Committee votes: support for a package of pharmacy-related bills; one abstention on PBM reform

The Legislation and Regulation Committee voted to support a slate of bills addressing pharmacy practice, public health and regulatory flexibilities during the 2025 legislative session. Most committee votes were unanimous; the committee opted to "watch" several measures pending amended language, and one member abstained on the committee's support for PBM regulation.

Votes at a glance (bill — brief description — committee position — roll call):

- AB 50 — Allow pharmacists to furnish over-the-counter hormonal contraception and furnish up to a 12-month supply at one time: Committee recommended support; roll call: Trevor Chandler — yes; Maria Serpa — yes; Nicole Thiebaud — yes; Chair Jessica Crowley — yes. Motion passed.

- AB 447 — Allow a prescriber to dispense an unused portion of a dangerous drug to an ER patient under specified conditions: Committee took no formal position and elected to monitor/amend (watch); no roll-call vote was taken.

- AB 529 — Extend Board authority to waive certain pharmacy law provisions up to 120 days post-declared emergency: Committee recommended support; roll call: Trevor Chandler — yes; Maria Serpa — yes; Nicole Thiebaud — yes; Chair Jessica Crowley — yes. Motion passed.

- AB 667 — Require boards to permit applicants who cannot read/speak/write English to use an interpreter (with limits): Committee elected to watch the measure pending amendments; no vote recorded at this meeting.

- AB 669 — Ensure 28 days of certain substance use disorder inpatient or intensive outpatient care and prohibit prior authorization for FDA-approved medications for addiction when medically necessary: Committee recommended support; roll call: Trevor Chandler — yes; Maria Serpa — yes; Nicole Thiebaud — yes; Chair Jessica Crowley — yes. Motion passed.

- AB 957 — Prohibit pharmacies from selling cigarettes or tobacco products: Committee recommended support; roll call: Trevor Chandler — yes; Maria Serpa — yes; Nicole Thiebaud — yes; Chair Jessica Crowley — yes. Motion passed.

- AB 1037 — Remove the sunset on pharmacists' authority to furnish hypodermic needles and syringes: Committee recommended support; roll call: Trevor Chandler — yes; Maria Serpa — yes; Nicole Thiebaud — yes; Chair Jessica Crowley — yes. Motion passed.

- AB 1460 — Prohibit discriminatory practices by prescription drug manufacturers that interfere with covered entities' purchases under federal pricing programs (e.g., 340B): Committee recommended support; roll call: Trevor Chandler — yes; Maria Serpa — yes; Nicole Thiebaud — yes; Chair Jessica Crowley — yes. Motion passed.

- AB 1503 — Board's sunset bill; update term advanced practice pharmacist to advanced pharmacist practitioner (board-sponsored sunset changes): Committee recommended support; roll call: Trevor Chandler — yes; Maria Serpa — yes; Nicole Thiebaud — yes; Chair Jessica Crowley — yes. Motion passed.

- SB 41 — Establish regulation of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in Department of Insurance: Committee recommended support; roll call: Trevor Chandler — yes; Maria Serpa — yes; Nicole Thiebaud — abstain; Chair Jessica Crowley — yes. Motion passed (one abstention).

- SB 470 — Make temporary Bagley-Keene Act flexibilities permanent (remote participation): Committee recommended support; roll call: Trevor Chandler — yes; Maria Serpa — yes; Nicole Thiebaud — yes; Chair Jessica Crowley — yes. Motion passed.

- SB 497 — Prohibit release of medical information related to a person seeking or obtaining gender-affirming health care under specified conditions: Committee recommended support; roll call: Trevor Chandler — yes; Maria Serpa — yes; Nicole Thiebaud — yes; Chair Jessica Crowley — yes. Motion passed.

- SB 548 — Require California Health and Human Services Agency to create recommendations and an advisory group to halve alcohol- and drug-related deaths (advisory group to include specified entities): Committee recommended support with request to consider pharmacist representation on the advisory group; roll call: Trevor Chandler — yes; Maria Serpa — yes; Nicole Thiebaud — yes; Chair Jessica Crowley — yes. Motion passed.

- SB 647 — Allow boards to waive certain licensure provisions for licensees impacted by declared emergencies and require applicants/licensees provide an email address: Committee recommended support; roll call: Trevor Chandler — yes; Maria Serpa — yes; Nicole Thiebaud — yes; Chair Jessica Crowley — yes. Motion passed.

Several agenda items on regulations were discussed for information only; no votes were required.