Video & Transcript Research : 'temporary closure'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 2/26/26
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- We're looking to add just a clarification that a participant can't use a temporary card for this purpose
- When they're in that pre-status of moving to Minnesota, they receive a temporary card.
- That temporary card doesn't say they're a resident of Minnesota yet; it says they're going to move to
- So we just wanted to clarify that it wouldn't be appropriate for them to use their temporary card.
- Um, once they move their temporary card.
Keywords:
Safe at Home, address confidentiality, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, victim privacy, survivor protection, confidential address, protected address, secret address, identity protection, residential confidentiality, program participant, nondiscrimination, court disclosure, protective order, service of process, driver's license, state ID
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session-Day 2, February 10, 2026-AM
Wyoming Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Temporary use permits that are handed out by the state are for five years.
- The average length of these temporary use permits right now in the state is 25 years.
- >
are <00:53:25.359>handed Temporary use permits that are handed Temporary use permits - The average length<00:53:37.520>
of <00:53:37.760>these <00:53:38.160>temporary < - 00:53:38.640>
use <00:53:38.880>permits length of these temporary use permits length of
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Opening Day Wed Jan 15, 2025, 10:00AM HST - Day 1
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Brian El Takash is appointed to serve as temporary clerk. The committee on credentials report.
- Chair, the report of the committee on credentials has been submitted to the temporary clerk for action
- Temporary Clerk: Mr. Chair, I am in receipt of said report. Representative Tares: Mr.
- clerk for Action Mr clerk are temporary clerk for Action Mr clerk are you<00:50:15.760>
in <00 - The House will take a temporary recess. The House will take a temporary recess.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Information Technology Committee Jul 8th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So we did set up a temporary tower site, dual circuits, dual radios, antennas, everything.
- We did set up a temporary tower site, dual circuits, dual radios, antennas, everything.
- So the tower we're talking about, the temporary... I think that was the FirstNet.
- So that was a temporary mobile wireless coverage unit that was deployed.
- The temporary network, the temporary site, was set up to become a potential permanent tower site.
Summary:
The committee approved the March 26 minutes and then received a quarterly update on major IT projects from NDIT. Staff reported the portfolio included 116 major projects totaling about $546 million, with the overall portfolio under budget but slightly behind schedule. They reviewed projects over the 20% variance threshold, including an Industrial Commission grants management system and DOT’s roadway pre-construction replacement, and then heard startup and closeout reports from HHS, OMB, DPI, and DOT. Several previously troubled projects were closed, including HHS bed management, vital records modernization, and DOT roadway capital planning; some projects finished under budget and ahead of schedule, while others were significantly behind schedule or over budget but were now closed or being remediated.
The committee also reviewed NDIT’s annual report, including service-fund financials, peer-state rate comparisons, records management, and customer satisfaction efforts. Members asked about how service-fund revenue and grant administrative charges are accounted for, how chargebacks work, and whether NDIT tracks customer satisfaction scores. NDIT said it does track CSAT-type measures in some service areas and has survey data, but it is not planning another customer survey this summer. Members encouraged more regular reporting of customer satisfaction, service-level metrics, and performance data to help guide future improvements.
A major portion of the meeting focused on the state’s mainframe modernization effort. NDIT said the overall effort is still targeting about 2030, with multiple HHS and DOT projects underway and a $15 million tech-debt appropriation already removing some components. Staff described the main obstacles as data cleanup, complex integrations, limited staff capacity, retirements, and vendor constraints, and said they are seeking a vendor with modernization support in the next contract cycle. Members pressed for clearer accountability and faster progress, and NDIT and HHS emphasized that they are working jointly but need continued support and better tools.
The committee then heard a cybersecurity update on NDIT’s statewide services and maturity assessments. NDIT explained that it provides vulnerability scanning, endpoint protection, security awareness training, threat briefings, and penetration testing, and that these services are tied to a cybersecurity maturity assessment based on CIS controls. Members questioned the sharp drop in participation since 2020 and whether the self-assessment should be mandatory or tied more strongly to StageNet access or insurance incentives. NDIT said participation is voluntary, but Enderf is now requiring annual assessments to keep a 4% insurance discount, and members discussed whether stronger requirements or audit authority may be needed. The meeting ended as the committee began a follow-up discussion on BEAD broadband connection costs and why some locations are much more expensive to connect than others.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary (7-1-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- We received the temporary certificate of occupancy in February of 2026 and we moved in.
- And the AOC has located temporary space and is working with the landlord to retrofit that space for the
- Um, hopefully we can get moved into this temporary facility before the major portion of this work starts
- And then identification of potential temporary space that may be needed while this renovation is going
- other facility, the temporary space? other facility, the temporary space?
Summary:
The Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary received an update from the Administrative Office of the Courts on implementation of House Bill 504, the judicial branch budget, and court facility projects. AOC leaders said they do not anticipate problems balancing the outgoing biennium or fiscal year 2026, and explained that the budget changes were driven by the need to reduce costs while preserving required constitutional, court-rule, and statutory services. They also said the new filing fee increases authorized by HB 504 took effect that day and are expected to generate up to $5 million, while the reorganization is projected to save about $3 million in general fund dollars.
The bulk of the presentation focused on a major reorganization of the Office of Statewide Programs, which includes specialty courts, family and juvenile services, and pretrial services. AOC said the plan eliminates 170 positions and creates 109 new ones, mainly by reducing middle-management layers, expanding regional service delivery, and cross-training staff. Officials said 110 employees had already been offered or accepted placements, 24 had chosen voluntary separation, and the final number of employees leaving remains fluid until the process concludes around August 1. They emphasized that specialty court programs were not eliminated, but state-funded treatment court contracts and behavioral health liaison positions were removed, with treatment costs shifted to Medicaid or participants where appropriate.
Members asked about the process, staffing impacts, specialty court participation, juvenile services, and how AOC will monitor the changes. AOC said the reorganization was developed by leadership, HR, and legal staff under direction of the Chief Justice and approved by the Supreme Court, and that it is intended to improve efficiency and frontline support rather than reduce services. They said specialty court participant levels are being watched closely, that CDW services will continue to use outside providers for programming, and that the agency will keep judges and stakeholders informed as the new structure goes into effect. No votes were taken, and the committee did not approve minutes because a quorum was not present.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- polling places and allows for temporary polling places on off-reservation tribal lands.
- provides Cran bill and the OSS bill and provides notice<00:15:34.399>
of <00:15:34.560>temporary - <00:15:34.959>
polling <00:15:35.279>places <00:15:35.600>and notice of temporary - polling places and notice of temporary polling places and allows<00:15:36.160>
for <00:15:36.320 - for temporary polling places on allows for temporary polling places on off<00:15:38.240>
reservation
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- :07:22.280>
department <00:07:22.800>was He said he was not sure whether this is a temporary - if<00:07:41.319>
this <00:07:41.440>is <00:07:41.560>a <00:07:41.720>temporary - c><00:07:42.240>
cut <00:07:42.440>or <00:07:42.560>a not sure if this is a temporary - cut or a not sure if this is a temporary cut or a permanent<00:07:43.240>
cut <00:07:44.240>- are permanent I think some are temporary are permanent I think some are temporary but<00:20:52.720
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
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-02-13 (12:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- A law enforcement officer's lawful authority to affect a stop or detention, either temporary or more
- And with this amendment, that is, the Venezuelan community, and temporary protected status known as TPS
- protected, especially those who came here, quote unquote, as many of you say, the right way, under temporary
- Certain individuals who are granted TPS, which is temporary protected status, under the redesignation
- The point of temporary protected status, the point of humanitarian parole, is to acknowledge immigration
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for the Parkland shooting victims, quorum call, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The Rules and Ethics Committee special order report for February 13, 2025 was adopted, setting the day’s special order calendar and debate times. The chamber then took up immigration-related special order items, beginning with Senate Memorial 6C, which urged the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to provide guidance and training for 287(g) agreements. Members debated federal immigration policy and state cooperation with DHS, and the memorial passed 85-27.
The House next considered Senate Bill 4C, an immigration bill creating new state offenses related to unlawful entry and reentry into Florida and requiring a mandatory death sentence for an unauthorized alien convicted of a capital felony. Members questioned the bill’s constitutionality, including Supremacy Clause, due process, and Eighth Amendment concerns, and several speakers argued it would create separate classes of people and invite litigation. Multiple amendments were offered to narrow or expand exemptions, including protections for Venezuelans on TPS, certain Haitian TPS and humanitarian parole recipients, undocumented people brought to Florida as children working in critical professions, and a proposal to delay action pending court rulings; all of those amendments were rejected. The bill passed 85-29.
The chamber then took up Senate Bill 2C, which would create a State Board of Immigration Enforcement led by the Governor and Cabinet, establish a local law enforcement immigration grant program and advisory council, repeal the undocumented-student fee waiver, and appropriate more than $300 million for immigration enforcement. The sponsor described it as supporting cooperation with federal immigration agencies and ending the in-state tuition incentive for undocumented students. Early questioning focused on the impact on “dreamers” and whether the bill would effectively raise their tuition costs; the sponsor said it removed the incentive of in-state tuition but did not bar attendance. The transcript cuts off during that exchange, before final action on SB 2C is shown.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- That included also temporary construction easements, so we are almost done within the 119 miles.
- That included also temporary construction easements, so we are almost done within the 119 mile.
- Look at opportunities to build a potentially temporary station on that north side of Bakersfield in the
- Look at opportunities to build a potentially temporary station on that north side of Bakersfield in the
- So this North Bakersfield station, they are intending it to be a temporary station.
Summary:
The Senate Transportation Committee held an informational hearing on the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s 2026 draft business plan, with testimony from the authority, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and the High-Speed Rail Inspector General. Chair Cortese framed the hearing around the project’s recent changes: a new CEO, revised delivery strategy, loss of federal funds, renewed interest in private financing and value capture, and proposed adjustments to the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment. He also raised concerns about statutory compliance, transparency, and whether the draft plan fully reflects required elements and true costs and timelines.
Authority CEO Ian Chaudhry said the project has made substantial construction progress in the Central Valley and is moving toward track installation, with the state’s $1 billion annual cap-and-invest funding providing a stable base. He argued the plan uses design optimization, direct procurement of materials, and revised sequencing to reduce costs and support an early operating segment by about 2032-33. He also promoted broader commercialization of the corridor through real estate, energy, broadband, logistics, and public-private partnerships, saying private sector interest is now real. Several senators pressed him on station locations, tax increment financing, utility relocation authority, permitting delays, transparency, and whether the project can realistically reach Los Angeles and San Francisco on the current timeline and budget.
The LAO and Inspector General were more skeptical. LAO analyst Helen Kirstine said the draft plan assumes major scope changes, including a shorter segment, a Merced station outside downtown, more single-tracking, and several statutory changes that have not yet been enacted. She warned that the plan may not comply with recent legislative requirements, that funding may still be insufficient even for the reduced segment, and that borrowing against future cap-and-invest revenues is risky because those revenues are uncertain and volatile. Inspector General Ben Belknap said the draft plan fails to comply with newer statutory requirements, especially regarding the Merced-to-Bakersfield scope, the funding plan, and missing procurement milestone dates. He said the presentation obscures cost increases and schedule delays and limits the Legislature’s ability to compare current estimates with prior reports.
Committee members generally supported continued oversight and some form of project delivery reform, but several expressed concern that the plan relies on legislative changes that have not been approved and on private financing that may not materialize. Chaudhry said the authority would address the Inspector General’s findings in the final business plan and continue to pursue federal grants, private capital, and corridor commercialization. No vote was taken at the hearing.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee 5/14/26
Rules and Legislative Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- son or daughter or wife that long session night would go and sleep in the office, would that be temporary
- office.<00:26:28.240>
Would <00:26:28.400>that <00:26:28.880>be <00:26:29.279>temporary - Would that be temporary or not? office. Would that be temporary or not?
- whether uh the individuals on this sheet um were uh there was an effort to hire them as part-time or temporary
- whether uh the individuals on this sheet um were uh there was an effort to hire them as part-time or temporary
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- the Department of Human Resources Development to process program applications and place interns in temporary
- the Department of Human Resources Development to process program applications and place interns in temporary
- <00:07:56.800>
in applications and place interns in applications and place interns in temporary or <00:07:57.599>permanent <00:07:58.039>positions <00:07:59.000>at temporary- or permanent positions at temporary or permanent positions at departments<00:08:00.319>
business<
Summary:
The Committee on Labor and Technology heard testimony on several measures. Senate Bill 327, relating to internships, drew broad support from the Department of Education, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, University of Hawaiʻi, DBEDT, P20, HFIA, Hawaiʻi Electric, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, and the Chamber of Commerce, with suggested amendments to clarify the internship purpose, limit some responsibilities to the state executive branch, and address staffing and reporting details. The committee later recommended passing SB 327 with amendments, including changes to the internship language, private-sector references, work-hour limits, reporting requirements, and a deferred effective date for further discussion. Senate Bill 716, relating to the Hawaii Employment Security Law, received support from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations as a step toward modernizing unemployment insurance, and the committee recommended passage with housekeeping and technical amendments.
Senate Bill 717, relating to collective bargaining, would allow certain exempt employees to grieve suspensions or discharges. The City and County of Honolulu and the Department of Human Resources Development said the issue should remain a collective bargaining matter, while HGEA and United Public Workers supported the bill. DHRD opposed changing the statute and pointed to existing internal complaint procedures. The committee nevertheless recommended passing SB 717 with amendments and deferred the date for further discussion.
Senate Bill 742, relating to data sharing, would create a data sharing and governance working group within the Office of Enterprise Technology Services and include appropriations. OETS, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the University of Hawaiʻi, DOE, Hawaiʻi Kids Can, Hawaiʻi P-20, and others supported the measure, with OETS estimating a total cost of about $2.64 million, including software, consulting, and six FTE. The committee recommended passage with amendments and a deferred effective date, and noted the budget request in the committee report. The final measure, Senate Bill 855, relating to the Hawaii Retirement Savings Act, would shift the program from opt-in to opt-out and appropriate startup funds; former Senator Brian Taniguchi and AARP supported it, while Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi and the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi opposed it over costs and burdens on small businesses and concerns about adding mandates before the program is implemented. The committee recessed briefly on a proposed AARP amendment, then returned and indicated support for the opt-out language before taking the bill up for decision-making.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
House Chamber - Thu Jan 23, 2025, 10:00AM HST - State of Judiciary
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- was instrumental in writing the 1974 Hawaii prepaid health care act, workers' compensation, and temporary
- was instrumental in writing the 1974 Hawaii prepaid health care act, workers' compensation, and temporary
- was instrumental in writing the 1974 Hawaii prepaid health care act, workers' compensation, and temporary
- was instrumental in writing the 1974 Hawaii prepaid health care act, workers' compensation, and temporary
- was instrumental in writing the 1974 Hawaii prepaid health care act, workers' compensation, and temporary
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Jan 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We've got another group only have temporary legal presence here in the United States.
- If they have temporary legal presence, those licenses are only valid through the last day of your legal
- Think the people have temporary legal presence in the United States.
- The temporary one is a piece of paper that anyone could copy anyone can create.
- We typically we will only give a a temporary driving permit if there's something that fails to verify
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 04/08/26
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- in the commercial market accumulate daily and are the primary driver behind the wave of pharmacy closures
- had mentioned that if we didn't do something soon in the state, we were going to see more pharmacy closures
- is not sustainable for any business owner, and the consequences will be the inevitable permanent closure
- is not sustainable for any business owner, and the consequences will be the inevitable permanent closure
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 8, February 18, 2026-AM 2
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- PIOs coordinate clear messaging about evacuation orders, safety precautions, road closures, fire behavior
- evacuation orders, safety<00:47:06.400>
precautions, <00:47:07.680>road <00:47:08.000>closures - ,<00:47:08.720>
fire safety precautions, road closures, fire safety precautions, road closures
MS
Transcript Highlights:
- approach to making sure our schools are being operated, and so I like, I said, this doesn't mandate closures
- 21:32.800>
this <02:21:33.040>doesn't <02:21:33.280>mandate <02:21:33.760>closures - <02:21:34.399>
or said this doesn't mandate closures or said this doesn't mandate closures
Summary:
The committee took up several education-related bills. Senate Bill 2071 would allow school boards to vote on providing health insurance to board members and their dependents using local, not state, funds; it was advanced after Senator Brian objected that it could create an incentive for people to seek school board seats for the insurance benefit. Senate Bill 2072 would move the deadline for teacher supply cards earlier, from August to July, using EF funds, and it was reported. Senate Bill 2103 would require school boards to adopt policies banning or restricting student cell phone use during school and class time, and it was also reported. Senate Bill 21103 would remove a requirement that school counselors follow the National Association of School Counselors’ code of ethics and instead align them with the Mississippi teacher code of ethics; it passed without opposition. Senate Bill 2236 would authorize the use of LifeVac choking devices in schools, with the sponsor saying the devices are inexpensive and could be provided free to districts; it passed as well.
The committee then spent most of its time on Senate Bill 2242, the Mississippi Math Act, which would create a statewide math improvement initiative within the Department of Education. The bill would deploy math instructional coaches, require K-5 universal math screeners three times a year, create individual math plans for students below benchmark, support algebra readiness, protect data under FERPA, and establish a fund for grants and other deposits. Senator Boyd said the bill is modeled on efforts in other states, especially Alabama, and is intended to build on Mississippi’s literacy reforms by focusing on support, intervention, and professional development rather than retention or punishment.
Members raised concerns about cost, the proposed anti-lapsing language for the fund, and whether the bill should require high-quality instructional materials statewide rather than leaving curriculum choices to local districts. Senator Hopson estimated the program could cost about $3.5 million and suggested the anti-lapsing language might be removed or handled through appropriations. Senators Blunt, Hill, and Wiggins argued that the success of literacy reforms came from requiring standardized, high-quality instructional materials and accountability, not home rule alone. Senator Wiggins offered an amendment to require high-quality instructional materials for math statewide, and Senator Boyd said he was supportive of that as a friendly amendment. The discussion ended with the amendment still being worked through and the bill not yet finally disposed of in the excerpt.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Resources, Recreation and Development (04/16/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- And thirdly, this study has a closure date of 10 years from now.
- has<04:10:42.479>
a has uh or this um this fund has a has uh or this um this fund has a closure - <04:10:45.199>
Um closure date of 10 years from now. - Um closure date of 10 years from now.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on SB 27FN, which would change how improvements to dwellings over water are handled and align those projects more closely with the state building code. The bill was presented by Trisha Milo on behalf of Senator Lang, and attorney John Cronin explained that it arose from a specific New Hampshire Supreme Court case involving the Newcombs’ lakeside property, but that it could affect a small number of older waterfront homes statewide. He said the intent was to give the Department of Environmental Services (DES) limited waiver authority for improvements that do not harm water quality, plant life, or fish, while still requiring DES review and local permits.
Committee members asked several questions about the scope of the bill, including whether it was tied to one case, how many properties might be affected, what counts as “living space,” and whether the language could allow larger decks or other expansions. Cronin said the bill was meant to be narrow, focused on access and egress and not on creating new living space, and that DES would still be able to deny unreasonable requests. He also described the Newcombs’ project as a rehabilitation of an older structure that had been approved locally and later challenged by DES, leading to the current dispute.
Darlene Forst, the Wetlands Bureau administrator at DES, testified in opposition. She said the department was surprised the bill was being heard because it believed the Senate had sent it to interim study, and she argued the language was unclear and could have broader statewide effects than intended. Forst also said the underlying case was still active and should not be effectively re-litigated through this bill. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Full Formal with Calendar) Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- matters currently before the Joint Committee on Agriculture, established under the order establishing temporary
- all matters currently before the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs, established under the order for temporary
- matters currently before the Joint Committee on Agriculture established under the order establishing temporary
- all matters currently before the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs established under the order for temporary
- session I hereby transfer to the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs established under the order for temporary
Summary:
The Senate first adopted three congratulatory resolutions recognizing the retirements of Dolores Hayes, Lisa Audet, and Kate Fitzpatrick. It then handled several procedural matters, including suspending Joint Rule 12 to refer a sick leave bank bill for a Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office employee to the Committee on Public Service and referring House petitions to their respective committees. The chamber also adopted a conference report on the joint rules for the 2025-2026 session after remarks from Senators Creem, Tarr, Lovely, and Fattman emphasizing transparency, public access, recorded votes, longer notice for hearings and conference reports, remote participation, and periodic review of the rules. The report was accepted by a 40-0 roll call.
The Senate then took up the bill strengthening health care protections in the Commonwealth, Senate No. 2538, commonly described as Shield Act 2.0. Senator Friedman and others argued the bill was needed to protect reproductive and gender-affirming care from out-of-state and federal interference, to limit disclosure of sensitive information, to create a state-level EMTALA-style protection for emergency care and active labor, and to strengthen privacy and licensing protections for providers and institutions. Senators Cyr, Lovely, and Fattman also spoke in support, framing the bill as a response to recent federal and state threats and as an extension of Massachusetts’ prior shield-law work.
The chamber considered numerous amendments. Several were rejected, including amendments by Senators Finegold and Keenan and multiple Tarr amendments on topics such as medical records, consistency with existing law, and public health data collection. Some amendments were adopted, including a Montigny amendment on health-connected data disclosure, a Brownsberger amendment further protecting privacy for reproductive and gender-affirming care, a Rauch amendment clarifying protections for patients in active labor, a Tarr amendment removing an exemption for data from personal tracking devices, and a Rodrigues corrective amendment. After the amendments, the Ways and Means substitute was adopted, the bill was ordered to a third reading, and it then passed to be engrossed by a 37-3 roll call.
At the end of the session, the Senate adopted a memorial adjournment in honor of former Senate Majority Leader Louis P. Bertinazi. The Governor also filed a message submitting a bill to build resilience for Massachusetts communities, authorizing future capital spending for energy and environmental affairs, which was referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. The Senate then adopted an order to meet again the following Monday at 1 p.m. and adjourned.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Agriculture Apr 27th, 2026
Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- There was a permit put in place five years ago for a temporary pile, and it's been going on for five
- job duties of the crawfish industry as agricultural labor services for the purposes of the H-2A temporary
- So this is kind of just to drive home the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program.
- average year, about 166,000, up to a maximum of 233,000 workers for an entire year, and they're here temporary
- average year, about 166,000, up to a maximum of 233,000 workers for an entire year, and they're here temporary
Keywords:
crawfish, agricultural labor, H-2A program, seasonal workforce, Louisiana economy, Healthy Food Retail Act, food access, food deserts, economic opportunity, public health, Louisiana agriculture, community development, fresh food, agriculture, national security, food production, supply chain, security task force, farm labor, Chinese investments
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 23, which would create an Agricultural-based National Security Priorities Task Force to study issues such as Chinese drones, farmland ownership, and other technology-related concerns that could affect farmers and national security. Senator Kathy Stewart said the goal was to avoid unintended consequences in legislation and to bring agriculture stakeholders together. The resolution was moved favorably with no objections.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 502 on sugarcane bagasse storage. Supporters, including the sponsor, the Commissioner of Agriculture, and the American Sugar Cane League, said the bill would clarify that bagasse is an agricultural byproduct and would protect storage practices that comply with department best practices from local ordinances. Several residents from St. Martin Parish testified in opposition, saying a large bagasse pile near their homes was out of compliance, created dust and odors, and caused health and property-value concerns. Despite the opposition, the bill was reported favorably with no objections.
House Bill 512, by Representative Schamerhorn, would prohibit the manufacturing and sale of cell-cultured food products in Louisiana while allowing university research to continue. An amendment was adopted to make the bill effective only if certain federal court rulings allow such a ban. The sponsor and Commissioner Strain argued the issue is still scientifically uncertain and that the state should avoid costly litigation; the bill was reported favorably with amendments after no objections.
House Bill 1194, the Healthy Food Retail Act, was amended to shift food-desert research and mapping duties to the LSU AgCenter, while the financing authority would continue handling grants and related funding mechanisms. Supporters said the bill would improve data on food deserts and help target grocery access in underserved urban and rural areas; some members raised concerns about government subsidies and long-term dependence, but the sponsor and Commissioner Strain said the program is intended as infrastructure support to launch stores, not ongoing operating aid. After debate, the bill was reported favorably with amendments by a 10-3 roll call vote. The committee also reported favorably House Concurrent Resolution 65, which urges federal action to reclassify crawfish-industry job duties as agricultural labor for H-2A purposes; testimony emphasized labor shortages, the impact on crawfish and rice producers, and the need for more legal guest workers. The meeting ended with a brief informational handout on direct marketing and custom slaughter plants and adjournment.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Agriculture Apr 27th, 2026
Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- There was a permit put in place five years ago for a temporary pile, and it's been going on for five
- job duties of the crawfish industry as agricultural labor services for the purposes of the H-2A temporary
- So this is kind of just to drive home the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program.
- average year, about 166,000, up to a maximum of 233,000 workers for an entire year, and they're here temporary
- average year, about 166,000, up to a maximum of 233,000 workers for an entire year, and they're here temporary
Keywords:
crawfish, agricultural labor, H-2A program, seasonal workforce, Louisiana economy, Healthy Food Retail Act, food access, food deserts, economic opportunity, public health, Louisiana agriculture, community development, fresh food, agriculture, national security, food production, supply chain, security task force, farm labor, Chinese investments
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Concurrent Resolution 23, which creates an agricultural-based national security priorities task force. Senator Kathy Stewart said the task force is intended to study emerging technology and other issues to avoid unintended consequences for farmers while still protecting Americans. The resolution was moved favorably with no objections.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 502 on sugarcane bagasse storage. Senator Kathy Stewart explained that the bill clarifies bagasse as an agricultural byproduct and would prevent local governments from regulating its storage so long as it complies with Department of Agriculture and Forestry best management practices. Supporters described bagasse as a useful byproduct for biofuel and other uses, while several residents from St. Martin Parish testified in opposition, saying a large bagasse pile near homes was out of compliance, created dust, odor, and health concerns, and had damaged property values and livestock. Despite the opposition, the bill was reported favorably.
House Bill 512 on cell-cultured food products was then considered. Representative Schamerhorn said the bill would prohibit the manufacture, distribution, and mixing of cell-cultured food products with other meat products, while amendments clarified the bill’s scope and delayed effectiveness pending certain court outcomes while preserving university research. Commissioner Mike Strain and others discussed legal uncertainty, safety questions, and the need for more research. The committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably with amendments.
House Bill 1194, the Healthy Food Retail Act, was also heard. The amendments shifted the food-desert study and related database/reporting responsibilities from the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to the LSU AgCenter. Representative Terry Landry and Commissioner Strain described the bill as a way to identify food deserts, create a 10-year elimination plan, and use grants or incentives to attract grocery stores and improve access to fresh food. Some members questioned government involvement and long-term sustainability, while supporters cited public health and economic benefits and examples such as the Fresh Food Financing Initiative and the Red Stick Market. After debate, the committee voted 10-3 to report the bill favorably with amendments.
Finally, House Concurrent Resolution 65 was adopted. Chairwoman Butler’s resolution urges Congress and federal agencies to reclassify crawfish-industry job duties as agricultural labor for H-2A purposes. Testimony from Commissioner Strain and others said the current H-2A/H-2B split leaves crawfish processors short of workers, causing major losses to the industry and affecting rice farmers, restaurants, and related businesses. The resolution was reported favorably with no objections, and the meeting adjourned after a brief personal privilege announcement.