Video & Transcript Research : 'pests control'
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TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
S/C on County and Regional Government Apr 14th, 2025
S/C on County & Regional Government
Keywords:
transportation, infrastructure, funding, state budget, public safety, child welfare, county boards, membership, local governance, public welfare, government service, social services, Texas Family Code, regulation, vendors, solicitors, roadside sales, county authority, Sweeny Hospital District, board of directors
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- there's something created, there's something else that spins out, and we're putting that under the control
Keywords:
hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, THC, delta-8, delta-9, delta-10, consumable hemp products, psychoactive cannabinoids, cannabinoid regulation, hemp licensing, ABC Board, Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, retail hemp sales, wholesale hemp distribution, hemp tax, excise tax, age verification, underage sales, product testing, certificate of analysis
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- So the term exceptional event means an event that affects air quality, is not reasonably controlled or
- And so therefore, because EPA is requiring these fuel controls in regard to the RFG or CPG, it's part
- of the SIP-approved control measure, and it is embedded in the EPA-approved SIP.
- You have entities that have a lot of control over something that is essential for life.
- You have entities that have a lot of control over something that is essential for life.
Keywords:
air pollution, wildfires, environmental standards, public health, Arizona Revised Statutes, assured water supply, groundwater, commingling, commingled water, water supply, Arizona Department of Water Resources, ADWR, active management area, AMA, subdivision plat, development approval, water rights, municipal provider, private water company, certificate of assured water supply
Summary:
The committee approved the minutes from February 27 and March 3, 2026, and then heard several natural resources and water-related measures. House Bill 2013 would require ADEQ to submit an exceptional event demonstration to EPA when wildfire smoke from federally managed land affects Arizona air quality. The sponsor said this would help Arizona’s ozone/nonattainment position, while Sierra Club and ADEQ raised concerns that the bill duplicates an existing process and could waste staff time and resources. The bill passed 5-3.
House Bill 2156 would appropriate $250,000 to the Livestock Compensation Fund. Supporters argued ranchers need help with livestock losses and drought impacts, while opponents criticized the board’s transparency and said the program already receives federal and prior state funding. The bill passed 5-3. House Bill 2113 would require RUCO to intervene in utility rate cases when a proposed increase reaches 100% or more; the sponsor said rural customers are being overlooked, while RUCO said it would need significant additional staff and funding and could not absorb the workload without more resources. The bill passed 6-2, with members noting they expected a future amendment to add funding.
The committee also approved House Concurrent Memorial 2011, which urges Congress to delist the Mexican gray wolf and return management to states and local authorities. Supporters cited livestock losses and ranching impacts, while opponents said the species remains endangered and recovery decisions should remain science-based; the memorial passed 5-3. House Bill 2026, concerning how ADWR evaluates water availability when supplies are commingled, passed 5-3 despite concerns that it could weaken groundwater safeguards. House Bill 2056, which funds a feasibility study for brackish groundwater desalination sites, also passed 5-3 after debate over whether the study was necessary given existing groundwater accounting and treatment efforts. House Bill 2098, modernizing Pinal County Water Augmentation Authority bonding authority, passed unanimously 8-0. Finally, House Concurrent Resolution 2057, supporting a geothermal permitting roadmap and agency coordination for next-generation geothermal development, passed unanimously 8-0.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- , there is also an obligation to comply always a provision that a state law or a federal law will control
- Well, that is what we operate under today, is that state law, federal law. is going to control.
- In this situation, since the private association has a monopoly power and has control over someone's
- committee's substitute gives counties more flexibility. shortens clinical timetables, strengthens local control
Keywords:
severe weather, adaptation plan, vulnerability assessment, environmental protection, state agencies, federal agents, transparency, law enforcement, identification, public trust, immigration enforcement, HCR 19, Texas concurrent resolution, federal immigration enforcement, masked agents, facial coverings, visible identification, uniforms, badges, name tags
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill is fundamentally about local control.
- require TEC to develop rules requiring agency, staff, and the Respondent to agree to a discovery control
- estate sector, for example, ethics hearings are confidential and local associations often own and control
- Private entities, but by and large, the National Association of Realtors controls that.
- However, when that association has this kind of monopoly power and can control your livelihoods, that's
Keywords:
minors, sexually explicit materials, public libraries, age verification, civil penalties, library collection review, alcohol storage, airline permits, beverage regulations, airport, commercial flights, alcoholic beverages, local option election, zoning regulations, municipality control, land use, state law, social media, bot accounts, misinformation
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- We hope this HDOA ant control contracts.
