Transcript Highlights:

• Item number two is the December 2025 pharmacy formulary recommendations.
• Next item up is the January 2026 pharmacy formulary recommendations.
• Next item up is the January 2026 pharmacy formulary recommendations.
• Moving to the February 2026 pharmacy formulary recommendations.
• more than we're paying our independent pharmacies within the plan?

Committee: All ALC-STATE INSURANCE PROGRAMS OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The State Insurance Programs Oversight Subcommittee met to review and approve several State Board of Finance actions related to employee benefits and pharmacy coverage. Grant Wallace, Director of the Employee Benefits Division and Office of Property Risk, presented a $280,000 Boston Consulting Group contract to help develop a third-party administration RFP, and the committee approved it. The committee then considered pharmacy formulary recommendations for December 2025, January 2026, and February 2026, along with February 2026 medical drug recommendations. Across the formulary items, Wallace explained that some drugs were being removed from prior authorization requirements, some were being updated to reflect FDA guidance or dosage changes, and others were being left not covered because lower-cost alternatives already exist or clinical evidence was insufficient. Notable changes included removing Skyrizi and Renvoke from the pharmacy formulary in favor of lower-cost biosimilars, adding certain generics, and adding a subcutaneous version of Keytruda for faster administration. The committee approved each set of recommendations by motion and voice vote. Members also raised broader questions about the impact of new drug-pricing programs such as Trump RX, Cost Plus, and other manufacturer discount efforts, as well as concerns about PBM oversight and whether Navitus is complying with state law. Wallace said the department is still studying those issues and working with Navitus to assess pricing opportunities and compliance. Senator Boyd also asked about whether affiliated pharmacies are being paid more than independent pharmacies, noting he had not received a prior response; Wallace was asked to follow up. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• incorporate all of the points that are included in the Department of Justice's guidance to state and local
• incorporate all of the points that are included in the Department of Justice's guidance to state and local
• that supports pharmacists as the primary professionals authorized to compound in-state licensed pharmacies
• 03.520><c> Thank</c><00:26:03.679><c> you</c><00:26:03.840><c> for</c><00:26:04.080><c> your</c> pharmacy
• Thank you for your pharmacy function.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The joint HHS and LBT meeting opened with accessibility concerns, as several blind attendees arrived after the general public had already been seated. The chair apologized and said future hearings would try to seat blind members earlier. The committee also announced the hearing was being streamed on YouTube, testimony would be limited to one minute, and written testimony was available online. The first bill heard was SB 2281, relating to the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. The Department of Health supported transparency for patients but preferred disclosure through provider websites and office signage rather than a new regulatory program. The Hawaii Medical Association and Healthcare Association of Hawaii generally supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about administrative burden and suggested a working group or model policies. Hawaii Pacific Health said it already uses AI for note-taking and patient portal functions and worried that written notice requirements could create too much consumer information. In response, the chair emphasized that patients should be informed when AI is used, especially if it affects diagnosis or consequential decisions, and said AI should not be making medical decisions. The committee later voted to recommend SB 2281 pass with amendments, including narrowing the definition of consequential decisions, removing certain language requested by DOH, adding a two-year implementation period, and setting a far-future defective date for further discussion; both committees adopted the recommendation, with the chair voting aye and the vice chair voting with reservations. The second major bill was SB 2852, a civil rights measure focused on digital access for people with disabilities. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii all supported the bill, arguing that existing law clearly protects physical access but should also make digital access explicit. Blind testifiers described how accessible technology, such as VoiceOver on iPhones, allows them to participate independently in public processes and warned that inaccessible digital systems can create barriers for thousands of blind residents. One testifier, an attorney with disability-law experience, supported the bill’s intent but said the draft had flaws, including no exceptions for archived materials, no distinction between small and large businesses, and concerns about the timing and choice of accessibility standards; he suggested delegating regulatory authority to the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission. The bill’s sponsor said he supported DAB’s proposed amendments, and the committee indicated those amendments would address many of the concerns raised. No final vote on SB 2852 was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up SB 2751, which defines compounded prescription drugs for workers’ compensation purposes. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations supported the bill but requested clarifying amendments to keep pharmacists as the primary professionals authorized to compound in licensed pharmacies and to limit any physician compounding authority to the physician’s own patient. Supporters included the Work Injury Medical Association of Hawaii, while Solera Integrated Medical Solutions opposed the measure, arguing the current definition was already broad enough and warning about cost inflation, especially with 503B bulk compounding facilities and physician dispensing. In questioning, members asked about rural access, reimbursement for 503B products, and late testimony suggesting definitions for 503A and 503B facilities, limits on physician dispensing to 30 days post-injury, and pre-approval for non-FDA-approved drugs. DLIR said not every rural community has licensed pharmacists available, that products with a national drug code are reimbursed at 140%, and that 503B facilities raise concerns because they are bulk manufacturers rather than patient-specific compounding operations. The meeting then moved into decision-making on SB 2281; the chair’s pass-with-amendments recommendation was adopted by both committees, with the vice chair voting with reservations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Peg Clifford and Lisa Fan are our pharmacy director and pharmacy specialist.
• Peg Clifford and Lisa Fan are our pharmacy director and pharmacy specialist.
• Representative Woods asked whether there are difficulties with PBMs in the pharmacy area.
• </c> hospital through their local hospital through their local hospital<01:29:21.199><c> uh</c><01:29
• </c> partner with um 10 area agencies local partner with um 10 area agencies local area<01:50:37.679>

