Transcript Highlights:

• So you'll notice on page two we also have a schedule of fiscal year 2027 as well on lines 17, 18, and
• So your schedule, we'll stick to your schedule or however that works. Thank you, Mr. Bybee.
• Things like losing drug courts, I think that's a big deal that we shouldn't take lightly.
• Things like losing drug courts, I think that's a big deal that we shouldn't take lightly.
• Chairman, now we're on page six: military compensation schedule.

Summary: The committee met in Joint Finance-Appropriations to review budget mechanics, the green sheet, and several budget-related bills and statewide decisions. Staff explained how the green sheet tracks FY 2027 impacts and reviewed bills including HB 503 (soil and water conservation consolidation savings), HB 556 (county jail per diem reimbursement increase), HB 559 (tax conformity with a large general fund impact), and HB 578. Members also discussed the 2026 Idaho Budget Rescissions Act, which would reduce FY 2026 appropriations under different scenarios, and the committee heard extensive debate over whether to use across-the-board reductions or more targeted cuts. After debate, the committee first adopted the substitute rescission motion for FY 2026, which set a 1% additional reduction above the governor’s recommendation, then approved a related motion transferring $22,366,500 from the Public School Income Fund to the General Fund. The committee then moved to statewide decisions and considered ongoing base reductions for selected state agencies. Three motions were offered: the governor’s recommendation, an additional 1% reduction, and an additional 2% reduction. After debate, the original governor’s recommendation passed on a 13-7 vote, while the 1% and 2% alternatives failed. The committee then turned to personnel benefit cost increases, including health insurance and other employer-paid benefits. Staff explained the different funding formulas and agency-specific fill-rate adjustments, and members raised concerns about the role of the Change in Employee Compensation process, salary savings, and whether the figures should be tied to future rather than current-year projections. Motions were offered for the DOGE working group recommendation and the governor’s FY 2027 recommendation for health insurance and variable rate changes, but the discussion was still ongoing when the transcript ended, with no final vote shown on those motions.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:42.639><c> No,</c> He wasn't scheduled for our list today, so I can pull the stuff together
• </c> judicial branch had been um scheduled judicial branch had been um scheduled for<00:56:01.280><c>
• But on the other hand, if you're going to delay something, there should be a schedule and you should
• and you should be paying every schedule and you should be paying every year,<01:06:31.119><c> right?
• </c> you're talking about alcohol and drugs you're talking about alcohol and drugs that<02:40:58.560>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee worked through several HB 2 budget amendments, focusing first on energy-related transfers and then on judicial funding. For the energy item, members discussed moving remaining money from the renewable energy fund into the general fund for the biennium, with later-year amounts going to the general fund rather than ratepayers. They noted the proposal was based on prior House Bill 111 language, that the exact amount was still being worked out with the Department of Energy, and that some language about “incentive payments” was being removed or clarified. Amendment 1211H was moved and adopted on a 5-4 vote. The committee then considered amendment 1040 on the governor’s scholarship fund, which would eliminate the program and sweep uncommitted funds. Members supporting the program argued it helps New Hampshire students afford in-state college and should be reworked rather than repealed; opponents said the remaining balance was limited and the program should be ended. Amendment 1040 was defeated 4-5. The committee then turned to a judicial council request tied to a Franklin Pierce criminal justice clinic that had previously used ARPA funds. Supporters said the clinic cleared 323 cases in nine months, provided training for future attorneys, and could reduce more expensive assigned-counsel costs by helping the public defender system handle cases more efficiently. The amendment would add $100,000 to the judicial council line for that purpose. There was some confusion over the line item and whether the request should be attributed to the judicial branch or judicial council, which was corrected during discussion. Members also discussed a larger issue: the judicial council’s budget request appeared lower than intended because of a possible clerical error in how prior-year funding was calculated, especially after the last budget combined HB 1 and HB 2 funding. The committee compared the public defender line and assigned counsel line, noting that if public defender funding is cut, more cases would shift to assigned counsel, which is more expensive. No final vote on the judicial council amendment is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• What types of drugs are being screened?
• They shouldn't have any drugs in their system.
• We know they shouldn't have any drugs in their system.
• a drug?
• Thank you. ...drug tests.

