Transcript Highlights:

• And I think that team practice And I think that team practice >> [laughter] >> [laughter
• Um our practice now, we take hospital.
• <00:34:25.440> approach an ongoing team-based practice approach an ongoing team-based practice
• would be expanding the scope of practice would be expanding the scope of practice of<00:35:40.240
• <01:04:55.600> for communities have known and practiced for communities have known and practiced

Bills: HB1626, HB1643, HB1668, HB1550, HB1974, HB1858, HB1871, HB1966, HB1972, HB1973

Keywords: youth penalties, juvenile justice, community service, fees and fines, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, reform, court costs, cultural connection, pharmacy, pharmacist, pharmacy audit, audit reform, pharmacy benefit manager, PBM, recoupment, extrapolation, claims audit, pharmacy reimbursement, dispensing fee

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 847, which would create a Kauai pilot program allowing qualified psychologists limited authority to prescribe psychotropic medications. The Board of Psychology supported the bill’s intent but asked for amendments to delay the effective date or extend the pilot so rules could be written first, and to clarify the education/training language. Supporters, including the Hawaii Psychological Association, Hawaii Mental Health Coalition, and several psychologists, argued that prescribing psychologists have long safety records in other jurisdictions and that the pilot could improve access to care on Kauai, especially amid ongoing mental health needs and storm-related stress. They cited studies and examples from New Mexico, Louisiana, the Department of Defense, and other places. Opponents, including the Hawaii Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Queen’s Medical Center, and a Department of Health representative, said the bill needed substantial work, raised concerns about training, liability, and workforce impacts, and urged a team-based model with psychiatrist oversight rather than independent prescribing. Some testimony also referenced a GAO report, with witnesses disagreeing over its meaning and cost-effectiveness. No vote was taken during the discussion, and members asked questions about how the bill would address the workforce shortage and whether a psychiatrist on Kauai could already meet the need. The committee then moved to SB 2271 on hospital licensing and SB 2272 on home health care licensing. The Department of Health, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported both measures, which were described as streamlining and clarifying licensing oversight by relying on accreditation or certification reports. A member asked whether the bill language on hospital accreditation reports was duplicative, and the response was that the second provision was intended to strengthen enforcement by requiring hospitals to provide the actual report to DOH. The committee did not take final action in the portion of the hearing provided, and the chair noted that all bills on the agenda would later be considered for decision-making.

Transcript Highlights:

• A physician has different areas of practice, such as, as I mentioned before, surgical, primary care,
• Each of these areas have different needs and concerns and would base their practice on these different
• . and would base their um their practice and would base their um their practice on<00:18:42.799> these
• And, um, for example, nutrition is not a primary health care practice in Western medicine, and so, um
• And, um, for example, nutrition is not a primary health care practice in Western medicine, and so, um

Bills: SB2421, SB2690, SB3103, SB3137, SB3164, SB3206, SB2933, SB3133, SB3315

Keywords: cannabis, marijuana, Hawaii Cannabis Law, legalization, decriminalization, adult use, hemp, taxation, social equity, public health, primary care, health insurance, health carrier, insurance commissioner, Med-QUEST, Medicaid managed care, provider reimbursement, downcoding, prior authorization, utilization review

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 1864, which would require health insurance coverage for standard fertility preservation services for people undergoing medically necessary treatment, drew broad support from SHIPA, the Department of Health, HMSA, the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, and others. Testifiers emphasized that fertility preservation is routine coverage on the mainland and important for patients facing infertility from cancer or other treatment; one patient described incurring more than $20,000 in costs. The Insurance Division flagged possible Affordable Care Act issues, a potential conflict in the bill’s language about using patient history to determine limits, and a mismatch with state medical-necessity standards. Committee discussion also focused on whether the bill should apply to all women of childbearing age rather than a narrower age-based category. HB 2305 would require nutrition and metabolic education as part of physicians’ continuing medical education. The Hawaii Medical Board opposed the measure, arguing that CME should remain flexible and tailored to each physician’s specialty and warning that topic-specific mandates can expand over time. The Office of the Governor supported the bill, saying it would help the state’s rural health transformation application and could improve federal funding prospects, though the exact impact was unclear. Members questioned whether nutrition is already covered in medical training and whether the requirement should be limited to primary care physicians; the board said Hawaii currently has no topic-specific CME mandates and that physicians can already choose relevant courses. The committee also heard strong support for HB 1597, which would establish an Alzheimer’s disease research center at the University of Hawaii. Supporters from the university, the Alzheimer’s Association, AARP, and others said the center could attract federal research dollars, expand clinical trials, and help address the state’s high Alzheimer’s-related health costs. HB 2159, which appropriates funds for health care workforce development, also received broad support from the University of Hawaii, health systems, and advocacy groups, with no opposition noted. Finally, HB 2121, which would prohibit the sale and distribution of disposable electronic smoking devices, drew support from the Department of Health, youth advocates, and public health groups citing youth addiction, environmental waste, and fire hazards; the department said a separate bill, HB 1573, would be more comprehensive and better defined for enforcement and penalties. The committee ended with HB 1913, creating a veteran services mental health coordinator position at Tripler Army Medical Center, which was supported by veteran services officials and others who said veterans need better navigation and coordination for behavioral health care.