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

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:

• 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:

• It's like many of us are all for local control until we're not for local control. It happens here.
• </c> pharmacies are doing. pharmacies are doing.
• </c> prevention and resolution allowing local prevention and resolution allowing local governments<02
• </c> concerning measures to assist local concerning measures to assist local governments<02:22:13.920
• </c> um uh available grants that local um uh available grants that local governments<02:22:45.040><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an analysis of pharmacy and medical claims from 2017 to 2023 for individuals living with serious
• And Barney Bishop, Small Business Pharmacies, is waving in support. Is there debate?
• And this is Senate Bill 294, dealing with collaborative pharmacy practice.
• Barney Bishop, Small Business Pharmacies, is in support. And Dr.
• The collaborative pharmacy practice agreement, also known as the CPPA, was passed into law in 2020.

Committee: Senate Health Policy

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health Policy met with a quorum and heard five bills. SB 126, on prescription hearing aids, would remove Florida’s prohibition on mailing hearing aids when required tele-audiology testing and procedures are completed before sale. The sponsor said the bill would improve access, especially for people with travel or geographic barriers. The Florida Academy of Audiologists expressed support in concept but said it was still working with the sponsor on an amendment for consumer safety. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 152 would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies using smoke evacuation systems during certain surgical procedures. Supporters, including the Florida Nurses Association and several nurses, described surgical smoke as a workplace and patient safety hazard containing harmful chemicals, viruses, bacteria, and other contaminants, and said evacuation technology is available and already required in some settings. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 264 would expand step-therapy exemptions for severe mental illness, including certain postpartum and pregnancy-related mental health conditions, so physicians would not have to require patients to fail preferred drugs in specified circumstances. Support came from Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, NAMI Florida, and several medical and pharmacy groups, who argued that delays in effective treatment can worsen crises and increase hospital and crisis-care costs. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 342 would create a public-records exemption for current and former AHCA employees and certain family information, citing threats and harassment directed at inspectors and regulators. President Gaetz said he generally opposes such exemptions but supported this one because the employees are not elected officials and face real safety risks. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 294 would limit the Board of Pharmacy’s ability to add heart failure, coronary heart disease, and cardiac rhythm disorders to the list of chronic conditions eligible for collaborative pharmacy practice, keeping those conditions under direct physician management. The Florida Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons, Florida Medical Association, and the Florida chapter of the American College of Cardiology supported the bill, while the Florida Society of Health System Pharmacists opposed it. The committee voted the bill favorably. Senator Trumbull asked to be recorded in support of SB 126 and SB 152, and the meeting adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's complex: local control, intoxicating hemp.
• It's complex, local control, intoxicating hemp.
• We recruit from federal, state, and local law enforcement.
• 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.

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:

• </c><00:30:05.480><c> and</c> required hours CE and Pharmacy and required hours CE and Pharmacy and Controlled
• Your local pet store should not carry it, though. If they do, let us know. Fair enough.
• Your local pet store should not carry it, though. If they do, let us know. Fair enough.
• Your local pet store should not carry it, though. If they do, let us know. Fair enough.
• other state or local laws and variances<01:09:36.440><c> for</c><01:09:36.640><c> construction</c><01

Summary: The subcommittee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and welcomed new members before taking up Council on Postsecondary Education regulations 13 KAR 2:120 and 13 KAR 2:130. The regulations, as amended by staff and agency amendments, update public university and KCTCS performance funding models to conform to 2024 Senate Bill 191 and the performance funding work group’s recommendations. Changes discussed included replacing the underrepresented minority metric with an underrepresented students metric defined as first-generation students, adding an adult learner metric, increasing the low-income degree premium, adjusting small-school and nonresident credit-hour weights, revising data aging and progression metrics, and adding STEM+H criteria in 13 KAR 2:120. Travis Pal of the Council on Postsecondary Education explained that the changes reflect the work group’s three-year review process and that the work group ultimately voted to define underrepresented students as first-generation students and to apply half-weighting between research and comprehensive universities for the new metric. Michael Frasier of the Kentucky Student Rights Coalition and Eastern Kentucky University student government opposed 13 KAR 2:120, arguing that the regulation improperly applies weights where the statute does not clearly authorize them and that the funding changes disadvantage comprehensive universities and vulnerable students. He asked the committee to find the regulation deficient or, alternatively, recommend legislative clarification and a revised fiscal analysis. Pal responded that weighting has been part of the model since 2017, that CPE was following the statute and work group recommendations, and that the model could be changed by future legislation. Members asked about the timing of the broader performance funding review, and Pal said the full model is reviewed every three years, with the next work group cycle beginning in 2026. No motion to find the regulation deficient was made, and the committee allowed the regulations to proceed to the committee of jurisdiction. The committee then approved a staff amendment to Teachers’ Retirement System regulations 102 KAR 1:195 and 102 KAR 1:340, which require annual reporting of accumulated sick leave, leave policies, and salary schedules to TRS and make technical changes to the final average salary calculation and related definitions.

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:

• 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:

• Will it help you folks meet your locally produced food from 30% in 2030?
• produce food from 30% in your locally produce food from 30% in 2030?
• How is this going to help us to keep local teachers here, retain our local teachers, and then also get
• teachers here, retain us to keep local teachers here, retain our<03:29:25.760><c> local</c><03:29:26.160
• We're graduating students who are globally competitive and locally committed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Basani earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Drake University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
• ><c> and</c> pharmacy, long-term care, pharmacy, and pharmacy, long-term care, pharmacy, and compounding
• </c> leader and visionary in the pharmacy leader and visionary in the pharmacy compounding<00:15:37.760
• ><c> D</c><00:15:48.880><c> from</c><00:15:49.120><c> Drake</c> pharmacy degree from D from Drake pharmacy
• </c> pharmacy students at Drake University. pharmacy students at Drake University.

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.
• 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.
• , those local elected officials. transpiring is you're having a lot of our local, those local elected

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

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries considered several bills and took final action on each. SB 986, by Senator Gruters and presented by Senator Rodriguez, would prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana in public places and in certain indoor spaces; restaurant and lodging representatives supported adding marijuana and vaping to clean indoor air rules but asked to preserve designated smoking areas on private property, while cannabis advocates warned the bill was overly broad and could affect patients and property rights. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 678, by Senator Mayfield, would restore statutory authority for DBPR to continue allowing alcohol distributors to deduct unsellable alcohol from monthly excise tax calculations; the committee adopted a strike-all amendment and reported the committee substitute favorably. SB 800, also by Senator Mayfield, increases penalties for repeated unlicensed engineering practice and creates an engineering student loan assistance program for engineers working for state agencies and water management districts; after adopting an amendment clarifying eligibility, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then heard SB 408, by Senator Grall, which would create a Florida cause of action against vaccine manufacturers that advertise in the state, allowing injured individuals to sue in Florida courts. Supporters argued the bill would rebuild public trust and hold manufacturers accountable, while opponents from the Florida Justice Reform Institute, American Tort Reform Association, BIO, the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, and several medical and business groups argued the field is largely preempted by federal law, that existing federal compensation programs already address vaccine injuries, and that the bill raises First Amendment and policy concerns. After debate focused on vaccine injury data, compensation rates, and liability, the committee voted SB 408 favorably. The committee also considered SB 484 and SB 1118, both by Senator Avila, dealing with data centers. SB 484 would preserve local planning authority, bar nondisclosure agreements that prevent disclosure of potential data center development, require the PSC to set large-load tariff requirements so data centers pay their own costs, and limit consumptive use permits for large-scale data centers absent no harm to water resources and compliance with local zoning; supporters emphasized ratepayer protection and economic development, while some witnesses urged flexibility for behind-the-meter projects and confidentiality in negotiations. The bill was reported favorably. SB 1118 would create a time-limited public records exemption for county or municipal information about data center siting and protect proprietary business information; Senator Pizzo raised concerns about how the exemption would affect disclosure of competing projects and local officials’ ability to speak, but the sponsor said he would work on clarifying the language. The committee also passed SB 1050, by Senator Calatayud, which requires veterinarians to provide pet owners with written prescriptions and information about pharmacy choice while preserving veterinary judgment and emergency dispensing authority. The meeting concluded after all bills were reported favorably and members recorded additional votes on prior items.

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:

• 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:

• There was nothing in the pharmacy statutes telling the pharmacists that they could do it, so after a
• There was nothing in the pharmacy statutes telling the pharmacists that they could do it, so after a
• </c><03:38:10.319><c> Junior</c> daughter is a pair of at a local Junior daughter is a pair of at a local
• People don't go to the same pharmacies.
• pharmacies pharmacies the<03:50:51.279><c> you</c><03:50:51.439><c> know</c><03:50:52.000><c> we</c>

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, local communities can advocate on behalf of their own.
• So what is the nature of the economic development, local economic development efforts in this area?
• Our local small business groups... ...comment at least.
• And finally, and most importantly, on local control, the bill fully preserves it.
• No jurisdiction is required to allow drive-through operations unless locally approved.

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee until quorum was established, then took up a series of bills on business, professions, health, cannabis, and consumer protection. AB 72, creating an electric vehicle economic opportunity zone in Riverside County, drew questions about whether the state should target one region over others, but supporters argued it would help bring EV manufacturing and related jobs to the Inland Empire. The bill passed on a 8-1 vote to Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement. AB 685, which would create the Small Business Resiliency and Innovation Fund to support technical assistance and capital infusion programs, drew broad support from small business networks and chambers, but some groups raised concerns that the June amendments could affect eligibility and that the funding should be clearly supplemental rather than replacing existing support. The author said discussions were ongoing, and the bill passed 10-0 to Senate Appropriations. The committee also approved AB 173, a resolution, on a 7-0 vote, and AB 1760, a Dental Practice Act cleanup bill sponsored by the Dental Board, on a 10-0 vote. AB 1637, which would limit changes to physician-authored medical records and make unauthorized alterations a misdemeanor, was supported by physicians and labor groups who said it would protect patient safety and professional accountability; it passed 10-0 to Senate Appropriations. AB 1785, allowing online sales of pseudoephedrine products with existing age and quantity safeguards, passed 10-0. AB 1973, expanding the ability of advanced practice clinicians to perform procedural abortions within their training, drew strong support from reproductive health providers and strong opposition from anti-abortion witnesses who raised safety concerns; after questions about training and oversight, it passed 7-3 to Senate Appropriations. The committee then considered AB 2025, requiring disclosure when rental listings use digitally altered or AI-staged images. Supporters said it would prevent renters from being misled, while the California Apartment Association said it was working with the author on implementation; the bill passed 8-1 to Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies and Consumer Protection. AB 2697, allowing drive-through cannabis sales with local approval and security requirements, was supported by cannabis businesses and operators as a way to improve access and compete with the illicit market, while narcotics officers opposed it over ID verification and public safety concerns; it passed 7-3 to Senate Appropriations. Finally, AB 2249, responding to a state audit on cannabis packaging attractive to children by defining prohibited imagery and creating a public rubric and pre-review process, received support from the cannabis operators association and the state auditor’s office, while small independent farmers raised concerns that some categorical bans could sweep too broadly. The transcript cuts off during that bill’s opposition testimony, and no final action on AB 2249 is shown in the excerpt.