Video & Transcript Research : 'surface facility'
Page 148 of 500
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 2/25/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- So our whole facility down in St.
- treatment activities like uh facilities treatment activities like uh facilities a<00:26:35.080><
- We've got one facility, as you mentioned, our CABS facility, that is a 16-bed juvenile facility, and
- We've got one facility, as you mentioned, our CABS facility, that is a 16-bed juvenile facility, and
- We've got one facility, as you mentioned, our CABS facility, that is a 16-bed juvenile facility, and
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Jul 23rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So looking at page 8, the reason I bring both of those two facilities up is because the Lamberton facility
- The next page on 15, the new Meadows facility. This facility was completed in 2021.
- And the Pinetree facility, which I've highlighted today because of the uniqueness of the facility.
- Phase 2, we moved people into the facility. Phase 3, we moved people into the facility.
- There are optional tours, tours of this facility, which is a brand new facility just opened up, throughout
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Wed Feb 25, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- private mainland facilities to Hawaii. private mainland facilities to Hawaii.
- male correctional facility in Hawaii. male correctional facility in Hawaii.
- <01:26:40.080>
Um, facilities. I think our two prisons. Um, facilities. - and without building new facilities. and without building new facilities.
- It is not a long-term care facility. It's not a skilled nursing facility.
Summary:
The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard testimony on two immigration-enforcement bills: HB 1886 HD1 and HB 2540 HD1. HB 1886 would limit state and federal collaboration in immigration enforcement, require visible identification and restrictions on facial coverings for law enforcement officers, and create offenses for improper masking, lack of identification, and unauthorized civil immigration interrogation, arrest, or detention. HB 2540 would also limit state and federal collaboration, require law enforcement agencies to adopt and publicly post written civil immigration enforcement policies, prohibit stops or arrests based solely on immigration status, and restrict state and county participation in civil immigration enforcement in certain places.
Most testimony supported both measures. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Office of the Public Defender, the ACLU of Hawaii, the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, the Legal Clinic, and several private individuals said the bills would increase transparency, accountability, and community trust, and would help protect constitutional rights and reduce fear among immigrants and other community members. Several testifiers emphasized Hawaii’s history and the need to keep local law enforcement separate from federal immigration enforcement, while others said the bills would help people feel safer going to court, school, work, or public protests. A retired police officer also supported visible identification and uniform standards for officers, including federal agents operating in Hawaii.
A few testifiers opposed the use of masked or unidentified officers and argued that local police should not be diverted from ordinary public safety duties to immigration enforcement. One ACLU witness noted that the federal government has increasingly used local and state agencies to expand immigration enforcement, and said the task-force provisions in the bills are important to prevent blurred lines between agencies. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the meeting provided, but it recorded very large numbers of supportive testimonies for both bills, with only a small number in opposition.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Health Subcommittee Jan 22nd, 2026 at 09:30 am
A&B Health Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- Between the two facilities, and look forward to that facility opening sometime this summer.
- And that's at my facility in Lawton That's only a 23-year-old facility, and I think we're on re iteration
- It's a beautiful facility.
- And the only way we can co-share because it's also a VA facility I can only bring into that facility
- It is a 52-bed facility.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations - Room 210; 14 January, 2026: 3:30 PM
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- Number two has to do with facilities. So again, general support and facilities.
- Number two has to do with facilities. So again, general support and facilities.
- that is new facilities. that is new facilities.
- athletic uh facilities? athletic uh facilities?
- . facility. facility.
Summary:
MDES presented its FY27 budget request, describing the agency as a special fund workforce agency focused on helping Mississippians get jobs through employment services, labor market information, and unemployment insurance. Executive Director Bill Ashley said the revised request seeks level spending authority similar to FY26, with line-item changes driven mainly by higher salaries and fringe benefits and lower contractual services. He said MDES currently has 406 employees, 28 active recruitments, and six additional planned positions, for a requested total of 440 positions, down from 453 authorized last year. The request also includes $1.4 million for the State Longitudinal Data System and $400,000 for Accelerate Mississippi fiscal support. Committee members asked about the SLDS pass-through funding, whether it is recurring, and the staffing/pin changes; MDES explained the SLDS is a recurring annual pass-through and that the staffing request reflects turnover and recruitment needs rather than a net expansion.
Accelerate Mississippi then outlined its FY27 request and program updates. Officials said the office is requesting level funding overall, with some salary adjustments tied to benefits and two new positions, including one for Talent Solutions and one systems administrator. They described workforce initiatives such as Encore, a recruiter/instructor program; Facet, a partnership with Northwest Mississippi Community College to strengthen instructor preparation; Power Path, a K-12 advanced manufacturing credential model; and expanded career coach activity, reporting 204 coaches serving 209 schools and more than 22,000 unique student interactions. They also reviewed funding streams for workforce enhancement training, Mississippi Works, Equip Mississippi, and ARPA, saying ARPA funds are on track to be fully spent by the September 30 reimbursement deadline and that monthly check-ins are being used to ensure funds are drawn down. Members asked about the budget changes, the use of contractual services, and the career coach program; the office said it was shifting some audit and monitoring costs to the funds being monitored and was not requesting an increase for career coach funding.
The Mississippi community college presidents and the Community College Board also presented their budget priorities. They reported that Mississippi community colleges served 88,600 students in academic year 2023 and said the system’s graduation rate is about 42 percent, with a goal of reaching 55 percent. Their FY27 request includes a 6 percent salary increase for employees, increased basic operations funding, and continued support for CTE Advantage programs, totaling $61.5 million in general support. On facilities, they requested $150 million after receiving no facilities funding last year, citing roughly $413 million in identified needs across capital improvements, repairs and renovations, and pre-planning. The Community College Board requested restoration of $310,000 in general fund cuts and a new $2 million appropriation for adult education, noting that an estimated 300,000 to 330,000 Mississippians lack a high school diploma. No votes were taken during the presentations.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
November 5, 2025 - 03:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- We included things like law enforcement's discretion, providing clarity to receiving facilities that
- and short-term residential treatment facilities.
- The alternative is you just go straight to the state mental health treatment facility.
- We've mimicked other ombudsmen, like the one for seniors at DOEA and the nursing facility at AHCA.
- to a Baker Act facility and back, they report it's been seeing some great improvements.
Summary:
The Human Services Subcommittee met to receive an update from the Florida Department of Children and Families on implementation of House Bill 7021, which revised the Baker Act and Marchman Act and was funded with a $50 million appropriation. Deputy Assistant Secretary Bill Hardin reported that the department has updated reference guides, training, administrative rules, and forms; launched regional behavioral health collaboratives; and created the Office of Children’s Behavioral Health Ombudsman. He said early data show continued declines in Baker Act use, high diversion rates from involuntary examinations through 988, mobile response teams, and care coordination, along with generally positive provider feedback on changes such as allowing psychiatric nurses to initiate emergency treatment orders and clarifying the 72-hour examination period.
Hardin also described Marchman Act changes, including a streamlined petition process, remote testimony, improved discharge planning, and a new annual data report. He said the department has completed or is completing multiple training courses for providers and law enforcement, and has adopted or is finalizing numerous rules and forms. He reported that the regional collaboratives are identifying common statewide needs such as service capacity, resource sharing, funding flexibility, and peer support, while the ombudsman office is handling complaints and helping families navigate services.
Members asked about whether the current funding is sufficient, future budget needs, outreach for the new ombudsman office, and services for juveniles. Hardin said DCF has posted legislative budget requests for additional forensic FACT services and short-term residential treatment beds, including children’s beds, and noted the ombudsman office is staffed with two FTEs and supported through existing complaint-management and regional systems. He said outreach is being done through regional collaboratives and coordination with other agencies, especially the Department of Education, and that juvenile transport and placement issues have improved with the new law. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services and Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health Apr 9th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- and start to preserve placements in those facilities.
- Moreover, raising the State Health Facility Citation Penalties Account cap...
- Permanent supportive housing, licensed residential care facilities, and recuperative respite care facilities
- So we represent almost 10,000 residents and 420 facilities.
- So we represent almost 10,000 residents and 420 facilities.
Summary:
The joint Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing focused first on long-term services and supports for older adults, especially the “forgotten/overlooked middle” who earn too much for Medi-Cal but cannot afford private long-term care. Administration witnesses from DHCS, the Department of Aging, and Social Services described Medicare’s limited long-term care coverage, Medi-Cal’s role, the elimination of the Medi-Cal asset test, and ongoing state studies and listening sessions on financing options. Testimony from advocates and researchers emphasized rising homelessness among older adults, the need for better navigation and coordination across health, aging, housing, and social service systems, and short-term policy steps such as share-of-cost reform, housing stability supports, and protecting home- and community-based services. Members highlighted the need for a coordinated, no-wrong-door approach and asked for the most impactful budget investments to address affordability and homelessness risk.
The second major topic was the Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) program. CDA reported that CBAS helps participants remain in the community, that 304 centers operate statewide serving about 42,000 people, and that demand is stable but access gaps remain in some regions. DHCS explained that a 2024 rate increase authorized by SB 159 became inoperative after Proposition 35, and that a separate 10% rate change on the fee schedule was the result of a DHCS system error; the department said it would not require recoupment, though managed care plans may act under their contracts. CBAS providers and advocates warned that reimbursement rates have not kept pace with costs, that several centers have closed, and that clawbacks could trigger more closures. They requested $74.8 million ongoing General Fund to close part of the rate gap and preserve the program, while members expressed concern about closures and the cost savings of keeping people out of more expensive institutional care.
The hearing then moved to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and statewide collective bargaining. CDSS reviewed provider recruitment and retention efforts, including electronic timesheets, direct deposit, and the now-completed IHSS Career Pathways program, which trained more than 59,000 providers. CDSS also summarized its AB 102 workgroup report on statewide versus regional bargaining, saying the final report would be sent to the Legislature soon and that statewide bargaining appeared more viable than regional bargaining, though it would require clear statutory scope and major fiscal changes. The department estimated that each $1 per hour statewide wage increase would cost at least $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion annually. Labor advocates argued that IHSS wages, benefits, and training are too inconsistent across counties and called for statewide bargaining, consumer participation, and ongoing state funding. County representatives supported stronger wages but cautioned that counties need protection from new costs and administrative burdens, and consumer advocates warned that moving bargaining to the state could weaken local consumer control and the program’s consumer-driven structure.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health Apr 7th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Whole facility types on their projects.
- There's a lot of facility types that do not want to take Medi-Cal.
- Before, we were talking about facilities and treatment facilities; now we're moving into housing.
- Of facility type.
- not be able to sustain a full residential facility.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Over 150% capacity in my secure facilities. If I do that, that.
- or other facilities. post-adjudication and contract facilities, as well as those youth that are being
- I only have one facility that has wet cells. meaning only one facility that has toilets.
- We have a lot of facilities that we cover.
- For every shift pattern at every state secure facility.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
HF2432, the omnibus judiciary, public safety, and corrections bill is repassed in MN House 5/19/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- that facility. that facility.
- Now our number is Facility.
- have come out of that facility. have come out of that facility.
- This facility looks older than that. This facility looks older than that.
- people in falling facilities. people in falling facilities.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- or a processing Processing facility or a processing facility<00:30:10.919>
uh <00:30:11.039> for the non- student but the facilities for the non- student but the facilities are<01:08:32.520 - technical support we built the facility technical support we built the facility and<01:08:43.560
- <01:09:19.440>
and can start to utilize that facility and can start to utilize that facility - or small businesses could that facility or small businesses could that facility accommodate<02:18
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 3/28/25
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- and any facility licensed by the DOC in Minnesota.
- Effectiveness is increasing face time at facilities, uh, so we do, uh, open office hours at most facilities
- there to mirror the size of the facility there to mirror the size of the man<01:09:33.080>
facility - facility and at the Moose Lake facility facility and at the Moose Lake facility that<01:54:00.239
- phone call from a correctional facility phone call from a correctional facility it<01:56:53.079>
Bills:
HF2432
Keywords:
HF2432, judiciary finance bill, public safety finance bill, corrections policy, crime victims, victim services, Minnesota victims of crime account, court fees, marriage license fee, financial crimes, fraud investigations, insurance fraud, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, Commerce Fraud Bureau, wage theft, automobile theft prevention, nonprofit security grants, 911 funding, POST Board
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Ways and Means (02/05/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- concerned whether these facilities concerned whether these facilities should<01:33:48.800>
be - So right now we have a cap number of facilities at 19 for at least five years. facilities that's that's
- investment at the different facilities investment at the different facilities because<03:18:36.080
- racing now we have a large facility racing now we have a large facility coming<03:32:18.520>
- We weren't adding a different kind of facility; we were the facility that existed.
Summary:
The committee first held a public hearing and then an executive session on HB 650, a housekeeping-style bill from the Joint Committee on Dedicated Funds. Testimony explained that the bill would remove references to two already-repealed dedicated funds, split the state parks dedicated fund so Cannon Mountain winter activities would be tracked separately from the rest of the parks system, and place a $1 million cap on the robotics education fund so excess money would revert to the general fund. Supporters said the changes were mainly administrative but would improve accounting and avoid timing issues; committee members asked about a typographical error in the bill text and whether the measure was more than housekeeping. The committee later voted 16-0 to recommend HB 650 ought to pass, and then placed it on the consent calendar.
The committee also opened a public hearing on HB 585, which would revise the property tax exemption for religious organizations. Representative John Janigian, the sponsor, said the bill was intended to help small churches and other religious groups that own parsonages or worship buildings but no longer have a resident pastor, allowing them to rent space or use property for church purposes without losing the exemption so long as the money is used for church operations, maintenance, or outreach. He described his Salem church’s parsonage being taxed after it was no longer occupied by a pastor, and said the bill would prevent similar burdens on small congregations. Former Representative Betty Gay testified in support, describing prior assessor actions in Salem that taxed church land and buildings very aggressively, while a Municipal Association representative testified in opposition. Committee members raised questions about how terms such as “regularly recognized and constituted denomination” would be defined, whether the bill could be applied consistently to larger denominations with multiple parishes, and whether legislative research should review past treatment of similar cases.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Public Safety Committee Meeting - 2025-03-28
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Corrections staff and community members at any DOC facility and any facility licensed by the DOC in Minnesota
- So we do open office hours at most facilities.
- Correctional facility operated by the state. St.
- We change processes in some facilities; they require a sign-up.
- Chair, yes, there are ion scanners at all facilities.
Bills:
HF2432
Keywords:
HF2432, judiciary finance bill, public safety finance bill, corrections policy, crime victims, victim services, Minnesota victims of crime account, court fees, marriage license fee, financial crimes, fraud investigations, insurance fraud, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, Commerce Fraud Bureau, wage theft, automobile theft prevention, nonprofit security grants, 911 funding, POST Board
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Finance Division III (04/20/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- Um the Hospital building facility.
- Um I'll share just an facility.
- . facility. facility.
- <01:44:45.760>
Um, nursing home facilities. Um, nursing home facilities. - facility rates are paid from. facility rates are paid from.
Summary:
Division Three of the Finance Committee met in work session on April 20, 2026, to consider Senate Bills 481, 603, and 663, with the discussion focused primarily on SB 481, relative to the sale of the Sununu Youth Services Center property. The chair explained that the bill was advisory only and that the committee’s recommendations would go to full Finance on April 27. For SB 481, members reviewed conflicting provisions in the prior budget law about whether sale proceeds should go to the general fund or the Youth Development Center Claims and Administration Settlement Fund, and the bill was described as a compromise that would direct proceeds to the general fund before June 30, 2027, and to the settlement fund after that date. It was noted that the settlement fund had originally received about $20 million and had roughly $10 million remaining.