Bills: HB 535, HB 2120, HB 2822, HB 3243, HB 3457, HB 3544, HB 4089, HB 4192, HB 4669, HB 4868, HB 4955, HB 5253, HB 5669, SB 1371, SB 1919, SB 2001

Keywords: motor vehicle, pedestrian, bicycle, traffic safety, municipality, criminal offense, pedestrian safety, traffic regulations, municipal law, bicycle regulations, motor vehicle passing, traffic law, municipalities, bicycle operation, traffic laws, municipal regulations, port commission, Corpus Christi, Nueces County, San Patricio County

Bills: HB535, HB2120, HB2822, HB3243, HB3457, HB3544, HB4089, HB4192, HB4669, HB4868, HB4955, HB5253, HB5669, SB1371, SB1919, SB2001

Keywords: motor vehicle, pedestrian, bicycle, traffic safety, municipality, criminal offense, pedestrian safety, traffic regulations, municipal law, bicycle regulations, motor vehicle passing, traffic law, municipalities, bicycle operation, traffic laws, municipal regulations, port commission, Corpus Christi, Nueces County, San Patricio County

Transcript Highlights:

• Since almost universal adoption of a handful of social... social media platforms and their practice of
• I'm an attorney out of Houston, and I've been practicing eminent domain law for probably 25 years since
• And in practice, there is already a remedy under Property Code 21.047.
• It depends on how it's written, but like I said, it's already in practice, so I probably wouldn't, but
• that would probably be something that would be workable, since it's already being done that way in practice

Bills: SB38, SB287, SB291, SB292, SB508, SB618, SB901, SB1436, SB1494, SB1626, SB1719, SB1999, SB1333, SB 38

Keywords: evictions, property law, tenant rights, landlord responsibilities, justice court, court rules, SB 287, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, sexually oriented business, adult entertainment, strip club, nude entertainment, live nude performance, alcohol prohibition, alcohol consumption, possession of alcohol, criminal offense, Class A misdemeanor, state jail felony, third degree felony

Transcript Highlights:

• 618 provides a civil penalty for a public or election official who violates any election standard practice
• And as you've already heard, this unconstitutional practice of waiving election law is not just illegal
• And of course, there are practical considerations with varying claims about the. number of genders, and
• There are many reasons to support this legislation, including ethical and practical concerns.
• SB1999 in practice would legitimize harassment under policies and expose trans people in Texas to increased

Bills: SB38, SB287, SB291, SB292, SB508, SB618, SB901, SB1436, SB1494, SB1626, SB1719, SB1999, SB1333, SB 38

Keywords: evictions, property law, tenant rights, landlord responsibilities, justice court, court rules, SB 287, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, sexually oriented business, adult entertainment, strip club, nude entertainment, live nude performance, alcohol prohibition, alcohol consumption, possession of alcohol, criminal offense, Class A misdemeanor, state jail felony, third degree felony

Transcript Highlights:

• The request for positions is tied to the opening of the new school for veterinary medicine.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to his legal practice, Mr.
• Just a clarification, it was 15 years of practice in Texas, nearly 20 years of practice.
• As far as my practice goes...
• County and an attorney in private practice.
• I have exclusively practiced criminal law since 1991.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe what you are saying is in theory, and I don't practice in criminal law and I know you did,
• Basically, what we exempted for veterinary purposes, we established in the penalty phase.
• presence of contaminants like heavy metals or even salmonella Jeff Smith: if good manufacturing practices
• clients who identify as gender nonconforming, and I'm very concerned about what that does for my practice
• Will physicians, especially endocrinologists, want to train or practice in Florida?

