Transcript Highlights:

• But in Missouri, if we do need to waive those regulations and those regulations... if you are licensed
• within Missouri, but you can serve in other states, as long as you can follow those regulations and
• But in Missouri, if we do need to waive those regulations and those regulations, But in Missouri, if
• we do need to waive those regulations and waivers for how a pharmacy has to operate, they would be able
• You know, currently the Board of Healing Arts regulates physicians' assistants.

Committee: House Professional Registration and Licensing

Summary: The Committee on Professional Registration and Licensing met with a quorum present and first took up House Bill 1797, a public accounting bill. The committee adopted a substitute that was described as clarification language to mirror the Senate version, then voted the House Committee Substitute do pass by unanimous roll call. The committee also considered House Bill 2974, adopted Amendment 0.01H adding clarifying scope-of-practice language, rolled the amendment into a committee substitute, and then voted the House Committee Substitute do pass unanimously. The committee then heard testimony on House Bill 1623, which would add massage therapists and chiropractors to the list of health care professionals subject to emergency disciplinary action through the Administrative Hearing Commission. The sponsor said the bill is intended to protect patients and give licensing boards faster authority to act against bad actors in vulnerable settings. Supporters included a trial lawyer who described sexual assault cases involving massage parlors and a lobbyist for the Missouri Chiropractic Physicians Association, who said quicker action would improve public safety and professional integrity. No opposition was presented. Next, the committee heard House Bill 309, which would provide clarity for nonprofit pharmacies serving low-income and underserved patients in emergency situations, inspired by access problems after the St. Louis tornadoes. The sponsor and an RX Outreach representative said the bill would help pharmacies transfer or dispense needed medications during emergencies without reducing oversight, and they discussed limits on quantities and controlled substances. Members asked why the bill was limited to nonprofit pharmacies and whether it applied outside Missouri; the witnesses said they were open to amendments and clarified the bill was aimed at Missouri emergencies. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3129, the Physician Assistant Compact. The sponsor said the compact would improve access to care, especially in rural areas, by allowing reciprocal practice across participating states without changing Missouri scope-of-practice law. A PA testified in support, saying it would help retain and recruit PAs and improve flexibility near state borders. The Missouri State Medical Association opposed the bill, arguing it could affect scope of practice, give compact commission rules too much authority, and weaken Missouri’s regulatory control; the Division of Professional Registration supported it, saying it fits rural health transformation goals and that compact participants would still have to follow Missouri scope laws. A nonprofit workforce group also testified in support. No votes were taken on the hearing bills before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1927 by Hinojosa of Nueces relating to municipal regulation of the removal of an ash juniper
• Senate Bill 1954 by Campbell relating to the authority of the county to regulate land use in certain
• Senate Bill 1964 by Parker relating to the regulation and use of artificial intelligence systems and
• Senate Bill 1973 by Kolkhorst relating to the regulation of human body acquisition services to Health
• Senate Bill 2011 by Johnson relating to the adoption of noise regulations by certain counties to Local

Bills: SJR4 , SCR36 , SCR37 , SCR38 , SCR39 , SCR40 , SCR41 , SCR42 , SB7 , SB30 , SB31 , SB32 , SB33 , SB34 , SB36 , SB37 , SB38 , SB39 , SB1851 , SB1852 , SB1853 , SB1854 , SB1855 , SB1856 , SB1857 , SB1858 , SB1860 , SB1861 , SB1862 , SB1863 , SB1864 , SB1865 , SB1866 , SB1867 , SB1868 , SB1869 , SB1870 , SB1871 , SB1872 , SB1873 , SB1874 , SB1875 , SB1876 , SB1877 , SB1878 , SB1879 , SB1880 , SB1881 , SB1882 , SB1883 , SB1884 , SB1885 , SB1886 , SB1887 , SB1888 , SB1889 , SB1890 , SB1891 , SB1892 , SB1893 , SB1894 , SB1895 , SB1896 , SB1897 , SB1898 , SB1899 , SB1900 , SB1901 , SB1903 , SB1904 , SB1905 , SB1906 , SB1907 , SB1908 , SB1909 , SB1910 , SB1911 , SB1912 , SB1913 , SB1914 , SB1915 , SB1916 , SB1917 , SB1918 , SB1919 , SB1920 , SB1921 , SB1922 , SB1923 , SB1924 , SB1925 , SB1926 , SB1927 , SB1928 , SB1929 , SB1930 , SB1931 , SB1932 , SB1933 , SB1934 , SB1935 , SB1936 , SB1937 , SB1938 , SB1939 , SB1940 , SB1941 , SB1942 , SB1943 , SB1944 , SB1945 , SB1946 , SB1947 , SB1948 , SB1949 , SB1950 , SB1951 , SB1952 , SB1953 , SB1954 , SB1955 , SB1956 , SB1957 , SB1958 , SB1959 , SB1960 , SB1961 , SB1962 , SB1963 , SB1964 , SB1965 , SB1966 , SB1967 , SB1968 , SB1969 , SB1970 , SB1971 , SB1972 , SB1973 , SB1974 , SB1975 , SB1976 , SB1977 , SB1978 , SB1979 , SB1980 , SB1981 , SB1982 , SB1983 , SB1984 , SB1985 , SB1986 , SB1987 , SB1988 , SB1989 , SB1990 , SB1991 , SB1992 , SB1993 , SB1994 , SB1995 , SB1996 , SB1997 , SB1998 , SB1999 , SB2000 , SB2001 , SB2002 , SB2003 , SB2004 , SB2005 , SB2006 , SB2007 , SB2008 , SB2009 , SB2010 , SB2011 , SB2012 , SB2013 , SB2014 , SB2015 , SB2016 , SB2017 , SB2018 , SB2019 , SB2020 , SB2021 , SB2022 , SB2023 , SB2024 , SB2025 , SB2026 , SB2027 , SB2028 , SB2029 , SB2030 , SB2031 , SB2032 , SB2033 , SB2034 , SB2035 , SB2036 , SB2037 , SB2038 , SB2039 , SB2040 , SB2041 , SB2042 , SB2043 , SB2044 , SB2045 , SB2046 , SB2047 , SB2048 , SB2049 , SB2050 , SB2051 , SB2052 , SB2053 , SB2054 , SB2055 , SB2056 , SB2057 , SB2058 , SB2059 , SB2060

Transcript Highlights:

• SB132 is the bill with the hemp regulating substitute. In front of you, I have a summary.
• to allow these uses for adults in a regulated environment and those that...
• It's time to regulate, and it's time to get it in control and make it a risk versus benefit.
• We need to do some figuring on how much to regulate it.
• We have to get enough out of it to regulate it.

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

Committee: Senate Healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:31:21.520><c> We</c> product that we do not regulate. We product that we do not regulate.
• This is not regulating PBMs.
• This is not regulating PBMs. This law. This is not regulating PBMs.
• This is thoughtful regulation.
• </c> department for oversight and regulation. department for oversight and regulation.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Senator Regina Birdsell at the request of the Insurance Department. The bill would clarify that a birth mother’s health insurance is the primary policy for a newborn’s care unless the mother has no coverage or no employer-sponsored coverage. Birdsell and Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the measure simply codifies the department’s long-standing interpretation of existing law. Representative Miles asked whether the coverage would extend to a grandchild if a young woman on her parents’ plan had a baby, and Birdsell said it would. The hearing on SB 47 was then closed. The committee next heard Senate Bill 121, introduced by Grant Bosi for Senator Kevin Avard. The bill requires insurers to notify the Insurance Department when they stop writing an entire line of business or, in some cases, when they change Medicare Advantage offerings. Benton Court said the bill was prompted by disruption in the Medicare Advantage market, where consumers and the department were confused by carriers exiting, changing plans, or narrowing offerings. He said the department does not regulate Medicare Advantage itself, but does license the carriers, and the notice requirement would help the department advise consumers; he also said noncompliance could affect a carrier’s license and could lead to fines. Members discussed the notice period, and the department and AHIP indicated support for changing it from 120 days to 90 days to align with federal timing. The hearing was closed with plans to work on an amendment in subcommittee. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 247, introduced by Representative Brian Cole, which would prohibit network exclusion for pharmacies that refuse to dispense prescriptions when PBM reimbursement is below acquisition cost. Cole said the bill is meant to stop pharmacies from being forced to sell at a loss. Members questioned whether pharmacies voluntarily enter PBM contracts, whether the bill would raise consumer prices, and whether it would mainly affect independent pharmacies. Cole and others said the issue has changed over time because PBMs now control a much larger share of the market, and that the bill would let pharmacies refuse loss-making fills and direct patients to mail order instead. The discussion also noted that the bill excludes Medicare and Medicaid and that the current proposal does not create a middle-ground option for patients to pay a premium at the counter.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state goes and regulates everybody.
• And that's that nothing's on a Massachusetts-regulated platform.
• I'm here today to speak in support of authorizing regulated online gaming.
• A regulated market would help do away with that.
• And you haven't been regulated in every state under the sun.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, chaired by Rep. Carole Fiola and Sen. Barry Finegold, held a lengthy hearing on a range of gambling-related bills. Testimony first focused on H. 496 to allow the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to authorize Plain Ridge Park Casino to add table games and more slot machines. Supporters, including Rep. Jeffrey Roy, Sen. Finegold, Rep. Barry R. Finegold, Rep. Brian Vaughn, and Plainville officials, argued the change was needed to keep Massachusetts gaming dollars from flowing to Rhode Island, protect jobs, and preserve local tax revenue. They described Plain Ridge as a strong community partner and cited host-community benefits such as municipal infrastructure projects and local aid. Opponents or skeptical witnesses later argued that expanded gambling, especially online, would increase harm and cannibalize existing casinos and local economies. The committee also heard testimony on bills related to sports betting restrictions and online gambling. Sen. John Keenan presented a “Better Health Act” proposal to ban prop bets and in-play bets, require affordability checks, prohibit hosts, raise the sports betting excise tax, expand funding for problem-gambling services, and increase research and data sharing. He and supporters framed the bill as a public-health response to addiction, suicide, bankruptcy, and other harms. Rep. David Nangle, speaking from personal experience with gambling addiction, strongly opposed internet gaming, warning that it would intensify addiction and expose children and families to 24/7 gambling on phones. In contrast, Rep. David Moradian and industry witnesses supported H. 4431 to legalize and regulate internet gaming, arguing it would bring illegal activity into a regulated market, generate new revenue, and include consumer protections such as age verification, deposit limits, self-exclusion, and responsible-gaming tools. The committee also took testimony on H. 4238, which would expand fundraising options for fraternal organizations, especially the Elks. Rep. Bruce Ayers and Elks representatives said the bill would help lodges raise money for scholarships, veterans’ services, and community programs after COVID-related losses and declining membership. On H. 480, Rep. Kathleen LaNatra, Rep. Badger, and representatives of veterans organizations and gaming-machine operators urged allowing qualified veterans groups to participate in certain video gaming activity, saying it would provide a sustainable revenue source to keep posts open and support veterans’ services. Dr. Rachel Volberg testified that expanding gambling, especially online gambling and slot machines at veterans organizations, would likely increase gambling harm, and she urged stronger harm-prevention measures, data reporting, and research funding. Other witnesses, including anti-gambling advocates and industry representatives, sharply disagreed over whether legalization would reduce illegal gambling or worsen addiction and social costs. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we are here today because we regulate state-licensed financial institutions, including...
• So even when we know that the federal regulator is the primary regulator, we know that there may not
• But that is where we're still working through that process as the regulator at the state level.
• But it's a mix of state-regulated and federally regulated institutions.
• And you can't tell me who they're... ...state-regulated and federally regulated institutions.

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee held an outcomes review of AB 238, the wildfire mortgage forbearance law, focused on how the law has worked for survivors of the Eaton and Palisades fires. Chair Valencia and Assemblymember Harabedian said the hearing was intended to hear directly from survivors, assess whether the law is being implemented as intended, and identify fixes. Several survivors described losing homes, facing long rebuild timelines, and struggling with insurers, housing costs, and mortgage servicers. Many said they encountered confusion, inconsistent information, requests for financial documentation, lump-sum repayment demands, credit reporting problems, or loan modifications that they viewed as undermining the law’s purpose. Some urged clearer consumer education, a consumer bill of rights, and an extension of forbearance relief; one witness specifically advocated for AB 1847 to extend forbearance to 36 months. DFPI Chief Deputy Commissioner Suzanne Martindale said the department had received about 300 wildfire-related consumer complaints, mostly about mortgage forbearance, and that more than 91% had been resolved in the consumer’s favor. She said the department works with both state-licensed and federally regulated institutions, but its authority is limited when national banks are involved, so it often uses outreach and direct contact with lenders and federal partners to resolve complaints. She also described recurring complaint themes such as difficulty obtaining forbearance, customer-service breakdowns, withholding of insurance funds, and non-interest-bearing impound accounts. Committee members pressed DFPI on which institutions were noncompliant, what enforcement tools were available, and how much data the state could collect and make public. Representatives of the California Bankers Association and California Mortgage Bankers Association said lenders had provided early disaster relief and were working to comply with AB 238, but emphasized that mortgage servicing is constrained by federal law, investor requirements, and secondary-market guidelines. They argued that forbearance is temporary relief, not forgiveness, and warned that extending it without a clear repayment path can create future payment shock or larger debt burdens. They also said many servicers use disaster protocols tied to federal declarations and that clearer communication is needed. In response to committee concerns, the mortgage bankers said they would continue working with the Legislature and federal agencies, but could not promise changes beyond investor and agency rules. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, let's start with the Regulations and Licensing Department. 420, welcome.
• I'm the Superintendent of the Regulation and Licensing Department.
• This is, like for me, it's licensing and regulation, maybe 201.
• We don't regulate it. We don't track any of the data.
• So it costs regulation a lot of money.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• And we might need new ways of regulating new nefarious uses of these tools.
• But it seems like regulating those downstream uses is a lot more targeted and precise than trying to
• And so at least for me, where it seems like we should be regulating is on the uses of the tool rather
• And we might need new ways of regulating new nefarious uses of these tools.
• regulating artificial intelligence systems for 10 years.

Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Assembly Health and Privacy Committees focused on generative AI in health care, with opening remarks emphasizing both its potential to improve care and its risks around privacy, bias, liability, workforce impacts, and unequal access. Chair Bauer-Kahan and Chair Bonta framed the discussion around how California can encourage beneficial innovation while protecting patients, especially given the sensitivity of health data and the possibility that AI could worsen existing disparities if not carefully governed. The first panel featured representatives from Cedars-Sinai, Kaiser Permanente, Penguin AI, and Google, who described current uses of AI such as ambient clinical scribes, nursing documentation tools, imaging triage, maternal-fetal risk prediction, and administrative automation. Speakers said these tools can reduce clinician burden, improve patient experience, speed treatment, and in some cases improve outcomes, including a reported mortality benefit from a Kaiser predictive model and faster thrombectomy times at Cedars-Sinai. Members raised concerns about accuracy with accents and multilingual visits, whether predictive tools could reinforce bias or lead to more interventions such as C-sections, and how to ensure a human remains in the loop for important decisions. The second panel, including representatives from the California Health Care Foundation, UC Berkeley, and Stanford, focused on policy and governance challenges. Testimony highlighted examples of AI supporting homelessness outreach and community health work, but also warned that biased algorithms can encode inequities, especially when trained on data that reflect under-treatment of Black, rural, or low-income patients. Witnesses urged clearer standards for trustworthy AI, stronger monitoring and governance structures, better data access for accountability, and attention to the safety net’s limited resources. Several speakers argued that states should require health systems to have AI governance processes, clarify liability between developers and deployers, and regulate downstream uses of AI while preserving access to data for lifesaving research and oversight.

Transcript Highlights:

• California routinely regulates other civil... private detention facilities.
• This bill requires regulations.
• But the regulators don't.
• ...approval for the rate or they're going to regulate your rate, but your rate is already regulated because
• If we're going to regulate, I mean, it's almost like a communist country.

Summary: The committee heard SB 1377, which would change California’s medical exemption process for school immunizations. The author and supporters argued the bill would restore physician discretion, reduce fear of audits and discipline, and help families with medically vulnerable children obtain exemptions. Opponents, including pediatric, medical, and public health groups, said the current system created by SB 276 and SB 277 is working, that valid exemptions are still being issued, and that loosening oversight could undermine immunization rates and public health. Members debated the data behind claims of a chilling effect, the number of exemptions reviewed or revoked, and the bill’s amendments, which narrowed the measure to current exemptions and added a small additional threshold. Because there was no quorum at the time, action on SB 1377 was delayed until a quorum could be present. The committee then heard SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, which would create a statewide inspection and enforcement framework for large voluntary residential facilities, including private immigration detention centers. The author and supporters described alleged neglect and abuse in detention facilities, including denial of medication, unsafe food and water, and inadequate oversight, and argued the state should ensure humane conditions and accountability. The California Hospital Association expressed concern about duplicative oversight and possible overlap with existing regulation, while the author said the bill was being refined to avoid constitutional problems and duplication. The committee voted to do pass and re-refer SB 995 to Judiciary, with the roll call showing five votes and the bill placed on call. SB 1089 was also heard, proposing expanded access to GLP-1 medications for state and local government employees through CalPERS and encouraging broader affordability efforts through CalRx. The author framed the bill as a response to chronic weight disease, diabetes risk, and high costs, and described his own experience obtaining and paying for GLP-1 treatment. Supporters from the American Diabetes Association and medical groups said GLP-1s are effective tools for preventing and managing type 2 diabetes and could reduce long-term health costs. No opposition was heard, and the committee voted do pass and re-refer the bill to Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement, with the vote placed on call. The committee also began SB 1221 on Murphy conservatorships, with supporters and opponents debating whether district attorneys should have a larger role in these proceedings and whether the bill would improve public safety or disrupt the civil mental health process; the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are also regulated underneath the Corrected Action Fee regulations that are contained within the
• And then NMED as the regulator makes that final selection.
• Because in my view, whether we regulate or we don't.
• So what you do to regulate oil and gas Chemicals are very important.
• I know personally a Regulator for PFAS.

Committee: House Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> limits um in our regulated entities. limits um in our regulated entities.
• </c><00:58:18.480><c> and</c> can spend money is regulated and can spend money is regulated and disclosed
• </c><00:59:22.640><c> it's</c> done through a regulated system. it's done through a regulated system.
• </c><01:05:07.760><c> and</c> expenditures that are regulated and expenditures that are regulated and
• </c><01:20:26.080><c> that</c> politician to not regulate that politician to not regulate that pesticide

Bills: HF4133 , HF3419

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current regulations, licensed cannabis retailers can offer curbside pickup as a remnant of the
• Under current regulations, licensed cannabis retailers can offer curbside pickup as a remnant of the
• Exactly the population this regulated system is meant to serve.
• This is not an expansion of access; it's an improvement in how safe, regulated access is delivered.
• So really, this is about operational flexibility within a highly regulated system.

Committee: Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill does not mandate coverage or regulate rates. It requires transparency.
• It does not set denial limits, and it does not regulate rates.
• It simply requires transparency for Arizona plans reported to Arizona regulators.
• For Arizona plans reported to Arizona regulators.
• You know, it's been noted in this committee that Access is a regulator.

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The committee approved the minutes and then took up a large agenda of health-related bills. SB 1214, the Arizona Stem Cell Therapy Act, drew extensive testimony from supporters who said it would create guardrails for regenerative medicine, protect patients, and encourage biotech investment, while opponents argued it was tied to abortion politics and imposed harsh penalties. The bill passed on a 4-3 vote. SB 1194, which would prohibit health professionals and institutions from denying care based on vaccination status, also passed 4-3 after testimony from supporters framing it as an access-to-care and religious-freedom measure and opponents warning it would interfere with private practice policies and parental choice. SB 1814, creating a study committee on substance use disorder treatment standards and oversight, passed unanimously 7-0. SB 1602, increasing stipends for kinship foster parents, passed as amended 7-0, and SB 1603, expanding child-only cash assistance eligibility, also passed as amended 7-0. The committee then considered several bills focused on gender-related care and public funding. SB 1177, which bars public monies from funding gender transition procedures and makes intentional violations a felony, passed 4-3 amid testimony that it protects taxpayers and counterarguments that it is discriminatory and unsupported by evidence. SB 1014, requiring insurance coverage for detransition procedures when transition care is covered and directing data reporting on transition and detransition, passed 4-3 after supporters said it would help detransitioners and collect needed data, while opponents argued it would chill providers and target transgender patients. SB 1094, creating civil liability for physicians who perform irreversible gender reassignment surgery on minors, was heard with testimony from supporters citing malpractice concerns and detransitioner harms and from opponents saying it would create a hostile environment for providers and treat trans patients differently; the transcript cuts off before the vote is shown. SB 1752, which classifies commercial harvesting or sale of mescaline as a felony while preserving bona fide religious use defenses, passed unanimously 7-0. Later, SB 1628, requiring insurers to report claims-denial and prior-authorization data and DIFI to publish standardized reports, passed unanimously 7-0 after supporters emphasized transparency and opponents called it redundant to federal reporting. SB 1629, requiring AHCCCS managed care organizations to give advance notice and network-adequacy documentation before terminating high-volume providers without cause, also passed 7-0; supporters said it would prevent patients from losing access to behavioral health care, while health plans and Access said existing oversight already covers much of this and warned the bill could slow necessary network changes. Throughout the meeting, the committee repeatedly adopted motions for due-pass recommendations and, where applicable, amendments, with several bills passing on party-line or near-party-line votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Current law regulates the enforcement of foreign laws in Arizona, and this bill specifically adds Sharia
• also noteworthy that, in our very limited amount of research, Sharia law also has approaches to regulating
• House Bill 1075 may violate this doctrine by authorizing Arizona to regulate foreign affairs based on
• state-made national security assessments. ...to regulate foreign affairs based on state-made national
• And so regulating against just that type of alert would be a problem, but that's not what this does.

Committee: House Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and different regulations. and different regulations.
• It's technically a regulation. Um years. It's technically a regulation.
• </c> ability to have those local regulations. ability to have those local regulations.
• These are our regulations." And we said. These are our regulations."
• </c> environmental regulations. environmental regulations.

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the year's language related to the regulation and notice requirements related to the purchase
• to the regulation and notice requirements<00:34:29.320><c> related</c><00:34:29.840><c> to</c><00:34
• </c><00:36:39.320><c> these</c> the folks who um actually regulate these the folks who um actually regulate
• Uh Senator Dibble's<00:39:53.400><c> bill</c> Dibble's bill Dibble's bill regulation<00:39:55.400><c>
• the stuff on regulation and notice requirements<00:41:43.160><c> start.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• A physician who wants to advertise under a different board must submit to many different regulations,
• This bill simply will limit how the Texas Medical Board can regulate this advertising so as to allow
• This can put vulnerable people at risk by placing them in homes that aren't regulated or safe, which
• The claim was not unique to any TDI-regulated plan.
• It's simply meant to identify TDI-regulated plans.

Bills: SB331 , SB883 , SB926 , SB1137 , SB1138 , SB1144 , SB1151 , SB1236 , SB1270 , SB1522 , SB1869 , SB2207 , SB2422

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 883, which would protect physicians’ ability to prescribe off-label medications and treatments, framed by the author as a “Right to Treat” measure tied to COVID-19 care. Supporters, including physicians and patient-choice advocates, said the bill would safeguard the doctor-patient relationship and prevent interference by boards, pharmacies, or hospitals. Several witnesses described using hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, budesonide, antibiotics, steroids, and monoclonal antibodies during the pandemic, and said they faced complaints, board scrutiny, or pharmacy refusals for those prescriptions. The bill was left pending after public testimony closed. The committee then took up Senate Bill 331, which would extend hospital price-transparency requirements to additional health care facilities such as freestanding ERs, urgent care and retail clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, outpatient clinics, and birthing centers. Proponents argued that broader disclosure of prices for shoppable services would help consumers compare costs and reduce surprise billing, while opponents from ambulatory surgery centers said the bill would impose costly compliance burdens on small providers and that insurers or the state already have much of the needed data. The bill was also left pending. Senate Bill 2422 would expunge Texas Medical Board records and impose reparations for disciplinary actions tied to COVID-era treatment decisions, including references to ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, budesonide, and masks. The author and supporters argued that doctors were unfairly targeted for trying to save patients and should be made whole; the Texas Medical Board representative said most pandemic complaints were dismissed, that actions generally involved broader issues such as privileges, documentation, or informed consent, and that no physician was disciplined solely for prescribing off-label COVID medications. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2207, which would loosen Texas Medical Board rules on physicians advertising themselves as board certified, especially by reducing barriers tied to maintenance of certification requirements. Supporters said the current rule is overly restrictive, inconsistent, and costly, and that it drives physicians out of practice; they also said Texas is one of only a few states with such a rule. Witnesses described hospitals using the rule against physicians and said the change would improve transparency and competition. The bill remained pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have similar standards in our existing regulations. regulation.
• These regulations work.
• The regulations around that program are still pending, so.
• need is any more regulation because they're already over-regulated.
• regulation than what the state requires already.

Bills: HB741 , HB 1199 , HB2070 , HB2402 , HB2542 , HB2665 , HB2789 , HB3096 , HB3396 , HB3595 , HB3747 , HB4116 , HB4127

Committee: House Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• regulation of building permits.
• </c><01:53:18.560><c> and</c><01:53:18.800><c> regulations</c> Murphy, this regulation and regulations
• Murphy, this regulation and regulations like<01:53:19.599><c> these</c><01:53:20.000><c> might</c><01
• </c><02:03:34.639><c> about</c> to some government regulations about to some government regulations about
• other</c><02:03:39.119><c> levels</c> governmental regulations at other levels governmental regulations

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• I regulate the entire site. However, I am regulated by the EPA.
• So this is how we regulate the Patel Energy Alliance. We call that contractor assurance.
• And we’ve been criticized in the media of wiping out regulations and not being safe.
• That’s July 4th, revised regulations, multiple applicants for fuel manufacturing.
• That's July 4th, revised regulations, multiple applicants for fuel manufacturing.

Committee: Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee