Transcript Highlights:

• Insurance limits how long referral fees can be paid, with a maximum duration of 36 months.
• The facility fee issue has proliferated to a point that it had some... ...is what I'm getting to.
• We will not charge a facility fee, and we'll be charging the professional fee, which is essentially the
• fee.
• Food and Drug Administration, or FDA.

Bills: SB227 , SB269 , SB407 , SB463 , SB527 , SB547 , SB1283 , SB1380 , SB1383 , SB1511 , SB1640 , SB1784 , SB2069

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• non-viable hemp seed, hemp seed protein powder, and hemp seed oil, which are widely recognized by the FDA
• And so we thought, let's narrow it because the FDA already has recognized these three products as safe
• Those gross products, generally recognized as safe by FDA, are unable to have THC in them.
• bit more information about that, but my understanding is those are the only three products that are FDA
• approved and deemed safe by the FDA, which makes them currently legal in our state.

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• General funds are about 38%, dedicated funds from fees and everything is 35%.
• uh safety inspection, FDA, EPA, but also<00:08:17.759><c> like</c><00:08:17.919><c> forest</c><00:08
• So just wanted to remind folks that the fee would not turn into $8 million as well.
• We're also seeing some efforts by FDA to give us more pharmaceuticals to treat these with.
• ><c> fasttracked</c><01:01:51.359><c> some</c> the FDA has has fasttracked some the FDA has has fasttracked

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:28:20.480><c> stays</c> make sure that this license fee stays make sure that this license fee
• If we had a fee set in statute, then we would just set the other fees accordingly to that.
• </c><00:35:31.560><c> And</c><00:35:31.800><c> we're</c> those fees. And we're those fees.
• </c> the fees. That it's pretty close. the fees. That it's pretty close.
• </c> regular motor vehicle registration fee. regular motor vehicle registration fee.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Please support this bill and support Texas shrimpers and the FDA. ...to stay in business and continue
• And we have no idea, because the FDA is testing less than 1% of this stuff, we have no idea what was
• What standards does the FDA have?
• Yeah, no, the FDA does have standards. What's banned is...
• The FDA catches people doing this every quarter, and they're only testing less than one percent.

Bills: HB2226 , HB2269 , HB2343 , HB2760 , HB3621 , HB4079 , HB4204 , HB4518 , HB4531 , HB4555 , HB4850 , HB4876 , HB4903 , HB4996 , HB5122

Committee: House Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Keywords: construction trust funds, Property Code, Chapter 162, construction payments, mechanics lien, contractors, subcontractors, laborers, material suppliers, materialmen, real property improvement, assignment of payment rights, unpaid trust funds, trust fund beneficiaries, construction industry, payment protection, Texas construction law, property owners association, landscaping, grass maintenance

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that for adolescents specifically, buprenorphine is the only FDA-approved medication for youth
• But we think it'll be a much more user-friendly experience versus, like, an academic process, but we'll
• And there will be a user guide for folks so people can understand how to best use that.

