Transcript Highlights:

• I think there needs to be an in-depth study on fees, an in-depth study on.
• So I think a better, deeper study would be good.
• A peer-reviewed study published last year found toxic metals in every tampon tested, including lead,
• Empowering us with further information as new research is being done in this area.
• Shearston and these collaborators led a peer-reviewed study finding toxic metals in tampons.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, a study showed that CDCR is highly susceptible to climate hazards because they are located near
• Some of our recent research we believe is relevant to the bill before you. My name is Dr.
• Some of our recent research we believe is relevant to the bill before you. My name is Dr.
• This is the first comprehensive study to examine all major platforms. California drivers.
• That's in the feasibility study report. So we must respectfully oppose the bill. Thank you.

Summary: The committee heard several labor-related bills, with AB 1424, AB 1340, AB 288, and AB 746 all advancing on due-pass motions to Appropriations after testimony and roll calls. AB 1424 would require climate resiliency and extreme-heat protections in CDCR facilities; supporters described dangerous heat conditions for incarcerated workers and staff, while no opposition testified. AB 1340 would allow rideshare drivers to unionize and collectively bargain; drivers, labor groups, and researchers testified that app-based work is low-paid and unstable, while TechNet, Uber, Lyft, and other business groups argued the bill conflicts with Proposition 22 and could raise costs. AB 288 would let PERB step in when federal labor remedies are unavailable; supporters said it is needed because of NLRB dysfunction, while the Chamber of Commerce raised preemption and enforcement concerns. AB 746 would create an inmate cooperative program and a green reentry reserve; supporters framed it as a recidivism-reduction and reentry strategy, and there was no opposition testimony. The committee also heard AB 858, which would extend hotel and hospitality worker recall rights after declared emergencies and extend existing COVID-era protections. Hospitality workers and unions supported the bill as a way to protect jobs after pandemics, wildfires, and other disasters, while hotel, chamber, retail, restaurant, trucking, travel, and attractions groups opposed it, saying the current recall rules were meant to sunset and that the bill would create broad liabilities and hiring complications. The bill was moved to Appropriations but remained on call after the roll. AB 291, creating a credentialed educator apprenticeship program to address teacher shortages and improve diversity, drew support from education groups and stakeholders who said apprenticeships could lower preparation costs and provide better support; it was also moved to Appropriations and placed on call. Later, the committee took up AB 1104, a solar-energy bill intended to clarify that private solar customers are not “awarding bodies” and to ease certain business-to-business solar transactions while preserving prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements for contractors. Supporters said the current interpretation has chilled commercial solar adoption and harmed jobs, while opponents from electrical workers, PG&E, and others warned about expanded “over-the-fence” power sales and the need for clearer limits. Members questioned the lack of a definition of “small,” and the bill was held without a second. The committee also heard AB 338, which seeks $50 million for Los Angeles and Ventura wildfire workforce recovery; the author and county officials described major job loss and business destruction and said the funds would support displaced workers and rebuilding, with the testimony continuing beyond the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• for the advanced nuclear study. for the advanced nuclear study.
• This is a study that will also broaden the things that are studied.
• This study is a much broader study, which says studying not only nuclear waste disposal, not only advanced
• > studied.
• says<00:15:52.000> studying<00:15:52.840> not broader study, which says studying not

