Transcript Highlights:

• He is the founder of the Rural Cancer Institute and a current practicing rural oncologist. ...we worked
• on last year, and I've got a testifier here to talk about the Rural Cancer Institute.
• He is the founder of the Rural Cancer Institute and a current practicing rural oncologist.
• He is the founder of the Rural Cancer Institute and a current practicing rural oncologist.
• > Cancer<00:39:05.640> Institute founder of the Rural Cancer Institute founder of the Rural

Bills: HF3843, HF3597, HF4003, HF3167, HF4193

Keywords: workforce development, appropriations, nonprofit organizations, employment services, state funding, paid leave, S corporations, employment law, exemptions, Minnesota Statutes, cancer, healthcare, appropriation, Rural Cancer Institute, Minnesota clinicians, pilot program, nursing, education, University of Minnesota, equity

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• To receive funding from the Rural Sheriff's Office Salary Assistance Grant Program and Rural Prosecutors
• . diagnosed with late-stage cancer.
• And all of them have seen an uptick in cancer cases.
• In Texas, firefighters have a presumptive cancer. That list 11 cancers that are covered.
• Stage 1 cancer, colon cancer. Stage 1, 90% survival rate. Had they caught Wade's early?

Bills: HB467, HB318, HB503, HB198, HB318, HB198

Keywords: hospital district, Cedar Creek, scholarship, dissolution, county judges, healthcare funding, grant program, rural counties, law enforcement, sheriff's departments, funding, public safety, deputy shortages, sheriff, prosecutor, salary assistance, HB 198, Wade Cannon Act, firefighter cancer screening, occupational cancer screening

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• The department has indicated that breast cancer is the most common cancer among Texans.
• Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death among women, and early detection of breast
• It's James Gray with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network for the bill, is that correct?
• My name is James Gray, American Cancer Society, Cancer Action Network.
• We probably saw with breast cancer and cervical cancer about a 5% or 6%. Downturn.

Bills: HB321, HB 1027, HB 1295, HB1782, HB2295, HCR29, HCR56

Keywords: Medicaid, child health, express lane option, income verification, supplemental nutrition assistance, telepharmacy, healthcare access, remote dispensing, rural clinics, pharmacy regulations, health literacy, state health plan, health care, patient outcomes, public health, economic impact, healthcare, breast cancer, cervical cancer, insurance eligibility

Bills: SB 623, SB 1266, SB 1310, SB 1373, SB 1580, SB 1952, SB 2032, SB 2269, SB 2544, SB 2653, SB 2796

Keywords: pharmacist, vaccine administration, COVID-19, exclusive authority, healthcare, Medicaid, provider enrollment, credentialing, administrative burden, Texas Health and Human Services, senior retirement communities, emergency response, residential safety, contract provisions, health and safety regulations, medical staff privileges, hospital administration, healthcare regulation, Texas Health and Safety Code, consistency in privileges

Transcript Highlights:

• According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, research suggests that other cancers may
• carcinogen, as determined by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
• It should be noted that the International Agency for Research on Cancer is a specialized cancer agency
• The last two guys that we lost in my town died from esophageal cancer, and esophageal cancer is not covered
• I said, how many guys are seeing a rise in cancer?

Bills: HB1654, HB1691, HB2545, HB2652, HB3799, HB4144, HB5008

Keywords: peace officers, firefighters, employment protection, worker's compensation, job security, maximum medical improvement, government employment, firefighter cancer benefits, emergency medical technicians, compensation claims, cancer exposures, firefighting hazards, workforce training, rural development, grant program, job-specific training, Texas Workforce Commission, child care, single-parent, subsidized

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• supports Urban farming it supports rural supports Urban farming it supports rural farming<00:02:
• <00:09:41.720> at crop Institute at crop Institute at $120,000<00:09:44.600> line<00
• $68,000 line 191 is a Center for Rural $68,000 line 191 is a Center for Rural policy<00:09:53.040
• commercialization at Savannah Institute commercialization at Savannah Institute which<00:52:56.000
• systems for Growers and Rural systems for Growers and Rural communities<00:53:02.799> uh<

Bills: HF1704

Keywords: Minnesota agriculture budget, Department of Agriculture appropriation, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, farm bill, rural development, agricultural grants, soil health, livestock compensation, crop damage, meat inspection, poultry inspection, county agricultural inspectors, biofertilizer, nitrogen management, commercial nitrogen fertilizer, water quality, farm down payment assistance, beginning farmers

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• You also play the Institute and you play the junior college from Hobbs.
• We are working with our institution.
• Institutions.
• And this is not going to be beneficial to any of our rural schools, in my opinion.
• And it's our more rural schools, our smaller schools that are very successful right now.

Bills: SB194, SB200, SB203, SB204, SJR3

Keywords: appropriation, higher education, sports facilities, community college, Luna Community College, KANW, educational radio, rural news, public education, funding, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, cultural heritage, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University

Bills: SB194, SB200, SB203, SB204, SJR3

Keywords: appropriation, higher education, sports facilities, community college, Luna Community College, KANW, educational radio, rural news, public education, funding, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, cultural heritage, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University

Transcript Highlights:

• was notified that it is going to be losing some funding for school food purchasing, child care institution

Bills: HF1704, HF2052

Keywords: Minnesota agriculture budget, Department of Agriculture appropriation, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, farm bill, rural development, agricultural grants, soil health, livestock compensation, crop damage, meat inspection, poultry inspection, county agricultural inspectors, biofertilizer, nitrogen management, commercial nitrogen fertilizer, water quality, farm down payment assistance, beginning farmers

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• I would move House File 3474, Agriculture Utilization Research Institute grant funding provided.
• <00:04:02.959> And Institute grant funding uh provided.
• And Institute grant funding uh provided.
• It is a privilege to be here with you today and talk about Minnesota's rural dairy economy.
• communities and the future of rural communities and the future<00:29:03.600> of<00:29:03.840>

Bills: HF3474, HF3475, HF3508

Keywords: agriculture, funding, research, agricultural institute, state appropriations, education, leadership council, compensation, research institute, dairy assistance, investment, relief initiative, farm support, 1183, house

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• weren't heard in committee, including the funding for the Minnesota Horticultural Society, Center for Rural

Bills: HF1704, HF1722

Keywords: Minnesota agriculture budget, Department of Agriculture appropriation, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, farm bill, rural development, agricultural grants, soil health, livestock compensation, crop damage, meat inspection, poultry inspection, county agricultural inspectors, biofertilizer, nitrogen management, commercial nitrogen fertilizer, water quality, farm down payment assistance, beginning farmers

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• This bill, of course, is for cancer patients, and as you all know, as a cancer survivor, I've continued
• This bill, of course, is for cancer patients.
• And so we're trying to... ...cancer chemotherapy drugs.
• bills because they mean so much to these cancer patients.
• I just want to thank you both for your advocacy on cancer subjects.

Bills: HB591, HB766

Keywords: family leave, insurance, paid leave, employment benefits, caregiver support, cancer treatment, anti-cancer medications, health insurance, copayment, cost-sharing, health policy, 974, senate, all

Bills: SB19

Keywords: SB19, prostate cancer, prostate cancer screening, PSA test, digital rectal exam, preventive screening, health insurance mandate, no cost sharing, copay, deductible, coinsurance, high-risk men, African American men, men over 50, men over 40, family history, genetic marker, health benefit plan, insurer coverage, Alabama insurance code

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't speak on behalf of any particular institution.
• So from Representative Bliss, this bill has to improve cancer research.
• So from Representative Bliss, this bill has to improve cancer research.
• I know cancer research in all areas is really important to the development.
• cancer.

Bills: HB2050, HB2082, HB2176, HB2195, HB2202, HB2307, HB2584

Keywords: radiologic technologist, radiologist assistant, radiology, imaging, x-ray, diagnostic x-ray, fluoroscopy, mammography, computed tomography, CT technologist, nuclear medicine technologist, bone densitometry, radiation safety, radiation licensing, scope of practice, health workforce, rural health care, critical access hospital, supervision, telehealth

Summary: The committee approved the minutes and then heard House Bill 2050, which updates Department of Health Services rules for radiologic technologists and radiologic assistants. The bill changes school accreditation and training requirements, reduces clinical hours, revises supervision and scope-of-practice rules, adjusts fees, and removes radiologic technologists from the telehealth health care provider definition. Testimony from a radiologic technologist supported the bill as an update to outdated standards and a response to workforce shortages, while a nurse practitioner supported the section allowing NPs to use diagnostic x-ray machines under nursing board standards. HB 2050 passed 7-0 with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then considered House Bill 2082, which creates a Childhood Cancer and Rare Childhood Disease Research Commission and expands the research fund to include appropriations, gifts, donations, and federal grants. An amendment shifted grant-awarding authority to the DHS director, required the commission to set criteria and review applications, and added public meeting requirements; it also tied funding to at least $5 million in available resources and removed the return-on-investment reporting requirement. Supporters said the bill would strengthen pediatric cancer research and leverage an underused funding source, though members raised concerns about oversight. The bill was amended and then passed 7-0. House Bill 2176 and House Bill 2195 both dealt with DHS licensing and complaint-investigation procedures for health care institutions and nursing care institutions. HB 2176 allows DHS to deny licenses or ownership changes based on serious prior licensing problems or safety risks, and it sets notice, investigation, and deficiency-statement rules; speakers from public health and hospital groups supported it as improving transparency and preventing bad actors from cycling through ownership. HB 2195 limits DHS access to certain personnel records, requires deficiency statements within 10 business days, and bars investigations of incidents older than 12 months; an amendment delayed implementation to July 1, 2027 and added corrective-plan and off-site review provisions. Both bills passed 7-0 as amended. The committee also approved House Bill 2202, which appropriates $300,000 annually for a dementia care tele-mentoring program to train providers statewide, especially in rural and underserved areas. The Alzheimer’s Association and a patient with younger-onset Alzheimer’s testified that the program would improve early diagnosis and care, though one senator opposed state funding on the view that medical schools should teach the material. HB 2202 passed 6-1. Finally, House Bill 2307, addressing placement for dangerous, incompetent, non-restorable defendants when secure state hospital beds are unavailable, drew the most debate. An amendment replaced out-of-state placement with a temporary, limited-use solution involving up to three beds at the Arizona State Hospital forensic campus, created a study committee, and shifted some non-psychiatric costs to counties; counties and hospital stakeholders opposed the county-cost language, while sponsors and DHS said the measure was an emergency stopgap. The amended bill passed 4-3. The committee then passed House Bill 2584 4-3, which prohibits public funds from being used for genetic sequencing equipment from foreign adversary countries or entities; supporters framed it as a national security measure, and opponents voted no. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• treatment services in rural New Mexico.
• The Cancer Center is a viable... ...Center at Heala Regional Medical Center.
• understanding that federal rural grant...
• And Charles, how much is in the rural health care fund? I need to check.
• For that fund, for the Rural Libraries Fund.

Bills: SB152, SB145, SB190, HB247

Keywords: telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion, rural internet, broadband infrastructure, eligible telecommunications carrier, ETC, tribal consent

Transcript Highlights:

• NMECG is New Mexico's rural broadband and telecom group, consisting of 10 rural broadband telecom companies
• in some of the most rural parts of the state of New Mexico.
• universal service fund is maintained for our rural members.
• I know we're talking about rural folks.
• And then line 89 is ensuring that the Quantum Institute within UNM receives funding.

Bills: SB152, SB145, SB190, HB247

Keywords: telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion, rural internet, broadband infrastructure, eligible telecommunications carrier, ETC, tribal consent

Bills: AB404, AB428

Keywords: brew pub, alcoholic beverages, liquor store, licensure, regulation, Department of Taxation, fertility preservation, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, oncology, reproductive medicine, infertility, cancer treatment, egg freezing, embryo freezing, oocyte cryopreservation, sperm banking, assisted reproductive technology, health insurance mandate, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• Initiatives I've touched on, among others in the bill, directly support our farmers, ranchers, and rural
• business management, continued investment in farm advocates, and new base funding for farm safety and rural
• or above current levels, rather than replacing it with an LFPA-style program, which serves a very rural
• broadband is that we were given the responsibility of the department regarding implementing broadband in rural
• of Agriculture, we're to implement the grants that are given to broadband and to make sure that our rural

Bills: HF2446

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• The piece that I'll hit on is just firefighter cancers, uh, certain cancers being counted as line of
• ,<00:03:47.440> uh<00:03:47.520> certain<00:03:47.760> cancers firefighter cancers
• , uh certain cancers firefighter cancers, uh certain cancers being<00:03:48.320> counted<00:03
• When the state recognized that my husband, Mike, lost his life to cancer, a cancer that he contracted
• When the state recognized that my husband, Mike, lost his life to cancer, a cancer that he contracted

Bills: HF4446, HF4066, HF1082

Keywords: public safety officer, survivor benefits, line of duty death, occupational cancer, firefighter, police officer, paramedic, EMT, correctional officer, first responder, workers' compensation, death benefits, occupational exposure, carcinogen, cancer presumption, mesothelioma, leukemia, lung cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:13.520> communities farmers, ranchers, and rural communities farmers, ranchers, and
• rural communities while<00:08:14.479> also<00:08:14.639> keeping<00:08:14.879> an
• So, thank you. ...new base funding for farm safety and rural mental health.
• We have a large geographic service area that's very rural in nature.
• We have a that's very rural in nature.

Bills: HF2446

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant