Video & Transcript : 'interdepartmental collaboration' :
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/16/26 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- resolved by the House of Representatives of the state of Minnesota that it encourages continued collaboration
- c> continued</c> Minnesota that it encourages continued Minnesota that it encourages continued collaboration
- <00:03:58.960><c> with</c><00:03:59.080><c> Somali-American</c> collaboration with Somali-American collaboration
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
October 7, 2025 - 01:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- continue to hear the influx of cases as appropriate and to a conducted 30 field operations in collaboration
- from assessed to order and dispense HIV post-exposure prophylaxis or pep drones and are written collaborative
- submit the access to care plans annually by February. 28, the Board of Pharmacy is required to collaborate
- They estimate the proof to the Board of Pharmacy of their written collaborative practice agreement.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Apr 7th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- With the Nonprofit Leadership Collaborative.
- together CEOs and executive leaders from non- profit organizations across our county, and to work collaboratively
- It's very important that we have these organizations because collaboration is essential, the challenges
- They are not competitive, they are collaborative, and they each represent the individual missions and
- Yang has worked collaboratively with local non-profit leaders, community leaders.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Convention of the California Legislature State of the Judiciary Mar 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- This reflects our commitment to work collaboratively, with civility and with mutual respect, on behalf
- such as ameliorative laws touching upon post-judgment resentencing, juvenile justice, diversion, collaborative
- Under the CARE Act, the courts continue to collaborate with the California Health and Human Services
- the holistic approach of unifying and coordinating public services, as has been done with our collaborative
- broader issues of public concern, I look forward with energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to working collaboratively
Summary:
The California Legislature met in joint convention for the annual State of the Judiciary address, with judges and justices from across the state in attendance along with Governor Newsom and other statewide officials. The opening included prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the formal introduction of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero and the California Supreme Court justices. Speakers emphasized the importance of judicial independence, the courts’ role in protecting rights and democracy, and the value of collaboration between the legislative and judicial branches.
Chief Justice Guerrero focused on the state of the judicial branch, beginning with budget pressures from prior cuts and noting partial restoration in the governor’s proposed budget, while urging continued stable funding for courts, court-appointed counsel, and judgeships in high-need counties. She highlighted the expansion and benefits of remote proceedings, ongoing judicial vacancies, workload growth, and efforts to improve data collection and case-weighting. She also discussed implementation of the CARE Act, the court interpreter workforce pilot, CASA and kin-first child welfare efforts, courthouse security and facilities projects, and the judiciary’s work on generative AI guardrails.
A major portion of the address addressed the recent problems with the California bar exam and broader State Bar oversight. Guerrero said the court would pursue remedies for examinees harmed by the failures and would strengthen admissions oversight, including the role of the Committee of Bar Examiners. She also reiterated support for pro bono legal services and discussed immigration-related courthouse access, citing state laws limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement in courthouses. The convention concluded after remarks thanking the judiciary and Legislature, and the joint session adjourned without any recorded votes or formal legislative action.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Assembly Select Committee on Biotechnology and Medical Technology and Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee Aug 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I want to welcome and thank the collaboration here with the Assembly Committee on Privacy and Consumer
- So there's a lot of work there, but a lot of great collaboration.
- That makes collaboration essential.
- That makes collaboration essential. when in for across many people.
- That makes collaboration essential.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets
Transcript Highlights:
- Every two years, the University, in collaboration with the UMass Building Authority and our five campuses
- We did this with all of your help and support, and so we thank you for that collaboration.
- These infrastructure investments create environments where collaboration flourishes, where students want
- So how does the Bright Act, you know, does the Bright Act help that collaboration? Sure.
- But my question is related... ...that's going to allow us to build on for more collaboration.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on the BRIGHT Act, a higher education capital bill that would use Fair Share surtax revenue to fund major repairs, modernization, and decarbonization projects across UMass, state universities, and community colleges. UMass leadership described a $4.8 billion deferred maintenance backlog, aging buildings, and the need to modernize facilities, improve accessibility, and reduce emissions. Administration officials said the bill would authorize $2.5 billion in capital funding, split roughly 50-50 between UMass and the rest of public higher education, plus additional targeted funding for housing planning, smaller modernization projects, campus master plans, and workforce skills grants. They emphasized that the financing structure is modeled on the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and would not raise student costs, while also supporting affordability through financial aid and free community college.