Committee: House Government

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> paid towards the GLP1 weight loss drug paid towards the GLP1 weight loss drug for<01:03:32.400><
• 26.960><c> to</c><01:30:27.199><c> discovery</c> scheduling order related to discovery scheduling order
• </c> hour clearly has some some scheduling hour clearly has some some scheduling things<01:50:30.080>
• </c><02:09:40.719><c> for</c> Provide a specific fee schedule for Provide a specific fee schedule for
• </c><02:10:00.000><c> and</c> reference the new fe fee schedule and reference the new fe fee schedule

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then recognized a staff member’s birthday and a guest shadowing Senator Adams. It then moved into informational review of Education and Labor Cabinet, Department of Education regulation 702 KAR 3:30, which sets insurance coverage requirements for school district buildings and structures. Department of Education officials explained that districts are expected to carry coverage at replacement cost and said they understand some districts participate in self-insurance pools with backup policies, but they deferred detailed insurance questions to the Department of Insurance. Senators raised concerns that pooled coverage could leave districts exposed if claims exceed pool limits, and the chair asked KDE to follow up with DOI to confirm districts are adequately covered, especially for bondholders. No vote was taken on the informational review. The committee then reviewed emergency ABC regulations 804 KAR 130:01 through 130:04 implementing Senate Bill 100’s new licensing requirements for tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product businesses. ABC and Public Protection Cabinet representatives outlined the emergency rules governing enforcement, license applications, denial criteria, and transitional licenses. Retail industry witnesses Shannon Stiglet and Brian Clark said they support licensure in principle but argued the rules add duplicative requirements borrowed from alcohol licensing, create confusion about transitional licenses, and may be too burdensome for the roughly 7,000 affected businesses to meet by the January 1 deadline. They also said guidance has been inconsistent and requested the agency revise the regulations, remove requirements not grounded in law, and provide clearer, separate processes for new and existing businesses. Committee members asked whether the industry had worked directly with ABC and noted the public comment period was still open. Witnesses said they had communicated with ABC and the Public Protection Cabinet, but responses had been uneven and they wanted written guidance. Members expressed concern about the short timeline and the need to avoid disruption so businesses can operate legally on January 1. Representative Marzian asked for clarification that the discussion concerned emergency regulations already in effect while ordinary regulations remain in process. No formal action was taken beyond receiving the informational testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's also the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act that deals with labeling and failure to warn.
• The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act deals with labeling and failure to warn.
• There's a line of case law that commercial speech with respect to drugs is protected, and that Commercial
• speech with respect to drugs is protected.
• , and many of these have already been reviewed as well and recommended by the CDC on the routine schedules

Bills: S0408 , S0986 , S0678 , S0800 , S1050 , S0484 , S1118

Committee: Senate Regulated Industries

Keywords: vaccine advertisement, manufacturer liability, harmful vaccine, healthcare, court action, smoking regulation, public health, vaping, marijuana, public places, Florida Statutes, alcohol distribution, tax deductions, extraordinary losses, warehouse breakage, regulatory compliance, veterinary, prescription, pharmacy, client rights

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries considered several bills and took final action on each. SB 986, by Senator Gruters and presented by Senator Rodriguez, would prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana in public places and in certain indoor spaces; restaurant and lodging representatives supported adding marijuana and vaping to clean indoor air rules but asked to preserve designated smoking areas on private property, while cannabis advocates warned the bill was overly broad and could affect patients and property rights. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 678, by Senator Mayfield, would restore statutory authority for DBPR to continue allowing alcohol distributors to deduct unsellable alcohol from monthly excise tax calculations; the committee adopted a strike-all amendment and reported the committee substitute favorably. SB 800, also by Senator Mayfield, increases penalties for repeated unlicensed engineering practice and creates an engineering student loan assistance program for engineers working for state agencies and water management districts; after adopting an amendment clarifying eligibility, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then heard SB 408, by Senator Grall, which would create a Florida cause of action against vaccine manufacturers that advertise in the state, allowing injured individuals to sue in Florida courts. Supporters argued the bill would rebuild public trust and hold manufacturers accountable, while opponents from the Florida Justice Reform Institute, American Tort Reform Association, BIO, the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, and several medical and business groups argued the field is largely preempted by federal law, that existing federal compensation programs already address vaccine injuries, and that the bill raises First Amendment and policy concerns. After debate focused on vaccine injury data, compensation rates, and liability, the committee voted SB 408 favorably. The committee also considered SB 484 and SB 1118, both by Senator Avila, dealing with data centers. SB 484 would preserve local planning authority, bar nondisclosure agreements that prevent disclosure of potential data center development, require the PSC to set large-load tariff requirements so data centers pay their own costs, and limit consumptive use permits for large-scale data centers absent no harm to water resources and compliance with local zoning; supporters emphasized ratepayer protection and economic development, while some witnesses urged flexibility for behind-the-meter projects and confidentiality in negotiations. The bill was reported favorably. SB 1118 would create a time-limited public records exemption for county or municipal information about data center siting and protect proprietary business information; Senator Pizzo raised concerns about how the exemption would affect disclosure of competing projects and local officials’ ability to speak, but the sponsor said he would work on clarifying the language. The committee also passed SB 1050, by Senator Calatayud, which requires veterinarians to provide pet owners with written prescriptions and information about pharmacy choice while preserving veterinary judgment and emergency dispensing authority. The meeting concluded after all bills were reported favorably and members recorded additional votes on prior items.

Transcript Highlights:

• This was an interesting bill, which is why I scheduled it for a public hearing, and I'm very interested
• the Secretary's designee, has general authority to issue a prescription or standing order for any drug
• Any drug or device to treat any non-infectious disease or threat to the public health.
• close to starting to be a health care expert, just to try to understand the seriousness of giving this drug
• happy to send you and Madam Chair an email with that information directly from a pamphlet and/or a drug

Bills: HB2246 , HB2360

Committee: House Education

Keywords: firearm violations, education, student discipline, school policies, safety measures, albuterol, asthma, inhaler, rescue inhaler, respiratory emergency, school nurse, student medication, self-administration, anaphylaxis, public schools, private schools, charter schools, tribal compact schools, K-12 health, medication policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Working together through our CalRx program, we launched our own generic drug label.
• By the way, it's just like we did with naloxone last year and other life-saving drugs.
• By the way, it's just like we did with naloxone last year and other life-saving drugs.
• of course it's not good enough, particularly for those living on the streets, self-medicating with drug
• Session schedules as follows: Friday, January 9th, no floor session, no check-in session.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> guy for the complex problem of drug guy for the complex problem of drug abuse.<04:04:37.960><c>
• </c> reduce transmissible diseases among drug reduce transmissible diseases among drug users, users,
• Speaker, if I know that drug Mr.
• </c> means by which these drugs are used. means by which these drugs are used.
• </c> and disease by those who use such drugs. and disease by those who use such drugs.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe there's scheduled to be another $14 million coming into it.
• of mental health and drug substance use disorder.
• They may be coming down from drugs. They may have a mental health issue.
• April 9th, we have a scheduled meeting with our host Lou Evagulitis.
• We have a class scheduled for April, and then we have a class scheduled for September, which will be

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held its sixth public hearing on the Governor’s H-2 budget proposal for fiscal year 2026, focused on public safety and judiciary agencies, at the Foxborough Community Center. After opening remarks and local welcomes, the committee heard first from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, led by Secretary Gina Kwan, who outlined a $1.72 billion budget, up $69.8 million from FY26. She said the proposal emphasizes core operations, readiness, and partnerships with municipalities, and highlighted work on firearms-law implementation, State Police reform, DOC reentry efforts, hate-crimes prevention, emergency response, and planning for major events including the World Cup. Members also raised concerns about DNA backlog reporting, State Police academy boxing and training standards, ICE communication, disaster relief funding, crime lab staffing, EMS placement, and diversity in public safety leadership. Several exchanges focused on specific operational issues. Secretary Kwan and her team said the State Police are tracking the influx of forensic work from local sheriffs, that the boxing program remains suspended pending an IACP review and likely will not return in its prior form, and that EOPS has no direct communication with ICE but supports law-enforcement coordination where appropriate. On disaster preparedness, officials said the new disaster relief fund is being developed with MEMA and A&F, currently capitalized at $14 million with another $14 million expected, though members urged a more permanent funding source. On the crime lab, staff said the roughly $4.5 million increase is intended to cover core operations and a structural funding gap rather than expand services. The secretary also said EOPS is not ready to absorb OEMS from DPH at this time, though she would keep an open mind. The committee then heard from district attorneys, led by Suffolk County DA Kevin Hayden, who said the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association is seeking a 10% increase in operating budgets, including about $16.7 million for staffing salaries, to recruit and retain prosecutors, advocates, and support staff. He said the request reflects rising workload and the need to keep the criminal justice system functioning efficiently and fairly. The hearing was recessed briefly after the district attorneys’ opening remarks, with additional testimony expected to continue afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe there's scheduled to be another $14 million coming into it.
• The FY27 scheduled COLA increases and lease and utility costs.
• The FY27 scheduled COLA increases and lease and utility costs.
• of mental health and drug substance use disorder.
• We have a class scheduled for April, and then we have a class scheduled for September, which will be

