Transcript Highlights:

• The demand I once placed on emergency services, hospital beds, and long-term pharmaceutical management

Transcript Highlights:

• supply chains and, in fact, tries to make sure that drug prices go down instead of bludgeoning pharmaceutical

Transcript Highlights:

• We recognize the very you weigh the compounding impact that additional state reductions would bring.
• This moment is compounded by the more than $30 million in federal cuts our system has received, rising
• The reductions to FPHS in the proposed budget compound the reductions adopted last year.
• The reductions to FPS in the proposed budget compound the reductions adopted last year.
• We appreciate in the proposed budget compound the reductions adopted last year.

Bills: SB5998

Keywords: fiscal appropriations, budget, state funding, financial management, operating expenses, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 1490 changed the definition of hazardous waste in RSA 147-A to add an exemption for household pharmaceutical
• pharmacies, long-term care facilities, and other entities to establish controlled and non-controlled pharmaceutical
• :32:41.480><c> non-controlled</c> controlled and non-controlled controlled and non-controlled pharmaceutical
• <01:32:43.200><c> drug</c><01:32:43.560><c> waste</c><01:32:43.920><c> collection</c> pharmaceutical
• drug waste collection pharmaceutical drug waste collection programs<01:32:45.640><c> that</c><01:32:46.040

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Manufactures pharmaceuticals. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Bills: SB1673, SB1500, SB1447, SB1646, SB2007, SB1275, SB2074

Keywords: prosthetics, health insurance, medical necessity, patient rights, insurance liability, pharmacy benefits manager, healthcare providers, claims processing, reimbursement, insurance regulation, employees insurance, contract awarding, certifications, state procurement, insurance plan, mental health, substance use disorders, utilization review, benefit coverage, pharmacy

Transcript Highlights:

• So the research in Birmingham has studied just about every pharmaceutical clinical trial.

Bills: SB274

Keywords: cannabis, psychoactive cannabinoids, CBD, delta-8 THC, delta-9 THC, delta-10 THC, criminal penalties, youth protection, medical cannabis, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 95% of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee members had financial ties to food and pharmaceutical
• ties to committee members had financial ties to food<00:41:19.280><c> and</c><00:41:19.520><c> pharmaceutical
• </c> food and pharmaceutical companies. food and pharmaceutical companies.
• The pharmaceutical companies and the insurance companies have sat down and made little sweetheart deals
• of the 2020 studies—the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee—have financial ties to food and pharmaceutical

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force met for its third meeting, approved the minutes, and heard testimony from Dr. Jack on behalf of the American Beverage Association and Kentucky Beverage Association. Dr. Jack argued that the “totality of the science” supports low- and no-calorie sweeteners as safe and useful tools for reducing sugar and calories, citing FDA and other domestic and international reviews, clinical trials, and the FDA’s recent healthy-label rule. He also described the industry’s transparency efforts, including a “Good to Know” database compiling ingredient and safety information, and said the beverage industry has voluntarily worked to offer more choices with less sugar. Members questioned him about whether beverage ingredients are restricted in other countries, possible health effects beyond weight and cancer, concerns about metabolic issues and gut microbiome effects, whether sweeteners are addictive, and why companies do not simply remove sweeteners. Dr. Jack responded that most ingredients are permitted in many jurisdictions, that broad food-safety reviews have looked at multiple endpoints and found the ingredients safe, that the gut microbiome is still being studied, and that recent clinical evidence does not show increased sweetness preference. He also said business decisions about formulations are up to companies and noted that cane sugar and high-fructose corn syrup are metabolically similar. The committee also discussed consumer apps and ingredient-scoring tools; Dr. Jack said the industry’s website presents facts without interpretation and is based on food-safety agency assessments. At the end of his testimony, the chair accepted additional fact sheets for the committee. The meeting then moved on to introduce Dr. Gary Huber, who began testimony by emphasizing integrative medicine, metabolic syndrome, and the role of diet, exercise, sleep, and stress in health, but his full presentation was not included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We look forward to continued collaboration with your committee on containing pharmaceutical costs by
• We look forward to continued collaboration with your committee on containing pharmaceutical costs by
• We look forward to continued collaboration with your committee on containing pharmaceutical costs by
• </c><00:42:42.319><c> costs</c><00:42:42.720><c> by</c> containing pharmaceutical costs by containing
• pharmaceutical costs by leveraging<00:42:43.680><c> increased</c><00:42:44.319><c> transparency</c><

Bills: HF2435

Keywords: healthcare, dementia services, public health funding, opioid prevention, women's health, community health boards, mental health, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Compounding this threat of physical violence is this epidemic of K2, Compounding this threat of physical
• This drug, commonly referred to as K2, is a class of synthetic chemical compounds that are often sprayed
• we can train drug dogs to detect these substances, but because the chemical composition of these compounds
• intersection of identities makes sex workers a uniquely vulnerable population, an inequity that is compounded

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of public safety bills, with strong support from law enforcement, advocates, and other stakeholders. Several measures focused on police and correctional officer wellness and protections, including bills on critical incident leave and post-incident support for officers, a bill to improve POST Commission representation, and a bill to protect correctional officers from assaults and exposure to synthetic drugs like K2. Witnesses described traumatic incidents, rising assaults in prisons, staffing shortages, and the need for confidentiality in peer-support debriefings. Committee members asked questions about assault classifications, K2 smuggling, tablet-related contraband, and whether counseling records would remain confidential. No votes were taken during the hearing. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to canine-related bills. Testimony supported creating a fund for retired police dogs and expanding emergency care training for working dogs injured in the line of duty. Speakers described police dogs as partners who locate suspects, missing persons, drugs, and weapons, and said retirement and medical costs are currently borne by handlers or nonprofits. The committee also heard testimony in favor of a purple alert system for missing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with advocates citing wandering risks, drowning dangers, and data from other states showing faster recovery times. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to expand the definition of sexual assault by an officer to cover situations beyond formal custody, including investigations and other encounters where police have coercive power. Advocates for sex workers and anti-trafficking organizations said the change would close a loophole, protect vulnerable people, and address documented abuses. In addition, testimony was taken on a bill to protect Massachusetts residents from federal surveillance through fusion centers, with critics calling for stronger oversight of BRIC and related databases. Representative Jeff Turco also testified on bills to change POST Commission membership, arguing for more law enforcement representation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The change involved a compounding COLA.
• for anybody that was age 75 or older as of June 30, 2020, that they would continue to get a 2.5% compounding
• But it would provide some relief to retirees, and the 13th check would be in addition to any compounded
• To pass, we would have given the 0.63% compounded COLA as well as a 2% kind of bonus check for two years
• We know the impact that these could have as far as having that compounded amount.

Transcript Highlights:

• push in my first term here when we talk about accessibility to having meals served and having pharmaceuticals
• pay attention to these pharmaceuticals pay attention to these prices<02:55:14.319><c> that</c><02:55
• But if we compound this, members, with more mandates on their rules of how they give benefits to their
• But if we compound<03:21:29.279><c> this</c><03:21:29.600><c> members</c><03:21:30.080><c> with</c><03
• :21:30.399><c> more</c><03:21:31.279><c> mandates</c> compound this members with more mandates compound

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It compounds over years, right? And that's how you can... ...is a multiple?
• It compounds over years, right? And that's how you can get to 21, 22%.
• Because, as MRTA stated correctly, when the 13th paycheck goes away and it does not compound, it creates
• If it does compound, then it would have a significantly higher cost.

Summary: The Committee on Pensions met without a quorum at first, then later returned to executive session and held several bill hearings. Representative Haley presented House Bill 295, which would allow PSRS retirees who have reached the 80% COLA cap to receive an additional 2% COLA in years when investment returns exceed the system’s assumed rate and CPI conditions are met. Haley and supporters from the Missouri Retired Teachers Association said the bill was narrowly targeted, non-cumulative, and protected by guardrails; committee members questioned whether it could affect funding stability. PSRS/PEERS counsel testified informally that the proposal would function like a one-time “13th paycheck,” would affect about 3,400 PSRS and 800 PEERS retirees, and would cost roughly $32 million for PSRS and under $1 million for PEERS, while emphasizing the systems’ smoothing policy and funded status. The committee then adopted a substitute and passed House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2884 and 1655 by a 12-0 vote. The substitute combined language dealing with St. Louis police retirement board quorum/appointment timing, public employee retirement system provisions, and public school retirement system board quorum/vote requirements, and it also added clarifying language so retirement systems could continue routine informational communications without using funds to support ballot measures. The committee next took up House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1762 and 2059, which would increase the income tax deduction for private retirement income and raise the income threshold for eligibility. Supporters argued it would provide parity with the earlier public-pension tax break and help retirees and self-employed taxpayers; opponents raised concerns about the fiscal impact and timing. The substitute passed 8-4. Representative Bromley then presented House Bill 2144, which would increase the PSRS death benefit from $5,000 to $10,000. He said the current amount no longer covers funeral costs and that the change would help older retirees’ families. MRTA supported the concept but urged caution about system solvency and suggested looking at PEERS as well; PSRS/PEERS counsel testified that the benefit applies to all vested PSRS members, would cost about $137.8 million in actuarial liability, and would reduce the trust fund by about 0.19%. An EMPERS representative confirmed that system also has a $5,000 death benefit and uses similar third-party death-notification services. Finally, Representative Mayhew briefly presented House Bill 2205, which would exempt all public and private retirement income from Missouri income tax; no one testified in support or opposition, and the hearing adjourned after no further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is interest that compounds and grows. There's recourse.
• There's some type of Interest that compounds and grows. There's recourse.
• But there's no compounding.
• So each transaction is its own individual transaction, but there's no compounding.
• But there's no compounding.

Summary: The House Commerce Committee heard House Bill 2181, which would extend the deadline for funeral establishments or responsible individuals to complete and submit death certificates. The committee adopted an amendment reducing the maximum extension to 14 days and clarifying that the medical certification deadline for health care providers excludes weekends and holidays. Testimony from a mortuary owner and the sponsor described delays caused by doctors’ schedules, county processing, holidays, and families needing more time; some members argued the bill did not address the underlying accountability problems for doctors and counties, while others supported the added flexibility. HB 2181 was approved 6-4-1 with a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 2682, which creates a DES rental assistance program providing up to two months or $5,000 in aid and appropriates $5 million from the general fund for administration. Supporters said the bill would help families facing short-term crises stay housed, reduce evictions, and serve as a preventive measure that could save money downstream; a constituent testified in Spanish about receiving emergency rental help after falling behind. Some members raised concerns about the program’s cost, the limited target population, and whether seniors should be included, while others supported it as a pilot and asked for possible amendments. HB 2682 passed 7-4. House Bill 2698, which creates a rental assistance study committee to evaluate the effectiveness of such programs and repeals the committee in 2028, was heard next and passed on a 7-4 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 2476, revising CPA certification and reciprocity requirements by creating multiple pathways to licensure and updating related rules and fees. Supporters said the bill would help address a CPA workforce shortage and align Arizona with other states; after questions about whether the bill made licensure harder or easier, the committee unanimously approved HB 2476, 11-0. Finally, the committee began House Bill 2308, which would bar dental insurers and certain holding companies from owning dental practices. The sponsor and Arizona Dental Association argued the bill would prevent conflicts of interest and preserve separation between payers and providers, while Delta Dental opposed the measure as overbroad and potentially burdensome for nonprofit insurers and investors. After discussion about private equity, nonprofit charity care, and vertical integration, the bill was approved 8-0 with three members present. The committee then started House Bill 2118 on mobile food vendors, with the sponsor and food truck operators arguing it would streamline duplicate local permitting, while cities and some vendors opposed it as a loss of local oversight and control; testimony continued, but no final action on HB 2118 appears in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is interest that compounds and grows. There's recourse.
• But there's no compounding.
• So each transaction is its own individual transaction, but there's no compounding.
• But there's no compounding.
• So each transaction is its own individual transaction, but there's no compounding.

Bills: HB2118, HB2181, HB2308, HB2309, HB2402, HB2476, HB2682, HB2698, HB2875, HB2877, HB2903, HB2910

Keywords: mobile food vendors, licensure, food safety, statewide regulations, health standards, zoning, temporary vendors, HB2181, death certificate, death certificates, vital records, funeral establishment, funeral home, human remains, medical certification of death, death registration, state registrar, local registrar, county medical examiner, alternate medical examiner

Transcript Highlights:

• This card won't cost the person who's buying pharmaceutical products anything.
• </c> the person who's buying pharmaceutical the person who's buying pharmaceutical product<00:42:02.400
• So, when the customer goes in to purchase a pharmaceutical product, that's when the fee is paid.
• They can purchase pharmaceuticals, get these prescription products at a reduced rate, but the people
• c> these</c> pharmaceuticals, uh get these pharmaceuticals, uh get these prescription<00:45:39.200><c

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These governance failures are compounded by major program shortcomings, including a traceability system
• These governance failures are compounded by major program shortcomings, including a traceability system
• The substitute prohibits kratom products that are mixed with compounds known to inhibit certain enzymes

Bills: SB6290, SB6282, SB5379, SB6197, SB6158, SB6302, SB5882, SB6303, SB6180, SB6195, SB6196, SB6204, SB6287

Keywords: liquor regulation, cannabis board, reorganization, state agency, governance, apprenticeship, behavioral health, construction trades, workforce training, wellness, interest arbitration, parks and recreation, public employees, labor relations, employee rights, SB 6197, plumbing contractor, plumber, contractor licensing, licensing enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Um the testing plan that we received looks at uh volatile organic compounds, semivolatile organic
• compounds, TPH, total petroleum hydrocarbons, and metals. >> Okay.
• ,</c> looks at uh volatile organic compounds, looks at uh volatile organic compounds, VOCC's,<01:09:02.319
• ><c> semivolitile</c><01:09:03.120><c> organic</c><01:09:03.520><c> compounds,</c> VOCC's, semivolitile
• organic compounds, VOCC's, semivolitile organic compounds, SVOCC's, SVOCC's, SVOCC's, um<01:09:06.640

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Special Committee on Red Hill received an update from the Hawaii Department of Health and EPA Region 9 on regulatory oversight of the Red Hill facility, the Navy drinking water system, and ongoing environmental investigation and cleanup. The agencies reviewed the authorities governing the work, including DOH’s emergency orders, EPA’s 2023 administrative consent order, and the older 2015 agreement, and explained that the newer framework is being used for most current oversight because it includes closure, remediation, drinking water protections, and stronger community engagement requirements, even though some requirements overlap. EPA and DOH reported major milestones and current work. Defueling was completed in March 2024, with about 104 million gallons removed, and the agencies said this eliminated the risk of another catastrophic release. They described the current tank-closure phase, expected to finish in July 2029, along with site assessment, site investigation, remediation, and long-term monitoring that may continue through at least 2040. They also summarized drinking water actions: emergency response flushing and sampling after the 2021 spill, lifting of the public health advisory in 2022, completion of extended drinking water monitoring in 2025, and ongoing system improvements such as repairs, flushing plans, valve work, complaint-response protocols, and upgrades to storage tanks and pumps. Members asked several questions about monitoring results, the meaning of TPH, the status of the 2015 agreement, and the Navy’s groundwater model. EPA said its sampling and the Navy’s results were in alignment during extended monitoring, and that it plans to issue a summary report covering the full response period. On the groundwater model, EPA and DOH said they have not yet approved it for decision-making, are reviewing it iteratively with outside experts and University of Hawaii data, and may approve it for specific uses in the future. DOH said its latest comment letter states the model cannot yet be used for decision-making purposes, and noted that UH’s separate modeling work is contingent on funding and may not be completed until next spring. The agencies also said they continue community outreach through open houses, webinars, neighborhood boards, legislative hearings, and fuel tank advisory committee meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Part of your testimony, you said that with regular rate adjustments there could be potential compounding
• It would be a public perception of compounding rather than an actual compounding that way.
• okay it be a that would all compound okay it be a public<01:38:00.760><c> perception</c><01:38:01.199
• ><c> of</c><01:38:01.440><c> of</c><01:38:01.599><c> compounding</c> public perception of of compounding
• that way yeah okay we and it compounding that way yeah okay we trying<01:38:07.719><c> to</c><01:38:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 48 SD2 HD1 relating to combat sports. The Attorney General offered a technical comment on the bill’s effective date, and several testifiers from the combat sports community strongly supported the measure with amendments. They argued that boxing and MMA should be treated separately, that the current regulatory structure has made events too costly and reduced opportunities, and that more local oversight would help revive the sport and give youth a constructive outlet. Committee members questioned whether the bill’s medical staffing requirements would apply to boxing, MMA, or both, and whether the added requirements would increase costs and reduce access. The witness from the combat sports community said amateur boxing is already regulated through USA Boxing, that the DCCA should focus on professional boxing, and that for safety he would support two physicians and one ambulance for boxing and MMA events. The committee then took up SB 117 SD2 HD1 relating to transportation. The Department of Transportation and the Ulon Initiative testified in support, and the bicycling community was listed as supporting as well. Members focused on the bill’s rebate program for electric transportation devices, asking how successful it had been and whether removing the rebate would affect use. DOT said the program began in February 2023 and had issued about 500 rebates totaling roughly $166,000, aimed at helping people without vehicles access transportation options. The department explained that the bill would broaden access and increase the rebate amount, including additional assistance for low-income applicants. Finally, the committee heard SB 897 SD3 HD1 relating to energy and wildfire liability. The Division of Consumer Advocacy, the Public Utilities Commission, the Attorney General, Clearway Energy Group, Ulon Initiative, Kawai K, IBEW Local 1260, and Hawaiian Electric all testified in support, while the Hawaii Association for Justice was listed as opposed but not present. Supporters said the bill would help finance wildfire mitigation and infrastructure improvements through securitization, reduce wildfire risk, and address utility cost and credit concerns. Hawaiian Electric emphasized that the bill is forward-looking, would help protect customers from future wildfire-related cost increases, and requested amendments including a study on a future wildfire recovery fund. In questioning, members pressed Hawaiian Electric on the liability cap, asking whether it would have applied to the Maui wildfires and whether it would cover personal injury or wrongful death; the witness and company counsel clarified that the aggregate cap applies only to qualifying property damage, not personal injury or wrongful death, and said they would follow up on how the cap would calculate in a Maui-type event. Hawaiian Electric also said it would seek financing under the bill if enacted and updated members on settlement funding efforts, including raising the first $550 million in equity and divesting assets to help meet its obligations.

Transcript Highlights:

• These services range from individual counseling and advice, transitional pharmaceutical care after hospitalization
• Better living through pharmaceuticals, sir. But thanks for what you do; we appreciate it.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held an informational opening hearing for the Financial Services Committee, with Chair Murphy and Senator Feeney introducing new and returning members and explaining that no bills were being heard that day beyond brief introductory testimony. Commissioner of Banks Mary Gallagher thanked the committee for last session’s money transmission modernization law, and several members echoed appreciation for her office’s work. The hearing then featured a long series of stakeholder introductions and overviews of their priorities for the session. Testimony covered a wide range of financial, insurance, housing, health care, and consumer issues. Banking and mortgage groups discussed housing affordability, foreclosure delinquencies, flood insurance, regulatory changes, and the impact of federal policy shifts. Insurance representatives raised concerns about auto and homeowners market pressures, labor rates, tariffs, rebates, e-titling, third-party litigation funding, and public adjuster restrictions. Consumer and advocacy groups highlighted debt collection reform, earned wage access, retirement savings access, public banking, and consumer protections in financial services. Several speakers also emphasized the need for committee expertise and offered themselves as resources for future bills. Health-related organizations focused on insurance mandates, prior authorization, behavioral health access, pharmacy benefit manager reform, community health center funding, maternal health and midwifery reimbursement, and anesthesia reimbursement parity. Other groups, including credit unions, retailers, auto dealers, dental and medical associations, and behavioral health providers, described their roles in the Commonwealth and previewed legislation or policy areas they expect to follow this session. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational and ended after testimony from the sign-up list and a few late additions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Morgantown was hosting a legislative interim meeting, and Mylan Pharmaceuticals had decided to open the
• And the Senator from Wetzel and I, we toured Mylan Pharmaceuticals together.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate first handled several House amendments to Senate bills and passed them, including SB 194 updating the definition of disabled veteran taxpayer, SB 499 requiring toxicology tests in auto accidents, SB 672 on Real Estate Commission licensing discipline, SB 724 on home confinement officers and the EMS retirement system, SB 897 on alcohol and drug counselor licensure, and SB 982 creating the Neighborhood Access Road Program. In each case, the chamber agreed to the House changes and then passed the bill, with some measures also given effective dates, including SB 724 effective July 1, 2026 and SB 648 effective from passage. The Senate also concurred in amendments to SB 197, doubling penalties for sex crimes against minors, and SB 648, which removed restrictions on foreign entities in the Strategic and Critical Resources Act. The chamber then took up a series of additional bills and conference actions. It appointed a conference committee on HB 4588 after refusing to recede from its amendment. The Senate passed HB 4009, the Portable Benefit Account Act, after adopting a Banking and Insurance committee strike-and-insert amendment that moved the program to the Division of Labor, expanded portable benefit definitions, and made technical changes. Later, the Senate also passed SB 182 on annexation by minor boundary adjustment after amending the House changes to allow one annexation per year instead of one every two years, and it passed HB 5101 increasing strangulation penalties, HB 4364 on juvenile offender bail and counsel language, HB 4412 on age verification for certain websites, HB 5564 on deputy sheriff vacation carryover, HB 4138 on sex offender registration fees, HB 4951 after receding from its earlier amendment on continuing education, SB 4 after receding from its amendment, SB 389 after refusing to concur in a House amendment that would have stripped the bill, SB 927 on beekeeping and municipal regulation, and HB 5214 on drug testing for parents before reunification. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to Senate Resolution 67 honoring Senator Michael Andrew Woelfel and Senate Resolution 68 honoring Senator Charles Houston Clements. Numerous senators gave extended remarks praising Woelfel’s legal skill, candor, mentorship, and service, and Clements’s long service, institutional knowledge, steadiness, and friendship. Both resolutions were adopted by roll call votes, with SR 67 passing 34-0 and SR 68 passing 33-1. After the resolutions, the Senate recessed briefly to present the outgoing senators with resolutions and flags flown over the Capitol.