted of low-level offenses before age 26 to petition to seal and destroy records after a waiting period. Supporters said the bill addresses the limits of expungement in the digital age and recognizes young adult brain development; prosecutors and police groups raised Brady/disclosure concerns and objected to treating 18- to 25-year-olds like children. The committee debated those issues at length before sending the bill to Appropriations. Lowenthal also presented AB 812, which would expand resentencing opportunities for incarcerated firefighters who serve on conservation fire crews; supporters emphasized rehabilitation, wildfire response, and reduced recidivism, and the hearing continued with support testimony and the start of opposition testimony as the transcript ended.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It also states that a PBM may only recoup a dispensing fee if a pharmacist made a clerical clerical error
- And so just to summarize that, the correct medication was dispensed.
- The only protections in place are for the professional dispensing fee, and so the protections do not
- And that's not including any kind of dispensing fee. That's say I buy a box of diabetic medication.
- When I dispense that medication, they pay me $970 so I paid $1000 got $970 back, so I've lost $30.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (04/23/2025)
Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- practice may sell and dispense practice may sell and dispense controlled<01:52:45.679>
drugs< - <01:53:00.880>
and <01:53:01.199>administer they may sell, dispense and administer - they may sell, dispense and administer control<01:53:02.639>
uh <01:53:02.880>drugs. - 39:44.560>
person Provider-patient relationship in person before we go to the telemedicine remote - , before we go to the telemedicine remote, having the pharmacist do it, whatever it is.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 57 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- If there be no objection, the clerk will dispense with the paper. Chair has none.
- If there be no objection, the clerk will dispense with the paper. Chair has none. Question now.
- If there be no objection, the clerk will dispense with the reading of the paper.
- In item 2,800, if there be no objection, the clerk will dispense with the reading of the paper.
- If there be no objection, the clerk will dispense with the reading of the paper.
Summary:
The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and welcomed several student and community guests, including ambassadors from Robinson Middle School in Lowell, visitors honoring the Gaudet family and Patricia Rappucci, Scottish visitors celebrating Scotland’s World Cup appearance, Top-Notch Scholars students from Lawrence, and the King Philip Regional High School baseball team after its first state championship. The chamber also adopted several routine resolutions and orders, including extending the reporting deadline for the Health Care Financing Committee and suspending Joint Rule 12 for a condominium-related petition. The House then rejected concurrence with the Senate on the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act and instead voted to appoint a committee of conference.
The major policy action was on Senate Bill 3064, the Mass Ready Act, a large climate resilience and environmental bond bill. Members speaking in support emphasized flood protection, clean water, PFAS remediation, municipal vulnerability preparedness, coastal resilience, parks, trails, housing, and agricultural and food-system investments. The bill was described as authorizing roughly $3.8 billion in general obligation bonds, with discussion of specific funding for the Clean Water Trust, PFAS remediation, coastal infrastructure, biodiversity, healthy homes, and farmland preservation. A consolidated amendment was adopted, and after debate the House passed the bill to be engrossed by a roll call vote.
The House also took up the conference report on H. 5511, the early literacy and teacher preparation bill. Supporters said the measure would require evidence-based reading instruction, move away from three-cueing approaches, support educator training and apprenticeships, and improve student literacy outcomes statewide. The conference report was accepted on a roll call vote of 152-0. Later, the House considered amendments to the Mass Ready Act, including one proposal to increase PFAS remediation funding that was ultimately withdrawn, and adopted another consolidated amendment before passing the bill to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 151-0. The House then adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and adjourned to an informal session.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 111 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The clerk will dispense with reading the amendment. Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
- The clerk will dispense reading the amendment. general laws. The chair hears no objection.
- The clerkal dispense reading the amendment. Question comes on adoption of the amendment.
Summary:
The House began with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several committee reports and scheduling matters. The Committee on Rules recommended adoption of an order extending the Committee on Public Health’s reporting deadline to December 19, 2025, and also recommended suspending Joint Rule 12 to send two petitions to committee, including one on a confirmatory deed in Marlborough and another on regulation of Oregon transparent vehicles. The House suspended the necessary rules and adopted those procedural actions.
The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reported six House bills for consideration: bills concerning the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, official marine flora, Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, Oker-Chung Neurodevelopmental Syndrome Awareness Day, the appointment of the police chief in Fall River, and the Monson Select Board. The House suspended Rule 7A, gave the bills second readings, and ordered them to third reading.
