Transcript Highlights:

• This sorority, incorporated as the first Greek-letter college organization founded by Black women.
• When I think about 1908, a group of Black women at Howard University staring down segregation, exclusion
• were women who not only pursued higher education, they created space for themselves and for every Black
• that vision, a sisterhood grounded in service and scholarship, and deep commitment to uplifting the Black
• On behalf of the California Legislative Black Caucus, I rise in support of Senate Resolution 68, known

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through privileges of the floor recognizing Fresno State Ag Leadership Development Program students and members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. The body also approved the Senate journals and took up several gubernatorial appointments, including confirmations to the Court Reporters Board and the California Law Revision Commission, each approved by roll call vote. The chamber then considered SCR 136 marking the 50th anniversaries of the California Coastal Act, Coastal Commission, and Coastal Conservancy. Supporters emphasized coastal access, habitat protection, public trails, and resilience, while one senator argued the commission can overrule local control and slow development. The resolution passed 27-4. The Senate also adopted SR 68 for Denim Day and Sexual Assault Awareness Month, with broad support focused on survivor advocacy and accountability, and SCR 130 recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month, which passed unanimously. Several bills were then approved on unanimous roll call, including SB 1058 on school nutrition procurement, SB 930 on encryption for school exam proctoring, SB 917 on winery sales at farmers’ markets, SB 1002 on continuity of out-of-state telehealth care, SB 1036 on mitigation fee credits for redevelopment, SB 1285 on juvenile record dismissals, and SB 969 on remote developmental services. Later, SCR 131 called for an urgent, coordinated response to unsheltered homelessness, emphasizing interim shelter, permanent housing, and supportive services. Supporters said the state must stop normalizing encampments and better coordinate resources; one senator objected that the resolution did not sufficiently address self-sufficiency or alternatives to housing-first approaches. The resolution passed 34-0. The Senate also adopted SCR 157 honoring school bus drivers, approved the consent calendar, heard committee announcements, and adjourned in memory of Sandy Steers, a conservation advocate and longtime executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was all the blackness around it.
• It<00:09:44.240><c> was</c><00:09:44.399><c> all</c><00:09:44.640><c> the</c><00:09:44.880><c> blackness
• </c><00:09:47.120><c> The</c> It was all the blackness around it.
• The It was all the blackness around it.
• :29:12.880><c> a</c> years about uh the first portrait of a years about uh the first portrait of a black

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The young adults that I work with, many of whom are Black, Latino, Native, Asian, Pacific Islander, or
• The young adults that I work with, many of whom are black, Latino, native, Asian, Pacific Islander, or
• Vice Chair and Ranking Member, for the record, Paula Fillmore-Sardinez with the Washington-Bellevue Black
• Vice Chair and Ranking Member, for the record, Paula Fillmore-Sardinez with the Washington-Bellevue Black
• This is a program that doesn't care if you're Black, if you're brown, if you're Indigenous, if you are

