Transcript Highlights:

• Alternative proteins are meat, dairy, and eggs made from plants, fermentation, and cell cultivation to
• give the same sensory experience as your everyday burger, steak, or your ordinary cup of milk or eggs
• There is another option that we think is much more tractable: to make the meat, egg, and dairy products
• pathogenic avian influenza outbreak, which has affected 175 million birds and resulted in record-high U.S. egg

Summary: The Select Committee on Alternative Protein Innovation held its first informational hearing to examine the state of alternative protein research, industry growth, and policy needs in California. The chair opened by noting California’s $5 million public investment in UC research in 2022 and framed the hearing around three panels: the climate, environmental, and security potential of alternative proteins; industry scaling and commercialization; and university-led research and workforce development. Members emphasized that the committee will continue with site visits and additional hearings across the state. The first panel focused on the case for alternative proteins as a climate, land, water, biodiversity, and food-security solution. Shana Fertig of the Good Food Institute argued that plant-based, fermentation-derived, and cultivated proteins can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water use while helping California meet its climate and conservation goals. Zane Swanson of CSIS added that alternative proteins could reduce risks tied to zoonotic disease, antimicrobial resistance, supply-chain disruption, and broader national security concerns. In questions, members discussed the role of pharmaceuticals in animal agriculture and how alternative proteins might complement, rather than replace, traditional farming by creating new markets for California crops and helping farmers diversify. The second panel featured industry leaders Ethan Brown of Beyond Meat, Myra Passick of Upside Foods, and Arye Elfenbein of Wildtype. Brown highlighted plant-based meat’s health and climate benefits, criticized misinformation campaigns against the sector, and urged better labeling, reduced subsidies for factory farming, and more plant-based food in public institutions. Passick described cultivated meat as a scalable food-production technology, said Upside Foods has already produced millions of pounds annually at its Emeryville facility, and asked for grants, low-interest loans, and possible participation in cap-and-trade or similar revenue programs. Elfenbein described cultivated seafood as a way to address overfishing, contamination, traceability problems, and the heavy import dependence of the U.S. seafood supply, while also noting conservation benefits and the need for California to remain a hub for the industry. The final panel centered on research and workforce development. UCLA’s Amy Rowat described state-funded work on technical bottlenecks such as growing fat cells and creating edible scaffolds, along with a Future Food Fellows program that trains students across science, engineering, law, and policy. UC Santa Cruz economist Galina Hale argued that alternative proteins are necessary to meet future protein demand while reducing food-system emissions, and said California must support the sector through grants, loans, procurement, and research centers to avoid losing leadership to other states and countries. The hearing ended with the chair thanking the witnesses, noting that all materials would be posted online, and saying the committee would continue building policy and budget proposals to support the sector.

Transcript Highlights:

• and barter for chickens, although that might be more valuable than gold these days with the price of eggs
• Although there aren't any chickens and eggs, we are creating golden eggs for our community, so way to
• Just for the record, I did not pay anyone in gold, silver, eggs, or anything else to say nice things,

Summary: The committee met to hear five banking and insurance-related bills. HB 1549, an Office of Financial Regulation agency bill to help more efficiently regulate financial institutions, was amended to match Senate companion language and then passed unanimously. HB 1231 would extend physician payment and prior-authorization protections similar to a prior dental law, including limits on virtual credit card payments as the sole payment method; physicians and medical groups supported it as a way to reduce fees and retroactive denials, while insurers were not heard in opposition, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee then heard HB 999, which would make gold and silver legal tender and allow transactions in bullion through electronic debit mechanisms. The sponsor and several proponents framed it as an inflation hedge and economic freedom measure, while questions focused on definitions, transaction costs, and vendor participation. The bill passed on a mostly party-line vote, with one member voting no. The committee also approved HM 4363, a memorial urging Congress to establish a sovereign wealth fund; the sponsor described it as a way to steward national wealth, and the memorial passed with one dissenting vote. Finally, the committee took up HB 1551, which would create a prevailing-party attorney fee framework in insurance contract disputes. The sponsor argued it would restore balance, deter meritless litigation, and help consumers with valid claims recover fees, while insurers, business groups, and defense attorneys warned it would revive one-way fee shifting, increase litigation, and raise premiums. Consumer advocates and some members supported it as necessary to give policyholders meaningful recourse. After debate, the bill passed favorably, with one member voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• students uh not only get to be today egg students uh not only get to be in<00:05:26.000> FFA<
• it's great to see the impact that egg it's great to see the impact that egg education<00:10:53.839
• funding we did a teach egg funding we did a teach egg Communications<00:16:25.040> campaign
• that teach an egg ad um so that Mr that teach an egg ad um so that Mr chairman<00:18:37.520> uh
• education it's it's the future of egg education it's it's the future of egg it's<00:20:46.919>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But when you say, you know, last time it was a chick, it's a chicken egg. Do we we don't know.
• is like a chicken egg kind of<03:49:25.279> problem.
• <03:49:51.279> Do<03:49:51.439> we was a chick, it's a chicken egg.
• >> That's your chicken and the egg. Yes. Represent. >> Yeah, thank you.
• >> That's your chicken and the egg. Yes. >> That's your chicken and the egg. Yes.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee focused primarily on a bill concerning long-term care insurance rate increases and consumer notice. Members and staff discussed replacing or supplementing a proposed public hearing requirement with annual reporting, website updates, and consumer-facing disclosures about approved rate increases, carriers writing the products, and how the products work. Several participants emphasized that long-term care policies are long-term products, that rate increases can be spread over many years for actuarial reasons, and that consumers need better information about trends and the impact of increases. A major point of disagreement was whether the bill should try to cap premium increases. One member argued the real problem is unexpected increases of 15% to 20% and urged a statutory cap to protect consumers. Insurance department representatives and others responded that hard caps had been struck down in prior case law, that the department’s core responsibility is solvency, and that carriers need sufficient premium to pay future claims. They also said the market is struggling because many carriers stopped selling the product, leaving in-force policies to bear the cost, and that overly restrictive caps could cause insurers to withdraw from the state. The discussion then shifted toward a compromise requiring carriers to notify policyholders before a rate increase is approved and allowing a 60-day comment period. Participants debated whether the notice should come from the carrier, how confidentiality rules would apply before approval, and what the department should do with public comments. The department said it already reviews filings carefully and that submitted rates are often adjusted before approval; lawmakers noted that prior commissioners had pushed back on increases in some cases, including a seven-year moratorium. No final vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair repeatedly tried to move the subcommittee along to other bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess my concern is you're putting all our eggs in one basket, and... ...and that residence is, to
• So I probably won't support it for that reason, just because I think it puts too many eggs in one basket
• I probably won't support it for that reason, just because I think it puts too many eggs in one basket

Bills: SB238, HJR1, SM21, SM22

Keywords: Governor's Residence, management committee, government administration, New Mexico, advisory, commission, general services, nominating committees, boards of regents, student representation, political party registration, New Mexico constitution, overdose prevention centers, harm reduction, drug overdose, opioid crisis, substance use disorder, public health, addiction treatment, naloxone

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen Costco shelves be out of eggs recently.
• We've seen Costco shelves be out of eggs recently.
• replicable model for local egg replicable model for local egg production<05:45:34.240> directly
• we've seen Costco shelves be of eggs we've seen Costco shelves be of eggs recently<05:46:04.680>
• each customer could buy these many eggs each customer could buy these recent<05:46:10.680> egg

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the egg finance supervisor for the Royal Finance Authority.
• Uh, my name is Matt McDev.<00:02:46.160> I'm<00:02:46.239> the<00:02:46.319> egg
• I'm the egg finance supervisor McDev.
• share a parking lot with the USDA Egg share a parking lot with the USDA Egg Research<00:10:17.120
• Okay, seeing none, department of egg?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• When people are having a hard time, at least in my district, they're having a hard time paying for eggs
• how we have a change in administration, and now all of a sudden you're worried about the price of eggs
• First, I just want to go over the price of eggs.
• killed 110 million chickens in the fourth quarter because they found a couple of cases of bird flu, egg
• there are 110 million chickens a day... ...there are 110 million chickens a day that are not laying eggs

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Natural Resources, to which was referred House Bill 1186, an act relative to the sale of labeling of eggs
• House Bill 1186 supports small farmers selling eggs from home stands or through local outlets.
• in-state stores and allows the reuse of in-state stores and allows the reuse of egg<01:14:27.960>
• cartons<01:14:28.880> provided<01:14:29.360> they're<01:14:29.520> properly egg
• cartons provided they're properly egg cartons provided they're properly labeled<01:14:30.800> while

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in our nation, I rise to say happy National Egg Day.
• Easter eggs, chocolate eggs, egg yolks, egg whites, egg soufflé, meringue pie, egg salad, and so much
• Egg prices still cost 25% more at the grocery store.
• They can't even pack six eggs per pack to help buyers afford some eggs rather than no eggs at all?
• They can't even pack six eggs per pack to help buyers afford some eggs rather than no eggs at all?

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're competing with the larger companies, especially in the food, eggs, ...with the larger companies
• , especially in the food, eggs, and bread and all of the condiments that are served in our state prisons
• , Also, items that are perishable, so whether it could be, you know, carrots, peas, we'll think of eggs

Summary: The committee heard several measures focused on economic development, procurement, workforce equity, federal infrastructure funding, and food security. SB 1044 by Senator Reyes would raise and then index to inflation the cap for streamlined state contracts awarded to certified small businesses, microbusinesses, and disabled veteran business enterprises for services and IT work; supporters said the current cap is outdated and limits access, while opponents representing goods suppliers and some small business groups argued the bill could disadvantage goods contractors and should preserve lower thresholds for those contracts. After discussion about the ceiling versus floor effect of the cap and the impact on different types of businesses, the bill was approved as amended and sent to Appropriations. SB 247 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would create a bid preference for projects that hire workers from disadvantaged communities; supporters framed it as a way to connect public infrastructure spending to family-sustaining jobs, while union construction employers opposed it because they said they cannot control worker dispatch through hiring halls and the bill would be difficult to implement. The committee advanced the measure to Appropriations despite those concerns. The committee also approved SJR 6 by Senator Cortese, which urges the federal government to honor commitments under the bipartisan infrastructure law, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act, with supporters emphasizing the importance of certainty for California infrastructure, clean energy, and semiconductor investments. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado would establish an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate food assistance efforts and develop a statewide food security strategy; supporters from a Kern County food bank and the University of California said the state’s response to hunger is fragmented and needs better coordination, while committee members asked about deliverables and timelines. The bill was sent to Appropriations. The committee also took up consent items SB 700 and SB 1340, which were moved on consent to Appropriations, and the hearing ended with the remaining votes recorded and the bills advanced. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly discussed the need for clearer implementation details, data on program impacts, and how to balance equity goals with operational realities for state agencies, contractors, and small businesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:14:37.279> again<00:14:37.519> being<00:14:37.760> the<00:14:38.000> egg
• But again being the egg being done.
• But again being the egg committee<00:14:39.040> uh<00:14:40.160> advocating<00:14:40.720

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Here's just kind of a look at the prices of eggs.
• We only exempt under this particular bill if approved by the voters: eggs, egg substitutes, meat, poultry

Bills: SB1331, SB1375, SB1443, SB1578, SB2251, SB2519, SB2553, SB2655, SB2764, SB2907, SB3030, SB3033, SB3035, SB3036, SB3037, SB3043, SB3047, SB3050, SB3051, SB3056, SB3057, SB3063, HB9, HB467, HB331, HB1244, HB1399, HB2559, HB2730, HB3307, HJR1, HJR99, SB3048, SB3052, SB3053, SJR78, HB1327, HB2723, HB9, HJR1

Keywords: civil service, firefighters, police officers, municipalities, local government, repeal, voter petition, health care, provider participation, continuation programs, population-based regulation, health care provider participation, Medicaid, hospital funding, voluntary compliance, mandatory payments, public health, healthcare program, county participation, nonpublic hospitals

Transcript Highlights:

