Transcript Highlights:

• We will not place a burden on Florida's utilities or local infrastructure.
• In Loudoun County, Virginia, more than half of the local tax revenue comes from data centers.
• And I think this bill goes a long way to say, with local input, we don’t have to have that.
• So they’re pretty decent neighbors so long as we don’t screw local customers.
• Certainly, you know, that could be a concern for a lot of the local governments in your district and

Bills: S0408 , S0986 , S0678 , S0800 , S1050 , S0484 , S1118

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:48.800><c> and</c> talking about the spend to pharmacy and talking about the spend to pharmacy
• I'm owner of Columbia Pharmacy in Columbia.
• I've got a short Pharmacy in Colombia.
• An independent pharmacy must than $4.
• ><c> access</c><01:13:39.360><c> across</c> helps preserve pharmacy access across helps preserve pharmacy

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on February 23, 2026, approved the January 12 minutes, and then focused primarily on Kentucky Medicaid’s coverage and potential expansion of GLP-1 drugs, especially for weight loss. Department for Medicaid Services Commissioner Lisa Lee explained that Medicaid currently does not cover drugs for weight loss, anorexia, or weight gain, but the department had filed a regulation to remove that blanket exclusion so GLP-1s could be covered when used for an underlying health condition. She said the administrative regulation review subcommittee found the regulation deficient, and the co-chairs wanted the board to discuss the policy and financing implications before any change. DMS also said it would be open to adding caveats to ensure coverage would not extend to cosmetic weight loss alone. The department provided several data points on current utilization and spending. In 2025, Kentucky Medicaid paid for appetite-stimulating drugs such as Megestrol, Dronabinol, and Marinol, but did not pay for weight-loss drugs. For GLP-1s, DMS said coverage began in 2025 and is limited to FDA-approved medical conditions, with prior authorization requiring a type 2 diabetes diagnosis code and A1C documentation. DMS reported $234.6 million in GLP-1 spending in 2025 before rebates, about 240,931 prescriptions, and said GLP-1s accounted for 7.3% of pharmacy spend in 2024 and 8.3% in 2025. It also said there were 24,844 expansion members and 13,638 non-expansion members using GLP-1s, with spending of about $156 million and $78.5 million respectively, and that 10 pediatric weight-loss prescriptions were covered under EPSDT. The department said outcome analyses, including whether GLP-1 use reduces insulin or other diabetes treatment, are underway and should be completed in a couple of months. Members asked about cost, rebates, and whether the state should wait for more outcomes data before expanding coverage. DMS said average reimbursement to pharmacies was $975 per prescription and the average dispensing fee was $109; it also said 2025 rebate invoices totaled $90.8 million, with $7.6 million collected so far. Several members expressed concern about the high cost and the need to evaluate whether the drugs improve health outcomes before expanding access, while others noted the potential benefits for obesity and diabetes treatment. Some members also discussed whether GLP-1s are effectively being used for weight loss in diabetic patients and whether broader data collection should be used to assess long-term value. After the Medicaid discussion, Eli Lilly executive Tracy Sims presented on obesity as a chronic disease and the economic burden it creates in Kentucky. She said Kentucky’s adult obesity rate is a little over 37%, that obesity is linked to about 200 diseases, and that untreated obesity costs the state billions in GDP and hundreds of millions in state budget impact. She highlighted recent federal access programs for GLP-1s, including a Medicaid-related program that she said could lower the state share of a Zepbound prescription to about $71 per month after federal matching. No votes were taken on the GLP-1 policy question during the meeting, and the main action was the receipt of testimony and discussion of the department’s proposed regulatory change.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 3317 by Hefner relates to the relationships between pharmacists and pharmacies of the health benefit
• plan issuers, the pharmacy benefit managers for the Committee on Insurance.
• HB 3336 by Buckley relates to the alcoholic beverage tax of certain local beverage byproduct donated
• The following resolutions are being referred to the Committee on Local Consent calendars.
• Following resolutions by Reynolds are being referred to the committee on local consent calendars.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so we will start with June 26 pharmacy formulary recommendations.
• Um, items one through three, this is July pharmacy formulary.
• Um, items one in, so I'm now on July pharmacy formulary.
• The 24 and the pharmacy is already excluded.
• They'll have one for the doctor's office and one for the pharmacy.

