H.B. 97 Medical Waste Amendments

What this bill does

The bill would let certain medical facilities, such as operating room, emergency, or surgical centers, give patients the unused portion of a non-controlled medication like eye drops or ointment to take home after a procedure. The facility must label the medication under the Pharmacy Practice Act and counsel the patient; the bill does not cover controlled substances or Propofol.

Plain-English summary written by AI from the sponsor’s presentation in committee and on the floor. Check the official text below.

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Every vote

• 11 yes, 0 no, 3 absentHouse Health and Human Services Committee: vote to change the bill · Jan 30, 2026Who voted how
• 11 yes, 0 no, 3 absentHouse Health and Human Services Committee: vote to approve it · Jan 30, 2026Who voted how
• 66 yes, 1 no, 8 absentFinal House vote · Feb 10, 2026Who voted how
• 3 yes, 0 no, 4 absentSenate Health and Human Services Committee: vote to approve it · Feb 19, 2026Who voted how
• 24 yes, 0 no, 5 absentFirst of two Senate votes · Feb 25, 2026Who voted how
• 20 yes, 0 no, 9 absentFinal Senate vote · Feb 26, 2026Who voted how

Hearings and debates

• Jan 30, 2026 House Health and Human Services Committee▶ Watch
  Transcript (27 turns)

  1. Committee chair3:22

     All right, we're gonna get right into it. Representative Bolander with Medical Waste Amendments floor is yours.

  2. Rep. Bridger Bolinder3:33

     This is my, oh, there we go. So, HB 97 Medical Waste Amendments. This was a bill that I ran last year and it didn't make it through the process. So, um, refile it again this year to run it. So what the bill does is it allows facilities to give patients the unused por portion of a facility owned, uh, medication. So if you go in for, uh, surgery or procedure and they give you a, a bottle of eye drops or something like that, and it's unused, they, they squirt a couple drops in your eye, you can actually take this medication home with you, the unused portion of that. So some examples of that medication would be like topical antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, uh, dilation or glaucoma drop or, or an ointment. So that's what it does. So, so with that, it eliminates waste and saves patients money and, and, uh, I think that's probably the biggest thing. It applies to only low risk, um, procedure related medications that are commonly used for eye surgeries. And, uh, with that, I'll answer any questions that the committee might have.

  3. Committee chair4:42

     Thank you. We'll bring it back to the committee for clarifying questions. Representative Eliason,

  4. Rep. Steve Eliason4:48

     Uh, thank you, Madam Chair. Uh, question for the sponsor. Um, can you just confirm that this won't apply to Propofol?

  5. Rep. Bridger Bolinder4:59

     I would, I I would bet to say it won't apply to Propofol. Yes.

  6. Rep. Steve Eliason5:03

     Because there's almost always some leftover, and it's a huge diversion problem as is. We don't wanna send the patient home with the extra prop. That's what Michael Jackson took. I Think, uh, Michael's milk is what it's also been nicknamed, I wasn't gonna bring that up, but, okay. Um, we know it's dangerous would not administered in a medical setting, so, um, just wanna make sure. I'll still vote for the bill, but I just wanna make sure that's, This doesn't apply to that. Okay, perfect. I'll take you for on your word for that.

  7. Rep. Steve Eliason5:25

     Thank you. Thank you, Thank you. And I'll just ask another clarifying question.

  8. Rep. Bridger Bolinder5:32

     So basically no controlled substances. That's correct.

  9. Rep. Steve Eliason5:35

     At all. Okay. Okay. Awesome. All right.

  10. Committee chair5:40

      Um, seeing no the no further clarifying questions, we'll bring it to the public for any comment. Does anyone wanna comment on this? Okay. We've got one. Just be sure when you come up, make sure you, make sure you, um, introduce yourself, who you represent, and then make sure you sign our paper as well. Thank you. I

  11. Unknown speaker5:59speaker not certain

      Think they're on, yeah.

  12. Maryann Martindale, Utah Academy of Family Physicians6:00

      Hi, Maryanne Martindale, Utah Academy Family Physicians. Um, we really like this bill. This is a great idea. Um, patients already pay for this, this medication. You all, we all know you go to the hospital, you get a procedure, you pay for a little bit of cream that do one little dob on, and then they, that cream's done. Um, it's, it also allows for continuity of care. A lot of times someone goes home from the hospital, they may not get to a pharmacy for a day or two or three or whatever. So we think this is a great idea. It's not controlled substances, which of course was our initial concern. Um, the kind of things that are be covered under this, I think is, it's great and it's gonna save money and time.

  13. Committee chair6:35

      Perfect. Thank you. Anyone else? Do we have anyone online? No. Okay. All right. We'll bring back to the committee for any possible action. Representative Ward,

  14. Rep. Rob Ward6:52

      Can I, I just have one other question that I wanted to ask to the sponsor. Sure. So is this the, is the point to allow facilities to do this, or is the point to mandate that they must

  15. Rep. Bridger Bolinder7:02

      It's to allow them to do it. So the, the first, I have a second sub to, uh, adopt as well, but the idea is to allow them to do this. So we actually, the first version was shall and we changed that to May.

  16. Rep. Ward7:17

      Well then I would love to make a motion. Go ahead. Um, I'd like to move second substitute, uh, representative Bollinger's name.

  17. Committee chair7:25

      Okay. Motion is to move. Second substitute. Um, would you like to speak to it?

  18. Rep. Ward7:30

      Well, it sounds like his substitute had the thing in it that I wondered about from the underlying

  19. Committee chair7:33

      Bill. Okay. And back to the sponsor.

  20. Rep. Bridger Bolinder7:35

      I'll waive Thanks. Okay.

  21. Committee chair7:37

      Um, any discussion to that motion? Okay. And we will go to the maker of the motion for final word. All waive. Okay. All in favor of moving. Second, is it for substitute? Second sub second substitute. HB 97. Say aye. Aye. Any opposed? That motion passes. Okay. You wanna make another one? Uh,

  22. Rep. Rob Ward7:57

      Yes. Uh, I would like to, uh, make a motion that we favorably recommend, um, house bill 97 second substitute medical waste amendments.

  23. Committee chair8:06

      That motion is in order. Motion is to favorably accurate. Recommend HB 97 as or first substitute. Second substitute HB 97. Um, we'll have committee discussion to that motion, not seeing any. We'll go to the sponsor for any word on that.

  24. Rep. Bridger Bolinder8:27

      No. Thanks for the motion. Okay.

  25. Committee chair8:28

      Back to the maker of the motion. I'll

  26. Rep. Rob Ward8:30

      Waive.

  27. Committee chair8:31

      All right. So the motion is to pass forward with a favorable recommendation. First, substitute HB 97 medical waste amendments with a favorable recommendation. All in, say aye. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? That motion passes. Thanks.

• Feb 10, 2026 House floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (12 turns)

  1. Speaker pro tem (presiding)1:34:13

     Madam Reading Clerk

  2. Reading Clerk1:34:15

     Second substitute house bill 97 Medical waste amendments by Representative Bolinder. This bill was heard in Health and Human Services with the vote of 11 0 3.

  3. Speaker pro tem (presiding)1:34:25

     Representative Bolander.

  4. Rep. Bridger Bolinder1:34:28

     Thank you Mr. Speaker, pro tem. Motion to move amendment one in my name.

  5. Speaker pro tem (presiding)1:34:35

     That's in order. Would you like to speak to it?

  6. Rep. Bridger Bolinder1:34:37

     Yes, I would. So this amendment just includes a coordinating clause with HB 3 0 1 and that's all the amendment does.

  7. Speaker pro tem (presiding)1:34:48

     The motion is to adopt amend amendment number one. Discussion to the motion. Seeing none. Representative Bollinger for summation I'll waive submission is waived. Motion is to adopt amendment number one. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Say no. Motion carries. Bill is amended.

  8. Speaker pro tem (presiding)1:35:05

     Representative Bolinder?

  9. Rep. Bridger Bolinder1:35:06

     Yeah. Thank you Mr. Speaker Pro tem. So this bill allows certain medical facilities to give patients the unused portion of a medication when they go in for a procedure. And, uh, that's pretty much all the bill does with that. It saves them money. So if you go in for a simple procedure where you need glaucoma, eyedrops, or an ointment or something like that, you can take that unused portion home with you. So with that, I'd be happy to answer any questions.

  10. Speaker pro tem (presiding)1:35:33

      Thank you Representative Bollinger. Discussion to the bill. Seeing none, representative Buller for Bollinger for summation,

  11. Rep. Bridger Bolinder1:35:40

      I'll Waive thanks. Submission is waived.

  12. Speaker pro tem (presiding)1:35:42

      Voting is open on second substitute house bill 97 having voted. Voting will be, voting will be closed. Second substitute house bill 97, having received 66 yay votes and one na votes passes, the house will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration. Madam Reading Clerk

• Feb 18, 2026 Senate Health and Human Services Committee
• Feb 19, 2026 Senate Health and Human Services Committee▶ Watch
  Transcript (12 turns)

  1. Committee chair1:15:27

     We're gonna call HP HB 97 Medical Waste Amendments. Yeah,

  2. Rep. Bridger Bolinder1:15:33

     Thank you, Mr. Chair. So this is a really simple bill. I actually, uh, ran it last year, but I didn't make it through the process. So this bill just allows a, a medical facility, when they give a medication, not a controlled substance, but an ointment or an eye drop, if they use it once in the medical facility, they can send that home with the patient. And with that, it saves costs and, and different things like that. So I'll keep it at that and love to answer any questions that anybody may have. Thank you. Okay.

  3. Committee chair1:16:02

     We'll bring back the committee for any comments. Senator Plumb?

  4. Sen. Jen Plumb1:16:08

     Uh, I was just gonna note, this is a real thing when we give a single drop of something in the er and then they tell us to throws the thing away. This is a real thing. It's, I'm glad you're addressing this. Thanks.

  5. Committee chair1:16:18

     Oh, I lost my thing. Thank you. We'll go to the public. Anyone in the public wish to speak to this? Try? Oh, I got, I got, I got, I got it. Please come forward.

  6. Maryann Martindale, CEO, Utah Academy of Family Physicians1:16:31

     Sorry. Afternoon, Maryanne Martin diu, tech Academy of Family Physicians. We love this bill. It's a great bill. Um, you know, I think we've all been in that position where you go to the hospital and you pay $400 for some ointment, and they do it twice, and then you walk out. Um, from a family physician perspective, a lot of times we are the ones that are seeing the patients afterwards for follow-up care. And if they walk out with a prescription, they're ill, whatever there is they recovering, maybe they don't fill that. And so this also allows for some continuity of care, which is really critical when someone's recovering from a procedure. So we wanna thank the sponsor.

  7. Committee chair1:17:05

     Thank you. Okay. Anyone go public. Okay. We'll bring back to the committee for further action. Senator Plumb?

  8. Sen. Jen Plumb1:17:12

     Uh, yes, Mr. Chair. I would move that we favorably recommend, oh gosh, look at my Eyes. It'd probably be second sub 97, second Sub of house bill 97 out favorably to the Senate.

  9. Committee chair1:17:23

     Okay. We would like to speak to that.

  10. Sen. Jen Plumb1:17:25speaker not certain

      No, like I said, it's definitely a need. I'm glad it's this, uh, bills that's being run.

  11. Committee chair1:17:29

      Okay. Back to the bill sponsor. I'll waive thanks. Back to making the motion. I'll waive. Okay. So the motion before us is passed out favorably. Second sub HB 97. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? That passes.

  12. Committee chair1:17:42

      We'll now call HB three forty three. Representative Poer.

• Feb 25, 2026 Senate floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (15 turns)

  1. Sen. Evan J. Vickers1:11:11

     Senator Vickers, Mr. President Pro Tem, uh,

  2. Sen. Evan J. Vickers1:11:14

     house Bill 97 allows health facilities to give patients the remaining portion of certain medications to take home. Uh, when you go in, think about it. When you go into an emergency room or some kind of a facility like that and get treated, maybe an eye drop, uh, a topical ointment, uh, then there's medication left over. Instead of just discarding it, they, this gives them the option to give it to the patient so they can take home. And it requires the proper label labeling in accordance with the Pharmacy Practice Act. And, and uh, it requires the facility to give counseling so that when the patient leaves they know what to do with the medication. It is a good bill.

  3. Presiding officer1:11:56

     Thank you for the presentation on the good bill. It's there. Discussion to the bill. Seeing none. Senator Victors to you for summation or motion.

  4. Sen. Evan J. Vickers1:12:06

     I would, uh, waive summation and move that second substitute. Bill 97 and be read a third time.

  5. Presiding officer1:12:11

     The question is, shall second substitute house bill 97 Be read for a third time. Roll call Vote. Senator Vickers.

  6. Presiding officer1:12:17

     Baldy. Lewin Aye. Brammer bus comore Escamilla Aye. Fillmore Aye. Rover. Aye. Harper Aye. Kins. Aye. Ipson Aye. Johnson. Aye. Juab McKay? Aye. Mikel Aye. Milner Musselman Owens Er Lum Rebe Sandal Stevenson Stratton Bickers Aye. Weiler Wilson. Aye. Winterton President Adams

  7. Presiding officer1:13:06

     Second substitute house Bill 97. Having received 24 yay votes, zero na votes, five being absent will be read for a third time.

  8. Presiding officer1:13:15

     Second substitute house Bill 2 69. Second Substitute House Bill 2 69, ambulance provider payment amendments.

