Transcript Highlights:

• In addition to that, they're looking at drug shortages to help West Virginia and all across the country
• In addition to that, they're looking at drug shortages to help West Virginia and all across the country
• In addition to that, they're looking at drug shortages to help West Virginia and all across the country
• Engrossed House Bill 5406, relating to driving under the influence. Second reading of the bill.
• Administration's drug development trials with Abagain, first reading of the bill.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and numerous guest introductions, including students, community leaders, food bank representatives, and visitors connected to Hunger Free West Virginia Day. A resolution recognizing March 10, 2026, as Hunger Free West Virginia Day was adopted, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 on the Southern West Virginia water crisis was referred to the Rules Committee. The chamber also heard remarks highlighting Hunger Free West Virginia’s work and a West Virginia company, Unigen, developing pharmaceutical manufacturing in the state. The Senate concurred with House amendments and passed several measures, including Senate Bill 467 on enforcement of Purple Heart parking spaces, Senate Bill 712 on cattle guards on certain public roads, and Senate Bill 781, a supplemental appropriation measure that was also made effective from passage. The chamber then adopted and passed Senate Bill 844, a large supplemental appropriation to the Department of Human Services, and Senate Bill 87, a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Commerce, both effective from passage. Other third-reading bills passed included the Blue Envelope Program for drivers with autism, dementia, or intellectual and developmental disabilities; coverage for scalp cooling systems during chemotherapy; expansion of sex-offender registration to include solicitation of a minor and non-consensual disclosure of private images; child safety reporting requirements for school personnel; age-verification requirements for websites hosting harmful sexual material; free Gold Star parent vehicle registration; online training and updated standards for sanitarians; sheriff hiring authority; organ donor registration through voter registration; a Cold Case Task Force; abandoned vehicle title procedures; nutrition continuing education for physicians; special plate rules; gift card fraud offenses; protections for athletic officials; in-year school personnel movement; administrative services powers; pharmacy benefit manager regulation; vape shop regulation; reduced parole supervision fees; disability service credit for certain troopers; property valuation reporting changes; and quarterly Hope Scholarship payments. The Senate also advanced a large number of House bills and committee substitutes on second reading, including supplemental appropriations and measures on mental health examinations, dog registration rules, juvenile jurisdiction on military installations, military interpersonal violence, kinship care subsidies, a statewide prevention plan, contraband smuggling into federal prisons, forestry equipment levy treatment, and Commerce Department rules for microgrid districts and high-impact data centers. Several committee amendments were adopted, and many bills were advanced to third reading without objection. No executive communications were reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a position that has great authority, great responsibility, great impact, and great influence
• Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5594, the Secretary will read: An act relating to reducing prescription drug
• An act relating to reducing prescription drug costs by eliminating barriers impeding access to biosimilar
• If they have kids and they have drugs, and those drugs... What we're doing is not working.
• If they have kids and they have drugs, and those drugs put children in danger, parents should be held

Bills: SB5068 , SB5109 , SB5188 , SB5223 , SB5280 , SB5420 , SB5467 , SB5581 , SB5649 , SB5705

Summary: The Senate opened with ceremonial items, approved the previous day’s journal, and referred committee reports and new introductions. Members then adopted Senate Resolution 8669 recognizing National Blood Donor Month after remarks emphasizing the life-saving need for blood donations and the work of blood coalition partners. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 8667 honoring Monica Alexander for her long public service with the Washington State Patrol and Criminal Justice Training Commission, with multiple senators praising her leadership, reforms, and mentorship. The chamber then took up a series of gubernatorial appointments to college boards of trustees, confirming Rosa Peralta to the Seattle College District, Stephen Zimmerman to Wenatchee Valley College, and Tara Lear to Walla Walla Community College, each by roll call vote. After caucus, the Senate returned to third reading and considered several bills, including SB 5068 on law enforcement, corrections, and prosecutors; SB 5252 on property tax exemptions for nonprofit public assembly halls and meeting places; SB 5280 on consumer protections for virtual currency kiosks; SB 5124 on patient access and skilled nursing facility discharge coordination; and SB 5436 on interference with access to places of religious worship. Most of these measures were amended and then passed, with SB 5068 and SB 5436 drawing debate over immigration status and protest activity, respectively. Later, the Senate passed SB 5705, narrowing traffic safety penalties to focus on distracted driving in school zones; ESSB 5594, delaying implementation of biosimilar drug access provisions; SB 5169, expanding out-of-court testimony options for child victims and witnesses; ESSB 5098, expanding weapons restrictions to additional public buildings and outdoor public spaces, despite opposition over firearm preemption and self-defense concerns; SB 5188, allowing rural broadband repair loans; SB 5109, making the mortgage lending fraud prosecution account permanent with a fee increase; SSB 5240, authorizing schools to use available anaphylaxis medication in emergencies; SB 5420, ensuring veterans and uniformed service members access to benefits and opportunities; SB 5467, simplifying surplus property sales by water-sewer districts; SSB 5331, strengthening insurance enforcement and restitution authority; and ESSB 5071, updating child endangerment law to include fentanyl and synthetic opioids, with an amendment adding a parenting-alternative approach for child defendants. The Senate also adopted an amendment to SB 5581 to include public transportation providers in safe-system transportation infrastructure planning and then advanced the bill toward final passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a position that has great authority, great responsibility, great impact, great influence in our
• Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5594, the Secretary will read: An act relating to reducing prescription drug
• An act relating to reducing prescription drug costs by eliminating barriers impeding access to biosimilar
• If they have kids and they have drugs, and those drugs... ...is not working.
• If they have kids and they have drugs, and those drugs put children in danger, parents should be held

Bills: SB5068 , SB5109 , SB5188 , SB5223 , SB5280 , SB5420 , SB5467 , SB5581 , SB5649 , SB5705

Summary: The Senate opened with ceremonial business, including the roll call, colors, pledge, and prayer, then approved the previous day’s journal and referred committee reports and new introductions. Members also suspended rules to consider multiple resolutions and bills. Senate Resolution 8669, honoring National Blood Donor Month, was adopted after remarks emphasizing the life-saving importance of blood donation and recognizing the Northwest Blood Coalition, whose members were introduced in the gallery. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 8667 honoring Monica Alexander, executive director of the Criminal Justice Training Commission, with multiple senators praising her career in the State Patrol, her leadership on regional training academies, sexual assault kit reform, and public safety culture. The Senate also confirmed several gubernatorial appointments to college boards, including Rosa Peralta to the Seattle College District Board of Trustees, Stephen A. Zimmerman to Wenatchee Valley College, and Tara Lear to Walla Walla Community College, each by 49-0 roll call votes. The Senate spent much of the session on third-reading bills, often amending them before final passage. Measures passed included SB 5068 on agencies, firefighters, prosecutors, and limited authority; ESSB 5252 on property tax exemptions for nonprofit public assembly halls; SB 5280 on virtual currency kiosk consumer protections; ESSB 5124 on patient access and skilled nursing facility identification; ESSB 5436 on interference with access to places of worship; SB 5705 on traffic safety penalties in school zones; ESSB 5594 on biosimilar medicines; SSB 5169 on out-of-court testimony for child victims and witnesses; ESSB 5098 on weapons restrictions in certain public buildings and parks; SB 5188 on broadband infrastructure repair loans; SB 5109 on the mortgage lending fraud prosecution account; SSB 5240 on anaphylaxis medications in schools; SB 5420 on veterans’ benefits access; SB 5467 on water-sewer district surplus property sales; SSB 5331 on insurer accountability; ESSB 5071 on endangerment with controlled substances involving fentanyl or synthetic opioids; and ESSB 5581 on safe system/complete streets transportation strategies. Most of these bills passed with broad bipartisan support, though some drew opposition over firearms restrictions, insurance penalties, or transportation costs. Several bills were amended on the floor before final passage, including changes to dates, scope, and technical language, and the session concluded with additional business beginning on SB 5649.

Transcript Highlights:

• in which the The manufacturers, the distributors, and the retailers are not allowed to exert any influence
• They're looking for, our people look for drug sales, human trafficking, those kind of things in licensed
• Special investigations unit, which looks at human trafficking, drug trafficking within locations.
• And within that 60, they do human trafficking along with drug sales. and things of that nature.
• With all our other officers that we talked about earlier, they look at drug sales as well.

Committee: House Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Transcript Highlights:

• We have $7 million in new money for the drug tax forces.
• We have $7 million in new money for the drug tax forces.
• You spoke about brownie point types of influences. What kinds of things are they?
• Brownie point types of influences.
• things are they, and what kind of percentage points are we talking about that would potentially influence

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee first adopted revised JBC rules, which staff said were updated to reflect legislation passed in the 2025 session. It then heard a presentation from DFA Secretary Jim Hudson on the governor’s proposed balanced budget for FY27, with no action taken. Hudson said the budget reflects three priorities: limiting state-government growth, continuing investments in education, and advancing income-tax cuts. He highlighted increases for education funding through EFAs, pay-plan costs for Corrections, DPS, and the Attorney General, higher education productivity funding, drug task forces, a Corrections medical contract, the governor’s 1033 initiative, SNAP error-rate reduction efforts, and an additional $100 million set aside for Medicaid sustainability. Committee members questioned the size of the tax cuts, the balance requirement, public education funding, Medicaid trust-fund levels, EFA funding, and the expected impact of new SNAP cost-sharing rules. The Division of Higher Education then presented its productivity-based funding recommendations. Officials said institutions were 2.61% more productive overall, with funding changes driven by a statutory formula that rewards degree production, underserved populations, and high-demand fields. Members asked about declines at UA Little Rock, the formula’s multipliers, the role of the Arkansas Access Act and a new return-on-investment metric, and how two-year colleges are adjusted for size. The committee also reviewed special items and approved two letters: one authorizing 17 net personnel changes across nine institutions, and another adding special language for North Arkansas College’s entry into the University of Arkansas system. The committee then adopted the Higher Education Coordinating Board’s recommendations for all institutions. A lengthy portion of the meeting focused on the University of Arkansas system, especially Fayetteville’s athletics funding and the broader impact of the House/NIL settlement. Chancellor Charles Robinson and system officials explained that the board had waived a longstanding campus transfer and directed the university to provide an additional $6 million to athletics, with some costs likely to be passed through to students but partially offset by existing budget growth. Members debated whether the university should prioritize academics or athletics, how the transfer originated, and whether the athletic changes would affect affordability. The committee also discussed the 1890 extension program at UAPB and the Division of Agriculture’s land-grant funding. UAPB officials said the state match is intended to be one-to-one, that the current recommendation aligns appropriation with actual spending, and that a $2 million set-aside remains available if needed. The Division of Agriculture later clarified that its Smith-Lever extension and Hatch research funds are part of the UA system’s separate budget and that the state matched about $6.2 million in federal extension funding last year. The committee then moved to the Department of Corrections. It approved G1, transferring 51 positions to the secretary’s office to activate a recidivism program, with an estimated cost of about $4 million. Staff then began walking through the department’s FY27 budget, noting an increase of about $8 million for administration and shared services, including a $170,000 sex-offender assessment appropriation moved under Act 723 of 2025 and roughly $6 million more for medical contracts. Questions on the Corrections budget had just begun when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• that she gave to um my particular drug that she gave to um my friend.<02:22:23.040><c> The</c><02:22
• Madam Speaker, I agree the influence of money should be taken out of our government.
• </c><03:51:02.880><c> that</c><03:51:03.120><c> money</c> for. and not by the influence that money for
• . and not by the influence that money can<03:51:03.600><c> buy.
• </c> regarding um, testing strips of drugs. regarding um, testing strips of drugs.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> The influence of a drug that dramatically alters their behavior, like PCP or something like that.
• As far as somebody under the influence of alcohol or drugs, that's not considered the defense in New
• As far as somebody under the influence of alcohol or drugs, that's not considered the defense in New
• And again, being under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not considered the defense for a crime.
• And again, being under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not considered the defense for a crime.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• SECTION 2 SPECIFIES A PRACTITIONER MAY NOT PROVIDE HEALTH CARE SERVICES OR PRESCRIBED DRUGS EXCEPT FOR
• I THINK THE BASELINE IDEA IS WE WANT TO ENSURE CANDIDATE SPECIFIC POLLING DOESN'T IN ANY WAY INFLUENCE
• WITHOUT HOUSING, WITHOUT SAFE HOUSING, WITHOUT DRUG-FREE HOUSING TRUE RECOVERY CANNOT OCCUR.
• 4 YEARS WITH SOME BREAKTHROUGHS OF SUCCESS, RIGHT MAC WHEN IT COMES TO CHEMOTHERAPY OR COMES TO INFLUENCE
• THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE WILL HAVE TO HELP INFLUENCE IF NECESSARY.