The committee also received an extensive update from DCYF Director Marie Noonan on the new Youth Development Center in Hampstead. She reported that construction remained on schedule, with major structural and interior work complete, substantial completion expected in late summer or early fall 2026, and occupancy anticipated in early 2027. The presentation highlighted the facility’s design features, including single-occupancy bedrooms, sensory rooms, an education wing, medical and clinical suites, visitation space, a gym, and multiple outdoor courtyards, all intended to support a trauma-informed setting. Members asked about the facility’s funding, square footage, fencing, and scanner; staff said the building is about 34,000 square feet, funded entirely with federal ARPA state recovery funds to date, and that the scanner is on site but not yet operational pending policy and staff training.
Committee members also raised concerns about the facility’s design and security. In response, DCYF said some concrete walls are required for structural and safety reasons, but they are being painted to maintain a brighter environment, and that the fencing will be about 15 feet high with privacy netting because the campus is shared with Hampstead. Officials said the new facility is legislatively limited to a maximum of 12 youth, while the current center can house 12 to 18, and emphasized that courts ultimately determine placements. No votes or final actions were taken during the work session.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/25/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:10:34.079>
creating individuals in DCT facilities creating individuals in DCT facilities - for State operated treatment facilities for State operated treatment facilities such<00:34:12.879
- and state operated treatment facilities and state operated treatment facilities and<00:35:33.200
- who that also resides uh at the facility who that also resides uh at the facility uh<00:56:11.079
- <00:57:18.000>
now new basically it's a new facility now new basically it's a new facility
Keywords:
mental health, emotional disturbance, terminology update, statutory cleanup, conforming amendments, children's mental health, serious mental illness, severe emotional disturbance, case management, residential treatment, outpatient services, crisis services, health plan coverage, antipsychotic drugs, medical assistance, Medicaid, foster care, juvenile court, school discipline, county board
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee Jun 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The licensing agency cited the facility for violating the residents' rights.
- That facility was also cited for a violation of residents' rights.
- and on the community care licensing side of the facility for residents' rights violations.
- When abuse is suspected, mandated category reported in these facilities.
- , people under the age of 65 are generally going to be in an adult residential facility.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care met without an initial quorum and heard four Senate bills focused on older adults and people with disabilities. SB 837 by Senator Reyes would require Aging and Disability Resource Connection programs to provide disaster and emergency preparedness education tailored to older adults and people with disabilities. Supporters, including the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers and the California Commission on Aging, cited recent wildfire deaths and the need for better evacuation planning and preparedness. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to the Committee on Emergency Management.
SB 971 by Senator Choi would create a Healthy Aging Community Partnerships Program to encourage voluntary local partnerships, including with community colleges and other entities, to support social connection, technology help, caregiver resources, and other healthy aging activities. Supporters said it would promote independence and prevent isolation at no mandated cost, while one member questioned whether the bill addressed a current legal gap and whether public health departments should be involved. The committee approved the bill on a due pass motion and re-referred it to the Committee on Health.
SB 1261 by Senator Laird would allow Aging and Disability Resource Connections to continue operating for one to two years during transitions when an area agency on aging or independent living center operator changes, preventing service disruptions. Testimony from Access Central Coast and the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging emphasized the importance of continuity for thousands of clients. The committee passed the bill and re-referred it to the Committee on Appropriations. SB 991 by Senator Menjivar, presented by Assemblymember Gonzalez, would require the Department of Social Services to classify substantiated abuse in residential care facilities for the elderly by specific abuse type rather than a broad residents’ rights category. Ombudsman advocates argued this would improve transparency and accountability; members also discussed whether similar protections should extend to younger adults in other licensed settings. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to the Committee on Human Services.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Jan 28th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Appropriations and Budget
Transcript Highlights:
- Many of you are familiar with that facility.
- But that facility is open all week long.
- We've got facilities available. for daycare if we can learn how to do a partnership with those facilities
- And for the existing facilities, 1,500 and something, and child care facilities, 1,500 and something.
- some facilities again don't take any.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Higher Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- But our campus facility is challenged.
- and hospitals and education facilities.
- We conduct regular facility condition assessments that document the condition of facilities and the needs
- We conduct regular what are called facility condition assessments that document the condition of facilities
- Our kids need excellent public facilities to learn and grow.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Higher Education held its second public hearing of the 194th General Court on capital investments in higher education, focusing primarily on H.54, the Bright Act, along with H.1426/S.949 on green and healthy public colleges and universities and deferred maintenance, and H.1424 on capital investment in Gateway Cities. Chairs and administration officials framed the hearing as a response to aging campus infrastructure, climate goals, workforce needs, and federal pressures on higher education, and explained that testimony would be taken from pre-registered speakers in person and virtually.
University of Massachusetts leaders strongly supported the Bright Act, describing large deferred maintenance backlogs, aging buildings, and the need to decarbonize campuses while modernizing research and teaching facilities. UMass officials said the bill would help keep tuition and fees lower by reducing the need for campuses to finance capital work themselves, and argued that the investments would improve competitiveness, support research, and create construction jobs. Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Secretary of Education Tuttweiler, and Secretary of Administration and Finance Gorzkowicz also backed the bill, saying it would leverage Fair Share surtax revenues for a proposed $2.5 billion in campus investments plus additional targeted grants, and that it would support affordability, economic growth, and climate resilience.
Committee members asked about the balance between deferred maintenance and decarbonization, the role of grant programs versus direct spending, the impact on tuition and fees, and how the plan would help campuses respond to federal cuts such as NIH and NSF funding. Administration officials said the proposal was designed to be phased in quickly, with some projects ready to start immediately and others taking longer, and that the grant programs would be structured to include all campuses equitably. They also said the plan would build on an existing financing model similar to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and could help campuses avoid future tuition increases tied to capital costs.
Additional testimony came from MassBay Community College, where President David Podell and recent nursing graduate Deanna Cavazos described the benefits of a new Framingham campus building and said community colleges need modern labs, better planning capacity, and deferred maintenance support to serve the enrollment growth from MassReconnect and MassEducate. State university leaders, including President Mary Grant, President Linda Thompson, and President John Keenan, said their campuses face outdated classrooms, insufficient electrical capacity, and aging facilities, and urged passage of the Bright Act as a long-overdue investment in student success and workforce preparation.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (11/05/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- ,<00:10:34.399>
the sheep, or goats at a USDA facility, the sheep, or goats at a USDA facility - You look looking into the facilities.
- <00:42:10.960>
you that you know and whose facilities you that you know and whose facilities - those facilities that probably happens. those facilities that probably happens.
- issues when we have USDA facilities issues when we have USDA facilities also. also. also.
Summary:
The committee held a work session on House Bill 396, which would exempt meat and meat food products slaughtered and prepared in-state for in-state sale from certain inspections. Representative Comtois explained her amendment, saying she tried to address prior concerns by limiting the number processed monthly, adding a registration and disclaimer requirement, and folding beef, swine, sheep, and goats into the bill’s framework. Members discussed whether some sections from earlier language on bison, elk, and red deer had been inadvertently struck, and Comtois said she did not intend to remove those protections and would restore them if needed.
Several members raised drafting and policy concerns. Representative Miner suggested the waiver language should be a signed, notarized statement kept on file rather than filed with the Department of Agriculture, and Comtois agreed. Representative Gruber and Representative Scully discussed labeling and wording, including clarifying that the meat would not be “exempt” from federal inspection in the same way as non-amenable species, and adding language that any prosecution would be federal rather than state. There was also discussion about whether ground meat should be included for the amenable species, with Miner and Comtois indicating that excluding ground meat would reduce risk.
Commissioner Sean Jasper of the Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food testified strongly against the bill, saying it was a step in the wrong direction, lacked consumer protections, and could jeopardize food safety and the state’s meat processing system. He argued that the federal exemption for non-amenable species could not simply be extended to new species by state law, warned that USDA could respond by withdrawing federal inspections, and said the bill would not solve the real bottlenecks in slaughter capacity. He also said he did not believe there was a general shortage of inspectors, and that the practical issue was producers not scheduling animals year-round, which forces facilities to scale to the slow season. No vote was taken during the work session, and members continued discussing possible amendments and wording changes.