Transcript Highlights:

• authority to pharmacists, particularly when it comes to prescribing or maneuvering and changing pharmaceutical
• This is a... ...pharmaceutical therapy for patients.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with House Bill 2333, which would expand protections for elected officials, candidates, executive state officers, election officials, and criminal justice participants by allowing address confidentiality, redacting campaign and property records, increasing some penalties for threats, and authorizing security assessments and reimbursement for personal security measures. The prime sponsor and supporters described rising political violence and personal threats, while opponents and agency staff raised concerns about implementation, constitutional issues, public-records transparency, costs, and whether the bill would actually prevent determined actors from finding addresses through other sources. The Secretary of State’s office, county officials, and the Public Disclosure Commission said the bill would create major logistical and fiscal challenges, while prosecutors, judges, and advocacy groups testified that the protections were needed for safety and retention in public service. House Bill 2176 would make collaborative drug therapy agreements confidential under the Public Records Act except when the agreement is the basis for a disciplinary action, in which case only relevant information would be disclosed with personal information redacted. The sponsor and supporters, including pharmacists, physicians, and reproductive-health advocates, said the bill would protect clinicians from harassment and out-of-state targeting while preserving accountability for misconduct. News media representatives and open-government advocates said the underlying agreements should remain accessible only in limited circumstances and emphasized the balance between privacy and transparency. Committee members also discussed how the bill would affect access to the agreements and the scope of disclosure. House Bill 2120 would eliminate two JLARC reporting requirements: the biennial report on municipal lodging-tax revenues and the periodic evaluation of the training benefits program. The bill’s sponsor and JLARC leadership described it as a cost-saving measure that would free staff for other audits, while the hospitality industry supported tourism funding but warned that the lodging-tax report provides useful oversight and accountability. The committee also received staff briefings on House Bill 2244, which would implement multiple Public Records Exemptions Accountability Committee recommendations by changing confidentiality rules in 13 areas, including grand jury reports, accident reports, driver case records, certain health and social-service records, corporate interrogatories, family court files, and other records.

Transcript Highlights:

• , wildlife, and petroleum engineering, and of course teaching as well. and then of course the pharmaceutical
• curriculum, that the curriculum cannot be developed or influenced in any way, shape, or form. pharmaceutical

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee on Human Services HB 4586 by Frank relating to the prohibited director to consumer pharmaceutical
• AG 4638 by Bonn Riling Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative referred to the Committee on Public Health.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Committee on Human Services. 4586 by Frank relating to the prohibited direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical
• AG 4638 by Bonner Early and Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative referred to the Committee on Public Health

Bills: HB9, HB22, HB908, HB1392

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, tax exemption, local government finance, appraisal district, chief appraiser, rendition statement, property tax relief, small business, commercial property, leased property, related business entity, unified business enterprise, tax situs, Texas Tax Code, local taxing unit, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• to the requirements of the federal government, the illegality of it at a federal level, is only compounded
• to the requirements of the federal government, the illegality of it at a federal level, is only compounded
• to the requirements of the federal government, the illegality of it at a federal level, is only compounded
• to the requirements of the federal government, the illegality of it at a federal level, is only compounded
• by this requirement that we compounded by this requirement that we meet<00:39:47.440><c> nonprofit</

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The work session focused on HB 54, which would allow New Hampshire’s alternative treatment centers to operate for profit. Chair David Nagel opened by identifying the main concerns: whether members agreed with the bill conceptually, whether the proposal could be shaped to avoid a gubernatorial veto, and whether it could lead to “big cannabis” taking over. He also emphasized that the bill would not change the existing oversight structure, which remained under RSA 126-X. Representative Wendy Thomas said the governor’s objections in past sessions appeared to center on the state’s preference for a state-run model and broader policy concerns, but no one present knew the current governor’s position. Several speakers argued the bill was primarily about financing and access, not expanding the number of dispensaries. Matt Simon of Granite Leaf Cannabis said the current nonprofit structure makes it difficult to raise capital, pay down debt, and open additional access points, and that the bill would be a corporate restructuring rather than a change in day-to-day regulation. Brandon Pollock of TASCAL Wellness said medical cannabis programs in most other states are for-profit, and that New Hampshire’s nonprofit requirement has left ATCs burdened with high-interest debt and higher prices that push patients to Maine, Vermont, or the street market. He said converting to for-profit status could allow conventional financing, lower prices, and help keep patients in the regulated program. Members also discussed whether for-profit ownership would invite outside corporate control. Witnesses said the bill would not open the market to new operators, would not change advertising rules, and would include restrictions on ownership transfers for a period of time; “foreign corporation” was explained as an out-of-state entity. One speaker noted that the bill is similar to earlier versions that passed both chambers with strong support but never became law. No vote was taken during the work session; the discussion was informational and aimed at addressing concerns before the bill moved forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have learned often belatedly that pharmaceutical companies have a long history of minimizing, delaying
• My concern is about a system where enormous financial incentives flow from pharmaceutical companies through
• </c> glove with pharmaceutical manufacturers. glove with pharmaceutical manufacturers.
• companies have a long pharmaceutical companies have a long history<01:05:02.480><c> of</c><01:05:02.799
• <01:05:53.119><c> companies</c><01:05:53.680><c> through</c> pharmaceutical companies through pharmaceutical