Summary: The Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committee first met in executive session on House Bills 2157, 2351, 2365, 2357, and 2446. Staff briefed proposed substitutes and amendments for each bill. HB 2157, concerning high-risk AI systems, was amended to exempt activities regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act and covered entities under HIPAA; members discussed balancing consumer protections with flexibility for developers and deployers. HB 2351, addressing protections for emergency responders and emergency operations, was described as clarifying definitions and procedures, including a mental health crisis defense and changes to emergency operation zone notifications; some members raised concerns about deconfliction and implementation details. HB 2365, on digital equity, was amended with several definitional and data-sharing proposals, though some amendments were rejected over fiscal concerns. HB 2357, creating the Washington Division of Civil Air Patrol within the Military Department, passed without amendment. HB 2446, on developing a quantum technology industry strategy, was amended to extend the strategy deadline, broaden who Commerce may contract with, and correct terminology; members noted concerns about industry involvement in the strategic plan and fiscal impacts. All five bills were reported out of committee with do pass recommendations, with recorded votes of 8-5 on HB 2157, HB 2351, and HB 2365, unanimous support for HB 2357, and 12-1 for HB 2446. The committee then held a public hearing on HB 2523, which would make the community reinvestment program ongoing, require periodic updates and reporting, and direct a study of fund distribution and use. Testifiers from workforce boards, tribal programs, reentry services, community organizations, and Commerce described successful uses of the program for job training, reentry, small business support, legal services, and economic mobility, and urged the bill’s passage. Some suggested strengthening accountability, reporting, and access for new organizations. Commerce staff said the program has served more than 190,000 people and supported over 400 organizations, and asked for technical adjustments to keep administrative costs low. The bill was then closed for hearing. The committee also heard HB 2606, which would revise the Office of Privacy and Data Protection’s duties and performance measures, remove some reporting requirements, and add review of agency AI projects. The prime sponsor described it as a “stay-in-your-lane” cleanup bill responding to JLARC recommendations, and the state chief privacy officer testified in support, saying the office could implement the changes within existing resources. After questions about local government support and public resources, the hearing on HB 2606 was closed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will be virtual, and going forward we will be on alternating weeks from the Legislative Black Caucus
• :09:27.680><c> from</c><00:09:27.920><c> the</c><00:09:28.080><c> Legislative</c><00:09:28.800><c> Black
• </c> weeks from the Legislative Black Caucus. weeks from the Legislative Black Caucus.
• Colleagues, we have with us in the gallery the National Coalition of 100 Black Women for their legislative
• We also have the 100 Black Men of Charles County as well.

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, January 23, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I really like... ...black spots right there in the middle of it.
• And what you see below that red line, and unfortunately it's right where that black spot is, but when
• And that, combined with the next project on the list, the Black Creek Water Resource Development Project
• The Black Creek Water Resource Development Project, which does about 7.5 million gallons a day on average
• which prioritized each one of those we need to do, so there's always a curveball and hopefully never a black

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard budget presentations from the Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida, and South Florida water management districts for FY 2026-2027. Each district described its preliminary budget, major funding sources, staffing levels, and priorities within the four core missions of water supply, water quality, natural systems, and flood protection. Common themes included reduced budgets from the prior year due to completion of major projects, continued reliance on state appropriations and ad valorem revenue, rising construction and maintenance costs, and the need to maintain aging infrastructure while advancing alternative water supply, springs restoration, flood control, and land management projects. Committee members repeatedly asked how much of each district’s budget and personnel were devoted to the core missions, how maintenance and operating projections were developed, and how projects were selected. The districts generally said most spending was tied to core responsibilities, with administrative overhead relatively small, and explained that budgets are built through a mix of staff analysis, governing board direction, strategic basin planning, and cooperative funding with local, state, and federal partners. Several districts highlighted specific projects, including Water First North Florida, Black Creek, Taylor Creek Reservoir improvements, Crane Creek, Everglades restoration, and various springs and watershed projects. The districts also noted challenges from hurricanes, inflation, cybersecurity, and aging water control structures. South Florida Water Management District’s presentation focused on Everglades restoration and the large-scale infrastructure needed to move, store, and clean water in South Florida. The director said the district’s $1.05 billion preliminary budget is largely for flood control, water supply, ecosystem restoration, and maintenance of extensive canals, levees, pumps, and reservoirs, and emphasized that recent restoration investments are producing measurable water quality and salinity improvements. No votes were taken on the district budgets, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a Black Health Equity Advisory Board, and those are all people from the community and doing the
• But if you think about the Black infant mortality rate...
• If you think about the Black infant mortality rate and how we work in the health disparity space of Black
• African American individuals, we now have a Black Health Advisory Board.
• Our staff have developed, with those experts and internally, a Black Health Equity Action Plan, all from

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules convened with quorum and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Courtney Welsh to the California Housing Partnership Corporation Board, Janessa Goldbeck to the California Veterans Board, and Tom Huntington to the State Parks and Recreation Commission, each by 3-0 vote. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees, the 2026 committee chair and membership appointments, the 2026 session schedule, the 2026 Senate holiday schedule, and floor acknowledgments, all by 4-0 votes. The committee then heard confirmation testimony from Hernando Garzon, M.D., nominated as Chief Medical Officer of the Emergency Medical Services Authority. Senators asked about EMSA’s strategic plan, data integration, local flexibility in statewide standards, ambulance patient offload regulations, stakeholder engagement, disaster response, rural access, and alternatives to transporting 9-1-1 callers to emergency departments. Garzon emphasized data-driven decision-making, technical assistance to local EMS agencies, collaboration with hospitals and providers, and the use of community paramedicine, telehealth, and pre-positioned resources in disasters. Public commenters and members supported his confirmation, and the committee approved the appointment 4-0 for referral to the full Senate. The committee also heard from Stephanie Weldon, nominated as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health. She described her tribal background, prior state, county, tribal, and nonprofit experience, and her focus on serving communities facing health disparities. Senators questioned her about how the office sets priorities, measures outcomes, balances equity work amid political opposition to DEI language, and tailors technical assistance to rural and tribal communities. Weldon pointed to work on tribal consultation, behavioral health, youth mental health, the California Reducing Disparities Project, gender-affirming care, reproductive health, housing and climate-related supports, and community advisory boards. Numerous public witnesses, including tribal and health equity advocates, spoke in strong support, and the committee approved her appointment 4-0 for the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think what we go back to is we look at Oklahoma leading the nation in black market marijuana sales.
• But what we're trying to do is control the black market side, and we're trying to make sure that we work
• So the assertion then is that by restricting choice, we're going to reduce the black market, or wouldn't
• that increase the black market?

Bills: HB1411, HB3143, HB3144, HB3901, HCR1019, HB3981, HB4248, HB3194, HB3849, HB4095, HB4302, HB3342, HB3344, HB3287, HB3645, HB3647, HB3930, HB3931, HB1818, HB4454, HB4336

Keywords: True Grit Trail, Oklahoma, tourism, signage, Department of Transportation, state parks, historical sites, economic development, medical marijuana, license transfer, Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, moratorium, business regulation, commercial grower licenses, licensing restrictions, agriculture, psychological autopsy, mental health, suicide prevention, state health department

Summary: The House convened, completed the roll call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, and then took up several second- and third-reading items. Senate Bill 392 was assigned to Administrative Rules. Members also heard personal privileges and introductions, including a remembrance request for Oakland Ray Domer, recognition of a long-serving House staff member, and introductions of guests from Eastern Oklahoma State College, Associated Builders and Contractors of Oklahoma, the Doctor of the Day, and the Nurse of the Day. The chamber passed several measures. House Bill 1411 created a True Grit Trail for tourism, with supporters saying signage would be privately funded and installed at no cost to the state; it passed 92-0. House Bill 3143 extended the moratorium on new medical marijuana grow licensing to August 1, 2028, with supporters arguing it would help curb oversupply and black market activity; it passed 82-8. House Bill 3144, also related to medical marijuana, set a cap framework for when the moratorium ends so the industry would not return to rapid expansion; it passed 82-15. House Bill 3901 established a five-year pilot project for psychological autopsies within the State Department of Health to improve suicide prevention, but members raised concerns about privacy, rulemaking, and the bill’s breadth; it passed 73-24. House Concurrent Resolution 1019 supported naming a planned turnpike segment the Toby Keith Expressway in honor of the late singer’s music career, patriotism, charity work, and support for Oklahoma communities. House Bill 3981 created a locality incentive program for assistant district attorneys in areas of need and passed 83-11. The House then adjourned until February 26, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, Paula Fillmore Sardinas, representing the Washington Build Back Black Alliance, a statewide
• Quite simply, we represent the largest number of Black homeowners in Washington.
• We quite simply represent the largest number of Black homeowners in Washington State.
• to be one of Washington State's most effective early intervention tools in making sure we can keep Black

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not exactly sure what the black items above the green are in the salmon, so we'll ask him to explain
• And then the black ones would be for non-commercial violations. Okay.
• report the zero and one, anything in the salmon color, whether it's green for commercial license or black
• report the zero and one, anything in the salmon color, whether it's green for commercial license or black

