Transcript Highlights:

• So these are foreign companies.
• So these are foreign companies.
• something you can just do on a closed universe of your computer, so all of this data goes away to a foreign
• server</c><00:18:45.679><c> where</c><00:18:45.880><c> it's</c><00:18:46.480><c> made</c> away to a foreign
• server where it's made away to a foreign server where it's made and and and then<00:18:50.600><c> now

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> vice ranking member of the Foreign vice ranking member of the Foreign Affairs<00:23:32.960><c> Committee
• A prison that American taxpayers are helping to support in a foreign country. Let me be clear. Mr.
• Let me be support in a foreign country. Let me be clear.<00:41:50.000><c> Mr.
• </c><00:42:29.680><c> prisons</c><00:42:30.160><c> without</c><00:42:30.480><c> a</c> dangerous foreign
• prisons without a dangerous foreign prisons without a court<00:42:30.880><c> hearing</c><00:42:31.599

Bills: HJR89 , HJR87 , HJR88

Keywords: EPA, pollution control, California emissions standards, NOX regulation, congressional disapproval, HJR87, H.J.Res. 87, Congressional Review Act, CRA, EPA waiver, California waiver, preemption, vehicle emissions, heavy-duty trucks, engine emissions, Advanced Clean Trucks, zero-emission vehicles, ZEV, zero-emission airport shuttle, powertrain certification

Transcript Highlights:

• Foreign grain buyers should be confident to ensure that our exports are adequately inspected.
• Foreign grain buyers should be confident to ensure that our exports are adequately inspected.
• Foreign grain buyers should be confident to ensure that our exports are adequately inspected.
• Foreign grain buyers should be confident to ensure that our exports are adequately inspected.
• FOREIGN POLICY AND WHERE WE SHOULD BE AND WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING.

Bills: HB2181 , HB1510 , HR1000 , HB3425 , HB3424 , HB3428 , HB3423 , HB3055 , HB2591 , HB4550

Keywords: Inspectors General, removal standard, government oversight, accountability, transparency, IG, watchdogs, federal oversight, executive branch, presidential removal, for-cause removal, independent oversight, anti-corruption, waste fraud and abuse, malfeasance, gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, inefficiency, neglect of duty

Transcript Highlights:

• These ingredients are typically made in foreign facilities whose manufacturing processes and substances
• Novo Nordisk had tested samples of these foreign chemicals, these API coming in, as well as the compounded
• These ingredients are typically made in foreign facilities whose manufacturing processes and substances
• Novonortis had tested samples of these foreign Thank you. serious adverse reactions.
• Novo Nordisk had tested samples of these foreign chemicals, these API coming in, as well as the compounded

Bills: HB2545 , HB2613 , HB1496 , HB2155 , HB2283 , HB2340 , HB2425 , HB2437 , HB2577

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: healthcare, patients, cardiovascular procedures, outpatient services, surgical facilities, HB2613, compounded medications, compounded drugs, pharmacy compounding, bulk drug substances, active pharmaceutical ingredients, API, drug safety, patient safety, pharmacy license, Washington pharmacy law, RCW 18.64, Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, FDA, pharmaceutical compounding

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe everybody on this committee is passionate about foreign relations, passionate about international
• have those skill sets and resources to adapt to this growing industry of technology that is pretty foreign
• those skill sets and resources to adapt already to this growing industry of technology that is pretty foreign
• , of course. growing industry of technology that is pretty foreign, of course.
• And importing boxed beef from foreign countries should not be the solution.

Committees: House International Trade , House House International Trade Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it provides an opportunity for foreign investment and building that foreign relationship.
• Of how New Mexico has built these foreign relationships with Japan and other countries.
• What Secretary Block just discussed with us was that what we're looking at is bringing those foreign
• others that really represent what or could influence what we're doing in New Mexico and build those foreign

Committee: Joint Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• the United States, the Soviet Union, North Vietnam, and 10 other countries agreed to prohibit all foreign
• Foreign Relations Committee determined that this was no longer just an intelligence operation.
• </c><00:08:34.080><c> 1969,</c><00:08:35.039><c> the</c><00:08:35.360><c> US</c><00:08:35.760><c> Foreign
• In 1969, the US Foreign Relations CIA.
• In 1969, the US Foreign Relations Committee<00:08:37.800><c> determined</c><00:08:38.800><c> that</c>

Summary: Minnesota lawmakers and advocates discussed House File 2444, a veterans and military affairs bill to formally recognize Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) veterans who fought alongside U.S. forces in Laos during the secret war from 1961 to 1975. Speakers, including Rep. Ethan Cha and other veterans and family members, said the measure is long overdue and framed it as both a symbolic and practical step to restore dignity, honor, and veteran status to Hmong, Lao, and other ethnic minority veterans whose service had not been formally acknowledged. Testimony emphasized the historical role of the SGUs, the secrecy of the war, and the heavy losses suffered by the community. Speakers described the bill as a bipartisan effort with support from House and Senate members, and noted that a similar version had already passed the Senate unanimously. They also said the bill would help Minnesota set an example for other states and improve public understanding of the secret war and the contributions of Southeast Asian communities. Rep. Cha explained that the bill creates a new statutory definition for veterans of the secret war in Laos, establishes eligibility criteria for benefits and privileges, authorizes the commissioner of veterans affairs to verify veteran status, and creates a 12-member task force to advise that process. The bill would allow access to certain state veterans benefits and privileges, including veterans designation on IDs, grave markers, honor guard, state veterans cemeteries, and related preferences. In response to questions, speakers said the main challenge had been educating colleagues because the war was classified, and they estimated fewer than 1,000 SGU veterans are still alive. They also said the bill carries no major monetary benefit and is intended primarily to provide recognition and a framework for verification.

Transcript Highlights:

• don't want to touch—of course, we all know what's happening at the national level with tariffs on foreign
• think this is a good idea that we have this bill and it become law so long as we have tariffs on foreign
• lumber, and I with tariffs on foreign lumber, and I don't<01:24:19.400><c> know</c><01:24:19.440><c>
• </c> as we have tariffs on foreign lumber. as we have tariffs on foreign lumber.
• </c> we have on foreign lumber. Thank you. we have on foreign lumber. Thank you.

Committee: House Public Works and Highways

Transcript Highlights:

• This has been a policy decision to make us dependent on foreign sources of crude.
• I mean, reliance on foreign oil. These are all really big... ...about jobs.
• I mean, reliance on foreign oil.
• I mean, reliance on foreign oil. These are all really big... ...about jobs.
• I mean, reliance on foreign oil.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on California’s transportation fuels sector, especially the risk of refinery closures, fuel supply stability, and how the state should manage a long transition to cleaner transportation. Committee chairs and agency leaders said California’s fuel market is becoming more fragile as demand declines, refinery capacity shrinks faster than demand, and the state relies more on imports and a smaller number of critical pipelines. Professor Emily Grubert framed the issue as a managed transition problem in which the public already bears much of the risk and should also capture benefits from any state intervention. CARB Chair Leanne Randolph reviewed California’s climate and air-quality framework, including AB 32, the low-carbon fuel standard, clean vehicle rules, and the state’s at-berth regulation for port vessels. She said these programs are intended to reduce fossil fuel demand while protecting public health, and she noted that California remains in litigation over federal attempts to block some waivers. CEC Vice Chair Sivagunda described the administration’s market-stabilization work, saying the state is trying to preserve fuel supply and investor confidence during a “mid-transition” period. He said the CEC’s recommendations fall into three broad areas: stabilizing the existing fuel system, aligning regulatory tools such as a possible pause on the CEC’s margin cap, and planning for worker and community impacts. Department of Conservation Director Jennifer Lucasey outlined the administration’s petroleum market stabilization proposal, centered on returning California crude production to a 125 million-barrel annual stabilization target to support pipeline throughput and domestic supply. The proposal would codify the ban on hydraulic fracturing, validate Kern County’s oil and gas permitting ordinance, create a temporary CEQA exemption for new wells in existing fields paired with a two-for-one plug-and-abandon requirement, and strengthen spill prevention and pipeline safety rules. Several members questioned the CEQA exemption, tribal consultation, environmental review, and whether the proposal would adequately protect communities and workers. Mayor Steve Young of Benicia testified that a Valero refinery closure would sharply reduce city revenue and jobs, while also creating redevelopment and remediation challenges; he said the city wants a cleaner future but needs time and support to manage the economic loss. No formal vote was taken at the hearing, though CEC officials said a vote on a margin-cap pause was expected at an upcoming business meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 1362 by Assembly Member Kalra and others, an act relating to foreign labor contractors.
• labor recruiters, and, most importantly, providing protections and remedies for the foreign workers
• Human traffickers have exploited this loophole, leaving around 345,000 temporary foreign workers coming
• AB 1362 rightfully corrects this lapse by making it clear all foreign labor recruiters are required to
• AB 1362 rightfully corrects this lapse by making it clear all foreign labor recruiters are required to

