Video & Transcript Research : 'emerging farmer'
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US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Organizational business meeting to consider committee rules for the 119th Congress, an original resolution authorizing expenditures by the committee during the 119th Congress, designation of subcommittees for the 119th Congress, designation of member Feb 6th, 2025 at 08:50 am
Finance Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- The executive orders rely on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEPA, and concern drug
- We've not opened up any new markets for our farmers in the last four years.
- Farmers and ranchers are facing razor-thin margins. In many cases now, negative margins.
- We must continue to engage our farmers and ranchers on equal footing with the rest of the world.
- to impose tariffs applies to a national emergency that we have with Canada?
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Going straight to farmers.
- So 100% are going to small-scale farmers. And let's talk about our farmers.
- I am a proud female Black farmer. I've been a farmer for 22 years.
- The Emergency Food Assistance Program. So that's only for an emergency?
- The emergency food assistance program. So that's only for an emergency.
Summary:
The committee heard public testimony on several budget requests tied to health and human services. Louisiana Children’s Advocacy Centers asked for continued support and a supplemental appropriation of $1.173 million for infrastructure and standardization, explaining that the money would expand use of the Guardify digital evidence system, improve chain of custody, and reduce reliance on DVDs. Baton Rouge and statewide CAC leaders said prior funding helped eliminate a therapy wait list and speed services for abused children. Members asked detailed questions about the digital system, MDT coordination, and how the request related to SB 237, which would strengthen multidisciplinary review of child abuse cases.
The Alzheimer’s Association sought $824,000 to sustain the dementia care specialist program, saying it helps families navigate services, keep loved ones at home longer, and reduce Medicaid costs. AARP and the Live at Home Coalition also testified for 750 additional Community Choice waiver slots at a state cost of $3.3 million, arguing that home- and community-based care is cheaper than nursing homes and that the current wait list is more than 11,000 people. Legislators discussed the size of the need, the state’s long-term care spending mix, and whether more support should go to family caregivers and community-based options.
Testimony also focused on disability support services, substance use treatment, and developmental disability provider rates. A parent and direct support worker described the Children’s Choice waiver’s 20-hour cap and low pay, saying it makes it hard to retain caregivers and meet the needs of medically fragile children. Odyssey House and O’Brien House asked for higher Medicaid reimbursement rates under ASAM 4, warned that removal of room-and-board payments and weak Medicaid eligibility pathways are reducing access, and called for more oversight of sober living homes; members questioned outcomes data, length of stay, and links to homelessness. Finally, the Arc of Louisiana said the LDH rate study confirmed underfunding and supported a $53.6 million increase in state general funds, with local ARC leaders describing the services they provide and the need for higher direct support professional wages.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Education
Transcript Highlights:
- These types of programs are going to be supporting local farmers.
- Throughout my career, I have responded to numerous medical emergencies.
- The athletic trainers and medical staff followed their emergency ...
- A single non-certifying CPR lesson propelled me into emergency medicine.
- And the benefits go beyond emergencies.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Education held a public hearing on a large slate of bills, with the chairs emphasizing time limits, written testimony, and grouping similar measures together. Early testimony focused on opioid use disorder education in schools (S.382), with Senator Keenan arguing that students should be taught about the risks of substance use disorder and naloxone use as part of health curricula. Representative DeCost also briefly introduced H.551, a narrow bill concerning parent rights for children in third grade and younger. Several bills were then closed without testimony, including measures on type 1 diabetes informational materials and other diabetes-related proposals.
A major portion of the hearing centered on school health and emergency response bills. Supporters of H.652/S.342 on diabetes management in schools described inconsistent district practices and urged clearer standards so students can receive care in classrooms rather than being sent out of instruction. Bills on epinephrine access and seizure disorders drew extensive testimony: advocates for stock epinephrine in schools argued that unassigned epinephrine can save lives and should be funded in a cost-neutral way, while a pediatrician opposed one version as an unfunded mandate. For seizure-safe schools (S.422/H.635), students, parents, educators, and advocates described missed or delayed responses to seizures, stigma, and the need for staff training, seizure action plans, and emergency medication protocols. A separate bill, H.645, allowing anti-seizure medication on school buses, was supported by a parent and student who said current law forces costly and restrictive transportation arrangements.
