Transcript Highlights:

• The mission of our members is to educate the public about livestock operations, assist with nutrient
• management, and foster stronger working relationships with livestock producers.
• Our members are often the first point of contact for many livestock producers within our counties when
• You can talk to growers, livestock producers on the ground, and have varying opinions.
• You can talk to growers livestock producers on the ground ahead of varying opinions.

Bills: HF1355, HF78, HF1846, HF1225

Keywords: commercial diving, scuba diving safety, aquatic plant management, workplace safety, environmental regulations, HF78, Minnesota veterans, veteran retreats, Camp Bliss, Walker, Independent Lifestyles Inc., Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans affairs grant, general fund appropriation, family members, spouse, domestic partner, children, therapy, transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's fairly self-explanatory... ...but also livestock grazing systems, cattle corrals, cattle
• feeding and breeding areas, overwintering areas for livestock producers, creek crossings for livestock
• When livestock, cattle in particular, cross creeks on property.
• So when livestock have access... ...to farm ponds for drinking water purposes or to cool off, you know

Summary: The Special Committee on Rural Issues met with a quorum and first went into executive session, where House Bill 2686 was voted do pass on a 10-0 roll call. The committee then moved to public testimony on House Bill 3076, sponsored by Representative Doyle Justice, which would remove the words “water contaminant” from a Clean Water Law provision. Justice and supporters said the change is intended to clarify that routine agricultural practices and non-point sources, such as runoff, sediment, manure, fertilizer, grazing, and field drainage, are not subject to DNR permitting, while point sources like wastewater plants and CAFOs would still remain regulated. Committee members focused heavily on the distinction between point sources and non-point sources and on whether the bill would exempt harmful pollution. Justice and witnesses explained that the bill would not remove DNR authority over point sources or egregious conduct, but would prevent permits for diffuse, routine runoff that cannot realistically be permitted event-by-event. Several members used examples like deer, dogs, cattle, and rain runoff to probe the issue, and witnesses repeatedly said the bill is meant to eliminate uncertainty and avoid absurd permitting requirements. Support came from the Missouri Corn Growers Association, Missouri Agribusiness Association, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Dairy, and Missouri Wine and Grape Board/Missouri Grape Growers Association. They argued the bill aligns state law with existing federal and state practice, preserves voluntary soil and water conservation programs, and provides regulatory certainty. No opposition testimony was offered, and the hearing on HB 3076 concluded with no further business before the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Livestock out at the big show barn, well, for a number of reasons.
• These participants that were participating in the livestock shows, Mr.
• These participants that were participating in the livestock shows, Mr.
• They had the right to be able to show their livestock.
• In the livestock departments, how are they going to get to wherever their livestock is to take care of

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As many of you know, the livestock industry is a cornerstone of the state's economy.
• They're mapping how hyper-local virus adaptations threaten humans and livestock.
• How hyper-local virus adaptations threaten of humans threaten livestock.
• Using genetics and microbiology to create a naturally heartier livestock population.
• So adding livestock to that enterprise, you know, everywhere from dairy goats to adding sheep to also

Bills: HF3692

Keywords: Farmer-Lender Mediation Act, mediation, agriculture finance, debt relief, civil law, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• owners that couldn't afford to get to court and were deprived of their property and of their livestock
• Their livestock because they couldn't post a bond to fight it out in court.
• process determination and disposition hearing, it's designed to protect property rights of those livestock
• It's going to make it harder on the livestock owners that were wrongfully accused.
• I would suggest that a no vote today is a vote to support our livestock owners and property owners and

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the prior day by a vote of 126-2. Members then observed a moment of silence honoring former Representative Lt. Col. Barney Fisher, followed by introductions of student visitors, community guests, and family members in the gallery, including Lake of the Ozarks Day participants and a guest from the U.S. Virgin Islands Power and Water Authority. The chamber then took up several measures. Senate Bills 907, 1154, and 1272 were combined in a House committee substitute and passed 148-0 after debate focused on limiting abusive website-access litigation and giving businesses 90 days to cure alleged ADA-related website issues. House Joint Resolution 159, which would modernize constitutional limits on state treasurer investments, passed 101-34 after supporters argued it could generate about $15 million annually, while opponents questioned the breadth of the investment authority and the prior voter history on similar language. House Bill 2741, requiring CDL holders and applicants to be able to read and speak English sufficiently for road safety purposes and imposing penalties on operators and carriers, passed 104-22 amid debate over safety, immigration concerns, and whether the bill was too broad. The House also passed House Bill 2474 on progressive design-build contracting for political subdivisions, 141-5; House Bill 3076, described as cleanup language exempting agricultural non-point sources from water permitting, 102-41; House Bill 2436, dealing with animal abuse/neglect and impoundment procedures, 88-54; House Bill 2576, a naming bill, 140-3; and House Bill 3175, Mason’s Law, allowing health-condition information to be shared with law enforcement during traffic stops, 147-0. The body then announced upcoming committee work and adjourned until 4 p.m. Monday, April 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and knowingly abandoning an animal without making... ...control and excludes livestock, and knowingly
• We've heard a number of times about the issue being that it costs too much for owners of livestock to
• owner, and here's why I would say that it— ...landowner or livestock owner.
• And that's my point: our system is built so that if there's a claim made against a livestock owner by
• And I think you're putting livestock owners behind an eight ball that they aren't under yet.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal for the 49th day by roll call vote, 127-2. Members then offered several points of personal privilege and introductions, including congratulations on a new grandchild, remarks on Thomas Jefferson’s birthday, recognition of Missouri electric cooperative and utility line workers, and welcomes to special guests such as a pageant winner, Mayor Joanne Smiley of Clarksville, and former Representative Ted Farnan. The chamber then took up several bills. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2740, creating a pediatric disease task force in the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, passed 139-1 after supporters said it would provide accountability and annual reporting. House Bill 2422, raising the land survey program fee from $1 to $2 to sustain the Department of Agriculture’s land survey program, passed 131-6. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 311, moving bail bond oversight under the Board of Private Investigators and Fire Investigators, passed 112-22. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3009, giving clearer statutory guidance for pharmacies serving low-income and underserved patients and allowing emergency nonprofit pharmacy response, passed 133-6. The House also perfected and printed House Joint Resolution 159, as amended, after adopting an amendment that would modernize state investment authority for the treasurer, with supporters arguing it could generate about $15.1 million without raising taxes and opponents warning about vague “reasonable and prudent” language and the need to respect prior voter decisions. Later, House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2474, authorizing progressive design-build project delivery for municipalities and political subdivisions, and House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3076, clarifying that common agricultural practices are exempt from permitting for non-point source pollution, were both perfected and printed after discussion about project oversight and agricultural runoff. Finally, the House began debate on House Bill 2436, which revises animal impoundment and neglect laws. Members adopted a title amendment and then a substantive amendment adding penalties for willful animal starvation and malicious false reports of animal abuse, along with a later amendment to protect law enforcement working dogs from conflicts with existing exemptions. Debate centered on animal welfare, due process, the return of impounded animals when charges are not filed or a defendant is acquitted, and concerns from some members and outside groups about enforcement, scope, and whether the bill was necessary. The transcript cuts off while discussion on the bill continued, before final passage was recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Faulkner County Fair and Livestock is a nonprofit corporation that sponsors the annual Faulkner County
• Fair and Livestock. Our review covered the period January 1, '23 through December 31, '24.
• The Fair and Livestock is a nonprofit corporation.
• In addition, the Fair and Livestock paid the carnival vendor $100,000 in 2023 and $150,000 in 2024 in
• Any other questions or comments about the Faulkner County Fair and Livestock Exposition?

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• plan was adopted in 2011 that has specific goals related to restoring the population, managing wolf-livestock
• Follow-up, Representative Springer: Does it include livestock, cattle?
• And the third one is the depredation of the livestock.
• My job includes tending to farm animals and livestock on a daily basis.
• Wolves are very prominent in Republic, and all wild game and personal livestock are at risk.

Bills: HB2131, HB2221, HJM4009, HB2619

Keywords: sea lion, predation control, salmon preservation, fishing industry, voluntary donations, ungulate, wildlife conservation, ecosystem management, population sustainability, environmental impact, wildfire, federal response, community protection, natural resources, firefighter safety, agriculture, regulations, farming, compliance, economic impact

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2221, which would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to designate at-risk ungulate populations and trigger predator mitigation if populations in the federal delisting area fall 25% below a 10-year rolling average. The sponsor, Rep. Hunter Abel, said the bill is meant to address declining deer and elk herds in northeast Washington, support tribal and subsistence hunting, and help rural economies. Staff explained the bill’s definitions and reporting requirements, while committee questions focused on what animals count as ungulates and whether livestock are included. Public testimony was sharply divided: supporters, including some local residents, a sheriff, a county commissioner, cattle and farm groups, and a tribes representative, argued that predators are contributing to herd declines and economic harm; opponents, including WDFW, Washington Wildlife First, Sierra Club, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and conservation groups, said the science does not support predator control as an effective way to boost ungulate populations and pointed instead to habitat, forage, weather, disease, and vehicle collisions. WDFW said parts of the bill are impractical and costly, while some supporters asked for amendments, especially on in-state wolf translocation. The hearing closed with the record showing 138 in favor, 339 opposed, and no other signed in without testifying. The committee then heard House Bill 2619, which would create a joint legislative task force to review and recommend ways to reduce regulatory stress in agriculture, including rules on land use, water stewardship, grazing, and pesticides. Rep. Tom Dent said the bill grows out of prior task force work on farm stress and suicide, and is intended to ease financial and mental health pressures on producers by reducing regulatory overload. The Washington State Department of Agriculture testified in support of the concept but noted a fiscal note and said it was working with the sponsor to reduce the cost. Farm and commodity groups also supported the bill, describing it as a practical response to stress on family farms. The committee then moved to House Joint Memorial 4009, which asks Congress to ensure federal wildfire response agencies remain capable of protecting communities, natural resources, and firefighter safety amid federal consolidation of wildfire programs. Rep. Springer and multiple tribal, county, forest industry, conservation, and public employee witnesses supported the memorial and repeatedly tied it to restoring full funding for state wildfire resilience efforts, especially House Bill 1168 funding, arguing that state and federal investments together reduce fire risk and costs. The memorial hearing ended with the record showing 181 in favor, two opposed, and no other signed in without testifying. The committee returned to House Bill 2221 for public testimony. WDFW said it supports the goal of healthy herds but raised concerns about feasibility, cost, and the bill’s harvest benchmarks. Opponents again argued that predator control is not supported by the science and that habitat and forage are the main drivers of ungulate trends. Supporters, including tribal, county, ranching, and local resident witnesses, said deer and elk declines are visible on the ground and are affecting hunting, tourism, livestock, and rural life. Several witnesses requested amendments, especially to the in-state wolf translocation language. After closing the hearing, the committee began House Bill 2131, which would add a voluntary $1-or-more donation option to vessel registrations to support sea lion predation control and salmon preservation in the Lower Columbia River. Staff explained that the account would fund pinniped management and not supplant existing funds, and noted an amendment delaying implementation from July 1 to October 1, 2026. The sponsor, Rep. Ed Orcutt, began his testimony describing sea lion impacts on Columbia River salmon and the need for the donation mechanism.

Transcript Highlights:

• address threats to livestock health. >> Representative McCormick. >> Thank you, Mr.
• Secondly, hoof and mouth is something that's still big in the livestock world.
• But I do want to say that I agree an apple a day keeps the... our livestock industry.
• So the basics of our livestock industry.
• But I guess big in the livestock world.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• back then included specific restrictions that stated that the transferred land can only be used for livestock
• Representative Olcott: Deeded the property to the Palopeno Livestock Association, which has remained
• Representative Olcott: And members of the Palopeno Livestock Association have shown a growing interest
• Military Department to negotiate the complete divestiture of this parcel of land to the Palapeno County Livestock

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the livestock investment grants, somewhat similar to the farm down payments and other things
• And then uh the livestock that.
• And then uh the livestock investment<00:26:39.760><c> grants</c><00:26:40.320><c> uh</c><00:26:40.480
• So lastly, I want to highlight the increased funding to cover farm and livestock depredation.
• . livestock. livestock.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• TSCRA is a 148-year-old trade association and is the state's largest and oldest livestock association
• From damage fences that allow livestock to escape to destroyed infrastructure that disrupts daily operations
• TSCRA is a 148-year-old trade association and is the state's largest and oldest livestock association
• From damage finches that allow livestock to escape to destroy infrastructure that disrupt daily operations

Bills: SB2601

Keywords: landowner compensation, border crime, agriculture damage, law enforcement, crop loss

Summary: The Senate Committee on Border Security met with a quorum and heard only one bill, Senate Bill 2601 by Senator Blanco, laid out by Senator Hinojosa of Hidalgo. The bill was presented as a committee substitute to revise the Landowner’s Compensation Program created last session under SB 1133. The changes would expand eligibility to include land lessees with the landowner’s permission, cover damage to the land itself as well as structures and real property, add continuous smuggling of persons as a qualifying border crime, prohibit insurers from using claims under the program in rate calculations, and require law enforcement to provide requested border crime reports to the Attorney General within 14 days. Public testimony was unanimously supportive. Charles Maley of the South Texans Property Rights Association said the program has been beneficial and that the bill helps clean up implementation issues, including clarifying compensation for debris and pollutants left on land. Stephen Diebel of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association also supported the bill, saying it would help address fence damage, destroyed infrastructure, and other harms along the border, and that lessees who manage properties day to day should be eligible for direct compensation when they have the landowner’s permission. Members discussed border-related property damage, including vehicles crashing through fences, broken sheds, livestock escaping, and resulting highway hazards. Senator Hinojosa asked about how conflicts between landowners and lessees would be handled, and testimony indicated documentation of lease authority would be required. After public testimony closed, the committee adopted the committee substitute without objection and voted to report SB 2601 favorably to the full Senate by a 5-0 vote, recommending it as local and uncontested.

Transcript Highlights:

• When you're coming in on Gate 3, it's not so bad if you have to back up and get your livestock out at
• The reason why the family... ...the livestock exhibits.
• These participants that were participating in the livestock shows, Mr.
• They had the right to be able to show their livestock.
• One, taking the livestock, farm and ranch, all of that out of the state fair.

Summary: The Senate convened for an Indian Day/Native American Day session featuring prayers, drum and color guard presentations, and extensive recognition of tribal leaders, students, royalty, and community advocates from across New Mexico and neighboring tribal nations. Senators used the morning to introduce guests and speak about Native sovereignty, language preservation, education, water access, economic development, and the importance of tribal-state relationships. Several speakers highlighted personal and family ties to Native communities, while others emphasized ongoing work on issues such as clean water for Navajo communities, Native youth leadership, and missing and murdered Indigenous women and relatives. A major non-ceremonial item was the reading of Senate Executive Messages from the governor authorizing consideration of Senate Bills 306, 309, 312, and 313. Those bills would, respectively, change licensure rules for certain institutions, alter lottery tuition fund deposit requirements, and repeal or revise provisions related to safety helmets and child restraint devices in negligence and damages law. The Senate also received committee reports advancing House Bill 34, Senate Bills 204, 241, 77, 152, 190, and 143, along with confirmations for Elaine Luna and Grace Margaret Herrera to the New Mexico Highlands University Board of Regents. The Rules Committee also reported on the governor’s appointment of Don Walters as child advocate for the Office of the Child Advocate. The chamber also adopted a Senate resolution recognizing February 6, 2026, as New Mexico Speech, Language, and Hearing Association Day, with Senator Pope speaking in support of audiologists and speech-language pathologists. Throughout the session, members repeatedly acknowledged the prior night’s Senate-House basketball game, which raised more than $26,000 for cancer, and used the occasion to thank participants and guests. No roll-call votes were recorded in the transcript beyond voice votes adopting the committee reports and the unanimous-consent actions on floor procedures and guest access.

Transcript Highlights:

• maintaining funding for the Board of Animal Health, which is our first line of defense in terms of any livestock
• ><00:02:08.399><c> any</c> line of defense in terms of uh any line of defense in terms of uh any livestock
• :02:10.479><c> may</c><00:02:11.039><c> show</c><00:02:11.280><c> up</c><00:02:11.599><c> in</c> livestock
• The stress of dealing with livestock.
• The stress of the input costs livestock.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up the conference committee report on House File 2446, the agriculture budget bill for the Department of Agriculture. Representative Anderson explained that the conference agreement kept the core House and Senate priorities while accepting some Senate policy provisions and fee increases, including grain license fees and food handling fees. He said the overall target was reduced, but major programs were preserved, including funding for the Board of Animal Health, egg emergency and inspection programs, elk and wolf compensation, milk processing capacity, farm safety and innovation, a new bioefficiency program to reduce fertilizer use in limited areas, and increased meat inspection funding. Representative Hansen and several other members urged adoption, describing the bill as a bipartisan “hybrid” that reflects changing agriculture and includes both traditional farm support and newer priorities. Supporters highlighted food assistance and worker protections, including funding to offset federal cuts to local food purchasing and milk distribution programs, farm-to-school and early care programs, avian flu testing, urban agriculture, and a study to expand Olmsted County’s soil health and nitrate reduction work. Some members noted concerns about fees, while others emphasized support for all types of agriculture, cottage food bakers, and the role of farm workers. After debate, the House adopted the conference committee report and advanced the bill. Following further discussion, the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a roll call vote of 130 ayes and 4 nays, and its title was agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've heard a number of times about the issue, this being, that it costs too much for owners of livestock
• We've heard a number of times about the issue, this being, that it costs too much for owners of livestock
• And that's my point, is our system is built so that if there's a claim made against a livestock owner
• a one year, two year, three years, however long it takes to fight this out, and then making that livestock
• And I think you're putting livestock owners behind an eight ball that they aren't under yet.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by roll call vote, 127-2. Members then used points of personal privilege and guest introductions to recognize a new grandchild, President Thomas Jefferson’s birthday, Artemis II and Missouri’s role in space manufacturing, Line Worker Appreciation Day, a visiting mayor, and a former representative. The chamber then moved into third reading and perfection business. Several bills were passed. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2740, creating a pediatric disease task force in the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, passed 139-1 after supporters described it as a limited, accountable way to coordinate research and report on outcomes. House Bill 2422, which raises a county filing fee to support the Department of Agriculture’s Land Survey Program, passed 131-6 after members said the program could not continue on the current fee. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 311, moving bail bond oversight under the Board of Private Investigators and Fire Investigators, passed 112-22. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3009, allowing nonprofit pharmacies to provide medications during emergencies, passed 133-6. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2474, authorizing progressive design-build project delivery for public construction, and House Committee Substitute for House Bill 3076, clarifying that common agricultural practices are exempt from non-point source permitting under clean water law, were both ordered perfected and printed. House Joint Resolution 159, which would modernize the state treasurer’s constitutional investment authority, drew the most debate. The sponsor argued it would update outdated restrictions, allow safer investment options, and generate an estimated $15.1 million without raising taxes. An amendment adding legislative, governor, and auditor approval for changes to the investment policy was adopted. Supporters called the proposal conservative and bipartisan, while opponents warned the language was too broad and could reopen questions about risky investments or conflict-of-interest issues. After debate, the House adopted the committee substitute and ordered the resolution perfected and printed. The chamber also took up House Bill 2436, dealing with animal impoundment, return of animals when no charges are filed or a defendant is found innocent, and related animal neglect provisions. Members adopted a title amendment, then adopted an amendment creating penalties for malicious false reports of animal abuse and another amendment modernizing neglect and abandonment offenses, including provisions on adequate care and control and higher penalties for repeat or harmful conduct. Debate centered on whether the bill was necessary, how to define malicious reporting, and concerns from animal welfare groups versus law enforcement and agricultural interests. The bill remained under consideration as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Scott Perry is assistant director of livestock brand; he's the chief livestock brand officer.
• So again, to protect the integrity of the livestock industry against animal diseases... ...to protect
• the integrity of the livestock industry against animal diseases, protect the food chain, control livestock
• And that is one of the oldest standing law enforcement agencies in Louisiana: the livestock brand officers
• Animal feed program, emergency management, food distribution, food quality, livestock brand, meat and

Keywords: 965, house, all

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:

• along the Texas-Mexico border and are faced with challenges associated with trespassing, such as livestock
• there's, uh, currently an ad valorum tax exemption for farm input products such as poultry, eggs, and livestock
• to maintain inventories of these critical inputs according to their needs of the land and their livestock
• 255 matters because Texas law, Texas law currently provides property exemptions on farm products, livestock
• pesticides are critical agricultural products, yet they do not receive the same tax exemption as livestock

Bills: HB195, HB247, HB255, HJR6, HJR31, HJR34

Keywords: HB 195, Texas Controlled Substances Act, Schedule IV, controlled substances, mifepristone, misoprostol, carisoprodol, Health and Safety Code, drug scheduling, pharmacy regulation, prescription drugs, reproductive health, abortion medication, medication abortion, women's health, prescribing, dispensing, law enforcement, drug control, education reform

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, colleagues, Friday is the junior livestock auction, and so you have just a couple days to
• Between chambers. colleagues, Friday is the junior colleagues, Friday is the junior livestock<00:25:33.600
• 25:34.559><c> and</c><00:25:34.799><c> so</c><00:25:34.960><c> you</c><00:25:35.200><c> have</c> livestock
• uh auction, and so you have livestock uh auction, and so you have just<00:25:35.520><c> a</c><00:25:

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I didn't notice until I arrived in 2019, but Southern University is the only HBCU with a livestock show
• And I didn't notice until I arrived in 2019, but Southern University is the only HBCU with a livestock
• you some pictures on, because of your support and your colleagues, we've been able to elevate our livestock
• We also have a multi-purpose parking lot out by our livestock arena and multi-purpose complex at our
• And any livestock person may know that's a cross between a Brahman and an Angus. Yes, sir.

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development met with a quorum, adopted the minutes from its October 3, 2024 meeting, and Chairwoman Butler noted that HCR 82 would be voluntarily deferred in favor of continuing work on HCR 77 related to a pilot program for landscaping and crawfishing. The committee then considered HCR 205, which urges the USDA to use its Commodity Procurement Program to purchase domestic Louisiana shrimp. Representative Kerner and Commissioner Mike Strain described the shrimp industry’s low prices, full cold storage, and the need for urgent federal action to support shrimpers and move product into schools, nursing homes, and food banks. Members discussed domestic sourcing rules, enforcement against imported seafood, and marketing challenges; HCR 205 was reported favorably without objection. The committee also took up HCR 188, which memorializes Congress to oppose any federal farm bill provision that could negatively affect the use of hunting dogs. Chairwoman Butler and Commissioner Strain explained that the concern centered on vague language in a farm bill section that could be interpreted to restrict hunting dogs used for tracking or field trials. Members agreed the language should be removed if it remained in the bill, and HCR 188 was reported favorably without objection. The committee then heard a presentation from Orlando McMeans of the Southern University Ag Center and College of Agriculture, along with Dr. Calvin Walker. They outlined the center’s research, extension, and academic programs, including enrollment growth, dual-enrollment efforts, 1890 scholars, JAG Stars scholarships, beef cattle and aquaculture research, viticulture, precision nutrition, and food access initiatives. They also described major facility projects, including a high-tech meat processing facility, research labs, a vineyard, and a proposed disaster-safe shelter. Members asked about butcher training, cattle genetics, and the shelter’s potential uses, and the committee adjourned after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are a celebration of a lot of work in horsemanship, training, livestock, maintenance, and so that
• They are a celebration of a lot of work in horsemanship, training, livestock, maintenance, and so that
• They are a celebration of a lot of work in horsemanship, training, livestock, maintenance, and so that
• in celebration of a lot of work in horsemanship,<00:19:18.880><c> training,</c><00:19:19.679><c> livestock
• ,</c><00:19:21.120><c> um,</c> horsemanship, training, livestock, um, horsemanship, training, livestock

Bills: HB2045, HB1703, HB2461

Keywords: La Hoihoi Ea, Sovereignty Restoration Day, state holiday, King Kamehameha III, Hawaiian history, self-determination, land use, rodeo, agricultural activities, ranching, paniolo culture, public art, cultural preservation, community identity, funding, art management, 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Culture and the Arts met on February 13 and heard testimony on HB 2045, which would designate La Hoʻihoʻi Ea Sovereignty Restoration Day as a state holiday in place of Statehood Day. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support, including from the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Naviʻoliʻoli Newi Foundation, and many individuals and students. Supporters said the bill would better reflect Hawaiian history, sovereignty, and self-determination, while a few agencies submitted comments. The committee recessed to allow more students to arrive and testify. After reconvening, additional student testimony continued in strong support of HB 2045. Students said the change would honor Native Hawaiian history and culture, recognize Hawaii as a sovereign nation, and provide a more historically grounded observance. Members thanked the students for traveling to testify and for sharing their perspectives. The committee then voted to pass HB 2045 with one amendment to defect the date; the motion passed unanimously with the chair, vice chair, and members voting aye, and one member excused. The committee also heard HB 1703 HD1, which authorizes rodeos and rodeo activities on lands zoned for agriculture or pastoral use. Testimony in support came from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Agribusiness Development Corporation, and the Iron Workers Stabilization Fund, with comments from the Hawaii Food and Policy group. Supporters described rodeos as cultural and social events that could boost local economies, create jobs, and provide youth and community engagement. The committee passed HB 1703 HD1 with technical amendments. Finally, the committee considered HB 2461, which would increase the ceiling for the works of art special fund and appropriate funds for preservation of the state’s public art collection and a collections manager position. After discussion, the chair said the measure would not move forward this year and recommended deferral; the committee deferred the bill and adjourned.