- <00:04:10.560>
So these problematic priority pests. So these problematic priority pests. - So, I just want to highlight there are some high priority pests right now.
- <00:21:56.080>
like pests like pests like um<00:21:58.760>the <00:21:59.760>beetle. - c> there's, of survey and control unless there's, of survey and control unless there's, you<00:23
Summary:
The joint AEN-HRE hearing focused on HCR 130, HD1, which urges increased and sustained funding for the island invasive species committees and the Hawaii Ant Lab within the University of Hawaii’s Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit. The Department of Agriculture said it supported the intent and noted that ISC funding flows through the Hawaii Invasive Species Council budget item via DLNR, while also describing ongoing collaboration with DLNR and efforts to support ant control work. Testifiers from CAPS, the University of Hawaii, the Oahu Invasive Species Committee, and CARES all supported the resolution, emphasizing that invasive species work is underfunded, that the island committees and Hawaii Ant Lab do critical control, research, outreach, and eradication work, and that sustained resources are needed to plan effectively and respond to priority pests such as little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, and coqui frog.
A lengthy exchange followed over whether the resolution was meaningful, since it would be urging the state to fund work the Legislature itself controls. Several members argued that a resolution alone has no legal effect and that funding should come through bills and appropriations instead. In response, the Department of Agriculture said its top biosecurity needs are personnel and chemicals, and noted it is building up its plant quarantine and plant pest control divisions with prior funding and HB 427. Oahu Invasive Species Committee representatives said they rely heavily on Hawaii Invasive Species Council grants, have limited soft funding, and need more stable resources; they also pointed to annual reports and prior testimony as documentation of their work.
After a brief recess, the chairs announced they would pass the resolution with amendments to make it more relevant. The amendments changed the title and text to urge the counties, Congress, and other relevant agencies—not the state alone—to provide increased and sustained funding, and added language urging all of those bodies to seek federal grants. The AEN committee then voted to pass HCR 130, HD1, as amended, and the HRE committee also voted to pass it with amendments. The motion was adopted in both committees.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
AEN-TCA-EIG, TCA-AEN, AEN, AEN DEFER Public Hearings 02-05-2025
Agriculture and Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:48:50.880>
Economic <00:48:51.280>Development control Economic Development control - It was found to contain live pests.
- It was found to contain live pests.
- It was found to contain live pests.
- actionable pests and non-actionable actionable pests and non-actionable pests<01:17:52.920>
so
Summary:
The joint hearing covered SB 1023, which would create a spay-neuter special fund to reduce pet overpopulation and free-roaming cats, with funding sources including an income tax checkoff. The Department of Taxation had no substantive comment, while the Hawaii Invasive Species Council supported the measure but opposed any trap-neuter-release or re-release approach, saying spay-neuter is important but release does not reduce cats on the landscape. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii raised concerns about creating another special fund and tax checkoff, saying the fund may not meet statutory criteria and could create administrative burdens. The Hawaiian Humane Society strongly supported the bill, arguing the state currently provides little funding for animal overpopulation control and that the measure would help nonprofits and align conservation and animal welfare goals. Several other supporters testified, including a cat sanctuary representative who described the need for a dedicated funding mechanism and a possible Oahu sanctuary to remove cats from sensitive areas. After questions about the effectiveness of trap-neuter-release and the need for alternative management tools, the committees voted to recommend passage with amendments, including blanking appropriation amounts, moving them into the committee report, setting the effective date to July 1, 2050, and noting Budget and Finance concerns; the recommendations were adopted in both committees, with some members voting with reservations.
The hearing then moved to SB 1120, relating to transportation and a clean fuel standard. The Department of Transportation said it supported the intent but wanted more information on economic impacts. Electrify America and Neste supported the bill, saying a clean fuel standard would help finance EV charging, encourage investment, and expand lower-carbon fuel options such as renewable diesel. In response to questions from senators about rural and agricultural transportation needs, witnesses said the standard could support both electrification where feasible and cleaner liquid fuels in the interim for equipment that cannot yet be electrified. DOT also described county transit efforts and said it was working with Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island on assessments for zero-emission bus replacement and charging infrastructure. The committees also heard testimony on SB 586, relating to climate change and zero-emission buses by 2045, with the State Procurement Office supporting the intent but suggesting the language be moved to a different statute; DOT said it was providing pass-through funding to counties and had some zero-emission bus purchases and charging stations on order. The discussion emphasized infrastructure costs and implementation challenges, but no final vote on SB 1120 or SB 586 was described in the transcript excerpt.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Let me say that they do have the vector control program, and they do pest control as well, other than
- <00:38:21.599>
controls because they already do pest controls because they already do pest - The proposal is to place them in with the U Pest Control guys.
- <01:03:50.720>
Control <01:03:51.039>guys in with the with the U Pest Control guys - in with the with the U Pest Control guys okay<01:03:51.480>
so <01:03:51.680>the <01:03:
Summary:
The joint hearing focused on a bill reorganizing Hawaiʻi’s biosecurity and invasive species framework, including moving or renaming responsibilities within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and clarifying the role of the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council (HISC). Testimony from the Hawaiian Invasive Species Council, DLNR, Oʻahu and Big Island invasive species committees, the Sierra Club, farmers, and community members generally agreed that invasive species management is critical, but many opposed consolidating HISC or broader biosecurity functions into a single department. Supporters of the existing interagency model emphasized HISC’s statewide coordination role, its links to DLNR and other agencies, and its ability to fill gaps with federal funding and cross-agency collaboration.
Several testifiers raised concerns that the bill could weaken existing authority or create unintended legal and operational problems. The Sierra Club and others warned about possible interstate commerce issues, loss of authority to regulate movement of infested material within an island, and the need to preserve HISC as an independent or elevated coordinating body rather than placing it inside one agency. Community testimony described real-world impacts from little fire ants, coqui frogs, and landscaping-related introductions, and argued that the current system has produced service gaps and duplication when funding or responsibilities shift. One testifier also urged removing hemp movement reporting provisions, saying they do not aid biosecurity and should be treated like other crops.
DLNR and Department of Agriculture representatives said they support the overall goal of stronger biosecurity but stressed that invasive species work is broader than agriculture alone. They noted that DOA, DLNR, and other partners each have different missions and capabilities, and that staff safety, terrain, and training matter when responding in remote areas. The department said it was recruiting for new positions, with some of the 44 funded positions still being finalized, and that implementation would require phased rulemaking, standards, training, and outreach. Members asked about the bill’s practical impact, staffing needs, and whether inspectors are prohibited from hiking; the department said no blanket prohibition exists, but staff use judgment based on safety and terrain. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- milk markets, farm to schools, pest milk markets, farm to schools, pest control<00:03:45.880>
- Section three repeals 6 V.S.A. chapter 83, the pest control compact.
- chapter 83 pest control compact. chapter 83 pest control compact.
- This section repeals interstate pest This section repeals interstate pest control<00:07:27.440><
- costs of controlling pests. costs of controlling pests.
Summary:
The House took up Senate Bill 323, suspending the rules to consider it immediately. The bill was described as a broad agricultural measure with committee amendments and fiscal implications, and it was reported favorably by the Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry Committee, Ways and Means, and Appropriations. Members outlined sections dealing with milk market corrections, farm-to-school language, repeal of the obsolete pest control compact, pesticide applicator licensing changes, seed law updates, the Vermont Agricultural Credit Program, hemp regulation, and CAFO-related provisions. The Agriculture committee reported the bill out 7-0-1, and the effective date was described as July 1, 2026, except for the hemp provisions, which would take effect upon passage.
Much of the discussion focused on the hemp sections. Supporters said the bill updates Vermont law to reflect federal changes and shifts hemp oversight from the Agency of Agriculture to the Cannabis Control Board. The hemp provisions would create registration and licensing requirements for hemp producers, processors, and certain hemp products; set fees; authorize testing, inspections, stop-sale orders, and administrative penalties; and allow rulemaking on product standards, labeling, insurance, additives, and age restrictions. Speakers said the changes were intended to help Vermont’s hemp industry maintain access to banking, insurance, and interstate commerce while improving consumer safety and regulatory clarity.
Other agricultural provisions were also explained in detail. The bill would clarify milk producer hearing rights, update farm-to-school grant/contract language, remove outdated pest-control compact language, and adjust pesticide applicator exam and fee rules, including removing the limit on retakes and eliminating certain government applicator fees. It would also modernize seed labeling and definitions, transfer the Vermont Agricultural Credit Program into a new statutory structure under VEDA, and make conforming cross-reference changes in tax and cannabis fund statutes. The final sections would add a CAFO permit working group and require consultant training for state agencies on CAFO inspections, with those provisions contingent on future funding. Ways and Means noted the bill’s fee changes could affect state revenues, including an estimated hemp-related impact of roughly $10,000 to $90,000, though the exact effect was uncertain.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Research has been conducted in Panama or in South America where the pest is endemic.