Committee: All ALC-STATE INSURANCE PROGRAMS OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The committee reviewed several State Board of Finance actions related to employee and retiree health benefits, insurance contracts, and reserve funding. Members first considered a rule implementing Act 956 of 2025 requiring vendors working with the Employee Benefits Division to have their data validated by a third-party actuary; it was reviewed without objection. The committee then approved multiple pharmacy and medical formulary recommendations for June, July, and August, including shifting to lower-cost generics, excluding new-to-market drugs pending more evidence or better pricing, re-tiering specialty and limited-distribution drugs, and adjusting prior authorization, step therapy, and age restrictions. Members asked about how Navitus and EBRX develop recommendations, how rebates and coupons are tracked, and whether rebate incentives could influence coverage decisions. The committee also reviewed and approved a one-year Colonial Life accidental death and disability contract extension with level rates for 2026-2027, a one-year UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage extension that decouples medical and pharmacy benefits and raises premiums for state and public school retirees, and a new three-year financial auditing contract with Crow Chesnik after an RFQ produced only one response. The UnitedHealthcare renewal was described as the full extent of the increase for the year, with officials saying future increases are likely but should become more predictable. The committee then heard a presentation from Segal Group on public school plan funding and reserve adequacy, which projected that if funding stayed flat the reserve would be drawn down over time and could be exhausted by 2029. Segal presented scenarios showing that maintaining the target reserve would require substantial increases in the minimum district contribution alone, or more moderate increases if costs were spread across district, employee, and Department of Education funding. Members questioned the assumptions behind the projections, including why prescription drug claims were projected to grow 45 percent from an earlier forecast, why actual expenses had come in 17 percent above prior projections, and how federal changes, rising drug costs, and GLP-1 utilization might affect future costs. Several members raised concerns about the loss of wellness visit incentives, the need to control duplicate or inappropriate prescribing, and whether the target reserve level should be revisited. EBD said it is working on cost containment, wellness program redesign, and additional analysis, and indicated it expects to bring a funding and policy recommendation to the committee in September or October. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 4457 by Newton of the House and Yek of the Senate, an act relating to pharmacy benefits managers
• This relegates their prescriptive authority under the Pharmacy Act. Thank you.
• This year, this relegates their prescriptive authority under the Pharmacy Act.
• Is there any requirement that these be local nonprofits? Could they be, for instance, out of state?
• So to that point then, this concern about being able to raise funds locally really doesn't seem like

Bills: HB2059 , HB3920 , HB2992 , HB3267 , HB4457 , HB3800 , HB3818 , HB4425 , HB4427 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB4333 , HB4340 , HB4343 , HB4344 , HB4363 , HB4229 , HB4230 , HB4236 , HB4246 , HB1979 , HB3431 , HB3052 , HB3047 , HB3048 , HB4092 , HB4302 , HB3261 , HB3704 , HB3312 , HB3546 , HB3849 , HCR1021 , HB4105 , HB4159 , HB4304 , HB3835 , HB3619 , HB4490 , HB3710 , HB4201 , HB3907 , HB3748

Summary: The House met in session with prayer, the Pledge, and several recognitions, including Veteran of the Week Jake Searock, Doctor of the Day Dr. Nicole Bowden, Psychologist of the Day Dr. Amy Cherry, Nurse of the Day Eileen Cooper Grubbs, and a presentation for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day. Members also welcomed student and community guests in the galleries. The chamber then moved through a long calendar of House bills, with most measures advancing on unanimous consent or broad bipartisan votes. Among the major bills discussed, lawmakers passed measures on county jail medication reimbursement (HB 2059), a sales tax exemption for LifeShare (HB 3920), ratepayer protections for large data centers and crypto mining facilities (HB 2992), a felony offense for breaking and entering an occupied dwelling without intent to commit another crime (HB 3267), PBM access protections for specialty pharmacy patients (HB 4457), adjunct teacher guardrails in K-4 tested subjects (HB 4427), malpractice coverage for state-employed nurse practitioners and physician assistants (HB 4430), and several higher education, water, and state government cleanup bills. The House also approved bills addressing the 988 mental health lifeline, juvenile oversight disclosures, school support employee tracking, a federal education tax credit opt-in, firearms education curriculum development, AI personhood restrictions, child safety reviews related to fentanyl, and expungement relief for trafficking victims. Debate centered most heavily on HB 2992, where supporters argued data centers should pay their share of infrastructure costs so residential and other ratepayers are not burdened, while some members questioned why the bill singled out data centers instead of all large-load users. HB 3267 drew questions about how the new offense would affect people with cognitive impairments, and HB 3312, the firearms education bill, prompted concerns about who would teach the curriculum. HB 3546 on artificial intelligence personhood also generated discussion about accountability and future regulation. Several bills were amended on the floor, including HB 492, HB 4302, and HB 4105. The House recorded numerous final passage votes, with many bills passing overwhelmingly and some by narrower margins, including HB 3800, HB 4333, HB 3704, HB 4159, and HB 3619. Emergency clauses were adopted on some measures, including HB 4427 and HB 3312, while others were passed without emergency action. The chamber also reconsidered and then passed HB 1979 after a motion to reconsider a prior failure.

Transcript Highlights:

• benefit, because that would fall under your pharmacy benefit.
• managed care plans for the reduction of pharmacy reimbursements; to provide for pharmacy benefit manager
• It provides additional reimbursement guidelines for pharmacy benefit managers.
• HB 866 is just about making sure our pharmacies doing business in Louisiana are...
• Don Caffrey here on behalf of the Independent Pharmacies Association.

Committee: House Insurance

Summary: The committee first took up HB 774, which would extend required hearing-aid coverage for certain individuals up to age 26. Representative Boyer said the bill helps young adults maintain access to hearing aids during school and early work years. The Louisiana Academy of Audiology supported the measure, and the committee adopted technical amendments and reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee then heard extensive testimony on HB 702, which would require transportation network companies to provide uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Representative Landry and supporters argued that current law and court rulings have left injured drivers and passengers without meaningful coverage in some cases, especially for riders who do not own cars and therefore lack personal UM coverage. Insurance agents and legal witnesses said they cannot currently find a product to cover the driver in certain ride-share phases, while Uber representatives opposed the bill, warning it would raise fares and noting that drivers already have optional occupational accident coverage and that passengers’ own UM coverage would generally apply. After debate over costs, coverage gaps, and whether the issue should instead be studied further, the committee voted to voluntarily defer the bill. The committee next considered HB 477, as substituted, which would require coverage for prosthetic and custom orthotic devices and associated services. Representative Ebert and witnesses described the bill as a modernization of existing coverage rules so people with limb loss can obtain more than one medically necessary device, including activity-specific prosthetics. Testimony from amputees and a physical therapist emphasized the impact on mobility, work, sports, and quality of life. The committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably by substitute. The committee also reported HB 76, which updates oral anti-cancer medication parity rules, by adopting amendments that clarify applicability and exempt certain limited-benefit and ERISA self-funded plans. HB 903, which increases the commissioner of insurance’s fine authority, was amended to set higher aggregate caps and then reported favorably. Finally, HB 291, which would prohibit health plans from penalizing hospitals when a member of the care team is out of network, drew support from the sponsor and the Louisiana Hospital Association as a preventative measure against insurer pressure tactics; Louisiana Blue opposed it, citing cost concerns and questioning the need for the bill. The transcript ends during that bill’s hearing, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Terrence Sweeney, Pipefitters Local 537, come on down.
• You can get those medications through an online pharmacy or take the bus to get to the pharmacy, but
• You can get those medications through an online pharmacy or take the bus to get to the pharmacy, but
• They have the ear of these local boards of health.
• One thing currently, though, is these localities—these 18 localities that have adopted regulations—have

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, with the longest discussion focused on House Bill 426 and Senate Bill 263, which would prohibit the sale in Massachusetts of cosmetics known to rely on vertebrate animal testing. Supporters from Animal Defenders International, Humane World for Animals, and the Animal Rescue League said animal testing is cruel, outdated, and unreliable, and pointed to non-animal alternatives and similar laws in other states and countries. No opposition was heard on that bill during the excerpt, and witnesses urged the committee to report it favorably. The committee also took testimony on House Bill 4543, which would clarify an existing pipe-fitting exemption for certain work performed on property owned by industrial plants, utilities, colleges, and similar institutions. A representative for Construction Industries of Massachusetts supported the bill, saying it would preserve longstanding practice for outside contractors doing yard piping work. Pipefitters Local 537 opposed it, arguing the work is properly licensed pipefitting and that the bill would weaken licensing standards and undermine state inspectors. Another major topic was Senate Bill 237 on regulating self-checkouts in grocery establishments. The Mass AFL-CIO and UFCW Local 1445 supported the bill, saying self-checkout has reduced staffing, increased worker stress and customer conflict, and contributed to theft and safety problems. Workers described being responsible for multiple machines at once, verbal abuse, and even assaults, and said the bill’s staffing and machine limits would improve safety and customer service. The committee also heard extensive testimony on House Bill 355, which would allow veterinarians to establish a client-patient relationship via telehealth; ASPCA, MSPCA, and several veterinarians supported it as a way to expand access to care, while the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association and several veterinarians opposed it, arguing that an in-person exam is essential for proper diagnosis and that telemedicine should only follow an in-person VCPR. Finally, the committee heard testimony on House Bill 330, Senate Bill 221, and House Bill 371, which would preempt local boards of health from adopting tobacco-related age or sales restrictions beyond the statewide standard. Public health advocates opposed the bills, arguing they would block local innovation and undermine nicotine-free generation policies adopted by municipalities, while retailers and tobacco trade groups supported them as necessary to preserve a uniform statewide age-21 standard and avoid confusion for consumers and businesses. No votes or final actions were taken during the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• to get advice on how to improve things in hospitals and stroke care and things having to do with pharmacies
• They will sell it to the pharmacies at that price. The most a pharmacy can charge is $55.
• If a pharmacy continues to go higher than that, they will pull the product from that pharmacy.
• They will sell it to the pharmacies at that price. The most a pharmacy can charge is $55.
• If a pharmacy continues to go higher than that, they will pull the product from that pharmacy.

Bills: SB1423 , SB1426 , SB1502 , SB1377 , SB1983 , SB1466 , SB1645 , SB1647 , SB1847 , SB1565 , SB1562 , SB1329 , SB1383 , SB1833 , SB1555 , SB1344

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee met and advanced a series of Senate bills, beginning with SB 1423, which repeals the Hospital Advisory Council because of repeated quorum and appointment problems; members discussed whether the council could instead be restructured, but the bill passed 9-1. SB 1426 changed vulnerable adult abuse reporting so only substantiated findings are reported, and SB 1502 repealed the Long-Term Care Advisory Council after it completed its original task; both passed unanimously. The committee also approved SB 1377 to provide duffel bags for children entering foster care and SB 1983 to support resource family partners and improve foster care/adoption outcomes, both by unanimous votes. Members then passed SB 1466, which extends the sunset on the advisory committee on midwifery after adopting an amendment changing the extension date; SB 1645, which sets rules and best practices for OHCA audits of medical providers; SB 1647, which allows up to $1 million from the County Community Safety Investment Fund to support evidence-based pretrial diversion programs through the Indigent Defense System; and SB 1847, which lets certain Advantage Waiver Medicaid recipients with cognitive impairment remain in assisted living and age in place. The committee also approved SB 1565, establishing the framework for Oklahoma to receive federal Transforming Maternal Health Model grant funds, after adding a reporting amendment requiring a final report to state leaders. Additional bills passed included SB 1562, described as an anti-poaching measure for hospice patients that holds hospices responsible for contractor conduct; SB 1329, requiring postpartum mental health screening during Medicaid-covered visits within a year after birth; SB 1383, a technical cleanup to the diabetes self-management education program; SB 1833, directing DHS to apply for a SNAP waiver to restrict certain purchases such as candy and soft drinks; and SB 1555, updating the statutory definition of intellectual disability to align with federal and Social Security standards. The final measure, SB 1344, created an insulin access and affordability program at the State Department of Health to expand low-cost insulin access and competition; it drew discussion about funding, pricing, and the nonprofit partner involved, and passed 9-2. The committee adjourned after the chair noted more double-assigned bills would be heard the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• AND BARNEY BISHOP, SMALL BUSINESS PHARMACIES IN SUPPORT. IS THERE DEBATE ON THE BILL?
• THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND THIS IS SENATE BILL 294 DEALING WITH ELABORATIVE PHARMACY PRACTICE AND I THINK
• WE ALLOWED THE FLORIDA PHARMACY IN CONSULTATION WITH THE BOARD OF MEDICINE TO ADD VARIOUS PHARMACY IN
• BARNEY BISHOP SMALL BUSINESS PHARMACIES WAVES IN SUPPORT, THANK YOU.
• THE COLLABORATIVE PHARMACY PRACTICE AGREEMENT ALSO KNOWN AS THE CP PPA WAS PASSED INTO LAW IN 2020.

Transcript Highlights:

• we can triple the number of mobile health and telehealth services across Minnesota by working with local
• </c><00:07:27.039><c> communities</c><00:07:27.560><c> that</c> development of local communities that
• development of local communities that need<00:07:28.039><c> health</c><00:07:28.360><c> care</c><00:
• The College of Pharmacy receives $1.4 million a year.
• </c> example um the College of Pharmacy example um the College of Pharmacy receives<00:35:54.680><c>

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Provided to county jail inmates, working with OU's College of Pharmacy to provide those meds to them.
• House Bill 4457 by Newton of the house and Eck of the senate and a Relating to pharmacy benefits managers
• This relegates their prescriptive authority under the pharmacy act. Move for adoption.
• Is there any requirement that these be local nonprofits? Could they be, for instance, out of state?
• So to that point, then this concern about being able to raise funds locally really doesn't seem like

Bills: HB2059 , HB3920 , HB2992 , HB3267 , HB4457 , HB3800 , HB3818 , HB4425 , HB4427 , HB4430 , HB4431 , HB4333 , HB4340 , HB4343 , HB4344 , HB4363 , HB4229 , HB4230 , HB4236 , HB4246 , HB1979 , HB3431 , HB3052 , HB3047 , HB3048 , HB4092 , HB4302 , HB3261 , HB3704 , HB3312 , HB3546 , HB3849 , HCR1021 , HB4105 , HB4159 , HB4304 , HB3835 , HB3619 , HB4490 , HB3710 , HB4201 , HB3907 , HB3748

Keywords: health care, medication, inmates, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, reimbursement, county jails, medical expenses, sales tax exemption, nonprofit organizations, procurement, transplant research, Oklahoma Tax Code, HB2992, Data Center Customer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, Corporation Commission, Oklahoma utilities, ratepayer protection, data centers, artificial intelligence computing, AI data centers

Transcript Highlights:

• We supply all our medications direct from our in-house pharmacy.
• equivalent and AB-rated in pharmacy.
• </c><02:13:39.840><c> So</c> AB- rated uh in in pharmacy. So AB- rated uh in in pharmacy.
• </c> rated generic uh in in uh in pharmacy rated generic uh in in uh in pharmacy would<02:13:51.280><
• </c> the locals are saying is needed needed. the locals are saying is needed needed.