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The reduced excess spending threshold in this bill compounds existing pressures on school Legislative
• The reduced excess spending threshold in this bill compounds existing pressures on school districts,
• our communities, our kids, I believe we must value smart policy over short-term political wins. compounds
• existing pressures on school compounds existing pressures on school districts,<00:45:34.160><c> as</

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• dissipation or the elimination of those types of chemicals like carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds
• entire system, well, $5 billion reserves and a $31 billion unfunded liability that just continues to compound
• Kratom products may contain naturally occurring alkaloids, which are a class of chemicals or compounds
• It creates an environment for a permanent cut in real income that will compound over time.

Bills: SB5379, SB6106, SB6147, SB6180, SB5927, SB6287

Keywords: interest arbitration, parks and recreation, public employees, labor relations, employee rights, laid-off employees act, WARN notice, mass layoff, business closure, plant closing, worker adjustment and retraining notification, employment security department, employee notice, layoff notice, worker protections, job loss, employment loss, public records exemption, privacy, employee names and addresses

Transcript Highlights:

• the deletion or the elimination of those types of chemicals like carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds
• entire system, well, $5 billion reserves and a $31 billion unfunded liability that just continues to compound
• Kratom products may contain naturally occurring alkaloids, which are a class of chemicals or compounds
• It creates an environment for a permanent cut in real income that will compound over time.

Summary: The Labor and Commerce Committee heard public testimony on several bills. Senate Bill 618, the Eric Schrauss Memorial Act, would remove the current time-and-exposure qualifiers for the workers’ compensation presumption that certain heart problems in firefighters and law enforcement officers are occupational diseases. The sponsor and family members of fallen firefighters testified in support, describing delayed claims and arguing the bill would spare grieving families from lengthy appeals. Opponents including counties, self-insurers, cities, and L&I’s research staff said the current qualifiers are based on science, warned the change would greatly expand claims and costs, and noted a 2023 advisory committee did not recommend the change. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5379, which would extend interest arbitration rights to Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission law enforcement rangers. The sponsor and a park ranger testified that rangers are commissioned peace officers who cannot strike and are paid less than comparable law enforcement, leading to staffing shortages and turnover. The bill was presented as a fairness and retention measure. Testimony on Senate Bill 6147, concerning grocery store closures in food deserts, was split: supporters from Tacoma, labor, and local government said a six-month notice requirement would help communities respond to closures like the Fred Meyer shutdown in South Tacoma, while grocers and industry groups argued the bill was too prescriptive, would add legal risk, and would not solve underlying crime and business pressures. Senate Bill 6106, requested by the Employment Security Department, would exempt tribes from the state WARN-style notice law and make employee names and addresses submitted in layoff notices confidential under the Public Records Act. ESD and business groups supported the bill as a clarification and privacy fix, and no opposition was heard. The committee then took testimony on Senate Bill 5927, which would cap future workers’ compensation COLAs at 3%; employers and self-insurers supported it as a way to address volatility and long-term liabilities, while labor, injured-worker advocates, and others opposed it as an across-the-board benefit cut that would erode wage replacement. L&I explained it has been studying possible COLA changes but did not bring forward its own proposal. Finally, Senate Bill 6287 on kratom would restrict adulterated or harmful kratom products, require labeling, set a 21+ sales age, and allow local regulation; supporters backed the age limit and bans on concentrated 7-OH, while some industry witnesses opposed the private right of action and local patchwork rules. The committee adjourned after public testimony; no final votes or executive action were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• that I'll highlight that are really meaningful to me within the bill is Senator Draheim's ban on pharmaceutical
• 05:01.520><c> Draheim's</c><00:05:02.040><c> ban</c><00:05:02.400><c> on</c><00:05:02.600><c> pharmaceutical
• </c> Senator Draheim's ban on pharmaceutical Senator Draheim's ban on pharmaceutical advertising<00:05

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We regulate explosives, pharmaceuticals, and cars because when something can harm at scale we treat it
• ><c> explosives</c> We regulate explosive far explosives We regulate explosive far explosives pharmaceuticals
• ><c> and</c><00:10:29.920><c> cars</c><00:10:30.720><c> because</c><00:10:30.959><c> when</c> pharmaceuticals
• and cars because when pharmaceuticals and cars because when something<00:10:31.519><c> can</c><00:10

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Anything that goes into your body, any pharmaceuticals, can have side effects and that includes the MMR
• yet we don't do anything other than tell people you need to get vaccine and oh by the way the pharmaceutical
• through licensing and inspection of x-rays, mammography machines, industrial radiation sources. pharmaceutical
• You know, there's funding for university research, often we see that from NCA. pharmaceutical companies

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're just sitting there in this limbo land and they're not getting that opportunity to compound like
• They're just sitting there in this limbo land and they're not getting that opportunity to compound like
• 19:57.240><c> that</c><00:19:57.400><c> opportunity</c><00:19:58.000><c> to</c><00:19:58.120><c> compound
• </c> getting that opportunity to compound getting that opportunity to compound like<00:19:59.320><c>

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have a comment on compounding an already existing problem? Do you have a comment on that?
• In the same way that the state has revealed to us what they found is the problem, low pay that compounded
• differences, if we begin taking these funds away from the counties on an ongoing basis, it will compound

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee met on March 26, 2020, first approving minutes from March 17, 18, 19, and 20. The committee then took up House Bill 944, sponsored by Rep. Palmer, which would redirect $5 million from the liquor distribution formula to the Idaho State Police to help address trooper pay and recruitment problems. Rep. Palmer and ISP Director Bill Gardner explained that trooper wages have fallen behind other agencies because part of ISP pay is funded through vehicle registration revenue and does not receive the same full cost-of-living adjustments as general-fund pay. Gardner described severe staffing shortages, unfilled academy slots, long-distance coverage gaps, and the need to improve pay to retain troopers and recruit new ones. He said the original request was for $12 million ongoing, with a sustainable long-term need of about $18 million, and that the $5 million proposal would help but would not fully solve the problem. He also said ISP would suspend its lateral-entry program for three years if the Legislature adopted a solution, to reduce concerns from sheriffs and city police departments. Members raised concerns about the bill shifting money away from counties and cities, especially rural counties already struggling with law enforcement staffing and property tax pressure. Some argued the Legislature should use rainy day funds or restore prior gas-tax funding to ISP instead of reallocating existing revenue. Others supported the bill as an incremental step to address a real public safety and recruitment crisis, even if it fell short of the full need. Rep. Palmer ultimately asked the committee to send the bill to General Orders so the proposal could be reconsidered and possibly reduced or paired with other funding ideas. The committee adopted a substitute motion to send House Bill 944 to General Orders by a 12-3 roll call vote. Afterward, the committee briefly recognized its page and secretary for their service before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:15:46.360><c> potent</c> interchangeable with more potent interchangeable with more potent compounds
• . compounds. compounds.
• perhaps it shouldn't even be in gas stations at all, um, specifically speaking of the synthetic compounds
• ,</c><00:18:17.520><c> but</c><00:18:18.320><c> I</c><00:18:18.480><c> think</c> synthetic compounds,
• but I think synthetic compounds, but I think considering<00:18:19.720><c> this</c><00:18:19.880><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• modern food supply chains Ortho thot our modern food supply chains Ortho thot the<00:13:35.720><c> compound
• 36.240><c> the</c><00:13:36.320><c> focus</c><00:13:36.560><c> of</c><00:13:36.639><c> this</c> The compound
• Yet the bill before us today creates another pair of mandates on businesses that address compounds which
• In this bill of support, just testing for these compounds already known to be present in many of our
• continue to be found in these compounds continue to be found in human<00:18:15.440><c> studies</c><00

Bills: HF44, HF2102, HF2279, HF2280, HF2281

Keywords: HF44, Casey Jones State Trail, Pipestone Trailhead, Currie Loop, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, trail rehabilitation, trail reconstruction, recreational trail, bike trail, hiking trail, infrastructure, state trail, Pipestone, Currie, bonding authorization

Transcript Highlights:

• $19.25 million in 25-26 and $19.6 million in 26-27 ongoing for increases in costs of utilities, pharmaceuticals
• seeing higher costs due to inflation, particularly in the areas of outside hospitalization and pharmaceuticals
• You talked about pharmaceuticals and just an increase. Can you share a little bit more and expand?

Summary: The subcommittee heard presentations from the Department of State Hospitals (DSH), the Commission for Behavioral Health, and the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) on budget proposals and implementation updates. DSH outlined its proposed 2026-27 budget, including funding for patient operating expenses, IST solutions savings, conditional release program costs, LPS bed allocation changes, electrical infrastructure projects at Napa and Patton, SB 380 transitional housing feasibility work, and expanded dental services at Metropolitan and Patton. DSH also reported that it has met court-ordered IST treatment benchmarks in the Stiavedi v. Clinton case, with average time to initiate treatment down to about five days and pending placements reduced to roughly 250, while noting that Proposition 36 could increase referrals and SB 1323 may divert some individuals earlier into community-based treatment. Members asked about rising outside hospitalization costs, Medicare enrollment, the timing and structure of capital projects, and whether IST solution funds are being fully used; DSH said the savings reflect slower-than-expected ramp-up of community programs and that the Central California FACT replacement program is still on track for January 2027 activation. The Commission for Behavioral Health described its role under the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), including data, evaluation, grantmaking, technical assistance, and transparency work. It highlighted the new statewide Innovation Partnership Fund, a five-year, $20 million-per-year program with small and large grant categories; the first RFA drew strong interest, with more than 400 questions and over 1,000 bidders’ conference participants. The Commission also discussed a proposed extension to spend down about $4.1 million remaining for the Alcove Youth Drop-in Center grants so sites can finish implementation and Stanford can complete the final evaluation. Members asked about grant duration, whether projects can be renewed, what qualifies as innovation, and whether the fund could support service delivery rather than awareness campaigns or training; the Commission said awards are expected to be three-year contracts and that proposals must be new or meaningfully expanded approaches that support BHSA priority populations. DHCS reviewed major behavioral health changes under CalAIM and BH Connect, including peer support, mobile crisis, contingency management, traditional health care practices for tribal members, updated specialty mental health access criteria, and new substance use treatment standards based on ASAM’s fourth edition. DHCS reported strong contingency management results, with more than 13,000 members served and 95% testing negative for stimulant use during treatment, and said 21 Indian health care providers have been approved to offer traditional health care practices. It also described BH Connect initiatives such as the $1.9 billion access reform and outcomes incentive program, workforce investments, evidence-based practice expansion, IMD participation by four counties, and transitional rent services. On BHSA implementation, DHCS said it is not tracking individual county contract cuts but is monitoring county plans and statewide outcomes, while stakeholders raised concerns about local prevention and service gaps. DHCS also outlined its H.R. 1 implementation strategy, including outreach, streamlined renewals, exemptions for disabled, substance use, and medically frail individuals, and proposed clinic navigator and outreach funding; it said it has not yet produced a focused estimate of H.R. 1 impacts on behavioral health populations. The discussion ended with DHCS noting that B-CHIP bond funding has supported 437 infrastructure projects, creating 546 new or expanded facilities and more than 9,500 residential beds across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• 2025-26 and $19.9 million in fiscal year 2026-27, ongoing, for increases in costs of utilities, pharmaceuticals
• seeing higher costs due to inflation, particularly in the areas of outside hospitalization and pharmaceuticals
• You talked about pharmaceuticals and just an increase. Can you share a little bit more and expand?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• million in 2025-26 and $19.6 million in 2026-27 ongoing for increases in costs of utilities, pharmaceuticals
• seeing higher costs due to inflation, particularly in the areas of outside hospitalization and pharmaceuticals
• You talked about pharmaceuticals and just an increase. Can you share a little bit more and expand?

Summary: The subcommittee heard budget and policy updates from the Department of State Hospitals, the Commission for Behavioral Health, and the Department of Health Care Services. DSH described its proposed 2026-27 budget of $3.2 billion, including savings tied to IST solutions, higher patient-driven operating costs, and a small increase in caseload projections. Officials said the department has met court-ordered IST treatment benchmarks, with wait times reduced from a pandemic peak of 1,953 pending placements to about 250, and average treatment initiation now around five days. Members asked about the effects of Proposition 36 and SB 1323, rising outside hospitalization costs, Medicare enrollment, and whether IST solution funding was being overbudgeted; DSH said referrals are slightly down overall, aging and medically complex patients are driving outside care costs, and the IST solution savings reflect slower-than-expected program activation rather than a service gap. The department also outlined proposed funding for CONREP cost increases, a new county-by-county LPS bed allocation model, electrical infrastructure upgrades at Napa and Patton, SB 380 transitional housing feasibility work, and additional dental staffing and space at Metropolitan and Patton. The Commission for Behavioral Health reviewed its role in the Behavioral Health Services Act transition and its new Innovation Partnership Fund. Staff said the commission is shifting from county-level innovation oversight to a statewide grant strategy, with the first $20 million RFA drawing strong interest and awards expected in mid-June. Members asked how “innovation” would be defined, whether grants could be renewed after the initial three-year contracts, and how the state would ensure the money supports real service delivery rather than general outreach or training. The commission also sought a liquidation deadline extension for the Alcove youth drop-in center grants so remaining funds can be spent before they revert, allowing sites to finish implementation and support the final evaluation. DHCS provided an overview of CalAIM and BH Connect implementation, including updated specialty mental health access criteria, new ASAM-based substance use treatment standards, contingency management, traditional health care practices for tribal members, workforce investments, evidence-based practice expansion, IMD participation, and transitional rent services. The department also addressed BHSA implementation, saying it does not track specific local program cuts but will monitor county three-year plans, performance measures, and outcomes as counties shift to the new funding structure. On H.R. 1, DHCS said it is preparing outreach, eligibility simplification, and exemption strategies to reduce Medi-Cal coverage losses, including clinic navigators, a statewide outreach campaign, and possible employment supports through a future waiver. The department also reported that BH-CHIP bond funds have supported 437 infrastructure projects, creating 546 facilities and more than 9,500 residential beds, with additional outpatient capacity and tribal investments. Finally, DHCS outlined a proposed 988 trailer bill to create a statewide designation process for 988 centers and mobile crisis teams, with implementation no earlier than October 1, 2027.

Transcript Highlights:

• He then asked why the federal government gave immunity to pharmaceutical companies for vaccines.
• They are not representing a pharmaceutical company and are not affiliated, so they are not the best person
• He added that the federal government would never have done it if pharmaceutical companies had not demanded

Bills: SB500, SB719, SB912, SB1232, SB1467, SB1777, SB1864, SB2023, SB2119, SB2458

Keywords: SB 500, Texas adoption law, Family Code, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child-placing agency, prospective adoptive parents, adoption records, confidential information, nondisclosure agreement, child history report, health history, social history, educational history, genetic history, termination of parental rights, permanency plan, single source continuum contractor, privacy, redaction

Summary: The committee first took up several pending bills and reported them favorably: SB 968, SB 636 as substituted, SB 1137, and SB 1138 as substituted. Each was advanced by roll call vote, and the committee also recommended the approved bills for the local and uncontested calendar. The chair then moved to the posted agenda and heard SB 719, a mental health bed-capacity study bill by Senator Eckhart, with a committee substitute that refined the data collection to distinguish state and non-state beds, child and adult beds, include two point-in-time counts, and capture jail diversion data. Testimony on SB 719 was largely supportive from Integral Care, NAMI Texas, and the Children’s Hospital Association of Texas, all of whom said Texas needs better data on inpatient psychiatric capacity, workforce needs, and future demand. Several witnesses described long waits for beds, especially for forensic restoration, and argued the study would help target future investments. Senator Perry and others noted the state has already made major investments in new beds and urged the bill to account for beds already coming online; the committee ultimately withdrew the substitute and left SB 719 pending after public testimony closed. The committee then heard SB 1864, which would allow small egg producers to sell ungraded eggs more broadly, including to restaurants and retailers, with the substitute increasing the weekly sales threshold and addressing sanitation and labeling. Supporters said grading is about size, not safety, and that the bill would help small farms reach new markets; opponents from the Texas Poultry Federation argued grading and candling help identify cracks and defects that can affect safety and quality. The committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending. It also heard SB 1467, requiring DSHS to share death record information with hospitals for record accuracy and quality review, and SB 912, which would modernize continuing education tracking for health licensing agencies; both bills drew supportive testimony and were left pending. Finally, the committee heard SB 2023, which would create an HHSC grant program to help counties pay for indigent burial costs, with county representatives testifying in support.