Transcript Highlights:

• Is there protection for the pharmacist? ご覧いただきありがとうございます。
• Uh-huh, for the pharmacist, etc. Okay.
• Yeah, pharmacists are required to. when it's over the counter.
• expected the pharmacist to fulfill that prescription. So.
• Yeah, I'm hesitant to speak for the pharmacist.

Bills: HB5141, HB4638, HB2264, HB2035, HB4813, HB4408, HB2684, HB1621, HB2300, HB216, HB3829, HB4466, HB1747, HB2284, HB3614, HB2587, HB3219, HB3318, HB5147, HB4014, HB216

Keywords: lease, state property, public purpose, Travis County, Health and Human Services, pharmaceutical initiative, drug distribution, healthcare services, generic drugs, advanced pharmaceuticals, cost savings, mental health, patient discharge, medical records, health care professionals, substance use, family involvement, chemical dependency, treatment facilities, minor admissions

Transcript Highlights:

• Under Medicaid, we have a team of pharmacists and physicians who set the preferred drug list, and we
• And under that bill, we allowed a physician or an osteopathic physician to collaborate with a pharmacist
• These are conditions that were agreed to as appropriate for a pharmacist, in collaboration with a physician
• David Allen, with the Florida Society of Health System Pharmacists, is in opposition.
• These conditions were deemed to be simple enough to allow pharmacists, in collaboration with physicians

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health Policy met with a quorum and heard five bills. SB 126, on prescription hearing aids, would remove Florida’s prohibition on mailing hearing aids when required tele-audiology testing and procedures are completed before sale. The sponsor said the bill would improve access, especially for people with travel or geographic barriers. The Florida Academy of Audiologists expressed support in concept but said it was still working with the sponsor on an amendment for consumer safety. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 152 would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies using smoke evacuation systems during certain surgical procedures. Supporters, including the Florida Nurses Association and several nurses, described surgical smoke as a workplace and patient safety hazard containing harmful chemicals, viruses, bacteria, and other contaminants, and said evacuation technology is available and already required in some settings. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 264 would expand step-therapy exemptions for severe mental illness, including certain postpartum and pregnancy-related mental health conditions, so physicians would not have to require patients to fail preferred drugs in specified circumstances. Support came from Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, NAMI Florida, and several medical and pharmacy groups, who argued that delays in effective treatment can worsen crises and increase hospital and crisis-care costs. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 342 would create a public-records exemption for current and former AHCA employees and certain family information, citing threats and harassment directed at inspectors and regulators. President Gaetz said he generally opposes such exemptions but supported this one because the employees are not elected officials and face real safety risks. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 294 would limit the Board of Pharmacy’s ability to add heart failure, coronary heart disease, and cardiac rhythm disorders to the list of chronic conditions eligible for collaborative pharmacy practice, keeping those conditions under direct physician management. The Florida Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons, Florida Medical Association, and the Florida chapter of the American College of Cardiology supported the bill, while the Florida Society of Health System Pharmacists opposed it. The committee voted the bill favorably. Senator Trumbull asked to be recorded in support of SB 126 and SB 152, and the meeting adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• owner of an and only pharmacist owner of an and only pharmacist um<01:31:44.880> experienced<
• :07.120> are pharmacists, including myself, are pharmacists, including myself, are working<01:
• the pharmacists as well as Senator Mann. the pharmacists as well as Senator Mann.
• They're pharmacists.
• pharmacists don't gain much. pharmacists don't gain much.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They came from pharmacists. There was a coroner that actually came after me seriously.
• I'm a pharmacist from Gilmer.
• I'm a pharmacist from Keller.
• It's unfair to the pharmacist every time, and the patients actually.
• I'm a pharmacist from Longview, Texas.