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The conference committee on House Bill 1229 met to try to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill, which deals with reporting certain traffic offenses to driving records and, by extension, insurance companies. House members argued that the House position was driven by concern that reporting lower-level offenses would unfairly raise insurance costs, while Senate members said they opposed removing reporting because they wanted transparency and believed people who break the law should face consequences. The discussion focused heavily on whether the bill should continue to exclude offenses at two points and below from reporting, or whether a narrower compromise such as one point and below might be acceptable. Committee members and DOT Driver and Vehicle Director Brad Schaefer reviewed a color-coded list of offenses and how they are currently reported. Schaefer explained that salmon-shaded items automatically appear on driving records because they trigger suspension or revocation, green items are commercial-driver violations that also trigger suspension, and the remaining unshaded zero-, one-, and some two-point violations were the main subject of the conference discussion. Members debated whether some low-point items, such as equipment violations, no child restraint, distracted driving, and failure to use due care, should remain reportable, while acknowledging that serious offenses like fleeing and human trafficking would remain reportable regardless. No final compromise was reached. Several members expressed interest in a possible middle ground limited to one-point-and-below offenses, but others worried the Senate would not accept it. The committee agreed to adjourn and reschedule after members had more time to review the list and consider possible amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Founded by Frank Merryweather, Senior, and his wife Carmelita, the Criterion is the oldest Black-owned
• newspaper in Western New York and the oldest Black-owned business in Erie County.
• The Criterion is the oldest Black-owned newspaper in Western New York and the oldest Black-owned business
• Buffalo's Black community has a voice that is heard loud and clear.
• The sacrifices of Black soldiers The sacrifices of Black soldiers defended its flag.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He was a soldier in the Black Hawk War. He was a postmaster and he was a surveyor.
• Douglas not only worked for the freedom of Black folks, but he also worked for women's suffrage.
• That people would be together as people, not Black people or white people, but people.
• That people would be together as people, not Black people or white people, but people.
• </c> grow up with white friends or black grow up with white friends or black friends<04:40:51.520><c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Black, Brown, yes. Faulkner, Fowler, Gallick, Hales, aye. Meirath, Mosley... Thank you. Aye. Hales.
• Black, Brown, aye. Faulkner, Fowler, Gallick, aye. Hales, aye. Meirath, aye. Mosley, aye.
• Black. Brown? Aye. Falkner. Valor. Gallag. Aye. Faulkner. Fowler? Gallic? Aye. Hales? Aye. Mirith?

Summary: The Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs considered House Bill 3381 and Senate Bill 1351. For HB 3381, members adopted a committee amendment clarifying guidelines for forgiving late fees in unusual circumstances or situations beyond taxpayers’ control, then rolled it into a substitute and advanced the bill. The final roll call on the House Committee Substitute for HB 3381 was 12 ayes and 0 noes, and the bill was reported due pass. The committee then took up SB 1351, which was amended through a committee substitute that expanded the bill to include several education-related provisions. Members discussed additions including a literacy-related effort to develop a plan for incorporating cursive into standards, a driver safety framework, and other previously heard education items. One member raised concern about whether the bill sponsor supported the expanded scope and said they would not support the bill because of the process, though the chair said sponsor support had been discussed with the sponsor’s office. The committee also adopted a Media Literacy and Critical Thinking Act amendment, described as a pilot program and standards-development effort focused on student media literacy and critical thinking, especially in light of AI. After rolling the amendments into a new substitute, the House Committee Substitute for SB 1351 was advanced on a roll call vote of 11 ayes and 2 noes, with Representatives Smith and Wolfin voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hanaway thanked Representative Black and said she appreciated it.
• Representative Black for the patrol before we go to the next division.
• Representative Black, you are recognized. Proceed. Thank you, sir.
• So Representative Black, please continue.
• Thank you, Representative Black.