Summary: The committee discussed House Bill 185, which would amend RSA 3109 to add timelines for OPLC’s complaint review and investigation process. Members reviewed the existing five-year limitation period for misconduct complaints and noted that the bill would add a 30-day deadline for the office to make a recommendation to the board and a 90-day deadline to complete investigations. Some members raised concerns that the new deadlines could conflict with the existing statute of limitations, create pressure to dismiss cases too quickly, and potentially undermine the separation between OPLC’s investigative role and the boards’ adjudicatory role established by House Bill 655. Nicholas Fry, OPLC general counsel, testified that the agency’s fiscal note originally assumed it would need roughly double its staff to meet the proposed deadlines, though a later amendment reduced that estimate somewhat. He said OPLC would still need additional personnel, including investigatory paralegals and a physician investigator for the Board of Medicine, to meet the timeframes. He also explained OPLC’s current complaint and hearing procedures, including new consumer-friendly correspondence, website guidance, and efforts by the enforcement division to improve transparency and communication with complainants and licensees. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors testified in support of the bill’s basic goal of speeding up intake and investigation, saying the 30-day intake/review period was reasonable and that the bill would not change OPLC’s role in that first step. He argued, however, that the investigation step is where delays occur, especially for lower-priority complaints, and that some cases have remained unresolved for years. Committee members also questioned how the added staffing costs would be paid, with discussion of whether they would come from license fees or the general fund. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• great honor of introducing our pharmarmacology students from Hilo from the Daniel Kinoi School of Pharmacy
• School</c><00:31:55.840><c> of</c> from the Daniel Kinoi School of from the Daniel Kinoi School of Pharmacy
• 58.559><c> with</c><00:31:59.039><c> my</c><00:31:59.360><c> health</c><00:31:59.840><c> chair</c> Pharmacy
• Uh along with my health chair Pharmacy.
• </c> Press is involved with local Press is involved with local organizations<00:42:14.880><c> like</c

Transcript Highlights:

• The next application they work on might be a pharmacy application.
• They code that time to the pharmacy board.
• The next application they work on might be a pharmacy application.
• They code that time to the pharmacy board.
• So I think we actually are in a time to have... ...except maybe the local newspaper.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• There are save laws in the states that providers, pharmacies, etc., cannot be prosecuted for sending
• The conference highlighted local and regional neurology expertise.
• The conference highlighted local and regional neurology expertise and featured a keynote presentation
• Why don't you take both to the pharmacy and see what happens?
• And then the other providers are dentists in their local communities.

