Transcript Highlights:

• are ending up 83% of those solar farms are ending up on<00:32:44.080> egglands<00:32:44.960><
• ground we have in the state of farm ground we have in the state of Minnesota.<00:33:00.240> Solar
• And that farm is in New Ulm, Minnesota, right outside of my area. A farm that I know well.
• I called on the neighbors of that farm.
• <00:34:08.560> Research the neighbors of that farm. Research the neighbors of that farm.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It has 180,000 surface acres, has a farm yield of over 2 million acre feet.
• I'm associate director of Texas Farm Bureau.
• I mean, I've been at Farm Bureau for 25 years. years, my entire career at Farm Bureau, we've had problems
• What does farm and ranch conservation have to do with water? No land, no water.
• And in Texas today, we're losing 800 acres of farm land.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in a good place right now and for many reasons, but we've got commodity prices and the nationally farm
• <03:48:10.319> um<03:48:10.479> the<03:48:10.640> nationally<03:48:11.199> farm
• <03:48:11.520> bankruptcy and um the nationally farm bankruptcy and um the nationally farm
• They often don't understand why the utility company is there to trim trees or to do maintenance, etc.
• to trim trees or to do maintenance, etc. to trim trees or to do maintenance, etc.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, we can elect people to office, but sometimes it is necessary to shake the tree, as it were, and
• necessary<00:04:55.960> to<00:04:56.120> shake<00:04:56.440> the<00:04:56.600> tree
• ><00:04:56.960> as<00:04:57.039> it<00:04:57.199> were necessary to shake the tree
• as it were necessary to shake the tree as it were and<00:04:58.039> legally<00:04:58.560>
• for one's own use was interstate farm for one's own use was interstate commerce<00:59:21.720> once

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 40:54.080> A7 secretary will take the role on the A7 secretary will take the role on the A7 Farms

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Total units sold at retail, so that's production at the farm.
• So if you thought of conventional agriculture, think about the farm gate.
• , dry flower weight equivalent at the farm in California.
• First thing is we look at the wholesale price, so start at the farm.
• So first thing is we look at the wholesale price, so start at the farm.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration held an informational hearing on budget issues for the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Cannabis Control, the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and the California Arts Council. The chair noted there would be no votes. CalVet gave an overview of its programs serving veterans and families, including transition assistance, county veterans service officers, education approvals, housing and homelessness programs, home loans, long-term care homes, and state veterans cemeteries. Members asked about future long-term care needs for aging veterans, staffing and recruitment challenges at veterans homes, and the Yountville steam infrastructure replacement project, for which CalVet sought a $38.8 million reappropriation and said federal reimbursement was expected. CalVet also discussed the role of county veterans service officers in helping veterans file claims and avoid predatory unaccredited representatives. The Department of Cannabis Control described its regulatory role from seed to sale and requested one position to implement SB 1064’s combined activities license. Members and public witnesses focused heavily on the illicit cannabis market, enforcement staffing, and the impact of taxes and fees on the legal market. DCC said it had roughly 87 enforcement positions with about a 15% vacancy rate and more than 200 compliance staff. Its economist presented the 2024 cannabis market report, which found licensed production and retail quantity were up, but retail value and prices were down, with an estimated 11.4 million pounds of illicit production and about 60% of California consumption still coming from the illicit market. Industry witnesses argued the legal market is in crisis, urged repeal of the scheduled excise tax increase, stronger enforcement against illicit cannabis and hemp-derived intoxicants, and expanded retail access. The Department of Consumer Affairs briefly presented nine budget proposals, including a $2.6 million ongoing request to maintain a business modernization system for several boards and bureaus. The Commission on the Status of Women and Girls described its work on economic and educational equity, health care, violence prevention, student rights, and archival and outreach projects, and said its budget request would convert limited-term positions to permanent. A member urged the commission to narrow its priorities toward current issues such as affordability, child care, and women’s health. The California Arts Council outlined its role as the state’s only statewide arts funder and requested restoration of $5 million in local assistance; supporters testified that the funding would leverage additional local investment and help sustain arts access, especially in rural communities. The hearing ended after the non-presentation items were noted and no further public comment was offered.

Transcript Highlights:

• , according, we've been joined by Senator Bottcher, welcome, sir, 99 percent of New York farms are below
• I won't bother to read the long list, but, you know, the Farm Bureau, NFIB, and the Business Council.
• The one thing I will say again is 99.49-plus percent of New York farms have been exempted.
• The Farm Bureau has not, but, you know, I don't know how much more than we can go than 99.x percent on
• I get the exemptions for the Farm Bureau or the dairy. That's just a concern.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Environmental Conservation Committee met with a quorum and a very full agenda, moving quickly through a series of environmental and natural resources bills. Early action included approving S.1343B, the clean fuel standard bill, which was referred to Finance with one nay. The committee then took up S.1464A, the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act, where supporters said it had been heavily amended to address industry concerns and protect public health by reducing packaging waste and toxic chemicals. Opponents, including Senators Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick and Stec, raised concerns about costs, unintended consequences for business, agriculture, dairy, food safety, and consumer prices. Supporters argued the bill would reduce waste, protect people from toxins, and that many farms and dairy operations were exempted. The bill was advanced to Finance with two nays and one without recommendation. The committee also considered several bills tied to climate and energy policy. S.2712, sponsored by Senator Stec, would delay CLCPA implementation for 10 years and require a cost-benefit analysis; Stec argued New York has not adequately studied the law’s costs and cited rising utility bills, while Chair Harckham and others defended the state’s clean energy direction and said the bill would not move forward. S.3652, which would prohibit certain restrictions on motor vehicle sales, and S.5611, which would create a Climate Action Cost Council and limit annual climate-related rulemaking, were both voted down and not referred onward. By contrast, S.797A, the Mohawk River Basin Management Act, advanced to Finance with support from its sponsor, Senator Fahy. The committee then took up S.8933, Senator Helming’s bill to prohibit PFAS in photovoltaic modules. Helming said the bill was a common-sense measure to keep forever chemicals out of solar panels and protect water and soil; Harckham responded that the bill’s timeline would effectively halt the solar industry and said there was no evidence of PFAS leaching from solar panels. The bill was not advanced. The committee also advanced S.9206 on brush-fire area reed removal for Staten Island, S.9280 on open water data, S.9462 on deer management permits, S.963 on Atlantic bonito and false albacore management, and S.9479A on tidal wetlands definitions. In the final portion of the meeting, the committee rapidly approved a long slate of routine end-of-session fisheries and marine resource extender bills, including measures on sharks, lingcod, black sea bass, blueback herring, fluke, scup, commercial food fish licenses, special management areas, American eel, Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon, squid, and winter flounder.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if that happens, what will become of the Joe Serna Farm Worker Housing Grant Program as an example
• And so when we refer to the multi-family supernova, the Joe Cerna Farm Worker Housing Grant Program is
• worker program projects that way because we're able to make better farm worker program projects that
• We serve over 5,000 residents, low-income families, and farm workers.
• We serve over 5,000 residents, low-income families, and farm workers in Monterey County, King City.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview of the Governor’s housing reorganization proposal and trailer bill language that would consolidate several affordable housing finance programs under the new Housing Development and Finance Committee (HDFC). Administration officials said the plan is intended to create a one-stop application and award process, reduce duplication, and pair state subsidy with private activity bonds and federal tax credits so projects can move from award to construction more quickly. The proposal would also shift some positions and reallocate portions of the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program and other housing funds. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the concept has merit but raised concerns about the proposed bond set-aside floor and recommended more flexibility and earlier reallocation of unused bonds. Several senators questioned the structure and, especially, the proposed changes to the climate-related ASIC program, arguing that it could weaken the program’s original transportation-and-housing integration and that the budget lacks enough direct funding for core housing production programs. The item was held open. The committee then received an update from the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee and the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee on federal tax credit changes and state housing finance tools. Staff explained that federal H.R. 1 increased the 9% low-income housing tax credit allocation and reduced the bond-financing threshold for the 4% credit from 50% to 25%, allowing California to finance many more projects. They reported that emergency regulations were adopted quickly to implement the new federal rules, resulting in awards for 195 projects and more than 25,000 units in the 4% program, while the 9% program funded 58 projects and nearly 3,000 units. Members discussed the importance of state enhanced low-income housing tax credits, with committee questions focused on how much additional leverage state credits provide and how they help fill remaining financing gaps. The final portion of the hearing focused on the Civil Rights Department’s response to federal civil rights policy changes and on three programs facing the end of limited-term funding: California vs. Hate, the Community Conflict Resolution Unit, and Investigations and Conciliation Enhancement. Director Kevin Kish said federal civil rights enforcement has been weakened by closed offices, shuttered programs, and reduced support for fair housing organizations, while CRD’s open caseload has grown from about 8,700 to more than 12,000 matters. He said the department is using overtime, triage, and process reengineering to manage the surge and to direct people to the right services. Senators expressed strong support for continuing the programs and concern that California is being asked to do more with less as federal protections erode. No votes were taken on the informational items, and the committee discussed the vote-only budget requests for CRD separately.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:31:50.240> and amendment, which is that farming and amendment, which is that farming and
• working in conjunction to keep farms working in conjunction to keep farms going<00:32:07.880>
• impact to the future of Vermont farming impact to the future of Vermont farming communities<00:48
• to assess the impact of future farming to assess the impact of future farming in<00:51:04.400>
• regulatory barrier reductions to on-farm regulatory barrier reductions to on-farm housing.<02:06

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My husband and I left Atlanta and moved to Royal, Tennessee, in 2015 for our dream life on a farm.
• My husband and I left Atlanta and moved to Royal, Tennessee, in 2015 for our dream life on a farm.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened with procedural remarks, including notice of an overflow room and a brief apology from Representative Andress about returning to his seat after introducing HB 114. The committee then took up HB 476, a proposed 15-week abortion ban. Chairman Lynn explained that a request to withdraw the bill had been filed, but because the bill was already scheduled for hearing, the committee would proceed with testimony and the withdrawal would require later House action. The chair also reminded witnesses to keep remarks to three minutes and asked the audience to remain respectful. Most testimony focused on abortion access, maternal health, and the likely effects of a 15-week limit. Opponents, including Nancy Pariser, Dr. Cynthia Rasmussen, Dr. Young, Bonnie Bruno, and others, argued that abortion restrictions increase maternal mortality, worsen miscarriage care, create “OB deserts,” and can delay emergency treatment in cases such as sepsis or ectopic pregnancy. Several speakers cited experiences from Texas and Georgia and warned that HB 476 contained no exceptions for rape, incest, or maternal health. Supporters of the bill, including Paul Galasso and Lynn Hill, framed abortion as the loss of unborn life and argued that 15 weeks still allows most abortions while saving lives; they also said New Hampshire’s current law is already adequate and that the bill should be strengthened rather than abandoned. Other witnesses emphasized practical and economic concerns, saying unwanted pregnancies can worsen poverty, childcare burdens, housing insecurity, and women’s lifetime earnings. Some speakers urged lawmakers to focus instead on affordable housing, childcare, and family support. No committee vote or final action on HB 476 occurred during the hearing; the meeting consisted of opening remarks and public testimony only.

Transcript Highlights:

• selfish in what we’re doing because we want to increase rural prosperity and profitability on the farm
• selfish in what we’re doing because we want to increase rural prosperity and profitability on the farm
• that rural prosperity and that farming that rural prosperity and that farming profitability,<00:
• <00:31:28.159> and able to work on some of these farms and able to work on some of these farms
• We are seeing extreme buy-in in the community around this for on-farm processing.

Keywords: This meeting was pulled from back ups and uploaded in it's entirety due to technical issues., 958, all

Summary: The Make America Healthy Kentucky Task Force met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then heard a presentation on the state’s “food is medicine” work from Kentucky Hospital Association and Kentucky Department of Agriculture leaders, including Jim Muser, Holly Harris, and Commissioner Jonathan Shell. The chair framed the discussion around personal wellness, injury prevention, and the broader goal of improving health through better sleep, nutrition, and activity, then asked the presenters to describe current initiatives and any policy changes needed. The witnesses described a partnership linking hospitals and Kentucky farmers to improve health outcomes while supporting rural agriculture. They said the effort has moved beyond the pilot stage and now includes more than 40 hospitals statewide, with programs such as healthier hospital cafeterias, grab-and-go options, farmers markets at hospital sites, subsidized CSA boxes for employees, and medically tailored meals or groceries for patients with chronic conditions. ARH was highlighted as a leading model, with local food procurement, employee wellness efforts, and measurable outcome pilots, including a Russell County Hospital project focused on diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. They also emphasized barriers to scaling the model, including fragmented short-term funding, lack of reimbursement for food-as-medicine programs, and burdensome procurement and testing requirements that can make it difficult for small farmers to participate. The presenters said hospitals are using their own funds or temporary grants to sustain programs and argued that policy changes are needed to simplify sourcing, expand reimbursement pathways, and support clinical measurement of outcomes. No votes or formal actions beyond approving the minutes were taken during the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Immigrants disproportionately work not just on farms, but also in food processing, meat packing, and
• is availability of help on the farm.
• <00:20:47.559> is<00:20:48.039> is<00:20:48.480> um lot of midsize Farms is
• availability of of of help on the farm availability of of of help on the farm and<00:20:51.679><
• > particular<00:20:53.480> U and for those farms in particular U and for those farms in

Bills: HF10, HF27

Keywords: undocumented immigrants, state funding, MinnesotaCare, scholarship ineligibility, state assistance, permit to carry, concealed carry, handgun permit, firearm permit, pistol training, sheriff, application process, electronic filing, mail application, fax submission, certified mail, certified delivery, gun rights, Second Amendment, firearms regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• Joe was a dedicated farmer, educator, and champion for local family-owned farms.
• last month after a lifetime of service to agriculture and making exceptional contributions to the farming
• Joe showed integrity at county and state levels as a long-standing member of the Solano County Farm Bureau
• and Solano Trust boards of directors, as well as the California Farm Bureau Board of Directors representing
• He was recently honored with the Solano County Farm Bureau Heritage Award, and he was widely recognized

Summary: The Assembly convened in Sacramento with an initial quorum call, then established a quorum and proceeded with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine opening business. The chamber dispensed with reading the prior journal, deferred introductions and references of bills, and reported no Governor or Senate messages. Procedural motions were approved, including suspending rules to allow adjournment-in-memory remarks and guest access, and withdrawing S.J.R. 7 from committee and placing it on the third reading file. Members then recognized several guest groups, including Grace Valley Christian School, College of San Mateo student-athletes, the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Agricultural Leadership Class, the Light of the World youth group, and exchange students from Germany and Tajikistan. There was no substantive floor debate on legislation; daily file and several file items were passed, retained, or continued without further action. The main floor activity centered on adjournment-in-memory tributes. Assemblymember Ortega honored former San Leandro Mayor Stephen Cassidy for his public service, school and hospital advocacy, and civic leadership. Assemblymember Wilson honored Joseph R. Martinez, a Solano County agricultural leader and advocate for rural health care. The Assembly observed moments of silence for both individuals. The session concluded with announcements, including a reminder that FPPC Form 700 was due that day, notice of committee meetings, and an adjournment motion carrying the House until Thursday, March 5 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Liz Littwall, and I'm the treasurer of the brewery at Four Star Farms in Northfield, Massachusetts
• We're a farm-based brewery and part of a family-owned commercial hops farm, employing five local staff
• We're a farm-based brewery and part of a family-owned commercial hops farm, employing five local staff
• the value and importance of farm-to-glass experiences for our consumers.
• In January of this year, I was able to join the legislature as the governor highlighted our farm and

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a public hearing on a wide range of alcohol, liquor licensing, and hemp-derived beverage bills. Early in the hearing, there was a procedural dispute when Senator Jacob Oliveira attempted to testify virtually on S. 279; the House chairs declined to recognize virtual testimony from a committee member, and Senator Pavel Payano instead read prepared remarks supporting the bill to return liquor license authority to municipalities. The committee then heard testimony on H. 437/S. 279 from the Massachusetts Municipal Association and Cohasset Town Manager Christopher Senior, both of whom argued that local control would streamline licensing, better match modern community needs, and support downtown economic development. A Lexington business owner also supported local licensing flexibility for a paint-and-sip business seeking a beer and wine license. The committee also heard extensive testimony on hemp-derived beverage regulation, including H. 357 and S. 222. Supporters from the Commonwealth Beverage Coalition and Theory Wellness said the products are already widely available in unregulated settings, including gas stations and smoke shops, and argued for a regulated framework with age limits, testing, labeling, and local public health funding. The Massachusetts Brewers Guild supported regulation of low-dose hemp beverages but asked that breweries be allowed to participate using their existing retail and distribution rights. The Guild also supported H. 478, which would allow limited self-distribution by pub breweries, saying it would reduce inefficiency and help small breweries grow. Several bills modernizing alcohol licensing laws were also discussed. Representative Ruel supported H. 477, describing it as a cleanup measure that would remove the contiguous-premises requirement, add a character standard for applicants, and extend public notice periods. Representative Sangiolo testified in support of H. 3893, a local liquor-license bill tied to economic development and new businesses in Lexington, including a movie theater, coffee shop, and paint studio. Fable Brewing Company also supported the local license bill, saying the licenses are needed before they can finalize leases and open. The committee then heard opposition from the Massachusetts Package Stores Association and several retailers, who warned that the retail tier is under pressure from oversaturation, declining revenues, and expanded competition, and opposed a long list of bills they said would further weaken existing stores or the three-tier system. At the end of the hearing, Representative McKenna testified in support of H. 437 and S. 279, emphasizing municipal autonomy and the importance of on-premises licenses for restaurants and other economic-development projects. The chairs noted that additional written testimony could still be submitted on bills that did not receive in-person testimony. The hearing concluded with a motion by Representative Sangiolo, seconded by Representative LeBoeuf, to close the hearing, which passed by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I own a small farm in the Santa Cruz area, Santa Cruz Farm.
• And a bill like this does help us move forward with projects and move forward with new farms.
• There's two new farms in Poque Valley. We need support for all of that.
• Bill representing the Mexico Food and Agriculture Policy Council, Farm to Table, and the Rocky Mountain
• You know, when I'm not here, I'm out in My field, I farm and I ranch for a living.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• supplemental benefits, to expand state programs like the fruit and vegetable EBT program, to increase farm
• Pimentuwan, and I'm here on behalf of Alameda County Community Food Bank and the California Food and Farming
• Beth Spittler, on behalf of Farms to People, Food Shed Cooperative, Yellow Food Hub Network, Agricultural
• Hello, Chair and Committee members, Beth Spittler, on behalf of Farms to People, Food Shed Cooperative
• I'm the policy director at the California Food and Farming Network.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Agriculture heard three bills. SB 18 by Senator Rubio would create a Food Desert Elimination Grant Program at CDFA to help open or improve grocery stores in food desert communities. Supporters said it would improve access to healthy food, create jobs, and help underserved neighborhoods; opponents argued it could favor large chains, lacked community input and accountability, and should better prioritize tribal, BIPOC-owned, and community-led retail. Committee members raised concerns about population thresholds, community engagement, and long-term commitments, and the author said the bill could be strengthened with guardrails. SB 18 passed 7-0 and was sent to Appropriations. SB 312 by Senator Umberg would require out-of-state shippers of dogs to electronically submit health certificates to CDFA and make them available to buyers and enforcement agencies, aiming to improve consumer protection and traceability in the puppy import pipeline. Supporters from animal welfare and humane organizations said the bill would help stop sick or misrepresented puppies from entering California and give investigators a central record. Members asked about privacy and enforcement, and the author indicated amendments could address consumer privacy concerns. The bill passed unanimously and was sent to Appropriations. SB 493 by Senator Becker would change how compensation is set for secretary managers of district agricultural associations and fairgrounds, shifting salary-setting authority to CDFA and requiring periodic salary surveys. Supporters said fairgrounds are critical emergency-response and community facilities and that the bill would help recruit and retain qualified leaders with fairer pay. Some members expressed concern about local control and appointment delays, but clarified the bill only addressed salary, not appointments. SB 493 also passed unanimously and was sent to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• depth just in terms of agriculture conversations, and aside from visiting Representative Nelson's farm
• by the producer, they need to report that claim within 48 hours, and then the investigation on the farm
• <00:13:32.079> Um<00:13:32.639> just Nelson's farm a couple of times.
• Um just Nelson's farm a couple of times.
• then the investigation on the farm then the investigation on the farm happens.<00:14:17.600>

Bills: HF601

Keywords: agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Right down the road from my farm, actually, about 20 miles away.
• So it's my opinion that it's going to be on the farm, on the grassroots.
• Just a farm boy. Mr.
• We currently have generations five and six on our farm in St. Charles.
• It doesn't make sense to somebody, but I'm just a simple farm boy on that.

Bills: HF2103, HF2793

Keywords: energy, renewable energy, ammonia, hydrogen, certificate tracking, funding, environment, community solar, energy policy, sustainability, solar garden program, regulation sunset

Transcript Highlights:

• We create some new rules to make sure that folks are ready to farm, and we change some dates to make
• that the resources we allocated will go where they need to go and get help to farmers who need help farming
• We create some new rules to make sure that folks are ready to farm, and we change some dates to make
• help people get jobs, and we'll respect farmers and grow the agricultural economy. who need help farming
• . who need help farming.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In Gonzales County, there are many family farms, ranches, small businesses, and homeowners that rely
• I’m in this situation myself on my farm in Gonzales County, and these wells are absolute necessities
• And now they want to install three additional wells adjacent to my farm.
• My name is Charlie Leal, and I serve as State Legislative Director for Texas Farm Bureau.
• The team will ensure that this program places an emphasis on conserving actual farms and ranches.

Bills: HB2018, HB1633, HB1689, SB612, SB3058

Keywords: agricultural conservation, land preservation, environmental protection, wildlife habitat, Texas Farm and Ranch, groundwater conservation district, Texas Water Code, water permit, permit amendment, groundwater permit, water rights, aquifer, well registration, exempt wells, beneficial use, water conservation, groundwater quality, well plugging, Hill Country Priority Groundwater Management Area, surface water resources