Transcript Highlights:

• even address that during this session until stakeholders were able to get together and come to an agreement
• And so I think that not only is a good policy, it reflects an agreement between parties that will serve
• The state's almost always in technical noncompliance with the Davis consent agreement, but we're grateful

Bills: AB58 , AB275 , SB46 , SB457 , SB465 , AB320 , AB344 , AB381 , AB541

Committee: Assembly Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if we have not reached an agreement to hold a hearing by the next meeting of this Judiciary Committee
• been helpful but there's still a remaining problem with this and under this bill a pay-for-delay agreement
• is presumed illegal unless the drug companies can convince a judge that the agreement is pro-competitive

Bills: SB1040 , SB1041 , SB1095 , SB1096 , SB1097 , SB527

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Keywords: drug competition, product hopping, generic drugs, biosimilars, federal regulations, FTC Act, patent, biological products, healthcare access, affordable prescriptions, Medicare, Federal Trade Commission, sham petitions, competition, public health, unfair competition, healthcare, pharmaceutical, antitrust law, pay-for-delay

Summary: The meeting focused on addressing the high cost of prescription drugs and the abusive practices that contribute to elevated prices affecting American families. Several bills were presented, including proposals to end pay-for-delay deals and to enhance transparency in the operations of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The discussion was notable for its emphasis on consumer protection and ensuring that cheaper generic drugs reach the market more effectively. Members expressed frustration over past attempts to pass similar legislation stalling in the Senate, leading to renewed efforts to push these bills forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House bill relative to non-competition agreements in the Commonwealth, House No. 2118.
• An act relative to non-competition agreements in the Commonwealth, House No. 2118.

Summary: The House first took up a series of bills reported by the Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling, including measures on Brockton residency requirements for local offices, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, non-competition agreements, election administration in Salem, school nutrition, local election procedures in Longmeadow, Charlemont, Conway, and Concord, a senior property tax exemption for North Attleboro, Holyoke City Council special meetings, renter consumer rights, alcohol licensing in Southbridge and Raynham, and the Reading Home Rule Charter. The House suspended Rule 7A, ordered the bills to a third reading, and then advanced them accordingly. The chamber then considered several engrossed bills for final action. House No. 4763, validating the results of Bourne’s May 20, 2025 annual election, was passed and, after a separate constitutional vote, its emergency preamble was adopted. The House also passed to be enacted bills concerning the Cuttyhunk Fire District, Otis Fire District funding for the Historical Society of Endicott and Cuttyhunk, and the Salem licensing board. Additional third-reading actions included House No. 4321, allowing the Dalton Fire District to continue employing interim fire chief Christopher Francis Chahat, which was ordered to a third reading, and House Nos. 4267 and 4582, directing the Boston Police and Fire Departments respectively to waive maximum age requirements for named individuals, both of which were passed to be engrossed. The House then adopted an order to meet the following Wednesday at 11 a.m., and adjourned to that time in formal session, with a Democratic caucus announced for noon.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we continue to work with the CPUC, we aim to find agreement on how this bill can help the rulemaking
• As we continue to work with the CPC, we aim to find agreement on how this bill can help the rulemaking

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, and then you said something about the officer and the paramedic coming up with an agreement about
• They can still come up with their contractual agreements. That doesn't change.
• They come together, they work it out, and they reform the agreement on their own before anybody even
• But in that agreement, the contract would be between the two parties.
• They could choose not to have a non-compete agreement at all.

Bills: HB3772 , HB1656 , HB4504 , HB1896 , HB4420 , HB4421 , HB4076 , HB3708 , HB2806 , HB3540 , HB1586 , HB5459 , HB4553 , HB4535 , HB3811 , HB3749 , HB4255 , HB4051 , HB5098 , HB3554 , HB4539 , HB5274

Committee: House Public Health

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, we would have an overarching agreement that these are the terms and conditions that would govern
• </c><00:13:54.120><c> is</c><00:13:54.240><c> trying</c><00:13:54.440><c> to</c> with the agreement is
• trying to with the agreement is trying to facilitate<00:13:55.600><c> a</c><00:13:55.839><c> situation
• that these are the overarching agreement that these are the terms<00:14:09.920><c> and</c><00:14:10.279
• </c> the admission um if we have an agreement the admission um if we have an agreement then<00:14:14.320

