Transcript Highlights:

• 8 through 13, because I've been contacted by those who do the testing for our licensed advanced pharmacy
• letter that states that that includes what is in the scope of practice in the licensed advanced pharmacy
• 8 through 13, because I've been contacted by those who do the testing for our licensed advanced pharmacy
• letter that states that that includes what is in the scope of practice in the licensed advanced pharmacy
• So looking at this, the licensing advanced pharmacy technician exam is solely a jurisprudence exam.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pharmacy services... Individuals at all DOC facilities in Washington State.
• Pharmacy services are provided from a DOC centralized pharmacy located in Centralia, and prescription
• possess, sell, resell, deliver, dispense, and engage in any activity constituting the practice of pharmacy
• The department's existing relationships with abortion providers, hospitals, and pharmacies will allow
• They're the pharmacy that we have to be able to have and house medications. Thank you very much.

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 5917, which would change how the Department of Corrections and Department of Health distribute abortion medications from state stockpiles. Staff and the bill sponsor said the measure would remove pricing restrictions, allow the medications to be donated or sold more flexibly to health care providers, and help avoid expiration of existing supplies. Supporters, including the Washington State Women’s Commission, the governor’s health policy advisor, DOH, physicians, and Pro-Choice Washington, said the bill would improve access to medication abortion and miscarriage care, especially for people facing barriers. Opponents argued it would expand state involvement in abortion, shift costs to taxpayers, and raise safety concerns. No vote was taken on the bill in the hearing portion shown. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6080, which would require written contracts before local jails accept people in federal custody and would prohibit some out-of-state transfers absent a valid judicial warrant. Senator Cleveland said the bill was prompted by a situation in Clark County and was intended to provide clarity, reimbursement, and accountability for local governments. Supporters from the Latino Community Fund, the Association of Counties, and the City of Vancouver said it would protect taxpayers and local discretion. The sheriffs’ association supported some of the bill’s goals but raised concerns about unintended consequences for routine federal arrests and wanted more clarification. The hearing on SB 6080 was then closed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6085, which would revise the Institutional Welfare Account, formerly the incarcerated individual betterment fund, to require more input from incarcerated people and their families on how the funds are spent and to change some allowable uses. The sponsor said the bill would ensure the account reflects current needs and supports family contact, reentry, and institutional safety. Testimony was mixed: the Washington State Reentry Council supported the concept but objected to requiring legislative appropriations and to using the funds for reentry services; a Department of Corrections representative supported the intent but raised concerns about removing law library funding without replacement. After testimony, the committee moved into executive session and considered several bills and amendments, including SB 5940, SB 5945, SB 5957, and SB 5966. Multiple amendments were offered and mostly failed on SB 5940 and SB 5945, while one amendment on SB 5945 passed. The committee advanced SB 5940, SB 5957, and SB 5966 with due-pass recommendations, and the transcript ends with the committee adjourning after the final action on SB 5966.

Transcript Highlights:

• Revenues are received from premium contributions, pharmacy rebates, refund of claims overpayments, and
• This negative trend assumes plan design remains constant while both medical and pharmacy costs continue
• In 2024, total pharmacy spend was $1.17 billion.
• The five-year pharmacy cost trend shows an increase of more than 50% since 2020.
• How does the state currently work with PBMs and pharmacies to ensure that we're getting the best cost

Summary: The Budget Committee met with a quorum and took up several bills. HB 677, relating to state-covered fertility preservation for employees undergoing cancer treatment, was introduced as coverage for egg and sperm preservation for up to three years, with an estimated fiscal impact of about $813,000. After brief questions and no public testimony or amendments, the bill passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS/HB 59, which would reform Florida’s wrongful incarceration compensation process by extending the filing deadline from 90 days to two years, removing the clean-hands requirement, and allowing exonerees to choose between the state compensation process and a civil lawsuit; it was supported by the City of Flagler Beach and passed unanimously. CS/HB 1313, which recreates the Resilient Florida Trust Fund in the Department of Environmental Protection before its scheduled termination in 2025, also passed unanimously after supportive testimony from advocacy groups. The committee received a lengthy presentation from the Department of Management Services on the State Group Insurance Program and the recent Revenue Estimating Conference. The presentation covered enrollment, revenues and expenditures, rising medical and pharmacy costs, emergency room utilization, GLP-1 drug spending, and options for tighter formulary and utilization management. Members asked about ER cost growth, GLP-1 coverage and copays, PBM oversight and potential conflicts, avoidable ER visits, cancer screening claims, dental and vision costs, specialty drug biosimilars, and possible savings from more restrictive pharmacy models. DMS said it would follow up on several questions and noted ongoing work on cancer coordination, preventive screening, biomarker testing, and a proposed member-facing benefits platform. The committee also heard extensive testimony on HB 301, which would raise sovereign immunity caps from $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident to $1 million and $3 million, align limitations periods with private claims, and allow government entities to settle above the caps without a claims bill. Local governments, school-related entities, and county and city associations opposed the bill, warning of major fiscal impacts, higher insurance costs, and pressure on services; several speakers urged smaller increases or a tiered approach. Proponents, including families affected by catastrophic injury or death, argued the current caps are too low and the claims bill process is inefficient and unfair. After debate, the bill passed on a recorded vote, with some members voting no, and was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• They can have that access to care and take care of those things with their local pharmacy and receive
• They can have that access to care and take care of those things with their local pharmacy and receive
• Well, the Board of Pharmacy does track how many pharmacies are using the protocols.
• I don't have the exact number of how many pharmacies are using it, but we can certainly get that back
• does track how the Board of Pharmacy does track how many<00:27:33.720><c> pharmacies</c><00:27:34.159

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum, first taking up referred administrative regulations. One regulation was deferred, and two others were noted as deficient; with no one wishing to speak, the committee treated the regulations as reviewed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 13 from Chairman Meredith, which would reduce the number of Medicaid managed care organizations from five to three. Meredith argued the bill would reduce administrative burden, improve oversight, help rural providers, and potentially lower costs for families and the Medicaid program. Senators Berg, Herron, and Douglas asked about data, patient impact, network adequacy, and prior authorization burdens; Meredith said the effect on patients would be indirect through better access and less administrative delay. The committee approved a committee substitute and passed SB 13 favorably on a 10-0 vote. The committee next considered Senate Joint Resolution 26, presented by Senator Richardson and Kentucky Pharmacists Association Executive Director Ben Mudd. The resolution asks the Department of Medicaid Services to provide data and cost analysis on paying pharmacists fairly for clinical services already within their scope of practice under Medicaid and KCHIP. Supporters said pharmacists can improve access, especially in rural areas, by providing services such as medication therapy management, chronic disease management, and preventive care, and that the resolution is intended to gather information before any future bill. Senator Douglas questioned whether expanded pharmacy duties have actually improved access or outcomes and whether there is published data; Mudd said the Board of Pharmacy tracks use of protocols but that more data is needed. The committee approved the resolution by roll call, with all members voting aye. At the end of the meeting, Chairman Meredith announced that Senate Bill 27 would be heard for discussion only and not acted on that day so members could review it further. Senator Brandon Storm introduced SB 27, which would create a Kentucky Parkinson’s disease research registry, and noted that a Michael J. Fox Foundation representative could not attend because of a winter storm; her letter was included in the packet. Storm said the registry is intended to support research and policy by tracking Parkinson’s disease in Kentucky, citing national prevalence and cost figures. No vote was taken on SB 27 during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also creates a preferential business and occupation tax rate for critical access pharmacies.
• The bill also creates a preferential business and occupational tax rate for critical access pharmacies
• A pharmacy benefit manager or a publicly traded entity.
• This would create critical access pharmacies and give them a preferential rate.
• This will hopefully offset some of the preferential rate for this group of pharmacies and some of the

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6244, SB6044, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

Summary: The House first took up Substitute Senate Bill 6225, a transportation bond measure. Supporters said it was needed to fund preservation and maintenance of Washington’s transportation system, including road upkeep and emergency repairs, while opponents argued the state had already addressed current needs through a recent unanimous budget and existing bond authority. The bill passed final passage 59-38, meeting the required three-fifths vote. The House then considered Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6260, an education budget-related bill with many floor amendments focused on transition to kindergarten, alternative learning experience (ALE) funding, local effort assistance (LEA), educational service district reserves, superintendent pay, MSOC funding, and collective bargaining limits. Most proposed amendments were rejected, though Amendment 2654 on TK priorities was adopted. After the committee amendment as amended was adopted, the bill advanced to third reading and then passed 50-47. Supporters described it as a necessary budget reduction and risk-management measure; opponents argued it cut K-12 funding too deeply, especially in rural and property-poor districts, and would worsen inequities and invite litigation. The House also concurred in Senate amendments and passed several other bills. House Bill 1796, about school construction financing and capital levy use, passed 95-2. Second Substitute House Bill 2105, dealing with immigrant worker protections, passed 58-38. Engrossed House Bill 2211, on food sourcing for a health-related program, passed unanimously. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2225, regulating companion chatbots and child safety, passed 74-21. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2247, related to animal care, passed unanimously. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2418, streamlining permitting timelines to support housing affordability, also passed unanimously. The House then moved on to additional Senate-concurred bills, beginning with Second Substitute House Bill 1906.

Transcript Highlights:

• Proposal regarding pharmacy benefit manager licensure and data requirements.
• PBMs would provide HCAI with information about the pharmacy benefits they have managed, including drug
• It would also be grouped by pharmacies owned and not owned by the pharmacy benefit manager.
• The first is the Pharmacy Benefit Manager proposal, which cuts across this budget as well as the next
• No additional comments beyond the comments on the pharmacy benefit manager proposal.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , the board of pharmacy, um, and they oversee it and there's very little, you know, risk.
• Speaker, gentlemen, uh, the, um, just the drugs that are taken in by the pharmaceutical, uh, pharmacy
• When the pharmacy gets it, what kind of, what kind of inspection are they gonna do?
• Get their drugs directly from, from the, from the places where they make them and, and the pharmacies
• Speaker, gentle lady, that the uh the pharmacy board does have strict requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not a shall by the pharmacy. It's a may, and we put language in there.
• They have about 30 pharmacies that are putting it on the counter.
• would like to take ivermectin over the counter can just go in the store and get it, or go to the pharmacy
• Basically, this is a bill that prohibits PBMs from owning and operating licensed retail pharmacies in
• They couldn't control the medicine getting to that cancer center pharmacy and limit that.