Summary: The Assembly met on May 23, 2025, established a quorum after a roll call, and proceeded through a long House of Origin floor session with prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine parliamentary actions. Early in the day, a motion by Assembly Member Gallagher to suspend the rules and take up AB 12 immediately failed on a 18-39 vote. The chamber then moved through the daily file, with many measures passing by wide margins, often with bipartisan support and little or no opposition. Among the notable bills discussed were measures on law enforcement oversight and records access (AB 847), CalFresh data-sharing exemptions (AB 593), campus-area housing for students and staff (AB 893), insurance and wildfire hardening updates (AB 1), missing middle housing code changes (AB 6), tribal peace officer status in a pilot program (AB 31), utility bill analysis before new mandates (AB 61), fairgrounds funding (AB 258), Diwali as a state holiday (AB 268), labor and worker organizing rights (AB 288), algorithmic price-fixing and antitrust enforcement (AB 325), elections and jail voter information (AB 331), protections for judges and court personnel (AB 343 and AB 352), school construction procurement (AB 361), school-zone speed limits (AB 382), transit worker protections (AB 394), blue carbon coastal mitigation (AB 399), K-9 standards for law enforcement (AB 400), livestock carcass composting (AB 411), translation of housing materials (AB 413), immigrant educational rights notices (AB 419), gun violence restraining order implementation (AB 451), special education and child care measures (AB 560 and AB 563), cannabis tax relief (AB 564), and disability access protections for businesses (AB 649). Several bills addressed housing, energy, public health, and public safety, and many authors emphasized affordability, transparency, and administrative efficiency. The session also included several ceremonial or recognition items, including ACR 73 declaring Italian American Heritage Month, which was adopted by voice vote after 65 coauthors were added. Most measures were approved overwhelmingly, though a few drew some dissent, including AB 421? no—AB 399 passed 42-30, AB 450 passed 49-6, AB 461 passed 49-8, and AB 621 passed 58-0. The transcript ends partway through AB 772, which was introduced as an educational equity bill addressing cyberbullying after school hours, but the remainder of that item is not included in the provided text.

Transcript Highlights:

• This prohibits foreign entities and foreign-influence business entities from making contributions, expenditures
• advertisement statement: "The following top contributors did not provide certification regarding foreign

Bills: SB2981 , SB2982 , SB2983 , SB2986 , SB2991 , SB3001 , SB3010 , SB3014 , SB3032 , SB3033

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met in decision-making only session and considered several Senate bills, generally following recommendations to pass measures with or without amendments. SB 2981 would prohibit minimum off-street parking requirements for new development in urban districts and was adopted unamended, with Senator Awa voting no. SB 2982, which bars foreign entities and foreign-influence business entities from making election-related contributions or expenditures, was adopted with an amendment adopting Attorney General language for required advertisement statements. The committee also advanced SB 2983, creating a misdemeanor offense for criminal destruction of a tree on state or county property; one member opposed it, suggesting a replanting requirement would be a better environmental remedy, but the bill was still adopted unamended. SB 2986, concerning Land Use Commission authority to amend or revise district boundary amendment decisions when conditions are not met, passed with an amendment addressing a defective effective date. SB 2991, on driver’s license revocations for certain alcohol-related offenses and re-examination requirements, passed with amendments clarifying revocation orders and re-examination procedures. Members then approved SB 3001, which regulates conversational artificial intelligence services by requiring disclosures and protocols to prevent suicidal ideation, with amendments incorporating AG and OCP recommendations, including a personal data definition and broader data minimization language. SB 3010, allowing officials and in some cases private citizens to enter unattended vehicles to protect endangered pet animals, passed with amendments. The committee also adopted SB 3014 on higher fines for taking or harassing protected turtles, SB 3032 clarifying beach and marine deposit prohibitions, and SB 3033 allowing petitions to review beach structure integrity despite a bad effective date; Senator Awa again voted no on SB 3033. The meeting adjourned after the committee noted a later joint hearing with Ways and Means.