The committee also heard testimony on youth skin health bills (S.334/H.600/H.619), which would let students carry and apply sunscreen at school and camp without a physician’s note. Supporters from melanoma prevention, dermatology, and industry groups said the bills would remove unnecessary barriers and promote sun-safe habits, while one witness cautioned about drafting details and unintended consequences. The hearing then moved to CPR/AED education for graduation (S.456), where Senator Tarr, a student advocate, and the Red Cross all supported requiring hands-on CPR certification for high school students. Finally, the committee took testimony on healthy school lunches (H.539/S.401): supporters from the Healthy School Lunch Coalition and school food directors backed stronger nutrition standards and a standing advisory council, while Consumer Brands Association witnesses opposed the bill as too vague and potentially disruptive. A nutrition scientist also warned about unintended restrictions on medically necessary or innovative foods. The chairs closed the hearing on the healthy lunch bills and then opened testimony on universal school meals for virtual schools (H.700), with Superintendent Patrick Latuka supporting access for students in Commonwealth virtual schools who currently receive no meal support.
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:
- MACSHP helped over 2,000 farmers achieve their conservation goals by training over 1,000 farmers and
- I am a farmer, an urban farmer, and more recently a rural farmer, thanks to the amazing gift. ...and
- We are offering access to equipment like our no-till seed drill, farmer-to-farmer workshops, and direct
- World Farmers and the farmers in our program have utilized or benefited from many of the programs in
- accessible for farmers of all scales and experiences, including nine farmers in our program.
Summary:
The hearing focused on the Healey-Driscoll administration’s Mass Ready Act, a $3 billion environmental bond bill. Administration officials said the bill would fund climate resilience, clean water, land conservation, parks, PFAS remediation, food security infrastructure, and coastal and inland flood protection, while also streamlining permitting for housing, restoration, and other resilience projects. They emphasized that the bond authorizes spending but does not itself obligate it, and said the proposal includes deauthorizations as housekeeping. Committee members asked about the new Resilience Revolving Fund, flood and drought management, MVP funding, land acquisition, Chapter 61 right-of-first-refusal changes, salt marsh carbon sequestration, and how the bill would help smaller municipalities and offset expected federal funding losses. Officials said the revolving fund would be managed through EEA and the Clean Water Trust, with criteria aimed at directing aid to communities most in need, and noted that drought issues would continue to be handled through existing DEP and drought commission tools.
Several committee members and witnesses discussed specific policy provisions, including flood disclosure requirements for homebuyers and renters, expanded authority for regional planning and small-town access to grants, and permitting reforms that would exempt or expedite certain environmental restoration and priority housing projects from more time-consuming review processes. Administration witnesses defended the reforms as a way to achieve the same environmental outcomes faster and with more certainty, while some advocates argued the bill should go further, especially on Chapter 91 and restoration permitting. The administration also described investments in DCR facilities, water and wastewater systems, open space, agricultural easements, and a new focus on blue carbon and salt marsh restoration.
Public testimony largely supported the bill. Mass Audubon, the Trustees of Reservations, the Environmental League of Massachusetts, The Nature Conservancy, MAPC, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, municipal officials, and others praised the bill’s resilience, conservation, and water infrastructure investments. Some witnesses urged additional funding for land protection, coastal resilience, buyouts, and restoration, and several called for stronger or simpler permitting reforms. Municipal witnesses from Boston, Beckett, Beverly, Conway, and regional planning organizations stressed the need for flexible financing, especially for small and rural communities facing costly infrastructure and climate adaptation projects. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the committee heard testimony and asked questions before moving on to additional panels.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 04/21/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> uh for emergency uh support for farmers uh for emergency uh support for farmers because<00:44:01.839
- all</c><00:49:17.440><c> across</c> urban farmers but for farmers all across urban farmers but for farmers
- And so that birthed the Emerging Farmers Office here in the state of Minnesota.
- And so we just completed a pilot project with US Solar where we brought two emerging farmers to farm
- c> of</c> farmer member of Midwest Farmers of farmer member of Midwest Farmers of Color<01:43:18.080>
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Chronic Wasting Disease Task Force Apr 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- But that's really been our plea all along is that Farmers.
- It's an emergency. If you're using the term emergency, you want to stop the bleeding, do no harm.
- So my concern is the emergency authority.
- What is the emergency, or why does the department need emergency authority here if we're not going to
- I could go back to, you were asking about the emergency.
