Video & Transcript Research : 'cloud seeding'
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- And then we will pass it off to our amazing guests from Seed today.
- I'm the policy lead for Seed.
- So the way seed works is we organize disability implement policy options into seven.
- As SEED, we partner with organizations.
- Has our state as a model employer initiative leveraged SEED at all?
Summary:
The Disability Employment Subcommittee met with roll call, approved prior meeting minutes, and shared an inspirational quote from Jane Goodall about the importance of every individual. Members then introduced themselves and their roles, including state disability advocates, providers, and commission members, before hearing a presentation from Katia Alpanis and Dina Klumkina of the State Exchange on Employment and Disability (SEED). SEED described its role as a technical assistance and policy resource for states, focused on sharing best practices and examples from other states to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
The presentation outlined SEED’s seven policy areas: career readiness and work-based learning, behavioral health and work, stay-at-work/return-to-work supports, employer recruitment and retention tools, entrepreneurship and disability-owned business development, interagency coordination, and state government as a model employer. Examples from other states included scholarship and transition supports in Kentucky and Virginia, stay-at-work programs in Alaska and Washington, accommodation funds in Minnesota, procurement and small business initiatives in New Jersey and Virginia, and model employer efforts in Colorado, New York, and Tennessee. Members also asked about digital accessibility and PEAT; SEED said PEAT has been refunded and that SEED can help with policy-level questions and peer examples, but not implementation of accessibility requirements.
Discussion then shifted to possible Massachusetts projects. Members raised concerns about upcoming Medicaid work or civic engagement requirements and how people with disabilities might fall through the cracks, and they asked whether SEED could help Massachusetts use existing documentation, such as IEPs, to reduce barriers. The group identified two main areas for follow-up: a Massachusetts “state as a model employer” roadmap and a youth/young adult employment and volunteer pipeline, potentially linked to transition services and apprenticeship opportunities. SEED agreed to provide Massachusetts-specific analysis and two briefs, one on career readiness policies and one on state-as-model-employer strategies, and the subcommittee planned an offline follow-up meeting to narrow priorities and develop a scope of work.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans Broadband and Rural Development - 03/12/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- and<01:15:07.159>
turf <01:15:07.480>seed research uh on grass seed and turf seed - The Turf Seed Council is comprised of farmers, processors, and businesses representing the turf seed
- Northern Minnesota grass seed industry has a long history of turf seed development.
- <01:16:44.480>
Advisory the northern Forge Turf seed Advisory the northern Forge Turf seed - The northern Minnesota grass seed industry has a long history of turf seed development.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- These seeds are deadly, for studies have discovered that one seed can kill up to 80,000 bees and even
- A major use of neonics is as coatings on crop seeds.
- Not only that, but Quebec's farmers pay less for untreated seed than they do for treated seeds.
- routes being the dust generated during seed planting.
- diamides as an optional insecticide seed coating.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hybrid hearing on a large slate of bills focused on pesticides, pollinators, rodenticides, mosquito control, invasive species, and local authority over pesticide regulation. Chair Becca Rausch set strict two-minute testimony limits due to the very large number of speakers. Early testimony from Senator Moore and Representative Hawkins strongly supported a bill to restrict second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, citing harms to wildlife, pets, and public health, and noting that California has already adopted a similar model. Testimony also supported a Lowell home rule petition to allow the city to prohibit or restrict these rodenticides, with local officials describing documented raptor poisonings and municipal efforts to phase out use on city property.
A major portion of the hearing focused on pollinator protection and neonicotinoid-treated seeds. Witnesses from environmental groups, conservation organizations, academics, and beekeepers argued that neonics harm bees and other beneficial insects, contaminate soil and water, and provide little or no economic benefit in most corn and soybean fields. Several speakers pointed to New York, Vermont, and Quebec as models for restricting treated seeds, and one panel cited research showing only a small percentage of fields benefit economically from the treatments. Support was also voiced for a bill establishing an ecologically based mosquito management program, with advocates criticizing aerial and truck spraying and urging non-chemical, locally tailored approaches.
Other testimony supported bills to reform the pesticide board and pesticide regulation process, to give vulnerable municipalities more local control over pesticide use, to protect schoolchildren from pesticides on school grounds, and to respond to invasive species through a centralized state office, coordinator, strategic plan, and trust fund. Many speakers, including representatives from Mass Audubon, MSPCA, the Xerces Society, the Sierra Club, watershed groups, and local wildlife rehabilitators, described impacts on hawks, owls, pets, fish, and broader ecosystems. No votes were taken during the hearing, and committee members generally asked few questions, with the hearing remaining in testimony mode throughout.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- So next item on the agenda is an opportunity to work with an organization called SEED.
- So let's say, for example, the representative at seed has moved on for whatever reason.
- They're a contractor of SEED.
- So thank you very much for the opportunity to listen to more about SEED. All right.
- So it's encouraging to hear that SEED continues. Okay, that was all. Okay. That was all.
Summary:
The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities subcommittee on Disability Employment approved the prior meeting minutes, welcomed new commission member Victoria Gill, and heard an opening quote on leadership before moving to presentations and planning. The main presentation was from Kristen Grip and Katie McCarthy of Boston Children’s Hospital’s Disability Alliance employee-led group, which described its mission to build an inclusive workplace through education, community-building, and advocacy. They discussed monthly disability-awareness programming, intersectional events, accommodation and accessibility efforts, internal ableism, universal design, and BCH’s recognition in the 2025 Disability Equality Index. They also described their own lived experience and emphasized that employees with disabilities should lead disability-related workplace efforts.
Committee members asked how to start a disability employee resource group and what external partnerships might help. The presenters said BCH’s HR diversity team helped launch the group over about a year, and members noted related resources, including a Work Without Limits guide and possible connections with Spalding Rehabilitation and other hospitals. The committee also discussed BCH’s continued support for disability inclusion work despite broader political pressure, and members praised the hospital’s efforts and offered to share additional contacts and resources.
The subcommittee then turned to possible collaboration with SEED, the State Exchange on Employment and Disability, on Massachusetts as a model employer and benefit cliff analysis work. Members agreed SEED could help with policy framing, comparative data, stakeholder education, and youth disability employment efforts, and they approved inviting SEED to brief the subcommittee in January or February. The group also discussed possible links to CAPE-Youth, Commonwealth HR and DEI offices, and a future partnership with the Office of the Veterans Advocate. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was seconded and approved.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Ways and Means Committee OKs bill to upgrade county-level human services IT 5/14/26
Transcript Highlights:
- We have a seed that has already been planted.
- We have a seed that has already been planted.
- We have a seed that has already been planted.
- ,<00:12:24.600>
making Uh we are creating that seed, making Uh we are creating that seed, - <00:13:35.400>
because we grow that seed because we grow that seed because [clears throat]
Summary:
The committee took up House File 4808, as amended by a DE3, a human services technology modernization bill. The author described the measure as a multi-year effort to modernize outdated county systems, improve data integration, and strengthen program integrity and fraud detection. The bill would create a Human Services Modernization Fund with a $50 million cap, establish an advisory council with strong county and tribal representation, and create a legislative commission to oversee the work and receive annual reports. It also includes a $10 million county-focused grant fund and a $15 million appropriation for the Office of Inspector General’s technology needs.
Testimony from the Association of Minnesota Counties and related county groups strongly supported the bill, emphasizing the need for immediate modernization, the importance of county and tribal involvement, and the value of legislative oversight. Members from both parties echoed support, saying the bill would help county workers spend less time on outdated systems and more time serving clients, and that better system integration could reduce errors and fraud issues. One member suggested that audits should be considered in the future in addition to reporting requirements.
The committee adopted the DE3 amendment without opposition. After discussion, the chair renewed the motion to refer House File 4808, as amended, to the general register, and the motion passed on a voice vote.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 04/21/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- neoentoid insecticides or treated seeds neoentoid insecticides or treated seeds is<01:25:09.040>
- people uh espouse treatment of seeds people uh espouse treatment of seeds just<01:31:27.120>
- about it except for one who is a seed about it except for one who is a seed dealer<01:33:17.360>
- This is treated crop seeds.
- treated so that way we can ensure the viability of that seed and the longevity of that seed.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 03/02/26
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
CPC Public Hearing - Thu Apr 9, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Consumer Protection & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- , you have the seed.
- This bill allows hemp seed ingredients, hemp seed, hemp seed oil, meal, and cake to be used in commercial
- This bill allows hemp seed ingredients, hemp seed, hemp seed oil, meal, and cake to be used in commercial
- which is the hemp seed meal. which is the hemp seed meal.
- or Can do hemp seed, seed-laying meal, or they have to adopt it.
Keywords:
SB3302, homemade food products, farm kitchens, home kitchens, Department of Health, DOH, food safety, food labeling, value-added agriculture, small farms, agricultural land, commercial food establishment permit, cottage food, direct-to-consumer sales, local food systems, Hawaii Revised Statutes, chapter 91, farm-to-table, food processing, public health regulation
Summary:
The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on April 9, 2026, and heard testimony on several measures. SB 3302 SD1 HD1, dealing with homemade food products, would require the Department of Health to adopt rules for farm kitchens producing homemade food products that are no more stringent than rules for home kitchens. The Department of Health said it supported the bill with technical amendments, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association and Grassroot Institute of Hawaii also supported it. No opposition was heard.
A lengthy discussion focused on SB 2061 SD2 HD1, which concerns a 99-year leasehold residential condominium project and HCDA’s rules for sales, income restrictions, and buyback pricing. HCDA supported the bill and said the House draft clarified unclear provisions and would help move the project to pre-sales. Testimony and committee questions centered on whether the project should remain owner-occupied in perpetuity or allow investor purchases after an initial sales period. HCDA explained that the bill was revised to make the project feasible in the market, that 60% of units would be income-restricted for buyers at or below 140% of area median income, and that the remaining units could be sold without owner-occupancy restrictions. Some members and testifiers expressed concern that the bill had shifted away from the original owner-occupancy vision and could become an investment property model, while others argued the changes were necessary for the project to pencil out and compete with fee-simple developments. No vote was taken during the discussion shown.
The committee also heard SB 2050 SD1 HD1, which would allow chiropractic students in accredited programs to engage in clinical practice beginning July 1, 2028. The Hawaii Board of Chiropractic and the Hawaii State Chiropractic Association supported the measure, and one testifier described personal experience with student chiropractic care in California. Members questioned why the board requested delaying implementation until 2030, and the board said it needed more time to develop rules because it meets only a few times a year and rulemaking is lengthy. Finally, SB 2102 SD2 HD1, on industrial hemp in commercial feed, was introduced; the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity offered comments, the Department of Health raised concerns about regulating pet food and possible jurisdictional conflict, and a farmer testifying in support suggested narrowing the bill to federally approved livestock feed rather than pet food.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- briefer, S323 touches upon milk markets, farm to schools, pest control compact, pesticide licenses, seed
- law changes according to ASA, which seed law changes according to ASA, which is<00:03:51.000>
the - containers of seed.
- flower and vegetable seeds. flower and vegetable seeds.
- containers of seed. containers of seed. Um<00:09:53.280>
let's <00:09:53.680>see.
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.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Veterans’ & Military Affairs Oct 30th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The first piece here is a seed coordinator.
- Manually collect seed from the existing prairie lands or surrounding things?
- So you're collecting native seeds or you're purchasing these seeds from off-site suppliers?
- A seed nursery where they are growing prairie plants and seeds, and that's where the bulk of that comes
- So there is some wild seed collection, but it's mostly nursery produced.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs heard presentations on several military and veterans-related topics. Dr. Dan Calvert briefed the committee on the JBLM Sentinel Landscape Partnership, explaining its voluntary conservation work to reduce encroachment around the base by protecting prairie habitat, supporting agriculture, and managing sensitive species. He described REPI funding, recent and proposed projects, and possible policy support such as state designation, dedicated funding, management endowments, prescribed fire flexibility, and water-right transfer tools. Members asked about seed sourcing, the distinction between natural-resource encroachment and development-related encroachment, and the impact of federal REPI staffing cuts.
David Puente of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs updated the committee on plans for a new state veterans cemetery in the Tri-Cities area and a replacement Spokane Veterans Home. He said the cemetery project has two candidate sites near Richland/West Richland, with pre-design funded by the legislature and a future request expected for land purchase and construction; he also noted the current cemetery funding source is limited and would not support a second cemetery without additional state operating funds. On the Spokane home, he described the current facility’s limitations and said the replacement would be a 120-bed, small-house model on a larger site, with the VA expected to cover 65% of construction costs if the state provides the match. He also reviewed agency budget reductions, including vacant positions, reduced outreach, cuts to counseling and wellness funding, and reduced support for veterans service organizations.
Blue Star Families’ Puget Sound chapter also presented on its programs for military-connected families, including Coffee Connects, a children’s book club, outdoor programming, career support, and Blue Star Welcome Week. The group said it is expanding beyond the South Sound and is using local outposts and online networks to reach more families, while also helping with food insecurity through grocery gift cards and partnerships with local nonprofits. Committee members discussed the need to expand the organization statewide and the ongoing food-security challenges facing military families.
During the final discussion on potential legislation, members raised ideas including restoring Washington National Guard retention efforts, expanding E-CAP eligibility to military families, revisiting the composition of the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, and addressing veterans’ preference issues for service members who have not yet received a DD-214. The committee did not take any formal votes or actions, but members and presenters discussed future policy and budget requests, and the chairs thanked the presenters and staff before adjourning.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (02/03/2026)
Environment and Agriculture
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, so I am very strongly in favor of banning seed coatings, neonic seed coatings on seeds that are commodity
- coatings neonic seed banning uh seed coatings neonic seed coatings<00:49:54.559>
on <00:49:55.839 - c> seeds.
- Uh, I think that it seed seed suppliers.
- seed seed suppliers will whether or not seed seed suppliers will be<01:08:52.640>
selling <01:
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (01/20/2026)
Environment and Agriculture
Transcript Highlights:
- here is not banning all seed treatments. here is not banning all seed treatments.
- grubs, and seed corn maggot.
- Um, neonics are predominantly used on corn seed, not wheat seed.
- <00:25:10.559>
We used on corn seed, not wheat seed. - We used on corn seed, not wheat seed.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Minnesota Sustainable Foraging Task Force 10/8/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, but I collect seeds, Solomon's seal seeds, right around this time in October because that's when
- Uh, but I collect seeds, Solomon's seal seeds, right around this time in October because that's when
- Um, native seed<01:09:28.480>
and <01:09:28.719>native <01:09:29.040>seed <01:09: - :10:42.000>
seeds <01:10:42.960>right collect seeds u solomicial seeds right collect seeds - website for foraging and maybe seed website for foraging and maybe seed collection<01:37:28.159>
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
October 15, 2025 - 11:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- AND OUR SEED TO SALE TRACKING SYSTEM WAS SOMETHING THAT WE WORKED ON IN 2024 TO IMPLEMENT.
- WE PUBLISHED A RULE IN JANUARY DIRECTED THEM TO INTEGRATE WITH OUR SEED TO SALE SYSTEM AND IT REALLY
- PRIOR TO THE SEED TO SALE THE MMTC REPORT OF THE LOAD DISPENSATION TO US TO THE REGISTRY.
- THEY DID IT BY DISPENSING AGAINST THE ALLOTMENT THAT WAS GIVEN AND NOW THAT WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED SEED
- YOU ARE SAYING THAT YOU CHANGE THE WAY THAT YOU REPORTED BASED OFF THE SEED TO SALE.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- operation there has to be seed operation there has to be seed production<00:14:36.639>
occurring - I noted in Dean's testimony they said Lānaʻi already has one endemic seed bank.
- I noted in Dean's testimony they said Lānaʻi already has one endemic seed bank.
- I noted in Dean's testimony they said Lānaʻi already has one endemic seed bank.
- can stay viable and every so often seed can stay viable and every so often seed germination<00:16
Summary:
The House Committee on Higher Education heard several measures focused on health, environment, and research. HB 970 would allow chiropractic students to participate in clinical practice under direct supervision; the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic offered comments and asked for a delayed implementation date until July 2027 to allow time to adopt rules, while the Hawaii State Chiropractic Association supported the bill. Members also discussed that there are currently no chiropractic schools in the state.
The committee then heard HB 1185, which creates a plant-based building materials working group, and HB 1337, which establishes an endemic plant seed bank pilot program. Supporters of HB 1185 said the bill could help create green jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by developing materials such as bamboo, hempcrete, and bio-cements, with questions raised about in-state processing. For HB 1337, witnesses supported the goal of preserving endemic species but said a large-scale refrigerated storage and seed-production facility would be needed; one witness estimated startup costs of about $6 million for one island and noted existing seed banks are small-scale and not designed for reforestation.
HB 1300 would fund a University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center multi-ethnic cohort study on cancer disparities among Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Filipinos, and Asians, including environmental and social factors such as proximity to landfills. The Cancer Center, ACS CAN, and labor representatives supported the bill, emphasizing health disparities and concerns about landfill exposure; committee members asked about federal funding, and the Cancer Center said it would pursue NIH, private, and foundation support, with the state share described as $500,000 per year for two years. HB 736 would create a wastewater technology testing pilot program at the Water Resources Research Center; supporters said it could help certify cheaper alternatives to costly cesspool and septic upgrades, and the Department of Health supported the measure. The committee also heard HB 531, which authorizes special license plates for the Cancer Center; supporters said it would raise visibility and funds, and the Cancer Center estimated revenue would likely be under $100,000. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V Feb 24th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V
Transcript Highlights:
- And with cybersecurity, our grant system has been moved to the cloud.
- system failed in the 2022 election reporting cycle and had to be moved on an emergency basis to a cloud-based
- Because early stage investments in seed and series A things creates more jobs, more wealth, and certainly
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- That vendor moved us from the cloud, or excuse me, from the servers to a cloud but was unable to continue
- I think how I describe it to my team is we have been doing a lot of work of planting seeds and we are
- I describe it to my team as planting seeds, and we are really at a point where we're seeing the flywheel
- process for us, but I think how I describe it to my team is we have been doing a lot of work planting seeds
- Brandon Wood: ...of $38,000 to address cloud maintenance and security for the IT programs that we currently
Bills:
SB 1
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Water and Natural Resources Jul 1st, 2025
Water & Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- We gather the seeds, we dry the seeds, we grow them, we get the saplings going, and then we work with
- I think you guys probably, hopefully, are using some of that seed already.
- Also, the seed bank—awesome idea.
- bank out for native Seeds in New Mexico, and it's a big job to collect cottonwood seed and to collect
- Where does it start from the seed to the planting stage?
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
AGR/TOU Joint Public Hearing - Wed Feb 5, 2025 @ 8:45 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:17:01.000>
bank establish an endemic plant seed bank establish an endemic plant seed bank - We do have a seed production program, which is agriculturally oriented, so we produce seed of the local
- oriented um so we produce seed of the oriented um so we produce seed of the local<01:24:31.560>
varieties - would you say you already have a seed would you say you already have a seed bank<01:25:15.840>
- <01:25:31.159>
bank say sear already has a seed bank say sear already has a seed bank program - <01:25:31.159>
Summary:
The joint House Agriculture and Food Systems and Tourism hearing focused on HB 189 and HB 966, both dealing with agricultural tourism. HB 189 would require counties to adopt ordinances governing review and permitting of agricultural tourism as secondary uses on working farms, require the principal agricultural use to pre-exist any tourism-related permit, and limit ag tourism to land where productive agriculture is occurring. HB 966 would create statewide uniform standards for agricultural tourism, require county registration of activities, require ag tourism to coexist with agricultural activity on a farming operation, and end the tourism use when agricultural activity ceases.
Testimony on HB 189 was mixed. The Department of Agriculture and Kualoa Ranch opposed the bill, arguing that the proposed restrictions and income-based limits could burden bona fide farms and ranches, reduce flexibility for counties, and harm food production, jobs, and diversification efforts. Kualoa Ranch said ag tourism supports its food sales and community market and warned the bill could cost more than 350 jobs. The Hawaiʻi Cattlemen’s Council also opposed the measure for similar reasons. The Hawaiʻi Farmers Union supported the bill with suggested amendments, including clearer language around agricultural dedication. The Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau supported the intent of the bill but urged caution, saying ag tourism should remain tied to actual agricultural production and that counties need flexibility to address abuses without imposing overly rigid standards.
Members discussed how to define a bona fide agricultural operation and whether property tax agricultural dedication could serve as a clearer qualifier. They also raised concerns about how counties would enforce revenue thresholds or separate accounting for tourism and farm income, and whether state law should better target clearly non-agricultural uses such as gondolas or other abusive developments. The Department of Agriculture and Farm Bureau said counties already have authority to regulate ag tourism through ordinances, but that any new standards should avoid unintended burdens on true farmers and ranchers.
HB 966 was then introduced, and initial testimony again reflected support for the bill’s intent from some agricultural groups and opposition or caution from others. Kualoa Ranch said ag tourism can help educate visitors and support agriculture, the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union supported county flexibility, and the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau reiterated concerns about the bill’s income comparison provisions and the need to distinguish legitimate agricultural tourism from misuse. No votes were taken during the hearing.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, we are creating that seed, making sure that we are able to modernize the existing systems that we
- Uh we are creating that seed long-term.
- Uh we are creating that seed making<00:14:18.240>
sure <00:14:18.399>that <00:14:18.639> - Uh<00:15:23.839>
we <00:15:24.079>have <00:15:24.320>a <00:15:24.560>seed - that has already been Uh we have a seed that has already been planted.<00:15:26.079>
It's <00: