Video & Transcript Research : 'opioids'
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VT
Transcript Highlights:
- Section one, the appropriations from the opioid abatement special fund.
- opioid abatement special fund. opioid abatement special fund. First,<01:51:29.640>
H. - As a result, we shifted those programs to be supported with opioid settlement funds.
- Third, we included the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee in reviewing whether the Opioid Settlement
- Third, we included the Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee in reviewing whether the Opioid Settlement
Summary:
The House began with routine business, including referral of Senate Bill 211 on motor vehicle inspections to the Transportation Committee and Senate Bill 298 creating the Vermont Voting Rights Act to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs. The chamber also referred House bills reported by Ways and Means to Appropriations, including H. 211 on data brokers and personal information and H. 931 on miscellaneous education law changes. JRH9, a joint resolution urging the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association to reconsider its opposition to rapid prompting method communication instruction for students with apraxia of speech or autism, was read and referred to Human Services.
Several announcements followed, including a welcome to members of the Vermont chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association, a reminder about an education reform meeting, and a correction regarding a prior reference to S. 138 of 2023 and the working group on student protections from harassment and discrimination in schools. The House also recognized guests in the gallery, including Donnie Kanovsky, who was described as a proponent of JRH9. The Speaker announced that H. 606 on firearms procedures, H. 642 on youthful offender proceedings, and later H. 585 would be bumped to later in the calendar.
The House then took up H. 537, the right to grow vegetable gardens. The committee explained the bill would protect vegetable gardening in common interest communities and rental housing, while allowing reasonable restrictions and landlord or association oversight; witnesses included a South Burlington resident, HOA and landlord representatives, and legislative counsel. The committee reported an 8-0-0 vote, the House adopted the committee amendment, and ordered third reading. The chamber then passed H. 171 on Attorney General investigations into a law enforcement officer’s use of a firearm and H. 519 allowing Randolph police officers to enroll in Group C of the state retirement system.
The House also passed H. 536 on toxic heavy metals in baby food products after extended debate over whether infant formula should be included. Supporters said the bill would help parents make informed choices and noted the amendment was intended to align with federal action; opponents argued formula-specific federal work was still underway and urged waiting. The chamber then passed H. 550 on gender equity in correctional facilities, H. 733 on franchise agreements, H. 775 on housing production tools, H. 887 on crime victim status under the Fair Employment Practices Act, H. 917 on military affairs, and H. 921 on alcoholic beverages. Action on H. 930 addressing chronic absenteeism was postponed one legislative day, and H. 942 on miscellaneous agricultural subjects began second reading with the committee outlining sections on water quality training, non-sewage waste management, and unit pricing.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- opioid treatment programs, and to provide for related matters.
- Louisiana has only opened one opioid treatment OTP since 2015 despite historic overdoses.
- That the people that are in need of opioid treatment have greater access to that treatment.
- So it's no opioids, opioid derivatives... That's not what we're asking for in this bill.
- So it's no opioids, opioid derivatives, no benzodiazepines, and then from there, MD oversight for any
Summary:
The committee first heard and favorably reported SB 255, which expands eligibility for psychosocial rehabilitation services by adding health sciences and therapeutic recreation degrees to the list of acceptable educational backgrounds. Supporters said the change would help address workforce shortages and improve access in rural areas. SB 314 was then reported favorably; it cleans up prior law so a limited scope certified social worker license can still be used for community psychiatric support and treatment services even if the application is filed after the CSW license has expired, rather than being barred by a timing restriction.
The committee next took up several bills by Chairman McMath. SB 26, which repeals facility need review requirements for opioid treatment programs, was reported favorably after members and witnesses said Louisiana has too few OTPs and that removing the review would improve access, especially in rural areas. SB 29, requiring review and reporting of a child’s immunization records in certain unexpected death autopsies, was reported favorably despite questions about whether the bill should refer more broadly to medical records; supporters said the data could help evaluate vaccine-related concerns, while opponents raised concerns about singling out immunizations. SB 30, dealing with telehealth for obesity/weight management, was amended and reported favorably; the committee adopted technical amendments and a conceptual amendment replacing “metabolic condition” with “weight management services,” while witnesses debated patient safety, board authority, and whether the bill should limit agencies’ ability to restrict telehealth in the future.
The committee also reported favorably SB 219, which creates an Office of Health and Nutrition within LDH. Supporters from the department, the Alzheimer’s Association, and Pennington Biomedical said the office would strengthen coordination on nutrition, physical activity, and brain health, and cited high Alzheimer’s costs and prevalence in Louisiana. SB 222, which streamlines Medicaid behavioral health administrative requirements and expands telehealth for psychosocial rehabilitation, was reported favorably with amendments after supporters described workforce and rural access barriers. SB 195, the “Danny’s Dose EMS Treatment Act,” was reported favorably; it would allow EMS personnel to administer a patient’s own prescribed time-critical medication in emergencies, and testimony from a parent and physician described life-threatening delays under current practice. The committee also adopted SCR 2, updating hospital architectural standards to the most recent Facility Guidelines Institute edition, and SCR 22, requesting a more detailed legislative auditor report on opioid settlement expenditures; members said they wanted clearer outcome data and planned to refine the language before floor debate. Finally, HB 1093 on naturopathic medicine was introduced and heavily amended, with the bill shifted under LSBME oversight and a large set of changes discussed, but no final action was taken in the portion provided.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Item B removes the non-administrative portion of the appropriation out of the opioid abatement account
- Item six relates to the agency's appropriation out of the opioid abatement account.
- I wanted to thank you for just the increased transparency in the disbursement of the opioid abatement
- One bucket is for the Opioid Council, the Abatement Council, which receives 70 percent.
- There are dollars. and for the part for the Opioid Abatement Fund Council, we have recently committed
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Oversight REVISED: 11:15 a.m. - New Start Time
Health and Human Services Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- medications are not made aware of 11 of their patients died from an opioid overdose.
- And I think if you're writing opioids in the state of Oklahoma, think this would be a good bill where
- But seeing seeing these doctors are never made aware that their patients pass away of opioid overdose
- And my idea was if you had written a prescription in the last two months for an opioid for that patient
- patients are dying from opioid overdoses.
Keywords:
HB3043, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, ODVA, seasonal employees, project labor, pro rata jobs, unclassified service, state personnel law, state employee benefits, paid leave, paid holidays, retirement benefits, health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, temporary workers, veterans affairs, Title 72, Oklahoma Personnel Act, budget reporting
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- state, from young people who've experienced the pain and loss of friends and family members due to opioids
- Kalik Rogers' comments regarding the bill. the opioid issue.
- The opioid epidemic has been affecting our country for three decades, and it's an issue that is impacting
- how to administer Naloxone, which is the number one thing right now that has bent the curve on the opioid
- That's something that, you know, We can address the opioid epidemic in many ways, and we have for three
Bills:
HF1306
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 3/2/26
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:41:05.680>
epidemic what I see with the opioid epidemic what I see with the opioid epidemic - <00:41:15.839>
epidemic the office of uh opioid epidemic the office of uh opioid epidemic - clinics or opioid treatment programs. clinics or opioid treatment programs.
- <01:10:38.560>
treatment concern given that opioid treatment concern given that opioid treatment - about 20% of the state's opioid about 20% of the state's opioid treatment<01:10:51.760>
programs
Keywords:
gun violence, public health, Department of Health, prevention, criminal justice, health care transparency, ownership disclosure, control reporting, health care consolidation, private equity, management services organization, MSO, provider organization, health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, hospital system, affiliate reporting, financial disclosure, public reporting, market concentration
Summary:
The House Finance and Policy Committee met on March 2 with a quorum present and heard House File 3668, which would create a state Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The bill author argued the office would treat gun violence as a public health crisis, improve research and coordination, and help reduce deaths and trauma, especially among children. Several supporters testified, including representatives from the Minnesota Medical Association, Protect Minnesota, family medicine, public health, and obstetrics/gynecology, all emphasizing firearm injury and suicide as major public health problems and urging a coordinated, data-driven response. Multiple testifiers shared personal accounts of shootings and their effects on children and families, including the Annunciation shooting, and said the office could help align prevention efforts across health care, law enforcement, and community organizations.
Opposition came from the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, which argued the bill would create a permanent taxpayer-funded bureaucracy that could be used to shape firearm policy and restrict a constitutional right. The group said Minnesota should focus instead on enforcing existing laws, prosecuting violent offenders, and providing direct victim services. During committee discussion, Vice Chair Nadeau offered an A2 amendment to move the proposed office from the Department of Health to the Department of Public Safety, citing data-sharing, accountability, and examples from other cities and states; after discussion with the bill author, he withdrew the amendment. Chair Becker then noted existing state and local spending on violence prevention and public safety programs and raised concerns about duplication of effort.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 5 March, 2026; 10:00 AM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:53:21.600>
use FDA-approved medication for opioid use FDA-approved medication for opioid - the funding will come from the opioid the funding will come from the opioid settlement<00:59:10.000
- If the terms of the opioid settlement.
- Now, every drug you're hooked on is not an opioid, so I'm again going with the terms of opioid settlement
- intervention court have an opioid intervention court have an opioid problem,<03:08:01.640>
we
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with an invocation by Dr. Ryan Wade and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then handled routine business by dispensing with the reading of the journal and committee reports. Several guests were recognized, including Leadership Jackson County, Farm Bureau members, a doctor of the day, adult educators, and other visitors in the gallery. Senator Brumfield also announced support efforts for Senator Warren Barnett, asking members to contribute to him through Ms. Anita Jackson.
The chamber then considered a series of House bills, most of them taken up with strike-all amendments and passed by use of the morning roll call. Measures included HB 1390 on personal services funding allocations, HB 1571 on ARPA funds and unexpended balances, HB 1655 on the State Aid Road Construction director’s personnel status, HB 1650 on dormant state accounts and pooled investments, HB 1651 on state agencies using other agencies’ facilities and charging 50% of fair market value, HB 1345 on administrative forfeiture of illegal cigarette and vaping products, HB 1386 on allowing sidewalks as an eligible use of municipal infrastructure funds, HB 671 on alcoholic beverage delivery responsibility ending when retailers transfer possession to delivery services, and HB 1385 on eliminating paper-original homestead exemption submissions. Members asked questions on several bills, especially about whether the fairgrounds language in HB 1651 would affect youth livestock shows and whether HB 1386 or other measures would change county revenue; sponsors generally said the bills were intended to address state-agency use, municipal reporting, or administrative efficiency rather than alter those programs.
The Senate also advanced HB 898, creating a sales tax diversion study committee to review misallocated municipal sales tax revenues, assess impacts, examine technology and oversight, and recommend reforms by the 2027 session; Senator Hill questioned whether counties should be included, but the sponsor said that would be a separate policy decision. Later, the Senate reconsidered HB 1265, the Mississippi Debt Management Services Act extended repealer, adopted an amendment to remove the repealer instead of extending it, and then passed the bill. The body also took up SB 2632, the local governments disaster recovery emergency loan program, and voted not to concur and to invite conference. Finally, HB 1142 on bench warrant notices was called up; the sponsor explained a strike-all that would replace certified mail with personal service or electronic transmission and include a reverse repealer for further conference work.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- So, thank you. provisions on the opioid abatement funds provisions on the opioid abatement funds and<
- and then backfilled it from opioid and then backfilled it from opioid abatement<02:30:55.560>
- issues about using restricted uh opioid issues about using restricted uh opioid abatement<02:32:
- these funds to opioid abatement a nexus. these funds to opioid abatement a nexus.
- They target whatever that opioids.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the poisoning of America, focusing on fentanyl, its analogues, and the need for permanent class scheduling. Feb 4th, 2025 at 09:30 am
Senate Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- FRSs are highly active opioids, almost identical to fentanyl, except for a tiny difference.
- He started with prescription opioids, then moved to heroin and unknowingly fentanyl.
- So it's four to five grains of sand that is a lethal dose for an opioid naive patient.
- We have real problems in this country with opioid addiction.
- Every year in this country, many of them as a result of fentanyl or opioids.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Health Care Financing Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Health Care Financing
Transcript Highlights:
- The next is a panel on S-863, an act relative to non-opioid options for chronic pain. It is remote.
- to apply more strict controls than are applied to opioids.
- I am supportive of improving access to non-opioid medication options.
- One of the PCAs was new and stole her opioid medication.
- than opioids.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on 16 bills, with the chairs noting a busy legislative day and asking speakers to keep testimony brief. The committee first heard testimony on Senate 860/House 1405, the Medicare for All bill, with Sen. Jamie Eldridge and many advocates, clinicians, municipal officials, and patients arguing that a single-payer system would make care a right, reduce administrative waste, lower costs, and protect residents from rising premiums, medical debt, and hospital closures. Several speakers cited the Steward hospital crisis, affordability problems, and polling or ballot questions showing public support for single-payer coverage. No vote was taken during the hearing.