Summary:
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission met on April 17, 2026, with a quorum present, adopted the agenda and prior minutes, and then focused primarily on chronic wasting disease (CWD) management in light of a new positive deer detection in Washington Parish. Staff explained that the March 11 declaration of emergency expanded the CWD control area into portions of Washington and surrounding parishes, including parts of Morehouse, Union, Lincoln, and Jackson, and that the emergency rule remains in effect for 180 days unless rescinded earlier. The commission also discussed the task force’s report and recommendations, but the chair indicated those recommendations would be tabled pending legislative action on Senate Concurrent Resolution 24 (SCR 24)."} 0}
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 01/21/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- She said she spoke with organic farmers who are providers at the farmers market.
- And other options that farmers may have. Farmers are very ingenious, as we all know.
- You said 98 farmers that you inspected in 2024, but we’re down to 79 farmers.
- And other options that farmers may have. Farmers are very ingenious, as we all know.
- may have farmers options that farmers may have farmers are<01:08:28.440><c> very</c><01:08:28.640><c
Summary:
Chair Foung Hawj opened the Environment, Climate and Legacy Committee meeting by welcoming members, agency staff, and constituents, and by outlining the committee’s shared-power arrangement for the session. Members introduced themselves and described environmental activities from the interim, including gardening, outdoor recreation, farming visits, Great Lakes work, and a tree-planting trip in Thailand that Hawj said symbolized cultural unity and environmental stewardship.
Ben Stanley, the committee’s nonpartisan counsel, then explained the co-chairs’ operating agreement: Hawj would chair the meeting, Senator John Hoffman would chair the next two meetings, then Hawj would chair the following two, with the chair rotating after each pair of meetings. Agendas would be set jointly, additional meetings would require both chairs’ approval, and passing a bill out of committee would require a majority of all committee members, or seven votes. At Senator Tory Westrom’s request, the agreement was to be emailed to members in writing.
Stanley also reviewed the committee’s jurisdiction, which includes environmental and natural resources bills, legacy funds, and agencies such as the Environmental Quality Board, Department of Natural Resources, Pollution Control Agency, and Board of Water and Soil Resources, along with several related councils and boards. Fiscal analyst Dan Mueller then gave a budget overview of the committee’s agencies, noting that many current biennium appropriations include one-time general fund money that drops back in the 2026-27 base budget. He highlighted funding levels for the Pollution Control Agency, DNR, Metro Parks, Conservation Corps, BWSR, the Minnesota Zoo, the Science Museum, and the Metropolitan Landfill Contingency Action Trust Account, and said the committee’s base-budget area totals about $2.2 billion. He also reviewed the Legacy funds, estimating available 2026-27 appropriations of about $327 million for Outdoor Heritage, $31.7 million for Clean Water, $133 million for Parks and Trails, and $185 million for Arts and Cultural Heritage. No votes or bill actions were taken at this meeting.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Water and Natural Resources Aug 18th, 2025
Water & Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- So our program started in 1992. when the Farmers Market Nutrition Act was established for the WIC Farmers
- She's a farmer and owner of the Colores Farm.
- So the purpose of not setting Prices for farmers is that farmers are allowed to be able to set their
- My local farmer's market and the farmers.
- If you're a farmer, you have crops.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 03/23/26
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- . farmers. farmers.
- The emerging farmer advocates for MDA are working with folks like me, and we need more land access navigators
- And many of these are emerging farmers that are building their businesses.
- I'm a member of the Land Access and Emerging Farmer Steering Committee.
- Land Access and Emerging Farmer Steering Land Access and Emerging Farmer Steering Committee.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Feb 4th, 2026
Ways and Means Education
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:17:16.079><c> rapid</c> definition for mobile emergency rapid definition for mobile emergency
- And it helps farmers too.
- And it helps<00:41:39.760><c> farmers</c><00:41:40.319><c> too.
- The example that I helps farmers too.
- market and I saw every single a farmers market and I saw every single farmer<00:41:50.079><c> having
Keywords:
HB187, court fees, docket fee, sheriff's fund, sheriff's office, jail operations, law enforcement, county sheriff, court filing fees, Alabama Code 12-19-312, solicitor's fund, clerk's fund, forensic services trust fund, budget flexibility, public safety, municipal court, district court, circuit court, cosmetology, makeup application
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Agriculture Committee Meeting - 2025-03-26
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- As we continue to look into supporting the next generation of farmers, I think it would be helpful to
- Oftentimes, barriers to entry for new and beginning farmers are first, land access, and then second,
- The beginning farmer loan is already a great resource for many of these new and beginning farmers.
- This was allocated last biennium for dairy farmers in hopes of Congress passing a farm bill.
- You will position Minnesota as a national leader in addressing this emerging challenge.