Summary: The meeting opened with approval of the April minutes and brief administrative updates, including notice that House Bill 5447 had passed both chambers of the General Assembly. Speakers reflected on the bill’s key provisions, which include eating-disorder working groups, an evidence-based screening requirement for school-based health centers beginning July 1, 2027, and a DSS-led feasibility process to explore an inpatient psychiatric facility for young adults ages 14 to 21. New staff introductions were also made for the Behavioral Health Advocate’s office and the TCB team. A major portion of the meeting focused on marketing and outreach for urgent crisis centers (UCCs) and the broader youth crisis continuum. Daydream Communications presented research showing low public awareness of UCCs but strong interest once families learn about them, with parents wanting specialized, compassionate care, clear expectations, insurance clarity, and bilingual support. United Way described its parallel work on a statewide crisis continuum marketing toolkit, using the SAMHSA framework of “someone to talk to, someone to respond, and somewhere safe to go,” and outlined plans to distribute consistent messaging through websites, social media, flyers, and community venues. Members emphasized coordinating with existing platforms and ensuring the marketing reflects the actual experience at UCC sites. DCF then presented on adolescent substance use services, citing data showing high need and low treatment access among Connecticut youth. The department reviewed its ASAM-based continuum, SBIRT efforts in outpatient psychiatric clinics, medication-assisted treatment access, and statewide services such as MST, MST emerging adults, STRIDE, multidimensional family therapy, youth recovery supports, and the AIM matching tool. A new young people peer support program was highlighted, with referrals accepted from families, hospitals, community providers, DCF, youth diversion, and the judicial branch. Questions addressed parent consent, peer matching, and whether the AIM tool could be linked through 211. The meeting concluded with an update from the Connecticut Suicide Advisory Board and its regional boards and grant-funded initiatives. Presenters reviewed the state suicide prevention plan, regional coalition work, postvention response, lethal means safety efforts, and the 988 capacity improvement grant that supports Connecticut’s centralized 988 contact center at United Way. They also shared youth suicide risk data from the Connecticut Youth Risk Behavior Survey, noting recent declines in reported suicidal ideation and attempts, and provided resources for training and materials. No formal votes were taken beyond the approval of the April minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Even Senator Crapo last week came out, and they are asking the FDA for going to a Schedule I for not
• So if you're out there promoting it for health benefits, that is in direct opposition to what the FDA
• So if you're out there promoting it for health benefits, that is in direct opposition to what the FDA
• I think that's why the FDA doesn't have a stance on it.
• I think that's why the FDA doesn't have a stance on it.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• This is allowed in Medicare Part D to cover FDA-approved obesity medication and access to health care
• So we fall under either an ancillary fee, and again that decreases the access for our expertise.
• So we fall under either<00:41:10.400><c> an</c><00:41:10.720><c> ancillary</c><00:41:12.000><c> fee</
• </c><01:24:25.760><c> It</c> USDA guidelines and FDA guidelines.
• It USDA guidelines and FDA guidelines.

Summary: The committee approved the minutes unanimously and then heard extended testimony from Senator Jimmy Higdon, who reflected on Kentucky’s 2011 childhood obesity task force and said the state’s childhood obesity problem has worsened since then. He described prior recommendations from that task force, including more physical education, nutrition education, classroom-based physical activity, complete streets, bike lanes, sidewalks, and safe routes to school. Higdon also argued that government programs have contributed to obesity and drug abuse, focusing especially on SNAP and Medicaid, and said he has long advocated for a waiver to distribute SNAP benefits twice a month rather than once a month. Higdon said SNAP fraud and abuse are significant, claiming some recipients sell benefits and some retailers bend the rules on eligible purchases. He also said spreading benefits through the month could help families keep fresh food in the home and stabilize grocery store business, especially in food deserts and rural areas. In response to questions, he said he would not support allowing hot prepared foods under SNAP, though he said a grocery-store produce incentive similar to the farmers market match could be beneficial if structured separately. He also said the WIC program is a model for how SNAP could be better administered. Members thanked Higdon for his service and discussed whether the issue is food insecurity or poor nutrition. Senator Douglas emphasized adding stronger guardrails to nutrition-related programs, and Representative Proctor asked about the challenges of operating grocery stores in rural areas and food deserts. Higdon said independent grocers face thin margins, competition, and cyclical market pressures, and that SNAP distribution patterns can worsen those challenges. After Higdon’s testimony, the committee heard from Ann Cressilious, a registered dietitian with the Kentucky Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, who began a presentation on the profession and on efforts to improve nutrition and access to nutrition information in Kentucky.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill that had to do with solid waste permitting in municipalities, but it had to do with municipal fees
• municipalities but it had to do with municipalities but it had to do with Municipal<00:47:24.680><c> fees
• c> noticed</c><00:47:27.319><c> this</c><00:47:27.440><c> and</c><00:47:27.680><c> I</c> Municipal fees
• and I noticed this and I Municipal fees and I noticed this and I uh<00:47:28.839><c> said</c><00:47:
• The commissioner said that one of the things they did last term was shift more money generated by fee

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held an introductory orientation for members, many of whom were new or newly assigned to the committee. Leadership emphasized that the committee is intended to operate in a nonpartisan, collaborative way, and members introduced themselves and described their backgrounds in farming, gardening, food service, environmental work, water and waste issues, veterinary work, and related fields. Several members noted personal ties to homesteading, livestock, orcharding, food security, landfill concerns, and animal welfare, while others said they were eager to learn the committee’s work. The chair then reviewed committee procedures and expectations. Members were told the committee would generally meet on Tuesdays, with hearings starting around 10 a.m. and often running until about 4:30 p.m., and that absences, substitutes for executive sessions, and email communications would be handled through House rules and the committee’s email system. The chair also covered decorum rules for live-streamed meetings, including professional dress, limiting food and drink at the table, and giving full attention to witnesses. Members were reminded that legislative emails are subject to public records laws and that the committee may soon transition to a new email domain. The chair also explained logistics such as bill folders, committee room storage, and emergency procedures for evacuation or shelter-in-place. No bills were debated or voted on in this meeting, but the chair noted that the committee already had roughly two dozen bills pending, including animal welfare, landfill, policy, and cat-and-dog related measures. Members were told to expect a broad mix of topics beyond agriculture, including solid waste and animal-related legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• In some cases, no fee increases are needed.
• In some cases, no fee increases are needed.
• charge, higher parking fees, and/or private funds.
• Yeah, no general admission fees.
• fees specific to water agencies.

Transcript Highlights:

• Program Act, creates a highly controlled, science-driven pathway to test whether I can become safe FDA
• can become safe FDA approved medication for<00:19:45.200><c> opioid</c><00:19:45.840><c> use</c><00:
• It confines activity to FDA-regulated research and future FDA-approved medical use.
• It confines activity to FDA-regulated research and future FDA-approved medical use.
• It keeps us firmly within FDA crisis.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have a Medi-Cal fee-for-service fee schedule for payment rates in the fee-for-service delivery
• So those fees are already in effect.
• The reason they were instituted was that there had not been a fee increase for the fees associated with
• The licensing fee went from $179 to $330.
• The CDPH more than tripled clinical laboratory scientist personnel fees, while facility fees increased

Transcript Highlights:

• For context, New York's renewal fees are $170 every three years.
• California's fees are now the equivalent of $900 every three years. Thank you. Thank you.
• This increase in my license fee is part of AB 144.
• I'll speak to the Home Care Services fee structure proposal next.
• I'll speak to the Home Care Services fee structure proposal next.