Transcript Highlights:

• . drug. drug.
• There are aspects of a person’s life that can both influence and be influenced by their mental illness
• There are aspects of a person’s life that can both influence and be influenced by their mental illness
• and be influenced by their influence and be influenced by their mental<03:46:20.120><c> illness.
• . drug. drug.

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• That’s using government resources to influence a vote.
• Every other question was tailored in a partisan manner to influence the vote.
• </c><00:28:57.200><c> And</c><00:28:57.360><c> that's</c><00:28:57.679><c> actually</c> influence the
• And that's actually influence the vote.
• </c> product is inherently dangerous and drug product is inherently dangerous and drug and<02:27:07.840

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• It is both drugs. Drugs and vaccines, though, to that degree, are two different things.
• Drugs and approve that.
• on their beliefs. influence.
• It takes more than just a drug. Right.
• You use it as a drug. It’s a safe drug when used with a doctor, so it’s totally different.

Bills: SB31 , SB33 , SB20 , SB217 , SB264 , SB269 , SB650 , SB681 , SB528 , SB502 , SB740 , SB916 , SB995 , SB10 , SB2581 , SB2570 , SB3031 , SB24 , SB379 , SB1171 , SB1121 , SB1120 , SB1061 , SB1036 , SB1019 , SB890 , SB11 , SB868 , SB1188 , SB1254 , SB2778 , SB2543 , SB2443 , SB1333 , SB1259 , SB1401 , SB1404 , SB2139 , SB2165 , SB2237 , SB2268 , SB1202 , SB1198 , SB1212 , SB1451 , SB1470 , SB1498 , SB965 , SB1547 , SB1667 , SB1818 , SB1902 , SB2129 , SB2078 , SB2069 , SB1737 , SB1589 , SB1318 , SB387 , SB1150 , SB1574 , SB2127 , SB3034 , SB860 , SB1278 , SCR5 , SCR32 , SB4 , SB23 , SB1762 , SB34 , SB60 , SB706 , SB1814 , SB1220 , SB523 , SB565 , SB1253 , SB840 , SB764 , SB2383 , SB2155 , SB1535 , SB1423 , SB1566 , SB1804 , SB1728 , SB1816 , SB1952 , SB75 , SB2068 , SB1455 , SB213 , SB627 , SB2037 , SB670 , SB896 , SB917 , SB1184 , SB971 , SB1255 , SB1261 , SB1283 , SB991 , SB1733 , SB21 , SB231 , SB739 , SB1252 , SB1371 , SB646 , SB3 , SCR27 , SB552 , SB1405 , SB1948 , SB243 , SJR1 , SB31 , SB33 , SB20 , SB217 , SB264 , SB269 , SB650 , SB681 , SB528 , SB502 , SB740 , SB916 , SB995 , SB10 , SB2581 , SB2570 , SB3031 , SB24 , SB379 , SB1171 , SB1121 , SB1120 , SB1061 , SB1036 , SB1019 , SB890 , SB11 , SB868 , SB1188 , SB1254 , SB2778 , SB2543 , SB2443 , SB1333 , SB1259 , SB1401 , SB1404 , SB2139 , SB2165 , SB2237 , SB2268 , SB1202 , SB1198 , SB1212 , SB1451 , SB1470 , SB1498 , SB965 , SB1547 , SB1667 , SB1818 , SB1902 , SB2129 , SB2078 , SB2069 , SB1737 , SB1589 , SB1318 , SB387 , SB1150 , SB1574 , SB2127 , SB3034 , SB860 , SB1278 , SCR5 , SCR32 , SB546 , SB647 , SB648 , SB1493 , SB1709 , SB2001 , HB5669 , HB3115 , HB5655 , HB5675 , HB5689 , HB5690 , HB5653 , HB3228 , HB2802 , HB45 , HB1318 , HB5560 , HB2894 , HB4344 , HB2775 , HB33 , HB 12 , HB148

Transcript Highlights:

• beyond their own understanding, patience in moments of disagreement, and humility in moments of influence
• Lord, we give them... ...moments of disagreement and humility in moments of influence.
• Senate amendment makes temporary changes to maintain eligibility and benefits for the Ryan White AIDS Drug
• The amendment makes temporary changes to maintain eligibility and benefits for the Ryan White AIDS Drug
• provider of choice and the provider of necessity and the provider of care for people who need this drug

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum calls, and introductory remarks, including recognition of former Representative Ardian Zika and law enforcement officer of the day Representative Chuck Brannan. Members also unveiled a portrait of Speaker Daniel Perez, with extended remarks praising his leadership and the institution of the House. The Speaker then explained the process for taking up returning messages from the Senate, noting that the House would consider Senate amendments to bills already passed by both chambers. The House first concurred in Senate amendments and passed CS/CS/HB 1503 on computer science education and certification, which adds computer science and artificial intelligence content to high school instruction and creates a teacher certification program, with implementation delayed to give the Department of Education time to develop curriculum. The chamber then considered CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity, adopting a House amendment to allow local governments to buy into the cyber grant program whether or not they receive a grant, add a five-year sunset, and keep the program under the Florida Digital Service rather than a university. The House concurred in the Senate amendment and passed the bill 104-1. Members also refused to concur in Senate amendments to CS/HB 351 on concurrent legislative jurisdiction over military installations and HB 6011 on reporting gifts or honoraria, sending both bills back to the Senate. The most extensive debate centered on CS/CS/HB 1471, which would create a process for designating domestic terrorist organizations and related restrictions. Supporters said the Senate amendment clarified the definition of “promote,” refined notice and timeline requirements, and aligned the bill with federal-style procedures; opponents argued it lacked due process, could chill speech, and gave the governor and cabinet unprecedented power without adequate evidentiary standards or judicial review. Members also debated a related public records bill, CS/CS/HB 1473, which would exempt certain records tied to the designation process; critics said the exemption would further reduce transparency and due process. Despite objections, the House adopted the amendments and passed HB 1471 by 80-25, while the public records measure was taken up as a technical companion to align with the newly amended bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> dollar when being able to influence dollar when being able to influence business<00:42:38.560><c
• They're using it for drugs.
• They're using it for drugs.
• </c><03:21:42.160><c> FDA</c> on the FDA approved drug label. FDA on the FDA approved drug label.
• And let's not talk about these drugs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Drug addiction because of those things.
• Okay, it helps with paying for treatment, drug testing, and that kind of stuff.
• We all have influence to slow things down, speed things up, improve them.
• We all have influence to slow things down, speed things up, improve them.
• We give a lot of lip service about stopping drugs and stopping human trafficking and all that.

Bills: HB2014 , HB2111 , HB2156 , HB2165 , HB2202 , HB2305 , HB2321 , HB2399 , HB2403 , HB2416 , HB2418 , HB2446 , HB2601 , HB2615 , HB2620 , HB2812 , HB2939 , HB2940 , HB2955 , HB2957 , HB2960 , HB2992 , HB4026 , HB4049

Committee: Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, coaches like Elijah Cadillac Harris remind us that the influence of a great teacher extends
• Board and drug cost affordability review.
• It also really does give teeth to hold drug companies and pharmacy benefit managers accountable when
• transparency, which I believe is critical, and that's where our problems lie with high prescription drug
• And part of that is because of, you know, the pharmacy, the cost of pharmaceutical drugs.

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes children due to low birth weight, prenatal drug exposure, other biological factors, a history
• For mothers who are drug addicted, it just means that those children are being abused according to our
• And it really limits their ability to influence state decision making.
• prices, either by joining a consortium or setting up its own drug purchasing board.
• Some states have carved out their pharmaceutical drug programs and are evidently saving money.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> terms of drug pricing. terms of drug pricing.
• </c> that's the drug that works. that's the drug that works.
• </c> know, weight loss drugs. know, weight loss drugs.
• Um drugs.
• </c> prescription drugs. prescription drugs.

Committee: Joint Health Insurance Affordability Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:15:37.280><c> for</c> of life-saving prescription drugs for of life-saving prescription drugs
• The Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act would extend drug price negotiations to every individual
• </c> inflation reduction acts historic drug inflation reduction acts historic drug cost<04:26:10.680>
• He supported, as does the Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act, drug price negotiations in order
• He supported, as does the Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act, drug price negotiations in order

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2023, HRSA reported that just 10 drugs, all specialty drugs, comprise more than a third of the total
• So why are drugs so expensive?
• It's a program where a drug manufacturer sells a drug at $1,000, let's just call it.
• If this drug is eligible per the 340B program, and that's up to the manufacturer of the drug if they
• than non-340B drugs.

Bills: HB712 , HB722 , HB946 , HB1687 , HB1809 , HB1899 , HB2528 , HB2583 , HB2741 , HB2750 , HB3021 , HB3150 , HB3265 , HB3658 , HB3812 , HB3960 , HB4392 , HB4432

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• The next item is an act relating to boating under the influence, Representative Fleming.
• The next item is an act relating to boating under the influence, Representative Fleming.
• What is in your packet is a proposed language to look at boating under the influence.
• Um, I'm here today to influence. Uh when um when Heather influence.
• And just like we boating the influence.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the August 29 minutes, and then heard testimony on a bill relating to machine gun conversion devices, often described as Glock switches or auto sears. Representative Jason Nemis presented the bill with Louisville police Chief Paul Humphrey and Lt. Drew Fox, arguing the measure would mirror existing federal law, make possession of these devices unlawful under Kentucky law, and give state and local law enforcement authority to seize and prosecute them without relying solely on federal agencies. They said the devices are small aftermarket or 3D-printed parts that convert semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic weapons and emphasized that the bill would not affect lawful gun ownership. The presenters cited rising seizures and public-safety concerns, saying LMPD and Jefferson County seizures increased sharply from 2023 to 2024 and that the average age of possession had dropped. They argued the devices are used offensively, are inaccurate and dangerous, and have been linked to violent crime. Two Alabama legislators, Representatives Philip Ensler and Russell Bedsole, testified in support based on Alabama’s recent enactment of a similar law. They said local police and prosecutors there had been unable to act effectively because the devices were handled mainly by federal authorities, and they described bipartisan support, immediate enactment, and reported confiscations after passage. Members asked about the bill’s penalty level, the source and manufacture of the devices, the scope of the definition of “conversion device,” and whether the bill could create constitutional problems given ongoing federal litigation over machine gun restrictions. The sponsors said the penalty would be a Class C felony and that the bill was intended to cover only the device attached to the firearm, not tools like 3D printers. They acknowledged that if federal machine gun laws were ultimately struck down, the state law would also be unenforceable. Some members supported the bill as common-sense public safety legislation, while Representative Roberts opposed it on Second Amendment grounds, arguing Kentucky should focus on expanding gun rights rather than adding restrictions already covered by federal law.