Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to move on to SB 1230 SD2, relating to meat donation.
• game meat including donation of wild game meat including access<00:56:41.440><c> deer</c><00:56:41.760
• </c> inspection and transportation of meat inspection and transportation of meat has<00:56:54.079><c>
• I think it's also worth meat.
• Next we have SB 1230 SD2 relating to meat donation.

Bills: SB2885 , SB2174 , SB2925 , SB2798 , SB2320 , SB2800 , SB1230 , SB2706 , SB3233 , SB2405 , SB2350 , SB2169 , SB3320

Committees: House Agriculture & Food Systems , House Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: coconut rhinoceros beetle, invasive species, biosecurity, green waste, environmental management, agriculture, quarantine, pest control, transport regulations, Hawaii Revised Statutes, coconut trees, tax credit, natural management, Hawaii, environment, agricultural enforcement, agricultural theft, farm theft, crop theft, commodity theft

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2885 SD1, which would create mandatory handling and storage rules for commercial and residential coconut rhinoceros beetle host material beginning in 2027, with penalties and an effective date. Support came from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, DLNR, Maui County Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Testifiers generally said the bill would help reduce CRB spread, though some urged additional science-backed methods, better coordination, and technical or cost-share support for smaller operations. Hawaiian Earth Recycling recommended amendments to align the bill with existing Department of Health/EPA composting rules, add other materials that can harbor CRB, allow future approved treatment methods, and replace the bill’s 60-day turning requirement with existing pathogen-reduction standards. One individual supported the goal but argued the state’s CRB strategy has lacked community and cultural consultation and should include a cultural advisement role. Department witnesses said enforcement would rely on inspection and an educate-before-regulate approach, and they noted the challenge of creating enough drop-off sites, especially in rural areas. The committee then took up SB 2174 SD2, which would authorize the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to declare an emergency quarantine, halt operations in affected areas for 96 hours with possible extension, quarantine suspected pest areas, issue notices and compensation to affected farmers, and adopt interim transportation rules for materials that may harbor high-impact invasive species. The department and DLNR supported the measure, emphasizing the need for fast action in the first hours of an invasion. Hawaii Farmers Union supported the compensation provisions but asked for stronger communication with producers and a post-action report to the Board of Agriculture after about 90 days to evaluate effectiveness and economic impacts. In response to questions, department staff said the bill would be a short-term, department-only quarantine authority distinct from the governor-declared biosecurity emergency authority enacted previously, and that it could serve as an intermediate step. They also said outreach would need to be done through farm organizations such as Farmers Union, Farm Bureau, and Cattlemen’s groups. The final measure discussed was SB 2925 SD1, relating to coconut trees. The bill would recognize coconut trees as a source of food and water and a cultural treasure, require rules for coconut tree seed banks, require signage identifying landscape palms where applicable, set labeling standards for non-consumable landscape palms, and create an income tax credit for consumable coconut trees maintained through natural management practices. The transcript ended before testimony or action on this bill was completed, and no vote was taken on any of the measures discussed in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> either a state or USDA certified meat either a state or USDA certified meat cutter.<07:20:29.760
• The less stressed the animal, the more tender the meat, the healthier the meat.
• the more tender the meat, the healthier the<07:27:32.520><c> meat.
• </c> of meat of meat we<07:28:59.800><c> say</c><07:29:00.040><c> no.
• </c> to get into the meat market. to get into the meat market.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, I just wanted to put a little meat on the bones from what the rabbi said earlier. >> Thank
• Meat is extended. Um, the uh pretty hard time to plant a tree right now.
• to put a little meat on the bones<00:14:38.800><c> from</c><00:14:39.040><c> what</c><00:14:39.199><
• </c><00:14:42.720><c> Meat</c><00:14:42.959><c> is</c><00:14:43.199><c> extended.
• Meat is extended. Um, the uh &gt;&gt; Thank you. Meat is extended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2121 is a bill banning the sale of cell-cultured, lab-grown meat. Do pass. Second.
• Senate Bill 2121 is a bill banning the sale of cell-cultured, lab-grown meat. Do pass. Second.
• Billions of pounds of meat have been produced. So when do you start protecting things?
• just provide truth in labeling, that if this type of product was sold, it had to be labeled as non-meat
• wouldn't eliminate the sale of it, but it would require a label on it, explaining that it was not meat