Summary: Attorney General Catherine Hanaway presented the Office of the Attorney General’s FY 2027 budget request and outlined her office’s priorities: reducing violent crime, targeting illegal and unregulated activities she described as a “vice squad” focus, protecting Missourians from fraud, and improving the office’s legal work. She highlighted major cases and enforcement efforts, including litigation over insulin pricing, Dollar General pricing practices, a criminal prosecution in Hermann, the Jackson County assessment dispute, and a new lawsuit involving Misha’s board policy. Committee members asked about cybercrime enforcement, cooperation with federal authorities, VLTs, ballot and referendum litigation, and the office’s approach to diversity-related legal issues. Hanaway said cybercrime and no-call enforcement rely heavily on multi-state and federal cooperation, and she emphasized that many cases begin with citizen reports. Members also questioned the cost and scope of ongoing election-related litigation, including redistricting and referendum cases, and Hanaway said her office is defending the laws and ballot processes as required. She estimated roughly $600,000 in staff time over about six months for the referendum/redistricting work combined. Several members raised concerns about the Misha lawsuit and whether similar statutory provisions elsewhere in state government could raise the same legal issues; Hanaway responded that the case involved a board rule, not a statute, and turned on whether the requirement functioned as a quota. The committee also discussed child sexual exploitation, human trafficking, Medicaid fraud, and the use of outside counsel and pro hac vice fees. Hanaway said the office is using non-GR funds where possible and is not requesting pay increases this year. The Missouri Office of Prosecution Services then presented its budget. Officials explained that MOPS trains and supports prosecutors statewide, including on DWIs, child sex cases, and new prosecutor training, and that its budget request matches the governor’s recommendation. Members asked about support for local prosecutors, the nine counties without elected prosecutors, and the new conviction integrity unit; staff said the unit’s positions were shifted between line items and that the office can help answer prosecutorial questions through its general counsel. The committee then moved to the Department of Public Safety budget. DPS reviewed funding for crime victims notification, law enforcement recruitment and retention, drug task forces, academy scholarships, Blue Star grants, local crime prevention, school safety, World Cup security, 988 trainings, wastewater testing in schools, and other programs. Members asked about the $59 million federal FIFA World Cup grant, school safety app funding, and wastewater testing participation; DPS said the World Cup funds require no state match, the app funding is being phased out, and schools opted into the testing program. The committee recessed before finishing the DPS book, with plans to return later.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not enough to just have a human in the loop when you're dealing with powerful black box technology
• It's not enough to just have a human in the loop when you're dealing with powerful black box technology
• nurse came in, found out that the patient had a temperature of like 104, 105, this beautiful little Black
• Black and brown Californians are subject to targeted policing and are overrepresented at every stage
• women are more likely to die from cervical cancer, and Black and Native American women have far higher

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, distinguished colleagues, I rise today during Black History Month to honor a remarkable young
• I rise today during Black History Month to honor a remarkable young woman from our community.
• to play collegiate tennis at Tuskegee University, one of our nation's most prestigious historically Black
• Lelani Payton is writing a legacy that will inspire generations of young Black athletes, scholars, and
• , state champion, collegiate champion, missionary servant, and proud daughter of Kansas City, this Black

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by a 134-0 roll call vote. Members then moved through a series of personal privileges and introductions of guests, including Turning Point USA chapters, CASA volunteers and staff, JAG students, university students, nursing students, interns, and other visitors recognized from across the state. On third reading, House Bill 1766, dealing with personal property tax treatment and new construction, was debated as a taxpayer relief measure. Supporters said it would treat personal property more like real estate under Hancock-style limits, while opponents warned it could reduce revenue for taxing districts. The bill passed 94-50. The House then took up House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2989, a major gaming bill aimed at cracking down on illegal “gray market” machines while creating a regulated local-option video lottery terminal system. Debate focused on enforcement, local control, consumer protection, revenue for education, veterans, and disability programs, and whether the bill effectively legalized gambling in a new form. A motion to send it to Fiscal Review failed 69-44, and the bill ultimately passed 83-66 with one present. The chamber next considered House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2014, the supplemental appropriations bill. The sponsor said it provides a little over $3 billion in additional authority for the rest of FY2026, including tax refunds, disaster response, St. Louis tornado relief, Medicaid-related spending, and Missouri Department of Transportation operations. Members discussed the size of supplemental spending, the use of federal and general revenue funds, and the first-time use of general revenue for the adult expansion Medicaid population. The House adopted an amendment reducing some unused Medicaid authority, then adopted the bill as amended and perfected it for printing. The session ended with announcements, including a notice that the Super Committee on Tourism would meet immediately in Hearing Room 6.

Transcript Highlights:

• Black: Dolan: Here. Ely: Hardwick: Here. Jameson: Here. Keithley: Hardwick: Jameson: Here.
• Black: Dolan: Aye. Ely: Hardwick: Aye. Jameson: Aye. Keithley: Overcast: Aye. Sharp: Aye.
• Black: Dolan: Aye. Ely: Hardwick: Aye. Jameson: Aye. Keithley: Overcast: Aye. Sharp: Aye.
• Ranking Member Smith: Black: Dolan: Aye. Ely: Hardwick: Aye. Aye. Ely? Hardwick: Aye. Jameson: Aye.
• robes across the street. subjects in it already, that the tyrants in black robes across the street,

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Black: [no response] Dolan: Here. Ely: [no response] Hardwick: Here. Jameson: Here.
• Black: [no response] Dolan: Aye. Ely: [no response] Hardwick: Aye. Jameson: Aye.
• Ranking Member Smith: [no response] Black: [no response] Dolan: Aye.
• robes across the street... ...that the tyrants in black robes across the street, I don't think they're
• It needs to be a class E felony. ...that the tyrants in black robes across the street, I don't think

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met in executive session and approved House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2765, which was amended to revise hemp beverage retailer delivery language, adjust retailer fees and renewals, require product registration, and remove residency requirements. The substitute was adopted and the bill was reported do pass by a 10-0 vote. The committee also voted House Bill 2848, relating to mass intimidation offenses, do pass by a 9-0 vote. In public hearing, the committee took testimony on House Joint Resolution 130, which would ask Missouri voters to authorize retrospective civil laws for child sexual abuse claims. The sponsor and survivor advocates argued the measure is needed to allow revival windows and address delayed disclosure, while opponents from the insurance, tort reform, and business communities warned it could expose third parties such as schools, churches, nonprofits, and employers to broad, open-ended liability and higher insurance costs. No vote was taken on the resolution. The committee also heard House Bill 2254, which would speed capital post-conviction review by requiring earlier appointment of counsel and aligning Missouri procedures with federal standards. Supporters, including victims’ family members and the Attorney General’s office, said it would reduce years of delay and bring closure, while opponents raised concerns about wrongful convictions, conflicts from simultaneous representation, and increased public defender workload. Finally, House Bill 2206 on catalytic converter theft was heard; the sponsor and law enforcement supported stronger recordkeeping and licensing rules, while scrap/recycling and press representatives objected to added paperwork and a separate provision affecting public notice for self-storage sales. The hearing on HB 2206 was interrupted by the floor schedule and not completed in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• The capitol rotunda rang out with the cheers and voices of dozens of Black business owners and their
• Sheleta Brundage says Black Entrepreneurs Day at the Capitol is also about the future.
• 26:50.679><c> sheleta</c><00:26:51.200><c> Brundage</c><00:26:51.840><c> says</c><00:26:52.360><c> black
• </c> present sheleta Brundage says black present sheleta Brundage says black entrepreneurs<00:26:53.360
• Black business owners scheduled time with their senators and other legislators to talk one-on-one about

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Black, you're recognized.
• Representative Black, you're recognized.
• So you also made mention of deficiencies that needed to be cured with the black farmers.
• All right, Representative Black, you’re recognized. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• Representative Black, you're recognized. Thank you again, doctor. I have a question.

Summary: The Health Professions and Program Subcommittee met to receive oversight briefings on Florida’s medical marijuana program from the Department of Health’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) and from the University of Florida’s Consortium for Medical Marijuana Clinical Outcomes Research. OMMU Director Christopher Kimball outlined the program’s structure, including more than 900,000 active patients, nearly 7,000 caregivers, 27 MMTC licensees, 706 dispensing locations, and nine certified testing labs. He described the state’s pre-approval process for products and advertising, plain packaging requirements, seed-to-sale tracking, registry operations, and compliance efforts such as background checks, inspections, complaint investigations, and lab desk audits. He also said the Bureau of Public Health Laboratories in Jacksonville had been accredited to begin supporting testing. Members asked about telehealth, patient growth, product safety, advertising to children, inspections, and the status of MMTC licensure; Kimball said recertifications by telehealth now make up more than half of recertifications, that patient growth has slowed, and that ongoing litigation is delaying issuance of 22 new MMTC licenses. Kimball also discussed implementation of recent legislation and licensure changes, including licenses issued under HB 387 and SB 1582 to applicants from the original Pigford-related pool, with additional cure opportunities still ongoing. He said the department is monitoring diversion, inversion, and unapproved products, and that it coordinates with law enforcement when needed but does not itself have sworn authority. In response to questions, he said the department does not regulate physicians directly, but may refer concerns to the Division of Medical Quality Assurance, and that caregiver and physician participation requirements are set by statute. Members raised concerns about edibles, child access, and continued use of child-attractive branding; Kimball said the department tries to catch issues through pre-approval and enforcement, and that complaints involving children are treated as serious and investigated using available records and camera footage. Dr. Almond Winterstein then presented the consortium’s research overview. He explained that the consortium was created by statute in 2019, includes 10 universities, and is funded by annual state appropriations. He said its work includes grants, a research repository, a clinical core, outreach, and evidence synthesis, including a recent FDA-supported review of cannabis evidence. He emphasized that the current evidence base is limited and often low quality, with the strongest signals for symptom relief in PTSD-related symptoms, nausea, and some pain outcomes, but with many studies inconclusive or mixed. He also described the consortium’s use of registry data linked to Medicaid, Medicare, death, fetal death, and birth records to study safety and outcomes, including children, pregnancy, driving safety, opioid-sparing effects, and adverse events. Winterstein said adverse event reporting is sparse and likely underreported, with most reports mild but some serious events noted, and he expressed concern about use among young adults because of uncertain benefit-risk and possible effects on the developing brain. The committee discussed the need for better surveillance, more robust adverse event reporting, and the possibility of using linked data to identify harms more quickly. At the end of the meeting, the committee rose without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, the argument is black market's going to keep it. Black market's going to keep it anyway.
• California's black market is three times the legal one.
• Regulation has not stopped the black market. It has not protected kids.
• Heaven forbid, I went out to the black market. It was laced with fentanyl.
• Heaven forbid, I went out to the black market.

Bills: SB 5, SB 11, SB 12

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, human trafficking, trafficking victim, compelling prostitution, affirmative defense, criminal defense, coercion, force fraud or coercion, sexual exploitation, victim protection, Penal Code, Texas criminal law, prosecution, party liability, affirmative defense statute, survivor rights

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs took up Senate Bill 5, which Senator Perry described as a ban on intoxicating THC consumer products while preserving legal CBD, CBG, hemp seed, hemp seed protein powder, and hemp seed oil products. Perry argued that most retail THC products are already illegal under federal law, that the industry has used loopholes and misleading labeling to sell high-potency products, and that regulation would be ineffective because chemists can quickly alter formulations. He also said the bill would steer people with medical needs toward the Texas Compassionate Use Program (T-Cup), which he and other supporters described as the proper physician-guided alternative. Committee members and witnesses repeatedly discussed the distinction between legal hemp-derived products and intoxicating THC products, and Perry said the bill would not touch non-consumable hemp uses such as fiber and clothing. Invited testimony came from law enforcement and medical witnesses who supported the bill. Texas Police Chiefs Association representative Steve Dye, Kaufman County District Attorney Early Wiley, and Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne all said regulation would be too costly, too complex, and ultimately unenforceable, while a ban would be clearer and easier to enforce. They cited overloaded DPS labs, the need for expensive private testing, limited police and prosecutor resources, and the difficulty of keeping up with constantly changing cannabinoids and out-of-state products. Hawthorne and Wiley described raids and investigations involving warehouses, retail stores, cash seizures, and products they said were marketed to young people and often mislabeled or imported from other states. They also said the bill would help law enforcement by creating a clearer legal line and protecting legitimate CBD/CBG businesses. Dr. Lindy McGee, speaking for the Texas Medical Association and Texas Pediatric Society, testified that retail THC products pose serious risks to children and adolescents, including addiction, impaired brain development, psychosis, suicide attempts, self-harm, accidental toddler ingestions, and possible long-term cognitive effects. She said there is no effective medication treatment for THC addiction comparable to nicotine cessation tools, and she supported restrictions such as child-resistant packaging, no marketing to minors, and age limits, while opposing criminal penalties for possession by minors. Senators asked follow-up questions about brain development, memory, dementia risk, pregnancy, and cardiovascular effects. No vote was taken during the portion provided, and the committee continued with invited testimony and questions.