Transcript Highlights:

• diseases, petty theft, and, yes, even rape and murder.
• We're blaming them because you guys can't get corporate greed and on a side that is a disease that is
• We're blaming them because you guys can't get corporate greed and on a side that is a disease that is
• Robert from Waxahachie seeks peace and patience as his mother bravely battles Alzheimer's disease.
• Emily from Red Oak ask for disease Emily from Red Oak ask for encouragement<08:07:17.840><c> and</c>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Health testimony on HB 903: Gloria Fernandez, with the Communicable Disease and Public
• <00:35:56.920><c> since</c><00:35:57.119><c> 2018</c> disease since 2018 disease since 2018 I<00:35:58.839
• </c><00:36:02.960><c> research</c> the Parkinson's disease research the Parkinson's disease research
• Parkinson's disease is a very complex disease that affects many, as exemplified already by what we heard
• </c><00:51:14.400><c> research</c> Parkinson's disease research Parkinson's disease research um<00:51

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Health heard testimony on several measures. On HB 1233 relating to storm water management, the Attorney General’s office said the state may need to share costs with counties for any new inspection or regulatory program. Testifiers strongly supported the bill, including the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association and a community member who described her daughter’s death in a poorly maintained detention pond and urged statewide inspections and a comprehensive approach. A member asked the Attorney General about the cost-sharing issue, and the office said state appropriations would be needed if counties are required to take on new duties. The committee then heard HB 245 on student heat exposure safety. The Department of Education, Department of Health, and the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the measure. A physician testifying for the Climate Change and Health Working Group described children’s vulnerability to heat and cited examples from other states that adopted stronger heat guidelines after school heat deaths. The Department of Education said it could do the feasibility study without additional funding and preferred to wait for the study before deciding on equipment needs. The Attorney General’s office later testified on HB 903, authorizing schools to maintain bronchodilators, supporting the concept but warning that the bill’s definition of school was broad and that DOE may not have jurisdiction over all covered entities; it suggested changing “protocol” to “guidelines” and involving the Public Charter School Commission. On HB 1314 relating to youth mental health, the Department of Education testified in opposition, though no additional testimony was offered. The committee also heard HB 1334 on meat donation, with DLNR and the Hawaii Farm Bureau supporting the measure. HB 799 on health care drew support from HMSA and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, while the Department of Health said it supported the intent but wanted amendments, including limiting the bill to Maui, adding a sunset, and requiring a study of quality and access impacts. On HB 952 relating to Parkinson’s disease research, the Department of Health said the proposal would require additional appropriations and staffing and suggested a public-private partnership approach; the Hawaii Parkinson Association, Queen’s clinicians, and other supporters testified that a registry would help identify the number of patients and improve care. Finally, SHPDA strongly supported HB 1431 establishing an oral health task force, saying the state lacks sufficient dental oversight and that both keiki and kūpuna need better access to services.

Transcript Highlights:

• , preventable diseases.
• , preventable diseases.
• , preventable diseases.
• ,</c> unplanned, very serious diseases, unplanned, very serious diseases, preventable<01:01:31.280><c
• > diseases.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in the state and where we're at with the disease. ...and the procedures for chronic wasting disease
• in the state and where we're at with the disease.
• I think we're codifying their authority inside of the disease.
• So if chronic wasting disease then for some reason blew up, is there a way to deal with it within the
• don't know if you remember the five bullet points that they handed out—that this is how we do the disease

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Natural Resources Committee reconsidered Senate Bill 2159, which concerns a study related to nuclear energy and waste. Members discussed a proposed amendment to clarify that the study would address above-ground storage of nuclear waste, not underground storage, reflecting concerns raised by constituents about earlier nuclear-related proposals. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave SB 2159 a unanimous 13-0 do pass recommendation. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2245, described as a hunting-related bill, and recommended it do pass on a 13-0 vote after brief discussion with Game and Fish support noted. Senate Bill 2216, the duck stamp bill, was also advanced 13-0. Testimony on SB 2216 explained that it would help Game and Fish better track resident duck hunting participation and generate revenue for waterfowl habitat, PLOTS access, and possible federal matching funds. The most extensive debate centered on Senate Bill 2137, which addresses baiting rules and chronic wasting disease surveillance. An amendment was proposed to set a 50-gallon limit at a hunting location, require a 50-foot setback from property used for animal agriculture, and direct continued disease surveillance with a report due before December 31, 2028. After discussion about fence setbacks, livestock concerns, and the department’s authority to manage disease, the committee adopted the amendment by a 7-6 vote and then passed the bill as amended on an 8-4 vote. The committee also noted several remaining bills would be taken up the following week and adjourned, with no meeting the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• More frequently, Medicaid patients who are food insecure have diet-related diseases.
• such as diabetes, cardiovascular. disease and obesity.
• However, nutrition counseling can also be provided outside. the context of a diagnosed disease often
• It's not individualized for them and their life and their family history of disease. or prevalence of
• So in that instance, yes, there could be a diseases that are concerned. Thank you.

Bills: HB26, HB140, HB141, HB142, HB215, HB26, HB140, HB141, HB142, HB215

Keywords: Medicaid, nutrition support, maternal health, chronic conditions, pilot program, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, child abuse investigations, child neglect, child exploitation, advisory committee, Family and Protective Services Council, council abolition, foster care, due process, investigative procedures, child welfare, parental rights, family preservation services

Transcript Highlights:

• For most of my career, SMA was a fatal disease by age two.
• Type 1 diabetes is a silent autoimmune disease that catches parents unaware and, in the blink of an eye
• The diagnosis of this disease peaks in children aged 4 to 7 and then again at the age of 10.
• Type 1 diabetes is a silent autoimmune disease that catches parents unaware and, in the blink of an eye
• The diagnosis of this disease peaks in children aged 4 to 7 and then again at the age of 10.

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee heard a lengthy agenda of health care and public health bills. The first major item was HB 649, which would remove the paper supervision protocol for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and allow autonomous practice. The sponsor and supporters argued it would improve access, especially in rural areas, address workforce shortages, and reduce costs, while opponents from the medical community raised patient safety concerns and argued it would weaken physician oversight. After extensive testimony and debate, the committee reported the bill favorably by a vote of 18-7. The committee then unanimously advanced several other measures. HB 259, creating a special observance for fentanyl awareness and education, passed 23-0. HB 791, which codifies infant safety devices as an option for surrendering newborns and amends safe-haven law, passed as amended 25-0. HB 355, allowing schools to use FDA-approved emergency opioid antagonists rather than only naloxone, passed 26-0. HB 1119, requiring hospitals with emergency departments to adopt pediatric readiness policies, training, coordination, and assessment requirements, also passed 26-0 after two amendments. HB 431, changing the date for level-two background screening of athletic coaches to July 1, 2026, passed 26-0. Later, the committee approved CS for HB 907, the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases or “Sunshine Genetics Act,” which would establish an opt-in newborn genome sequencing program at FSU and a statewide consortium for rare disease research; supporters emphasized earlier diagnosis and cost savings, and the bill passed 25-0. CS for HB 519, aligning state law with federal law on controlled substances for paramedics, passed 25-0. Finally, CS for HB 723, requiring the Department of Health to provide early-detection materials for type 1 diabetes to families of young schoolchildren, passed as amended 26-0. The meeting adjourned after all bills were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• But that's... ...prevent symptom onset of this disease in its entirety.
• Like a cholesterol test, it indicates the risk of a developing disease.
• We believe that if a physician... ...the risk of a developing disease.
• likely get disease X.
• Certainly once you have disease or a condition, that is all fair game.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The RUSP is a list of conditions and diseases that children are tested for postnatally.
• Duchenne is labeled a rare disease, but it occurs in one Duchenne is labeled a rare disease, but it occurs
• This genetic disease is treatable, although there's not any gene.
• This genetic disease is treatable.
• But first to end this horrible disease.