The House then acted on several bills from third reading. It concurred with a Senate amendment to House Bill 4645, the bill on assault and battery upon a transit worker, after adopting a further House amendment. The House also adopted an amendment and passed to be engrossed House Bill 4178, allowing Adam T. Jankowski to take the civil service exam for police officer in Haverhill notwithstanding the age requirement. House Bill 4503, amending the charter of the town of Hudson, was amended by substitution and passed to be engrossed. Finally, House Bill 4645 was passed to be enacted, and the House adopted an order to adjourn and meet again Wednesday at 11:00 a.m., then adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Floor Session 5/12/25 - Part 1
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- If there is no objection, further reading of the journal will be dispensed with, and the journal will
- <00:13:01.680>
journal <00:13:02.079>will <00:13:02.320>be <00:13:02.399>dispensed - <00:13:02.880>
with <00:13:03.120>and the journal will be dispensed with and the journal - will be dispensed with and the<00:13:03.519>
journal <00:13:03.839>will <00:13:04.000><
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Aug 18th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Flores seconds, that the reading of the previous day's journal be dispensed with.
- Flora, we have already dispensed with that very motion. It has already been voted on by this body.
- Let us continue and dispense with this motion. May I continue?
- We have already dispensed with file.
- We have already dispensed with file item number 32, ACR 102, and that brings us to file item number 33
Summary:
The Assembly met on June 4, 2025, after a quorum call and opening prayer led by Assembly Member Ramos, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and routine procedural actions. Members handled several motions on bill referrals and file management, including disputes over SB 280 and ACA 8. The Speaker’s rulings were repeatedly appealed and sustained, and the body ultimately approved re-referral and notice waivers related to ACA 8 and SB 280, along with related committee hearing notices and shortened file notice requirements. Several bills were also removed from consent, moved to inactive file, or withdrawn from committee as nonfiscal measures.
The chamber then held a Native American Day ceremony centered on ACR 102 by Assembly Member Ramos, recognizing California Native American Day and the California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference. Multiple caucus leaders and members spoke in support, emphasizing California’s Native history, past state harms, and recent legislative efforts affecting tribal communities. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 71 coauthors were added. The ceremony also honored Native leaders and students, including Judge Abby Abinanti, Councilwoman Catalina Chacon, Rosemary Salgado, Chairman Frederick Massetti, and Clovis Unified students who defended their right to wear regalia at graduation.
Later, the Assembly took up concurrence votes on several Senate-amended bills, all of which passed unanimously: AB 829 on Parkinson’s disease, AB 463 on emergency medical services, AB 493 on mortgage escrow interest, and AB 1387 on behavioral health coordination for justice-involved individuals. The body also adopted ACR 100 honoring India’s Independence Day and H.R. 44 recognizing homeless service providers, both by voice vote after substantial support from members and coauthors. Guest introductions highlighted the music industry, the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and visiting officials from Pakistan.
The session concluded with adjournments in memory of Joel Nilsen and Grace Akiko Kojima, followed by announcements of upcoming session dates and adjournment under the call of the Speaker.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 92 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- If there be no objection, the clerk will dispense with the reading of the paper. There being none.
- If there be no objection, the clerk will dispense with the reading of the paper. There being none.
- If there be no objection, the clerk will dispense with the reading of the paper. Chair has none.
Summary:
The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several routine reports and local bills. It adopted a resolution commending the AADC Family Network and recognizing October 23, 2025, as AADC Deficiency Awareness Day in Massachusetts. The House also concurred with a Senate petition on energy-conservation windows being referred to the Committee on Housing.
The chamber then acted on a slate of bills scheduled by the Committee on Steering Policy and Scheduling. It advanced House Bills 1194, 2280, 2644, 2646, and 1301 to third reading, covering cleanup of accidental home heating oil spills, permitting reforms for businesses and landowners, fire protection, public fire safety and professionalism, and primary insurance. Each was taken up under suspension of Rule 7A and ordered to a third reading without objection.
The House also passed several local bills to be engrossed: House Bills 3896 on recall elections in Berlin, 3901 exempting Natick’s assistant fire chief from civil service, 4212 allowing Lancaster to dissolve its animal control commission, and 4347 concerning Williamsburg Library Trustees. House Bill 4380, amending Agawam’s charter, was amended on the floor to change the election timing language and add an effective-date section, then passed to be engrossed as amended. The House then recessed briefly, adopted an order to meet the following Tuesday at 11 a.m., and adjourned to an informal session.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Appropriations Committee Jul 9th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, I'd like to dispense. Okay. I'd like to dispense with the consent calendar.
- I'd like to dispense with the suspense calendar.
Summary:
The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on July 9, 2025, with a quorum present and opened by taking up its consent and suspense calendars. Several Senate bills were moved on consent, including SB 255, 361, 385, 387, 428, 602, 648, 652, and 693, along with SB 78 on a separate due-pass motion. The suspense calendar was then deemed approved without further discussion.