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And clinical research.
• And, Madam Chair, I'm glad when we look at the brain research, or what dementia research that we're looking
• So every research contract—Actman Research, product development research—all includes revenue-sharing
• And 13% of our research portfolio.
• And 13% of our research portfolio.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations from the Legislative Budget Board and agency officials on several agencies, starting with the Texas Historical Commission. LBB described a large biennial reduction driven mainly by the removal of one-time funding and discussed capital projects, rider changes, and exceptional items including Presidio La Bahia and the National Museum of the Pacific War. Senators asked about heritage trails, courthouse grants, unexpended balance authority, and the status of historical-site funding. Historical Commission leadership emphasized preservation, courthouse restoration, heritage tourism, coordination with the Alamo and other Texas Revolution sites, and requested additional IT, staffing, and vehicle funding. No votes were taken. The committee then reviewed the Pension Review Board and the Employees Retirement System. The Pension Review Board’s budget was largely unchanged aside from IT maintenance and salary adjustments, with an exceptional item for additional IT enhancements. Members discussed the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System’s funding dispute and the need for a workable restoration plan. ERS presented a much larger budget, including funding for the retirement system, the group benefits plan, and the legacy payment intended to reduce unfunded liability. Senators focused heavily on pension investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health-care costs, especially pharmacy spending driven by GLP-1 drugs; ERS said the plan covers about 540,000 lives and that premiums would rise 8% while benefits remain unchanged. ERS also said it had no exceptional items, and committee members requested more detailed benchmark information. The committee also heard from the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. TESSORS reported an unfunded liability, an infinite amortization period, and requested additional state support, staffing, and IT funding, including a statutory change to allow a higher contribution level; the agency warned that without more funding it may have to cut benefits. CEPRIT’s presentation covered its bond-funded cancer research and prevention portfolio, revenue-sharing from funded projects, and a request to increase salary limits for its CEO and chief scientific officer. Senators questioned CEPRIT’s accomplishments and return on investment, while CEPRIT cited screening, prevention, and research outcomes, including tens of thousands of detected cancers and precursors and hundreds of thousands of first-time screenings. The meeting ended after these presentations and questions, with no recorded committee action or vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think that's where we really, as a body, need to invest in robust research.
• Program, which funds community-engaged participatory research between University of California researchers
• And I published a research paper one year before the pandemic saying that we don't Published a research
• , door-to-door, robust study.
• In 2023, researchers at Stanford and Columbia found that in a California study, low-intensity fires reduced

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee held an informational hearing on the health impacts of wildfires and the effects on health care systems and access to care. The first panel focused on public health consequences, with testimony from UCLA and UCSF physicians, a community organizer, and an Altadena recovery leader. Witnesses described acute and long-term physical harms from wildfire smoke and ash, including asthma and COPD exacerbations, cardiovascular and stroke risks, pregnancy impacts, infection risk, and possible added hazards from lithium-ion battery fires. They also emphasized mental health effects such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, “firebrain,” and the need for psychological first aid, trauma-informed community networks, and youth-focused resilience programs. Community advocates stressed that Latine, Indigenous, undocumented, and Black communities face disproportionate harm because of language barriers, unsafe work conditions, lack of insurance, and exclusion from disaster aid, and they called for stronger language access, worker protections, permanent disaster relief, and better outreach. Committee members asked about air monitoring, masks, wind events, lithium-ion batteries, and how to reach communities with translation and emergency information. Panelists said AQI is useful but incomplete, that N95s help for smoke but P100 masks are needed for ash/asbestos exposure, and that communities should be warned to stay indoors and avoid windy dust-ups after fires. They also discussed the importance of building relationships during non-emergency periods, using text alerts and trusted community organizations, and providing culturally and linguistically appropriate information. Several members and witnesses highlighted the need for more research on long-term health effects, especially for people with chronic lung disease, workers who cannot stay indoors, and residents exposed to repeated disasters. The second panel addressed health care system response and access to care. DHCS and DMHC described emergency flexibilities used during the Southern California fires, including federal waivers, extended Medi-Cal renewal deadlines, reinstated coverage for some disenrolled members, suspension of prior authorization and prescription refill barriers, out-of-network access at in-network cost-sharing, and communication through websites, toll-free numbers, and social media. Hospital and community health center leaders described major operational strain: emergency room surges, canceled surgeries, dialysis disruptions, staff displacement, temporary housing needs, and financial losses. Huntington Health and AltaMed reported using incident command systems, temporary care spaces, bilingual and culturally tailored services, mobile clinics, infection control measures, and community health workers to keep care going. Members and witnesses also discussed the need for better disaster staffing pools, more flexible facility rules, stronger mental health coverage, child care planning, and statewide coordination for future emergencies; no formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the threshold for the study is to study everything from a 200 kV threshold and above with grounded
• >> Well, we would do the study. We work with ISO New England to do the study.
• <04:07:14.160> to or greater which limits the study to or greater which limits the study to
• > I research.
• Um, and some of the research I research.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm studying pre-occupational therapy because I think that helping people is super cool.
• And then I'm going to hand it over to Aniola to talk about research. Yeah.
• We see students that are involved in research.
• And so student-led research does have a direct impact on those things.
• Can you not study? Can you not sleep?

