Transcript Highlights:

• I'll crab a disease to the newborn screening program.
• Disease.
• My name is Kayla France and I live with sickle cell disease. I want to be honest with you.
• So they understand sickle cell disease and they know how to put the plans together.
• It's a terrible disease, and any awareness that we can bring is incredible. So thank you.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1800 on Parkinson's disease research funding.
• Senate Bill 1800 on Parkinson's disease research funding.
• the prevalence of Parkinson's disease in first responders.
• I could have an immune disease that makes me very vulnerable.
• And autoimmune disease are those that actually get a live vaccine.

Summary: The Health Policy Committee met with a quorum and took up a long agenda of health care, Medicaid, and patient-access measures, along with confirmation votes. The committee first reconsidered and amended SB 1606 on patient access to records, clarifying portal obligations, deleting a section affecting nursing home facility records, and setting a January 1, 2026 effective date; the bill then passed favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also recommended confirmation of a block of appointees and separately confirmed Chavon Harris as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration after Harris testified about priorities including financial accountability, managed care oversight, transparency, and quality improvement. Senators asked about audit findings and Medicaid managed care performance, and several witnesses and committee members voiced support for her appointment. The committee then advanced a series of bills, most of them with amendments, including claims bills SB 28 and SB 22 for South Broward Hospital District settlements, SB 772 on undesignated glucagon in schools, SB 998 on death certification by physician assistants and APRNs, SB 1412 on home health administration flexibility, SB 1800 creating a Parkinson’s disease research consortium at USF, SB 306 on managed care network access during holidays and after hours, SB 1768 on stem cell therapies by physicians, SB 1602 on pediatric readiness in emergency departments, SB 1156 on the home health aide program for medically fragile children, SB 1490 on Children’s Medical Services and managed care administration, and SB 1182 on Medicaid coverage of continuous glucose monitors. Most of these bills received support from industry, advocacy, or provider groups and were reported favorably as committee substitutes. The most debated measure was SB 1270, a broad strike-all amendment combining provisions on mRNA vaccine documentation, vaccination-status protections in the Patient Bill of Rights, medical marijuana reporting and background-screening definitions, compact language, and volunteer immunity. The committee heard extensive testimony both for and against the vaccine-related provisions, including concerns about discrimination, patient safety, provider discretion, and medical liability. After additional technical amendments and a time-certain motion, the bill passed favorably as a committee substitute, with Senators Davis and Osgood voting no and Senator Harrell expressing a weak yes. At the end of the meeting, senators recorded their votes on selected tabs, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, sickle cell disease affects hemoglobin, which is the major protein that carries oxygen in red
• In sickle cell disease, red blood cells are misshaped, typically crescent or sickle-shaped, due to a
• Ninety percent of people who have sickle cell disease are non-Hispanic Black or African American, with
• While there are doctors who specialize in sickle cell disease, many health care professionals receive
• SB 844 updates Florida law to ensure that education on sickle cell disease is included in both controlled

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and observed a moment of silence for former Senator Charlie Dean. The chamber also received several introductions, including guests from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and visiting Polk County students. After routine business, the Senate took up a special order calendar, temporarily postponing several bills including measures on Citizens Property Insurance, artificial intelligence, public records, and data centers. The Senate then passed a series of bills, most by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Approved measures included SB 198/HB 505 on virtual currency kiosks, which creates registration, disclosure, transaction-limit, warning, receipt, and fraud-refund requirements; SB 382 on electric bicycles, which adds pedestrian-yield rules, speed limits near pedestrians, and creates a micro-mobility safety task force; SB 844 on sickle cell disease continuing education for certain health professionals; and SB 1014 on municipal utility service, which bars cities from denying water or wastewater service outside city limits solely because the owner refuses annexation. Each of these bills was explained by the sponsoring senator, amended as needed, and passed on recorded votes. The Senate also passed SB 428, expanding the state swimming lesson voucher program from ages 0-4 to ages 1-7 and adding drowning-prevention education for new parents through a merged amendment with related language; senators from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing child safety and autism-related drowning risks. Additional bills passed included SB 540 on Office of Financial Regulation cybersecurity and oversight changes, SB 1440 on related public-records and cybersecurity exemptions, and SB 1594 to protect veterans’ benefits received on behalf of foster children by directing those funds toward post-secondary education or aftercare rather than agency reimbursement. Final votes were largely 36-0 or 37-0, with SB 1440 passing 35-1. At the end of the session, the Rules Chair moved to waive rules so all bills passed that day would be immediately certified to the House and all temporarily postponed bills would remain on the special order calendar. The Senate then adjourned until the next morning for committee meetings and other business.