Summary: The committee heard opening budget remarks from the Department of Finance and the Legislative Analyst’s Office on the May Revision for Health and Human Services. Finance said the proposal significantly reduces projected out-year operating deficits through a mix of revenue increases and program cost reductions, while the LAO warned that even with booming revenues the state still faces a structural deficit and should prioritize reserves and avoid new ongoing commitments. The chair and members echoed concern about cuts to vulnerable populations, but also noted the need to maintain the overall level of budget solutions and add to reserves. The hearing then moved through a series of CalHHS and HCAI proposals, mostly held open after presentation. CalHHS requested additional legal support to respond to federal H.R. 1-related issues and a net-zero transfer of positions for a shared eligibility/data-sharing platform. Other items included ongoing funding for the 988 Behavioral Health Crisis Service Fund and a request for EMSA to fund maintenance of its enterprise data management system. HCAI presented proposals for hospital fair pricing implementation, the data exchange framework, the all-payer claims database, CalRx insulin development, the diaper access initiative, distressed hospital grants, opioid settlement fund reversion, and the Rural Health Transformation Program. Members questioned funding sources, special fund use, contracting exemptions, timelines, and whether some proposals should be more targeted or supported by alternative funding. A major discussion centered on HCAI’s diaper access initiative and the use of a Public Contract Code exemption to continue contracting for free diapers distributed through hospitals. The chair and some members criticized the optics of the selected vendor and questioned the lack of an income threshold, while HCAI said the program was designed to be universal and administratively simple, with future phase-two direct-to-consumer purchasing to be handled by a different vendor. Another extended exchange focused on distressed hospital funding, where HCAI said the May Revision would provide up to $50 million for hospitals at immediate risk of closure, but members argued the repeated annual need shows a structural problem and asked for broader reforms to hospital payment and care transitions. The final major topic was the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission’s budget. The Commission opposed the May Revision’s reduction of the Innovation Partnership Fund from $20 million to $10 million and a $6.7 million cut to community advocacy contracts, arguing both are core Proposition 1 tools for statewide innovation and community engagement. Finance responded that the proposal is within Proposition 1’s allowable maximums and that prior unspent appropriations could be redirected if the Legislature wanted to restore the full amount. No votes were taken; items were generally held open for later action.

Transcript Highlights:

• That data came from a state-funded program just like this, modeled after Minnesota, which led to FDA
• 09:40.720><c> got</c> that led to the pivotal trial that got that led to the pivotal trial that got FDA
• 09:42.000><c> Onward,</c><00:09:42.560><c> which</c><00:09:42.720><c> is</c><00:09:42.880><c> a</c> FDA
• approval for Onward, which is a FDA approval for Onward, which is a company<00:09:43.360><c> based</
• approval for the first which led to FDA approval for the first ever<00:09:53.760><c> device</c><00:09

Summary: The meeting focused on a House counteroffer to a higher education budget and policy agreement, with Ken Savory walking members through spreadsheet changes and Mr. Hopkins reviewing policy items. On the budget side, the House adjusted several appropriations and savings targets, including state grants, child care grants, student teacher and shortage area grants, student parent support, spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury research grants, dual training grants for legal cannabis employers, and University of Minnesota cannabis research. The House also noted no change to Minnesota State, alignment with the Senate on the summer academic enrichment program, and that remaining state grant parameters would continue to be negotiated. On policy, the House said some items were agreed to and grayed out, including campus sexual misconduct policy and treatment of appropriations. The House kept its original position on the NN Mayo Clinic Partnership and did not include K-12 direct admissions or the College Financing Literacy Act. It also proposed adjusting OHEI appropriations for competitively and legislatively named grant programs so administrative cost reserves would conform to 10% and 5% parameters when current law is below those levels. The committee then heard testimony in support of continuing the spinal cord injury/traumatic brain injury grant program at its current level. Joey Carlson described his spinal cord injury, his career path, and how the program helped advance research and industry connections, while Matthew Broadick argued the program has produced clinical trials, FDA approval-related progress, jobs, and strong return on investment. He also said the program belongs at the Office of Higher Education rather than the Department of Health because its mission better fits research and innovation. Members asked about the program’s long-term home, and the witnesses defended OHE’s role. No votes were taken; the chair thanked the House for the offer, said it would be reviewed, and recessed the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So basically, it just clarifies that the first hundred thousand of your motorcycle and moped fees would
• Since 2009, the fee structure for the Construction Industries Board has remained flat.
• It does adjust the fee structure for the Construction Industries Board.

Bills: SB44 , SB237 , SB248 , SB985 , SB1204 , SB1239 , SB1307 , SB1360 , SB1390 , SB1400 , SB1405 , SB1427 , SB1428 , SB1732 , SB1832 , SB1859 , SB1989 , SB2018 , SB2143

Committee: House Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: sales tax exemption, nonprofit organizations, contractors, charitable purposes, state law, ad valorem tax, manufacturing facilities, exemption, battery energy storage, employment, payroll, state tax regulation, tourism, revolving fund, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, real property, fund management, Oklahoma Local Food for Schools, school meals, local food procurement

Transcript Highlights:

• everything is changing, there is the nasal, but there is also the opportunity that has been put before the FDA
• It was sent to the FDA on January 30th.
• everything is changing, there is the nasal, but there is also the opportunity that has been put before FDA
• It was sent, taken to the FDA on January 30th.
• Updating the code to reflect current modern technology will allow for currently FDA-approved intranasal

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• In January, the FDA must live with.
• </c> policies, it is essential that the FDA policies, it is essential that the FDA has<02:44:59.040><
• ><c> 0</c><02:55:11.680><c> would</c> FDA modernization act 3.0 0 would FDA modernization act 3.0 0 would
• ,</c><02:56:07.120><c> with</c> effort with the FDA, with effort with the FDA, with pharmaceuticals,<
• </c><03:01:04.720><c> This</c> the FDA modernization act 2.0. This the FDA modernization act 2.0.

Bills: HB8823 , HB4541 , HB8790 , HB3029 , HB5578 , HB1722 , HB6330 , HB4123 , HB2069 , HB7283 , HR1118 , HB8205 , HB6238 , HB3491 , HB1493 , HB2001 , HB3747 , HB5160 , HB4348 , HB2821 , HB2715 , HB1703

Keywords: FECA, Federal Employees' Compensation Act, workers' compensation, Department of Labor, medical provider fraud, provider accountability, payment suspension, fraud conviction, health care fraud, federal health care benefit program, state health program, workers compensation medical benefits, program integrity, provider sanctions, injured federal employees, geothermal, next-generation geothermal, enhanced geothermal systems, closed-loop geothermal, supercritical geothermal

Transcript Highlights:

• These measures inspired nationwide changes, with the FDA subsequently banning two of these chemicals
• These measures inspired nationwide changes, with the FDA subsequently banning two of these chemicals
• These measures inspired nationwide changes, with the FDA subsequently banning two of these chemicals
• fact, after we passed the California Food Safety Act that banned those four... ...ingredients, the FDA
• to do with something called the GRAS loophole, the generally recognized as safe loophole, that the FDA

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard a full agenda of bills, first adopting a consent calendar of 11 measures without individual presentations. The committee then took up AB 1412, which would require California schools to implement or adopt a transferred special education student’s IEP within 30 days for out-of-state transfers and to coordinate more quickly on records. The author and military-family witnesses said the bill would reduce delays for highly mobile students, especially military children; a school administrators group opposed it. The bill received initial support from committee members and was moved on call. The committee also reconsidered AB 281, which would require notice to parents when outside consultants provide sex education instruction; the author accepted amendments removing a copy-right provision, but the bill remained on call after a split vote. The committee heard AB 1005, which would create a statewide drowning-prevention education and swim-lesson voucher framework for underserved communities. The author and supporters described drowning as a preventable public health and equity issue, while the bill was clarified as developing a plan rather than immediately launching a voucher program. It was voted out on a 3-0 roll with the measure placed on call. AB 908, as amended, would add compliance monitoring for existing requirements that schools use LGBTQ-inclusive instructional materials and curriculum under the FAIR Act. Supporters said the bill would improve implementation and student safety; opponents raised concerns about privacy, girls’ sports, and school burdens. The committee approved the bill 5-2 and sent it to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 1401, which would affirm parents’ access to school records, including unofficial records unless exempt by law. The author argued that parents need clearer access to information held by schools and vendors, while school officials and teachers’ union representatives warned the bill was too vague and could sweep in personal notes, journals, and other sensitive material. The bill failed on a 2-3 vote and was placed on call. Finally, AB 727 would require student ID cards to include the Trevor Project hotline for LGBTQ youth; supporters framed it as a suicide-prevention measure, while opponents argued it conflicted with parental rights and religious beliefs. Committee discussion focused on whether 988 already provides similar access and whether the Trevor Project is an appropriate resource to print on IDs; the hearing continued with the bill still under consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• members, I rise today in support of the Minority Leader's amendment and oppose the proposed 10-cent fee
• You can call it a tax or you can call it a fee.
• But this tax for this bag, or fee, whatever you want to call it, really compromises the integrity of
• In terms of the health impacts here, the FDA did a study of polystyrene containers and found that most
• In terms of the health impacts here, the FDA did a study of polystyrene containers and found that most