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

Keywords: healthcare, cost disclosure, transparency, administrative penalties, health facility compliance, COVID-19, off-label use, prescription drugs, patient access, medical standards, insurance, physician ranking, incentives, fiduciary duty, health plan issuers, SB 1137, group home, assisted living, residential care, board and care

Transcript Highlights:

• I am also the pharmacist for our critical access hospital.
• In rural areas, it is hard to get pharmacists, and so I am able to be the pharmacist for the hospital
• Texas pharmacists remain more limited in the services we are authorized to provide compared to pharmacists
• And not, look, we love partnering with independent pharmacists. We do.
• And not, look, we love partnering with independent pharmacists. We do.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There isn't another additional section, which was flagged by the pharmacist because there was some confusion
• On Section 8, it says a pharmacist may dispense epinephrine auto-injectors and epinephrine nasal spray
• because there was some the pharmacist because there was some confusion<00:03:17.480> around<00
• <00:03:24.640> May<00:03:24.959> dispense adds a pharmacist May dispense adds a pharmacist
• The section added in on behalf of the pharmacist was to make it absolutely clear.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So in 2021, the legislature passed House Bill 632 known as Kevin's Law, granting pharmacists the right
• This means that pharmacists who gave out more than 30-day supplies to patients whose lives may be at
• House Bill 632 allows pharmacists to provide a supply of insulin that exceeds Senator Sparks: 30 days
• Yeah, it allows the pharmacist to provide a supply of insulin that exceeds 30 days if that is the size
• I'm an independent pharmacist with Terrytown Pharmacy here in Austin.

Bills: HB50

Keywords: constitutional amendment, ballot language, fiscal note, fiscal impact, cost estimate, savings estimate, Legislative Budget Board, LBB, secretary of state, Election Code, Government Code, voter information, ballot proposition, state budget, election administration, Texas

Transcript Highlights:

• However, House Bill 711 does not apply to pharmacists because the definition of providers.
• Does not include pharmacists or pharmacies under Texas Insurance Code 1458.
• I'm a pharmacist at Carval Hall Pharmacy in San Antonio.
• Like many of my colleagues, I became a pharmacist because I have a deep passion for helping people.
• Everyday pharmacists stand on the front lines.

Transcript Highlights:

• to pharmacists.
• <02:18:36.960> scope coverage for registered pharmacist scope coverage for registered pharmacist
• <02:18:41.359> Uh to pharmacists. Uh to pharmacists.
• It's relating to pharmacists. Yeah.
• It's relating to pharmacist. covered. It's relating to pharmacist.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These costs shall not be assigned to plans, members, pharmacies, or pharmacists. Yes, sir.
• I don't know that that existing statutory language has that same... ...or the pharmacist, I don't know
• The Department of Insurance recently imposed a $9 dispensing fee for those same pharmacists, so moving
• I haven't seen any PBMs going underwater, but I have seen independent pharmacists struggling.
• The actual data that I have seen from pharmacists who've shown me their reimbursement rates that are

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with eight members present and deferred HB 127. It then considered a series of bills, most of which were reported favorably without opposition. HB 22 revised COLA rules for the clerks of court retirement system, allowing more frequent COLAs when the system is better funded; HB 324 made judicial stipends permanent and added future COLAs subject to available funding; HB 233 increased jury mileage reimbursement; HB 47 reorganized assessor retirement COLA statutes; HB 533 allowed St. Tammany Parish to transfer unused witness-fee account balances to the 22nd Judicial District Court; HB 980 adjusted eligibility for the Firemen’s Supplemental Pay Board; HCR 45 urged Congress to clarify ARPA deadlines for water projects; HB 559 increased court costs in the 4th Judicial District; HB 290 recreated the Department of Treasury and related entities in statute; and HB 382 addressed Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget review authority over Group Benefits plans. The committee also reported HB 1157 favorably, creating a financing bank mechanism for infrastructure projects, and HB 575 favorably, giving youth aging out of foster care preferred access to surplus state vehicles through the Louisiana Property Assistance Agency. Several measures drew more discussion. HB 1236, dealing with pharmacy benefit managers and professional dispensing fees, prompted extensive testimony from the sponsor, the Legislative Fiscal Office, the Department of Insurance, independent pharmacies, and PBM representatives. Supporters said it clarifies and strengthens enforcement of existing PBM law and protects independent pharmacies; opponents argued the bill’s requirement that PBMs bear dispensing-fee costs would be difficult to implement and could raise premiums. The sponsor said he would work on amendments, including clarifying language and a delayed effective date, and the bill was nevertheless moved favorably. SB 25, on registrar of voters compensation, was amended to a revised pay structure and then reported favorably. HB 47 and HB 533 were also presented as funding and administrative cleanups for retirement and court-related accounts, with local support noted. The committee also heard HB 233 on jury duty mileage reimbursement, which the sponsor said updates a 1961 rate and would be funded locally at an estimated average increase of about $4,000 per judicial district. HB 324 on judicial salaries was described as self-funded by the judiciary and subject to available funding, with no budget impact. HB 575 on foster youth transportation was presented as a non-appropriation measure aimed at helping youth aging out of foster care by giving them preferred access to surplus vehicles. HB 382, which concerns the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget’s role in approving Group Benefits plans, was reported favorably with little discussion. The meeting ended after a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Jessica Arip Erit and I'm a pharmacist Jessica Arip Erit and I'm a pharmacist and<00:47:37.839><
• c><00:53:22.319> in Minnesota independent pharmacists in Minnesota independent pharmacists in
• The pharmacists care about it.
• Pharmacists are problem up as well.
• financially working for our pharmacists. financially working for our pharmacists.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 38, an act relating to reimbursements for pharmacist services. Senator Richardson.
• act relating to ... an act relating to reimbursements for an act relating to reimbursements for pharmacist
• <00:06:00.880> pharmacist<00:06:01.759> services.
• <00:06:02.880> Senator pharmacist pharmacist services.
• Senator pharmacist pharmacist services.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then completed the roll call and confirmed a quorum. The journal from Tuesday, January 6, 2026, was approved without objection. No committee reports or floor amendments were presented. Members introduced a series of new measures, including bills on parentage fraud, a state dog breed designation, pharmacist reimbursement, fishing in privately owned lakes and ponds, public library district boards, ad valorem tax rates, energy planning, Kentucky Fire Commission appropriations and an emergency clause, agritourism, school transportation and an emergency clause, end-of-line-of-duty death benefits, mandatory re-entry supervision, battery stewardship, and a joint resolution declaring Kentucky a “food is medicine” state. Several memorial resolutions were also introduced honoring Leonard Len Marian Spalding Jr., Dixie P. Hibbs, and Brian J. Hat. During announcements, senators noted evening receptions at Government Strategies and Top Shelf, and reminded members about workplace harassment training the next day followed by a bipartisan lunch. Co-sponsorship requests were approved without objection for Senate Resolution 7 and Senate Bills 21, 17, and 22. The Senate then adjourned without objection until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026, after a final announcement about the Governor’s State of the Commonwealth address.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have Clinicians hardly anymore in rural areas, but we do have pharmacists.
• Pharmacists often are the clinician in the rural area With competency training by UNM, they then have
• So what about the A question regarding training requirements for those pharmacists and a corollary.
• There are many clinical pharmacists. I mean, they train. They do a lot of training at UNM.
• Senator, could you compare, for example, the liability premiums position with that of a pharmacist?

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to pharmacist first up dcca<00:55:36.960> providing Comments.
• in support; Hawaiʻi Pharmacists Association in support.
• Cory Sanders, director of the Hawaiʻi Pharmacists Association.
• National Community Pharmacists Association also in support.
• PA or aprn's Physicians and pharmacists PA or aprn's Physicians and pharmacists to<01:16:32.639>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills related to cesspools, Red Hill cleanup, water testing, environmental governance, and beverage container recycling. For SB 472, SB 501, SB 675, and SB 958 on cesspools, most testimony supported accelerating cesspool conversion and expanding Department of Health capacity, though the Attorney General flagged a single-subject issue on SB 472 and the Department of Health and others raised concerns about funding, program structure, and coordination. Supporters emphasized cesspools as a major water pollution source and urged earlier deadlines, while some testimony questioned the tax credit approach and asked for clearer grant and staffing language. For SB 639 on underground storage tanks and Red Hill cleanup, the Department of Health asked for clearer cleanup standards and noted limits on laboratory detection and sampling, while supporters argued the bill would create a binding legal standard for remediation and help prevent reopening of the facility. Testimony also stressed the need to remove all contamination to the extent practicable and protect aquifers and drinking water. SB 664 on water quality testing drew strong support from residents and water advocates, but the Department of Health warned the measure could duplicate existing authority and create significant cost; the Board of Water Supply supported the concept while noting it would expand responsibilities into private-property testing. SB 674 on environmental advisory council and waste reduction received mixed testimony: supporters said it would help address landfill siting and protect water resources, while industry groups requested changes to advisory council membership and exemptions for certain products, and one witness opposed the measure. For SB 1067 on deposit beverage container recycling, the Attorney General said the grant language may be constitutionally problematic because it lacks standards, while industry testimony both supported the recycling goals and asked for amendments, including broader representation on the advisory council and clearer treatment of compostable and packaging-related issues. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• the availability of pharmacist services and what pharmacists can do as a way of addressing the care
• program, which is your pharmacist program that expanded the scope of practice to allow pharmacists to
• I think there are 200 plus clinical pharmacists.
• is that you can more actively engage pharmacists in polypharmacy.
• Yeah, Davina, I know you're a pharmacist. We'd love to hear from you.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that bill obviously expands the list of tests that licensed pharmacists are able to perform.
• Thank you. pharmacist to order and administer certain tests and to amend part C of chapter 57 of the
• laws of 2022 amending the public health law and the education law relating to allowing pharmacists to
• Thank you so much so that bill obviously expands a list of license the test that licensed pharmacists
• are able to perform. license the test, the licensed pharmacists are able to perform.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Health Committee met to consider a series of bills, many of them repeat proposals from prior sessions. Early measures included S.11 on disclosure for non-invasive prenatal screening, S.92 allowing redaction of certain physician names from birth certificates, S.135 creating practical support grants for abortion care, S.428A requiring chain restaurants to label high-sodium menu items, S.555 prohibiting visual images of people undergoing medical treatment without consent, and S.1614A establishing presumptive Medicaid eligibility for people leaving incarceration. The committee also advanced S.1438A to create an abortion clinical training program, S.1468 on access to medical records and limiting copy charges to actual cost, S.1619 expanding pharmacists’ authority to order and administer certain tests, and S.1714 banning the use of “excited delirium” as a diagnosis or cause of death. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on S.1633A, which would add protections for sensitive health information and allow patients to restrict disclosure of specified categories of data. One senator argued the bill could hinder care by limiting access to complete records, especially in emergencies, while supporters said the measure was needed to protect patients and providers from legal action by other states or the federal government, particularly in reproductive health cases. Staff clarified that the bill would allow segregation of specific sensitive data rather than locking an entire record. The committee also discussed S.1913, a 340B prescription drug anti-discrimination bill; supporters said it would protect safety-net providers and federally qualified health centers from pharmaceutical company practices, while one senator raised concerns about broad state intervention in a federal program. Additional bills advanced included S.5981 establishing a comprehensive sexual and reproductive health program, S.6178 directing a sickle cell disparity study, S.7457 permitting cremation or natural organic reduction for certain unclaimed decedents, S.7541 moving up reporting timelines for licensed home care services agencies, and S.8257A directing an alternative payment methodology for federally qualified health centers to support fertility care. Most bills were moved by committee vote, generally with some opposition or without recommendation, and were referred to first reading, rules, or finance as appropriate.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I absolutely support the idea of pharmacists being able to be compensated perhaps based on a federally
• subsidiary of one of these PBMs, that they have to be able to match that amount for independent pharmacists
• subsidiary of one of these PBMs, that they have to be able to match that amount for independent pharmacists
• So, trying to be able to set up systems where there's parity or equity for independent pharmacists with
• I have been doing business with a local pharmacist in rural Oklahoma for over 40 years.

Bills: SB1673, SB1500, SB1447, SB1646, SB2007, SB1275, SB2074

Keywords: prosthetics, health insurance, medical necessity, patient rights, insurance liability, pharmacy benefits manager, healthcare providers, claims processing, reimbursement, insurance regulation, employees insurance, contract awarding, certifications, state procurement, insurance plan, mental health, substance use disorders, utilization review, benefit coverage, pharmacy

Transcript Highlights:

• And or single pharmacist models, increasing the risk of delays or errors.
• Pharmacists complete a doctorate degree after at least six years of education.
• Now, every pharmacist that graduates has a doctorate degree.
• She said, 'Well, Paula, you have a clinic, you have a pharmacist.
• Texas has already invested in educating us pharmacists.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the legislative director and a practicing pharmacist.
• > are We believe that pharmacists are We believe that pharmacists are positioned<00:51:35.520>
• If your state allows pharmacists to provide those services.
• If your state allows pharmacists to provide those services.
• what a pharmacist can provide. what a pharmacist can provide.

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The committee opened by explaining it would work through a long list of interim topics one at a time and asked members to complete a selection form at the end. The first topic, long-term care, drew testimony from AARP Wyoming and the Wyoming Long-Term Care Association. AARP emphasized Wyoming’s aging population, the state’s roughly $200 million annual Medicaid spending on long-term care, and the need to examine whether more support for home-based care could reduce nursing home use and costs. The association agreed with supporting people at home as long as possible, but asked that any study also consider increased support for nursing homes and assisted living when home care is no longer feasible. Committee discussion also touched on adult day care and PACE-like services, with Mr. Laycock noting prior Department of Health discussion and limited adult day availability due to reimbursement concerns. The committee then heard proposals for neonatal intensive care unit family leave, expanded midwifery scope, and a modification to workers’ compensation law. The NICU leave idea, presented by the Wyoming Women’s Foundation, would explore leave options for families with premature infants in intensive care, potentially paid or unpaid, while considering business size and the burden on families who may need out-of-state care. The midwifery topic was framed as a way to address rural maternity and women’s health gaps by allowing midwives to practice to the full extent of their training. On workers’ compensation, the Wyoming Association of Municipalities sought to classify dispatch personnel as first responders so they could receive mental health coverage under workers’ compensation; the Department of Workforce Services explained that current law covers dispatchers under workers’ compensation generally, but the first responder mental health provision added in 2018 applies to law enforcement and firefighters and does not currently include dispatchers. Other topics included problematic gaming and program funding, breast cancer diagnostic and supplemental exams, prescription drug coverage for advanced metastatic cancer, SNAP education, behavioral health workforce clinical training site shortages, CPR in schools, and broader midwifery oversight. The behavioral health workforce proposal, brought by a WICHE commissioner, focused on increasing psychology internship slots in Wyoming, noting that the state currently has only three and that expanding placements could improve recruitment and retention. The CPR in schools topic drew strong support from the American Heart Association, which argued that CPR training in high school could improve bystander response in a rural state with long EMS response times; committee members asked about cost and curriculum fit, and the witnesses said hands-only CPR could be taught by school staff rather than requiring expensive certification. The midwifery discussion later broadened into concerns about oversight and standards after a representative described a constituent’s pregnancy loss and said complaints involving midwifery practice and staffing delays in investigations warranted a deeper review. No votes were taken during the portion provided, and most topics were simply introduced, discussed, and left open for further testimony or later committee selection.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is just a startup uh pharmacists.
• So, it's licensing fees for pharmacists.
• <01:26:56.960> are especially now that pharmacists are especially now that pharmacists are
• Um, Hawaii Pharmacist >> Thank you.
• Corey Sanders, executive director of the Hawaii Pharmacist Association.

Bills: HB1183, HB1656, HB1658, HB1661, HB1663, HB1664, HB1859, HB2116, HB2271, HB2276, HB2335, HB2360, HB2387, HB2472, HB1805, HB2469, HB1815, HB1860, HB2117, HB2118, HB2437, HB2438, HB2604, HB1590, HB2156, HB2268

Keywords: retirement, pension, law enforcement, public safety, Hawaii Revised Statutes, indebtedness, salary recovery, employee compensation, deductions, financial management, collective bargaining, employee relations, impasse procedures, arbitration, public employment, HB1661, cafeteria plan, Section 125, Internal Revenue Code, flexible spending account