Committee: Joint Health Care Committee

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then heard a detailed annual presentation from Dr. Thomas Arnold, chair of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, on maternal mortality trends and review findings. He explained the committee’s structure, the de-identified review process, and the distinction between pregnancy-associated and pregnancy-related deaths. He said national maternal mortality has declined from its 2021 peak, but mental health conditions, substance use, overdose, suicide, cardiovascular disease, hemorrhage, infection, and embolism remain major causes. He emphasized that many deaths are preventable, with especially high rates among non-Hispanic Black women and in the American Indian/Alaska Native population, and noted that a large share of deaths occur after 42 days postpartum. Committee members asked about suicide, domestic abuse, pregnancy testing in unexplained deaths, and the role of home births and midwife training. Dr. Arnold said the committee is adding a caseworker, exploring post-mortem pregnancy testing in suspicious cases, and working with coroners and forensic officials; he also said home births and untrained midwifery pose safety concerns and that better public education and facility-based care are important. The committee then heard from State Fire Marshal Dr. Matt Clark on cigarette ignition propensity standards and fire prevention. He recommended updating North Dakota’s cigarette ignition legislation to the current national standard and also considering legislation requiring fast-breakaway oxygen tubing, citing fatal fires involving smoking around home oxygen. He explained that his office verifies manufacturer testing and maintains certification for cigarettes sold in the state, but does not itself conduct the testing. Members asked about implementation, cost, and whether the standards apply in tribal communities; Clark said he would follow up with cost information and additional details, and that he had not seen evidence of a major issue on tribal lands but would look further. Christine Greff of the Department of Health and Human Services presented the North Dakota Stroke System of Care report. She described the statewide network of two comprehensive stroke centers, four primary stroke centers, and 30 acute stroke-ready hospitals, along with the stroke registry and quality-improvement efforts. She reported that most strokes are ischemic, that the median stroke patient age is 71.5, and that common risk factors include hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and diabetes. She highlighted improvements in door-to-CT, thrombolytic treatment times, dysphagia screening, EMS pre-notification, and interfacility transfer performance, and said new priorities include hemorrhagic stroke quality measures and standardized EMS stroke screening tools. Members asked about the VA hospital’s participation, and Greff said she would pursue outreach. After a break, the committee heard testimony from Taha Khan of Vertex Pharmaceuticals as part of the prior authorization study, focused on non-opioid pain treatment. He argued that prior authorization can delay access to acute pain treatment and may push patients toward opioids, especially in the critical 24- to 72-hour post-discharge window. He cited data showing that even short opioid exposure can increase the risk of long-term use and said prior authorization is often a barrier for physicians and patients. Khan recommended open access with a quantity limit rather than prior authorization, suggesting a 14-day limit supported by the product’s data and an episode-of-care approach. Members asked about dental use, payer discussions, and cost; he said the product’s wholesale acquisition cost is about $16.10 per tablet, with patient assistance available, and that he would follow up on payer and comparison-cost questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've um actually board of pharmacy.
• Board of Pharmacy in support. D.
• Uh board of pharmacy in support. D 2029. Uh board of pharmacy in support.
• </c> 704, Alan Shei to the board of pharmacy. 704, Alan Shei to the board of pharmacy.
• </c><00:48:38.319><c> Oh,</c><00:48:38.400><c> I</c> pharmacy. Governor's message. Oh, I pharmacy.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection held a confirmation hearing on a long list of nominees to state boards and commissions. Early nominees included David Padilla to the State Boxing Commission, Steven Pine to the Board of Dentistry, Deborah McMmen to the Board of Acupuncture, Tiffany Lyn Hmel and Gabriel Aay to the Board of Veterinary Medicine, Nathan Eslin to the Cable Advisory Committee, John Takitani and Tony Lao to the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects, John Arbles to the State Board of Public Accountancy, and later nominees to the Board of Psychology, Board of Pharmacy, Hawaii Medical Board, Board of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Board of Chiropractic, Board of Physical Therapy, Board of Private Detectives and Guards, and the Real Estate Commission. Most nominations were for terms expiring in 2027, 2028, or 2029, with one Real Estate Commission term expiring in 2026. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support. DCCA and the relevant boards or commissions generally stood on written testimony supporting each nominee, and many individual supporters also testified, including professional associations, industry representatives, and community members. Several nominees briefly addressed the committee, expressing appreciation and interest in continuing or beginning service. The committee asked a few questions on some nominations, especially about the Real Estate Commission and the Board of Private Detectives and Guards, where members discussed condominium-related complaints, association practices, and whether the board could do more to assist security personnel; the nominee said staffing and authority limits constrained additional training or oversight. For the Real Estate Commission, members also asked about broader housing and market conditions, and the nominee said inventory shortages and housing supply issues remained a major concern. No opposition testimony or contentious votes were described in the transcript. The chair repeatedly asked whether there were questions or additional testimony, and after each nominee the committee generally moved on without objection. The hearing was focused on receiving testimony and evaluating the nominees for later confirmation rather than taking final action during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The females almost seven times as much as we are appropriated on the local level.
• They don't have the local following that our local auctioneers have. ...
• Following that, our local auctioneers have.
• You know, and all these local auctioneer companies, they have a large group that follow.
• But we do have a better local following, and it would give local people more of an opportunity to purchase

Bills: HB27 , HB143 , HB205 , HB308 , HB311 , HB417 , HB430 , HB562 , HB812 , HB1129

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: inmates, department of public safety, per diem, local correctional facilities, jail funding, insurance premiums, Municipal Fire and Police, dedicated fund, assessments, Louisiana legislation, hazardous waste, cleanup fund, environmental protection, state treasury, Consumer Price Index, law enforcement, firefighters, health insurance, survivors benefits, Lafayette

Bills: SB1491 , SB1581 , SB1286 , SB1451

Committee: House Elections and Ethics

Keywords: presidential electors, vacancies, oath of office, political party, elections, initiative petitions, signature gathering, protest period, grand jury, Oklahoma legislature, polling place, polling locations, voter access, county election board, precinct, municipal building, school building, school district, municipality, political subdivision

Transcript Highlights:

• It's complex: local control, intoxicating hemp.
• We recruit from federal, state, and local law enforcement.
• And we're working to support local agencies with the BSCC grant.
• And I think that goes in varying directions based on the budget at the local level.
• Locals tend to focus on whatever's in front of them locally.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on State Administration heard several CalVet budget updates first. CalVet reported progress on the Southern California Veterans Cemetery at Gypsum Canyon, explaining that DGS is revising the earlier feasibility study to reflect a smaller footprint and lower grading costs, with updated numbers expected by the end of April. Members and public commenters emphasized the project’s importance and asked whether additional budget authority or trailer bill language was needed; CalVet said it may need more spending authority but wanted to return after the revised study is complete. The committee also reviewed the Yountville skilled nursing facility replacement project, where CalVet said construction is nearing completion, a certificate of occupancy was received, and the new 240-bed facility will replace Holderman Hospital while older buildings will be repurposed for lower levels of care. CalVet also defended eliminating about 178 vacant positions at Yountville and West Los Angeles as a fiscal and staffing efficiency measure, saying current care levels can still be met and that retention and hiring efforts are improving. The committee then took up the Department of Cannabis Control’s enforcement and legal affairs proposal. DCC described the size of the illicit cannabis market, said enforcement alone cannot solve the problem, and asked for additional sworn staff, a new Redding-area field office, and more analysts to focus on distribution networks, organized crime, environmental harms, and high-priority public safety cases. Finance supported the proposal as a targeted investment, while the LAO had no additional comment. Members asked about funding impacts and local co-location options, and DCC said the request would be funded from cannabis excise tax revenues and could help shift sales into the legal market. Public testimony from the cannabis industry strongly supported more enforcement against illicit retail and said it would help legal operators compete. DCC also presented its hemp enforcement and regulation proposal tied to AB 8. The department said the law closes loopholes around intoxicating hemp products, strengthens enforcement across agencies, and prepares for hemp to enter the cannabis regulatory framework in 2028. DCC requested staff for a civil enforcement unit, field-testing equipment, lab capacity to detect synthetic cannabinoids, a track-and-trace specialist, and a policy specialist. Members asked about enforcement in informal retail settings and consumer confusion, and DCC said the biggest problems have been smoke shops and online sales. Public commenters from the legal cannabis industry supported the proposal, saying intoxicating hemp has harmed the regulated market and created public safety risks. The Cannabis Control Appeals Panel then requested ongoing funding of $3.4 million to support 12 positions and its quasi-judicial appeals function. The panel said that with provisional licenses largely phased out, more annual licensees now have appeal rights and the workload is beginning to increase, with two cases currently on the docket. The LAO recommended limiting funding to three years and requiring a workload and comparative analysis before making the funding permanent, while Finance supported ongoing funding as consistent with the panel’s permanent statutory role. Members questioned the panel’s compensation and workload, noting that the five-member body is paid at a high statutory rate despite historically meeting only quarterly, though panel staff said the work now includes substantial case preparation and monthly hearings. Finally, the Department of Consumer Affairs introduced two proposals: $2 million ongoing for the Contractors State License Board’s IT needs and $251,000 plus one limited-term position for the Board of Pharmacy to implement Proposition 34-related licensing policy and reduce barriers to licensure.

Transcript Highlights:

• So moving on to the next section with medical care and pharmacy services at APO.
• So moving on to the next section with medical care and pharmacy services at APO.
• We also operate an on-site pharmacy that offers...
• Local law enforcement.
• counties and local organizations.

Committee: House Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Task Force