Transcript Highlights:

• in Title 51 relative to the regulation of certain broadband services, to provide for administration fees
• to amend Title 42 and 17 relative to labor organizations, to provide relative to employee dues and fees
• the Office of Motor Vehicles to require the commissioner to temporarily waive or suspend fines and fees
• This deals with the suspension of the collection of the fee related to hybrids.
• This is the other part of the PBM bill dealing with dispensing fees. I ask you to adopt the report.

Bills: SCR12 , HB221 , HB509 , HCR58 , SB78 , SB25 , SB80 , SB132 , SB155 , SB157 , SB202 , SB228 , SB250 , SB414 , SB433 , SB479 , SB513 , SCR9 , SCR58 , SB65 , SB215 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , SB514 , HCR32 , HB17 , HB41 , HB73 , HB223 , HB244 , HB759 , HB906 , HB966 , HB1006 , HB1009 , HB1086 , HB1107 , HB1112 , HB1215 , HB1242 , SB217 , SB283 , SB469 , HB36 , HB42 , HB74 , HB119 , HB159 , HB259 , HB302 , HB414 , HB459 , HB776 , HB848 , HB956 , HB1017 , HB1028 , HB1095 , SB208 , SB312 , SB382 , SB389 , HB210 , HB258 , HB359 , HB368 , HB468 , HB552 , HB732 , HB784 , HB870 , HB953 , HB1117 , HB1236

Summary: The Senate met with 29 members present, heard a prayer and national anthem presentation, and approved the journal without objection. The chamber then received multiple messages from the House on conference committee reports and concurrence actions, and took up a long calendar of Senate resolutions and House/Senate bills returned from the House with amendments. Several resolutions were adopted without objection, including commendations and requests for reports or studies, while others were left over or returned to the calendar. The Senate concurred in or adopted amendments on a series of bills covering registrar compensation (SB 25), broadband administration and reimbursement (SB 80), school safety master key boxes (SB 132), dental coverage for cancer treatment (SB 155), paid parental leave for educators (SB 157), election supervisor compensation days (SB 202), water utility service line replacement funding (SB 228), weight management services through the Office of Group Benefits (SB 250), medical debt protection (SB 414), Medicaid coverage of weight-loss medication (SB 443), and design-build authority for vertiport facilities (SB 513). It also adopted a House concurrent resolution urging backup motors for the St. Claude Avenue Bridge (HCR 32). One bill, SB 479 on removal of certain judges, had its amendments rejected and was sent to conference. The chamber then considered conference committee reports on several measures. Reports were adopted on SB 312 (labor organization dues and fees), SB 208 (veterans services and VA-related restrictions), SB 382 (workers’ compensation advisory council and reimbursement schedule timing), SB 389 (agent and athlete registration and fee review), and multiple House bills including HB 359 (party primary qualifying rules), HB 368 (New Orleans historic preservation lien procedures), HB 468 (wholesale residential real estate definitions), HB 552 (DWI-related responsive verdict language), HB 732 (motor vehicle fines/fees and hybrids), HB 870 and HB 1236 (pharmacy benefit manager and insurance provisions), and HB 1117 (prescription period issues). HB 210 on retroactivity was also adopted after debate. Several conference reports were temporarily passed over or returned to the calendar, including HB 953, and the Senate adjourned to reconvene the next morning for final work.