The committee then took testimony on S. 863, a bill on non-opioid options for chronic pain. Pain specialists, patients, and advocates said the bill would improve care coordination for MassHealth members, expand access to non-opioid medications, require provider education, and collect data on chronic pain. Testifiers described long delays in diagnosis and treatment, stigma toward pain patients, and the need for multidisciplinary care and transportation support. Again, the committee heard testimony only and took no action.
A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 1360/S. 869, which would prevent discrimination against people with disabilities in health care. Disability advocates, clinicians, and patients described being denied or delayed care, pressured into DNR orders, or treated based on assumptions about quality of life rather than medical facts. Speakers referenced COVID-era crisis standards of care, discriminatory metrics, and personal stories involving canceled procedures, inadequate accommodations, and poor treatment in hospitals. Committee members thanked speakers for their testimony and said they would review the bill and its implications, but no vote was announced.
The committee also heard testimony on H. 1399, an individual Medicare marketplace option for municipal retirees, where supporters said it would give cities and towns a lower-cost alternative for retiree health benefits through HRAs and individual Medicare plans. The hearing then returned to Medicare for All testimony, with additional supporters repeating arguments about cost, access, municipal budget pressure, and the need for global budgeting and universal coverage. The transcript ends with continued testimony and no recorded committee vote or final action on any bill.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health Mar 17th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I can cover the opioid settlement fund. Yes.
- So, the Governor's budget includes an augmentation of $8.3 million from the opioid settlement fund in
- To answer your question, the reduction is based on updated opioid settlement fund revenues.
- It's a reevaluation of opioid settlement funds and...
- So the Opioid Settlement Fund receives revenues from over a dozen settlement agreements.
Summary:
The committee heard a budget oversight hearing on the Department of Health Care Services, focusing first on the overall Medi-Cal budget and a March General Fund loan to cover a current-year shortfall. DHCS said the 2025-26 budget proposal totals $193.4 billion, with Medi-Cal projected at $188.1 billion total funds and $42.1 billion General Fund, driven by higher enrollment, pharmacy costs, managed care growth, and costs tied to eligibility expansions and the COVID-era redetermination unwinding. The department said the $3.44 billion loan was needed to manage cash flow and ensure timely payments to providers and plans, while the LAO noted Medi-Cal’s cash-basis budgeting creates volatility and that more detailed estimates would come with the May Revision. Members discussed federal Medicaid threats, the need for transparency on cost drivers, and the impact of pharmacy spending, long-term care, and immigration-related coverage expansions.
The second major topic was family health programs, including California Children’s Services, the continuous coverage unwinding, and opioid settlement fund spending. DHCS described CCS funding methodology changes, ongoing county stakeholder work, and a delayed rollout of CCS monitoring and oversight until July 1, 2025, while county representatives and advocates argued the program is underfunded and asked for more technical assistance and a delay in implementation. On the unwinding, the department explained that federal redetermination flexibilities helped maintain coverage after the pandemic, but the Governor’s budget proposes ending them at the end of June 2025; advocates urged making the flexibilities permanent to avoid coverage losses. For opioid settlement funds, DHCS and Finance said the budget increases funding for naloxone distribution while reducing other harm-reduction spending based on updated settlement revenues, prompting criticism from members and public commenters who argued the change would weaken effective harm-reduction programs.
The hearing also included an update on Proposition 35 implementation. DHCS said the voter-approved measure continuously appropriates MCO tax revenues beginning in 2025, with up to $4.6 billion annually available for specified Medi-Cal and provider investments in 2025 and 2026, but implementation depends on consultation with the required stakeholder advisory committee. The department and LAO noted uncertainty about future federal rules affecting the MCO tax after 2026. Public testimony largely supported maintaining Medi-Cal expansions, protecting immigrant coverage, preserving harm-reduction funding, and increasing support for community health workers, pediatric dental care, and CCS county administration. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- that was the idea brought to me by a constituent who has firsthand experience with the results of opioid
- As a result, what this bill does is provides that opioid antagonists are to be provided, based on the
- I would propose an oral amendment to, rather than say nasal naloxone, basically say opioid antagonists
- overdose and as a results of uh opioid overdose and as a result<00:01:00.960>
what <00:01:01.160 - about the amount of opioids they are taking.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Kratom has a substantial benefit, particularly in the opioid space.
- When people are addicted to opioids, you'll...
- Some of these are opioid systems, but most of them are not.
- I will just reemphasize that Kratom is not an opioid.
