Transcript Highlights:

• These include pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, interns, manufacturers, wholesalers, third-party logistics
• surveyor position for this pharmacist surveyor position for this part<00:37:09.680> the<00:37
• and hiring a non-clinical pharmacist and hiring a non-clinical investigator<00:38:13.319> would
• It serves as a clinical tool for prescribers and pharmacists to consult when considering prescribing
• <01:39:20.040> controls increased Staffing for internal controls increased Staffing for internal

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met on January 28, 2025, to review Governor’s budget proposals for several health-related licensing boards. The chair said no formal action would be taken and noted that final budget language was not yet available. The committee began with an overview from Bridget Anderson of the health-related licensing boards, who explained that the boards are fee-funded, operate as independent executive agencies, and handle licensing, complaints, rulemaking, and disciplinary matters. She also noted that the Board of Dentistry’s budget includes the Administrative Services Unit and criminal background check program, which can make the budget graphs appear larger than the dentistry board’s own operations. The Board of Dentistry requested funding for a new administrative staff position, estimating about $100,000 in salary, insurance, and fringe costs, to replace support lost when an administrative position was reclassified. Anderson said the board handled more than 300 complaints last year, with cases becoming more complex, especially involving surgical and implant procedures and imaging. Members asked about dental Medicaid access, but Anderson said that issue would be better directed to DHS’s Medicaid oral health division. The Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy requested a full-time position due to rapid growth in the number of regulated professionals, from about 4,000 in 2014 to nearly 10,000 now, and also sought authority to set a fee for out-of-state applicants under the Counseling Compact, with a cap of up to $100 though the board expects to charge much less. The Board of Podiatric Medicine asked to raise its fee ceiling, saying fees had not been increased since 1999 and that the board now faces a structural deficit of about $40,000 per year and declining reserves. Several senators expressed concern about “not-to-exceed” fee authority, calling it too open-ended and suggesting the legislature should scrutinize specific fee needs rather than approve broad ceilings. Similar concerns were raised during the Board of Chiropractic Examiners presentation, where the board sought $100,000 in additional spending authority and a fee increase after 32 years without an adjustment; members questioned the proposed ceiling approach and asked for more historical information before deciding. The Board of Dietetics and Nutrition Practice also discussed fee-setting authority, with the executive director explaining that the board had previously lowered fees without clear authority and later faced audit questions; she requested funding for a vacant administrative position, saying applications and revenues have increased sharply and no fee increase would be needed. The final presentation began with the Board of Pharmacy, which said it serves more than 26,000 licensees and oversees the Prescription Monitoring Program and opioid product registration. The board requested an extension of previously appropriated general fund dollars through fiscal year 2027 to continue paying legal costs tied to the insulin safety net lawsuit, emphasizing that this was not a new funding request but an extension of existing authority. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Clint Hopkins, pharmacist owner of Pucci's Pharmacy, independently owned in Sacramento since 1930.
• Michelle Revis, California Pharmacists Association, in support.
• Michelle Rivas, California Pharmacists Association, co-sponsor in support.
• I mean, my heart goes out to the independent pharmacist.
• be used as a tool, but I can't speak for each and every one of our internal procedures.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with SB 41 by Senator Wiener, which would regulate pharmacy benefit managers by increasing transparency, banning patient steering and spread pricing, and requiring full pass-through of rebates. Supporters, including independent pharmacists and health advocates, said PBM practices are driving up drug costs and closing neighborhood pharmacies. Opponents from PBM and health plan groups argued the bill overlaps with recently enacted licensing and reporting requirements, would not lower consumer prices, and may be preempted by ERISA. Members discussed confidentiality issues, consumer savings, and the relationship between SB 41 and the new budget trailer bill; the author asked for an aye vote. The committee then took up SB 378, also by Senator Wiener, aimed at online marketplaces that advertise illegal intoxicating hemp and unlicensed cannabis products. Supporters from labor, public health, and the licensed cannabis industry said online sales are undermining regulated businesses and exposing children to unsafe products. Opponents from tech and hemp industry groups warned the bill is overbroad, could sweep in general-purpose platforms and lawful hemp wellness products, and raises Dormant Commerce Clause and First Amendment concerns. The author said he would narrow the bill, remove industrial hemp references, and address strict liability and standing issues; members largely focused on how to target illegal products without capturing lawful marketplaces. SB 243 by Senator Padilla addressed AI companion chatbots, with supporters including Common Sense Media and transparency advocates warning that these systems can be addictive, manipulative, and dangerous for minors and vulnerable users, citing studies and the death of a Florida teenager. The bill would require disclosures, anti-addiction design limits, self-harm protocols, audits, reporting, and a private right of action. Tech and business groups opposed the measure as overly broad and said its definitions could sweep in general-purpose AI tools; several members supported the goal but questioned the breadth of the definitions and the private right of action. Finally, SB 522 by Senator Wahab would extend just-cause eviction protections to rental units that were previously covered by the Tenant Protection Act but were destroyed in disasters and later rebuilt. Supporters, including Los Angeles city officials and tenant advocates, said the bill would help keep displaced renters housed after wildfires and other disasters. Apartment and realtor groups opposed it, arguing it would remove a key exemption needed to finance rebuilding and could discourage post-disaster reconstruction. Members expressed support for tenant protections in disaster areas, and the author asked for an aye vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• When we look at international comparisons of how much we in the United States spend on health care on
• I would second that and also add that to your point about international comparisons.
• It's also causing the local independent pharmacist to have to sell out because they can't even.
• Independent pharmacists have to sell out because they can't...
• ; maybe we've got a pharmacist in the room, but they are They are able to, and I'm not a pharmacist;

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1794 allows internal nutrition formula to be shipped directly to the homes of patients who depend
• management for residents in long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities, and patients needing internal
• Until now, shipment of internal nutrition directly to patients' homes has provided a lifeline for medically
• amendments in the Business and Professions Committee to address some of the concerns expressed by the Pharmacists
• Association, and we will continue working with them to ensure that a licensed pharmacist provides oversight

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My practice is in internal medicine.
• I was a pharmacist for 10 years at the University of Texas, when you didn't have to say where it was,
• I've been a licensed pharmacist for over 20 years.
• I'm a pharmacist from Lakeway, Texas.
• So, question for you: you heard the pharmacist come up here and say we're against it.

Bills: HB46, HB35, HB4490, HB4454, HB2188, HB3078, HB4743, HB2556, HB46, HB5342, HB4783, HB3785, HB5278, HB1639, HB2581, HB4224, HB4070, HB4099, HB4882, HB3794

Keywords: local government spending cap, expenditure limit, political subdivision, property tax, ad valorem tax, budget cap, taxpayer protection, spending restraint, inflation adjustment, population growth, voter approval, supermajority vote, county budget, municipal budget, school district finance, junior college district, hospital district, special district, attorney general enforcement, local fiscal limits

Transcript Highlights:

• up to 54% of physicians, 68% of nurses, 60% of medical students and residents, and 61% to 75% of pharmacists
• exhaustion, depersonalization, and a low sense of personal accomplishment at work. 61% to 75% of pharmacists
• us, we have people help us with our campaigns, and when we're running for office, and I've had GCU interns
• Instead, the wounds caused damage to his liver and other internal organs and allowed his heart to keep

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:41:51.679> operating plans to use its internal operating plans to use its internal operating
• pharmacist pharmacist because<02:07:28.480> as<02:07:29.679> people<02:07:30.000> have
• <02:07:34.639> in effort and so having a pharmacist in effort and so having a pharmacist in
• out and how can we staff it internally? out and how can we staff it internally?
• <02:14:04.079> So anything that we have internally. So anything that we have internally.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pharmacists may not enter into a contract that prevents them from directly communicating with the plan
• The bill also provides for an internal DFPS review while the hearing is pending.
• Success, I think today we have our internal review process.
• It's self-internal to pull people. Yes. There's not a mechanism for that at this point.
• Okay, who's going to UT San Antonio as an intern from UT?

Bills: SB397, SB481, SB596, SB760, SB855, SB1195, SB1196, SB1233, SB1257, SB1318, SB1368, SB1388, SB1398, SB1524, SB1558, SB1589, SB1677, SB1792, SB2034

Keywords: SB 397, telemedicine, telehealth, teledentistry, remote care, virtual care, consent documentation, patient consent, data collection, data sharing, audio-only telehealth, in-person examination, irreversible medical procedure, health professional regulation, Occupations Code, Texas Health and Human Services, medical records, provider compliance, data privacy, consumer rights

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Sidney Baker, and I'm testifying on behalf of Buckner International in favor of House Bill
• The international does it, the state association.
• I'm a pharmacist with Amazon Pharmacy here in Austin, and I'm testifying on behalf of Amazon Pharmacy
• We have a team of pharmacists available 24/7 to answer any clinical questions.
• Obviously, I am for pharmacists; I always have been because I think that they're a point of contact that

Bills: HB107, HB742, HB1639, HB1700, HB2071, HB2187, HB2402, HB2516, HB3211, HB4529, HB5342, HB694, HB923, HB4655, HB107

Keywords: sickle cell disease, registry, health data, confidentiality, healthcare access, human trafficking, first responders, health care, training, reporting, protection, cancer, female firefighters, health study, state health services, fire protection, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health records

Transcript Highlights:

• My only question would be, this helps the small pharmacists and rulers. areas or neighborhoods.
• When you talk to pharmacists, the opaqueness of PBMs and again, their original purpose and what they
• Requiring that a pharmacist, a PBM shall allow a pharmacy to dispense in accordance with whatever state
• Does the agency match up in internal revenue service documents for income?
• We do connect with the Internal Revenue Service.

Bills: SB502, SB513, SB622, SB670, SB731, SB732, SB916, SB961, SB1122

Keywords: SB 502, Texas peace officers, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC Office of Inspector General, OIG investigators, law enforcement classification, Schedule C, state employee benefits, injury benefits, peace officer status, commissioned officers, state auditor classification, Government Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, human services, health and human services, law enforcement compensation, public employee benefits, Texas state law enforcement, child welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• Also on line 715 is Senate File 3121, relating to pharmacy intern licensing.
• And then um on lines the other interns.
• Society of Health System Pharmacists. Society of Health System Pharmacists.
• Article 3, section 106, beginning at line 139.22, pharmacist intern changes.
• Article 3, section 106, beginning at line 139.22, pharmacist intern changes.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Providers and pharmacists are operating under different rules depending on which circuit they’re in.
• Pharmacists answer to their licensing standards.
• That's a pharmacist question, Rep. I'm sure there—I'm sure that.
• Chesson on that as a pharmacist. I think you bring up a good point with the opioids.
• That is not the case with every pharmacist.

Summary: The committee first voluntarily deferred House Bills 460 and 561, then took up House Bill 1101 on workers’ compensation. The sponsor said the bill would define maximum medical improvement, adjust fraud provisions, shorten temporary total disability and supplemental earnings benefit periods, and revise vocational rehabilitation rules; an amendment removed proposed age-based termination language for benefits. Business groups including LABI supported the bill as a way to reduce Louisiana’s comparatively high indemnity costs and align the state with regional norms, while injured-worker advocates and attorneys strongly opposed it, arguing it would cut benefits, shift medical and disability decisions away from treating physicians and judges, broaden fraud too far, and potentially push costs onto public programs. After debate, the committee voted to report HB 1101 with amendments. House Bill 282 was voluntarily deferred. House Bill 293, which would add sexual orientation and gender identity to Louisiana employment discrimination protections, drew generally supportive testimony from the sponsor and supporters, with some members raising questions about religious exemptions and federal law. The committee ultimately voted against reporting HB 293 favorably. House Bill 390, providing unpaid leave protections for domestic abuse survivors at larger employers, was presented as a tool for survivors, but the committee split 6-6 on a motion to report it favorably; the tie resulted in the bill being voluntarily deferred. The committee then heard House Bill 456, which would expand workers’ compensation petition requirements and allow employers or payers broader access to file disputed claims and seek discovery. Supporters argued employers currently lack a practical way to obtain records and challenge claims without first cutting off benefits, while opponents said the bill would revive a rejected 2012 approach, increase litigation, and undermine the no-fault workers’ compensation bargain. The discussion centered on whether the bill would preserve benefits while allowing discovery or instead encourage more disputes and penalties. The transcript ends with testimony still underway on HB 456, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, counselors, teachers, engineers, and first responders And licensed professions
• , doctors, nurses, pharmacists, counselors, teachers, engineers, first responders, and other licensed
• And when something’s on Facebook or something that’s a national or international company, the state—we

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> It is made up of pharmacists? >> It is made up of pharmacists?
• independent pharmacists. independent pharmacists.
• . pharmacists. pharmacists.
• That's uncomfortable. pharmacists out. By the way, uh I hope I pharmacists out.
• He was a pharmacist. Wiggins Drug Store. He was a pharmacist.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 10 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, received the invocation and pledge, and then dispensed with reading the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. Several guests and pages were introduced, including junior pages, a doctor of the day, Farm Bureau representatives, and other visitors in the galleries. The chamber also recognized a birthday and welcomed a House member to the Senate. On the calendar, the Senate took up several bills and mostly adopted strike-all amendments before passing them, often by morning roll call. These included HB 1646, which increased disaster trust fund transfer limits for declared and non-declared disasters; HB 1649, which authorized additional state fund transfers for Main Street revitalization projects and increased the total authorized expenditure; HB 1653, which kept a local improvements project fund bill alive for possible repurposing of funds, including a Mississippi Valley State residence hall project; and HB 669, which allowed patrons to bring wine into licensed premises with a corkage fee and changed wine shipment reporting from quarterly to semiannual. HB 1620 created an economic zone around the Chevron refinery in Jackson County, and HB 2787 changed school district gas-piping inspection requirements from annual testing to a two-year cycle, with funding support from gas companies. The Senate also handled several concurrence and conference motions on House and Senate bills, including SB 2263 on probable-cause requirements for Marine Resources officers boarding or stopping vessels, SB 2524 establishing the Postsecondary Attainment Council, and SB 2597 involving the ABC warehouse transfer in Madison County, with the chamber choosing not to concur and to invite conference on those items. SB 2368 made technical changes to the higher education legislative plan grant program, and SB 2526 on the Rural Water Oversight Committee returned with changes removing a reverse repealer and shifting administration of some duties to a nonprofit using rural water revolving loan funds. The Senate also tabled motions to reconsider on some items, and one nomination-related motion drew extended remarks about the role of the capital post-conviction counsel office and respect for crime victims.

Transcript Highlights:

• Years ago, I had a pharmacist refuse to fill Plan B for my patient when it was a prescription.
• This could happen all the time now if passed, especially with the shortage of pharmacists and reduced
• and reduced Pharmacy hours Pharmacists and reduced Pharmacy hours this<00:25:23.640> bill<00:
• puts a SP patient in an pharmacist puts a SP patient in an unsafe<00:26:54.240> situation<00:
• <00:32:26.039> could denied treatment a pharmacist could denied treatment a pharmacist could

Keywords: Discussion on SB 132 - 00:06 Vote on SB 132 - 04:41 Discussion on HB 219 - 43:49 Vote on HB 219 – 49:00 Discussion on HCR 20 – 50:08 Vote on HCR 20 – 51:28, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 132, which would create conscience protections for health care professionals who object to participating in certain procedures or services on religious, moral, or ethical grounds. Senator Donald Douglas and several supporters argued the bill is a recruitment and retention tool for Kentucky’s health care workforce, emphasizing provider shortages, maldistribution, and the need to protect individual conscience rights. Supporters said the bill would not apply to emergency care, would not permit denial of care based on a patient’s identity, and would mainly protect professionals from being forced to perform procedures they believe are unethical. They also cited similar laws in six other states and said the bill would have a cause of action to give it enforcement teeth. Supportive testimony came from an emergency physician, a registered nurse, and others who described personal experiences or examples involving objections to abortion-related care, opioid prescribing, and pressure to participate in procedures that conflicted with conscience. They said conscience protections would help attract providers, preserve ethical integrity, and allow clinicians to make professional judgments without corporate or institutional coercion. In questioning, senators asked about practical examples, the scope of the bill, whether it would cover hypothetical cases involving patients of particular religions or identities, and which states have similar laws. The sponsor and supporters repeatedly said the bill is about procedures, not patients, and that it should not be read to allow discrimination against individuals. Opponents, including pediatricians and a registered nurse/minister, warned that the bill is overly broad and could allow refusals of care by not only physicians but also pharmacists, clerks, and ambulance drivers. They argued it could delay treatment, increase discrimination, and worsen access problems in rural areas, especially for contraception, Plan B, blood transfusions, and other services. Critics said existing professional ethics already require patient care and that the bill could undermine evidence-based medicine and worsen Kentucky’s provider shortage. The committee took testimony and questions; no final vote or disposition was announced in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So Samantha joined us three years ago uh through the intern program through the general assembly and
• without the pharmacist administering the vaccine.
• without the pharmacist administering the vaccine.
• without the pharmacist administering the vaccine.
• without the pharmacist administering the vaccine.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation by Rabbi Ari Goldstein, whose remarks were journalized at the request of the senator from District 33. The chamber then recognized the doctor of the day, Dr. Maryann Lamont, for her 50 years in medicine and her work in neurology and stroke care, and also thanked a legislative aide, Samantha Briggs, who is leaving for law school. The presiding officer noted a quorum was present and moved into the day’s floor work. The Senate handled several messages and committee reports, including a conference committee appointment on Senate Bill 18, which concerns provisional social work licensure. In Finance, the chamber advanced Senate Bill 246 on Health Services Cost Review Commission member terms, Senate Bill 370 on acupuncture board revisions, Senate Bill 564 creating a Division of Data Protection in the Attorney General’s office and a related work group, Senate Bill 782 on telecommunications infrastructure protections, Senate Bill 808 on health insurance provider panel requirements, Senate Bill 849 on agricultural equipment warranties, Senate Bill 867 on the Maryland Aerospace and Technology Commission, and Senate Bill 982 on mutual insurance holding companies converting back to mutual insurers. Most of these bills were reported favorably with technical or conforming amendments, which were adopted without objection, and each was ordered printed for third reading. The committee also considered several House bills with Senate cross-files or identical measures. These included House Bill 118 on money transmitter licensing, House Bills 339 and 512 on Anne Arundel County Board of License Commissioners compensation, House Bill 1100 on telecommunications infrastructure protections, House Bill 1395 on agricultural equipment warranties, House Bill 1473 creating Maryland’s Future Board, House Bill 226 on Department of Disabilities housing programs, House Bill 278 codifying the Longevity Ready Maryland plan, and House Bill 746 on collaborative care model coverage and cost-sharing limits. In each case, the committee reports were adopted, amendments were approved where offered, and the bills were advanced to third reading or passed for third reading, with no recorded opposition on the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 174 new residents or Interns enter into a program every year.
• Our pharmacists are working across counties.
• So the second thing that I'd like to just ask you about, we talked about growing our number of interns
• within interns residents in our program.
• We do have wellness rooms which need to have interns who are in the behavioral health field to staff

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The exposure to the real world of pharmacy even opened the door for my clinic intern position at Family
• Now, a year later, I ended up getting another offer within Marvin Windows as a project manager intern
• Just this week we passed the stage one audit for the AS-9100D, the international standard for aerospace
• Just this week we passed the stage one audit for the AS-9100D, the international standards for aerospace
• The international standards for aerospace and defense. We do not sell residential paint.

Summary: The committee met at NDSU and approved the April 9 minutes. The main purpose of the meeting was an informational presentation from NDSU President David Stewart and university leaders on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research, commercialization, and use of New Horizons funding. Stewart emphasized a “One NDSU” approach, thanked legislators for past support, and said the university will focus on recruitment and retention, a new strategic plan, and growing research and tech transfer while serving North Dakota’s workforce needs. University leaders said NDSU is using tuition waivers more strategically and will work to reduce them over time through scholarship optimization. Provost Sherry Vale described academic portfolio reviews, program closures or consolidations, strategic hiring, and workload policies aimed at aligning resources with demand. They also highlighted student outcomes, including high completion rates, strong employment placement, and NDSU’s role in producing a large share of the state’s engineers, nurses, and agriculture graduates. Several students testified about how NDSU’s mentoring, internships, research, and support services helped them succeed. The committee also heard from partners on New Horizons-related collaborations: Gateway to Science described K-12 STEM outreach in rural and tribal areas, and Sanford Research discussed joint research efforts, including COBRE-related work, obesity and GLP-1 studies, and a joint biostatistics hire. Later speakers highlighted Governor’s School and NDSU’s research and commercialization efforts, including growth in research expenditures and invention disclosures. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, I know my wife is a pharmacist, and there's a huge shortage of pharmacists, especially out
• you know I know my wife is a pharmacist you know I know my wife is a pharmacist and<01:17:44.400
• surveyor position to maintain our existing personnel and hire the pharmacist surveyor.
• surveyor position to maintain our existing personnel and hire the pharmacist surveyor.
• <01:32:05.239> and Pharmacists and Pharmacists and dentists<01:32:06.880> the<01:32:07.000

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• great to have Scott, our House court officer, who's back here with us, and for my staff and for the interns
• I'm an attending physician in internal medicine at Mass General, and so my... ...opportunity to speak
• I'm a Massachusetts native and a pharmacist.
• But speaking with pharmacist colleagues in states, Speaking with pharmacist colleagues in states where
• From what I've seen in my many years as a pharmacist and with my personal experiences, we do not need

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health opened its first hearing of the session and heard testimony on bills in three areas: emergency medical services/AED access, athletic training and student safety, and end-of-life options. Committee chairs outlined testimony rules and noted that written testimony would also be accepted. Some bills had no live witnesses, while others drew extensive testimony from advocates, professionals, and legislators. On AED-related bills, the American Heart Association supported requiring automated external defibrillators at sporting events and athletic fields, citing sudden cardiac arrest survival rates and urging cardiac emergency response plans as an added safeguard. A parks and recreation professional supported AED access but raised concerns about the cost, staffing, maintenance, and feasibility for municipalities with limited resources. Athletic trainers supported expanding their scope of practice and removing workplace restrictions, arguing it would improve injury prevention, reduce costs, and help retain professionals in Massachusetts. The committee also took extensive testimony on end-of-life options legislation. Supporters included legislators, physicians, hospice volunteers, clergy, patients’ family members, and advocacy groups, who described the bills as allowing terminally ill, mentally capable adults to choose a peaceful death with strict safeguards and self-administration requirements. They emphasized personal stories of suffering, public support, and the claim that other states have not seen abuse. Opponents, including faith-based, disability-rights, and family policy representatives, argued the bills amount to physician-assisted suicide, could pressure vulnerable people, and may be influenced by prognosis errors, coercion, or financial incentives. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.