Transcript Highlights:

• Cattle fever ticks are capable of carrying parasites that cause cattle fever.
• It's coming back to a huge impact Texas cattle industry.
• That report showed that cattle are at a low all-time low inventory.
• total in all of the United States. 12.2 million of those cattle reside here. in Texas.
• Some of the challenges that have reduced the cattle herds...

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a cattle raiser, so, you know, you're out there and you've got a cow down.
• I run a ranch with several hundred head of cattle, on about a thousand acres.
• You know, if I have cattle that get sick or die, I have to dispose of them.
• My biggest concern as a cattle owner is to keep stuff like that from affecting cattle herds in this area
• the world's cattle.

Bills: SB34 , SB119 , SB261 , SB532 , SB1035 , SB1245 , SB1247 , SB1267 , SB1442 , SB1930 , SB1948 , SB2078 , SB2112 , SB2143 , SB2155

Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• And essentially, it is the same thing that we use in dairy cattle to predict genetic merit.
• It's the same thing as what we do in cattle.
• This actually works better than a lot of things in cattle.
• I raise cattle.
• Since cattle already have a separate limit of 200 gallons, Is it possible that this bill misses the cattle

Bills: HB3270 , HB3145 , HB3056

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Wildlife

Keywords: farmed cervidae, chronic wasting disease, genetic resistance, wildlife management, agriculture, wildlife tagging, hunting regulations, Cervidae family, feral swine, exotic wildlife, conservation, commercial hunting, raw milk, unpasteurized, farm sales, Oklahoma Milk and Milk Products Act, local producers, advertising

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:13:14.400><c> more</c> about uh h5n1 and dairy cattle more about uh h5n1 and dairy cattle more
• cattle with those two variants.
• Next slide, please, which brings us to H5N1 in dairy cattle.
• cattle, uh, and I was pleased to, um, approve the research in Minnesota.
• cattle, uh, and I was pleased to, um, approve the research in Minnesota.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Black cowboys worked with the cattle trails, and during World War II, African American soldiers trained
• They keep the cattle in. They keep everybody's belongings where they belong.
• They roll that fence up every day and move their cattle to rotate toward the area that they're grazing

Bills: HB145 , HB164 , HJR6 , HR1 , HB20 , HB65 , HB66 , HB80 , HB166 , HB295 , HB306 , SB29 , SB37 , HB99 , HB206 , HB213 , HB270 , HJR5 , SB104 , SB193 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM20 , HM51 , HM1 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM46 , HM53 , HM54 , HM39 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50

Keywords: high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, lobbying, transparency, public records, government oversight, accountability, constitutional amendment, legislative sessions, veto override, New Mexico legislature, session length, House Resolution 1, HR1, House investigatory subcommittee, special committee, legislative investigation

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve as president of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association. I'm from Rural Catron County.
• I serve as president of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association. Cattle growers oppose SB 17.
• firearm to protect myself, not only from unexpected predators, prey—I’m not trying to be prey out on the trail

Bills: SB48 , HB250 , SB17

Committee: House House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Keywords: State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance, technology, innovation, advisory board, entrepreneurial support, stakeholder representation

Transcript Highlights:

• cattle give them access to the feed unless I provided it for them.
• that it was going to have any impact at all on whether my cattle got out or not.
• North Dakota, because we have horses and some cattle there.
• It'll affect because we have horses and some cattle there.
• There's also feeding and tending for cattle and a... Mr.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then received a gubernatorial message listing numerous bills signed by the governor. The chamber also handled conference committee business, including appointing conferees for House Bills 1003 and 1169 after refusing to concur with Senate amendments, and adopting a conference committee report on House Bill 1053, which repealed a Century Code section related to the length of the state highway system. A major portion of the meeting focused on Senate Bill 2137, which would allow supplemental feed for hunting and include an expiration date. The House divided the proposed amendments into two parts. Division A, dealing with baiting limits and setbacks near livestock facilities, drew extensive debate over private property rights, enforceability, livestock protection, and hunting access, and failed 14-76. Division B, requiring chronic wasting disease surveillance and a report to Legislative Management, also drew debate over whether the reporting requirement was necessary or too late to be useful; it failed 44-46. With both divisions defeated, the House then passed the underlying bill 56-34. The House also laid over Senate Bills 2340, 2326, and 2289. Later, it defeated Senate Bill 2325, which would have created a process for non-federal easements on wetland areas, by a vote of 4-84. It passed Senate Bill 2210, directing a legislative management study on watershed-based water management, 85-3; Senate Bill 2387, establishing rights for sexual violence survivors, 89-0; and Senate Bill 269, allowing state agencies to satisfy legal notice requirements by posting on their websites if newspaper publication is missed, 72-17. The House then excused absent members and adjourned until Monday, April 14, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, all ask, you know, like the cattle ranchers, if we don’t see cattle when we went out to inspect
• about cattle that we’re talking about.
• as you’re moving cattle from here and there.
• Vice Chair, Brittany Bingold is with the Cattle Growers Association. Mr.
• Chair, members, Brittany Bingle with the Cattle Growers Association.

Committee: House House Ways & Means Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee began with member, page, and staff introductions, then heard reminders about public testimony limits and moved to bills. House Bill 2016 would remove late-filing penalties from taxpayers who owe zero tax. The sponsor argued it was a fairness measure that would spare small businesses and individuals from automatic penalties for paperwork only. Members generally supported the bill, though one member noted the Department of Revenue already has waiver authority and another raised a fiscal-impact question. The bill passed 8-1 with a due pass recommendation; the lone no vote said current law already allows case-by-case waivers and that an automatic exemption could weaken compliance. The committee then took up House Bill 2104, which would bar county assessors from reclassifying agricultural property for four years after a taxpayer wins an appeal, unless there is a change in use, split, or ownership. The sponsor and supporters from the cattle and farm/ranch community said some owners repeatedly win appeals only to face the same fight the next year, creating unnecessary cost and instability. County Assessor Eddie Cook, speaking for the county assessors, opposed the bill, saying assessors must protect compliance and fairness, that some owners do not meet ag requirements, and that the State Board of Equalization is not the final avenue because further appeals are available. The State Board’s acting chairman said the board is neutral, receives annual training, and applies the law as written. After extensive debate, the bill passed 5-4 with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2105, which would require advance notice of certain property inspections and provide inspection reports to property owners. Supporters said the bill would give owners a chance to be present and better understand why agricultural status was denied, helping avoid disputes before appeals. Assessor Cook opposed the measure, saying assessors already send notices, use door hangers and business cards, and can share inspection information on request, but there is no standard inspection report and the added mailing burden would be costly. Members also raised concerns about the lack of an appropriation and the absence of a standardized form. The bill was moved for a due pass recommendation, but the transcript cuts off before the final roll call result is fully shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• He had cattle and sold beef, and uh, his land, they came and tested the soil and the beef and the cattle
• We did test catfish and beef cattle tissue samples. There were 2 or 3 fish kills in the ponds.
• There were 4,000 head of dairy cattle euthanized out there.
• He was banned from selling his cattle or growing crops on his farm.
• He was banned from selling his cattle or growing crops on his farm.

Committee: House Agriculture

Summary: The committee hearing focused on biosolids, sewage sludge, and PFAS contamination, with the opening remarks and first three presenters arguing that land application of municipal sludge poses serious risks to soil, water, livestock, and human health. Representative Shaw cited EPA and state data on detected pollutants and PFAS in biosolids, while Denise Travick Poyer described her background in chemical engineering and PFAS work and said the EPA’s draft sewage sludge risk assessment shows unacceptable risk at very low PFOS/PFOA levels. She urged source reduction, more testing, and consideration of total organic fluorine, and noted examples from Michigan where industrial pretreatment and source reduction reduced PFAS in biosolids. Johnson County, Texas Commissioner Larry Woolley and Investigator Dana Ames presented a case study of alleged runoff from land-applied biosolids affecting a ranch, with high PFAS readings in soil, water, fish, cattle tissue, and a stillborn calf, and said the county and state had pursued investigations, lawsuits, and legislative responses. Sandra Trawick of Save Oklahoma Farms and Ranches argued that Oklahoma’s biosolids program relies heavily on Class B sludge, that current rules are outdated, and that land application exposes farms and rural communities to pathogens, chemicals, odors, flies, and runoff; she cited examples from Maine, Texas, Georgia, Michigan, and Oklahoma to support calls for stronger regulation or a ban. After the testimony, members asked about sampling methods, lab testing, EPA limits, and whether the cited PFAS blood levels were comparable to the soil and sludge measurements. Witnesses said the Johnson County samples were collected by a Texas A&M PhD contractor and tested at a single lab, and they explained that the EPA’s 4 parts per trillion figure applied to municipal drinking water standards. Questions also addressed whether sludge is incorporated into soil; Trawick said it had often been left on the surface, though she had seen better disking after public scrutiny. Members asked how biosolids compare with manure and feedlot waste, and witnesses responded that municipal sludge is more contaminated because it includes industrial, hospital, and household waste streams, unlike animal manure. The committee then moved to alternative solutions, hearing from Doug McKinney of Advanced Microbial Solutions, who promoted biological sludge removal using bacteria to reduce sludge volumes and avoid land application, citing cost savings for wastewater plants and correctional facilities. Jason Jepsen of Eden Energy followed with a pitch for an eight-stage waste-to-energy system that converts mixed waste into clean energy, biochar, and reusable products, framing waste as an asset and presenting his company’s technology as a no-land-application alternative.

Transcript Highlights:

• Basically, the way it goes is if your cattle gets hurt or killed, the U.S.
• The way we figure out how much is we work with the cattle industry on what the rates are for cattle at
• It's very fair to all the ranchers, the ones that get cattle that are hurt.
• There have been pets, cattle that were people's pets, that were killed in their front yards, but they
• Arizona State Cal Bells, and the American National Cattle Women.

Committees: Senate Natural Resources , Senate Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• So, and all these exceptions that we put in, cattle, the cattle people, they're exempt.
• 00.160><c> in</c> and all these exceptions that we put in and all these exceptions that we put in cattle
• ,<00:06:02.400><c> the</c><00:06:02.639><c> cattle</c><00:06:03.039><c> people,</c><00:06:04.319><c>
• they're</c> cattle, the cattle people, they're cattle, the cattle people, they're exempt.<00:06:05.199

Bills: SB361

Committee: House Agriculture and Forestry

Keywords: dogs, dog tethering, dog confinement, animal welfare, animal cruelty, animal neglect, outdoor shelter, kennel standards, leash laws, trolley system, animal control officer, law enforcement enforcement, service animals, working dogs, hunting dogs, herding dogs, USDA breeder, commercial breeder, pet care, veterinary care

Transcript Highlights:

• So just provide a pregnancy test for the cattle.
• So to be able to pre check your cattle.
• You know, there's there's some cattle.
• And so that was tests on their cattle.
• </c><00:03:18.000><c> and</c> that. and with the amount of cattle and that. and with the amount of cattle

Summary: The committee met briefly to hear and sort through interim topic proposals, with members noting they needed to finish quickly before floor work. The first topic, from Representative Banks and Representative Ottman, would allow non-veterinarians to perform pre-check pregnancy testing on cattle to help address veterinary shortages, while still requiring a certified veterinarian for cattle sold as bred. No public testimony was offered, and the committee agreed to move through the full list and rank topics later rather than taking an immediate vote. A second topic, brought by the County Commissioners Association through Jeremiah Ryman and Joy Hill, concerned subdivision fencing laws. Hill said recent statutory changes moved fencing requirements into the subdivision statutes, creating cost and planning problems for developers and county officials. She said the preferred option would be repeal; if not, counties should have flexibility to exempt some subdivisions, and at minimum the law should be clarified because key terms and requirements are unclear. The committee asked a few questions and then moved on. Representative Davis and Holly Kennedy of the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts discussed updating conservation district statutes. Kennedy said districts are currently barred from borrowing money for major purchases and that election rules can force board members to vacate seats if they move within the district but outside their original locality. The association supported revisiting those provisions. The committee also heard a topic on comparing recreation rules on state lands and federal lands, with the sponsor saying the goal was to identify disparities and possible improvements. Later topics included preventing orphaned water rights, with Keith Kennedy of the Wyoming Association of Irrigation Districts asking for statutory clarification so water rights are properly transferred during divisions and not forfeited, especially in small subdivisions and family exemptions. Another proposal from Representative Ottman addressed a tribal buffalo issue involving whether animals crossing between reservation land and fee land are treated as wildlife or domestic animals; members emphasized the topic was for information and discussion rather than legislation. Senator Pearson also proposed revisiting fence-out laws for livestock to give landowners more protection when repeatedly dealing with wandering animals, while others cautioned that any changes would need to be handled carefully because of differing livestock rules and the state’s fence-in/fence-out framework. Finally, Senator Hicks raised livestock identification concerns, arguing producers should retain flexibility under prior law to identify animals as they choose and that veterinarians should not be forced into new federal tagging requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> fall, I kept seeing cattle on the land. fall, I kept seeing cattle on the land.
• </c><00:45:43.359><c> that</c><00:45:43.680><c> they</c> and the cattle that they and the cattle that
• </c><00:59:28.160><c> from</c> you're not going to take a cattle from you're not going to take a cattle
• </c><01:11:42.159><c> the</c><01:11:42.320><c> American</c> cattle ranch community. the American cattle
• Cattle ranchers can't compete on price against ethanol.

Bills: HF3718

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• He's supporting the grazing of cattle on state parks and commending...
• Cattle grazing is inappropriate in state parks.
• And cattle grazing does not belong in state parks. I wish you would vote no on this.
• grazing or where the acquisition would result in fragmented cattle operations.
• And I understand the need for the cattle community, especially since so much cattle land has been lost

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of bills, beginning with HB 4087, which authorizes the Highlands County Hospital District to evaluate options to sell, lease, or manage its hospital. An amendment adding fair market value as a consideration was adopted, and the bill then passed unanimously. HB 841, which eliminates the requirement for validation stickers on license plates and moves registration verification to electronic systems, also passed after questions about law enforcement procedures, pretextual stops, and consumer savings; a technical amendment was adopted first. HB 593, dealing with campaign fundraising while on official time, lobbying rules for water management districts, agency secretary travel reimbursement, and settlement conditions involving third parties, passed without opposition. CS for HB 1019, the PFAS-related bill phasing out aqueous film-forming foam and requiring testing of treated effluent and biosolids, passed after an amendment limiting local utility liability until EPA standards are set; speakers emphasized firefighter and water-quality concerns. Several local and administrative measures also advanced. HB 4089 conveyed the Trenton Train Depot to the City of Trenton, HB 6011 updated ethics disclosure procedures for Form 10 filings, and PCS for HB 1051 created a recall process for community development district board members while also addressing synthetic turf deed restrictions and landowner-control timelines. HB 1031 established a pilot callback system for state agency customer service lines, and CS for HB 961 removed a burdensome electronic signature requirement for salvaged titles. HB 1421, which requires land managers to consider cattle grazing on conservation lands, drew substantial debate over state parks, water quality, and land management; an amendment added ecological guardrails and the bill passed 20-3. CS for HB 253 expanded eligibility for the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program and passed unanimously, while HB 4039 required Broward County to study and hold a hearing before enlarging the Monarch Hill landfill landmark and passed despite opposition from the waste industry. CS for HB 755 eased Habitat for Humanity bond requirements in the Florida Keys and extended the Florida Keys Stewardship Act, and HB 1035 promoted nature-based coastal resiliency projects and permitting; both passed unanimously. The committee then considered major foreign influence and election integrity measures. CS for CS for HB 905, the FIRE Act, was substantially revised by strike-all to expand registration and disclosure requirements for foreign agents and foreign-supported political organizations, restrict gifts and contracts tied to foreign countries of concern, terminate sister city agreements with such countries, and strengthen penalties for transnational repression; members debated the treatment of Qatar, linkage institutes, and the broader impact on international students, and the bill passed 24-1. Finally, CS for HB 991 proposed sweeping election changes, including citizenship verification at registration, a citizenship oath, new voter ID rules, paper ballots except for disability accommodations, candidate party-affiliation timing rules, stronger foreign-money restrictions, and other enforcement provisions. Members raised extensive concerns about document submission, data retention, student IDs, seniors, disability access, and the burden of proof for citizenship, and the committee was still in the middle of that discussion when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• They were built for smaller cattle. Cattle back then were 700 pounds to 1,000 pounds.
• Our current cattle we slaughter 1,100 to 1,600 pound cattle.
• They can't handle the cattle that we're producing right now. They can only handle smaller cattle.
• It makes processors not wanting to purchase cattle.
• My son had to sell most of the cattle. Now as you saw in Dr.

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• , which cattle is... the big industry in Texas.
• Issue number two is cattle fever tick mitigation.
• Miller earlier about the cattle being imported from Mexico at this present time.
• The cattle, the dairy cattle that are affected with the bird flu, you were talking about their production
• I raise Bragg Angus and Wagyu cattle where no animal is is critical to my purchaser.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• We could be talking about dairy cattle.
• So is there any prohibition on that, that the protein added was not going to be cattle-to-cattle?
• </c><00:19:10.400><c> or</c> cattle were eating parts of cattle or cattle were eating parts of cattle
• </c><00:19:21.039><c> to</c> added was not going to be uh cattle to added was not going to be uh cattle
• We had a little reprieve that... spillover event in dairy cattle in Texas spillover event in dairy cattle

Bills: HF601 , HF271 , HF1101 , HF979

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Basically, the way it goes is if your cattle gets hurt or killed, the U.S.
• The way we figure out how much is we work with the cattle industry on what the rates are for cattle at
• It's very fair to all the ranchers, the ones that get cattle that are hurt.
• There have been pets, cattle that were people's pets, that were killed in their front yards, but they
• You know, there have been some that have been hurt, and there is science to say that the other cattle

Committee: Senate Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources Committee met to consider several board nominations, beginning with four nominees to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission Appointment Recommendation Board. Michael Cravens, Jared Lyman, Nathan Reese (who submitted a written statement and did not attend), and Richard Williams each described their backgrounds in wildlife management, ranching, public lands, or conservation, and emphasized balance, pragmatism, and public service in selecting commission candidates. Members asked about their experience, perspectives on candidate evaluation, and the role of the board. Each nominee was advanced to the full Senate by separate motions, all approved on 7-0 votes with one member not voting. The committee then heard Darren Rasmussen’s nomination to the Arizona State Land Department Board of Appeals. Rasmussen discussed his long career in property appraisal at the private, county, and state levels, including work with county assessors and valuation training. Senators focused on his ability to bring transparency, statutory compliance, and consistency to state land appraisals and appeals. His nomination was also forwarded to the full Senate on a 7-0 vote with one not voting. Next, the committee considered the Arizona Livestock Loss Board nominees, Stephen Clark and Randy Dahl. Clark, who chairs the board, explained the board’s process for compensating ranchers for wolf depredation and described the distinction between confirmed losses and “probables.” Senators asked about reimbursement procedures, the range of Mexican gray wolves, and whether wolves had attacked humans in Arizona; Clark said there had been no human attacks in the state and that livestock losses had been compensated. Dahl was unable to attend but submitted a statement citing his farming background and business and engineering experience. Both nominees were confirmed by 7-0 votes with one member not voting. Finally, the committee heard from Carolyn Radajack and Stephanie Teske for the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board. Radajack highlighted her prior service on the board’s investigative committee and her experience with disciplinary rules, while Teske emphasized her background as a sixth-generation rancher, veterinary assistant, and agriculture regulator, with a focus on rural livestock care and access to veterinarians. Senators discussed rural veterinary shortages, telemedicine, and the changing structure of veterinary practice. Both nominees were advanced to the full Senate on 7-0 votes with one member not voting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We ranch full-time and raise sheep, goats, and cattle.
• A lot of cattle come from a cattle family. That was one of the reasons I went to law school.
• So, let's say I've got cattle, and you've treated one of my cows.
• you go, whatever cattle you come in contact with.
• As soon as I get close to my cattle, they take off like deer.

Bills: HB43 , HB3364 , HB3469 , HB3479 , HB43

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Keywords: agriculture, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, veterinarian, veterinary medicine, veterinary telemedicine, telehealth, telemedicine, veterinarian-client-patient relationship, VCPR, animal health, livestock, pets, remote care, electronic means, telephone consultation, controlled substances, prescription drugs

Summary: The second bill, House Bill 3469, was introduced to address pest control regulations concerning nuisance birds. Representative Campos explained how the bill proposes non-lethal methods to deter these birds, such as the use of laser lights and sounds, which avoids conflict with both state and federal regulations. The committee heard impassioned testimonies from members of the public who shared firsthand experiences regarding the adverse effects of these birds on property and public health. The meeting concluded with both bills being left pending, reflecting a desire for further deliberation among the committee members.

Transcript Highlights:

• tool<01:02:02.440><c> cattle</c><01:02:02.880><c> grazing</c><01:02:03.520><c> is</c><01:02:03.680><
• c> an</c><01:02:03.880><c> important</c> tool cattle grazing is an important tool cattle grazing is an
• </c> recent years with individual cattle recent years with individual cattle producers<01:02:46.960><
• Do we currently lease any of this land to private cattle ranchers on the TNC lands?
• So what it usually means is that a neighbor can open a fence and allow his cattle to go out into our

Committee: Senate Taxes