Transcript Highlights:

• Now, this is the one that the legislature authorized, I do believe, right?
• It is difficult to audit an entity that has that kind of authority over you.
• Chairman, Representative McChapar, I don't think the authority is there.
• So, reading this chart here, the prescription number, like top one, 1,254, is that the number of prescriptions
• The committee is only authorized to deal with state agency audits.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, this is the one that the legislature authorized, I do believe, right?
• It is difficult to audit an entity that has that kind of authority over you.
• It is difficult to audit an entity that has that kind of authority over you.
• So, reading this chart here, the prescription number, like top one, 1,254, is that the number of prescriptions
• The committee has only authorized to deal with state agency audits.

Summary: The committee met to receive a series of audit presentations, beginning with the statewide Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for fiscal year 2025. The State Auditor’s Office and OMB reported a clean, unmodified opinion for the state, with strong financial results including a $40.6 billion net position, $30.99 billion in assets, $1.81 billion in liabilities, and continued Legacy Fund growth. OMB also explained the new GASB 101 compensated-absences reporting change and discussed pension-liability fluctuations tied to discount-rate assumptions and investment performance. Members asked about how the state compares to others and about the effect of short-term commodity price swings, and OMB said the report reflects actual fiscal-year results rather than forecasts. The committee then heard the University System audit, which also received a clean opinion but included four findings: misreporting of Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund revenue, insufficient monitoring of service organizations at CTS, NDSU, and UND, improper bank reconciliations at Dakota College of Bottineau, Dickinson State, and Williston State, and investment/cash reconciliation problems at Bismarck State College related to bond proceeds. University officials agreed with the findings and said corrective actions were underway, including internal review of bank reconciliations. Members raised questions about NDSU’s use of certificates of deposit, and university staff explained that CDs are used to earn interest on funds being accumulated for future projects. Several other audits were presented, most with clean opinions and no findings, including the State Auditor’s Office, Workforce Safety and Insurance, Housing Finance Agency, Housing Incentive Fund, Job Service North Dakota, the Retirement and Investment Office, PERS, the Center for Distance Education, the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents, the Ethics Commission, and the Office of Administrative Hearings. Notable exceptions included a State Fair Association audit with an adverse opinion on the foundation component unit because its financial statements were not available for audit, and a Securities Department performance audit finding that performance-based pay increases and bonuses were issued without required evaluations. The committee also discussed the State Auditor’s future needs, including more staff capacity, data analytics, cybersecurity reviews, possible subpoena authority, independent legal counsel, and whether some audits—such as the Ethics Commission and State Fair—should be handled by independent third parties or under different statutory arrangements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's use a prescription drug like Xanax or something.
• We have authority to do what the statute mandates.
• The 2.7 million Texans aren't going to get that prescription.
• Or homes with bottles of prescription pills.
• Put her son on prescription pills. So that's my response.

Bills: HB5

Keywords: hemp, cannabinoids, regulation, occupational licenses, consumable products, marketing, criminal offenses, labeling requirements, health and safety, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Representative, I have no idea why the author of that FIR put that in there. Thank you.
• Yeah, I think we need to—I mean, I don’t think we have the authority to do that. Thank you, Mr.
• Yeah, I think we need to, I mean, I don't think we have the authority to do that. Thank you, Mr.
• I have with me the leadership of the Health Care Authority, Secretary Kerri Armiho and Mr.
• So we absolutely are not authorizing any double support, Mr. Chairman, Representative.

Bills: SB241, SB145, HB2

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Transcript Highlights:

