Video & Transcript Research : 'farming'
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HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Next is Brian Yamamoto from Hawaii Farm Bureau. Next is Brian Yamamoto from Hawaii Farm Bureau.
- Farm Bureau will stand on our written Farm Bureau will stand on our written testimony<00:02:20.680>
- Uh next is Brian Miyamoto, Hawaii Farm Uh next is Brian Miyamoto, Hawaii Farm Bureau.
- But, you know, as you guys know, farming 1 acre is not like farming 2 acres, is not like farming 5 acres
- >
2 farming 1 acre is not like farming 2 farming 1 acre is not like farming 2 acres,<00:14:21.400
Summary:
The committee heard gubernatorial nominations for the Advisory Committee on Pesticides and the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. For GM 615, Matthew Liam was nominated to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, CGAPS, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau testified in strong support, citing his landscape industry leadership, pesticide training background, and prior service. Members asked about his experience in Australia and his approach to restricted-use pesticides; he said he avoided using restricted-use pesticides in his landscaping business but applied related safety and recordkeeping practices. Testimony was unanimous in support, with no opposition or comments.
For GM 616, N. Young was nominated to the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Support testimony from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen's Council highlighted his experience with Lanai agriculture, Sensei, the Food Basket, Pacific Gateway Center, Kamehameha Schools, and institutional purchasing. In response to questions, he discussed balancing public and private funding, the need for adequate capitalization of agricultural projects, and using financial tools to help farmers and accelerate agricultural income streams. He also said the board should focus on making agricultural land productive and strengthening food security. The nomination drew strong support, with no opposition or comments.
For GM 617, Jason Moniz was nominated to the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen's Council supported him, emphasizing his decades of veterinary and animal disease control experience, ranching background, and knowledge of biosecurity, leases, and livestock issues. Moniz said his priorities would be preserving agricultural land and water resources, improving biosecurity, supporting farmers and ranchers, and increasing food production in Hawaii. He also said he would be willing to speak up for agriculture and not let the department be sidelined. The nomination received 29 written and oral supports, with no opposition or comments.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- We have one item on the agenda, and it's SB 2006 relating to farm employee housing.
- SB 2006 relates to farm employee housing.
- It clarifies that a farm dwelling permit permitted in an ag district includes a single-family farm dwelling
- Uh, Brian Miimoto, Hawaii Farm Bureau. >> Hello, Chair.
- bonafide farming operations. bonafide farming operations.
Keywords:
carbon sequestration, marine ecosystem, climate change, renewable energy, biodiversity, nature-based solutions, organic waste, solid waste, waste diversion, composting, bioconversion, recycling, food waste, green waste, food-soiled paper, wood waste, landfill diversion, waste reduction, waste management, county solid waste plan
Summary:
The committee heard SB 2006, which would clarify that a farm dwelling permit in an agricultural district may include a single-family farm dwelling with an accessory employee housing structure, subject to restrictions. Testimony was largely supportive, with comments from the Department of Agriculture Biosecurity, DPP, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Realtors, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Hawaii Farmers Union, Housing Hawaii Future, and several individuals. The chair noted there were nine in support, two opposed, and four offering comments.
In decision-making, the chair recommended passing the bill with OPSD-suggested amendments to clarify the definitions of farm employee housing and bona fide agricultural services. The chair also referenced opposing testimony that raised concern the original draft could limit tourism activities that provide supplemental income for bona fide farming operations. The proposed amendments were intended to make clear that farm employee housing is only for workers and not visitor accommodations, while allowing tourism activities on the same parcel if they are secondary and incidental to a bona fide agricultural operation, do not occur in employee housing units, and comply with county ordinances.
The committee adopted the recommendation and voted to pass SB 2006 with amendments. The recorded votes showed the chair, vice chair, Senator Rhoads, and Senator Awa in favor, with Senator DeCoite excused. The same pass-with-amendments recommendation was then made to the housing committee and adopted there as well, with Senator Elephante voting aye and Senator Favella excused.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/10/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- It supports urban farming. It supports rural farming, beginning and established farmers.
- it supports rural supports Urban farming it supports rural farming<00:02:00.200>
beginning <00 - :02:00.520>
and <00:02:00.759>established farming beginning and established farming beginning - <00:02:10.759>
business high schools and our farm business high schools and our farm business - the investments in farm business management and farm safety, health, and wellness.
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
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/26
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- So, what is a farm?
- <00:07:48.160>
I farm? And then you look at the left. I farm? - It’s a very small farm.
- So my farm, it’s only 305 acres, but every farm up the road from me are still original family farms.
- The next farm, large dairy. But dairy. The next farm, large dairy.
Bills:
HF3718
Keywords:
veterinary medicine, veterinary technology, animal care, licensing, client consent, continuing education, emergency services, teletriage, 1183, house
Summary:
The Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee met with quorum present, approved the March 2 minutes, and then heard a presentation on economic consolidation in agriculture from Austin Ferk, who said he was not taking additional public testimony. Ferk argued that consolidation in meat, dairy, and grain markets has squeezed farmers on both input and output prices, raised consumer prices, and reduced product quality. He used charts and examples to claim that concentrated markets lead to price gouging, that farmers now receive a historically low share of each food dollar, and that industrial production has contributed to environmental problems, especially in Iowa.
Ferk focused on several large agribusiness firms, especially JBS and Cargill. He described JBS as a dominant meatpacker with a history of bribery allegations and market power across beef, pork, poultry, and leather, and said its ownership of brands can obscure who is actually selling the product. He also criticized Cargill as an opaque, privately held company with enormous influence over grain and food markets, and said the farm bill and crop insurance system have been shaped to favor overproduction of corn and soy rather than diversified farming. He argued that these policies, along with ethanol demand and export-oriented livestock production, have harmed rural communities, increased manure and nitrate pollution, and contributed to health problems.
In the latter part of the presentation, Ferk discussed antitrust and policy responses, including concentration studies, a proposed packer ban that would prevent meatpackers from owning the animals they slaughter, and restrictions on slotting fees and other pay-to-play practices in grocery retail. He also referenced the failed Kroger-Albertsons merger as an example of consolidation harming local communities. No committee vote or formal action was taken on the presentation beyond approving the minutes.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Agriculture and Water Management Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It sort of leads into the next slide that talks about the net farm back to the farm.
- We are not, we don't have a financial agreement with Grand Farm, or we require Grand Farm to pay any
- We know that farming doesn't end at the borders.
- We leverage, you know, Grand Farm and Farm... ...test spaces. We leverage other test spaces.
- We leverage, you know, Grand Farm if our researchers need to test out at Grand Farm.
Summary:
The meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and opening remarks from NDSU President David Stewart, who emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission of statewide service through teaching, research, and extension. He highlighted the university’s role in agriculture, water, soil health, and community outreach, and pointed to examples of research commercialization such as Lilac Agriculture’s work on nitrogen-fixing microbes for crops. He also said he is still early in his tenure and intends to spend time listening and learning across the state.
The committee then received a detailed presentation on a state irrigation and drainage study from Tom Bodine on behalf of Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The study estimated that North Dakota could develop about 1.3 million additional irrigated acres, with major potential in counties such as McLean, Williams, Sargent, Burleigh, Mountrail, McKenzie, McIntosh, Dunn, and Bottineau. Testimony stressed the economic benefits of irrigation for crop yields, value-added processing, dairy, and potato production, while members also discussed water availability, aquifers, downstream water use, and the need for more flexible permitting. The drainage portion of the study found significant economic benefits from legal drains, and staff explained that the impacts were calculated through increased productivity and related input purchases.
Greg Lardy then gave NDSU’s required agriculture update, saying agriculture accounts for more than $41 billion in annual economic activity, one in five jobs, and about 25 percent of state GDP. He reviewed the role of SBAR, the statewide research-extension network, new crop varieties, virtual fencing, AI and weather-network tools, and Extension’s county partnerships and youth programs. He also outlined NDSU’s priorities for the next session: restoring proposed budget cuts, increasing operating support, and addressing deferred maintenance. Members asked about storage shed construction, NDSU’s relationship with Grand Farm, and whether NDSU could help with water-related research tied to drainage and aquifers.
The committee also heard from the North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute and a professor on water and data centers, who described graduate fellowships, a water workforce certificate program, and research on data center cooling, water use, and “Legendary Harvest” concepts that would reuse waste heat for greenhouse or aquaculture production. Questions focused on whether the cooling systems were closed-loop, who would own any related production facilities, and whether the project was still only a feasibility study. Finally, North Dakota AgTech described its NSF-funded “engine” project, saying it has brought millions in federal investment to the state, supported startups and on-farm trials, and is focused on commercialization, workforce development, and helping producers lower input costs and improve profitability.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Transportation (2-26-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- So, the farm-to-farm use of your side-by-side at all, is that correct?
- question so the farm to farm still this question so the farm to farm still this doesn't<00:29:35.159
- If it's a person who's only engaged in farming or wants to ride it from farm to farm, those would not
- <00:31:35.880>
to farming or wants to ride it from Farm to farming or wants to ride it from - So, the farm-to-farm use of your side-by-side at all, is that correct? That's correct.
Summary:
The Senate Transportation Committee met with a quorum, approved the February 19 minutes, and opened with guest recognitions and a brief prayer for a colleague who had a medical episode. The committee then took up Senate Joint Resolution 66, which would create a task force to study Advanced Air Mobility and related policy issues in Kentucky. The sponsor and witnesses described AAM as emerging eVTOL “flying car” technology, argued Kentucky has strong aviation and logistics assets to compete for the industry, and said the task force would include legislative, KYTC, and industry representatives. Senators asked about the technology and potential uses, including rapid transport of medical specialists. The resolution was reported favorably after roll call, with several members expressing support and at least one member noting a desire for more information while still voting yes.
The committee next considered Senate Bill 38, as amended by committee substitute, dealing with school bus stop-arm safety cameras. The sponsor cited survey data showing hundreds of illegal school-bus passings in Kentucky and argued the bill would help change driver behavior by allowing, but not requiring, school districts to use camera systems funded through violators rather than district budgets. Testimony emphasized that the measure is voluntary, vendor-neutral, provides an appeals process in district court, limits camera activation to when the stop arm is deployed, and keeps revenues within the school district and court system. Representative David Hale supported the bill, sharing a personal story about a near-miss involving a child crossing after a bus stop. The committee approved the committee substitute and then reported SB 38 favorably with the expression of opinion that it should pass with the committee substitute attached.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 63 on street-legal special purpose vehicles. The sponsor and Backroads of Appalachia representatives said the bill would define and regulate these vehicles, while expressly excluding farm and agricultural vehicles from its requirements. They explained the bill would require inspection, registration, and a motorcycle plate for qualifying vehicles, set limits on where and how far they can be driven, and allow local or state restrictions where applicable. Supporters framed the bill as an economic development measure for Eastern Kentucky and the broader state, citing tourism, trail-system spending, and examples from other states. A committee member asked for clarification about farm-to-farm use, and the witness confirmed the bill would not affect agricultural use. The transcript ends during discussion of SB 63, before any final committee action is shown.
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee Feb 18th, 2026
Finance and Taxation Education
Transcript Highlights:
- On nurseries. >> Would it include like dairy farms? >> Yes. >> If we had them.
- On nurseries. >> Would it include like dairy farms? >> Yes. >> If we had them.
- On nurseries. >> Would it include like dairy farms? >> Yes. >> If we had them.
- On nurseries. >> Would it include like dairy farms? >> Yes. >> If we had them.
- And I don't I'm not spying catfish farms And I don't I'm not spying catfish farms in<00:14:24.160
Keywords:
sales tax exemption, use tax exemption, diapers, baby supplies, baby formula, baby bottles, baby wipes, breast pump, breast milk pumping equipment, lactation, nursing bra, nursing pads, maternity wear, pregnancy clothing, postpartum clothing, menstrual products, tampons, sanitary napkins, panty liners, menstrual cups
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources Jan 27th, 2026 at 09:05 am
House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- My background: born and raised on a farm and ranch in Lea County, civil engineer by trade.
- She bought a piece of property intending to farm it. She did everything right.”
- She bought a piece of property intending to farm it.
- to be one of our primary sales outlets for our farm and co-op.
- Our farm and co-op supports this bill and would ask for a due pass.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 4, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- Most of those small farmers want to remain in farming. Most of those are generational farms.
- I just believe that in farming land, if it can be productive farming land in this state, we need to leave
- Then, you know, we won't have land to farm on.
- , working on those farms.
- But if you were to build adequate H-2A housing in this state on farms or surrounding farms, it would
Summary:
The committee received an overview from Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson on the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, including staffing, licensing, forestry, law enforcement, and consumer services. He emphasized agriculture as a major economic driver and a national security issue, arguing that Florida should protect farmland, aquifer recharge areas, and the wildlife corridor through the Rural and Family Lands program. He said the program is cost-effective because the state buys development rights rather than land outright, keeps land on local tax rolls, and helps preserve farmland in perpetuity. He also highlighted the Fresh From Florida marketing program, increased social media reach, and the department’s efforts to reduce vacancies and improve pay and efficiency.
Members asked about nutrient management, citrus disease, housing, disaster recovery, wildfire prevention, interdiction stations, and concealed carry permitting. Simpson said SB 1000 and updated best management practice manuals, informed by University of Florida research, are helping agriculture use less water and fertilizer, and he described citrus greening as having devastated the industry while noting research, replanting programs, and CUPS as possible paths to recovery. On housing, he argued that allowing H-2A farmworker housing on farms would ease pressure on the broader housing market, and on disasters he described a zero-interest loan program for farmers affected by hurricanes and other events. He also detailed wildfire preparedness improvements, including upgraded helicopters, dozers, drones, and prescribed burns.
The commissioner said ag interdiction stations are catching stolen semis, drugs, human trafficking, and other illegal activity, and that the department wants more technology, including X-ray scanning, to inspect more trucks. He also discussed concealed carry administration, saying the department cleared a large backlog and that constitutional carry reduced but did not eliminate permit demand because permits still provide reciprocity and other benefits. Members generally praised the department’s work, expressed support for rural land protection, Fresh From Florida, water-quality improvements, and foreign-interference concerns, and the meeting ended with no formal votes or other committee action beyond adjournment.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 2/10/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I grew up on a farm in Freeborn County, where I still farm in partnership with my brother, and then I
- 45.240>
with where I still Farm in partnership with where I still Farm in partnership with my< - my brother and then I also have a farm my brother and then I also have a farm in<00:01:47.799>
- everything from sheep to Dairy to farmed everything from sheep to Dairy to crop<00:08:58.240>
farm - I come from a family farm.
- everything from sheep to Dairy to farmed everything from sheep to Dairy to crop<00:08:58.240>
Summary:
The House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee held an introductory meeting that began with housekeeping, a correction to the committee rules (the room number should be G3, not G35), and member and staff introductions. Members described their districts, agricultural ties, and priorities for the session, including consumer food costs, urban agriculture, farm economics, livestock disease preparedness, and support for Minnesota’s agricultural sectors. No votes were taken during the introductory portion.
The committee then turned to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Deputy Commissioner Andrea Veble of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture said the Walz administration strongly supports SAF because of its potential for agriculture, forestry, and clean energy, and reviewed Minnesota’s 2023 SAF tax credit and related sales tax exemption. She said the state has feedstocks and should continue investing so Minnesota can attract SAF production and support rural jobs. Jeff Davidman of Delta Airlines testified that aviation is difficult to decarbonize and that SAF is the airline industry’s main path to net zero by 2050; he cited current use of SAF, the need to scale production, and Minnesota’s role in supplying feedstocks and hosting future production.
Peter Frost of Greater MSP described the Minnesota SAF Hub as a public-private partnership aimed at building the full SAF value chain in Minnesota. He emphasized that Greater MSP is coordinating investors and partners to grow the regional economy and said the SAF effort is intended to create jobs and economic development. Committee members did not ask questions during the portion captured, and no formal action or vote was recorded on the SAF presentations in this transcript excerpt.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (04/22/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- c> is is farm viability.
- And farm viability is is farm viability.
- Um, many of our farms are struggling. Um, many of our farms are struggling.
- There's waste on farms that could be additional revenue for our farms.
- My daughter's going to farm camp this summer at Brandmore Farm.
Summary:
The committee first took up a Senate message on HB 179, relative to hazardous waste accident fees. Members reviewed the Senate amendment, which would cap the daily non-payment penalty at no more than $1,000 per day and limit the cumulative penalty to 25% of the cost, with no additional daily penalty if the responsible party is following an agreed payment plan. Members discussed the change from the committee’s earlier version, which had allowed penalties up to 100% of the damages, and agreed the revised language was reasonable. The committee voted to concur with the Senate amendment and indicated the bill could be placed on consent.
The committee then recessed SB 302, requiring background checks for solid waste facility owners, because a late request for an additional change had not yet been fully reviewed. It next voted on SB 229, relative to the sale of uninspected bison, red deer, and elk meat. Supporters said the bill would expand retail access to these meats, support New Hampshire farms, and improve food security. Members also noted the Department of Agriculture did not object, that the bill would remove a sunset and keep more workable inspection rules in place, and that the animals involved are largely from closed herds. The committee voted unanimously to pass SB 229 and agreed to place it on consent.
Finally, the committee considered SB 50, establishing a committee to study the regulation of private animal boarding facilities. Members described disturbing testimony about missing, injured, or dead dogs and the lack of clear oversight, licensing, or even a reliable list of kennels in the state. They discussed possible study topics including licensing, inspection authority, standards, penalties, and protections for both pet owners and boarding operators, including disclosure of medical conditions. The committee voted unanimously to pass SB 50 and also agreed to place it on consent. After the executive sessions, the committee heard a presentation from the New Hampshire Food Alliance on the state’s first food and agriculture strategic plan, introduced by director Nicole Cardwell, with participation from advisory committee members including Rep. Bixby and Commissioner Sean Jasper.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Criminalizing damaging farm machinery and equipment 3/2/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- 02:04.280>
on Minnesota farms are operating on Minnesota farms are operating on razor-thin<00: - Farms are not vacant land.
- Farms are damaging crops or equipment.
- directly affects and harms farm directly affects and harms farm families. families. families.
- uh intent to damage farm machinery. uh intent to damage farm machinery.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/3/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- So it can be bare land, farm site, or acres.
- So it can be bare land, farm site, or acres.
- you were discussing the types of farms you were discussing the types of farms that<00:18:04.600>
- For the record, Hunter Peterson, Minnesota Farm Bureau, on behalf of our 31,000 family farm and ranch
- For the record, Hunter Peterson, Minnesota Farm Bureau, on behalf of our 31,000 family farm and ranch
Keywords:
HF770, Rural Finance Authority, RFA, capital investment, state bonds, general obligation bonds, bonding bill, agricultural loans, farm loans, beginning farmer, new farmer, seller-sponsored loans, loan restructuring, agricultural improvement loans, livestock expansion, modernization loans, rural development, Minnesota agriculture, farm credit, chapter 41B
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Mar 18th, 2026
Finance and Taxation General Fund
Transcript Highlights:
- one-year moratorum on new solar farm one-year moratorum on new solar farm construction<00:10:28.959
- One that will plans for two solar farms.
- Uh now some of the solar farm business.
- But the fact is without the farm in.
- <00:21:11.520>
you farm solar panels are are great. you farm solar panels are are great. you
Bills:
SB176, HB155, HB247, HB311, HB312, HB317, HB466, SB176, HB155, HB247, HB311, HB312, HB317, HB466
Keywords:
controlled substances, unlawful distribution, marijuana, violent offense, sentencing guidelines, criminal justice, state holidays, federal holidays, public holidays, legal holidays, office closures, state employees, personal leave, compensatory leave, bank closures, school closures, Mardi Gras, Mobile County, Baldwin County, Rosa Parks Day
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture - 02/25/2026
Agriculture
Transcript Highlights:
- Extension, well-managed, and innovative farms.
- Farms online program has online courses for you.
- We run a farm apps program that is designed to help support our veterans who want to enter farming careers
- Obviously this is someone who has never been in agriculture, never been farming.
- with military veterans who've been farming for a couple years.
Summary:
The Senate Agriculture Committee met and first took up five bills. It reported S.593 (land used in agricultural production), S.879A (the Garden Protection Act), S.3277 (transfer-on-death beneficiaries for farming implements), and S.4754 (creating an Office of Urban Agriculture). S.1529A, the Carbon Farming Act, was moved to the Finance Committee. The committee briefly discussed S.4754, with Senator Borrello asking about its status and members noting strong support for urban agriculture and food-system resilience; the bill was then reported to Finance by voice vote.
The committee then heard from Julie Suarez, Associate Dean for Land Grant Affairs at Cornell CALS, who described Cornell’s role in research, extension, and public service across New York agriculture. She highlighted Cornell’s economic impact, growth in FFA participation including new urban chapters, dairy investment, and the potential of the maple industry, while emphasizing the need for continued agricultural science funding to address climate change, invasive species, and market challenges. She also pointed members to Cornell programs supporting food entrepreneurs, soil health, small farms, veterans entering agriculture, and community integrated pest management.
Members asked questions about tick increases, with Suarez attributing them to deer, rodents, climate change, and invasive species, and said Cornell’s community IPM program offers landscaping and prevention guidance. She also explained Cornell’s land-grant and contract-college structure, including its statutory mission and state support. The meeting ended after members expressed interest in further outreach and informational sessions, and the committee adjourned.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- A farm that is required to wording.
- feeding, or managing livestock on a farm feeding, or managing livestock on a farm of<01:00:17.359
- The criteria include farming that generates at least $2,000 in farm income or involves a certain number
- The criteria include farming that generates at least $2,000 in farm income or involves a certain number
- The criteria include farming that generates at least $2,000 in farm income or involves a certain number
Summary:
The House opened with a devotional reading by Theo Novak, a student and Vermont Poetry Out Loud finalist, followed by several announcements, including a welcome for the guest speaker and a reminder about a freshman legislator gathering and the day’s corporate cup road closures. The House then postponed action for one legislative day on Senate Bill 208, relating to law enforcement identification; Senate Bill 212, relating to portable water supply and wastewater system connections; and House Bill 639, relating to genetic data privacy.
The main floor action centered on House Bill 648, banking, insurance, and securities. The Commerce and Economic Development Committee presented Senate amendments and its own further amendments, including clarifications to consumer reinvestment reporting and a proposal to extend and then effectively end the moratorium on new cryptocurrency kiosks in Vermont. The committee described extensive testimony and data on crypto kiosk fraud, money laundering, and consumer losses, and also added a new licensing framework for merchant cash advance providers. Ways and Means reported the fiscal impact would be very small. After a brief question about the $1 million exemption threshold for commercial financing, the House concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment with further amendment thereto.
The House also passed Senate Bill 243, distributing funds to the Vermont Language Justice Project, in concurrence with proposal of amendment. It then took up Senate Bill 198, regulating tobacco products and tobacco substitutes. The Commerce and Economic Development Committee described updates to the definition of tobacco substitutes, creation of a wholesale licensing system under the Department of Liquor and Lottery, tighter controls on online sales, and bans on deceptive products that resemble school supplies, food, smartphones, inhalers, or video games. The committee heard testimony from health, enforcement, industry, and advocacy witnesses and voted 11-0 in favor. Human Services then proposed a strike-all amendment to the committee report, with further consideration to continue.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 2/26/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- the individuals working on those Farms the individuals working on those Farms representative<00:
- had discussions about on the farm had discussions about on the farm testing<01:04:56.000>
uh< - And then vegetable farms, of course deer love vegetable farms and gardens, so a big problem.
- course uh deer love vegetable farms and course uh deer love vegetable farms and gardens<01:18:23.639
- <01:32:38.639>
Bureau Minnesota Farm Bureau Minnesota Farm Bureau uh<01:32:41.239>on
Keywords:
agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, skills path program, career and technical education, CTE, dual credit, postsecondary options enrollment, apprenticeship, apprenticeship readiness, dual training, work-based learning, career pathways, skilled trades, workforce development, high school to career
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications - 01/27/2026
Energy And Telecommunications
Transcript Highlights:
- , the old way of farming, the green way of farming, the environmentally conscious way of farming in New
- So she has a greenhouse farm.
- I wanted to farm.
- My neighbor came to my farm one day. He owns a 100-acre hay farm across the street from me.
- He has a very accomplished horse farm. This land is currently being farmed.
Summary:
The Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, chaired by Senator Kevin Parker, considered several Public Service Law bills and advanced each one to the Rules Committee after brief discussion and recorded no votes or without-recommendation votes on some measures. The bills included proposals to prohibit utilities from using ratepayer funds for certain activities (1012A), establish minimum standards for payment plans for eligible customers (1327), adjust residential fixed charges (1329), require the Public Service Commission to consider economic impacts when setting rates (1847), require utilities to adopt PSC-authorized equity ratios and returns on equity (1896), create the Rate-Hike Notice Act (5553C), suspend certain utility rate changes while allowing retroactive revenue recovery (5593), allow consideration of non-economic losses in penalty determinations (7165A), change the composition of the Public Service Commission (7328A), and let utilities retain revenues above authorized returns on equity (7693). Members asked questions about who would be affected by the bills, including whether fixed-charge reductions would apply to vacant units or vacation homes and whether economic-impact considerations could affect customers differently depending on where they live; the chair and sponsors generally explained the measures as territory-wide or applicable to all residential customers, with no occupancy or income-based circuit breaker in the text.
The committee then heard testimony from Alexandra Fasulo, introduced as an entrepreneur and farmer in Schuylerville, about her concerns regarding the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES) and utility-scale solar development on farmland and grasslands. She argued that solar developers were pressuring landowners, including older and lower-income property owners, into long-term leases, that ORES approves most projects despite local opposition, and that the process lacks transparency, with redacted documents and limited public access to information. She also criticized the siting of solar projects on productive farmland and said decommissioning rules could leave equipment buried in the soil.
Committee members responded that the Legislature has already taken steps to protect high-quality soils, that ORES was created by statute and operates within the Public Service Department, and that DEC and ORES are supposed to work together rather than ORES superseding DEC. Several senators said they were sympathetic to concerns about farmland and community engagement, but also emphasized the need to expand renewable energy and balance that with land preservation. Members suggested that specific complaints about ORES transparency or solar siting could be addressed through future legislation or by inviting ORES and PSC officials back for further discussion.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 11, 2025 - 08:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- I can work with Farm Bureau on that number.
- So when farm families, someone from the farm, has to leave to go to town, if you will, to get a job because
- If the Farm Bureau plans require, are the Farm Bureau plans required to pay all medically necessary health
- But I am here, and I represent the Florida Farm Bureau.
- But I am, I'm here and I represent the Florida Farm Bureau.
Summary:
The Health Care Facilities and Systems Subcommittee met with a quorum present and took up five bills. The first, CS/HB 1119 on pediatric readiness in hospital emergency departments, would require hospitals with ERs to adopt evidence-based pediatric care policies, train staff, designate a pediatric emergency care coordinator, complete the National Pediatric Readiness Assessment, and meet minimum equipment and planning standards. Members discussed transport to the closest appropriate facility and implementation concerns, but the bill passed 16-0.
The committee then approved HB 677, which would add standard fertility preservation services to the state group insurance program for employees undergoing chemotherapy, and CSHB 497, which would authorize nonprofit agricultural organization medical benefit plans for Florida Farm Bureau members, aimed at improving affordable coverage for farmers and ranchers. HB 677 passed 16-0, and CSHB 497 passed 18-0 after questions about membership, regulation, disclosures, and how the plan would compare with ACA coverage.
The subcommittee also approved PCS/HB 791 on surrendered newborn infants, allowing infant safety devices at hospitals, EMS stations, and fire stations as an alternative safe-haven option. Members discussed alarms, unmanned stations, and whether churches should be included; the bill passed 18-0. Finally, HB 1529 on home health aides for medically fragile children was amended and passed 18-0. The bill seeks a federal waiver so compensation for parents serving as home health aides does not count against Medicaid eligibility, and the amendments added reporting of adverse incidents, set work-hour limits, and protected certain other benefits. The chair closed by emphasizing the committee’s role in implementation oversight and fixing problems after enactment.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Davidman. economy from Farm to plane all in economy from Farm to plane all in Minnesota<00:31:42.080>
- with many groups group including Farm with many groups group including Farm groups<00:43:58.400>
- That's $111,000 per farm.
- That's $111,000 per farm.
- We're a grassroots general farm organization, the largest in Minnesota, with over 31,000 family farm