Members raised questions about regional equity, the distribution of funds among the five UMass campuses and the 24 state university/community college campuses, project labor agreements, whether the bill would unlock private or federal matching funds, and how the system is preparing for AI and changing workforce needs. UMass officials said project selection is data-driven, based on deferred maintenance, safety, accessibility, sustainability, and programmatic needs, and that the flagship campus in Western Massachusetts would likely receive a large share because of its size and needs. They also said UMass Boston would receive its own share and would not be shortchanged by the Bayside project. On labor, they said PLAs are commonly used and they would follow existing board and building authority policies. On affordability, they said the university has shifted hundreds of millions into need-based aid and that the state’s recent support has helped keep tuition low for many students.
DCAMM and higher education officials said the state’s public campuses account for a large share of state-owned building space and a disproportionate share of operational carbon emissions, making decarbonization a major driver of the bill. They said the legislation would allow larger, more comprehensive projects that can address deferred maintenance, energy efficiency, and program needs at the same time, while also making some projects shovel-ready through the Fair Share supplemental funding already appropriated. A later panel from the State Universities Council of Presidents argued the bill’s authorization is still too small to meet long-term needs and urged the committee to increase the bond cap and ensure a more equitable distribution among segments. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE Jun 15th, 2026
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- He said that through the 1033 initiative, DHS and their team collaborate effectively with Restore Hope
- They are part of that collaboration, as well as our fraud unit in DHS.
- So it's a collaboration across our teams to identify things we can do in all the ways to help reduce
- They are part of that collaboration as well as our fraud unit in DHS.
- And so they are at. part of that collaboration as well as our fraud unit in DHS.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- She's collaborative and firm without being arbitrary.
- Is it collaboration? Is it aggressive enforcement? Is it some hybrid of the two? Where do you fall?
- Chairman, members, I think that I believe in collaboration.
- I mean, especially when you take the collaboration first, aggressive second, right?
- How do you keep it consistent where it's the same level of collaboration before using the hammer?
Committee:
Senate Director Nominations
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JDC, JDC Public Hearings 04-21-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- My request is that such collaborative agreements start occurring sooner rather than later, because you
- </c> without statutes, get collaborative without statutes, get collaborative agreements. agreements.
- My request is that such collaborative<00:14:01.160><c> agreements</c><00:14:02.440><c> start</c><00:14
- :02.800><c> occurring</c> collaborative agreements start occurring collaborative agreements start occurring
- <00:44:48.320><c> agreements</c><00:44:48.960><c> between</c> collaborative agreements between collaborative
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard Governor’s Messages 796 and 797, both judicial confirmation nominations, but announced at the outset that no votes would be taken that day. The committee said it would hold the vote the next day in Room 225. For GM 796, Annalisa M. Bernard Lee was nominated to serve as circuit court judge for the Second Circuit (Maui) for a 10-year term. Supporters included former Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, former judges, attorneys, and the Hawaii State Bar Association, all describing her as fair, hardworking, experienced on both criminal and civil matters, and active in the legal community. Judge Lee testified about her background as a Maui native, former public defender and prosecutor, and current district court judge, and said her experience on all sides of the courtroom shaped her commitment to fairness and access to justice. Senators asked about diversion, sentencing repeat offenders, and the role of a circuit court judge; Lee said she would consider cases individually, support diversion and pretrial collaboration where appropriate, and use judicial power to address underlying problems when possible.
For GM 797, Michael K. Soong was nominated to the Fifth Circuit Court for Kauai and Niihau. Former Chief Justice Recktenwald and other supporters praised his long legal career, including service as a prosecutor, district court judge, and acting chief judge during a period when Kauai lacked a full-time circuit judge. They emphasized his courtroom control, common sense, community ties, and willingness to take on extra judicial committee work. Soong testified that he had served as a district court judge since 2017 and had recently been handling circuit court duties, including civil, criminal, and jury trial matters. He described the differences between district and circuit court, his experience presiding over complex trials, and his support for specialty courts such as drug court, veterans court, and mental health calendars. The Hawaii State Bar Association said it found him qualified after its review. No votes were taken on either nomination during this hearing.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- There's opportunities for collaboration. There's other examples as well.
- It will require, rather than a collaborative joint board meeting, each individual board meeting and then
- a collaborative one.
- It will require, rather than a collaborative joint board meeting, each individual board meeting and then
- a collaborative one.
Committee:
House House Education Committee of Reference
Summary:
The committee heard and advanced several school-related bills, with much of the discussion focused on governance, transparency, and accountability in school districts. House Bill 2318 would impose term limits on school district governing board members in districts with at least 250 students, while allowing county superintendents to appoint a term-limited member to fill a vacancy. Supporters argued it would bring fresh ideas and prevent entrenched leadership; opponents said voters should decide. The bill received a due pass recommendation after a divided roll call.
House Bill 2312 would allow certain patriotic youth groups to address students during school hours and require equal access for those groups in school forums. The sponsor said it was intended to promote programs such as FFA, Scouts, and similar organizations. Some members objected that it would take instructional time and was not truly permissive if access was granted to one group, and the bill nonetheless received a due pass recommendation. House Bill 2320 would require school districts to hire a registered independent municipal advisor before calling a bond election and for each successful bond issue. The sponsor and supporters said this could reduce underwriting fees and save taxpayers money, while some members raised questions about costs if a bond failed and whether the bill should be narrowed; it passed with a due pass recommendation after several members voted present or no.
The committee also approved House Bill 2376, which would bar districts from buying or leasing school property while a charter or private school is still operating there, and House Bill 2378, which tightens conflict-of-interest rules for the School Facilities Oversight Board by barring the architect and engineer members from having school-construction business. Both were framed by the sponsor as responses to concerns raised in Tolleson Union-related testimony and reporting. House Bill 2379, as amended, requires school board members to complete biennial training approved by the Auditor General, to be offered by county superintendents or ADE, with counties able to contract with others; supporters called it needed training, while opponents raised concerns about unfunded mandates, inclusion of ASBA, and charter schools. It received a due pass recommendation. Finally, House Bill 2380 would require board and subcommittee meetings to be held in-district, preserve online access to materials, and require public approval of out-of-state travel, with reimbursement if retroactive approval is denied. Rural districts and others raised concerns about flexibility, executive-session confidentiality, and administrative burden, but the bill was discussed with amendments and public access concerns rather than a final recorded action in the excerpt.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- There are opportunities for collaboration. There are other examples as well.
- So those are sort of collaborative things.
- It will require, rather than a collaborative joint board meeting, each individual board meeting, and
- then a collaborative one—that's probably how it goes anyway.
- Maybe we need to limit the collaborative opportunities to certain things, and whatever is discussed at
Committee:
House Education
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It's got a lot of—look, I'm the Director of the National Security Collaboration Center.
- I'm the Director of the National Security Collaboration Center.
- But it says your title is National Security Collaboration Center. That's a center within UTSA.
- I'm talking about your National Security Collaboration. Yeah, we have.
- I'm talking about your National Security collaboration. Yeah, we have.
Bills:
HB146 , HB150 , HB1500 , HB1545 , HB1562 , HB2067 , HB2520 , HB2818 , HB3214 , HB3250 , HB3466 , HB3512 , HB3623 , HB4063 , HB4395 , HB4464 , HB4668 , HB4690 , HB5331 , HB3833
Committee:
Senate Business & Commerce
Keywords:
HB 146, Texas Capitol, State Capitol, State Preservation Board, Congress Avenue, Travis County, traffic lanes, lane closure, road closure, municipal authority, local control, Capitol area, downtown Austin, special events, construction traffic plan, pedestrian safety, public works, transportation policy, government code chapter 443, cybersecurity
Summary:
The committee took up several pending business items and reported a series of House bills out of committee, including HB 2467, HB 2468, HB 2518, HB 4310, HB 4386, HB 4490, HB 5323, and HB 149. Most of these were advanced on committee substitute motions and sent to the local and uncontested calendar or reported favorably to the full Senate. HB 2467 drew one nay vote, while the others were approved without opposition. HB 4310 and HB 4386 were described as committee-substitute versions with changes narrowing disclosure requirements and preserving attorney-client privilege in certain circumstances.
A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 149, an AI governance bill. The substitute was explained as addressing biometric identifier capture and storage, exempting certain AI uses for security and fraud prevention, clarifying definitions, restricting AI systems that simulate explicit child sexual content, adjusting Attorney General investigative authority, refining sandbox program waivers, reducing Texas AI Council powers and membership, and adding DIR coordination provisions. The committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably.
The committee then heard extensive testimony on HB 1500, the DIR sunset bill. The author said the bill would continue DIR for 12 years, restructure its board, update advisory committees, require regular cybersecurity assessments and penetration testing for state agencies, improve IT procurement training, and transfer the e-grants program to the Comptroller. A Texas 2036 witness supported the bill as a way to strengthen governance, procurement, and cybersecurity. Members asked detailed questions about the bill’s structure and then left HB 1500 pending.
The committee also heard a lengthy presentation on HB 150, which would create the Texas Cyber Command as a component of the University of Texas System, administratively attached to UTSA and located in San Antonio. The author argued the command would centralize cyber threat intelligence, incident response, and digital forensics, and would be able to support state and local entities, with optional services for local governments. Members raised concerns about university mission drift, governance, security, chain of command, procurement authority, gifts and donations, and civil liberties implications of proactive cyber monitoring. Witnesses from UTSA/NSCC and SecurityScorecard testified in support, emphasizing the security of the downtown San Antonio facility, the existing cyber ecosystem there, and the need for a dedicated cyber capability. The bill remained under discussion with no final committee action announced in the excerpt.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- And the great thing about that project is it is a cross collaboration.
- And the great thing about that project is it is a cross collaboration.
- And the great thing about that project is it is a cross collaboration.
- And the great thing about that project is it is a cross collaboration.
- </c> uh is the continued collaboration uh is the continued collaboration between<00:27:02.080><c> agencies
Committee:
House Education Policy
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board (1-12-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- with the board, that in collaboration with the board, the<00:26:57.200><c> interim</c><00:26:57.480>
- And what's omitted is the same language as collaboration, cooperation, the board for upcoming provider
- </c><00:36:09.160><c> cooperation,</c> language as collaboration cooperation, language as collaboration
- </c> agree we need to work collaboratively agree we need to work collaboratively together<00:49:06.480
- effort to try to more of a collaborative effort to try to get<00:49:41.480><c> the</c><00:49:41.560>
Summary:
The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on January 12, 2026, to approve the December 10, 2025 minutes and continue finalizing its findings and recommendations. Members reviewed findings on administrative inefficiencies, Medicaid and workforce participation under HR 1, Medicaid budget growth, rural health transformation fund development, and provider tax/state-directed payment changes. The board approved a motion to change “pilot” to “partnership” in the workforce-related recommendation, and also adopted a technical amendment clarifying overlapping HCBS services by removing reference to adult daycare waiver services and revising the language to focus on reducing duplication, simplifying provider contracting, and standardizing processes across programs. A separate technical correction was noted to change “DMS” to “DPH” in the rural health transformation finding, to be handled in the final edits.
Several findings drew discussion but no final substantive vote during the meeting. On the rural health transformation fund, Dr. Berg said Kentucky had done well in federal funding and noted limits on what could be shared publicly, while Commissioner Lee said a public website had been created and recommended the department reference be changed to the Department for Public Health. Finding five prompted extended discussion about provider taxes, state-directed payment reductions under HR 1, and whether the board should address the relationship between actuarial studies, MCO payments, and actual provider reimbursement more directly. Senator Meredith and others argued for a broader, more transparent baseline review of rates across provider groups, while Commissioner Lee said CMS will require certain fee schedule comparisons to Medicare beginning July 1, 2026, and that quarterly expenditure reports already go to LRC.
The board did not finish resolving finding five during the meeting and agreed to return to it after staff prepared more explicit language. Members also discussed the possibility of an all-payers claims database as a better way to understand what is being paid across payers and services. No final vote on the full findings package was taken in the portion of the meeting provided, but the board did adopt the noted amendments and continued working through the remaining language.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
TCA-HRE, HRE Public Hearings 03-20-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- As we see the erosion of our foreign assistance programs, as well as the erosion of collaborative international
- So there's, you know, we're working as a collaborator, as a facilitator, and hopefully in a synergistic
- So there's, you know, we're working as a collaborator, as a facilitator, and hopefully in a synergistic
- So there's, you know, we're working as a collaborator, as a facilitator, and hopefully in a synergistic
- </c><00:31:42.200><c> as</c><00:31:42.279><c> a</c> working as a collaborator as a working as a collaborator
Summary:
The meeting covered several Senate resolutions related to the University of Hawaiʻi system, the East-West Center, and related education and workforce issues. On SCR 178 and SR 48, testifiers strongly supported the East-West Center, describing it as an important Hawaii asset that promotes cultural exchange, global citizenship, diplomacy, and ties to the University of Hawaiʻi. Speakers said the Center has helped train leaders and bring international connections and investment to Hawaii, and they urged continued funding despite federal cuts. The chairs then recommended passage with technical amendments, and both resolutions were adopted by the committees.
The committee also heard testimony on resolutions calling for audits of University of Hawaiʻi operations. On SR 32 and SCR 50, the University of Hawaiʻi said it supported the resolution and had already begun work on establishing a Bachelor of Science in nursing at the UH Maui campus, with additional staff available on Zoom to answer questions. On SR 160 and SCR 142, which sought a financial and performance audit of UH Mānoa facilities, UH Athletics said it already undergoes annual financial audits required by NCAA bylaws but not performance audits, and discussed its internal evaluations, contingency planning, and efforts to address concerns raised by student athletes and staff.
The committee then took up SCR 138 and SR 55, requesting a management and performance audit of the UH Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy. Vice President Deborah Halbert and P20 Director Steve Shotz said they did not oppose the audit and believed it could provide clarity, while explaining that the office is relatively new and works collaboratively across campuses on articulation, transfer, grants, and workforce alignment. They described grant programs including Perkins, GEAR UP, preschool development, and data-sharing efforts, and said they are focusing more resources on teaching, health care, and skilled trades. The discussion also touched on SR 54, a proposed performance audit of the UH Foundation, where foundation representatives said they already undergo annual financial audits, acknowledged some donor communication issues, but emphasized improved stewardship and growth in fundraising over recent years.
OR
Oregon 2026 Regular Session
Senate Interim Committee On Early Childhood and Behavioral Health 06/17/2026 1:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- We've gone over there and actually started to share and collaborate on how our leadership team... ...
- Jones, who's here in the audience, is very much a strong partner and collaborator to help strengthen
- And so it's become a very healthy and collaborative process that has been put into place, and I'm pleased
- To take everyone who touches any part of this business, collaborating and cooperating.
- We need to do something cooperatively and collaboratively with common purpose, and these sectors are
Summary:
The joint Senate and House Behavioral Health committees held an informational meeting focused first on the Oregon State Hospital (OSH). OHA Director Sajal Hathi introduced the hospital’s incoming permanent superintendent, Sean Murphy, and praised interim superintendent Jim Deagle for stabilizing operations, restoring CMS compliance, and helping drive a culture change centered on safety, accountability, and transparency. Deagle and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Amit Bavon described OSH’s role as the state’s highest-level forensic psychiatric hospital, the patient populations it serves, its partnerships with courts, counties, jails, hospitals, and advocates, and recent leadership changes across the hospital. They also reported improved accreditation and regulatory status, including Joint Commission accreditation and CMS compliance, and said the hospital is now using daily safety huddles, incident review meetings, stronger escalation procedures, and revised seclusion/restraint practices to reduce risk and improve oversight.
Members pressed hospital leaders on past seclusion practices, asking how prolonged seclusions could have occurred under federal standards. Leaders said they could not explain past decisions but emphasized that current leadership has changed processes, training, reporting, and oversight so that seclusion and restraint are reviewed in real time and cannot be normalized. Questions also covered staffing, falls, and future planning. OSH said it is generally staffed to budget, though it still has RN and mental health technician vacancies and is working on recruitment, training, and better staffing distribution. Hathi said the hospital is building a public dashboard with key performance and safety metrics, including workforce data, and described the long-term goal as a consistently safe, disciplined, high-functioning institution that responds quickly to mistakes and remains accountable to the public.
The committee then shifted to an informational overview of civil commitment. Oregon Judicial Department representative Chanah Newell explained the civil commitment process, including who can initiate it, the role of community mental health providers and courts, the five-day timeline to hearing, and the standards for danger to self, danger to others, and inability to meet basic needs. She summarized changes made in House Bill 2005, including revised statutory language and new provisions allowing a second diversion period, but cautioned that the data are too early to show clear trends. Testimony from NAMI Oregon’s Chris Bonif and psychiatrist Dr. Stephanie Lopez argued that Oregon still relies too heavily on jails and state hospital commitments because the broader community system lacks enough treatment, housing, and less restrictive alternatives. They urged the legislature to focus on upstream services, supported housing, and possible outpatient commitment tools so people can receive treatment before reaching crisis. The meeting ended with acknowledgment that additional reports and follow-up discussions are expected, including on residential treatment capacity and related behavioral health system reforms.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- be operated by Vermont State Housing Authority, and it directs the Agency of Human Services to collaborate
- be operated by Vermont State Housing Authority, and it directs the Agency of Human Services to collaborate
- be operated by Vermont State Housing Authority, and it directs the Agency of Human Services to collaborate
- be operated by Vermont State Housing Authority, and it directs the Agency of Human Services to collaborate
- be operated by Vermont State Housing Authority, and it directs the Agency of Human Services to collaborate
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health Apr 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We've also seen a number of hospitals that have benefited from forming strategic partnerships and collaboration
- “For the larger regional collaborative hub-and-spoke models, we think broadly what we would see is, obviously
- rural health workforce to address care gaps in underserved areas and looks forward to continued collaboration
- We look forward to continue collaboration with H-Qi as they begin to roll out the grant funding application
- secure and trusted environment for the exchange of personal information. and looks forward to collaborating
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority -OMMA- Feb 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And what we're trying to figure out is how can we come together and collaborate that empowers not only
- But, you know, my pain point is the collaboration.
- We want to see better collaboration, and maybe it's happening, but from the conversations I've had, it
- As far as collaboration, I would say that that's always going to be an evolving process.
- We have to work together on this thing, and I think that collaboration is improving with them.
Summary:
The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority advisory council met for its first public comment session, approved the November 21, 2025 minutes, and heard extensive comments from patients, industry members, and advocates. Public testimony focused on concerns about proposed legislative changes, including potency limits, tax increases, grow-license caps, reclamation bonds, hemp-derived cannabinoids, and bills affecting employee credentialing and edible definitions. Commenters also raised transparency concerns about the council’s composition, OMMA’s “secret shopper” program, access to records, and the need for more patient, processor, lab, and small-business representation.
OMMA leadership gave agency updates, reporting that the medical portal had improved after earlier problems and that turnaround times were now about 36 days for commercial renewals, same day for credentials and transport agents, and eight days for patients. The agency also said it had added an administrative actions tab to its website, was moving forward with QA lab accreditation, and was working more closely with law enforcement on hemp-derived cannabinoid enforcement. The new Chief Science Officer reported accreditation progress for the QA lab, completion of several validation processes, 12 lab cases filed for 2024-2025 inspections, and one lab license revoked for noncompliance.
Legislative staff reviewed bills moving through the session, including measures extending a moratorium, capping commercial grow licenses at 2,550, repealing the grow bond and adding a reclamation fee, and limiting THC in certain products, though one THC-cap bill had been amended into an advertising bill. Council discussion centered on proposed 10 mg per serving and 100 mg per package limits, with members arguing those limits could harm patients who need individualized dosing and create business disruptions. Members also discussed the need for better scientific testing methods, more timely inspection reports, and clearer guidance on license transfers.
A major portion of the meeting addressed coordination between OMMA and OBNDD on enforcement against illegal or “gas station” cannabis products and bad actors. OBNDD explained its role in criminal enforcement, the use of search warrants and emergency suspensions, and how OMMA license revocations automatically affect OBN registrations. OMMA said it is now receiving more regular information from OBNDD and using that data to shut down licenses more quickly. The council also discussed whether public-facing license information should be redacted for safety, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which passed.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- We work collaboratively with hospital partners and EMS partners. They've given us feedback.
- So I think collaboration is a critical component of my leadership style, for certain.
- And then, of course, we collaborate with the fire and the rescue and the law enforcement and those other
- And then of course we collaborate with the fire and the rescue and the law enforcement and those other
- We're not actually the ones going in the home to do the activity, but we are working collaboratively
Committee:
Senate Rules