• Would you like the first role to be open for co-authors? Okay, members.
• All debate having ceased, the clerk will open the role for co-authors.
• Okay, members, all debate having ceased, the clerk will open the roll for co-authors.
• Members, this is for co-authors. All those who desire to vote, vote. Clerk will close the roll.
• There are 76 co-authors added. Without objection, we'll now take a voice vote on the measure.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. Members then handled several procedural motions, including suspending rules to allow committee hearings and guest access, re-referring bills, and removing one bill from the consent calendar. The chamber also observed Holocaust Remembrance Day with a lengthy ceremony and remarks from many members across caucuses, emphasizing the importance of remembering the Holocaust, combating antisemitism and other forms of hate, and supporting survivors and descendants. ACR 59, the California Holocaust Memorial Day resolution, was adopted by voice vote after 76 coauthors were added. After the ceremony, the Assembly took up the daily file. AB 390, which strengthens California’s “slow down, move over” highway safety law, passed 64-0. AB 439, making small changes to the Coastal Act and reporting requirements, passed 44-11 after debate over Coastal Commission oversight. The body also approved a rules waiver to allow the Education Committee to meet on AB 1468. Later, AB 50, allowing Medi-Cal enrollees to access over-the-counter contraceptives without a prescription, passed 67-0 urgency and 67-0 overall; AB 55, streamlining alternative birth center licensing, passed 68-0; AB 596, protecting workers’ right to wear masks or respirators unless there is a direct safety hazard, passed 53-8; AB 631, requiring animal shelters to post intake and outcome data, passed 60-0; and AB 792, allowing consolidated negotiations for court interpreter contracts, passed 52-1. The Assembly also passed AB 867, banning cat declawing, by 68-0 after bipartisan support; AB 1089, expanding local permitting authority for Western Joshua Tree projects, by 16-0; and AB 1154, clarifying ADU rules, by 63-1. SCR 57, proclaiming Dolores Huerta Day, was adopted 66-0. The second-day consent calendar was then adopted 71-0. The session concluded with adjournment-in-memory remarks for Mary Hammer, a longtime San Lorenzo Valley community leader and environmental advocate, followed by recognition of her family and friends in the chamber.

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislature also authorized the ability for a state-funded parent and spousal caregiver option in
• The legislature also authorized the ability for a state-funded parent and spousal caregiver option in
• On the fee-for-service side, DHS does require prior authorization for the use of weight loss drugs, as
• On the fee-for-service side, DHS does require prior authorization for the use of weight loss drugs, as
• There are assessments required before services can be authorized.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And prescriptive as well.
• On one hand, we have what is known as ministerial authority.
• On the other hand, we have what's called discretionary authority.
• related to ministerial authority, and that we preserve all the bill.
• The decision and authority related to ministerial authority, and that we preserve all of the legal requirements

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and heard a series of bills, mostly local claims and growth-management or permitting measures. SB 16, SB 14, and SB 24 were uncontested claims bills providing relief for injuries or damages involving the City of St. Petersburg and Miami-Dade County; each was described as settled or favorably reported by a special master, and each was reported favorably without debate. SB 288, a negotiated bill on rural electric cooperatives, was presented as a clarification to protect co-op authority over generation and power purchases while preserving consumer protections; it drew support from industry stakeholders and was reported favorably. SB 830 created a public-records exemption for certain local administrators and their families’ personal information, citing threats against city managers, and it also passed favorably. The committee also considered several land-use and permitting bills. SB 1138 would create a registry of qualified professionals to conduct pre-application review for plats and development, aiming to reduce delays and backlogs; local government groups raised concerns about preemption and preserving quasi-judicial authority, but the bill passed favorably with one no vote. SB 168 expanded public nuisance law to include gambling houses, increased penalties, and authorized attorney’s fees and foreclosure of unpaid fees; it was reported favorably. SB 686 revised the agricultural enclave statute to create a public-hearing process for certain residential projects in urban service areas, with a sunset date later amended to June 30, 2026; conservation and planning groups raised concerns about local planning authority and public participation, but the bill passed favorably. SB 548, a growth-management and impact-fee cleanup bill, clarified plan-based methodology, extraordinary circumstances, interlocal agreements, and refund procedures for impact fees. Local government and development stakeholders testified that it would improve predictability while preserving flexibility, though some sought further refinement on fee increases and refunds; the bill was amended and then reported favorably. SB 1234 addressed building permits and inspections, including permit validity, small-project exemptions, temporary hurricane protection, standardized permit forms, and expanded use of private providers; county officials objected to reduced oversight, while builders and private-provider advocates supported the measure. After testimony and debate, the bill was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, Senator Jones requested to be recorded on several votes, and the committee adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• medication is better than prescription medication is better than the<00:37:48.240> one<00:37:
• this a prescription that uh my<00:38:08.880> family<00:38:09.200> used<00:38:09.440>
• So, specifically where it says mileage reimbursement is authorized. Is that the line you're...
• Is that is that the line authorized.
• <01:42:42.800> that a commission that had the authority that a commission that had the authority

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Division 3 work session focused largely on amendment 1176 to HB 2, which would have incorporated the substance of HB 548FN, a House-passed bill creating a direct-pay or membership-based model for health care facilities. Representative Mlan described the proposal as a way to increase competition in health care by extending the direct-care model used in primary care to facilities, arguing it could encourage innovation and that concerns about widespread harm to critical access hospitals were overstated. He pointed to Oklahoma’s long-standing Surgical Center model as evidence that the approach had not spread broadly or displaced hospitals there. Several members and witnesses raised concerns. Representative Stringham questioned whether the model would shift profitable services and patients away from existing hospitals, potentially worsening their finances and affecting Medicaid-related funding. David Ross, speaking for county nursing homes, opposed the language because it also removed moratoriums on nursing home, skilled nursing, inpatient rehabilitation, and self-pay beds, warning that it could increase pressure on Medicaid rates and undermine community-based care. Ben Bradley of the New Hampshire Hospital Association said the proposal appeared to create a separate regulatory framework for direct-pay facilities and raised concerns about patient safety, CMS participation rules, and a separate patient bill of rights. The chair concluded that, because HB 548 was already moving through the Senate, the HB 2 process was not the best vehicle for the policy and that the issue should be left to the Senate’s more deliberative committee process. Representative Ferski moved to not accept or remove amendment 1176 from the agenda, and the committee approved the motion by roll call, 9-0, withdrawing the item from HB 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 122 as amended, expands the prescription drug donation program, and it permits greater participation
• in the donation and distribution, um, of unused and unexpired prescription drugs excluding controlled
• Speaker and gentlemen, um, the liabilities are minimal because they are, um, donated prescription drugs
• A prescription. A drug And, and, and maybe I should. Describe it more as a pill.
• If we have a prescription drug within our household, I know how they're cared for, and being able to

Transcript Highlights:

• And Massachusetts retains full authority to suspend or revoke compact privileges at any time.
• as legislators and the board's authority as our regulator.
• And lastly, the regulatory authority remains with the Massachusetts Board of Allied Health.
• Can a lifetime of prescriptions be called a cure? This cynical definition is by design.
• Can a lifetime of prescriptions be called a cure? This cynical definition is by design.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing to take testimony on a wide range of bills involving professional licensure, clinical practice, and public health-related workforce issues. The chair explained that no votes would be taken at the hearing and that the purpose was to gather public input. Early testimony focused on Marnie’s Law, with supporters describing the bill as a no-cost, preventive measure to require nursing education on inflammatory breast cancer after a family tragedy and arguing it could reduce misdiagnosis and save lives. A major portion of the hearing centered on bills affecting clinical decision-making and licensure compacts. Supporters of the physician ownership/clinical autonomy bills argued they would protect independent practices from corporate interference after the Steward collapse, while supporters of EMS, dental, psychology, physical therapy, and physician assistant compacts said the measures would improve workforce mobility, reduce delays, and expand access to care, especially for rural patients, military families, and telehealth users. Several witnesses emphasized that the compacts would not reduce standards and would strengthen public protection through shared disciplinary databases and streamlined credentialing. There was also testimony on bills to ensure safe medication administration and to protect the independence of complementary and alternative health care practitioners. Nursing representatives urged that only licensed professionals administer medications in hospitals, hospices, and home care settings, warning that delegation to unlicensed staff could endanger patients and nurses’ licenses. A complementary and alternative care witness supported consumer access with mandatory disclosures and limits on reserved medical acts. On the dental compact, witnesses were split: some supported portability and workforce flexibility, while others warned the compact lacked a hands-on skills exam and could weaken Massachusetts’ regulatory authority and patient safety. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on the psychology compact, physical therapy compact, and physician assistant bills, with most speakers favoring expanded interstate practice and reduced administrative barriers.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:10:54.560> says<00:10:55.000> no<00:10:55.360> human<00:10:55.760> authority
• Constitution it says no human authority Constitution it says no human authority sh<00:10:56.519>
• luckily this was in prescription luckily this was in Louisville<00:18:40.679> where<00:18:40.840
• <00:26:06.520> for<00:26:06.679> mental<00:26:06.960> health fill prescriptions
• for mental health fill prescriptions for mental health medications<00:26:08.480> or<00:26:08.720

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 132, a health care conscience-protection measure. Supporters said the bill would protect health care professionals from being forced to participate in procedures or services that violate sincerely held religious or ethical beliefs, while explicitly excluding emergency care. They argued it would help recruit and retain providers, preserve ethical integrity in medicine, and has worked in several other states. Supporters also emphasized that the bill is aimed at procedures or services, not at denying care based on who a patient is, and noted that the bill includes a civil cause of action to give it enforcement teeth. Several supporters described personal experiences. A nurse said lack of conscience protections affected her career choices and limited her path into women’s health. Dr. Warman said he had requested not to perform anesthesia for abortions and later chose non-narcotic pain management because he objected to heavy opioid prescribing, saying conscience protections allow professionals to practice responsibly. Senators asked about examples, the bill’s scope, whether it could be used to discriminate, and which states have similar laws; Mississippi, Florida, Montana, Ohio, South Carolina, and Arkansas were named. Questions also focused on the bill’s civil enforcement provisions and whether it could be used against patients based on identity or religion. Opponents warned the bill was overly broad and could allow refusals of care by a wide range of health workers, including clerks, ambulance drivers, pharmacists, nurses, and physicians. Dr. Karen Abrams said it could lead to denial of birth control, Plan B, blood transfusions, and other care, especially in rural areas with few alternatives, and could worsen Kentucky’s provider shortages. David Conway said the bill lacked patient protections, could increase delays and discrimination, and could prevent reassignment of objecting staff. The chair noted there were seven people signed up in opposition, limited testimony to two minutes each, and said the committee would return to the bill after hearing additional opposition and other pending bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to thank Senators Rubio, Cortese, and Stern for authoring this important measure.
• It has also authorized a long-term program to underground power lines.
• co-author and committee for all your work on this.
• And I'd like to first ask the author, what can you do to make it happen? make that happen?
• So I appreciate the author accepting the word diverse.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:39.279> So<00:25:39.440> that's prescriptively moving forward.
• So that's prescriptively moving forward.
• support of its co-authors, including the chairs of this committee.
• clear that the AG's office has authority clear that the AG's office has authority to<00:41:11.200
• management company where their authority management company where their authority comes<00:43:03.440

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I am grateful that this prescription continues to aid me in maintaining a normal life.
• Pharmaceutical prescriptions cannot provide.
• same veterans because they are putting products into their bodies that have no regulation and no authority

Transcript Highlights:

• cancer has far-reaching and long-term impacts to our mental health, and I'm grateful that this prescription
• Texas Compassionate Use Program provides relief from life-limiting symptoms that no pharmaceutical prescription
• those same veterans because they're putting products into their bodies that have no regulation, no authority

Transcript Highlights:

• the physicians to prescribe whatever they think is necessary for that woman, be it therapy or prescription
• What this bill does is just extend that same protection to pharmacists that fill those prescriptions
• again, they relate mostly to labeling, testing of the product, and also to give the board greater authority

Bills: SB191, HB84, HB79, SB132, HB108, HB109, HB110, HB114, HB118, HB120, HB122, HB124, HB126, HB128, HB129, HB131

Keywords: postpartum depression, mental health, Medicaid, screening, education, maternal health, Chiropractic, Board of Chiropractic Examiners, license renewal, continuing education, election procedures, off-label, pharmacists, medical treatment, state board of pharmacy, employment protection, SB132, Alabama, controlled substances, Schedule I

Transcript Highlights:

• So right now for I've toll is I authorize 1982 swarm to prove or positions we have to reckon.
• And in fact, it means cocaine, opiates, other controlled substances means prescription medications like
• So if you mix it with anything other than Paris, you like alcohol, prescription drugs.
• And again, prescription medicines as well. People say they also prescription medicine.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We wouldn't have the authority to do it, yes sir.
• But if I need stronger stuff, like Motrin 800 milligrams, I need a prescription.
• Is that prescription? The tincture is also a Village Farm subsidiary product.
• She threw away the prescription drugs and said enough is enough. "You are a U.S.
• It offers some sensible regulation, and I commend the author for that.

Bills: HB28, SB3, SB 3

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, state health, youth protection, licensing fees, criminal offenses, flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair and members, Senate Bill 1123, medical examiner's authorized person, outlines guidelines
• for an authorized person performing the duties of a medical examiner.
• Madam Chair and member, Senate Bill 1188, approved medication scheduling prescription authority, stipulates
• an authorized person performing the duties of a medical examiner.
• Madam Chair and Member, Senate Bill 1188 approved medication scheduling prescription authority stipulates

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee heard a long series of Senate bills, mostly on third-read consent, covering education, public safety, health, courts, labor, and water. Several bills were briefly explained and then pulled from consent for further discussion, including measures on public records review standards (SB 1078), sexually explicit materials in schools/libraries (SB 1435 and SB 1567), burial costs in death cases (SB 1135), military flags in HOAs/COAs (SB 1184), court-ordered treatment guardianship (SB 1243), standardized state hiring (SB 1665), released-time religious instruction (SB 1741), firearm safety instruction in schools (SB 1424), student participation in extracurriculars after certain convictions (SB 1475), Celebrate Freedom Week (SB 1572), federal scholarship-granting organizations/vouchers (SB 1142), immigration-related arrest notifications (SB 1055), defamation standards (SB 1099), peace officer certification for military police veterans (SB 1107), mandatory reporting of child abuse/neglect directly to DCS (SB 1127), attorney licensing and discipline issues (SB 1148 and SB 1039), concealed weapons on college campuses (SB 1068), and firearm muffling devices/silencers (SB 1069). Members also raised constitutional, policy, and school-safety concerns on several of these bills, while supporters emphasized alternative pathways for students, veterans, and workers, and tighter reporting or licensing rules. Other bills were described without extended debate, including claims against the state for unpaid contracted services (SB 1097), workers’ compensation death benefits for surviving spouses who remarry (SB 1136), burial expense increases (SB 1135), state agency web pages for internal guidance (SB 1586), court-ordered treatment procedures and service of process in mental health cases (SB 1113), medical examiner authorization (SB 1123), tribal MOUs with DCS (SB 1125), controlled-substance scheduling conformity with federal classifications (SB 1188), EMT personal information protections (SB 1193), mammography notice updates (SB 1318), assisted-living referral disclosures (SB 1477), accommodation school GED instruction for 11th graders and students over 16 (SB 1166), credit enhancement board continuation (SB 1422), school district and charter school obligations related to religious release time (SB 1741), school firearm safety instruction (SB 1424), and school civics/freedom-week instruction (SB 1572). The committee also heard bills on CPA certification pathways (SB 1181), insurance adjuster licensing (SB 1415), county voter-registration rules online (SB 1040), campaign address privacy (SB 1259), federal land acquisition notification (SB 1281), water supply/demand assessments (SB 1202), environmental compatibility for power plants and small modular reactors (SB 1418), and groundwater recovery rules (SB 1785). The meeting ended with announcements and a brief recognition of Rep. Stephanie Hamilton with an “Affordability Award.” No final votes are shown in the transcript excerpt; instead, many bills were either left on consent, pulled for later discussion, or flagged for closed caucus. The chair then asked guests to leave so members could hold a closed caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• I recognize the author of the amendment. Hennepin, Representative Censor Mira.
• I recognize the author of the amendment. Representative Sen. Mira.
• I know we are hearing about people who can't afford their prescription drugs.
• I am a co-author of this bill.
• There are 45 House co-authors on this bill. as it came through.