Keywords:
beginning farmers, agriculture, loans, economic opportunity, farmers' equity, agriculture appropriations, farm to school, early care, child care food program, school lunch program, local food, Minnesota agriculture, food access, farm-to-institution, limited market access, county fairs, biofuels, E25, ethanol, meat processing
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Water and Natural Resources Aug 20th, 2025
Water & Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- to use less water, we're encouraging... farmers to use more water.
- We need to bring a lot of people to the table, including farmers.
- To the farmers.
- We collaborated with water utilities, farmers, and ranchers.
- PFAS is a major and emerging concern.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
AGR Public Hearing - Tue Mar 12, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Agriculture & Food Systems
Transcript Highlights:
- You know, we have a lot of young farmers and a lot of farmers that are struggling in general, that are
- </c><01:27:03.920><c> that</c> young farmers and a lot of farmers that young farmers and a lot of farmers
- </c><02:28:18.319><c> response</c> creates the biocurity emergency response creates the biocurity emergency
- Attention: An emergency has been reported in this building.
- Attention: An emergency has been reported in this building.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- emergency.
- </c><00:28:52.240><c> and</c> understand it there is a emergency and understand it there is a emergency
- We responded to the emergency. We responded to the emergency. So we do have the power to do that.
- </c> private uh for with respect to emergency private uh for with respect to emergency shoreline<00:36
- it's just a blanket emergency like it's just a blanket emergency permit<00:48:31.760><c> that</c><00
Bills:
HB1846, HB2205, HB1802, HB1571, HB2047, HB2434, HB2426, HB2361, HB2395, HB1712, HB2544, HB1619
Keywords:
coastal erosion, shoreline properties, regional planning, mitigation districts, sediment management, environmental impact, public access, community financing, shoreline erosion, emergency permits, coastal management, erosion control, Hawaii Revised Statutes, HB1802, conservation banking, conservation bank, mitigation banking, compensatory mitigation, incidental take permit, incidental take license
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 1846, relating to shoreline mitigation districts. DLNR and the Office of Planning opposed the bill, arguing it would improperly shift regulatory roles between the agencies and prioritize private land interests over public trust and natural and historic resources. Supporters, including the Shoreline Preservation Coalition, Kahana Bay residents, and Hawaii Realtors, said regional planning is needed to address severe erosion, especially in Kahana, and that better coordination between state and county agencies could help move stalled projects forward. Testifiers emphasized that shoreline conditions vary by area and that science-based, region-specific solutions are needed.
Members asked questions about whether existing law already allows regional planning and emergency shoreline responses. DLNR said it already has authority to process regional projects and cited an existing draft EIS for Kahana Bay that would proceed through normal permitting and public hearing channels. Supporters responded that the bill would provide a clearer regional planning framework and help communities facing urgent erosion impacts. No vote was taken on HB 1846 in the portion provided.
The committee then took up HB 2205, relating to emergency erosion mitigation. DLNR opposed the bill, saying it already has authority to issue emergency permits and had recently done so quickly for a collapsed sidewalk at Queen Surf Beach, and warning that the bill’s language could weaken Act 16 by changing a prohibition on shoreline hardening to a requirement to merely minimize it. Kahana Bay representatives and other supporters argued the bill would create a limited, regulated short-term pathway for emergency shoreline solutions while long-term plans are developed, and said current permits have expired or stalled, leaving dangerous sandbags and no practical relief. Additional testimony from a private homeowner stressed that erosion is threatening homes and that private owners are often bearing the cost of protecting public shoreline access. The discussion remained focused on balancing emergency protection, public access, and long-term shoreline management, and no final action was taken in the excerpt provided.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session - Session 2 - 38th Legislative Day Jun 18th, 2026
Delaware Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Today, we're National Farmers Day.
- Farmers are still among the few people in our economy who have little control over Farmers are still
- Yet farmers continue to farm because it's in their blood.
- Farmers are the backbone of our food community.
- I encourage everyone to take the time today and every day to thank a farmer.
Summary:
The Senate reconvened, read committee reports, and assigned House Bill 89 with House Amendment 1 and House Bill 393 with House Amendment 1 to the Senate Finance Committee. It then adopted Consent Calendar 64, which included resolutions recognizing Take Our Children to Work Day, Juneteenth, National Farmers Day, Invisible Disabilities Week, Stonewall Uprising Remembrance Day, National Nonprofit Day, and two property-assessment working group resolutions. The calendar passed by a unanimous roll call, and the chamber heard remarks supporting Juneteenth, Delaware agriculture, invisible disabilities awareness, and the nonprofit sector.
The Senate passed the fiscal year 2026 and 2027 revenue estimates in Senate Joint Resolution 16 and Senate Joint Resolution 17, and approved the fiscal year 2027 operating budget in Senate Bill 335 after extended debate on budget growth, recurring costs, health care, education, public safety, retiree obligations, and fiscal restraint. It also passed Senate Bill 336, the one-time supplemental appropriation bill, which includes one-time investments such as a $100 million transition toward a weighted education funding formula, election support, early childhood education, classroom projects, lead remediation, and campaign finance modernization. Several members praised the budget process and staff, while others cautioned against future spending growth.
Among policy bills, the Senate passed House Bill 369 to codify the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety, House Bill 268 to increase penalties for assaulting postal workers, House Bill 374 to require workforce reporting on large public works projects, Senate Bill 253 with House Amendment 1 to standardize school bullying parental-notification procedures, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 342 to modernize the Delaware Motion Picture and Television Development Commission, House Bill 402 to extend Clean Air Act Title V permit fees, and Senate Bill 346 with Senate Amendment 1 to streamline Environmental Appeals Board timelines. The Senate also began consideration of House Bill 293, which would add hate crimes to the Victims’ Compensation Assistance Program, but the transcript cuts off before its vote is shown.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- Emergency. Fix the formula.
- I'm the chair of the committee that runs the Belmont Farmers Market.
- Winter farmers' markets have reported decreased sales and fewer shoppers.
- People in crisis will be stuck in emergency rooms.
- There's no emergency plan. I didn't really know that.
Summary:
The Joint Ways and Means Committee held its final public hearing on the FY26 state budget, with chairs and members emphasizing that public testimony would help shape the budget and asking speakers to keep remarks brief. Committee leaders introduced members, explained the hearing process, and repeatedly thanked residents, students, and advocates for participating. No votes were taken during the hearing.
Testimony focused heavily on education funding and the Chapter 70 formula. Students from Amherst, Northampton, Gateway Regional, Chester Elementary, and other districts described budget-driven cuts to electives, special education supports, paraprofessionals, counselors, transportation, and building maintenance. They urged higher Chapter 70 aid, increased minimum aid, rural school aid, and a reopening or restructuring of the funding formula, arguing that current formulas leave many districts unable to meet student needs and force local layoffs and overrides.
Other speakers urged funding or protection for a range of programs and facilities, including the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute for homicide survivor services, the Museum of African American History, the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and CART/interpreter services, the Access to Counsel housing legal aid program, the Department of Mental Health and Pocasset Mental Health Center, and Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children. One speaker opposed offshore wind-related spending and urged a reset of the state’s energy approach, while another advocated ending the aircraft sales tax exemption. Committee members responded sympathetically to many speakers, asked a few follow-up questions, and several expressed support for maintaining or expanding the programs discussed.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:21:41.679><c> but</c> necessarily talking about farmers, but necessarily talking about farmers
- We need to develop new farmers to replace a lot of our aging farmers and the farmers that we lost.
- We need to develop new farmers to replace a lot of our aging farmers and the farmers that we lost.
- </c> clear. you know the largecale farmers clear. you know the largecale farmers um<00:47:46.079><c>
- </c> um the impacts that large scale farmers um the impacts that large scale farmers have<00:47:48.720
Summary:
The committee heard multiple gubernatorial confirmation nominations, beginning with GM509 for Jay Stone to the Environmental Advisory Council. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and other supporters praised Stone’s more than 30 years of engineering experience and said he would help balance environmental protection with economic development. Stone said he wanted to contribute to environmental health and sustainability, and identified sea level rise and PFAS in drinking water as key concerns. The committee then moved to GM531 and GM532, nominations of Judson Leair and Nicholas Ta to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. The Department of Agriculture and Hawaii Farm Bureau supported both nominees. Leair emphasized his farming background and said pesticide policy should be more comprehensive, selective, and threshold-based rather than relying on broad-spectrum use; Ta said he would focus on integrated pest management, label compliance, education, and using the least amount of pesticide necessary, including non-chemical alternatives such as exclusion and behavior changes.
The committee next considered GM533, Janet Ashman’s nomination to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides. The Department of Agriculture, the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau all supported her, citing her experience, responsiveness, and prior service. Ashman said she wanted to help make pesticide regulations more understandable and stressed targeted pest control, scouting, and more precise products. Members asked about the complexity of pesticide regulations and the shift away from broad-based pesticide use; Ashman explained that regulations are complicated for both farmers and homeowners and that newer, more targeted products are needed as pests develop resistance. The committee then heard GM57 for Don Hegger Nordl to the Environmental Advisory Council. Supporters said she has environmental planning experience and knowledge of Chapter 343 and related rules. Nordl said she could bring state, county, and federal experience to the council and identified the need for more volunteers and broader professional representation as the council’s biggest challenge.
Finally, the committee took up GM697, Dean Matsukawa’s nomination as deputy director of the Department of Agriculture. The Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and several other testifiers strongly supported him, highlighting his 30 years with the department, his family farming background, and his understanding of farmers’ needs, especially access to capital and biosecurity challenges. Testifiers said he is calm, logical, experienced, and already familiar with the department’s work. Matsukawa was described as a reluctant nominee who was sought out for the role. The transcript does not show any final votes or committee action on the nominations during the portion provided.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, this is kind of a tool to try and get the small farmers to do deal directly with us, right?
- and get it go directly to the farmers and get it then<00:57:31.640><c> how</c><00:57:31.799><c> does
- </c> lower the standards for these Farmers lower the standards for these Farmers cuz<01:01:25.240><c>
- ><c> aren't</c> cuz some of these farmers aren't cuz some of these farmers aren't probably<01:01:26.920
- They were originally hired as basically an emergency hire.
Summary:
The joint Committee on Education and Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs heard Senate Bill 422, which would authorize the Department of Education to award a high school diploma to qualified people whose schooling was interrupted by military service or wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. The Department of Education testified in support, noting a prior law that created the Kono diploma program before it sunset in 2020. Several members of the public also testified in support. Both committees later recommended passage of SB 422 without amendments, and the recommendation was adopted by voice votes.
The committees then heard Senate Bill 530 on Braille literacy. The bill would establish Braille literacy as state policy, require Braille-related literacy assessments for eligible blind and low-vision students, authorize DOE rulemaking, create a Braille Literacy Resource Center, and appropriate funds. DOE and the Department of Human Services supported the measure, as did the National Federation of the Blind, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and a blind testifier who described the importance of early Braille instruction. The Attorney General’s office raised concerns about statutory language requiring yearly assessments and suggested revisions so annual decisions remain with IEP teams. The committees voted to pass SB 530 with amendments, including the Attorney General’s suggested changes, and adopted the recommendation.
The next measure was Senate Bill 532, which would allow school staff and agents trained by a licensed clinician to volunteer to administer medication to students in public schools under certain conditions and clarify who may prescribe such medication. DOE and Department of Health testimony supported the bill. The Attorney General recommended replacing the term “licensed clinician” with the defined term “health care professional.” The Hawaii Academy of Physician Assistants supported the bill but asked that physician assistants be included among providers who may prescribe medications for school administration. After questions about current school health aide duties and field-trip medication procedures, the committees voted to pass SB 532 with amendments, including the Attorney General’s terminology change, and adopted the recommendation.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 03/05/25
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- Farmers will gain certainty and control over costs.
- </c> their operations each year Minal Farmers their operations each year Minal Farmers send<00:41:57.040
- </c><00:42:35.839><c> greater</c> Farmers this means farmers will greater Farmers this means farmers
- </c> offers a major opportunity for farmers offers a major opportunity for farmers and<00:59:43.960><
- </c> component of developing the farmer-owned component of developing the farmer-owned green<00:59:55.200
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine risk management, credit, and rural business views on the agricultural economy, focusing on views from the field. Mar 11th, 2025 at 01:30 pm
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Keep farmers farming.
- Farmers to have when you are making loans to those farmers.
- And and actually a young farmer also a beginning farmer, right?
- Both for established, but particularly for new farmers, beginning farmers.
- All farmers are affected.
Keywords:
farm bill, rural economy, crop insurance, access to credit, young farmers, USDA funding freeze, agricultural policy, risk management
Summary:
The meeting of the agricultural committee focused on significant concerns regarding the current state of America's rural economy, highlighting the need for a strong five-year farm bill to address the challenges faced by farmers, particularly young and beginning farmers. Key testimony was given by multiple stakeholders including agricultural leaders and young farmers, emphasizing issues related to crop insurance, access to credit, and the adverse impact of recent USDA funding freezes. Various members discussed the necessity of risk management tools that farmers rely on to secure financing, which is crucial for sustaining agricultural operations and supporting rural communities. The importance of timely legislative action was underscored, as many farmers reported struggles in the current economic climate, raising urgency for reforms within the Farm Bill framework.