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held its sixth public hearing on the Governor’s FY27 H-2 budget proposal, focused on public safety and judiciary agencies, at the Foxborough Community Center. After opening remarks and local welcomes, the committee heard testimony from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), led by Secretary Gina Kwan, who described the $1.72 billion budget as a 4% increase over FY26 and emphasized readiness, local partnerships, and support for core operations rather than expansion. She highlighted ongoing work on firearms-law implementation, State Police academy reforms, DOC’s new strategic plan, disaster response, hate-crime prevention, and planning for major 2026 events including the World Cup, Marathon, and America’s 250th anniversary. Members also raised concerns about State Police capacity, DNA backlog reporting, academy boxing/training reforms after a trooper’s death, ICE coordination, diversity in public safety leadership, the disaster relief fund, crime lab funding, reentry programming, and whether OEMS should move from DPH to EOPSS; Kwan said she would keep an open mind on some issues but was not ready to commit to an OEMS transfer. The committee then questioned EOPSS officials and the State Police colonel on several operational matters. The colonel said the academy boxing program remains suspended and likely will not return in its prior form, pending an IACP review, and that future training will likely emphasize jujitsu-style control techniques. He also said the State Police uses the civil service exam, with current advancement scores ranging from 83.72 to 98.78 for the most recent class, and acknowledged the need to improve recruitment, preparation, and diversity. On the DNA and sexual assault kit backlog, EOPSS said it supports extending the statute of limitations and is working with the courts and crime lab to identify and collect lawfully owed DNA. On disaster preparedness, officials said the new disaster relief fund is being developed with MEMA and A&F, is currently capitalized at $14 million with another $14 million expected, and should be designed to respond flexibly to different regional needs. They also said the crime lab increase is largely to cover core operations and a structural deficiency rather than expansion. Several members focused on public safety coordination and staffing. Questions from legislators from Bristol, Plymouth, Cape Cod, and elsewhere stressed the need for State Police to absorb additional forensic work if county resources shift, and to maintain strong communication with local chiefs and federal partners. Rep. Holmes pressed EOPSS on racial and gender diversity in the department and State Police; Kwan and Colonel Noble said diversity has improved but will take time to show up in senior leadership, and they pointed to internships and hiring practices as ways to broaden the pipeline. The hearing also included discussion of the World Cup security plan, with Kwan saying planning has been underway for about 18 months through 14 working groups and that current staffing and overtime resources appear sufficient for now. After EOPSS concluded, the committee recessed briefly and then began testimony from district attorneys, led by Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden, who said prosecutors are seeking a 10% budget increase to address staffing and salary pressures, especially the widening pay gap between assistant district attorneys and newly hired public defenders after recent CPCS funding increases.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe there's scheduled to be another $14 million coming into it.
• of mental health and drug substance use disorder.
• They may be coming down from drugs. They may have a mental health issue.
• April 9th, we have a scheduled meeting with our host, Lou Evagulitis.
• We have a class scheduled for April, and then we have a class scheduled for September, which will be

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mooney, what was the original schedule for the construction process?
• just... management about it, and I'm just wondering where we are in relation to what was originally scheduled
• So, we will have to get a dedicated team to handle that on a scheduled basis.
• Handling that on a scheduled basis is also part of the Duke lawsuit regarding the locks at St.
• We have reported 45 drug seizures, 44 stolen vehicles, and 63 pursuits.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• also want to take a moment to give a special shout-out to a very important part of our team, our scheduler
• , thank you for your work and all you have done for our office in keeping us open, working, and scheduling
• First is a teacher time study looking closely at schedules, non-instructional duties, and professional
• Over the past decade, the cost of prescription drugs has significantly increased, placing a financial
• Bill 1098, relating to the disclosure by a pharmacy to a patient of certain price information for a drug

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, and adopted the previous day’s journal. Members then adopted Senate Resolution 358 honoring the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on its 10th anniversary, with remarks highlighting UTRGV’s growth, degree production, research expansion, medical school, and role in serving the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas. The chamber also recognized the doctor of the day and adopted additional resolutions, including one for Denton County Days at the Capitol and another recognizing Texas HBCU Day. The Senate gave extensive recognition to outgoing Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp through Senate Resolution 368. Senators from both parties praised his long public career, leadership of the A&M System, support for regional universities, and bipartisan approach. The resolution was adopted after multiple members added their names. The chamber also heard from advocates with the Texas Streets Coalition, and received gubernatorial nominations for the State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors and the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. On legislation, the Senate passed several major bills. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 27, relating to rights and support for public school educators, was debated and amended to address teacher vacancies, bilingual certification testing, paid leave options, classroom removals, and appeal rights, then passed unanimously. Senate Joint Resolution 12, proposing a constitutional amendment on parents’ right to direct a child’s education, advanced on a 22-9 vote. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1741, aimed at preventing foreign influence and intellectual property theft at public institutions of higher education, passed unanimously. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 29, the business entities bill, also passed after debate over corporate governance and shareholder protections. Senate Bill 857, authorizing law enforcement to tow certain vehicles driven by unlicensed or uninsured drivers, passed despite some concern about towing abuses during disasters. The Senate also took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1536 on dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain guardians, but the transcript ends as that bill is being laid out.

Transcript Highlights:

• Level 1 and 2 drug felonies include large-scale trafficking and manufacturing of drugs.
• , including large-scale trafficking and manufacturing of drugs.
• </c><02:29:50.160><c> felonies,</c> and two drug felonies, and two drug felonies, including<02:29:52.240
• I don't see the manufacturing of drugs.
• Uh that is mechanism uh drug felony 1.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, due to the number of groups scheduled to be recognized tomorrow, we will convene tomorrow at 9 a.m
• . to ensure we can complete our business before the state of the judiciary address scheduled for 11:30
• And the second announcement is we've just sent a schedule of classes on workforce training to each of
• It lasts for just over an hour and the schedule is in an email that you are receiving right now.
• is important because prior to 2015, if you're, if you were diagnosed with, with a disease, And the drug

Transcript Highlights:

• that you may want to pay attention to about the work schedule.
• Due to the number of groups scheduled to be recognized. tomorrow, we will convene tomorrow at 9 a.m.
• to ensure we can complete our business before. or the state of the judiciary address scheduled for 1130
• It lasts for just over an hour. and the schedule is in an email that you are receiving right now.
• The right to try is important because prior to 2015, if you were diagnosed. disease and the drug your

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My administrative had already decided that hybrid in-office work from home schedules is in the best interest
• They've been working this schedule for the last five years. So if you're weighing the options.
• Yes, I work a hybrid schedule, yeah.
• it is an imminent reality that touches national security, advanced manufacturing... manufacturing, drug
• antibiotics like penicillin, which remains intractable. for the classical computers, would speed up drug

Bills: HB3146 , HB3719 , HB3895 , HB3923 , HB4748 , HB4751 , HB4936 , HB4952 , HB4990 , HB4991 , HB5061 , HB5196 , HB5238 , HB5246 , HB5487

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Keywords: State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, administrative hearings, contested case, contested case hearing, administrative law judge, ALJ, final decision, proposed decision, agency hearing, hearing continuance, rescheduling, Texas administrative law, Government Code Chapter 2001, workers' compensation, Department of Human Resources, Texas Labor Code, Transportation Code, Agriculture Code, Insurance Code

Transcript Highlights:

• become a devastating crisis in Florida, fueling a surge in overdoses and making it one of the deadliest drug
• become a devastating crisis in Florida, fueling a surge in overdoses and making it one of the deadliest drug
• We'd love to see managing staffing more effectively, scheduling return calls during lower-demand periods
• dollars were meant to fund and support maybe one performance at a theater over the course of their schedule
• , then... ...over the course of their schedule, then it's my understanding that this criteria would apply

