Video & Transcript : 'drug scheduling' :

Page 95 of 500
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • There's another drug called Zetia that blocks the absorption of lipoprotein in the gut.
  • The drugs are not a... But it is definitely a barrier. The drugs are not a cost barrier.
  • The drugs are not a, But it is definitely a barrier. The drugs are not a cost barrier.
  • So there is a second-line drug called the PCSK9 inhibitor.
  • But anyway, this PCSK9 inhibitor is a very, very good drug.
Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 130, which would require heart calcium scans for people over 50, allow pharmacists to manage related screening and medication, and eliminate cost-sharing barriers for the testing and treatment. The sponsor argued the bill could prevent coronary artery disease deaths and reduce long-term health costs, while an industry lobbyist questioned whether it would actually save patients money and raised concerns about the substitute language. After questions about costs, rural access, pharmacist training, liability, and the effect of treatment, the committee adopted a due pass recommendation on the committee substitute by a 6-4 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 31, the EMS personnel licensure interstate compact. Supporters from the Chamber of Commerce, Think New Mexico, the Health Care Authority, and an autism advocacy group said the compact would help address EMS shortages, improve emergency response, and support rural health workforce needs. One opponent warned about out-of-state personnel practicing under unfamiliar standards and possible retention problems. The committee adopted an immunity-related amendment and then gave the bill a 9-0 do pass recommendation. House Bill 33, the psychology inter-jurisdictional compact, was also heard and amended with a similar immunity change. Supporters said it would expand telehealth and behavioral health access, while some members questioned data on workforce shortages, standards, and how the compact would affect New Mexico’s oversight. The committee approved the amended bill 8-0. House Bill 43, a cleanup bill for PERA disability and survivor pension provisions, was presented as a technical measure to clarify statutes, update the disability earnings cap to match Social Security, and reduce ambiguity without changing benefits or liabilities. Members asked about double-dipping, survivor provisions, and fiscal impact, and the bill received a 9-0 do pass recommendation. The committee also heard Senate Memorial 22, which asks the Legislative Finance Committee to study how CYFD-administered state and federal funds support domestic violence services. Sponsors and advocates said funding has been flat or reduced despite rising need, and that providers need clearer, more transparent data; committee members expressed concern that the state lacks a clear accounting of where the money goes. The memorial passed on a 9-0 vote.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

State Affairs Aug 22nd, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • If, if I as a private citizen, not in my capacity as a legislator, ordered drugs and received the drugs
  • These drugs, as you've heard, involve two pills.
  • Katie from unsafe and unregulated drug sources.
  • But When someone orders drugs and they get the, uh, the container that those drugs come in, usually it's
  • for the person who is taking those drugs.
Bills: HB7 , SB 8
Committee: House State Affairs
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Judiciary Feb 16th, 2026 at 03:09 pm

Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • imagine many of you have been hearing from your constituents and physicians since this hearing was scheduled
  • Now the hospitals are scheduled to pay that off this year, so that entire deficit should be repaid by
  • And if hospitals exit the fund as now they're scheduled to do at the end of this year, there's a chance
  • The whole issue here was the hospitals realizing that they were scheduled to come out of the fund.
  • And today's our only really meeting schedule before the end of the session on our regular schedule, except
Keywords: 996, all
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Education Feb 2nd, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have a busy executive session scheduled.
  • We have seven bills that we have scheduled for executive session.
  • We have seven bills that we have scheduled for executive session.
  • on the Secretary's existing authority to issue standing orders for biological products, devices, or drugs
  • beginning five days subsequent is the earliest that a parental meeting around this report can be scheduled
Committee: House Education
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 03/11/26

Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • Also, the bill updates veterinary drug definitions, the process to align with federal law.
  • </c><00:25:37.440><c> and</c><00:25:37.679><c> prescription</c> there are drug and prescription there
  • ><c> the</c><00:25:42.240><c> process</c> veterinary drug definitions, the process veterinary drug definitions
  • I know we had a full schedule.
  • So I just wanted to pass on that very important information as you work on finalizing the schedule and
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 19th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • An act relating to a prescription drug pricing...
  • An act relating to prescription drug pricing. Assembly Member Rogers, you are recognized.
  • During the pandemic, drug manufacturers started rolling out contract pharmacy restrictions meant to limit
  • The purpose of the federal 340B program is to furnish clinics with discount drugs for two reasons.
  • AB 1460 simply states that drug manufacturers cannot place discriminatory restrictions on access to 340B
Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long Daily File with several guest introductions and floor speeches. Members recognized visiting student leaders, championship football teams from Tuolumne County, Alpha Kappa Alpha members at their Capitol day, and later a descendant of Wong Kim Ark. The chamber also adopted a procedural motion allowing certain members to host guests in the rear of the chamber. Among the major policy items, AB 578 on food delivery platform refund practices passed 47-2, AB 344 on successor beer manufacturer definitions passed 61-0, AB 454 to make California’s migratory bird protections permanent passed 55-12 on the urgency clause, AB 482 updating the Table Grape Commission passed 64-1, AB 1237 to support transit access for 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket holders passed 56-15 on the urgency clause, AB 738 on wildfire rebuild solar exemptions passed 42-2, AB 1460 on 340B pharmacy access for clinics passed 41-5, AB 750 on homeless shelter oversight passed 49-1, AB 1061 on housing in historic districts passed 41-13, AB 1523 on expanding mandatory mediation thresholds passed 65-0, and AB 316 on AI-related civil liability passed 56-0. AB 761 authorizing the Monterey-Salinas Transit District to seek a sales tax ballot measure passed 47-12. The chamber also adopted several resolutions. AJR 3 urging protection of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid passed 53-2 after extensive debate that included criticism of federal cuts and counterarguments focused on state Medi-Cal policy and budget decisions. ACR 65 proclaiming California Tourism Month was adopted by voice vote after coauthors were added, and ACR 62 recognizing California Nonprofits Day was also adopted by voice vote with 65 coauthors. AJR 5 affirming birthright citizenship and opposing efforts to end it passed 58-1 after a lengthy, highly partisan debate centered on the 14th Amendment and the Wong Kim Ark precedent. The session also included passage of AB 571, a CEQA exemption for the Southern California Veterans Cemetery at Gypsum Canyon, which was presented as a long-running bipartisan effort to create a final resting place for Orange County veterans.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session Apr 16th, 2025 at 12:30 pm

North Dakota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • That drug pricing fund has been accumulating some money.
  • The drug pricing fund has been accumulating some money to the tune of about $1.7 million.
  • But what your Appropriations Committee did then was transfer the money from the drug pricing fund into
  • On page 4, generic drug is struck because there's no reference to it anywhere in the bill, and it must
  • There is a conference committee scheduled to resolve those differences.
Keywords: 908, all
Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge, a quorum call, and approval of journal corrections. It then handled several House messages, appointing conference committees on Senate Bills 2004 and 2006 and House Bills 1018, 1019, and 1363, and re-referring House Bill 1216 to Appropriations. The chamber also adopted amendments to House Bill 1601, which would have expanded special assistant attorney general authority for certain offices, but the bill failed on final passage after strong opposition centered on preserving the Attorney General’s control and avoiding a solution in search of a problem. A major portion of the day focused on education funding. House Bill 1369 was amended to raise per-pupil aid from 2% and 2% to 3% and 3% and to increase the school construction loan transfer from $75 million to $100 million; supporters said this would help local schools and military base projects, while opponents raised questions about special education placement language and state coordination. The bill passed 44-3. House Bill 1013, the DPI budget, was also amended extensively to adjust staffing, funding sources, grants, meal assistance, teacher training, and other education programs; it passed 45-2. House Bill 2234, dealing with Choice Ready grants, was amended to shift funding away from general funds and toward federal or other sources, but then failed on final passage after the sponsor urged a red vote. The Senate also approved House Bill 1482, restricting bond and indebtedness elections for counties, cities, school districts, and park districts to primary or general election days, and House Bill 1332, creating a value-added agriculture facility incentive program with an emergency clause. House Bill 1010, the Insurance Department budget, passed unanimously after amendments reflecting the merger of the Securities Department into Insurance and adding staff and fee changes, while House Bill 1011, the separate Securities Department budget, failed because its funding was already included in HB 1010. House Bill 1584, a major pharmacy benefit manager reform bill, passed with an enforcement fund and new licensing/enforcement structure despite debate over ERISA and market transparency. In other action, the Senate concurred in House amendments and passed Senate Bills 2226, 2230, 2069, 2082, 2387, 2385, and 2186, with SB 2186 on parenting time interference and a child custody task force passing 27-20 after debate over whether the issue should be left to the courts. Senate Bill 2234, on Choice Ready grants, and Senate Bill 2243, on driver’s license points and traffic penalties, both failed after concurrence motions were adopted but final passage votes were overwhelmingly negative. The chamber also advanced Senate Bill 2291 to conference committee consideration near the end of the transcript.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Public Education May 15th, 2025

Public Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • They are often referred to as individuals who use performance-enhancing drugs.
  • Anxiety and depression go down, their character improves, risk factors such as drug and alcohol abuse
  • complete assignments. ...homework, assignments, tests, access to a quiet room for rest periods, and scheduled
Bills: SB226 , SB413 , SB571 , SB1049 , SB2398 , SB2920
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Courts, Corrections and Justice May 27th, 2025

Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, the, uh, the second item for work, uh, we've got an hour and we're on schedule.
  • So I just wanted to flag that as we put together the travel schedule and the overall agenda.
  • We need to be talking about drugs.
  • I think drugs across the board, um, you all, we, we just passed some.
  • Chair, I just wanted to say, uh, regards to the schedule and maybe trying to find the, the.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives Apr 9th, 2026

Louisiana House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Members, if you have a bill on the schedule today, please be prepared to hear it. Rep. Mack?
  • This bill will help out not having to go to Pharmacy A or go to Pharmacy Z to get your drugs.
  • Representative Turner: I think that's the best way to deliver the lowest-cost drug to the customer.
  • It's more telling them what they can do and how to operate more fairly, how to have better drug pricing
  • NADAC is the national average of what a drug costs. That's your ingredients mix.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • a</c><00:10:39.200><c> lot</c><00:10:39.279><c> of</c><00:10:39.519><c> urine</c><00:10:39.760><c> drug
  • </c><00:10:40.000><c> screening</c> also see a lot of urine drug screening also see a lot of urine drug
  • Uh, require DMS accountable to develop and implement a rate review schedule for each provider group,
  • </c> Kentucky dental Medicaid fee schedule Kentucky dental Medicaid fee schedule has<01:32:15.679><c>
  • Only then will be we be able schedule.
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board reconvened and heard a presentation from the Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control unit. AG staff described the unit’s structure and work: it investigates and prosecutes Medicaid provider fraud, and also handles abuse, neglect, and exploitation cases involving vulnerable adults in facility settings when asked to assist. They said the office has prosecutors, detectives, auditors, and support staff, works with federal partners, Commonwealth’s attorneys, CHFS, DMS, OIG, and MCOs, and uses a hotline and referral line for complaints. They also explained the MCO referral process, including monthly meetings, stand-down lists, and review of referrals for a “credible allegation of fraud” before the AG office decides whether to open a criminal or civil investigation. The presentation focused heavily on current fraud trends. Staff said behavioral health is a major concern, along with participant-directed waiver services, medically assisted treatment, cash billing for services, controlled-substance billing, and vision and dental fraud. They gave examples such as duplicate time sheets for family caregivers, questionable Suboxone counseling and urine drug screening practices, and a prior optometry case involving false claims for children’s glasses. They also discussed CMS’s estimate that about 5% of Medicaid payments are improper, noted that most improper payments are at the fee-for-service level, and said there is no reliable overall fraud-rate estimate. They highlighted a sharp shift in behavioral health billing after the cabinet’s November 1, 2024 policy changes, saying individual psychotherapy spending dropped while group billing increased, suggesting providers may have moved billing to different codes. Members asked about the scale and timing of cases, how MCO referrals are screened, and whether the data reflected more people being served or just higher spending. The AG office said investigations can take years, with some federal cases still awaiting sentencing from 2018 and 2019 matters, and that they currently had nine individuals awaiting sentencing in federal court. They also reported 58 hotline reports during the referenced period, six cases opened from MCO referrals, and four additional MCO referrals not accepted for active cases. Several members raised concerns about home-based services and the risk of abuse or fraud when family members are reimbursed, and asked whether the process could be streamlined; the AG office said it had no immediate recommendations but would be willing to return with suggestions after further review.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives May 5th, 2026

Louisiana House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • about 20 minutes of morning hour left, so I think it's extremely important that you look at the schedule
  • about 20 minutes of morning hour left, so I think it's extremely important that you look at the schedule
  • H.C.R. 64 by Representative Moore to urge the Louisiana Supreme Court Drug Specialty Program to include
  • , provide for required schedule content, provide for the parents' bill of rights for public schools,
  • Speaker, at this time, Representative Gadbury Moose has been the rules to submit a weekly schedule for
Bills: HR223 , HR224 , HR225 , HR226 , HR227 , HR228 , HR229 , HR230 , HR231 , HR232 , HR233 , HR234 , HR235 , HR236 , HR237 , HR238 , HR239 , HR240 , HR241 , HR242 , HR243 , HCR94 , HCR95 , HCR96 , HCR97 , HCR98 , HCR99 , HCR100 , HR218 , HR219 , HR220 , HR221 , HR222 , HCR91 , HCR92 , HCR93 , SCR41 , SCR42 , SCR43 , SCR44 , SCR45 , SCR46 , SCR47 , SCR48 , SCR49 , SCR50 , SCR51 , SCR52 , SB259 , SB347 , SB398 , SB469 , SB483 , SB518 , HR37 , HCR64 , SCR11 , SCR22 , HB89 , HB341 , HB451 , HB456 , HB541 , HB579 , HB595 , HB621 , HB818 , HB841 , HB1064 , HB1101 , HB1165 , HB1191 , SB1 , SB23 , SB32 , SB42 , SB43 , SB46 , SB51 , SB110 , SB113 , SB150 , SB154 , SB161 , SB218 , SB220 , SB221 , SB253 , SB289 , SB310 , SB351 , SB399 , SB404 , SB502 , SB123 , SB125 , SB387 , SB401 , HB730 , HCR41 , HCR76 , HCR77 , HCR63 , HCR69 , HCR86 , HR171 , HCR49 , HCR65 , HCR72 , SCR19 , SCR3 , SCR6 , SCR18 , HB64 , HB68 , HB92 , HB130 , HB175 , HB198 , HB437 , HB457 , HB488 , HB646 , HB763 , HB909 , HB971 , HB981 , HB1066 , HB1089 , HB1125 , HB1154 , HB1231 , HB1246 , HB1248 , HB1249 , HB276 , HB508 , HB512 , HB599 , HB632 , HB656 , HB998 , HB1052 , HB1084 , HB1171 , HB1193 , HB1194 , HB1204 , HB1209 , HB1250 , SB47 , SB82 , SB106 , SB206 , SB210 , SB248 , SB305 , SB376 , SB397 , SB441 , SB2 , SB19 , SB24 , SB50 , SB70 , SB96 , SB101 , SB103 , SB104 , SB114 , SB122 , SB159 , SB160 , SB173 , SB180 , SB182 , SB260 , SB412 , SB418 , SB424 , SB442 , SB460 , SB476 , HCR32 , HB911 , HB1223 , HB798 , HB824 , HB989 , HB1140 , HB1166 , HB1244 , HB459 , HB617 , HB804 , HB926 , HB225 , HB955 , HB901 , HB79 , HR20 , HR74 , HB59 , HB284 , HB306 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB682 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1180 , HB1203 , HB1234 , HB1240 , SB89
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Delivery of Government Efficiency May 7th, 2025

Delivery of Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:
  • facility, the physicians, the providers, lab services, anesthesia, preoperative services, prescription drugs
  • Participating providers must obtain approval from the program administrator for scheduling procedures
  • Providers are required to disclose the consolidated rate for the procedures to our employees before scheduling
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Judiciary Jan 21st, 2026 at 02:08 pm

House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • So now we have scheduled a briefing To weigh in on anything in terms of committee processes, all right
  • So now we have scheduled a briefing by the Dean of the UNM Law School, Camille Carey.
  • So recent studies have found that there is a high incident of law student use of alcohol and drugs and
  • Between one quarter to one third of the respondents of law student use of alcohol and drugs and serious
  • meaningful partnership with the New Mexico Lawyer Assistance Program at the State Bar on Alcohol and Drug
Bills: SB1 , SB3
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Public Safety Committee Apr 7th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • drug deals on school or child care grounds, and manufacturing drugs where children are present and injured
  • drug deals on school or child care grounds, and manufacturing drugs where children are present and injured
  • Glenn Backus for Drug Policy Alliance.
  • Respectfully, the Drug Policy Alliance supports policies to invest in drug use prevention, as well as
  • drug treatment and public health programs, to reduce death and disability caused by drugs.
Summary: The committee heard a large public safety agenda and began by announcing several bills off calendar and limiting testimony to two witnesses per side. The first major item was AB 2698, which would authorize local governments to create youth court diversion programs for first-time juvenile offenders. The author and supporters, including Bakersfield Police Department representatives and a student participant, described the program as restorative, record-clearing, and successful in Bakersfield. Opponents argued it was not true diversion because it occurs after adjudication, could widen system involvement, and should instead be replaced by pre-arrest community-based diversion. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to Appropriations, but remained on call with some members not voting. The committee also adopted a consent calendar of ten bills without opposition. The committee then heard AB 1959, which would create a narrow exception allowing resentencing in adult court for certain violent juvenile offenders in a case arising from the Santana High School shooting. The author, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan, and a survivor/city councilmember argued the bill would close a loophole that could lead to resentencing and early release despite parole denials. Several organizations registered opposition or opposed unless amended, but many noted they were reviewing the amended version. The bill was moved due pass as amended to Appropriations and remained on call. AB 1628, extending California’s safe surrender window for newborns from 72 hours to 30 days, drew broad support from the author, firefighters, medical and child welfare groups, and no opposition; it was moved due pass to Human Services and remained on call. The committee also approved AB 1974, which authorizes law enforcement agencies to create voluntary temporary firearm storage programs. The author and supporters from San Francisco law enforcement, Giffords, and gun safety groups said the bill would expand safe storage options during crises and in custody disputes; there was no opposition, and it passed due pass as amended. AB 2297, requiring restitution in diversion cases, drew support from the author, district attorneys, and victims’ advocates, while opponents argued it was duplicative, could burden low-income participants, and might undermine diversion success. After discussion about restitution law and ability to pay, the bill passed due pass. Finally, AB 2438, which would require people sentenced to more than six years to serve in state prison rather than county jail, drew support from the author and Riverside County Sheriff Bianco, who said realignment had overcrowded county jails and strained resources. Opponents warned it could worsen state prison overcrowding and conflict with realignment’s purpose. The chair recommended no, and the bill was moved due pass and re-refer to Appropriations, remaining on call.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations May 5th, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Amendment Five in particular is regarding the General Services Administration, or GSA, supply schedule
  • know I have funded more programs in this committee, especially as it relates to mental health and drug
  • know I have funded more programs in this committee, especially as it relates to mental health and drug
  • addiction. mental health. relates to mental health and drug addiction.
  • this bill represents basically is an opportunity for the Department of Health to adjust their fee schedule
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Finance (04/29/2025)

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • And, um, we will do our best to stay to the allotted schedule.
  • We have the governor's commission on alcohol and other drugs funding within our division, and then some
  • </c> alcohol and other drugs. alcohol and other drugs.
  • </c> schedule, you know. schedule, you know. It's<00:57:31.119><c> going.
  • </c> particular, this service offers drug particular, this service offers drug testing,<01:45:07.119>
Committee: Senate Finance
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Children and Family Law (02/04/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • That means, when you schedule this, you've got to go to the committee assistant, Special K, and let her
  • That means, when you schedule this, you've got to go to the committee assistant, Special K, and let her
  • </c><00:09:16.800><c> abuse</c><00:09:17.800><c> many</c> per parental drug abuse many per parental drug
  • </c> when your child is involved with drugs when your child is involved with drugs and<00:22:45.679><
  • </c> on March 6th so for your scheduling on March 6th so for your scheduling purposes purposes purposes
Keywords: 1189, house, all
Summary: The House Children and Family Law Committee opened its February 4, 2025 hearing with a business item on House Bill 553, appointing a subcommittee chaired by Representative Greg and including several named members. The committee then took up House Bill 486, which would revise New Hampshire’s grandparents’ visitation law. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to address gaps in current law, especially in situations involving divorce, separation, kinship care, and parental substance use, so that children can maintain important relationships with grandparents or other kin caregivers. He emphasized that the proposal was meant to supplement existing law rather than replace it, and said the language was modeled on statutes from other states. Several witnesses testified in support of HB 486, describing painful family separations and arguing that current law can be interpreted too narrowly. One grandmother said the existing statute had been used to dismiss her visitation case because she was restricted while the parents were separated, and she asked for language changes so courts could still order visitation in similar circumstances. Another witness, testifying online, urged passage of the bill as being in the best interest of children. A third witness described a family living arrangement in which grandparents had been a consistent presence in their grandchildren’s lives but were later cut off during a contentious separation, and said the bill would help repair those relationships. Committee members asked about the six-month timeframe in the bill, whether the proposed language would affect cases where a grandparent does not live with the child but is still a regular caregiver, and whether the sponsor had written amendment language; the sponsor said the six-month language was taken from other states’ statutes and that the new language would not change existing visitation rights but would add to them. After hearing the testimony, the chair said the committee would hold HB 486 aside for a week or two while awaiting additional information before voting. The hearing then moved to House Bill 320, an act relative to enforcement of marital property settlements. The sponsor explained that the bill would require courts to enforce final property decrees and would clarify the difference between enforcement and contempt, arguing that courts should have clear authority to fashion remedies and that litigants, especially self-represented parties, need clearer statutory guidance. Committee members questioned the legal distinctions the sponsor drew, including whether the bill was aimed at enforcement rather than contempt and how the proposed language would operate in practice. The transcript cuts off before any vote or further action on HB 320.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Feb 4th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Another program that we're really trying to do is we have a full-time drug interdiction...
  • Another program that we're really trying to do is we have a full-time drug interdiction team.
  • So we're trying to get creative in our scheduling and our staffing, more importantly, to make sure that
  • A lot of our Idaho Falls troops are being drug away out of the area for another $10, $15 an hour wage
  • We ended up, a trooper spotted a pretty prominent drug smuggler over in Idaho Falls, actually, Senator
Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee reviewed the Idaho State Police budget, including the Division of Idaho State Police, POST, and the Brand Inspection Division. Legislative analyst Noah Peterson outlined current staffing, fund sources, and proposed FY 2027 requests. For the Division of Idaho State Police, the major request was a $12.6 million commissioned officer pay plan funded by an increase in the vehicle registration-related Project Choice fee from $3 to $12, along with a $500,000 commercial vehicle safety grant increase, a $551,500 mobile live scan pilot, and $3.23 million in replacement items, including patrol vehicles and ballistic vests. Peterson and Colonel Gardner explained that the pay plan is intended to address long-standing recruitment and retention problems, especially in patrol districts with heavy vacancies. Colonel Gardner gave extensive testimony on staffing shortages, saying some districts require troopers to be temporarily housed in hotels to cover calls, and that pay compression and the current structure of project-choice compensation are driving officers away after about four to five years. He said the new plan would move more of trooper compensation into base pay and make future CEC increases apply to the full wage. Members asked about the fee increase, the effect on county and city agencies, unspent personnel funds, and whether the state is losing trained officers after investing heavily in them. Gardner and finance officer Christine Otto said overtime is absorbing some vacancy savings, and Otto later estimated the cost to train and equip an ISP trooper at about $231,600. The committee then reviewed POST, where Peterson said the academy has 31 FTP and no ongoing FY 2027 requests beyond $324,100 for replacement vehicles, building repairs, and equipment. Administrator Brad Johnson said a 14-week Patrol Academy costs about $10,700 per student, and explained that POST-certified academy graduates sign a two-year repayment agreement if they leave the profession. Members asked about agency-run academies, college academy programs, and whether POST costs are changing as more agencies develop their own training. Johnson said POST remains the state’s accredited basic-training provider and highlighted its national award of excellence. Finally, the Brand Inspection Division budget was presented. Peterson said the division has 41.42 FTP, is funded by the State Brand Board Fund, and is requesting $288,100 in replacement items, mainly six trucks and some laptops/tablets. Brand Inspector Cody Burlisle said most full-time inspectors are POST-certified and perform both regulatory inspections and law-enforcement duties. Members praised the division’s work and its practice of keeping vehicles in service for high mileage. The meeting ended with instructions about upcoming work groups and a reminder that budget votes would occur later in the week.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • , illegal, and prescription drugs.
  • Several times you mentioned first-time drug or driving, a drunk driving offense.
  • And we've seen a lot more drug-involved fatalities in recent times.
  • or drug-and-alcohol ones?
  • Because that does inform the policy response a little. ...or drug-involved or drug-and-alcohol ones,
Summary: The joint Senate Public Safety and Transportation hearing focused on DUI, impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving, road design, and the broader traffic safety system in California. Chairs Jesse Arreguín and Dave Cortese said the purpose was to inform upcoming legislation and noted that no bills would be acted on at the hearing. They emphasized the scale of the problem, including thousands of fatal and serious injury crashes each year, and framed the discussion around a Safe System approach that combines infrastructure, enforcement, education, and technology. The first panel covered current DUI law and traffic safety research. Thomas Nozowitz of the Committee on Revision of the Penal Code outlined California’s DUI penalty structure, including escalating misdemeanor and felony penalties, license suspensions, ignition interlock devices, Watson advisories, and homicide-related offenses such as vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and Watson murder. Stephanie Doherty of the Office of Traffic Safety described statewide crash trends, the role of alcohol, drugs, and speeding in fatalities, and state efforts such as the Safe System approach, safety corridors, and grant funding for impaired-driving countermeasures. Dr. Julia Griswold of UC Berkeley SafeTREC presented research favoring systemic interventions like self-explaining roads, safer speed limits, speed safety cameras, intelligent speed assistance, ignition interlocks, sobriety checkpoints, and treatment for chronic offenders, while noting that first-time DUI offenders account for a large share of fatal crashes. Members pressed the panelists on first-offense DUI treatment, ignition interlocks, speed governors, diversion, and whether tougher sanctions or vehicle technology would better reduce recidivism. Several senators raised concerns about repeat offenders, alcohol-use disorder, and the need for earlier intervention, while others questioned the effectiveness and cost of in-car devices. The panel also discussed data gaps and the need for better reporting and coordination between courts and DMV. The second panel, with DMV Director Steve Gordon and Judge Lisa Rodriguez, explained how administrative and court processes work in parallel: DMV receives court abstracts and can impose administrative per se suspensions quickly, while courts handle criminal cases, probation, and sentencing on a slower timeline. Both witnesses said the system is complex and paper-heavy but improving, and they acknowledged the need for better integration, clearer statutes, faster reporting, and more timely license actions to keep impaired drivers off the road.