Transcript Highlights:

• Phytosanitary is plant health export certification for admission by foreign importers, and we base those
• requirements off what foreign importers set up for us.
• make sure that we can meet those and certify it so that they can get through and get imported by foreign

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• For this bill, we are looking at what's called a foreign-trained or internationally trained physician
• This is somebody who went to medical school in the foreign country...
• But if we have a foreign-trained physician that maybe came from Nigeria, maybe, or another country that
• And so we need to really carefully evaluate whether that foreign-trained physician would be able to come
• present legally here, and they would also have to be certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 213, which would allow optometrists to perform three specific laser procedures. The sponsor presented a committee substitute adding 32 hours of approved advanced training, supervised live-patient practice, adverse-event reporting, and other accountability measures. Supporters argued the bill would improve access to care, while the New Mexico Medical Board opposed it, citing patient-safety concerns and the much greater training required of ophthalmologists. After debate, the committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill 6-3. The committee then considered House Bill 65, renamed the Foster Care Plus pilot program. The substitute changed the bill to require clinical assessment instead of CAN assessment, added reporting to the Legislature and LFC, and clarified contracting with clinical experts. CYFD officials said the $2.5 million request, combined with existing growth funding, would support more children, staff, foster-parent stipends, and related services, and that the program is already being implemented with help from Oklahoma-based experts. Some members remained concerned about cost, staffing, and whether the program could be sustained, but the committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill 8-1. House Bill 127, on expedited medical licensure, was amended to create a provisional pathway for internationally trained physicians, require a job offer and benchmarks before full licensure, and establish a telemedicine registry. The Medical Board supported the amended bill, while public commenters emphasized physician shortages and access to care. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill. House Bill 128, which updates firefighter occupational disease and disablement presumptions to add cancers and other changes, drew strong support from firefighters, labor, and workers’ compensation officials; the committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill. House Bill 156, which removes the sunset on the state’s authority to set vaccine guidelines and continue its vaccine program, also passed after supporters argued it preserves access and opponents raised broader vaccine-policy concerns. The committee then began hearing House Bill 137, a buprenorphine access bill, with the sponsor and advocates describing pharmacy supply barriers and a committee substitute aimed at setting minimum stock standards, requiring distributor reporting, and avoiding fines on pharmacies.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thirdly, is to attract that new business opportunity and be looking at those strong connections to foreign
• Thirdly, the third goal is to attract new business and foreign direct investment.
• We have really taken the approach, especially for foreign direct investment in our mission trips, where
• This is the largest foreign direct investment conference in North America.

Summary: The Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission met on May 14, 2026, with a quorum present and approved the July minutes. Leadership gave opening remarks welcoming new members and noting that the commission is now administratively housed with the Office of Multimodal Commerce, which is expected to provide staff support, resources, and help restart the commission’s strategic planning work. Commissioners said the next major agenda item will likely be consultant support and further work on the strategic plan. The commission then repealed a prior July resolution that had requested a Louisiana Ports Infrastructure and Development Fund and identified critical projects for international trade and economic development. Members said the resolution was well-intentioned but premature because the projects had not been fully vetted, LED had not been sufficiently involved, and there was no clear funding plan. The repeal passed by motion and vote, with commissioners emphasizing that the projects themselves remain supported and will be revisited in a more thorough format through the strategic plan. A major portion of the meeting focused on the collaborative marketing study for the five Lower Mississippi River ports. Joe Toomey and Ken Erickson of Polaris described a regional marketing strategy built from cargo analysis, stakeholder interviews, and port data, aimed at increasing trade, economic growth, foreign direct investment, infrastructure funding support, and long-term coordination. Commissioners and LED representatives said the effort shows stronger cooperation among the ports, will live at LED with a cooperative endeavor agreement, and is already being used in foreign investment outreach and as a possible template for other port regions. The commission also received an update from the navigation and safety task force. Steve Wall, the new NOBER president, said he would continue the work begun by the late Captain Toby Waddington, who was honored with a moment of silence. Commissioners reported that recommendations from the task force are being implemented, including air gap sensors, bridge-related planning, and bundled dredging projects in the current capital outlay process. The meeting ended with no public comment and adjourned after commissioners indicated they would meet again in the next quarter.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thirdly, is to attract that new business opportunity and be looking at those strong connections to foreign
• Thirdly, the third goal is to attract new business and foreign direct investment.
• We have really taken the approach, especially for foreign direct investment in our mission trips, where
• This is the largest foreign direct investment conference in North America.

Summary: The Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission met on May 14, 2026, with a quorum present to reopen the commission’s work after a long gap. Members approved the July minutes and heard an update that a bill was moving in the Legislature to transfer the commission’s administrative home to the Office of Multimodal Commerce, with the strategic plan expected to be restarted and a consultant likely considered at a future meeting. The chair and vice chair emphasized that the commission now has stronger staffing and a clearer home for its work. The commission then repealed its July resolution that had requested a new ports and waterways infrastructure fund and identified priority projects. Members said the earlier resolution was well-intentioned but premature because the projects had not been fully vetted, LED had not been sufficiently involved, and there was no clear funding structure. They said the projects would still be considered in the broader strategic planning process, but in a more thorough and coordinated form. A major portion of the meeting focused on the collaborative marketing strategy for the five Lower Mississippi River ports, presented by Joe Toomey and Ken Erickson of Polaris, with LED’s Paige Carter confirming LED will serve as the administrative home for the plan. The presenters described a data-driven regional effort built around unity, not uniformity, to promote the ports’ combined strengths, increase trade, attract foreign direct investment, support economic growth, and strengthen funding requests. Members praised the effort as a pilot for statewide coordination, noted that the plan will live at LED, and said it should help the state present a more unified message to investors and policymakers. The commission also received an update from the navigation and safety task force. Members observed a moment of silence for the late Captain Toby Waddingney, and Steve Wall, the new NOBER president, said he would continue the work using Waddingney’s notes. Commissioners reported that several recommendations from the task force are already being implemented, including bridge air-gap sensors, GIS tools, and dredging project coordination. The meeting ended with no public comment, plans for another meeting in the next quarter, and adjournment by motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• sister state or province partnerships to include a partnership between the state and prefecture or foreign
• partnership between the state and<00:10:31.200><c> prefecture</c><00:10:31.960><c> or</c><00:10:32.880><c> foreign
• </c><00:10:34.080><c> It</c> and prefecture or foreign nation. It and prefecture or foreign nation.

Bills: HB2241 , HB1163 , HB1514 , HB1696 , HB2021 , SB2135 , SB2466 , SB2727 , SB3082 , SB3097 , SB2861 , SCR100 , SB3096 , SB99 , SB2138 , HB2289 , HB2319 , HB1711 , HB2270 , SB3138 , SB3076 , HB1642 , HB2338 , HB2171 , HB1785 , SB2881 , HB2505 , SB2552 , HB1518 , HB1815 , SB3125 , SB3234 , SCR162 , SB2614 , SB3118 , SB2053 , SB2494 , SB2851 , SB3073 , HB1678 , HB1721 , HB2475 , HB2246 , HB1667 , HB1516 , SB2532 , SB3131 , SB3154 , HB2297 , HB1737 , SB2143 , SB2398 , SB2623 , HB1740 , HB1920 , HB1682 , SB2153 , SB3140 , HB2158 , HB1718 , HB2207 , HB1801 , SB3229 , SB2338 , SB3069 , SB2600 , HB2300 , HB1800 , HB1960 , SB2999 , SB2060 , SB2866 , SB2239 , HB1741 , HB1713 , HB2023 , HB2417 , SB2877 , SB2598 , SB2921 , SB2645 , HB2547 , HB2275 , HB2452 , HB2329 , HB2339 , HB1838 , HB1509 , HB1661 , HB2271 , HB2272 , HB2344 , HB1888 , HB1707 , SB2340 , HB2474 , HB1576 , HB1853 , HB1804 , HB1854 , HB2095 , HB2050 , HB472 , SB3215 , SB2247 , SB2400 , HB1618 , HB1802 , HB1969 , HB1541 , HB2310 , HB2498 , HB2443 , HB2218 , HB649 , HB2104 , HB1710 , SB2802 , HB1973 , HB1974 , HB1894 , HB1891 , HB1890 , SB177 , SB2101 , SB3320 , SB2487 , HB2429 , HB1870 , HB1839 , HB2583 , HB1391 , HB2094 , SB2671 , SB2673 , SB2892 , SB2057 , SB3245 , HB306 , HB2592 , SB3157 , SB3204 , SB3324 , SB2580 , SB2074 , SB411 , SB3025 , SB2934 , SB2567 , SB2125 , SB3238 , SB2367 , SB2599 , SB3007 , SB2001 , SB2756 , SB3029

Transcript Highlights:

• . ...and Belgium, Director General of the Department of North American Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign
• Congress of the United States to consider limitations on real property ownership in the United States by foreign
• urges Congress to enact legislation to regulate and restrict the ownership of property in the U.S. by foreign
• It targets foreign authoritarian governments that disregard the Constitution and rule of law, governments

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, recorded attendance, approved the journal, and received routine communications from the governor and House. The body then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider several House bills, including HB 2369 on photo-enforcement traffic citations, HB 2423 on advanced math course enrollment, HB 2481 on school district financial records, HB 2621 on access to special education in public schools, and HB 2756 on public utilities and high-load factor customers. Each of these bills received amendments and were advanced with do pass recommendations. Members discussed HB 2423 at length, with supporters saying it would better identify high-achieving students for advanced math while critics argued the larger issue was funding and teacher shortages. HB 2756 also drew debate over data centers, utility reporting, and ratepayer impacts, but was amended and advanced. The Committee of the Whole then rose and reported its recommendations, which the Senate adopted. The Senate also adopted a proclamation supporting stronger Arizona and U.S. relations with Taiwan, and welcomed Taiwan’s Director General Jason Poyon Ma. The chamber calendared HB 2192 for additional Committee of the Whole consideration, adopted a Bolick amendment clarifying that telecom and broadband providers are not included in the definition of online hosting platform, and advanced the bill as amended. Later, the Senate took up third-reading votes on multiple measures, including HB 2249, HB 2482, HB 2641, HB 2661, HB 2662, HB 2673, HB 2745, HB 2752, HB 2895, HB 2923, and several House concurrent memorials on foreign ownership, endangered species, and related federal policy. Most passed, though several senators explained no votes on grounds such as budget concerns, policy objections, or opposition to limiting testimony or subpoena enforcement authority. At the end of the session, the Senate also passed HB 2369, HB 2423, HB 2481, HB 2621, HB 2756, HB 2192, and other listed bills by recorded roll call, with final vote totals announced for each. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, bills were properly assigned, and committee announcements were made for the following Monday. The Senate then adjourned until Monday, April 20, 2026 at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• the EU and Belgium, Director General of the Department of North American Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign
• Congress of the United States consider limitations on real property ownership in the United States by foreign
• urges Congress to enact legislation to regulate and restrict the ownership of property in the U.S. by foreign
• It targets foreign authoritarian governments that disregard the Constitution and rule of law, governments

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, Colonel Shaw, who was given the very, very best weapons to defend us on foreign soil, lost his
• the fact that we armed him as a nation with the very best weapons of war to defend our nation on foreign
• Speaker, we very intentionally in chambers such as this one... ...on foreign soil, and then, Mr.
• It does not always arrive with a foreign fleet.

Transcript Highlights:

• But in countries that rely on foreign reference pricing, lower prices are achieved by restricting or
• INTO MENTAL POLICIES THAT RAPID PATIENT ACCESS,&nbsp;&nbsp; 488 BUT IN COUNTRIES THAT RELY ON FOREIGN
• When you talk about bringing in and importing state price controls, you are also bringing in foreign
• ABOUT BRINGING IN AND IMPORTING&nbsp; STATE PRICE CONTROLS, YOU ARE ALSO BRINGING IN&nbsp;&nbsp; 515 FOREIGN

Summary: The committee first took up CS/House Bill 981, which would restore the Ocklawaha River and related natural resources. Supporters, including environmental groups, Save the Manatee Club, business owners, and Reunite the Rivers advocates, argued the bill would improve manatee habitat, fish passage, flood protection, tourism, and long-term economic returns while reducing dam maintenance costs. Opponents and skeptics focused on concerns about water quality, nutrient loading in the St. Johns River, loss of the Rodman Reservoir’s habitat and water-supply value, and potential ecological and economic harms. Members in debate largely supported the restoration effort, and the bill was reported favorably on a unanimous vote. The committee then heard HB 697, the PRICE Act, which would use international reference pricing to set a drug cost benchmark, address pharmacy benefit manager practices, and require health plans to keep drug prices stable for the year. The sponsor said the bill would lower costs and improve access, especially for uninsured Floridians. Supporters, including independent pharmacists, argued PBMs are squeezing pharmacies and that the bill could help lower prices. Opponents from BioFlorida and PhRMA warned the proposal could disrupt the national drug supply chain, fail to pass savings to patients, and lead to shortages, reduced access, and less innovation. After debate, the bill passed favorably, with Rep. Chambliss voting no. The committee also considered CS/HB 1081, which was amended to include private colleges and universities with NCA designation in the program. After brief discussion and support from United Way Miami, the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, CS/HB 177 was introduced as a framework for Florida’s regional councils to cross-assign bills among regions; it received supportive testimony and was also reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.