Committee: Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met with a quorum present and took up a full agenda of bills, many involving public records exemptions and government operations. Several measures were reported favorably, including SB 342 on an Agency for Health Care Administration public records exemption for employees facing threats; SB 7018 preserving a public records exemption tied to parental consent/judicial bypass records for minors seeking abortions; SB 626 lowering quorum requirements and allowing remote participation for the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys; SB 710 protecting personal information of Crime Stoppers employees, board members, volunteers, and their families; SB 300 extending clerk personal-information protections to appellate court clerks; and SB 302 creating a similar exemption for Judicial Qualifications Commission employees. The committee also approved SB 7010 and SB 7008, which preserve and narrow public records exemptions related to the Department of Financial Services as receiver for insolvent insurers and the financial technology sandbox, respectively. The committee also heard and advanced several policy bills. SB 820 codifies the Office of Faith and Community in the Executive Office of the Governor; Senator Polsky questioned whether the office was duplicative of existing services and raised concerns about religion in state governance, while supporters argued it complements existing networks and helps connect Floridians to services. SB 1144 codifies the Hope Florida program, with supporters describing it as a connector to community resources and critics again raising concerns about overlap, private donations, and accountability; both SB 820 and SB 1144 passed on largely party-line votes with Senator Polsky voting no. SB 804 would redesignate the SS American Victory as the state flagship, but Senator Rodriguez opposed giving up the current flagship designation for the Key West schooner, though the bill still passed favorably. SB 214 designates August 21 as Fentanyl Awareness and Education Day and passed without opposition. SB 1088 requires certain state customer-service phone lines to offer callback features, and SB 576 makes technical fixes to service-of-process law; both were reported favorably. Additional bills included SB 1524, a broad Department of State measure with a strike-all amendment that revises grant-review procedures, adds an America 250 funding focus, and changes commission-fee and oath requirements; Senator Arrington and Senator Polsky expressed concerns about reviewer qualifications, grant criteria, and the impact on arts and cultural programs, and both voted no while the bill still passed. SB 1640, on confidentiality of lethality assessment forms in domestic violence cases, was amended to allow disclosure to domestic violence centers while barring disclosure to state attorneys, and it passed favorably. SB 1160 expands health insurance premium benefits for certain officers catastrophically injured or killed in the line of duty; supporters from the Fraternal Order of Police appeared in support, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee also confirmed eight appointments to the Florida Commission on Community Service, the Investment Advisory Council, the Public Employees Relations Commission, and the State Retirement Commission. At the end of the meeting, senators requested to be recorded on specific bills, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Multiple other states have already taken action against this substance, from placing it on a schedule
• Substance from placing it on a schedule to restricting its sale.
• make sure that we are reducing the public health risks that come with distribution of this particular drug
• mental health services provided through the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative fee schedule

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on January 13, 2026, and heard several two-year bills, with AB 634 (Gonzalez) and AB 298 (Bonta) receiving the most discussion. The chair also announced consent items AB 96 (Jackson), AB 1126 (Patterson), and AB 1366 (Flora), all with motions to do pass to Appropriations. Committee procedures, witness limits, and conduct rules were reviewed at the start of the hearing. AB 634 would prohibit the manufacture, distribution, or sale of tianeptine in California. Assembly Member Gonzalez described the drug as a dangerous substance sold in retail settings and said the bill had been amended to shift penalties from criminal to civil, narrow its scope so employees without authority over sales would not be targeted, allow cost recovery, and avoid a Commerce Clause issue. The California Narcotic Officers Association supported the bill, and there was no recorded opposition. The committee voted the bill out on a do pass to Judiciary motion. AB 298 would eliminate out-of-pocket costs for children’s health care services in large group commercial plans. Bonta argued that deductibles, copays, and coinsurance deter care and create financial strain for families, while noting the bill would not change provider reimbursement and that he would pursue cost-saving amendments in Appropriations, especially for CalPERS. Support came from Health Access California, Family Voices of California, and several medical and pediatric organizations, while the Chamber of Commerce and health plan groups opposed it, warning of premium increases and possible employer shifts to self-insured coverage. The committee advanced the bill on a do pass to Appropriations vote, and the chair later noted the bill was on call before final add-on votes were completed. The consent calendar items were also approved, and the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• she might not have taken those drugs and the<01:41:08.639><c> baby</c><01:41:08.880><c> would</c><01
• All bill assignments will be up by the end of the week, so please be attentive to scheduling as it is
• </c><01:50:29.360><c> as</c> please be attentive uh to scheduling as please be attentive uh to scheduling
• </c><01:50:41.040><c> Uh</c> to schedule for the month of January.
• Uh to schedule for the month of January.

Keywords: 1189, house, all