- To assess it as an opioid use disorder.
Bills:
SB31, SB33, SB510, SB871, SB1868, SB2024, SB2166, SB2309, SB2880, SJR27, SJR39, SJR40, SB 31, SB 33
Keywords:
SB 31, Life of the Mother Act, Texas abortion law, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, miscarriage, unborn child, abortion exception, abortion ban, physician liability, health care liability claim, aiding and abetting, Texas Medical Board, State Bar of Texas, continuing medical education
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (04/08/2026)
Health and Human Services
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Feb 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We've seen opioid-related deaths decrease by a third.
- Also, if you wouldn't mind addressing the opioid settlement to some degree. You're recognized.
- Address where we are with the opioid settlement dollars.
- And we use recommendations such as the ones that come from the opioid abatement council.
- You know, we heard... ...through the opioid abatement council, I was talking with parents and moms in
Summary:
The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs considered three bills and a confirmation. On SB 1600, as amended, the sponsor explained that the original child welfare language was replaced with a strike-all requiring the Office of Insurance Regulation to work with DCF and community-based care lead agencies to study liability insurance coverage and availability, report findings to the Legislature by January 1, 2027, and allow penalties for failure to provide requested information. The committee adopted the amendment and amendment to the amendment, heard supportive testimony from child welfare advocates, and reported the committee substitute favorably.
The committee also heard CS/SB 556, which would allow students with disabilities to satisfy a physical education graduation requirement through participation in Special Olympics, and clarify that two years of marching band participation can satisfy PE and fine arts credit. Special Olympics Florida, parents, and other supporters testified in favor, and the bill was reported favorably. On SB 794, the sponsor described requirements for background screening of employees in residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities, plus a review of waiver support coordination quality, workforce needs, geographic service gaps, and related recommendations due in 2027. The committee adopted a conforming amendment and reported the bill.
The committee then took up the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. Hatch outlined DCF’s recent work on child welfare, behavioral health, peer support, and technology improvements, and answered questions about child welfare system challenges, funding formulas, opioid settlement dollars, and interoperability of agency systems. After public comment, the committee voted to recommend her confirmation favorably, with Chair Graal voting no. The meeting ended with a request to record one senator’s vote on SB 1600 and adjournment.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Feb 10th, 2026
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- We've seen opioid-related deaths decrease by a third.
- Also, if you wouldn't mind addressing the opioid settlement to some degree. You're recognized.
- Address where we are with the opioid settlement dollars.
- And we use recommendations such as the ones that come from the opioid abatement council.
- You know, we heard through the opioid abatement council, I was talking with parents and moms in particular
Keywords:
high school diploma, graduation requirements, physical education credit, performing arts credit, marching band, Special Olympics, students with disabilities, IEP, individual education plan, 504 plan, Florida education, school credits, diploma substitution, ROTC, dance class, State Board of Education, public schools, graduation pathways, adaptive physical education, Agency for Persons with Disabilities
Summary:
The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs considered three bills and a confirmation. On SB 1600, the committee adopted a strike-all amendment and a technical amendment that shifted the bill from creating an accreditation process to requiring the Office of Insurance Regulation, DCF, and community-based care lead agencies to study liability insurance coverage and availability in the child welfare sector and report findings to the legislature by January 1, 2027; the bill also included enforcement provisions for failure to provide requested information. Support was noted from child and family advocacy groups, and the committee reported the bill favorably.
The committee also heard CS for SB 556, which would allow students with disabilities to satisfy a physical education graduation requirement through participation in Special Olympics, if included in the student’s IEP, and would clarify that two years of marching band participation can satisfy both PE and fine arts credit. Special Olympics Florida, families, and other supporters testified in favor, emphasizing flexibility, access, and recognition of rigorous activity. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS for SB 794, which requires background screening for employees of residential facilities and day training programs serving people with developmental disabilities and directs a review of waiver support coordination, including quality, consistency, access, competencies, recruitment and retention, caseloads, and geographic gaps in services. An amendment to conform to the House version was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably.
Members then questioned Secretary Taylor Hatch regarding her confirmation as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. Senators raised concerns about child welfare system performance, parent notification and rights, CBC funding formulas, managing entities, opioid settlement spending, peer support expansion, and technology/interoperability improvements. Hatch described DCF’s recent data and initiatives, including reductions in out-of-home care entries, youth advisory efforts, missing children recovery operations, expanded behavioral health capacity, and technology upgrades for benefits processing. Public comment included support from family and provider organizations and concerns from a former foster care worker about medical misdiagnosis cases. The committee voted to recommend Hatch’s confirmation favorably, with Chair Grall voting no, and adjourned after allowing Senator Sharief to be recorded as voting in favor of SB 1600.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 03/05/26
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- care if somebody uh has an opioid care if somebody uh has an opioid addiction<00:19:22.559>
it's - And if an opioid uh for that person.
- When the CDC developed opioid prescribing guidelines in response to the opioid crisis, they recommended
- /c> CDC developed opioid prescribing CDC developed opioid prescribing guidelines<00:22:04.720>
in< - guidelines in response to the opioid guidelines in response to the opioid crisis,<00:22:06.960><
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Which a physician would otherwise prescribe an opioid.
- Opioid antagonists reverse or reduce the effects of an opioid overdose.
- By illicit fentanyl, which is a synthetic opioid.
- State and federal money has been invested in battling opioid overdoses, and the use of opioid antagonists
- Opioid antagonist program.
Bills:
HB46, HB35, HB4490, HB4454, HB2188, HB3078, HB4743, HB2556, HB46, HB5342, HB4783, HB3785, HB5278, HB1639, HB2581, HB4224, HB4070, HB4099, HB4882, HB3794
Keywords:
local government spending cap, expenditure limit, political subdivision, property tax, ad valorem tax, budget cap, taxpayer protection, spending restraint, inflation adjustment, population growth, voter approval, supermajority vote, county budget, municipal budget, school district finance, junior college district, hospital district, special district, attorney general enforcement, local fiscal limits
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Tribal and State Relations Committee Apr 13th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Tribal and State Relations Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Unfortunately, in North Dakota, there are only four opioid treatment programs.
- more use of opioid treatment programs.
- Unfortunately, in North Dakota, there are only four opioid treatment programs.
- On OTPs specifically, opioid treatment programs, states have activities.
- Also, our public health agency got opioid money, which funnels through the county to public health.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery
Transcript Highlights:
- We have an opioid crisis in Massachusetts that continues to wreak havoc on our young people.
- If you put those into real numbers, there were 2,125 opioid deaths in 2023, the last time that we have
- If you put those into real numbers, there were 2,125 opioid deaths in 2023, the last time that we have
- The number, there aren't real numbers on the opioid abandonment, but my son's death—some of you have
- And this work is really motivated by the patients that I’ve had who have tragically died from opioid
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery opened its first public hearing of the 2025–26 session with remarks from the Senate and House chairs outlining the committee’s priorities. They noted recent work on addiction and recovery legislation, the ongoing youth behavioral health crisis, and that members might need to leave periodically for floor votes. The chairs explained hearing procedures, including three-minute testimony limits, written testimony deadlines, and reporting deadlines for Senate and House bills. The hearing then focused on several bills related to youth mental health, overdose prevention, and psychedelic treatment research.
A major portion of the hearing centered on bills to improve youth crisis response and overdose prevention. Testimony strongly supported bills to print the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on student ID cards, with speakers from mental health organizations, crisis centers, and individuals sharing personal stories of depression, suicide attempts, and the importance of making 988 as familiar as 911. Another set of bills would require schools to stock naloxone and provide overdose prevention education. Physicians, harm reduction advocates, students, and grieving family members testified that school-based Narcan access and education could save lives, reduce stigma, and help students recognize overdoses and understand Good Samaritan protections. Senator O’Connor and Tamika Perry also testified for a bill to strengthen substance use prevention education and reduce overdose abandonment, emphasizing the need to teach students about overdose risks and the legal protections for calling 911.
The committee also heard testimony on a bill to authorize a pilot program for psychedelic treatment in licensed facilities. Senator Friedman and several medical and behavioral health professionals argued the proposal was a narrow, research-based approach distinct from the broader ballot question rejected in 2024. They said the bill would allow only a small number of supervised clinics to use psychedelics for conditions such as depression, PTSD, anxiety, and substance use disorders, with data reporting and Department of Public Health oversight. Supporters described it as a cautious way to study promising treatments while avoiding unsupervised or commercialized use.
Finally, the committee heard support for a bill to create a special commission and five-year strategic plan for children’s behavioral health services, with testimony that the current system is fragmented, difficult for families to navigate, and strained by workforce and funding challenges. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions on the bills.