Transcript Highlights:

• We did that for the stony coral tissue loss disease. A lot of the...
• We did that for the stony coral tissue loss disease.
• healthy corals from the wild ahead of the disease boundary.
• that survived within the diseased area.
• survived within the diseased area.

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources heard a series of presentations focused on coral reef restoration, artificial reefs, biosolids management, and a proposed biosolids processing facility. Mote Marine Laboratory described the severe decline of Florida’s coral reefs, its restoration methods using microfragmentation, genetic banking, selective breeding, nurseries, and outplanting, and asked for a long-term state commitment to help restore reef areas. The Keys Marine Laboratory and Florida Institute of Oceanography highlighted their role as a hub for coral rescue, holding, propagation, and research, including emergency response during the 2023 bleaching event. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission discussed the scale of reef loss, the state’s coral rescue and propagation efforts, and the economic and habitat value of artificial reefs, while noting permitting delays and material-selection concerns for reef projects. The committee then received a DEP update on the Osborne Reef tire cleanup. DEP explained that the original tire reef was a failure, that nearly 500,000 tires had been removed by 2024, and that the current effort is funded at $5 million for the fiscal year, with cleanup now shifting from large tire clusters to more difficult individual tires and coral relocation. Members asked about the future of the site after cleanup; DEP said that phase two decisions, such as whether to restore or monitor the area, have not yet been made. DEP also presented on biosolids rules, explaining that the 2021 rule tightened nutrient management, groundwater, and surface water protections, reduced the number of active land-application sites, and contributed to a shift away from Class B land application toward Class AA, landfill, or out-of-state disposal. Senators raised concerns about PFAS, nutrient loading, and the loss of disposal options, and a public speaker warned of a statewide septage disposal crisis. Finally, Sedron Technologies presented its VARCOR system and a planned Indiantown facility that would process dewatered biosolids into clean water, ammonia, and a dry Class AA product or fuel, with the company saying the process can destroy PFAS and help relieve regional disposal pressure. Senators expressed support for the technology as a potential solution to Florida’s biosolids challenges. No formal votes were taken on the presentations themselves, and the only action at the end of the meeting was adjournment after Senator Polsky moved to do so.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Resolution 104 by Senator Becker relative to aging and chronic disease policy.
• Senate Resolution 104 by Senator Becker, relative to aging and chronic disease policy.
• Nonetheless, aging is the greatest risk factor for many of the leading causes of chronic disease and
• We also need greater diversity in aging and chronic disease research.
• , delaying, and treating age-related diseases comes back tenfold with cost savings, improved quality

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We deal with horse diseases. We deal with companion animal diseases as well.
• We deal with horse diseases. We deal with companion animal diseases as well.
• We deal with horse diseases. We deal with companion animal diseases as well.
• </c> help with responding to that disease. help with responding to that disease.
• Hand, foot, and mouth disease isn't the same as foot and mouth disease.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But in the event of a disease, the 30 days is not going to be, I mean it has to be immediate.
• But in the event of a disease, the 30 days is not going to be, I mean it has to be immediate.
• But in the event of a disease, the 30 days is not going to be, I mean it has to be immediate.
• But in the event of a disease, the 30 days is not going to be, I mean it has to be immediate.
• But in the event of a disease, the 30 days is not going to be, I mean it has to be immediate.