Transcript Highlights:

• I prescribed opiates to people in my practice very sparingly since I was someone in long-term recovery
• I prescribed opiates to people in my practice very sparingly since I was someone in long-term recovery
• I prescribed opiates to people in my practice very sparingly since I was someone in long-term recovery
• So, as a practical matter, I don't think it's an issue.
• practically practically non-existent<06:04:17.558> um<06:04:17.958> medical<06:04:18.280

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1199, Veterinary Medical Examining Board continuation.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer and pledge, then recorded attendance, approved the journal, and recognized several guest groups in the gallery, including CRNAs for Capital Day, rural electric cooperative representatives, AEA Retired members, March of Dimes participants, students, and other visitors. The invocation focused on faith, courage, and the need for just laws, and several senators used personal privilege to introduce guests and highlight causes such as public education, maternal and infant health, and the Equal Rights Amendment. The body then moved through a lengthy calendar of second-reading bills, covering a wide range of topics including child welfare and DCS procedures, public school safety, health care and insurance, groundwater and water supply, tax and appropriations measures, housing and HOA issues, elections and campaign protections, criminal justice, firearms, abortion-related measures, and transportation projects. The transcript primarily reflects bill titles being read rather than debate on substance, and no floor votes on those measures are shown in the excerpt. The Senate also received a large set of first-reading bills and committee referrals, including measures on motor vehicle booting fees, EMS reciprocity, election procedures, physician assistant licensure, mental health hearings, assisted living, Alzheimer’s planning, safe haven providers, short-term rentals, fire district formation, correctional officer contributions, and several appropriations items. After the readings and routine announcements, the Senate adopted a motion to adjourn and recessed until Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• the animal is sampled for tissue inspection and whether that requirement is in rule or simply a practice
• I practice animal law in New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts.
• 00:52:25.760> injuries<00:52:26.880> um<00:52:26.960> and<00:52:27.200> veterinary
• significant injuries um and veterinary significant injuries um and veterinary bills.<00:52:28.319
• So having this bill would protect the consumer, you, me, and everyone else from unscrupulous practices

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 302, which would update New Hampshire’s solid waste facility background-check law so the state can continue to access federal FBI criminal databases for checks on key owners and officers. Senator Howard Pearl and DES Waste Management Director Mike Whimsatt said the bill is the third attempt to correct prior drafting problems that prevented the FBI from accepting the language. They explained that the existing statute has long required background checks for hazardous and solid waste facility applicants because of concerns about organized crime, but the current wording is too ambiguous for federal use. The bill also includes technical corrections, clarifies which company officers must be checked, specifies which DES officials receive the results, and removes the Department of Justice as an unnecessary middleman. Committee members asked about the purpose of the bill, whether family members are covered, who pays the cost, and whether permits have ever been denied; Whimsatt said the applicant still pays, the checks focus on key officers, and at least one permit had been denied in the past due to a felony conviction. The hearing then closed, with one person listed in favor on the blue sheet and no opposition noted online. The committee then opened Senate Bill 229, which would allow retailers to sell uninspected bison, red deer, and elk meat and remove the sunset on the existing program. Senator Pearl said the bill would expand market opportunities for farmers while keeping labeling and traceability requirements in place, including identifying the meat as uninspected and maintaining records of the source farms. Representative Bixby, who had worked on earlier legislation, explained the current framework in detail: the animals are raised on closed farms, must be fenced, cannot be newly imported, and are subject to annual veterinary herd inspections and recordkeeping. He said the prior bison inspection regime was too burdensome for farmers to maintain, and the current law was intended as a workable compromise. Questions from members focused on how many farms participate, how many animals have been sold, and whether the program posed disease risks; the witness said he did not know the exact numbers, and Bixby said the existing import and fencing rules help prevent chronic wasting disease from entering the state. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the bill was left before the committee for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an environmental science student, so I do have taken classes on sustainable farming practices and
• regenerative farming practices.
• I'm an environmental science student, so I do have taken classes on sustainable farming practices and
• regenerative farming practices.
• regenerative farming practices.

Bills: HF4266

Keywords: higher education, state grants, financial aid, college affordability, Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State Grant, need analysis, expected family contribution, student aid, grant formula, living and miscellaneous expense allowance, dependent student, independent student, parental contribution, student contribution, surplus appropriation, biennium, summer 2026, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• language that Hunter suggested, so requiring a declaration dedicating and committing to particular practices
• particular practices particular practices um<00:27:17.159> and<00:27:17.320> and<00
• <02:12:40.040> car<02:12:40.440> guidelines biocurity and Veterinary car guidelines
• biocurity and Veterinary car guidelines Humane<02:12:41.880> euthanasia<02:12:42.880> follows
• The farms operate 365 days a year under third-party control regulations, with constant veterinary care

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint House Agriculture and Food Systems and Tourism hearing focused on HB 189 and HB 966, both dealing with agricultural tourism. HB 189 would require counties to adopt ordinances governing review and permitting of agricultural tourism as secondary uses on working farms, require the principal agricultural use to pre-exist any tourism-related permit, and limit ag tourism to land where productive agriculture is occurring. HB 966 would create statewide uniform standards for agricultural tourism, require county registration of activities, require ag tourism to coexist with agricultural activity on a farming operation, and end the tourism use when agricultural activity ceases. Testimony on HB 189 was mixed. The Department of Agriculture and Kualoa Ranch opposed the bill, arguing that the proposed restrictions and income-based limits could burden bona fide farms and ranches, reduce flexibility for counties, and harm food production, jobs, and diversification efforts. Kualoa Ranch said ag tourism supports its food sales and community market and warned the bill could cost more than 350 jobs. The Hawaiʻi Cattlemen’s Council also opposed the measure for similar reasons. The Hawaiʻi Farmers Union supported the bill with suggested amendments, including clearer language around agricultural dedication. The Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau supported the intent of the bill but urged caution, saying ag tourism should remain tied to actual agricultural production and that counties need flexibility to address abuses without imposing overly rigid standards. Members discussed how to define a bona fide agricultural operation and whether property tax agricultural dedication could serve as a clearer qualifier. They also raised concerns about how counties would enforce revenue thresholds or separate accounting for tourism and farm income, and whether state law should better target clearly non-agricultural uses such as gondolas or other abusive developments. The Department of Agriculture and Farm Bureau said counties already have authority to regulate ag tourism through ordinances, but that any new standards should avoid unintended burdens on true farmers and ranchers. HB 966 was then introduced, and initial testimony again reflected support for the bill’s intent from some agricultural groups and opposition or caution from others. Kualoa Ranch said ag tourism can help educate visitors and support agriculture, the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union supported county flexibility, and the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau reiterated concerns about the bill’s income comparison provisions and the need to distinguish legitimate agricultural tourism from misuse. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The request for positions is tied to the opening of the new school for veterinary medicine.

Summary: The committee met and took several budget-related items out of order. It first approved a revised Auditor’s Office letter and amendment that reduced requested salary and match increases to 10 percent for operations and UCP, and then approved a revised Lieutenant Governor’s Office request that kept positions at line-item maximums while revising regular salary and match appropriations to a total increase of $99,876. Both items passed without objection. The committee then considered a member amendment from Senator Rice to Senate Bill 30 affecting the Governor’s Office. The amendment would eliminate one Governor senior advisor position, reducing authorized positions from 59 to 58 and cutting regular salaries and matching funds by a total of $264,895. Senator Rice argued the change was warranted because of concerns about former Corrections Secretary Joe Profury’s conduct, transparency, and refusal to appear before Joint Performance Review. Members debated the relevance of the amendment to current duties, whether the governor could still hire the individual in another role, and whether a Board of Corrections member could speak. After discussion, the committee rejected the amendment on a roll call vote. Under regular business, the committee approved an OPM request to reinstate a labor market rate at the crime lab so it can recruit two medical examiners, with pay up to $300,000 for those positions. Members also approved Arkansas State University-Jonesboro’s request for 11 positions tied to the new veterinary medicine school, including clinic, lab, communications, mental health, and administrative roles. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• that creates an alternative pathway to meet education requirements needed to become a certified veterinary

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting was a Republican caucus review of several Senate and House bills, with staff summarizing committee amendments and members indicating whether sponsors concurred with Senate changes. Topics included electronic monitoring in residential rooms (SB 1041), dental school complaint forwarding and licensure exemptions (SB 1168), revitalization district contracts (SB 1189), timeshare salesperson licensing (SB 1274), veterinary telehealth prescribing (SB 1286), insurance zero-estimated-exposure policies (SB 1428), advanced air mobility funds for border security (SB 1457), death benefits for law enforcement pilots (SB 1503), ATV definitions (SB 1519), pet and fowl restrictions in planned communities (SB 1582), and pharmacist independent testing/treatment authority (SB 1713). The caucus also reviewed education-related measures on school district self-insurance procurement (SB 1497) and a strike-everything amendment to SB 1118 that instead allowed duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and townhomes in historic areas if compatible with surrounding character. The group then considered several blue-sheet House bills. HB 2120 made technical changes to align property-tax disability language with updated statute; the sponsor concurred. HB 2174 changed terminology from advisory organization to modeling and data organization and required model filing; the sponsor concurred. HB 2203 directed ADE to review statutory reporting requirements and report recommendations to the legislature; the sponsor concurred. HB 2383’s Senate amendment simply designated a 2014 trampoline court law as “TIE’s law,” with the sponsor concurring. HB 2877 was amended into an alternative education pathway for certified veterinary technicians, and HB 2875 adjusted municipal and county drone restrictions near airports, expanding the relevant airport buffer and preserving some local authority. Additional bills discussed included HB 2428 on voluntary county emissions-reduction credit permits, HB 2176 on DHS health care institution complaint investigations, and HB 2050 on radiologic technology standards and radiologist assistant supervision. Members discussed that HB 2050’s Senate changes narrowed some supervision provisions to rural counties and critical access hospitals, prompting questions about the scope. Finally, HB 2010 on digital goods refunds was amended to shorten the refund window from 10 years to five years, but a sponsor said the amendment contained a drafting error and refused concurrence, meaning a conference committee would be needed. The caucus then concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> And the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners has already had the opportunity to oversee their stuff

Bills: HB586, SB107, HB619, HB586, SB107, HB619

Keywords: HB586, Cullman, Cullman County, City of Cullman, annexation, municipal boundaries, corporate limits, local legislation, boundary adjustment, city limits, municipal expansion, zoning, municipal services, property tax, land use, metes and bounds, Alabama Highway 157, Judge of Probate, SSUT, simplified sellers use tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Resources Committee will be meeting upon adjournment today to hear two sunset reviews, which are the Veterinary

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and completed a roll call showing 55 members present and 10 excused, establishing a quorum. The journal from Wednesday, January 21, 2026, was approved as corrected by the chief clerk after a voice vote. The chamber then moved into announcements and introductions. Members highlighted several upcoming events and committee meetings. Representative Mabrey announced the Judiciary Committee’s final SMART Act hearing series, including presentations from the Joint Budget Committee, the Office of the Child’s Representative, the Child Protection Ombudsman, the Department of Corrections, the Office of Alternative Defense Counsel, and Legislative Council staff on prison population. Representative Gilchrist invited members to a Healthier Colorado legislative reception, and Representative Suckla introduced the Plateau Valley FFA chapter visiting the Capitol. Representative McCormick, with Representative Winter, promoted a fundraising effort for children, using a lighthearted call for donations, and noted that the House Agriculture, Water and Natural Resources Committee would meet upon adjournment to hear sunset reviews of the Veterinary Pharmaceutical Advisory Committee and the Forest Health Council, while postponing the Colorado Food Systems Advisory Council review. The House also noted a Faith Bridge Advocacy Day visit, and the chamber then adopted a motion to stand in recess until later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• deal and in every courtroom involving our top trading partner. or 75, any Texas university system, practically
• many are denied and In other words, we kind of looked at this a few years ago when we started a veterinary
• that despite prior legislative action many medical institutions can continue to implement DEI-based practices
• We're continuing to implement. ideological practices through administrative or procedural means.

Bills: HB232

Keywords: disaster recovery, natural disaster, weather disaster, emergency relief, flood relief, hurricane relief, storm damage, wildfire, tornado, hail, windstorm, extreme heat, ice storm, snowstorm, property damage, personal injury, temporary housing, relocation assistance, lost wages, state emergency management

Transcript Highlights:

• Under HB 3475, any Texas university system, uh, practically speaking, the UT system with UTEP could establish
• And in other words, we kind of looked at this a few years ago when we started a veterinary program, uh
• that despite prior legislative action, many medical institutions continue to implement DEI-based practices
• whether schools are prioritizing merit and academic rigor or continuing to implement ideological practices

Bills: HB232

Keywords: disaster recovery, natural disaster, weather disaster, emergency relief, flood relief, hurricane relief, storm damage, wildfire, tornado, hail, windstorm, extreme heat, ice storm, snowstorm, property damage, personal injury, temporary housing, relocation assistance, lost wages, state emergency management