Committee: House Health

Summary: The Committee on Health heard testimony on several bills. On SB 1441, which would repeal the transfer of the Oahu Regional Health Care System from HHSC to the Department of Health, the Department of Health said it strongly supports the measure and requested clarifying amendments. HHSC/Oahu Region also supported the bill and said it had no objection to the department’s amendments. In response to questions, witnesses said the agencies have been working on an MOU to support transfers of long-term care patients to Leahi, with the current goal being about 10 to 15 patients, but transfers would occur only as space and staffing allow; one patient was reportedly being admitted at the time, and the process was described as slow and case-by-case. The committee then heard SB 1443 on payment rates for state hospital patients and related Department of Health services. The hospital administrator said the bill would allow rates above Medicaid for community or foster-home placements if patients cannot be placed at Leahi or elsewhere, and would set Medicaid-level reimbursement for outside medical services used by state hospital patients. He said at least one provider was interested in offering services at that rate and that the population involved is largely non-ambulatory long-term care patients. Members asked about availability and training, and the witness said special training could be provided. SB 1322, a broad mental health bill, drew mixed testimony. The Department of Law Enforcement supported giving crisis-intervention-trained officers more discretion to transport people to medical care instead of arresting them. The Attorney General supported the bill but recommended revisions to emergency-transport language and restoring liability protections. HHSC and Queens Hospital supported the overall goal but sought amendments to preserve the mental health emergency worker role in decision-making and to avoid negative impacts on emergency departments. The Disability Rights Center and ACLU opposed parts of the bill, arguing that it weakens due process, reduces protections in involuntary treatment and transport, and should retain a three-person treatment panel rather than reduce it to one. A Queens representative said the current program works well and reported that more than 90% of MH1 cases once went to hospitals, but that figure has dropped to about 60-70%, with about 20% now diverted to community settings or the behavioral health crisis center. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• dedicated, especially the upper deck, to the purposes of the campus, and so it's got a unique set of agreements
• dedicated, especially the upper deck, to the purposes of the campus, and so it's got a unique set of agreements
• dedicated, especially the upper deck, to the purposes of the campus, and so it's got a unique set of agreements
• dedicated, especially the upper deck, to the purposes of the campus, and so it's got a unique set of agreements
• And so it's got a unique kind of set of agreements that are in place for the University to use the bridge

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Parties involved in TPLF agreements are not required to disclose these actions, so defendants and courts
• Parties involved in TPLF agreements are not required to disclose these actions, so defendants and courts
• Parties involved in TPLF agreements are not required to disclose these actions, so defendants and courts
• Okay, you can go over those afterwards, and then the mandatory disclosure of the TPLF agreements are
• of the tplf Agreements are on page<00:11:43.760><c> number</c><00:11:44.079><c> nine</c><00:11:44.839

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 733-FN, a bill concerning third-party litigation financing (TPLF). Representative Cole, the prime sponsor, described TPLF as outside investors funding lawsuits in which they have no personal stake, arguing that the practice is largely unregulated, can involve foreign entities, increases litigation abuse, and contributes to higher insurance and consumer costs. He said the bill is modeled on an NCOIL proposal and would require disclosure of TPLF agreements, with guardrails and reporting requirements on specified pages of the bill. He also noted a couple of drafting fixes, including adding the word “knowingly” and incorporating a missing section later. Members raised questions about the bill’s foreign-entity language, especially the provision allowing a governor or the Department of Safety to designate a country as a threat to critical infrastructure. Representative Cole said he would have lawyers review that issue. Another member asked whether the bill would prohibit a party from obtaining outside funding for a lawsuit; Cole clarified that the bill is intended as a reporting measure, not a ban, and that disclosure would be required. He also said the bill is aimed at American citizens rather than foreign-backed financing, and that some states had considered caps on such arrangements, though this bill does not. Brandon Gratz of the Attorney General’s office testified that the enforcement language appears too limited, because it would allow only civil penalties and not broader Consumer Protection Act remedies such as injunctions or restitution. He suggested the Attorney General may not have meaningful authority under the bill as written and raised possible insurance-law issues. Commissioner D.J. Benton-Court of the Insurance Department said the disclosure could help insurers better assess risk and potentially soften the hard insurance market by improving transparency, competition, underwriting, innovation, and claims management. He also said the bill likely needs further work on jurisdiction and enforcement, and that the committee may need to coordinate with the Attorney General, Insurance Department, and possibly banking regulators. No vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• “In addition, we have interagency agreements in place throughout the course of this year to make sure
• “In addition, we have interagency agreements in place throughout the course of this year to make sure
• She said that interagency agreements are in place throughout the year to make sure functions operate
• She added that interagency agreements are in place throughout the year to make sure functions operate
• Commissioner Brown said that, in addition to the planning, the department has interagency agreements

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, the agreements were made for a narrowed population within Medicaid.
• </c> announcement of voluntary agreements announcement of voluntary agreements between<00:37:41.760><
• Second, the agreements were a month.
• So these<00:39:09.520><c> agreements</c><00:39:10.160><c> bring</c><00:39:10.560><c> significant</c>
• these agreements bring significant these agreements bring significant reduction<00:39:11.839><c> from

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on February 23, 2026, approved the January 12 minutes, and then focused primarily on Kentucky Medicaid’s coverage and potential expansion of GLP-1 drugs, especially for weight loss. Department for Medicaid Services Commissioner Lisa Lee explained that Medicaid currently does not cover drugs for weight loss, anorexia, or weight gain, but the department had filed a regulation to remove that blanket exclusion so GLP-1s could be covered when used for an underlying health condition. She said the administrative regulation review subcommittee found the regulation deficient, and the co-chairs wanted the board to discuss the policy and financing implications before any change. DMS also said it would be open to adding caveats to ensure coverage would not extend to cosmetic weight loss alone. The department provided several data points on current utilization and spending. In 2025, Kentucky Medicaid paid for appetite-stimulating drugs such as Megestrol, Dronabinol, and Marinol, but did not pay for weight-loss drugs. For GLP-1s, DMS said coverage began in 2025 and is limited to FDA-approved medical conditions, with prior authorization requiring a type 2 diabetes diagnosis code and A1C documentation. DMS reported $234.6 million in GLP-1 spending in 2025 before rebates, about 240,931 prescriptions, and said GLP-1s accounted for 7.3% of pharmacy spend in 2024 and 8.3% in 2025. It also said there were 24,844 expansion members and 13,638 non-expansion members using GLP-1s, with spending of about $156 million and $78.5 million respectively, and that 10 pediatric weight-loss prescriptions were covered under EPSDT. The department said outcome analyses, including whether GLP-1 use reduces insulin or other diabetes treatment, are underway and should be completed in a couple of months. Members asked about cost, rebates, and whether the state should wait for more outcomes data before expanding coverage. DMS said average reimbursement to pharmacies was $975 per prescription and the average dispensing fee was $109; it also said 2025 rebate invoices totaled $90.8 million, with $7.6 million collected so far. Several members expressed concern about the high cost and the need to evaluate whether the drugs improve health outcomes before expanding access, while others noted the potential benefits for obesity and diabetes treatment. Some members also discussed whether GLP-1s are effectively being used for weight loss in diabetic patients and whether broader data collection should be used to assess long-term value. After the Medicaid discussion, Eli Lilly executive Tracy Sims presented on obesity as a chronic disease and the economic burden it creates in Kentucky. She said Kentucky’s adult obesity rate is a little over 37%, that obesity is linked to about 200 diseases, and that untreated obesity costs the state billions in GDP and hundreds of millions in state budget impact. She highlighted recent federal access programs for GLP-1s, including a Medicaid-related program that she said could lower the state share of a Zepbound prescription to about $71 per month after federal matching. No votes were taken on the GLP-1 policy question during the meeting, and the main action was the receipt of testimony and discussion of the department’s proposed regulatory change.

Transcript Highlights:

• 13.200><c> in</c> that we certainly I I think we're all in that we certainly I I think we're all in agreement
• </c> agreement with your intent. agreement with your intent. &gt;&gt; Everybody<00:32:15.519><c> is.
• part of or seen or been in the same room or encounter any directives, any policy, any unorganized agreement
• part of or seen or been in the same room or encounter any directives, any policy, any unorganized agreement
• amongst officers to go out uh, agreement amongst officers to go out and<00:56:42.480><c> target</c><

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• But there, I think everybody's in agreement so far that they'd like to see it keep moving, but there
• Members, House Bill 763 provides for a public settlement agreement information database to contain certain
• of Administration to create a public online database showing basic information about settlement agreements
• It will also include the settlement document itself, unless the agreement...
• I knew school boards had an agreement with you, but I didn't know anyone else did.

Bills: HB165 , HB175 , HB198 , HB272 , HB457 , HB488 , HB566 , HB603 , HB763 , HB902 , HB909 , HB971 , HB981 , HB1066 , HB1125 , HB1154 , HB1231

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 85 is a departmental bill that authorizes revenues that accrue from resource sharing agreements
• Colleagues, Senate Bill 641 exempts a variety of departments when negotiating or entering into agreements
• ><00:12:13.640><c> into</c> when negotiating or entering into when negotiating or entering into agreements
• or partnership with nonprofit agreements or partnership with nonprofit entities<00:12:16.560><c> for
• must conduct an economic analysis of the project and must enter into a payment in lieu of taxes agreement

Transcript Highlights:

• We met the settlement agreement requirements for workload.
• When the settlement agreement was negotiated, everyone kind of thought we were going to bottom out.
• So here, in 2021, there was a settlement agreement in that litigation.
• Bottom line, agreement terms not made.
• So the agreement has now been extended to 2028.

Committees: House Government , House House Government Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• At some point after that, the operating agreement is signed or the newly elected board issues shares.
• And then, bottom of page five, the independent contractor can opt out of an agreement at any point in
• 41:48.000><c> whatever</c><00:41:48.319><c> their</c><00:41:48.560><c> work</c><00:41:48.880><c> agreement
• </c> is part of whatever their work agreement is part of whatever their work agreement is.<00:41:50.640
• </c> of an agreement at any point in time. of an agreement at any point in time.

Bills: HB0086

Committee: House Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Transcript Highlights:

• It removes the mandate for a specific physician's supervisory agreement at the state level.
• An executive order during COVID allowed PAs to practice without our supervisory agreements.
• It removes the mandate for a specific physician's supervisory agreement at the state level.
• An executive order during COVID allowed PAs to practice without our supervisory agreements.
• And while this bill would remove the requirement for mandatory agreements between physicians and PAs,

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing to take testimony on a wide range of bills involving professional licensure, clinical practice, and public health-related workforce issues. The chair explained that no votes would be taken at the hearing and that the purpose was to gather public input. Early testimony focused on Marnie’s Law, with supporters describing the bill as a no-cost, preventive measure to require nursing education on inflammatory breast cancer after a family tragedy and arguing it could reduce misdiagnosis and save lives. A major portion of the hearing centered on bills affecting clinical decision-making and licensure compacts. Supporters of the physician ownership/clinical autonomy bills argued they would protect independent practices from corporate interference after the Steward collapse, while supporters of EMS, dental, psychology, physical therapy, and physician assistant compacts said the measures would improve workforce mobility, reduce delays, and expand access to care, especially for rural patients, military families, and telehealth users. Several witnesses emphasized that the compacts would not reduce standards and would strengthen public protection through shared disciplinary databases and streamlined credentialing. There was also testimony on bills to ensure safe medication administration and to protect the independence of complementary and alternative health care practitioners. Nursing representatives urged that only licensed professionals administer medications in hospitals, hospices, and home care settings, warning that delegation to unlicensed staff could endanger patients and nurses’ licenses. A complementary and alternative care witness supported consumer access with mandatory disclosures and limits on reserved medical acts. On the dental compact, witnesses were split: some supported portability and workforce flexibility, while others warned the compact lacked a hands-on skills exam and could weaken Massachusetts’ regulatory authority and patient safety. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on the psychology compact, physical therapy compact, and physician assistant bills, with most speakers favoring expanded interstate practice and reduced administrative barriers.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have data-sharing agreements, so we maintain the confidentiality of all these records very close to
• We have data-sharing agreements where we can't share that data with anybody without the stated permission
• And there's also a part of the agreement: if you have a... ...change in circumstance, you got a new job
• And there's also a part of the agreement: if you have a change in circumstance, you got a new job, you've
• There are data-sharing agreements, only a limited pool of people has access, and there has never been

Bills: HB88 , HB181 , HB210 , HB250 , HB486 , HB529 , HB544 , HB639 , HB996 , HB1036 , HB1071 , HB1113

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• If you look at the bill as written specifically, it says any cooperative agreement shall provide for
• again, I'm trusting that my school board's going to iron out those rules within their contractual agreements
• And at the end of the day, we could not find that agreement.
• And at the end of the day, we could not find that agreement.
• , find places where we can find agreements.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee met on March 18, 2026, with 11 members present and adopted prior meeting minutes without objection. The committee first heard HB 649 by Rep. Brass, which would create a statewide common application portal for dual enrollment. Supporters from the Pelican Institute and the Board of Regents said the bill would simplify enrollment, reduce paperwork for counselors and families, and improve awareness of dual enrollment options. Members asked about nonparticipation by institutions and access for nontraditional students; the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then took up HB 807 by Rep. Brass, which would establish the Workforce Instructor Capacity Investment Program within LCTCS to help recruit and retain instructors for high-demand workforce programs. Testimony from River Parishes Community College, Dow, and the Louisiana Chemical Association described instructor shortages as a bottleneck for training workers for major industrial projects, and said employer-sharing models and apprenticeships have been successful. An amendment expanded eligibility to include LSU Eunice and Southern University at Shreveport, and the committee adopted the amendments. After debate about whether the state needed a new fund versus using existing systems, the bill was reported favorably by a 13-1 roll call vote. Next, the committee heard HB 285 by Chairman Bacala, which authorizes school boards to cooperate with banks and credit unions to operate branches in high schools as part of financial literacy programs. Bacala said the bill clarifies statutory authority, and an amendment added banks to the original credit union language. Members discussed ethics, exclusivity, student access, and whether the branches could market products; supporters from LABI and financial industry groups said the programs improve hands-on financial education. The bill was reported with amendments without objection. The committee also considered HB 28 by Rep. Owen, which adds a BESE-level appeal for certain teacher certification applicants affected by administrative or contractor errors. Owen described a case in which applicants paid for certification programs but were denied because of a mentor-signature issue, and said the amendment would require BESE or its designee to act within 30 days. Department of Education staff said the Teacher Certification Appeals Council had already granted extensions rather than outright denials in the affected cases, but the committee advanced the bill after a 9-4 roll call vote. Finally, the committee began HB 268 by Rep. Carver, which would strengthen career exposure requirements for students by tying activities more closely to high-wage, high-demand jobs and adding an annual exposure requirement in K-5; testimony emphasized early workforce awareness, and discussion focused on keeping the requirements manageable for schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everything we're getting from the feds right now through GOSEP, through our intergovernment agreement
• But we actually... that agreement ended in December, but we were able to get an extension on the use
• We initially signed that agreement in December of '24, but then we had to staff it, of course.
• We initially signed that agreement December of 24, but then we had to staff it, of course.
• Yeah, if I recall, our agreement was that we were going to monitor up to... was it 150 or 200 as part

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee heard FY27 budget presentations for the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, beginning with Public Safety Services. House Fiscal Division staff reviewed the department’s recommended budget of $645.9 million, including supplemental pay, State Police, Motor Vehicles, and the State Fire Marshal. Officials explained that the overall budget reflects a net decrease from FY26, driven largely by shifts in funding sources, removal of one-time statutory dedications, and adjustments tied to undercollections in fees and self-generated revenues. State Police was recommended at $459.7 million, OMV at $86.7 million, and the Fire Marshal at $41.1 million. Department leaders also described ongoing modernization efforts, staffing vacancies, and the use of efficiencies identified internally. Lieutenant Colonel Robert Burns and agency heads testified about State Police operations, including increased cadet graduations, improved Mardi Gras security, progress on APHIS and OMV modernization, and the new crime lab under construction. Members asked about undercollections, vacancies, the role of public tag agents, and whether the agency could expand counter-drone capabilities. Burns said the department has identified about $11 million in efficiencies, but warned that counter-drone work would require additional funding, citing a $4.5 million fiscal note for HB 940 and roughly $9 million more for a robust unit. OMV officials said staffing and retention remain difficult, but modernization should improve service and reduce lines; they also said the agency continues to rely on public tag agents and is working through reinstatement fee collection issues. The committee then reviewed the Department of Corrections FY27 budget, recommended at $902.3 million, with most funding from State General Fund and a large increase tied to higher incarceration costs, medical needs, overtime, and added capacity at Louisiana State Penitentiary. DOC officials said the department remains under pressure from vacancies, turnover, contraband, and medical costs, and that the budget includes funding to add 150 correctional officers at Angola and to house ICE detainees at Camp J. They also discussed criminal justice reinvestment savings, prison enterprises, and reentry programs funded through the Second Chance Act. Members asked about staffing, inmate deaths at Elaine Hunt, work-release pay, and whether the department is tracking the true long-term cost of incarceration. Officials said they are pursuing pay increases, recruitment, expanded training and reentry programs, and more data-driven workforce alignment, while acknowledging that many budget pressures remain unresolved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, we still have some reciprocity agreements with other states right now.
• Yes, we still have some reciprocity agreements with other states right now.
• Of the agreements with other states right now, but this would, as this grows, I think it will make it
• And currently, we do, as you stated, we have a lot of reciprocity agreements.
• They might see that they’re in this interstate agreement and know that it will be an easy transition.