Transcript Highlights:

• We wanted to do the best that we can to prevent individuals from going into the system.
• Louis, tackling the opioid addiction crisis. ...tackling the opioid addiction crisis.
• When we're talking about opioid funds, I think it's important for us to use it for opioid purposes.
• The fund is for opioid funds.
• that does opioid work with a licensed professional to provide these services.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior day’s journal, and numerous introductions of visiting groups and guests, including schoolchildren, Republican women’s organizations, county commissioners, and family members of legislators. Members also suspended House Rule 98 to allow baseball apparel in celebration of opening day, with the motion passing 118-22. The chamber then took up the state budget bills. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2002, covering elementary and secondary education and child care, drew the most debate. Supporters said it maintained record funding for the foundation formula, transportation, and early childhood programs, while critics argued it still fell short of fully funding the formula and underfunded child care subsidies by about $51 million. After extended debate over statutory obligations, school funding, and child care policy, the bill passed 85-70. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2003, the higher education and workforce development budget, also prompted substantial debate over a proposed shift to an FTE-based funding model for colleges and universities. Supporters called it a fairer, more equitable system that follows students and encourages efficiency, while opponents warned it would sharply reduce funding for some institutions, including community colleges and regional universities. The bill passed 83-66. The House then passed House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2004, covering revenue and transportation, 91-50, despite objections over a public transit cut and constitutional concerns raised about MoDOT appropriations. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2005, the Office of Administration and employee benefits budget, passed overwhelmingly after members discussed state worker compensation, deferred compensation, and benefits funding. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2006, covering agriculture, natural resources, and conservation, passed 133-17 after members highlighted restored funding for agriculture business development and food insecurity grants, while others criticized cuts to natural resources and parks funding. The chamber then moved on to House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2007, covering economic development, commerce and insurance, and labor and industrial relations, with the budget chair introducing the bill and outlining its major departmental appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The number of opioid drug overdoses has doubled in Washington State, and Spokane's opioid deaths have
• You've done an enormous amount in Texas to help prevent more tragic deaths.
• a difference preventing future fentanyl poisonings?
• And I'd really like to get your sense of prevention.
• Prevention. Real quick, so thank you again. Chief, I just had a quick question too for you.

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Keywords: Coast Guard, maritime drug enforcement, illegal drugs, fentanyl crisis, legislative reforms, public testimony

Summary: The meeting of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation addressed critical issues surrounding maritime drug enforcement and the Coast Guard's role in stopping the influx of illegal drugs. The chairman highlighted the alarming consequences of current policies allowing drugs to cross borders, emphasizing the need for legislative reforms, such as the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2025. There was an intense discussion regarding the operational challenges faced by the Coast Guard, which has recently made significant drug seizures, indicating progress but also revealing gaps that need addressing. Several witnesses, including victims of the drug crisis, shared their compelling testimonies, which underscored the urgency for stricter controls and comprehensive support for law enforcement agencies involved in drug interdiction efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Raul, it is used to help people who have an opioid or alcohol addiction and it's an injectable.
• One, the one that I mentioned that the injectable for alcohol and opioid and then you've appropriated
• And so we also want to prevent relapse and overdose.
• I'm glad to see that we are addressing opioid in this as a health crisis.
• Next, our turn to violence, prevention and domestic security.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> with</c> prevention campaign partnering with prevention campaign partnering with ADAD.<00:23:11.039
• </c> mainland to do this prevention mainland to do this prevention campaigns.<00:25:44.400><c> We</c>
• Opioids does it. Every drug does that.
• I mean, we've run out of time, can prevent the access similarly to can prevent the access similarly to
• <c> else</c><02:09:47.599><c> that</c> opioids or any anything else that opioids or any anything else

Bills: HB1974 , HB1853 , HB1973 , HB1574 , HB2619 , HB1966 , HB1643 , HB1671 , HB2558 , HB1854 , HB2173 , HB1575 , HB2229 , HB1535 , HB1978 , HB2508 , HB1549 , HB2187 , HB1550 , HB1977 , HB2314 , HB1871 , HB2319 , HB1591 , HB1858 , HB1898 , HB2372 , HB1765 , HB2012 , HB1706 , HB1962 , HB1963 , HB1975 , HB2009 , HB2083 , HB2224 , HB1877 , HB1959 , HB1626 , HB1665 , HB2488 , HB2456 , HB2548 , HB2207 , HB1832 , HB2079 , HB1985 , HB1618 , HB2486 , HB2242 , HB2045 , HB1703 , HB2236 , HB2480 , HB1976 , HB2287 , HB2288 , HB1777 , HB276 , HB1660 , HB1676 , HB1605 , HB1751 , HB1967 , HB2383 , HB2340 , HB1946 , HB2268 , HB1950 , HB2156 , HB2118 , HB1859 , HB1863 , HB1996 , HB2114 , HB2423 , HB2429 , HB2475 , HB2534 , HB2545 , HB1813 , HB1941 , HB2474 , HB2583 , HB1576 , HB1886 , HB1939 , HB2540 , HB2590 , HB2000 , HB2163 , HB2386 , HB1691 , HB1680 , HB2516 , HB1993 , HB2442 , HB1510 , HB1958 , HB1692

Keywords: HB1974, hearing loss, audiology, audiologist, hearing screening, hearing aids, cochlear implants, tele-audiology, communication access, assistive technology, speech-language pathology, deafness, hard of hearing, public health, kupuna, keiki, dementia, cognitive decline, fall prevention, State Health Planning and Development Agency

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that prevented any sort of delay.
• And so that prevented any sort of delays or back and forth.
• He said they have a huge opioid epidemic that is still seen in the jail system.
• Obviously, we have a huge opioid epidemic. It's still seen in the jail system.
• So I certainly look forward to see. flew to this state with the opioid settlement.

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met on May 6, 2026, and considered a series of juvenile justice, criminal procedure, public corruption, domestic violence, sentencing, and victim-notification measures. Early in the meeting, SB 396 was amended and reported favorably to allow children in Office of Juvenile Justice custody to attend review hearings by secure video conference, with OJJ staff also participating virtually. SB 181 was amended and reported favorably to create a limited raffle license for nonprofit health care organizations within a single health system. SB 81, a bill requiring prosecutorial consent before a defendant may waive a jury trial in a non-capital felony case, drew extensive debate; supporters said it would align Louisiana with federal practice and other states, while opponents argued it would give the state more power and reduce defendants’ control over their own trial rights. After testimony from district attorneys, defense lawyers, and advocacy groups, the committee reported SB 81 favorably by a 7-3 vote. The committee then took up SB 207, which extends the prescriptive period for prosecuting certain corruption offenses committed by elected officials and public employees to 10 years after they leave office. Supporters said it would help prevent officials from using their influence to avoid prosecution; opponents raised concerns about optics and scope. The bill was reported favorably by an 8-3 vote. SB 92, requiring district attorneys to submit sexual assault kits to the statewide tracking system, was also reported favorably without objection. SB 156, which increases the maximum penalty for negligent homicide and includes special treatment for cases involving children under 13, was reported favorably after sponsors said they would make a technical fix before floor debate. SB 58, imposing a mandatory minimum sentence for aggravated flight from a law enforcement officer and dedicating fine revenue to pursuit training and technology, was reported favorably after supporters cited fatal high-speed pursuits and law enforcement backing. Later, the committee approved SB 97, the constitutional amendment companion to SB 81, after similar testimony for and against the proposal; it was reported favorably by a 7-3 vote. SB 141, moving the Integrated Criminal Justice Information System Policy Board’s functions to the Louisiana Supreme Court, was reported favorably without objection. SB 410, increasing penalties for accessories after the fact to sex offenses, was also reported favorably. The committee then considered HB 251, which requires notice to victims or their families in resentencing proceedings; after amendments and testimony about post-conviction procedure and possible unintended consequences, it was reported favorably as amended. Finally, the committee heard HCR 50, a resolution calling for reports on opioid abatement and treatment programs in correctional facilities and guidance on available funding; the sponsor described it as a study effort to improve access to treatment and recovery, and the resolution was moved favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got some opioid dollars in here. So that's $3,600 million.
• Line 9 is tobacco prevention control grants of $6,000 to public health units for the programs that they
• And then tobacco prevention control cessation grants, youth vaping prevention grants, those are all in
• Section 17 is $8 million from the opioid settlement fund for opioid remediation and abatement efforts
• Oh, the opioid settlement, so it would include one member in recovery appointed by the governor.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1012, the Department of Health and Human Services budget. Senator Dever walked through the amended budget, highlighting a roughly $5.85 billion all-funds total, major one-time items for IT, child care, housing, behavioral health, juvenile justice, rural EMS, and supportive housing, along with funding for Medicaid expansion, CCBHCs, opioid settlement uses, and several studies and reporting requirements. Members discussed the provider inflation increase, with Senator Mathern urging a 2%/2% rate instead of 2%/1.5%, but the committee adopted the subcommittee amendment and then passed the amended bill 15-0 with a do-pass recommendation. Senator Dever was named as carrier. The committee then considered House Bill 1540, a school choice/education savings account-style bill. Senator Shibley explained the subcommittee amendments, including clarifying the Bank of North Dakota as administrator, adding a means test at 400% of the federal poverty guideline, and adjusting the fiscal note to about $21.7 million for the second year. In debate, members raised concerns about the bank being assigned duties outside its normal role, the lack of DPI involvement, and whether the means test should be tiered rather than a hard cutoff. The committee rejected a do-not-pass motion 5-10-1, then approved a do-pass motion on the amended bill 9-6-1, with Senator Wobama noted as the likely carrier. The meeting ended with the chair announcing the committee would adjourn and reconvene the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the areas that we did do is increased reimbursements for the opioid treatment providers.
• One of the areas that we did do is increased reimbursements for the opioid treatment providers.
• One of the areas that we did do is increased reimbursements for the opioid treatment providers.
• </c><00:36:16.800><c> treatment</c> reimbursements for the opioid treatment reimbursements for the opioid
• </c><00:36:26.079><c> treatment</c> reimbursements for opioid treatment reimbursements for opioid treatment

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the effects of opioids.
• Prevention is important across the developmental stages.
• Preventive care visits are incredibly helpful at all pediatric ages.
• Preventive visits can mitigate the risk of more serious concerns.
• It’s about equity, prevention, and compassion.”

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on a large group of behavioral health and insurance-related bills. Topics included expanding access to mental health services by allowing physician assistants to authorize Section 12 emergency holds and be recognized as licensed mental health professionals (H. 1131/S. 773); improving coverage for community behavioral health centers so commercial insurance matches MassHealth’s bundled outpatient and crisis services (H. 1276/S. 703); eliminating cost sharing for certain behavioral health services (S. 718); extending detox and clinical stabilization coverage from 14 to 30 days and adding transitional support services (H. 1319/S. 772); requiring coverage for dual-diagnosis treatment in psychiatric facilities (H. 1277/S. 771); and preserving access to treatment for serious mental illness through coverage of coordinated specialty care and assertive community treatment (H. 1135/S. 709). The committee also heard bills on preventive behavioral health services for children (H. 1228/S. 802) and post-pregnancy mental health care, including postpartum depression and pregnancy loss-related care (H. 1314/S. 823).

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> opioids are prescribed. opioids are prescribed.
• </c><02:55:16.880><c> prescriptions</c> More than half of opioid prescriptions More than half of opioid
• </c><02:55:50.240><c> So,</c> up addicted to opioids. So, up addicted to opioids.
• > disability</c> opioids before opioids before disability opioids before opioids before disability and
• </c> treat patients and reduce the opioid treat patients and reduce the opioid crisis<02:57:12.240><c

Committee: House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• opioid panel involve an opioid opioid opiate<01:07:25.680><c> exposure.
• </c> is what are we doing for preventative is what are we doing for preventative services.<01:26:06.639
• What are we preventing by reporting those things? What else could we prevent?
• > by</c><01:32:29.840><c> reporting</c> What are we preventing by reporting What are we preventing by
• What else What else could we prevent?

Keywords: 1. Call to Order and Roll Call – 00:00:24 2. Discussion of The Center for Courageous Kids – 00:02:46 3. Discussion of Adult Protective Services and State Guardianship Programs – 00:25:22 4. Discussion of Annual Report of the External Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Panel – 01:00:34 5. Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations – 01:33:41 6. Adjournment – 01:42:07, 958, all

Summary: The committee’s first interim meeting opened with roll call and a reminder that Kentucky had 8,641 children in out-of-home care with active placements as of June 1, 2025. The first presentation was from the Center for Courageous Kids (CCK), a donor-funded camp in Scottsville that serves children with lifelong illnesses and disabilities at no charge. Representatives described the camp’s history, its year-round family retreats and summer sessions, its medical and accessibility supports, and its impact on campers’ confidence and independence. They said CCK has served more than 43,000 campers from 46 states and 13 countries, including 22,000 from Kentucky, and noted plans to reach all 120 Kentucky counties. CCK also outlined future capital needs: a new art barn and a medical lodge. The organization said the art barn project would cost $2.5 million, with a legislative request of $1.5 million, and the medical lodge would cost $2.875 million, with a legislative request of $1.75 million. Members responded very positively, with several praising the camp’s work and one member asking about operational challenges. CCK said its main challenges are awareness, staff and volunteer recruitment, and expanding medical and housing capacity; it also said it is accredited by the American Camp Association and receives health and safety visits and audits. The committee then moved to a presentation on adult protective services and state guardianship programs from Jessica Wayne and Cliff Bryant of DCBS. They explained the legal framework for guardianship, the difference between full and limited guardianship/conservatorship, emergency appointments, and the state’s role as a last-resort guardian when no family member or private entity is available. They reported 4,464 individuals under state guardianship as of June 1, with most cases involving dementia, developmental disability, intellectual disability, nursing home or long-term care placement, severe mental illness, or brain injury. They also said the division has 89 field workers across 14 regional offices, with an average caseload of 52 and a goal of reducing that into the mid-40s through additional hiring.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:18:13.600><c> direct</c><00:18:14.160><c> private</c> has prevented direct private has prevented
• use and combat the opioid epidemic.
• to reduce opioid use and combat<00:35:51.680><c> the</c><00:35:51.920><c> opioid</c><00:35:52.400><c
• </c><00:35:53.680><c> And</c><00:35:53.839><c> whereas</c> combat the opioid epidemic.
• And whereas combat the opioid epidemic.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This program provides a framework for local coalitions to develop community-specific prevention plans
• The primary focus for this prevention is cannabis, but also alcohol and commercial tobacco use.
• We're addressing a critical gap in how we respond to opioid overdoses.
• </c><01:43:14.800><c> Right</c><01:43:15.040><c> now,</c> respond to opioid overdoses.
• Right now, respond to opioid overdoses.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Does the ability to pay a $1 million bond prevent an entity from exercising this right?
• The bond does not prevent that initial work from happening.
• It does create those roadblocks that prevent people from participating.
• Let's be honest: this isn't about fraud prevention; it is about power preservation.
• Let's be clear, this bill does not prevent arrest, it simply recognizes the one-size-fits-all policy

Bills: HB 9 , HB 22 , HB 908 , HB 1392

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, tax exemption, local government finance, appraisal district, chief appraiser, rendition statement, property tax relief, small business, commercial property, leased property, related business entity, unified business enterprise, tax situs, Texas Tax Code, local taxing unit, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• Third, a system that rewards value, prevention, and accountability.
• </c> prevention, and accountability. prevention, and accountability.
• It's been well over a decade since we first began to recognize the growing opioid crisis and all that
• </c><00:34:20.320><c> Prevention,</c> four legs of the stool. Prevention, four legs of the stool.
• </c> opioid crisis and all that came with it. opioid crisis and all that came with it.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Services programs, CDC funding, awareness campaigns, Stanford Diabetes Self-Management, and other preventive
• and reversal. ...to well care, focused on diet, disease prevention, and reversal.
• going through addiction who use it to get off heavier things, including pain issues, heroin, and opioids
• It's that many people do use the product for help with facing their opioid addiction.
• It's actually been such a key in my life because it's allowed me to discontinue my opioid use and to

Bills: HB305 , HB395 , HB341

Committee: Senate Health & Social Services

Keywords: hemp, marijuana, THC regulations, cannabis products, adult-use industry, public health, youth protection, child support, reunification, Department of Services for Children, family court, liability

Summary: The committee met in late June with Senators Hansen, Buckson, Siegfried, Townsend, and Huxable present, and first approved the meeting minutes by voice vote. The opening bill, HB 341, would limit DFS from filing child support in foster care cases unless doing so would not hinder reunification; Children’s Department staff said the department has already decided to stop filing in all such cases, with an estimated fiscal impact of about $140,000 annually. Public testimony from the League of Women Voters supported the bill as a compassionate measure to help families reunite. The committee then heard HB 446/related anaphylaxis legislation for colleges and universities, which would allow institutions to stock and use intranasal epinephrine alongside auto-injectors and update training and reporting requirements. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America supported the measure, emphasizing the need for needle-free options and faster treatment of anaphylaxis. The committee also took up HS1 for HB 356 on PFAS, which would ban firefighting foam containing PFAS beginning in 2028, require disclosure if PPE contains PFAS, and address recalls; DNREC and the fire service supported it, saying most departments have already transitioned away from PFAS foam. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 305, a diabetes wellness pilot program that would use continuous glucose monitoring, app-based care coordination, lab testing, and DHIN data analysis to shift care toward prevention and remission. Sponsor Senator Siegfried described the bill as a response to Delaware’s high diabetes costs and prevalence, and the Medical Society of Delaware supported it as a proactive model. The committee also discussed HB 395, which would regulate intoxicating hemp-derived products and synthetic cannabinoids by classifying products over a THC threshold as marijuana and creating penalties for unlicensed sales; the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner supported the bill, while hemp industry representatives and Senator Hoffner warned it could harm legitimate hemp retailers and access to hemp products. The final item, HS1 for HB 332, would ban sales and marketing of kratom products to those under 21 and direct the state to study testing and regulation of kratom and synthetic variants. Supporters, including the Delaware Healthcare Association and several recovery advocates, said age-gating is a reasonable first step and that synthetic products are the main concern; opponents and some senators argued the bill should go further and fully ban kratom or better distinguish synthetic products from natural leaf kratom. No formal roll-call votes were taken on the substantive bills during the transcript, and the meeting adjourned after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the few cases where people are seeking opioids that are cut with xylazine, it is typically to avoid
• Thirdly, opioid overdose reversal drugs like naloxone still remain a vital tool for first responders,
• Self-directed wound kits can be an accessible and low-barrier tool at preventing wound progression.
• It is almost exclusively mixed with other substances or marketed as an opioid, specifically fentanyl
• I think if we can emphasize that this is a real problem, and the goal is to prevent people from being

Summary: The Special Commission on xylazine convened a public meeting to review and discuss the first draft of its final report, approve prior minutes, and gather feedback for revisions. The commission first approved the December 11 minutes by roll call vote, then reviewed the report structure, which will include a commission overview, working group findings and recommendations, and appendices with public meeting materials and public resources. Staff explained the report’s framing of xylazine as both a licensed veterinary drug and an illicit drug supply contaminant, and members discussed the distinction between legal animal use and illicit importation/adulteration, with several commissioners emphasizing that people who use drugs do not intentionally seek xylazine. The commission then walked through draft findings and recommendations for best practices in oversight and enforcement, outreach and treatment, and education and training. Members discussed whether xylazine should be further scheduled or instead addressed through other public health and enforcement measures, with the draft leaning toward maintaining the current Schedule 6 status while strengthening public health responses, surveillance, drug checking, and targeted enforcement against illicit production and distribution. Commissioners also proposed stronger coordination among public safety, law enforcement, and public health, including real-time alerts, centralized data sharing, and possibly a DPH task force on emerging drug supply threats. The outreach and treatment section focused on existing harm reduction, wound care, naloxone, and mobile/low-threshold services, while noting gaps such as lack of an FDA-approved human reversal agent, geographic access barriers, insurance issues, and limited provider familiarity. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on education and training for first responders, clinicians, non-clinicians, and people who use drugs and their families. Commissioners supported tailored, stigma-free materials that cover xylazine basics, signs and symptoms, wound care, withdrawal, harm reduction, and when to seek medical care, with repeated emphasis on including firefighters, EMS, law enforcement, and other first responders in definitions and training. Members also stressed the need for consistent, centralized, and up-to-date public health data, better communication of emerging contaminants beyond xylazine, and practical guidance to prevent people with xylazine-related wounds from being turned away from care or recovery settings. The meeting ended with agreement to incorporate the feedback into a revised draft to be circulated by March 2, with another meeting scheduled for March 9 and a backup meeting later in March if needed; the commission then adjourned by unanimous motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> We have this relating to opioid use disorder treatment.
• Opioid deaths may not be as prevalent as methamphetamine overdose, but they are still prevalent.
• </c> Relating to opioid disorder treatment. Um, you know, this is a work in progress.
• </c> Department of Health to use opioid Department of Health to use opioid settlement<01:20:48.800><c
• </c> department of health to use opioid department of health to use opioid settlement<01:21:41.840><c

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint HHS and LBT meeting opened with accessibility concerns, as several blind attendees arrived after the general public had already been seated. The chair apologized and said future hearings would try to seat blind members earlier. The committee also announced the hearing was being streamed on YouTube, testimony would be limited to one minute, and written testimony was available online. The first bill heard was SB 2281, relating to the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. The Department of Health supported transparency for patients but preferred disclosure through provider websites and office signage rather than a new regulatory program. The Hawaii Medical Association and Healthcare Association of Hawaii generally supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about administrative burden and suggested a working group or model policies. Hawaii Pacific Health said it already uses AI for note-taking and patient portal functions and worried that written notice requirements could create too much consumer information. In response, the chair emphasized that patients should be informed when AI is used, especially if it affects diagnosis or consequential decisions, and said AI should not be making medical decisions. The committee later voted to recommend SB 2281 pass with amendments, including narrowing the definition of consequential decisions, removing certain language requested by DOH, adding a two-year implementation period, and setting a far-future defective date for further discussion; both committees adopted the recommendation, with the chair voting aye and the vice chair voting with reservations. The second major bill was SB 2852, a civil rights measure focused on digital access for people with disabilities. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii all supported the bill, arguing that existing law clearly protects physical access but should also make digital access explicit. Blind testifiers described how accessible technology, such as VoiceOver on iPhones, allows them to participate independently in public processes and warned that inaccessible digital systems can create barriers for thousands of blind residents. One testifier, an attorney with disability-law experience, supported the bill’s intent but said the draft had flaws, including no exceptions for archived materials, no distinction between small and large businesses, and concerns about the timing and choice of accessibility standards; he suggested delegating regulatory authority to the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission. The bill’s sponsor said he supported DAB’s proposed amendments, and the committee indicated those amendments would address many of the concerns raised. No final vote on SB 2852 was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up SB 2751, which defines compounded prescription drugs for workers’ compensation purposes. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations supported the bill but requested clarifying amendments to keep pharmacists as the primary professionals authorized to compound in licensed pharmacies and to limit any physician compounding authority to the physician’s own patient. Supporters included the Work Injury Medical Association of Hawaii, while Solera Integrated Medical Solutions opposed the measure, arguing the current definition was already broad enough and warning about cost inflation, especially with 503B bulk compounding facilities and physician dispensing. In questioning, members asked about rural access, reimbursement for 503B products, and late testimony suggesting definitions for 503A and 503B facilities, limits on physician dispensing to 30 days post-injury, and pre-approval for non-FDA-approved drugs. DLIR said not every rural community has licensed pharmacists available, that products with a national drug code are reimbursed at 140%, and that 503B facilities raise concerns because they are bulk manufacturers rather than patient-specific compounding operations. The meeting then moved into decision-making on SB 2281; the chair’s pass-with-amendments recommendation was adopted by both committees, with the vice chair voting with reservations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, members, House Bill 2697, Expired Opioid Antagonist Use, allows an expired opioid antagonist
• The committee amendment states that expired opioid antagonists are good for three years, and with that
• What is an expired opioid antagonist? What is an expired opioid antagonist like Narcan?
• or agents to comply with health and safety protocols necessary for patient protection or disease prevention
• and members, HB 2992, as amended, establishes the child sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of bills and resolutions, with staff giving brief descriptions and members flagging which items were on consent, had unanimous committee votes, or should be pulled for further discussion. Topics included education, health care, public safety, labor, water, taxation, housing, and elections. Several measures were noted as party-line or mixed votes, while many others were reported as unanimous and placed on third-read or consent calendars. Among the more discussed items were bills on school and labor policy, including a proposal to prohibit teacher strikes, a measure restricting school district bond actions, a bill requiring school safety protocols and assigning felony penalties for noncompliance, and a resolution limiting public money for labor organization activities. Members also raised concerns or requested further review on bills involving pharmacist testing authority, expired opioid antagonists, a county sheriff-related measure, a housing affordability district proposal, and a tobacco/vape regulation bill. Some measures were explicitly pulled from consent, including a Medicaid audit resolution, a budget-related pay-withholding resolution, and several education and public safety bills. The caucus also heard multiple health and human services measures, such as genetic counselor licensing, nursing board and pharmacy board continuations, foster care rights, psychiatry access funding, and free school meals. In addition, there were water and energy bills on Colorado River management, groundwater, transmission-line review, and renewable energy valuation, plus election and campaign-related proposals. The meeting ended with announcements, including an upcoming Colorado River breakfast briefing and an internal award recognizing Representative Brian Garcia, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair and members, House Bill 2697, Expired Opioid Antagonist Use, allows an expired opioid antagonist
• The committee amendment states that expired opioid antagonists are good for three years, and with that
• No, is an expired opioid antagonist like Narcan? Is that what that is?
• No, is an expired opioid antagonist like Narcan? Is that what that is?
• or agents to comply with health and safety protocols necessary for patient protection or disease prevention

Summary: The caucus reviewed a large Minority Caucus Calendar and moved quickly through many bills, with staff often noting whether items were unanimous, party-line, or pulled from consent. Early items included HB 2130 on ADOA personnel financial systems, HB 2749 on felony sentence-completion designation, HCR 258 on Medicaid claim audits, and several agency or board continuation bills. Members also discussed HB 2745 on legislative subpoenas, HB 4027 naming Loop 202 the Charlie Kirk Highway, HB 2601 on Interstate 11 studies, and a number of education, health, labor, and public safety measures. Several bills were pulled from consent or flagged for later discussion, including HCR 258, HB 4027, HB 2375, HB 2601, HB 2408, HB 2444, HB 2923, HB 2182, HCR 2048, HB 2750, HB 2765, HB 2838, HB 4043, HB 2290, HB 2940, and others. Testimony and caucus debate focused on a range of policy concerns. Members objected to bills involving school strikes, weapons detection systems, public records fees for legislators, union activity, school safety felony penalties, and restrictions on school clubs. Education bills drew extended discussion, including HB 2423 on automatic advanced math placement, HB 2478 creating a student outcomes commission, HB 2579 for free school meals, HB 2992 on child sexual abuse prevention, HB 4041 on spending authority for low-reading-performing districts, and HB 4043 requiring CPR/AED training. Health and professional regulation bills also prompted debate, including HB 2408 on nursing board investigations and expungement, HB 2444 on pharmacist testing authority, HB 2697 on expired opioid antagonists, and HB 4010 establishing a genetic counselors board. Members raised concerns about fiscal impacts, stakeholder opposition, and whether some measures were unfunded mandates or needed more amendment work. The caucus also discussed immigration, labor, and public safety measures, including HB 2416 for DPS local border support, HB 2811 on obstructing governmental operations during lawful arrests, HB 2862 on unlawful masking penalties, HB 4070 on nonprofit incorporation restrictions tied to offenses, and HB 4117 creating a crime for disturbing religious services. Water, energy, and land-use bills were reviewed as well, such as HB 2099, HB 2263, HB 2330, HB 2341, HB 2492, HB 2757, HB 2782, HB 2912, HB 2918, and HCR 2020. The meeting ended with announcements, including an Affordability Award for Brian Garcia and a March 12 breakfast update on the Colorado River, before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It prevents HIV transmission.
• It was our dream that there would be drugs for both treatment and prevention.
• Early effective treatment is crucial to prevent lifelong complications.
• It helps people who are undergoing chronic pain with an option other than opioids.
• prevents so many of our constituents from switching to often very addictive opioids, which we don't have

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills on June 9. SB 1023 by Senator Laird would require insurers that cover injectable HIV PrEP under the medical benefit to also cover it through the pharmacy benefit, with supporters saying the change would reduce reimbursement delays and expand access, while health plans opposed it as an unnecessary mandate that interferes with benefit design. SB 964 by Senator Smallwood-Quivas would limit prior authorization for certain dose or frequency adjustments to covered medications, especially for chronic complex conditions; medical supporters said it would prevent harmful delays in care, while insurers argued it weakens safety and utilization controls. SB 1323 by Senator Rubio, as amended, would strengthen protections for people in immigration custody receiving medical care by requiring hospitals and facilities to inform staff how to respond to requests and allowing patients to notify family members of their location; it passed with one no vote. SB 1099 by Senator Reyes would clarify local governments’ authority to provide state and local public benefits to all residents under federal PRWORA rules, with supporters saying it would reduce legal uncertainty for safety-net services; it passed, though one member later changed a vote to no on the add-on roll call. The committee also took up SB 895 by Senator Wiener, a proposed $12 billion science research bond for the November ballot that would create a California scientific research funding institute. Supporters from UC, UAW, hospitals, and advocacy groups said the measure would help offset federal cuts, protect research jobs, and sustain California’s leadership in biomedical and other research; there was no opposition, and the bill passed on a party-line style vote with two no votes. SB 944, also by Senator Wiener, would stabilize Medi-Cal coverage for acupuncture, which supporters described as a cost-effective, non-pharmacological treatment for pain and other conditions that has repeatedly been threatened in the budget process; it passed unanimously. The committee also approved consent items SB 918 and SB 1202, and later cleared the remaining measures on call after roll votes and add-on votes were taken.