The committee next heard AB 1533, a claims bill authorizing a General Fund appropriation of $672 million to pay state claims, including $600 to the Franchise Tax Board and $72 million to the DMV for stale claims. Assemblymember Wicks presented the bill as one of the annual claims measures, and the Department of Finance and Department of General Services both supported it. Assemblymember Dixon raised concerns about the age of claims, the cost and efficiency of the process, and whether the state could improve how it verifies and pays claims more quickly.
After brief public comment was invited, the committee held a roll call vote on AB 1533 and the bill was moved out of committee. The meeting then adjourned after a late-arriving member was added to the roll call for the consent calendar and AB 1533.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. Momanyi-Hiltsley, present.
- The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. Mom Hill-Slay? Yes.
- The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. Mom Hill-Slay? Yes.
- the The clerk will call the name of the member<00:44:32.040>
participating <00:44:32.880>remotely - member participating remotely. member participating remotely.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Before we go to your bill presentation, I want to do the consent calendar just to dispense of it.
- But we will dispense of the consent calendar.
- For a minute, see if Assemblywoman Ransom comes, but we will dispense with the consent calendar for the
Summary:
The committee opened with routine logistics, noted the hearing would be brief, and approved a consent calendar containing AB 2423, AB 2743, AB 2778, and AB 2779. The chair also shared a few informal remarks about Ag Day and National Pecan Month before establishing a quorum and moving to the main item, AB 1711 by Assembly Member Connolly.
AB 1711 would require fair-related state funds to be distributed in a more timely and predictable manner, with the goal of helping local fairs address deferred maintenance, infrastructure repairs, safety upgrades, and emergency preparedness needs. The author and the Western Fairs Association emphasized that fairs are important community hubs, economic drivers, and emergency response sites, and that funding delays can postpone critical projects and raise costs. Support was also voiced by rural county representatives, and committee members spoke in favor, citing the importance of county fairs in their districts and their role during emergencies such as flooding.
The committee voted unanimously to pass AB 1711 to the Appropriations Committee. After additional roll calls were completed for absent members, the consent calendar and AB 1711 were both reported out of committee with unanimous support, and the meeting adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- However, most of these protections apply only to the dispensing fee, which is often nothing or maybe
- We had a couple clarifications we offered just to make sure if you dispensed way outside of what the
- apply only to the dispensing fee, which is often nothing or maybe a dollar.
- We had a couple clarifications we offered just to make sure if you dispensed way outside of what the
- We offer just to make sure if you dispensed way outside of what the doctor actually prescribed, or if
Bills:
SB331, SB883, SB926, SB1137, SB1138, SB1144, SB1151, SB1236, SB1270, SB1522, SB1869, SB2207, SB2422
Keywords:
healthcare, cost disclosure, transparency, administrative penalties, health facility compliance, COVID-19, off-label use, prescription drugs, patient access, medical standards, insurance, physician ranking, incentives, fiduciary duty, health plan issuers, SB 1137, group home, assisted living, residential care, board and care
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 883, which would protect physicians’ ability to prescribe off-label medications and treatments, framed by the author as a “Right to Treat” measure tied to COVID-19 care. Supporters, including physicians and patient-choice advocates, said the bill would safeguard the doctor-patient relationship and prevent interference by boards, pharmacies, or hospitals. Several witnesses described using hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, budesonide, antibiotics, steroids, and monoclonal antibodies during the pandemic, and said they faced complaints, board scrutiny, or pharmacy refusals for those prescriptions. The bill was left pending after public testimony closed.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 331, which would extend hospital price-transparency requirements to additional health care facilities such as freestanding ERs, urgent care and retail clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, outpatient clinics, and birthing centers. Proponents argued that broader disclosure of prices for shoppable services would help consumers compare costs and reduce surprise billing, while opponents from ambulatory surgery centers said the bill would impose costly compliance burdens on small providers and that insurers or the state already have much of the needed data. The bill was also left pending.
Senate Bill 2422 would expunge Texas Medical Board records and impose reparations for disciplinary actions tied to COVID-era treatment decisions, including references to ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, budesonide, and masks. The author and supporters argued that doctors were unfairly targeted for trying to save patients and should be made whole; the Texas Medical Board representative said most pandemic complaints were dismissed, that actions generally involved broader issues such as privileges, documentation, or informed consent, and that no physician was disciplined solely for prescribing off-label COVID medications. The bill was left pending.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2207, which would loosen Texas Medical Board rules on physicians advertising themselves as board certified, especially by reducing barriers tied to maintenance of certification requirements. Supporters said the current rule is overly restrictive, inconsistent, and costly, and that it drives physicians out of practice; they also said Texas is one of only a few states with such a rule. Witnesses described hospitals using the rule against physicians and said the change would improve transparency and competition. The bill remained pending after testimony.