Summary: The committee took up a series of health-related bills, beginning with House Bill 4124 by Rep. Fetgatter, which would make human ivermectin available over the counter on a permissive basis for pharmacies. The bill drew extended debate over whether the legislature should decide over-the-counter status, safety concerns, dosage, adverse effects, and federal law issues, but the author argued the bill would reduce political controversy and allow pharmacies to choose whether to stock it. HB 4124 passed 5-1. Rep. Schreiber’s HB 4200, creating a public-private forensic assertive community treatment (FACT) team approach for people with severe mental illness involved in the criminal justice system, passed unanimously 6-0. Rep. Blancett’s HB 4410, which would tighten disclosures and consumer protections for referral agencies working with long-term care and assisted living placements, failed 3-4 after questions about whether the bill was still needed and how it would affect compensation and disclosures. Rep. Cantrell’s bill on assisted living facilities’ rights and responsibilities also failed, 2-3, after members questioned whether businesses need a statutory “bill of rights” and whether the material could simply be posted under existing law. Rep. Pay’s HB 1912, the Corn Mossa Nutrition Enhancement Act, passed 3-2 after amendments and discussion about folic acid fortification, neural tube defects, and whether consumers should still have access to unfortified products. Rep. Stark’s HB 3930, requiring sellers of dog-related service-animal gear to notify purchasers that the animal is not a service animal, passed 5-1, and HB 3931, extending the time to amend death certificates, passed 6-0. Rep. Newton’s HB 4457, barring PBMs from owning and operating licensed retail pharmacies in Oklahoma with a transition for specialty settings, passed 6-0, and HB 4473, creating an advisory council to assist the Oklahoma Health Care Authority on dental care, passed 5-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve as a chief pharmacy officer for Western Health Advantage. Dr. Kieran Bearing.
• A pharmacy and your medication is not available.
• They can transfer that prescription to another pharmacy that will have available stock.
• And these medications are not coming from your local pharmacy because they're expensive meds.
• They're dispensed by a specialty pharmacy.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with SB 1312 by Senator Richardson on abandoned endowed-care cemeteries. Richardson described vandalism, theft, and neglect at abandoned cemeteries and said the bill would define abandonment, create a process for local governments to declare a cemetery abandoned, and allow the Bureau to act as conservator of endowment funds. Support came from Marin County, while county and special district groups opposed or had concerns, arguing the bill could shift burdens to local governments or public cemetery districts without enough safeguards. Members expressed general support but noted the need for further work; the bill was discussed but no final vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then took up SB 758 by Senator Umberg, which would restrict retail sales of nitrous oxide to curb misuse. Supporters, including the League of California Cities, narcotic officers, counties, pediatricians, and other local governments and health groups, said easy access at smoke shops and convenience stores has fueled recreational abuse and health harms. There was no opposition testimony, and members voiced strong support for a statewide approach over city-by-city bans. The bill was well received, with the author closing in support. Dr. Weber-Pierson presented SB 1094, a health care affordability bill on biosimilars and biologic substitution. The bill would allow pharmacists to substitute biosimilars under certain conditions, require advance notice to providers and patients, and add reporting on savings; the author said amendments would strengthen provider notice and preserve the ability to mark prescriptions “do not substitute.” Supporters from health plans, insurers, pharmacies, labor, business, and some provider groups argued the bill would lower costs and expand access. Opponents, including dermatology and rheumatology groups and biotech interests, warned about non-medical switching, prior authorization delays, and patient harm. After extensive discussion, the committee voted 13-0 to pass SB 1094 to the Committee on Health. The committee also passed SB 849 by Dr. Weber-Pierson, which would bar reinstatement of physicians who surrendered their licenses while a sexual misconduct accusation was pending. The Medical Board and California Medical Association were generally supportive or neutral, and members praised the bill’s patient-protection focus. SB 993 by Senator Ochoa Bogh, which limits routine disclosure of identifying information for mental health professionals in correctional and psychiatric settings while preserving complaint processes, also passed unanimously to Appropriations. SB 1002 by Senator Niello, extending the David Hall Act to allow certain patients in remission to continue telehealth care with out-of-state specialists, drew strong patient support but opposition from the Medical Board and CMA over licensure and oversight concerns; the committee voted it out on a split roll with some members not voting. Finally, SB 1263 by Senator McGuire, aimed at protecting wildfire survivors and workers by requiring licensed, trained contractors for post-disaster residential debris removal, received support from labor and the Contractors State License Board, with contractors raising a narrower amendment concern about scope.

Transcript Highlights:

• and polyfluoroalkyl compounds have been used by the oil and gas industry here since 2013.
• Produced water is highly toxic waste byproduct of oil and gas, with over a thousand toxic compounds,
• What we know is the composition of oil and gas wastewater is unknown to begin with, and the compounds
• So you have these standards and these methods looking for individual compounds that you think are in
• Out there has to list their compounds in their permit request to you.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We see retail pharmacy growing at the highest rate.
• Retail pharmacy, which is any prescription drug that you pick up at your CVS or Walgreens, right?
• We differentiate in our data collection from medical pharmacy, which is anything that you would receive
• But that is retail pharmacy. That's administered in a hospital setting.
• But retail pharmacy is one of the top cost drivers, right, top contributors to spending growth in every

Keywords: 962, all

Summary: The Complex Care Committee meeting focused first on a new Diabetes Caucus launched at the Capitol. Rep. Johnson described the caucus as a forum to educate people about type 1 and type 2 diabetes, genetic risk, early testing, pregnancy-related diabetes, and ways Medicaid policy might improve prevention and lower long-term costs. Members agreed the caucus could intersect with care management, and Carolyn Grandell of CHNCT offered to share information about current diabetes-related care management services at a future meeting. The committee then heard a detailed presentation from Alex Rigger of the Office of Health Strategy, who is moving to the Office of Policy and Management. He reviewed Connecticut health care benchmark data, including total health care expenditures, medical spending, and market-by-market trends. He said 2023 to 2024 per-capita spending grew more than 8.5% statewide and 14% in Medicaid, with long-term care accounting for about 46% of Medicaid spending and retail pharmacy also identified as a major cost driver. Members asked about enrollment changes, dual-eligible populations, Medicare Savings Program members, 340B drug pricing, and value-based payment models. Rigger explained that his office tracks alternate payment models and quality benchmarks, but does not separately capture 340B data. Discussion then shifted to Medicare Advantage, dual eligibles, and hospital discharge planning. Members said they want better data on how many Medicaid members are in Medicare Advantage plans and whether those plans shift costs back to Medicaid or affect access to care, especially for complex-care patients. Staff noted DSS does have some Medicare Advantage indicators and that CMS is developing encounter-data rules for states. Kathy Holt and others raised concerns about denials, nursing home stays, and the need to compare Medicaid spending for dual eligibles in Medicare Advantage versus traditional Medicare. The meeting ended with plans for follow-up data sharing, including Alex Rigger’s slides, the diabetes caucus materials, and a future discussion with DSS and other agencies; no formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is a proposal regarding pharmacy benefit manager licensure and data requirements.
• It would also be grouped by pharmacies owned and not owned by the pharmacy benefit manager.
• We'd like to speak briefly on three issues related to this budget, and the first is the pharmacy...
• Our first item is related to pharmacy benefit manager licensure, transparency, and accountability to
• benefit manager proposal thank you Beyond the comments on the pharmacy benefit manager proposal.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held an informational hearing on the Governor’s May Revision, focusing first on the Commission on Behavioral Health, then EMSA, and then the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). The Department of Finance said the state faces a third consecutive deficit and that the May Revision includes difficult trade-offs, including proposed eliminations or reversions of some behavioral health and public health funds. The LAO echoed concern about the structural deficit and said it was still awaiting some budget details before offering a full analysis. For the Commission on Behavioral Health, Finance proposed eliminating $20 million in Mental Health Wellness Act funds, arguing the money would help offset General Fund costs and noting future Proposition 1 innovation funding. The commission strongly opposed the cut, saying it would eliminate or delay launch-ready grants for early childhood supports, full-service partnerships, and peer respite, and would eventually end ongoing grant programming. Several advocates and commissioners testified that the funds support underserved communities and that Proposition 1 is not a substitute for the existing programs. The chair asked Finance to look for alternatives, but no vote was taken. EMSA presented mostly technical budget adjustments: increased authority for the California Poison Control System, a correction to EMSIS funding, and a reappropriation for enterprise services and data management. CDPH then reviewed a broader set of May Revision proposals, including reversions from the California Reducing Disparities Project, workforce development, STD prevention, hepatitis C prevention, hospice, and extreme heat funding, as well as a new generative AI pilot for health facility survey reporting. Members raised concerns about cuts to CRDP and gender health equity programs, especially because many grants are mid-contract and serve underserved communities; CDPH said the reversions were part of solving the deficit and that CRDP had been successful, while also clarifying that abortion.ca.gov would not be eliminated. Public comment was overwhelmingly opposed to the CRDP and related cuts, with many speakers describing the programs as life-saving and cost-effective. No formal votes or actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also includes a supplement for pharmacy reimbursements.
• It also includes a supplement for pharmacy reimbursements.
• It also includes a supplement for pharmacy reimbursements.
• </c> um with the managed care pharmacy um with the managed care pharmacy dispensing<00:26:08.720><c>
• </c> at the Board of Pharmacy on line 609. at the Board of Pharmacy on line 609.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> pharmacy may decide otherwise. pharmacy may decide otherwise.
• When the patient arrives at the pharmacy, the pharmacy will inform them that there may need to be a prior
• ,</c><03:49:10.000><c> the</c> the patient arrives to the pharmacy, the the patient arrives to the pharmacy
• It has to have pharmacy staff to do.
• </c><03:57:46.399><c> and</c> beneficiary came into the pharmacy and beneficiary came into the pharmacy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll make a plug for Senate Bill 1635 in terms of pharmacy access to medications.
• Pharmacy access to medication would be incredible.
• But from the pharmacy world, I see—and I was sort of astounded, because it's a veterinarian drug—that
• in the pharmacy world, I've asked, including nursing, how many people don't even know what xylazine
• Well, I just want to emphasize the Department of Public Health has been very helpful with pharmacy in

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Xylazine convened its second meeting, approved the minutes from its June 23 meeting, and reviewed its timeline and working groups. The co-chairs said the commission’s final report is due to the House and Senate clerks by March 30, 2026, and outlined three working groups focused on regulation/oversight of xylazine, treatment and outreach for exposed patients, and education/training for first responders, clinicians, treatment providers, and people who use substances. Staff will schedule working group meetings, with group presentations planned for December 11, followed by commission meetings in February and March to review and finalize the draft report. Public comment centered on research and practical responses to xylazine contamination in the drug supply. Dr. Tracy Green of Brandeis reviewed recent studies showing severe xylazine-related wounds and amputations in Philadelphia, withdrawal symptoms, the value of wound identification tools, and the usefulness of drug checking in detecting xylazine even when users did not suspect it was present. She urged expanded low-barrier wound care, more access to medications for opioid use disorder, overdose prevention sites, housing, and trauma-informed care, while cautioning that stricter controls could push the market toward other dangerous alpha-2 substances. Commissioners asked about early wound identification, dilution/cutting strategies, supplier engagement, and how to reduce stigma and improve treatment access. Tia Johnson of Boston Medical Center and Boston Health Care for the Homeless testified that xylazine contamination still requires naloxone for overdose response, but sedation can last longer and may require low-dose naloxone, oxygen support, and low-threshold monitoring spaces. She emphasized that xylazine-associated wounds can heal with consistent care, but patients often lose access to services when sent to hospitals unnecessarily. Commissioners discussed reimbursement barriers, especially in MassHealth and behavioral health settings, and the need for wound care to be available within detox and treatment programs rather than requiring transfers. The meeting ended with agreement to continue working group planning and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Subsequently, I've worked in a pharmacy in the center of San Francisco.
• One day, a woman entered the pharmacy and behaved erratically.
• While working at the downtown pharmacy, I often... capacitations and techniques of escalament, could
• While working at downtown pharmacy, I often... ...and the public safe.
• One day, a man came into the pharmacy behaving erratically.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You’re talking to a person that graduated from LSU in microbiology and a doctor of pharmacy.
• benefit enforcement fund, to provide for oversight and accountability in pharmacy benefit management
• Right now, pharmacy benefit managers sit in the middle of every prescription in Louisiana.
• Pharmacy benefit managers sit in the middle of every prescription in Louisiana.
• And in many cases, even the pharmacies don't fully understand how they're being paid.

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on April 23 and first disposed of several items without hearing them, including HB 1093 and HB 1145, and voluntarily deferring HB 946. The committee then quickly reported HB 1095 favorably without objection. That bill would require nursing facilities to have fuel or another alternative power generation source to maintain power, and supporters said it preserves existing backup-power safety requirements while giving facilities more flexibility as technology changes. The committee then took up HB 926, which concerns vaccination status and admission to public buildings and seeks to prohibit medical mandates. After adopting an amendment set and additional changes clarifying exclusions for licensed health care providers and facilities, medical masks, and child welfare/school-related provisions, the committee heard testimony both for and against the bill. Supporters framed it as a civil-liberties measure limiting vaccine-card requirements for public buildings, while opponents warned it could interfere with public health measures, school immunization rules, and the ability of health care facilities to protect patients. The bill was reported favorably on an 8-4 vote. HB 1220, a cleanup bill for the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, was then reported favorably after a technical amendment set. HB 1227, which would require complaints involving medical judgment to be reviewed by a three-physician panel before formal disciplinary action, drew extensive testimony from a physician sponsor, a doctor describing his disciplinary experience, and the board’s executive director, who said the board already uses practicing physicians, nurses, and experts in its process and warned the proposed panel system could be impractical because physicians are difficult to recruit for such reviews. At the sponsor’s request, the committee voluntarily deferred HB 1227 for further work. Finally, the committee reported HB 1217 favorably with amendments to a pharmacy benefit manager transparency bill, after supporters said it would expose hidden pricing and rebate practices and opponents argued some provisions were duplicative or unnecessary. HB 1028, setting minimum Medicaid reimbursement rates for non-emergency medical transportation, was reported favorably and referred to Appropriations after supporters described the need for higher rates and members discussed funding. The committee also reported HB 1185 favorably, with amendments preserving the existing Rural Hospital Preservation Act while extending similar protections to additional rural-lookalike hospitals, and adopted HCR 76 to continue the Health Inequities and Disparities in Rural Areas Task Force for another year.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mississippi Board of Pharmacy. Senator Brian pass and retain. Childc care facility licensing.
• Mississippi board of pharmacy. seven. Mississippi board of pharmacy.
• examiners medical lensure 3:00, dental examiners 3:15,<00:25:51.200><c> and</c><00:25:51.440><c> pharmacy
• </c><00:25:53.039><c> And</c><00:25:53.279><c> then</c><00:25:53.440><c> on</c> 3:15, and pharmacy 3:
• And then on 3:15, and pharmacy 3:30.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 22 January, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So even short gaps in use, often caused by delays in refills or barriers to accessing a pharmacy, can
• transportation challenges, and child care responsibilities can all make it difficult to return to a pharmacy
• states that HealthNet covers up to a one-year supply of birth control and one prescription fill at a pharmacy
• Pharmacies can convert a one-month prescription with refills into three-month supplies in compliance
• they do already cover up to one year of supply of birth control in one prescription fill at the pharmacy

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are allocated per the pharmacy census, and because we are not building new brick-and-mortar pharmacies
• However, you did graduate from pharmacy school. Yes.
• I operated my own pharmacy at that point. Thank you. Continue.
• I'm a Doctor of Pharmacy. I was educated here in Arizona at the University of Arizona.
• So not, if a patient tests HIV-positive, they are not being treated at a pharmacy.

Summary: The committee opened by announcing a heavy agenda and noting that Senate Bill 1176 would be held. It then took up several Senate bills, beginning with SB 1272, which appropriates $5 million for the City of Douglas as a state match for the Douglas Port of Entry project. The bill was amended to draw the money from the Water Supply Development Revolving Fund instead of the General Fund. Senator Gowen, the Douglas mayor, and city staff described the project as a $678 million federal investment opportunity that would support water, wastewater, and broadband infrastructure, create jobs, and improve border security. The committee approved SB 1272 as amended on a 15-0 vote with three present and one not voting. The committee next approved SB 1503, as amended, which expands the state death benefit to include civilian pilots employed by law enforcement agencies and applies the change retroactively to January 1, 2026. Senator Gowen and DPS leadership testified that the change was needed so the family of a pilot killed in a February helicopter crash would qualify for the benefit. The bill passed 18-0 with one not voting. SB 1274, as amended, created a separate timeshare salesperson license and training path; supporters said it would streamline licensing for people who only sell timeshares, while one member objected to the added rulemaking discretion. It passed 17-1 with one not voting. The committee also approved SB 1286, which expands veterinary telemedicine by allowing longer prescription periods for certain medications after an electronic exam, with shorter limits for antimicrobials. Supporters said it would help rural and disabled pet owners and had been negotiated to the satisfaction of veterinarians and telemedicine advocates. The bill passed 18-0 with one not voting. SB 1519, as amended, raised the off-highway vehicle weight threshold from 2,500 to 3,500 pounds and revised related registration and funding provisions; supporters argued it would reflect newer enclosed-cab vehicles and better align Arizona with neighboring states, while opponents warned of trail damage and said the study process was not complete. It passed 10-7 with one present and one not voting. Finally, the committee approved SB 1618, which restructures the Military Affairs Commission, adds members with defense and aerospace expertise, requires more frequent meetings and reporting, and updates the Military Installation Fund and related duties to better attract and retain defense missions. Supporters said the changes would help Arizona compete for military and defense investment, while some members questioned whether the commission’s mission was being broadened too far and whether the existing structure should instead be handled through other agencies. The bill passed 10-6 with one present and one not voting. The committee then considered SCR 1020, which would index legislative salaries to inflation or deflation starting with future officeholders if approved by voters. Supporters argued the current $24,000 salary had eroded significantly since 1998 and limited who could serve, while opponents objected to legislators voting on their own pay or preferred reducing session time instead. The resolution was approved and sent forward for voter consideration.