  9. Presiding officer1:13:22

     Senator Vickers, Senator Vickers

  10. Sen. Evan J. Vickers1:13:25

      Anguish, president Pro Tem, uh, that could sponsor this bill and I've worked with him on a couple of, uh, occasions as well, has been trying to bring some balance into what a cost to, to provide ambulance care to individuals. So HB 2 69 uh, helps ensure that ambulance providers are paid accurately and predictably for the care that they already provide. So emergency services remain available when, when we need them. The HB 2 69 updates and stabilizes how ambulance services are reimbursed in Utah. It aligns payment rules with how emergency medical care is actually delivered, removes unnecessary statutory instability and maintains strong patient protections. Uh, some of the key points, it aligns the base rate with the real world emergency rate. It allows predictable, limited annual adjustments. It clarifies what providers may collect, and this is a key component. Ambulance providers may collect the base rate and the mileage rate and nothing beyond that structure. The bill eliminates ambiguity while providing, while preventing open-ended and add-on charges. Uh, it maintains the, the protections we're given in balanced billing. So it doesn't change anything or expand anything. With the exceptions that are involved in balanced billing, it removes unnecessary Sunset. Uh, the bill re this, the Bill repeals automatic repeal dates that would otherwise destabilize this, this ambulance reimbursement, it does not create new taxes. It does not appropriate new state funding and does not expand, expand balance billing, uh, I guess in closing, emergency medical care depends on predictability and we all have gone, kind of gone through that. I'm sure if you've had had that type of care and then dealt with the billing afterwards, the, the bill provides the predictability will while keeping patients protections firmly in place. So with that, Mr. President ProAm, I'm open for questions.

  11. Presiding officer1:15:37

      Thank you for that presentation. Is there discussion to this bill? Seeing none, we will go back to you. Senator Vickers for summation or motion?

  12. Sen. Evan J. Vickers1:15:47

      I would, uh, waive further summation. Move the second substitute house bill 2 69. Be read a third time.

  13. Presiding officer1:15:53

      The question is, shall second substitute house bill 2 69? Be read for third time Roll call vote.

  14. Presiding officer1:15:57

      Senator Vickers Baldy. Aye. Bwin Brammer bus Comore. Aye. Escamilla Aye. Fillmore Aye. Grover? Aye. Harper? Aye. Hankins? Aye. Ipson Aye. Johnson? Aye. Juab McKay? Aye. Mikel Aye. Milner Aye. Musselman Aye. Owens pitcher Plum Rebe Sandal Stevenson Stratton Vickers Aye. Weiler Aye. Wilson. Aye. Winterton, president Adams

  15. Presiding officer1:16:47

      Second substitute house bill 2 69 Have received 24 8 volt zero na volts, five being absent will be read for a third time. Senator Wilson?

• Feb 26, 2026 Senate floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (8 turns)

  1. Sen. Evan J. Vickers38:50

     Uh, if you are treated in an operating room or emergency department, an ambulatory surgical center, you're treated with like an eye drop or a anointment, something like that and there's, when you get through with that treatment on site and there's leftover medication, currently the facility would just have to throw it away. This bill would allow the provider to give it to you and we have to have the proper labeling and the counseling that goes with it and then you could take the balance of it home. Common sense approach that one. I'm open for questions.

  2. Senate presiding officer39:19

     Alright, any discussion to the bill? Senator Riebe

  3. Sen. Kathleen A. Riebe39:23

     Point of information We don't have a quorum right now. We are barely hanging on with 14.

  4. Senate presiding officer39:33

     Yep, we have 15 Counting me. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Back to you Senator Vickers. For summation or a motion?

  5. Sen. Evan J. Vickers39:40

     I waive summation. Move the second substitute house bill 97 pass.

  6. Senate presiding officer39:43

     And the motion is shall second substitute house bill 97 pass. Roll call vote.

  7. Unknown speaker39:48speaker not certain

     Senator Vickers. Baldy Lein Brammer bus. Aye. Colmore Escamilla. Aye. Fillmore Aye. Grover? Yes. Harper Grove. Hankins. Aye. Ipson Aye. Johnson. Aye. Juab McKay Mikel Milner Musselman Owens pitcher Plum Rebi. Sandal Stevenson Pitcher Aye. Stratton Aye. Bickers. Aye. Weiler Wilson. Aye. Winterton, president Adams, The team rallied to get 20 I votes.

  8. Senate presiding officer40:40

     So second house bill 97. Having received 20 I votes. Zero nay votes nine being absent. Passes will be signed by the president and returned to the house for the signature of the speaker