Bills: HB1979

Keywords: environmental review, affordable housing, clean energy, judicial proceedings, public participation, Hawaii Revised Statutes, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1979 HD3, which would shorten the time to file certain judicial challenges to environmental assessments and environmental impact statements for affordable housing and clean energy projects, and would also affect transfer of some environmental court appeals to the Supreme Court. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development supported the amended bill, saying the changes were improved from earlier versions and that the shorter filing period was reasonable for these priority projects. Hawaii Gas asked that the bill’s clean energy definition be broadened to align with existing renewable energy law so emerging technologies like renewable hydrogen and renewable gas would be included. Kauai Island Utility Co-op and Greenpeace Hawaii testified in support and opposition, respectively, with supporters arguing the bill would reduce litigation uncertainty and opponents saying the shorter deadline would limit public participation and not solve the real causes of project delays. Opposition testimony came from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Earthjustice, Sierra Club, 350 Hawaii, and others, who argued the bill could chill legitimate public-interest claims, especially where there is limited public notice, and that environmental review was being unfairly blamed for delays caused by permitting, financing, or infrastructure problems. Several speakers said the measure would reduce transparency and make it harder for communities to respond in time. One testifier from Earthjustice said the environmental review process itself is not the problem and should not be weakened for projects that still need public disclosure and community engagement. The committee then moved to decision-making and, citing the volume of opposition and concerns about public participation, transparency, and whether the bill would actually improve timelines, the chair deferred HB 1979 HD3 indefinitely. The hearing was adjourned after the vote decision was announced. The transcript then shifted to HB 2585, relating to tourism and statewide standards for agritourism. Testimony was mixed: farmers and agricultural groups described agritourism as essential to keeping small farms and ranches viable, while also urging safeguards so it would not be abused or displace real agricultural production. Some speakers warned the bill’s revenue-based limits could unintentionally shut down existing farm stays and related operations, especially in Maui County. The Hawaii Farm Bureau said it supported the intent but wanted clearer protections for bona fide agriculture and more flexibility around revenue requirements and force majeure situations. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• HEART DISEASE, CANCER AND UNINTENTIONAL INJURIES.
• , or risk factors leading to heart disease.
• Nausea is not usually associated with heart disease.
• Many more have the disease but simply don't know it.
• DISEASES AND SAVE LIVES. MR.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, June 9, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a very common rare genetic disease affecting approximately 1 in 2,000 individuals.
• It's a very common, rare genetic disease affecting approximately 1,000 and 2,000 individuals.
• resource charged with finding a cure for Parkinson's disease.
• Clarifies the Parkinson's Disease Registry.
• It will be established and maintained by the Institute for Parkinson's Disease.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• relating to the eligibility of Medicaid for breast and cervical cancer, refer the subcommittee on Disease
• HB 1786 by Howard relating to the Women's Health Advisory Committee referred the subcommittee on Disease
• Disease Prevention and Women and Children's Health HB 1787 by Howard relating to the establishment of
• HB 1884 by Simmons relating to the establishment of the sickle cell Disease registry for the Subcommittee
• HB 107 by Simmons relating to the establishment of sickle Cell Disease registry for the Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• Goode, suffering from an inherited liver disease, faced a dire prognosis.
• Members, as you know, February is American Heart Month and Heart Disease Awareness Month, heart disease
• In 2022, one in every five deaths in the United States was caused by heart disease.
• Methodist Special Transplant Hospital and members of the Chronic Kidney Disease Task Force.
• The Texas Chronic Kidney Disease Task Force has developed a state plan to address chronic kidney disease

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Conditions that relate to dementia, such as detecting Alzheimer's disease and remedies for Alzheimer's
• disease, have historically received less funding, although it has increased over time.
• Related diseases.
• Diseases.
• , I... it's Alzheimer's or a related disease.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the big pain diseases is osteoarthritis. It's a pain disease.
• One of the big pain diseases is osteoarthritis. It's a pain disease.
• It's a pain disease. is osteoarthritis. It's a pain disease.
• </c><00:03:57.040><c> Uh</c> disease for the most part. Uh disease for the most part.
• </c> rare diseases. rare diseases.

Keywords: Medicaid - Room 216, 4 February, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:50.559><c> and</c> three or more chronic diseases and three or more chronic diseases and you're
• <00:25:06.480><c> disease,</c> diabetes, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity
• Um, you know, disease epidemic.
• So, this they drive chronic disease.
• ,</c> everything in terms of chronic diseases, everything in terms of chronic diseases, we<00:54:37.280

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with roll call and housekeeping, including moving standing attendees to an overflow room and asking the audience to avoid interruptions. The task force then heard testimony from Allison Adams of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, who presented statewide health trend data showing Kentucky ranked 41st overall and 44th in health outcomes, with especially poor performance on premature death, chronic disease, diabetes, and vaccination rates. She emphasized that Kentucky has the highest rates of residents with multiple chronic conditions, that diabetes remains above the national average, and that childhood immunization rates have worsened. She also highlighted major provider shortages in rural areas, noting that 43 of 120 counties meet shortage criteria and that more than half of primary care providers are concentrated in Fayette and Jefferson counties. Adams urged the task force to focus on prevention, early intervention, access to care, physical activity, and healthier school and community environments, and said the foundation is prepared to share results from its demonstration projects. Task force members asked follow-up questions about the age range for chronic-condition data and whether the diabetes figure reflected type 1 or type 2 diabetes; Adams said the chronic-condition measure spans all ages and that the diabetes figure likely reflects type 2, though she offered to provide the full report. The task force then approved the minutes from the prior meeting. The committee next turned to SNAP benefits and heard from Lisa Dennis, commissioner of the Department for Community Based Services, and Roger McCann, director of the Division of Family Support. They explained that SNAP is not only a food assistance program but also a public health and family stability tool, arguing that poor diet contributes to chronic disease and that food insecurity is linked to family stress, child welfare involvement, and neglect-related CPS referrals. They cited research showing that more generous SNAP policies are associated with fewer CPS reports, fewer substantiated reports, and fewer foster care placements, and said SNAP helps reduce risk and promote stability across vulnerable populations including children, older adults, people with disabilities, and pregnant women. They also described SNAP-Ed as the nutrition education component that teaches healthy eating, cooking on a budget, and how to use fresh produce, but warned that recent federal legislation eliminates federal funding for SNAP-Ed beginning in federal fiscal year 2026. McCann outlined the remaining SNAP outreach and employment-and-training components, noting that outreach is typically run by nonprofits with a 50% match and that employment and training funds job-skills programs to help recipients move toward better jobs and self-sufficiency. The discussion emphasized that access to nutritious food, education, and job supports are all part of improving health outcomes and reducing food insecurity.

Transcript Highlights:

• the non-fatal disease and the fatalities took a spike.
• But the for the non-fatal disease and the fatalities took a spike.
• Not all of those spread diseases, but several of them can. Thank you for that.
• How many carry disease? The West Nile virus is...
• So of the over 30 species that we have, fewer than a dozen actually spread disease.

Bills: SB66, SB79, SB108

Keywords: environment, cleanup, contamination, uranium mining, abandoned sites, state funding, mosquito control, public health, surveillance, prevention funds, local government grants, food security, agriculture, food bank, regional program, appropriation, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is this a viral disease or a bacterial disease? Thank you. In a sec. Yana check. No, the Yana, ya.
• A misdiagnosis in bird flu, New World Screw Worm, or any other diseases, like foot and mouth disease,
• Further, the political fallout from depopulation due to diseases like foot and mouth disease would be
• What happens after the world just thinks you might have foot and mouth disease?
• But, you know, is it that as much as you say some of the diseases that... yes?

Bills: SB34, SB119, SB261, SB532, SB1035, SB1245, SB1247, SB1267, SB1442, SB1930, SB1948, SB2078, SB2112, SB2143, SB2155

Keywords: wildfire, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, volunteer fire department, Texas A&M Forest Service, West Texas A&M University, prescribed burning, fuel loading, fuel reduction, firefighting equipment database, emergency communications, disaster preparedness, rural fire protection, asset hardening, natural resource management, emergency management, large wildfire risk, fire grant funding, fire suppression, Texas Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• So nexus of having a terminal disease.
• </c> place them in the tissue, the diseased place them in the tissue, the diseased tissue.<00:26:37.520
• </c><00:48:17.040><c> will</c> unfortunate neurological diseases will unfortunate neurological diseases
• ><c> um</c><00:49:46.960><c> too</c><00:49:47.200><c> much</c> disease was just taking um too much disease
• I my long-term disease prog prognosis.

Bills: HB0003, HB0117, HB0041

Keywords: pregnancy centers, abortion, pro-life, healthcare, women's rights, state regulation, civil rights, freedom of speech, informed consent, civil liability, coercion, healthcare rights, law enforcement, death benefits, retirement, survivor support, public safety, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Biliary atresia, or B.A., Biliary atresia, or B.A., is not a genetic disease.
• It's a rapidly progressing disease. It's the fastest birth-to-death pediatric disease that exists.
• It's a time bomb disease.
• It's a time bomb disease.
• The solve for this terrible disease is simple and cost neutral.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> multiple chronic diseases in the state. multiple chronic diseases in the state.
• </c> most chronic disease has comorbidity. most chronic disease has comorbidity.
• </c> chronic disease chronic disease to<00:04:56.240><c> as</c><00:04:56.440><c> a</c><00:04:56.480><
• . disease. disease.
• The maternal disease from happening.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board received a presentation from Dr. Stack and Commissioner Langfeld on Kentucky’s application for a federal Medicaid-related funding opportunity tied to House Resolution 1. They described a compressed six-week stakeholder process that produced more than 50 responses and letters of support, and said the application was organized around five broad priorities: maternal health, behavioral health and substance use disorder, oral health, EMS/trauma response, and chronic disease. They emphasized that the proposal was designed to align with CMS goals, use allowable funding categories, and focus on sustainability rather than a short-term grant. Commissioner Langfeld outlined five core initiatives: rural community hubs for chronic care innovation, beginning with obesity and diabetes; a maternal and infant health effort called POWER; a behavioral health and substance use model called IMPATH; an oral health initiative called Rooted in Health; and an integrated crisis-to-care EMS and trauma response effort. He said the chronic disease work would include prevention, food-as-medicine concepts, and technology tools, while the maternal health effort would expand team-based care around mothers and infants using community health workers and doulas. The behavioral health proposal would build on existing crisis intervention models, oral health would address workforce and access gaps through training, mobile vans, and telehealth, and the EMS proposal would better connect emergency response with home-based and community care. Several senators questioned whether the proposal would meaningfully address rural hospital closures or the broader rural health care crisis. Senator Meredith said the plan was not transformational and would not save rural hospitals, while Senator Berg asked how success would be measured. In response, the presenters said they would use both lagging and leading indicators, with an emphasis on rapid-cycle feedback and data use that is more actionable in real time. They also said the work could help existing models that already show promise, such as behavioral health units and dental workforce expansion, even if it would not solve the larger funding gap created by HR1. Senator Douglas asked how the proposals would motivate patients to participate in their own health care. The presenters responded that the chronic disease prevention work would focus on obesity, diabetes prevention, nutrition, and consumer-facing technology tools to help people engage in their own care, and that EMS-community health worker partnerships could identify unmet needs in the home and reduce preventable problems. The board then moved on to its next agenda item, Medicaid managed care delivery models, with Tom Stevens, Katherine North, and Dr. Patel scheduled to present.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, colorectal cancer is a preventable disease. Um, but we have to screen for it.
• Thank you. disease. Um but we have to screen for disease.
• We are appreciative of the diseases.
• into their body and noting if their body can fight back all these disease.
• Um cuz that's what they're disease.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several health-related resolutions and received testimony on each. HCR 28/HR 27 would ask the Department of Health to reconvene a working group on water and air contamination and remediation tied to the Pu‘uloa Range training facility; supporters said nearby residents and the broader public may be exposed to lead and heavy metals, and that further testing and eventual relocation of the range are needed. HCR 35 would request an auditor’s report on the social and financial effects of mandatory insurance coverage for biomarker testing, and HCR 36 would request a similar report on colorectal cancer screening coverage. The Department of Health and cancer advocates supported both, saying biomarker testing helps match patients to the right treatment and that earlier colorectal screening improves outcomes; DOH also cited screening data showing lower screening rates among uninsured people. HCR 134, on limiting cost sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging, drew support from the Susan G. Komen Foundation and others, who said out-of-pocket costs can delay diagnosis and treatment. HCR 171, on mandatory coverage for continuous glucose monitoring, also drew support from health and disability advocates. HCR 185, on coverage for Native Hawaiian healing and cultural practitioners through federally qualified health centers, received support from Papa Ola Lōkahi and a community testifier who described the value of traditional healing and access gaps. HCR 173, urging DOH outreach and vaccination drives at schools with low vaccination rates, drew support from DOH, DOE, and public health and disability advocates, but also strong opposition from several testifiers who argued the measure was government overreach and raised concerns about vaccine safety and parental choice. Testimony on HCR 173 was the most divided, with supporters emphasizing the need to raise immunization rates to prevent outbreaks and protect vulnerable children, while opponents argued schools should not host vaccine drives and that parents should make vaccination decisions without government involvement. The Department of Health said it is already working with schools and community partners to expand school-based immunization efforts and would prioritize schools with rates under 30%. The State Health Planning and Development Agency also supported the measure, saying rates below 50% are a serious public health concern. No votes or final committee actions were announced in the portion of the meeting provided.