- technique, remains our primary method of eradicating this pest.
- In a perfect world, that would eliminate that pest.
- More about, you know, more controlled environments.
- You know, a producer's ranch, where you could have a lot more control.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- >> Um, so it's to either control, repel, or mitigate a pest, and there are different kinds of pests.
- Emmanuel Zebakalaman from Hawaii Pest Control Association.
- from Hawaii Pest Control Association. from Hawaii Pest Control Association.
- c><01:52:59.040>
control mentioned before, the pest control mentioned before, the pest control - <01:55:15.599>
control the distri whomever the pest control the distri whomever the pest control
Keywords:
agriculture, aquaculture, livestock, agribusiness, Department of Agriculture, regulatory functions, employee benefits, restorative practices, sustainability, environmental stewardship, local food systems, Native Hawaiian, workforce development, agricultural development, Hawaii Island, property manager, state employment, SB3320, Hawaii, Agribusiness Development Corporation
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on SP 2350, which would transfer oversight of the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Development Division and the aquaculture and livestock support services branch to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. The Department of Agriculture and ADC both testified, with ADC opposing the bill as written while supporting the goal of strengthening agriculture. ADC said the transfer could create federal operational and coordination risks, jeopardize federal funding and program continuity, and was unnecessary because ADC is a business development entity, not a regulatory agency. The Hawaii Farmers Union also expressed concern that moving the programs could weaken the department’s ability to access federal resources, while the Hawaii Farm Bureau submitted written testimony and the Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association and H-Plan were noted as supporting the measure; the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council was noted as opposing it.
Much of the discussion focused on aquaculture’s economic potential and the role of regulation, permitting, and funding. Committee members questioned why aquaculture had not grown faster, citing current gross revenues of about $66 million last year, a prior high of $82 million, and a possible long-term target of $500 million. Testimony identified permitting and feed costs as major barriers, along with market conditions and water quality issues affecting producers. ADC described ongoing efforts on feed development, permitting streamlining, coastal-state collaboration on seaweed and restorative aquaculture, and national advocacy for more parity in seafood import standards.
Members also pressed the Department of Agriculture on its leadership and priorities, criticizing the lack of bills and resources dedicated to aquaculture and asking whether the department should have more authority to pursue land purchases and development opportunities. The department said it relies on divisions and industry feedback for bill ideas, noted it funds an annual aquaculture survey, and said it was pursuing congressional earmarks and other funding for aquaculture parks, research, and export/import issues. ADC said it would work with the department if the bill passed, but that its current statute does not give it regulatory authority and any such change would require a statutory amendment.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
AGR Public Hearing - Tue Mar 12, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Agriculture & Food Systems
Transcript Highlights:
- involved we want to address this pest involved we want to address this pest but<01:53:13.040>
- <02:00:20.880>
like Pathway to spread invasive pests like Pathway to spread invasive pests - or movement of pests.
- or movement of pests.
- group on alien pest group on alien pest species<02:16:23.639>
you're <02:16:23.880>in<
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (02/19/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- As to the how, addressing pest control begins with exclusion or habitat mitigation.
- After that, the options for pest control include clude infrared solar... of controlling unwanted of controlling
- control as to the how addressing Pest control as to the how addressing Pest Control<05:26:56.280
- sense after that the options for Pest sense after that the options for Pest Control<05:27:07.718
- It's time to act on these merciless glue traps in favor of humane 21st-century methods of pest control
Summary:
The committee first held a work session on HB 505, which would allow the sale of freeze-dried foods produced in homestead food operations. Members raised concerns about the bill’s broad language, especially the provision stating freeze-dried food would not be considered potentially hazardous. Several suggested narrowing the bill to specific products such as processed foods, berries, fruit, dairy products, ice cream, or vegetables, and requiring use of commercial freeze-drying equipment rather than dehydrators. There was also discussion of oxygen absorbers, moisture control, sanitation, and whether the issue should be handled in statute or rules. By the end of the discussion, members generally agreed the topic should be treated in a separate section of law rather than folded into the existing homestead food license, and the chair said the matter would be sent to the food safety subcommittee, with the possibility of a study committee if more time was needed.
The committee then moved to HB 277, a technical correction to the animal cruelty statutes. Representative Bixby explained that current law refers to a “colt,” which applies only to male baby horses, leaving fillies unaddressed; the bill would replace “colt” with “foal” and make related wording changes so the restriction applies to any horse under 90 days old not being nursed by its dam. The New Hampshire Farm Bureau testified in support, saying the change was requested to clarify and modernize the statute and that the issue had been identified during work on related animal cruelty legislation.
No votes were taken in the portion provided. The chair recessed the work session until 11:00 a.m. and announced that Representative Ktoa would take over the hearing on HB 277.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environmental Quality Committee Jun 24th, 2026
Environmental Quality
Transcript Highlights:
- Moreover, a failure to allow for pest pressures to manage pest pressures will only drive up imports more
- Moreover, a failure to allow for pest pressures, to manage pest pressures will only drive up imports
- Could it reduce domestic production by limiting pest control? Could it increase the cost of food?
- Could it reduce domestic production by limiting pest control?
- They are, at the end of the day, meant and intended to prevent a pest, to kill a pest.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- , and by that standing, it's not possible to have that pest in the US.
- in production, it will give us the capacity to return the pest to the Darien Gap, and hopefully our,
- And that in, in the perfect world would eliminate that pest.
- I'm not aware of another federal, um, pest production facility that's been.
- Um, you heard earlier that this is not just a large animal or food animal pests.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This would also bring more testing and quality control. I've been in medical care.
- It creates an agricultural plant disease and pest prevention grant program.
- I could talk about plant disease and pest prevention. all day long.
- Between 20%-- of 40% of global crop production is lost to pests annually and invasive insects.
- to not increase their control. could just say, we'll just let half of you do it.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The New World screw worm is not a new pest that we've dealt with.
- To control this, we need enough sterile flies.
- They pay attention to ectoparasite control.
- That we control and have the production at our use.
- This pest does not recognize borders. If we wait, we lose.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So the uh new world screw arm is is not a new uh pest that we've dealt with.
- They pay attention to ectoparasite control.
- The pest was eradicated in the US in the 1960s but occasionally re-emerges.
- This pest does not recognize fences or borders. If we wait, we lose.
- worms through quarantines and movement controls.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And what plans are we going to take to eradicate this pest?
- This is a foreign animal pest, causes a foreign animal disease. So...
- But the general public can help treat and control.
- to be paramount to control the spread of the flies.
- The system in place is critical for us to control this pest and its impacts on animals in Texas.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And what plans are we going to take to eradicate this pest?
- The cartel controls about 75 to 80% of the cattle market in Mexico.
- and hopefully eradicate this pest at some point in the future.
- be paramount to control the spread of the flies.
- The system in place is critical for us to control this pest and its impacts on animals in Texas.
Summary:
The joint hearing focused on preparedness for the New World screwworm threat and brought together the House Committees on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism and Agriculture and Livestock. USDA officials, Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, and Texas Animal Health Commission leadership described the pest as a serious risk to livestock, wildlife, rural economies, and beef prices, and emphasized coordination among federal, state, industry, and Mexican partners. Witnesses repeatedly stressed that Texas is currently seeing no confirmed U.S. detections, but that recent confirmed cases in northern Mexico, including Nuevo León, remain a concern because of their proximity to the border.
USDA testimony outlined current surveillance and response efforts, including more than 120 screw worm-specific traps along the Texas border and neighboring states, thousands of additional dual-purpose traps, wildlife inspections, weekly coordination with Mexico’s Senasica, and a new USDA New World Screwworm Directorate. Officials said the existing Panama sterile fly facility is maxed out at about 100 million flies per week, while a dispersal facility in Tampico is helping move flies farther north in Mexico. They also described plans for a retrofitted sterile fly facility in Metapa, Mexico, expected to come online in 2026, and a new domestic production facility at Moore Air Base, with phase one targeted for late 2026 or early 2027 and phase two adding substantially more capacity later.
Members pressed USDA on timelines, production capacity, the reliability of Mexican reporting, the risk from wildlife, and whether modular or mobile facilities could be deployed faster. USDA said it is also exploring innovative technologies, including a genetically engineered sterile male fly, but that such tools still require EPA review and field validation. Commissioner Miller highlighted Texas biosecurity efforts, five permanent inspection stations, cooperation with FDA and EPA on treatments such as Exzolt, and other pest issues affecting Texas agriculture. He also noted research into fly bait and private-sector efforts to speed sterile fly production.
Texas Animal Health Commission officials described extensive state preparedness work, including weekly coordination calls, field response trainings, outreach to producers and veterinarians, and a Texas Screwworm Response Team. They said Texas has trained more than 100 inspectors and other personnel, with additional trainings planned, and that the state is expanding its cattle fever tick rider program. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing; the main action was the exchange of testimony and questions about readiness, surveillance, and facility timelines.