Bills: SB2108 , SB2121 , SB2171 , SB2061 , SB2112 , SB2138

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Wildlife

Summary: The committee laid over several bills at the start of the meeting, including SB 1550, SB 2173, and SB 2114, and announced a new rule prohibiting video recording on phones in the committee room. The committee then took up a series of agriculture-related measures, with most of the discussion focused on feral hog control, lab-grown meat, hunting regulations, local food policy, open-range cleanup, and prescribed burn liability coverage. SB 2108, as amended, was presented as a feral swine control bill. Supporters said it would reduce property damage, disease spread, and regulatory barriers for landowners and hunters, while opponents raised concerns about people who capture hogs for food and the impact on self-provisioning. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 10-2. SB 2121, which would ban the sale of cell-cultured, lab-grown meat, drew debate over free-market choice versus protecting Oklahoma agriculture and food safety; it passed 9-3. SB 2171, which would extend the residency requirement for a lifetime fishing license from six months to one year and create a velvet buck season under controlled hunts, passed 12-1 after debate about trophy hunting, commercialization, and deer management. SB 2061 would create an Oklahoma Food Policy Council within the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry to coordinate local food networks and producer-to-consumer access. Testimony from the agency said some related work is already being done through its Market Development Division, but the council would formalize broader representation; the bill passed 12-1. SB 2112, as amended, cleaned up prior open-range language to include leased land and passed unanimously. SB 2138 would establish a prescribed burn indemnity fund to help cover damages from escaped prescribed burns; members discussed coverage levels, funding, and whether it primarily protects the burner or neighboring landowners. It also passed unanimously. The meeting ended with an announcement about a Marshallese group performing in the rotunda and then adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• this portfolio from urban farm, new generation, specialty crops, all the way down to our wood energy, meat
• processing, ethanol, and biodiesel really all the way down to our wood energy, meat processing, ethanol
• processing tax credit, which allows us to, ...to the meat processing tax credit, which allows us to
• And that's with the addition of Chapter 148 in the meat processing tax credit.
• that the sunsets are removed on is the rolling stock tax credit, the wood energy tax credit, and the meat

Committees: House Agriculture , House Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, over the next biennium, this bill provides $1.7 million for additional meat and poultry
• Additionally, over the next biennium, this bill provides $1.7 million for additional meat and poultry
• Additionally, over the next biennium, this bill provides $1.7 million for additional meat and poultry
• Additionally, over the next biennium, this bill provides $1.7 million for additional meat and poultry
• Additionally, over the next biennium, this bill provides $1.7 million for additional meat and poultry

Transcript Highlights:

• The meat, cheese, and milk we provide to our school children are healthy and nutritious.
• As a dairy farm in the Roswell area, I've gone through there to buy meat from it.
• We're talking about eggs, dairy, cheese, and meat.
• I'm very concerned in my district, as I have the king meat in my district.
• We can really put some more meat into this as it goes forward because I think we can expand it.

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill requires transparent and accurate labeling for meat, milk, poultry, and egg products.
• You know, last year we attacked lab-grown meat.
• This year, we can't call something meat unless it comes from a cow.
• You know, last year we attacked a lab-grown meat.
• This year, we can't call something meat unless it comes from a cow.

Summary: The Housing, Agriculture and Tourism Subcommittee heard and advanced several bills. HB 615, allowing landlords to send required notices electronically with tenant written consent, was amended to allow either landlords or tenants to send messages electronically and passed favorably after testimony from legal aid and tenant advocates urging stronger opt-in, opt-out, and notice protections. HB 665, dealing with local government impact fees and development permits, would limit certain art-related impact fees, define “extraordinary circumstances,” and require more public process before fee increases; it passed after local government and industry testimony focused on refining the extraordinary-circumstances definition and concerns about public art funding. HB 365, a tenant protection bill for affordable housing units receiving public incentives, was amended to apply only to leases of 13 months or less and to take effect in July 2026; it passed with support from housing advocates and AARP and was described as preventing mid-lease rent increases while preserving renewal-time adjustments. HB 381, requiring issuance of addresses and parcel identification numbers within a set timeframe, was amended to extend the deadline to 20 business days and shift the fee consequence to the address fee rather than the building permit fee; it passed after discussion about delays affecting developers and local government responsibility.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next measure is SB 230, SD 1, relating to meat donations.
• This measure exempts the donation of wild game meat, including Axis deer, by a hunter for the use or
• nonprofit organizations to needy persons from certain laws regarding the inspection and transportation of meat
• Donation of wild game meat, including Axis deer, by a hunter for the use or distribution by charitable
• nonprofit organizations to needy persons from certain laws regarding the inspection and transportation of meat

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: The Hawaii State Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection met in decision-making session and took up a series of previously heard bills. SB 21 on water carriers was passed with amendments to make the inflationary cost-indexed adjustment mechanism permissive rather than required, along with technical changes and a non-defective effective date. SB 133 on energy was passed with amendments adopting PUC recommendations and changing the effective date to July 1, 2050. SB 391 on recycling, creating an end-of-life lithium-ion battery management working group, was passed unamended. SB 532 on DOE medication administration in public schools was passed with amendments incorporating Hawaii State Center for Nursing proposals and a defective effective date. SB 230 on wild game meat donations was passed with technical amendments and a July 1, 2050 defective date. SB 1279 on pharmacists and telehealth supervision under the 340B program was also passed with a defective effective date of July 1, 2050. SB 1494 on optional hearing aid coverage was passed with technical amendments and a defective effective date of July 1, 2050. The committee deferred action on SB 588, which would allow self-certification for certain behind-the-meter solar systems and exempt them from FEA no-rise/no-impact declarations, citing the testimony submitted. It also deferred SB 281 on telehealth conformity with federal Medicare rules and SB 49 on prior authorization data reporting, both until Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in Conference Room 229. SB 838 on health insurance coverage for continuous glucose monitors was passed with amendments adopting technical changes and Department of Human Services proposals, plus a defective effective date of July 1, 2050; one member noted support but urged future consideration of including Medicaid managed care. All measures acted on were adopted without objections or reservations, with Senator Richards excused from voting on the measures discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of you all may disagree, but, you know, this is dealing with cell-cultured meat, lab-grown meat.
• the Supreme Court of Florida upheld the ruling of the lower court to ban the selling of lab-grown meat
• You say this bill is going to stop lab growing meat in the state.
• So that is really the meat of Sections B and C in this bill. Take care of that problem.
• Natalie Glover handles meat inspection, poultry and egg, and food quality services.

Committee: House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development

Summary: The committee took up several agriculture-related bills and first heard a series of presentations from Louisiana 4-H and FFA student leaders. The students described how those programs built leadership, public speaking, and career goals, and members from both parties responded with personal stories about their own 4-H/FFA experiences and support for agricultural education and youth development. On House Bill 715, the committee adopted a technical amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The bill requires aerial applicators using public airports or landing fields to carry radios and transponders, with the author and members framing it as a safety measure to prevent near-misses and improve communication during takeoff and landing. On House Bill 663, the committee adopted amendments changing the composition of the Delta Economic Research and Sustainability District board, including removing certain ex officio or agricultural-related members, and then reported the bill favorably; the author said the district has evolved beyond agriculture to include economic development, energy, transportation, and grant work. House Bill 717, dealing with labeling requirements for cell-cultured food products, was amended technically and reported favorably. The author said the bill simply increases and clarifies the font size and visibility of labels so consumers can more easily see that a product is lab-grown or cell-cultured, matching seafood labeling standards. House Bill 834 on animal shelters received 23 amendments, many technical, but also substantive changes preserving local control, allowing parishes and municipalities to designate or contract with shelters, setting a three-day hold period, clarifying transfer of ownership for stray animals, and providing good-faith liability protection; after discussion with the Police Jury Association and others, the committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably. The committee also reported Senate Bill 349 favorably, which recreates the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and Senate Bill 350 favorably, which makes a technical name change related to the Louisiana soybean association and board membership. After those votes, Commissioner Mike Strain gave a lengthy sunset-review presentation on the department’s structure, duties, boards, and programs, emphasizing its role in agriculture, forestry, food safety, animal health, weights and measures, and related regulatory and promotional functions.

Transcript Highlights:

• So our dairy and meat All right.
• </c> inspection program and the meat inspection program and the meat Minnesota<00:59:55.280><c> meat<
• </c> that uh inspection work at meat that uh inspection work at meat processors<01:03:23.119><c> is</
• </c><01:04:53.359><c> inspection</c> both our uh dairy and meat inspection both our uh dairy and meat
• </c> in their pocket to go and buy some meat in their pocket to go and buy some meat from<02:51:08.000

Transcript Highlights:

• writing argumentative language. ...of State very intentionally wrote language that did not get to the meat
• of words, let's not have the first three lines be something that really has nothing to do with the meat
• Let's not have the first three lines be something that really has nothing to do with the meat of the
• Let's not have the first three lines, be something that really has nothing to do with the meat of the
• The Clean Missouri language specifically called out the redistricting changes, which was the meat of

Committee: House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 3146, sponsored by Rep. John Simmons, which would expand legislatively written ballot summary statements from 50 to 100 words and create a revised process for court challenges to ballot language. Simmons said the bill is essentially the same as last year’s Senate Bill 22, minus the section the Supreme Court struck down, and argued it would preserve the General Assembly’s role while allowing the Secretary of State and courts to work through objections to ballot summaries. Supporters said the longer summary would better inform voters and that the back-and-forth process had worked in the recent Amendment 3 litigation. Members raised concerns that the bill would encourage misleading or argumentative ballot language, create extra procedural steps, and potentially let the clock run out before challenges are fully resolved. Rep. Woods and others argued the courts are needed to prevent “ballot candy” and dishonest summaries, while supporters countered that the legislature and Secretary of State should have primary authority and that courts should not act as a “super legislature.” The sponsor and supporters also pointed to the recent Amendment 3 process as evidence that the revised procedure can work and produce agreed-upon language. Testimony was split. Campaign Life Missouri, Missouri Right to Life, and a representative from the Secretary of State’s office testified in favor, emphasizing transparency, voter information, and the elected status of the officials drafting ballot language. Opponents included the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, League of Women Voters, Jobs with Justice, Missouri Right to Education, and private citizens, who argued the bill is unconstitutional, undermines separation of powers, and would allow misleading language to survive by dragging out litigation. No vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no cure for this fatal disease.

Bills: SB843 , SB1733 , SB1476 , SB1237 , SB1410 , SB1894 , SB1272 , SB1204 , SB1721 , SB1725 , SB1735 , SB1337 , SB1339 , SB1461 , SB1975 , SB1450 , SB1458 , SB1232 , SB1238 , SB1325 , SB1209 , SB1362 , SB2072 , SB1451 , SB1540 , SB1581 , SB1535 , SB1266 , SB1927 , SB1460 , SB2084 , SB2182 , SB392 , SB985 , SB1265 , SB1283 , SB1441 , SB1307 , SB1425 , SB1826 , SB1365 , SB1696 , SB1870 , SB1722 , SB1639 , SB715 , SB716 , SB182 , SB609 , SB169 , SB134 , SB1611 , SB432 , SB1407 , SB2039 , SB1356 , SB1288 , SB2019 , SB1705 , SB1878 , SB2118

Keywords: school boards, educational governance, conflict of interest, employee relations, Oklahoma statutes, child abuse, reporting requirements, sexual misconduct, law enforcement, school personnel, confidentiality, student safety, land office, land exchange, investment, education funding, real estate management, Teachers' Bill of Rights, education, teachers' rights

Transcript Highlights:

• That means roughly two-thirds of all signature challenges are cured by the voter, or cured by the time
• Ballot curing rates by gender and age: women are slightly more likely to cure their ballots than men,
• though we are very successful at curing ballots in Washington state, the cure rates don’t reduce the
• , ballot rejections, and cures?
• Do you have capacity to answer questions about turnout, not just cures, ballot rejections and cures?

Summary: The committee held a work session on voting rights in the United States and Washington, beginning with testimony from Marissa Wright of Campaign Legal Center and David Montes of the ACLU of Washington. They described the federal Voting Rights Act’s main protections—preclearance, vote suppression, and vote dilution—and argued that Supreme Court decisions such as Shelby County v. Holder and Brnovich have weakened those tools. They said Washington should consider stronger state-level protections, including a preclearance program and broader safeguards against discriminatory voting practices. Members asked about Washington’s history of discrimination, voter roll purges, noncitizen registration, and remedies under the Washington Voting Rights Act, including ranked-choice voting and district-based systems. The committee then heard from the Office of Equity and several commissions, which described their roles in advising state government and working with communities. They focused on the immigration sub-cabinet created under Executive Order 2509, saying it is intended to improve coordination across agencies, the legislature, the courts, and community organizations on issues such as data privacy, language access, health care, education, and accountability under the Keep Washington Working Act. Members asked about the use of NGOs, accountability for KWW violations, and the sub-cabinet’s goals, and the panel said the effort is meant to help government respond more quickly and collaboratively while centering immigrant, disability, LGBTQ, and other communities. The final panel was from the University of Washington Elections Database Project, which presented data on vote-by-mail ballot challenges, cures, and rejections from 2020 to 2024. They reported that about 1.5% of ballots are signature-challenged in most elections, roughly 60% of challenged ballots are cured, and overall rejection rates are about 1% in general elections and 1.5% in primaries. The researchers said voters of color, younger voters, and some tribal-area voters experience higher rejection rates, and that differences appear tied to signature mismatch, language access, ballot timing, and familiarity with the system. In the last panel, Maria Fernandez and Vicki Frausto of EIA described voter education and civic engagement work in Yakima County and Sunnyside, including concerns about intimidation, language barriers, signature mismatch, and at-large election systems; they said stronger Washington Voting Rights Act protections would help communities elect candidates of choice. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cure, looking for a cure. Part of the cure is prevention.
• We have found cures, but you're not going to find one cure for all cancers.
• This idea of "cure one, cure many" emphasizes the potential to address multiple diseases with discoveries
• made in the effort to cure one.
• They are progressive, and they do not have a cure.

Bills: SB5 , SJR3 , SB 5 , SJR 3

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• That means roughly two-thirds of all signature challenges are cured by the voter, or cured by the time
• Ballot curing rates by gender and age: women are slightly more likely to cure their ballots than men.
• Now, if you don't cure your ballot...
• Even though we are very successful at curing ballots in Washington State, the cure rates don't reduce
• Do you have capacity to answer questions about turnout, not just cures, ballot rejections and cures?

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Summary: The committee held a work session on voting rights, beginning with testimony from Marissa Wright of Campaign Legal Center and David Montes of the ACLU of Washington. They described the federal Voting Rights Act’s main protections—preclearance, vote suppression, and vote dilution—and argued that Supreme Court decisions such as Shelby County and Brnovich have weakened those protections. They said state-level action is increasingly important, pointing to the Washington Voting Rights Act as a tool to address discriminatory election systems, with examples from Yakima, Sunnyside, and other parts of the Yakima Valley. Members asked about Washington’s history of discrimination, voter roll purges, noncitizen registration, remedies under the WVRA, ranked-choice voting, and how statistical evidence is used in vote dilution cases. No votes were taken. The committee then heard a joint presentation from the Office of Equity and several commissions, including the Hispanic Affairs Commission, Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission, and LGBTQ Commission. The panel described their role in advising state government, working with communities, and helping agencies improve equity and service delivery. They focused on the new immigration sub-cabinet created under Executive Order 2509, saying it is intended to coordinate across agencies, the legislature, the courts, and community organizations on issues such as data privacy, language access, communications, and protections for immigrant communities. Members asked about accountability under the Keep Washington Working Act, the use of NGOs, and the sub-cabinet’s goals. The panel said the effort is meant to make Washington residents feel safe, protected, and included. Next, researchers from the University of Washington presented findings from the Elections Database Project on vote-by-mail outcomes from 2020 to 2024. They reported that about 1.5% of ballots are signature-challenged in most elections, about 60% of those ballots are cured, and overall rejection rates are around 1% in general elections and 1.5% in primaries. They said younger voters and voters of color are more likely to have ballots rejected, and that cure rates do not fully eliminate those disparities. Committee members asked about tribal reservation data, turnout patterns, and access to election data. The researchers said they use publicly available data and will follow up with additional turnout information. The final panel featured Maria Fernandez and Vicki Frausto of EIA, who described voter education and leadership development work in Yakima County and Sunnyside. They said their organization helps residents understand ballot mechanics, language barriers, and misinformation, and they described harassment and intimidation tied to their civic engagement work. They supported stronger Washington Voting Rights Act protections and said at-large election systems continue to dilute Latino voting power in some jurisdictions. They also said turnout in Yakima County has risen modestly, which they attributed in part to community education and candidate recruitment. The committee thanked the presenters and adjourned the work session without taking action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so 639, we went to, we the House proposed a 60-day cure period on actions that are curable to the
• We agreed with them on a 30-day cure period for all of the business activities of these genetic data
• privacy businesses, and that cure period will go around for 18 months and then it will sunset.
• If so, all those in favor, please say I. 60-day cure period on actions that are 60-day cure period on
• </c> pushed back and said we want a cure pushed back and said we want a cure period<00:02:52.880><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• coming into the sport, whatever it might be, taking advantage of the opportunity to bring home some meat
• c><00:49:23.520><c> bring</c><00:49:23.720><c> home</c><00:49:23.920><c> some</c><00:49:24.040><c> meat
• </c><00:49:24.240><c> for</c> opportunity to bring home some meat for opportunity to bring home some
• meat for the<00:49:24.480><c> freezer</c><00:49:25.040><c> so</c><00:49:25.760><c> just</c><00:49:26.000
• Sometimes an ounce of prevention is worth a pound to cure, and this is a good example of that.

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of you all may disagree, but, you know, this is dealing with cell-cultured meat, lab-grown meat.
• the Supreme Court of Florida upheld the ruling of the lower court to ban the selling of lab-grown meat
• The selling of lab-grown meat in the state of Florida.
• So that is really the meat of Sections B and C in this bill, to take care of that problem.
• Natalie Glover handles aid commission, meat inspection, poultry and egg, and food quality services.

Committees: House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture & Rural Development , House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development

Summary: The committee took up several agriculture-related bills and heard testimony on each. HB 715 by Representative Dezotel would require aerial applicators using public airports or landing fields to carry radios and transponders for safety; after a technical amendment was adopted, the bill was reported favorably. HB 663 by Vice Chairman Travis Johnson would update the board makeup of the Delta Economic Research and Sustainability District by removing certain ex officio members and reducing the board from 24 to 23; amendments were adopted and the bill was reported favorably. HB 717 by Representative Schamberhorn would increase and clarify labeling requirements for cell-cultured food products, including a larger, more visible font size; after a technical amendment, it was reported favorably with support from committee members and witnesses. The committee also considered HB 834 by Representative McMahon, a local-control bill on animal shelters and stray animals. A large amendment package of 23 amendments was adopted, revising hold periods, ownership transfer rules, local government discretion, liability protections, and the role of nonprofit or designated shelters. Testimony from the author, Police Jury Association representatives, and Michelle Hall emphasized that the bill is intended to fix a legal gap so shelters can transfer ownership to adopters, while preserving local control and limiting liability for good-faith actions. The bill was reported favorably with amendments. The committee then heard from Louisiana 4-H and FFA student leaders, who described how those programs developed leadership, public speaking, and agricultural career goals. Members responded with personal reflections and praise for the programs’ impact on rural youth and future agricultural leadership. Finally, the committee took up sunset review legislation: SB 349 to recreate the Department of Agriculture and Forestry was reported favorably, and SB 350, a technical change to the Louisiana Soybean Association/soybean board structure, was also reported favorably. Commissioner Mike Strain then began a lengthy presentation on the department’s functions, programs, boards, and commissions, but no further action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of funding a cure? Of developing a new vaccine?
• I am NOT giving up on cures. I suspect many others here feel the same.
• We need to be expanding access and increasing cures for our children.
• All I want to do is find the cure and Senator Coons, he wants to help find a cure for ALS because of
• In the case of Alzheimer's, for example, a cure.

Committee: Senate Senate Appropriations