Summary: The subcommittee met with a quorum present and took up five health-related bills. HB 1089, which would add Duchenne muscular dystrophy to Florida’s newborn screening panel, was presented as a way to enable earlier diagnosis and treatment; a pediatric neurologist from Nemours testified in support, noting existing FDA-approved therapies and ongoing clinical trials. After supportive debate, the bill passed 17-0 and was reported favorably. HB 1083 would standardize patient access to medical records by setting deadlines for providers to produce or allow inspection of records and requiring electronic delivery when available. Supporters said it would reduce delays in care and costs, while two industry groups appeared in opposition. Members from both parties spoke in favor, and the bill passed 17-0 and was reported favorably. HB 1297, which aligns Florida’s electronic prescribing rules more closely with federal law and removes some state exceptions, drew opposition from physicians who argued paper prescriptions are still needed for emergencies, shortages, and price shopping. The sponsor said the bill’s goals were patient safety, fraud prevention, and efficiency; despite concerns, it passed 18-0 and was reported favorably. The committee then considered PCS for HB 1421, the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which would create a statewide blood clot and pulmonary embolism registry, require hospital reporting and risk-assessment policies, and expand training requirements in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. The bill was presented with emotional testimony from Emily Adkins’ parents, who urged support and co-sponsorship in her memory. Members from both parties praised the family’s advocacy, and the PCS passed 18-0 and was reported favorably. Finally, HB 449 on optometry would expand optometrists’ authority to prescribe certain medications and perform specified laser and non-laser eye procedures after certification. The bill and amendment drew strong opposition from ophthalmologists and their association, who raised patient-safety, training, and delegation concerns, while optometrists argued the bill would improve access, especially in rural areas and counties without ophthalmologists. The amendment was adopted, and the bill as amended passed on a recorded vote and was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Imagine a 67-year-old on Medicare who finds out they have throat cancer, kidney disease, various kinds
• of diseases where Part B medications in Medicare will cover part of it, and they find out there is this
• Imagine a 67-year-old on Medicare who finds out they have throat cancer, kidney disease, various kinds
• ,</c> they have throat cancer, kidney disease, they have throat cancer, kidney disease, various<00:04
• :35.919><c> kinds</c><00:04:36.160><c> of</c><00:04:36.320><c> diseases</c><00:04:36.800><c> where</c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the diseases shall be under which the diseases shall be reported<00:12:51.600><c> and</c><00:12:51.920
• .<00:12:57.600><c> 301</c><00:12:58.160><c> KR6006</c> disease. 301 KR6006 disease. 301 KR6006 repeals
• </c> though dealing with the wildlife disease though dealing with the wildlife disease reporting<00:13
• 00:14:16.320><c> our</c> they discover reportable diseases, our they discover reportable diseases, our
• </c> disease spread and so forth. disease spread and so forth.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met in August with a quorum present and approved the prior meeting minutes without objection. The committee then reviewed several regulations, generally adopting staff-suggested amendments without objection, and heard brief explanations from agency representatives on each item. The Board of Pharmacy regulations would clarify what registered and certified pharmacy technicians may do under supervision and what certified technicians may not do, while updating registration applications. The Board of Cosmetology package included changes to executive director authority, licensure and reciprocity rules, school requirements, training hours, instructor ratios, sanitation and disease-related rules, complaint procedures, and permit terms; members asked about straight razor language and the increase in student-to-instructor ratios, and the board explained that cosmetologists are not permitted to use straight razors and that the higher ratio was intended to give schools flexibility, especially for part-time students and schools with wait lists. The Occupational Therapy emergency compact regulation added four compact rules adopted in April 2025, and Senator West raised a technical question about certification requirements under House Bill 6; the agency said it had been instructed to file the regulation as submitted. The Department for Fish and Wildlife Resources presented a package covering wildlife management area rules, a northern pintail bag limit increase, reportable disease reporting, and a repeal tied to boat registration fees. After a brief explanation of the new wildlife disease reporting rule, the agency requested and received a deferral of 301 KAR 2:031 to avoid a gap while replacement language is finalized. The Economic Development Finance Authority explained an emergency regulation for the Kentucky Entertainment Incentive Program, saying it was needed because the program had become oversubscribed and because administration was shifting to a new film office and council; members also asked about certification issues under House Bill 6, and the agency said it had filed the regulation as directed. The Department of Workplace Standards emergency PPE regulation was also discussed, with members asking about HB 6 certification language, and the agency gave the same response. The Department of Insurance regulation would create a $10,000 registration fee and a $1,000 annual licensing fee for pharmacy benefit manager licenses, with an agency amendment exempting PBMs that solely serve workers’ compensation plans. Members asked how many PBMs would be affected and why workers’ compensation PBMs were carved out; the agency said there were 70 registered PBMs total, four solely workers’ comp, and that workers’ comp rates are set by statute and could not absorb the fee. Finally, the Public Service Commission’s pole attachment regulation was summarized as a broadband-expansion measure that speeds application review, increases the number of poles allowed in a single application, and shortens dispute timelines; the commission explained it grew out of earlier legislative direction and subsequent emergency amendments, and the committee adopted the staff amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• is critical to public safety, particularly for those in, as we see a rise in vaccine preventable diseases
• Vaccine guidance should also account for disease epidemiology and other contexts, such as the health
• like economically devastating diseases for animal diseases.
• like economically devastating diseases for animal diseases.
• Foreign animal diseases. So without that in-person exam, diagnostics are long-standing valid VCPRs.

Summary: The Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee held public hearings on several House bills and later took executive action on two others. The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2242, which would let the Department of Health issue immunization recommendations and tie preventive-service coverage to federal recommendations as of June 30, 2025, while preserving access to vaccines and other preventive services. Supporters, including the Governor’s office and the Insurance Commissioner, said the bill would protect access, affordability, and stable vaccine purchasing; opponents argued it politicizes vaccine policy and gives too much influence to state agencies and outside groups. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 2152, allowing terminally ill patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice facilities to use medical cannabis under facility policies, with supporters emphasizing dignity, symptom relief, and safeguards, and House Bill 2088, joining the dietitian licensure compact, which supporters said would help military spouses, telehealth, and workforce shortages. House Bill 2110, on ambulance inter-facility specialty care transports, drew support from rural hospitals seeking more staffing flexibility and opposition from nurses and EMS personnel concerned about training, accountability, and patient safety. House Bill 2247, on veterinarian-client-patient relationships and telemedicine, drew support from the sponsor and some stakeholders as a workforce and access measure, but also criticism from the state veterinarian and others who said it could conflict with federal VCPR requirements and public health protections. House Bill 2340, expanding substance use disorder monitoring program eligibility to nursing assistants and stipend support, was presented as a way to help low-wage health workers stay in the workforce; there were no in-person testifiers against it. In executive session, the committee considered House Bill 2155, concerning the use of nursing titles, and House Bill 2531, aligning the ambulance transport fund quality assurance fee with federal regulations. Both bills received do-pass recommendations and were sent to the Rules Committee. For the public hearings, no final committee votes were taken on the other bills in this transcript, and testimony concluded on each measure after the committee heard from sponsors, agency officials, advocates, and opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• ; this financial cost is at least 120% of the economic burden of Alzheimer's disease.
• And whereas raising greater awareness of this serious disease is an imperative and further action is
• is an imperative and further disease is an imperative and further action<00:38:44.800><c> is</c><00:
• There are currently no treatments to slow the progress of this disease.
• </c><00:39:46.480><c> that</c> neurode degenerative disease that neurode degenerative disease that affects

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is what causes the diseases near the airports.
• It is what causes the diseases near the airports. It's what causes. Metallic in nature.
• It is what causes the diseases near the airports.
• It's also been linked to neurological harm and associated in research with Alzheimer's disease.
• It's also been linked to neurological harm and associated in research with Alzheimer's disease.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, they may also spread disease once they release these animals into new populations.
• I have my pre-exposure vaccine, but I was told no due to health concerns and diseases.
• Wildlife rehabilitation involves handling animals and caregiving diseases without training, oversight
• It's not just about diseases.
• and implementing disease prevention measures.

Bills: HB448, HB448

Keywords: wildlife rehabilitation, conservation, good samaritan, injured animals, orphaned animals, debilitated wildlife, wild birds, wild animals, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR, permit exemption, animal rescue, animal welfare, veterinary medicine, veterinary licensing, animal cruelty, wildlife care, rehabilitation act, non-federally protected species, endangered species

Transcript Highlights:

• present Assembly Bill 230, which is a straightforward bill that extends the sunset of the Pierce's disease
• control program and the Pierce's disease glassy-wing sharpshooter board to the year 2037.
• These entities were created 25 years ago to combat Pierce's disease, a disease that is deadly to our
• When Pierce's disease first arrived in California, more than 300 acres of grapevines were infected and
• It's been so successful that people think that Pierce's disease has been eradicated. It hasn't.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, growing up when I was a kid, like mad cow disease was the rage and all this stuff, and
• It could be any animal disease or any type of animal emergency. >> Yes, it would.
• It could be any animal disease or any type of animal emergency.
• It could be any animal disease or any type of animal emergency.
• It could be any animal disease or any type of animal emergency.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:02 Attendance Roll Call 00:24 SB 73 Discussion 02:40 SB 73 Roll Call Vote 05:05 SB 155 Discussion 06:48 SB 155 Roll Call Vote 14:00, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• as 14 state defined measures and the measures focus on preventive services, mental health, chronic disease
• performance measures included in that contract, maintaining the focus on preventive care, chronic disease
• the last iterations of the S MC Program, including a quality withhold incentive, chronic chronic disease
• Mc 3 Point O is centered around chronic disease management programs.
• Oh, contracts plans were required to implement chronic disease programs and other special healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• Black Americans are twice as likely to develop the disease.
• My mother is in the later stage of the disease now. I am her voice.
• My mother is in the later stage of the disease now. I am her voice.
• I heard our people talking about dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
• Alzheimer's disease creates changes in the brain that last about 20 years.

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs met with a quorum and first took up SB 398, which would create a statewide public health awareness campaign through the Department of Elder Affairs on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Senator Burgess said the campaign would focus on early detection, brain health, risk reduction, clinical trial access, and community resources. The committee heard supportive testimony from a caregiver, AARP, the Alzheimer’s Association, and others, with members discussing the need for culturally responsive outreach and continued funding. SB 398 was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then heard SB 106, which would strengthen Florida’s exploitation injunction law for vulnerable adults by allowing service of an unascertainable exploiter through the same communication method used to contact the victim, such as text, Facebook Messenger, or WhatsApp. Senator Martin explained the bill as a way to close a loophole that lets scammers evade traditional service, and witnesses from the Florida Bankers Association and the Florida Bar’s Elder Law Section supported it, describing how the bill could stop ongoing thefts more quickly while preserving due process. Members asked about gift card scams, clerk workload, and the definition of an unascertainable respondent. SB 106 was reported favorably. The Department of Children and Families then presented an update on the Adoption Benefits for Qualifying Adoptive Employees Program, describing its expansion over time and the current one-time lump-sum benefit structure for eligible adoptive parents. The presentation covered eligibility rules, open enrollment, funding history, and the program’s impact on adoption placements, with members asking why tax collectors were included but other constitutional offices were not, and whether foster relatives could qualify. Finally, the committee considered SPB 7012, a committee bill addressing child welfare workforce shortages, treatment foster care for high-acuity children, and improved data collection on commercially sexually exploited children. The bill would direct DCF to recruit former public safety workers for CPI and case manager roles, create a treatment foster care pilot in two judicial circuits, and require more detailed, analyzable data and capacity studies. The bill drew support from child welfare advocates, with some members urging DCF to return with a more developed framework; it was adopted as a committee bill and reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Parkinson's disease is the fastest growing neurological disease in the United States, affecting more
• Parkinson's disease is the fastest growing neurological disease in the United States, affecting more
• Parkinson's is a devastating progressive disease with no cure and no treatment that can slow down its
• At the same time, we know that we do not yet fully understand the causes of this disease.
• The Parkinson's Disease Research Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund passed last year, and it reflects the

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , most recently for things like chronic wasting disease management.
• And really that would depend on what kind of disease it was.
• So if it was a disease, I'll use chronic wasting disease as an example, we would then work to set up
• And really that would depend on what kind of disease it was.
• So if it was a disease, I'll use chronic wasting disease as an example.

Keywords: 989, all