Summary: The committee met at Dakota College at Bottineau, approved the January 15, 2026 minutes, and heard an extensive campus update from Dean Corey Gorder and other DCB leaders. Gorder described the college’s affiliation with Minot State and its growing use of shared services, including business office functions, HR, institutional research, Title IX, printing, financial aid support through UND, and payroll support through NDSU. He said the arrangement lets DCB focus on its core mission while relying on system partners for specialized administrative work, and noted that accreditation concerns were not believed to limit those shared-service arrangements. He also highlighted DCB’s mission, enrollment growth, dual-credit reach across rural schools, and the college’s emphasis on nursing, dental, paramedic, farm management, and other workforce-oriented programs. Committee members asked detailed questions about dual credit, program delivery, and whether DCB’s partnerships were exclusive. Gorder said the relationships are generally collaborative rather than exclusive, that schools can choose other providers, and that many partnerships began through personal outreach and ongoing relationships with rural schools. Lisa Johnson of the university system added that transfer complaints are rare and that dual credit generally transfers well within North Dakota, though highly selective out-of-state institutions may treat credits differently. Members also asked about stipends for high school instructors, the share of K-12 versus DCB instructors, and the capacity limits in dental hygiene and other programs. Gorder said dental hygiene is capped by space and staffing, that there were more applicants than seats, and that expansion is being considered; he also said he would provide follow-up information on the paramedic program and instructor breakdowns. Gorder closed by identifying long-term challenges, including aging residence halls, recruiting faculty and staff, and the need to review low-enrollment programs. He said DCB should consider expanding into more high-demand trades such as welding, HVAC, and electrical work, and should streamline dual credit and strengthen its Minot programming. The committee then heard from the North Dakota Student Association, whose leaders outlined student priorities from the last session and the interim. Their main concerns included campus housing quality and affordability, food insecurity and food pantries, mental and physical health resources, student-led research funding, academic and career readiness, internships, and campus collaboration. They also discussed dual credit, saying it is valuable but uneven across the state, and raised questions about how to better retain students in North Dakota through the system. Members asked follow-up questions about housing, transferability of dual credit, and whether incentives could be used to encourage students to stay in-state for higher education.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, a study published just this month compared in-hospital versus satellite surgery center
• I had to go through a very long process when I was doing research looking into cash prices in several
• They're great research pieces, but I have seen instances where they say they don't cost.
• But it allows you to look at it, study it before you vote on the bill. What a concept, right?
• by stakeholders during that study process.

Bills: HB35, HB138, HB754, HB1314, HB1612, HB2254, HB2510, HB2789, HB3560, HB3597, HB4224, HB4273, HB4643, HB4783, HB138

Keywords: peer support, first responders, mental health, confidentiality, emergency services, health impact analysis, cost analysis, coverage mandates, health insurance, legislative analysis, health care data, human trafficking, trafficking prevention, medical assistant training, health care facilities, hospital compliance, clinic compliance, anti-retaliation, whistleblower protection, employee reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• The first one is a case study. It's about predators, gangsters, harsh terms, maybe...
• In this case study, a condo association in Fort Myers was liened for $1.7 million.
• At hand is regarding art of... that's part two, okay, and it's a case study.
• The first one is a case study for part two, so it's related. So let's look at SB 794.
• Had these similar discussions, and I participated in study, including the one in Utah, but also.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 794, as amended by a late-filed strike-all, which would require a human being to make insurance claim denial decisions and prohibit artificial intelligence from being the sole basis for a denial. The sponsor said the bill was intended to preserve human oversight while allowing innovation in claims processing. Public testimony included support from the Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate and the Florida Medical Association, along with one speaker urging additional protections for homeowners. The committee adopted the strike-all and reported SB 794 favorably with committee substitutes. Members then heard SB 134, which removes the $500 threshold on the sales tax exemption for bullion, making sales of gold, silver, and platinum bullion fully exempt and eliminating certain dealer documentation requirements. Supporters argued the change would reduce a regressive tax and help consumers preserve savings; the sponsor estimated a revenue impact of about $300,000. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also adopted a strike-all on SB 888, which directs the Office of Insurance Regulation to create a more consumer-friendly homeowners insurance website with premium comparison information, market data, rate filing access, and educational resources. The sponsor and Leader Boyd said the goal was to improve transparency and help consumers navigate a stabilizing market. SB 888 was reported favorably with committee substitutes. The final bill heard was SB 1578, covering mammograms and supplemental breast cancer screenings. The sponsor said it would expand coverage requirements in ACA plans and private insurance policies, including annual mammograms for women ages 40 to 50 and supplemental screening coverage, while noting Medicaid already provides these services. The Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate waived in support, and the bill was reported favorably. After the bills, the committee held a lengthy panel discussion on gold and silver as legal tender and transactional money, with testimony from officials from Utah and Florida, industry representatives, and advocacy groups. Panelists discussed constitutional authority, consumer protections, depository oversight, taxation issues, and possible transactional platforms for precious metals. No further action was taken after the discussion, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Studies reveal that the paraquat toxic.
• > cells<00:21:24.920> that Research shows that immune cells that Research shows that immune
• And there's studies, if you statement.
• c> done study that was done study that was done where<00:41:05.480> that<00:41:05.800>
• we get asked for is for either research. we get asked for is for either research.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sponsor has asked us to interrupt study? sponsor has asked us to interrupt study?
• government and to support the research government and to support the research needs<05:10:51.520
• don't think we were doing interim study. don't think we were doing interim study.
• <05:49:58.240> Uh, motion of uh interim study. Uh, motion of uh interim study.
• But it's interum study. on to it. But it's interum study.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fellow members for further research or discussion, or maybe something you still have questions about
• ..quite a bit in my world, in the research world, by vets like me, as well as animal researchers who
• So I wonder if the studies and the research that is being conducted by... ...the studies and the research
• But I think what I did was after that meeting, I had a meeting with some researchers here.
• I actually also have a veterinary researcher license for Massachusetts as well.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The working group on best practices for oversight and enforcement met for its first session and focused on xylazine, including its legal veterinary uses, its appearance in the illicit drug supply, and whether it should be classified as a controlled substance. Members discussed the distinction between pharmaceutical-grade and non-pharmaceutical-grade xylazine, the role of international/illicit sourcing, and the limits of state-level regulation if the substance is already being added to fentanyl or other drugs outside the Commonwealth. The Department of Public Health representative summarized the agency’s view that scheduling xylazine could follow the “ironclad law of prohibition” and push the market toward other, potentially worse substances, and said DPH opposed straight scheduling in favor of education, support, and harm-reduction approaches. Veterinary members explained how xylazine is used in large-animal and research settings, why it is useful, and why federal-style scheduling could create practical burdens for veterinarians who work in the field. They also described reversal agents such as yohimbine and atipamezole (Antisedan), and noted that xylazine is not commonly used in small-animal practice. Several members raised questions about how much xylazine is actually used legally in Massachusetts, whether boards of pharmacy or distributors could provide useful data, and what other states have done. Arizona and Florida were mentioned as possible examples for further research, along with the need to examine stakeholder opposition and any effects on legitimate veterinary practice. The group agreed to divide into two subgroups: one focused on oversight and regulation of production/distribution, and another on whether xylazine should be classified as a controlled substance and what penalties, if any, should apply. Staff said they would circulate notes, a draft PowerPoint template, and a shared folder, with members asked to submit materials by December 2, draft materials due December 4, and final approval by December 9 ahead of the next public meeting on December 11. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, a second, and unanimous closure.

Transcript Highlights:

• The review committee will make recommendations based on the results of the of this study.
• That's why a study like this is more important because even though you say, oh, there's a study already
• And so we'll do the study to figure out. Some of the cause and how we can do more preventative.
• And because I thought, you know, uh, I, I thought, uh, There was a study.
• This information was in the, was in the current study. Um-hum. Uh, but you're saying it's not.

Transcript Highlights:

• The portion of the study that we're going to talk about has four...
• The portion of the study that we're going to talk about has four parts.
• So that's the study. I took...
• Taxing district property value increases is the second area of the study.
• I separated the memo based on studies. So we have the property tax reform and relief study.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we have enough research, right, that lets us see, okay, if.
• Across all of my studies and those of fellow research across the state, we know that the single greatest
• In the last study, I linked teacher preparation.
• As was said by a study in Texas Tech.
• A 2020 study by the Trevor Project found that.

Bills: SB451, SB762, SB1490, SB1262, SB1459, SB1750, SB1962, SB2252, SB2253, SB2365

Keywords: instructional materials, public schools, Education Code, adoption, rejected materials, local funds, open educational resources, Texas Education Code, school districts, open enrollment charter schools, funding restrictions, environmental regulation, business compliance, local authority, economic development, state preemption, local control, open education resources, SB 762, Texas public schools

Transcript Highlights:

• I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH ON SDIS JUST TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY ARE UNTREATED.
• DO YOU BELIEVE AS A RESEARCHER AND AS A DOCK THERE WOULD YOU AGREE THAT THIS WOULD TIE THE HANDS OF RESEARCHERS
• I'M HAPPY TO SHARE THOSE STUDIES WITH YOU. I DO HAVE A QUESTION.
• THIS WOULD BE FOR MINORS IN THEIR WORK STUDIES WERE BASED PROGRAM.
• WHAT IS A STRUCTURED WORK-STUDY?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She said she has led studies as a researcher and clinician on novel rapid-acting therapies like MDMA
• <01:19:48.400> in many studies uh both as a researcher in many studies uh both as a researcher
• I delved into the research: documentaries, podcasts, articles, study after study, and came across Vet
• So, our proposed amendments: the pilot program would consist of the research study, education, and training
• So the research study is the biggest crux of the pilot program and would then be under all of the necessary

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Health heard testimony on several bills. On SB 1441, which would repeal the transfer of the Oahu Regional Health Care System from HHSC to the Department of Health, the Department of Health said it strongly supports the measure and requested clarifying amendments. HHSC/Oahu Region also supported the bill and said it had no objection to the department’s amendments. In response to questions, witnesses said the agencies have been working on an MOU to support transfers of long-term care patients to Leahi, with the current goal being about 10 to 15 patients, but transfers would occur only as space and staffing allow; one patient was reportedly being admitted at the time, and the process was described as slow and case-by-case. The committee then heard SB 1443 on payment rates for state hospital patients and related Department of Health services. The hospital administrator said the bill would allow rates above Medicaid for community or foster-home placements if patients cannot be placed at Leahi or elsewhere, and would set Medicaid-level reimbursement for outside medical services used by state hospital patients. He said at least one provider was interested in offering services at that rate and that the population involved is largely non-ambulatory long-term care patients. Members asked about availability and training, and the witness said special training could be provided. SB 1322, a broad mental health bill, drew mixed testimony. The Department of Law Enforcement supported giving crisis-intervention-trained officers more discretion to transport people to medical care instead of arresting them. The Attorney General supported the bill but recommended revisions to emergency-transport language and restoring liability protections. HHSC and Queens Hospital supported the overall goal but sought amendments to preserve the mental health emergency worker role in decision-making and to avoid negative impacts on emergency departments. The Disability Rights Center and ACLU opposed parts of the bill, arguing that it weakens due process, reduces protections in involuntary treatment and transport, and should retain a three-person treatment panel rather than reduce it to one. A Queens representative said the current program works well and reported that more than 90% of MH1 cases once went to hospitals, but that figure has dropped to about 60-70%, with about 20% now diverted to community settings or the behavioral health crisis center. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be really difficult and impede that research.
• It would be really difficult and impede that research.
• Study always available to the family.
• We already have far too many study We already have far too many study committees,<00:44:59.920><
• >> I don't know as the as the study >> I don't know as the as the study committee<00

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So a study was done and it was caused by chemical fallout from that plant.
• So<00:21:04.720> a<00:21:04.960> study<00:21:05.280> was<00:21:05.440> done
• to kind of do research to find out what is the cause of it, what's the direct cause of it.
• What in this bill then ensures that that study is going to be done?
• <00:28:29.039> until uh in actually doing the studies until uh in actually doing the studies

Bills: SB71, SB71

Keywords: environmental regulation, federal standards, scientific evidence, water quality, administrative law, income tax, tax exemption, Alabama tax code, Section 40-18-3, civilian employees, Department of Defense, DoD, Armed Forces, military pay, combat zone, deployment, National Guard, Reserve components, emergency response, federal employees

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, particularly of the Legislative Study Group, over to my left.
• Legislative Study Group. Speaker Moody, Chairman Raffaella Anchia, gentlemen.
• For the Legislative Study Group, we do a lot of work. The staff is up.
• So the Legislative Study Group Freshman of the Year is Ms. Linda Garcia.
• House Research Organization head, Karina Kinsman, and staff.

Keywords: 1184, house, all