• Eggs and sperm are fertilized into multiple embryonic lives, and one is often selected for implantation
• 40:43.120> to of the bill is actually only related to of the bill is actually only related to egg
• 00:40:45.280> and<00:40:45.440> so,<00:40:45.600> the<00:40:46.040> the Egg
• access IVF, to for an individual to um access IVF, to do<00:41:22.480> four<00:41:23.080> egg
• The reason why, do four egg retrievals.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 4609, the Minnesota Building Families Act, and laid it over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill. The bill would require insurance coverage for infertility diagnosis and treatment, including IVF-related care, and the author emphasized that it would not change Minnesota’s current surrogacy laws. She also noted the bill already contains a religious exemption and clarified that it had been referred through commerce but came to health first because of reviser delays. Supporters testified that infertility is common and financially devastating, describing personal experiences with miscarriages, cancer-related fertility loss, and large out-of-pocket costs such as second mortgages, retirement withdrawals, and fundraising. A physician testified that infertility is a disease, that delays in care can worsen outcomes, and that insurance coverage can improve health outcomes and reduce multiple births and costs. Supporters also argued that fertility coverage is already offered by some large employers and in other states without major premium increases. Opponents, including representatives of the Minnesota Catholic Conference and Minnesota Family Council, argued the bill would subsidize IVF and potentially surrogacy, which they said raises ethical concerns about embryos, commodification, and exploitation of women. They urged the committee to vote no and instead support restorative reproductive medicine or other approaches that address underlying causes of infertility. In member discussion, some legislators expressed sympathy for families affected by infertility and miscarriage but raised concerns about insurance costs, success rates, and the need for guardrails; others noted adoption as another way families are built. No vote was taken beyond laying the bill over.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you take a cell from a chicken or an egg or something that’s a chicken cell, maybe embryonic, whatever
• So when we talk about cells, we take cells either from adult chickens or from an egg.
• , for instance, the chicken we've been growing and selling in the United States, we took it from an egg
• We've also taken cells from eggs, fertilized eggs.
• So we took USDA certified animals, had a veterinarian examine them, or fertilized eggs that came from

Bills: HB 44, HB 2200, HB 1612, HB 2747, HB 2038, HB 3717, HB 1431, HB 3800, HB 3801, HB 3560, HB 3246

Keywords: HB 44, Life of the Mother Act, abortion exceptions, medical emergency, reasonable medical judgment, pregnancy complications, maternal health, life-threatening condition, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, spontaneous abortion, fetal survival, Texas abortion law, abortion ban, physician liability, health care provider, disciplinary action, aiding and abetting, emergency abortion, obstetric care

Summary: The meeting of the public health committee focused on the pressing issue of opioid addiction in Texas, with a particular emphasis on House Bill 3717. Chairman Harris detailed the bill's intent to fund a grant program for Ibogaine clinical trials, framing it as a critical response to the ongoing opioid crisis. He shared poignant testimonies highlighting the struggles of families and veterans battling addiction and mental health issues. The conversation underscored the necessity of innovative treatments, like Ibogaine, which showed promising results in studies for reducing symptoms of withdrawal and PTSD.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, actually, it really is an egg problem.
• <00:27:28.000> And uh, it it really is an egg problem.
• And uh, it it really is an egg problem.
• And the governor just proposed a couple of days ago $4 million in the egg emergency account.
• <00:52:46.720> emergency ago $4 million in the egg emergency ago $4 million in the egg emergency

Bills: HF2784, HF2785, HF2778, HF2281, HF2576, HF2280, HF2579

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

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think it's really important that people understand that that's why your eggs cost so much.
• c><00:07:55.759> that's<00:07:56.000> why<00:07:56.080> your<00:07:56.319> eggs
• understand that that's why your eggs understand that that's why your eggs cost<00:07:56.800>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• growing up, I built one more chicken house, you know, one more chicken cage so I could get one more egg
• agriculture. ...to maybe mutate into other types of crops or other types of agriculture, or to have a nest egg
• way this loan program works, and when we looked at this, I looked at it like, well, if I was in the egg
• Helene, you had devastation to a lot of the chicken industry up here, and it's meat chickens, not eggs

Summary: The committee received an overview from Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson on the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, including staffing, licensing, forestry, law enforcement, and consumer services. He emphasized agriculture as a major economic driver and a national security issue, arguing that Florida should protect farmland, aquifer recharge areas, and the wildlife corridor through the Rural and Family Lands program. He said the program is cost-effective because the state buys development rights rather than land outright, keeps land on local tax rolls, and helps preserve farmland in perpetuity. He also highlighted the Fresh From Florida marketing program, increased social media reach, and the department’s efforts to reduce vacancies and improve pay and efficiency. Members asked about nutrient management, citrus disease, housing, disaster recovery, wildfire prevention, interdiction stations, and concealed carry permitting. Simpson said SB 1000 and updated best management practice manuals, informed by University of Florida research, are helping agriculture use less water and fertilizer, and he described citrus greening as having devastated the industry while noting research, replanting programs, and CUPS as possible paths to recovery. On housing, he argued that allowing H-2A farmworker housing on farms would ease pressure on the broader housing market, and on disasters he described a zero-interest loan program for farmers affected by hurricanes and other events. He also detailed wildfire preparedness improvements, including upgraded helicopters, dozers, drones, and prescribed burns. The commissioner said ag interdiction stations are catching stolen semis, drugs, human trafficking, and other illegal activity, and that the department wants more technology, including X-ray scanning, to inspect more trucks. He also discussed concealed carry administration, saying the department cleared a large backlog and that constitutional carry reduced but did not eliminate permit demand because permits still provide reciprocity and other benefits. Members generally praised the department’s work, expressed support for rural land protection, Fresh From Florida, water-quality improvements, and foreign-interference concerns, and the meeting ended with no formal votes or other committee action beyond adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• He told me when they jump out of the water, they always used to lay the eggs, but nowadays you barely
• Aahu<01:27:09.760> farmers<01:27:10.480> on<01:27:10.639> the<01:27:10.880> egg
• 01:27:11.120> parks<01:27:11.520> don't<01:27:11.840> have Aahu farmers on the egg
• parks don't have Aahu farmers on the egg parks don't have the<01:27:12.719> opportunity<01:27
• ><01:28:12.960> parks,<01:28:13.679> grow<01:28:13.920> their they would go on egg

Bills: HB1817, HB2056, HB2616, HB1718, HB1842, HB1740, HB1919, HB1616, HB1774, HB1984, HB1603, HB2171

Keywords: fishing regulation, ʻamaʻama, striped mullet, bag limit, overfishing, Hawaii fisheries, funding, appropriations, Honolulu, housing, construction, grant-in-aid, community development, Banyan Drive, Hawaii community development authority, cultural revitalization, special fund, public safety, economic development, affordable housing

Summary: The committee heard HB 1817, which would create a daily bag limit for amaa/ama fish to protect Hawaii’s fisheries. DLNR said the biggest stressor on amaa populations is diversion of freshwater flows that cut off food sources for juvenile fish, and suggested that place-by-place rulemaking with fishers and stakeholders would be the most effective approach. A teacher and several Waialua Elementary students testified in strong support, describing research on declining catch data, cultural importance, and the need to preserve the fish for future generations. Other supporters said the fish is being outcompeted by invasive species and cited historical declines, including testimony that bag limits in Hilo Bay have helped increase populations. Committee members asked DLNR about traditional and cultural gathering rights, whether the bill’s bag limit would apply to native Hawaiian practices, and whether the limit was 10 per day or per season. DLNR said constitutional Hawaiian practices are protected, but also noted that if the bag limit is set in statute it would limit the department’s flexibility to tailor rules by area. Members also asked about other conservation efforts, and DLNR said fish pond revitalization and amaa production are underway statewide. One member raised concern that a statewide statutory limit might not fit conditions on every island, and DLNR said it has authority to adopt area-specific rules through rulemaking, though that process can take months to more than a year. The committee then moved to HP 206, an appropriations measure for the City and County of Honolulu involving school land transfers, and HP 266B relating to Banyan Drive. On HP 206, the county said the request is a one-time item and estimated costs were about $3.25 million, with the city and county already spending more than $350,000 on the transfers. On HP 266B, HCDA said it is conducting a master planning effort for Banyan Drive and plans a community visioning exercise this summer. Testimony from the Banyan Drive redevelopment agency emphasized the need for more flexible land-tenure rules, while OHA supported the bill with amendments to include cultural specialists and lineal descendants in the redevelopment process and to protect ceded lands. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• however when it's on Eggland<01:35:57.480> without<01:35:57.800> any<01:35:58.000> egg
• You know, but in fact, when you talk to the egg producers, they're like, we have no place to slaughter
• is because they are ideal for zoned egg is because they are ideal for some<01:42:24.800> kind
• <01:42:24.960> of<01:42:25.159> egg<01:42:25.520> production<01:42:26.080> I<
• /c><01:42:26.199> come<01:42:26.400> from some kind of egg production I come from some

Keywords: 910, house, all