Transcript Highlights:

• They have a grant from the USDA Forest Service to make an award to Central Arkansas Water to acquire
• They have a grant from the USDA Forest Service to make an award to Central Arkansas Water to acquire
• It goes through the USDA. Secretary Rollins has to approve these.

Summary: The committee met to consider a series of temporary appropriation requests, reserve fund transfers, federal grant appropriations, and review items. Early items included a $32 million appropriation and matching reserve transfer for the Department of Education’s educational freedom account program, a $476,000 request for the State Crime Lab, and a $90,000 assessment coordination request from DFA. Members asked questions about the assessment contract costs, and the item was approved. The committee also approved a $1 ARPA return to the CDC and a Department of Human Services reallocation package that moved general revenue and positions among divisions to meet client needs. The most extensive discussion centered on a $32 million restricted reserve transfer for the educational freedom account program. Members questioned the growing number of participating students, the program’s long-term funding needs, and safeguards against improper purchases. Agency representatives said about 44,000 students were being funded, that reimbursements and marketplace purchases are reviewed, and that reporting and audit controls are in place, though not every instance of fraud can be prevented. The committee approved the transfer after discussion. Members also approved smaller cash and federal grant items, including funding for a teacher shortage data dashboard, All Kids Bike grants, crime lab outsourcing, veterans cemetery operations, and a podiatric medicine licensing investigation fund. The most contentious item was a $7 million federal Forest Legacy grant request for Central Arkansas Water and the Department of Agriculture to acquire land in the Maumelle watershed, including acreage in Perry County and Pulaski County. Members debated water quality, development pressure, property tax impacts, local support, and whether Perry County had been adequately consulted. Agency and company representatives argued the acquisition would protect drinking water, preserve forested watershed land, and support recreation, while some legislators emphasized the county’s tax and development concerns. Senator Davis moved to defer the item to the full Legislative Council and to request removal of the Perry County portion; that motion passed. The committee then reviewed the remaining items, including a Veterans Affairs pay plan request, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• not hurt Texas farmer 1.25 million acres of farmland 182 acres was all that was certified through USDA
• Is it also correct to say that since the beginning of the USDA, uh, uh, U.S.
• The USDA has been clear since day one, as you had just mentioned about THCA flour, is illegal marijuana

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB9, SB42, SB15, SB5, SB11, SB12, SCR1

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• Here in Hawaii, the Department of Agriculture samples the crop, sends it to a USDA approved lab.
• Here in Hawaii, the Department of Agriculture samples the crop, sends it to a USDA approved lab.
• samples the crop, sends it to a USDA samples the crop, sends it to a USDA approved<00:52:29.440>
• We just got a grant from the SAR USDA program to do another one.
• SAR USDA program to do another one. SAR USDA program to do another one.

Bills: SB3302, SB2061, SB2050, SB2102, SB2694, SB2089, SB847

Keywords: SB3302, homemade food products, farm kitchens, home kitchens, Department of Health, DOH, food safety, food labeling, value-added agriculture, small farms, agricultural land, commercial food establishment permit, cottage food, direct-to-consumer sales, local food systems, Hawaii Revised Statutes, chapter 91, farm-to-table, food processing, public health regulation

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on April 9, 2026, and heard testimony on several measures. SB 3302 SD1 HD1, dealing with homemade food products, would require the Department of Health to adopt rules for farm kitchens producing homemade food products that are no more stringent than rules for home kitchens. The Department of Health said it supported the bill with technical amendments, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association and Grassroot Institute of Hawaii also supported it. No opposition was heard. A lengthy discussion focused on SB 2061 SD2 HD1, which concerns a 99-year leasehold residential condominium project and HCDA’s rules for sales, income restrictions, and buyback pricing. HCDA supported the bill and said the House draft clarified unclear provisions and would help move the project to pre-sales. Testimony and committee questions centered on whether the project should remain owner-occupied in perpetuity or allow investor purchases after an initial sales period. HCDA explained that the bill was revised to make the project feasible in the market, that 60% of units would be income-restricted for buyers at or below 140% of area median income, and that the remaining units could be sold without owner-occupancy restrictions. Some members and testifiers expressed concern that the bill had shifted away from the original owner-occupancy vision and could become an investment property model, while others argued the changes were necessary for the project to pencil out and compete with fee-simple developments. No vote was taken during the discussion shown. The committee also heard SB 2050 SD1 HD1, which would allow chiropractic students in accredited programs to engage in clinical practice beginning July 1, 2028. The Hawaii Board of Chiropractic and the Hawaii State Chiropractic Association supported the measure, and one testifier described personal experience with student chiropractic care in California. Members questioned why the board requested delaying implementation until 2030, and the board said it needed more time to develop rules because it meets only a few times a year and rulemaking is lengthy. Finally, SB 2102 SD2 HD1, on industrial hemp in commercial feed, was introduced; the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity offered comments, the Department of Health raised concerns about regulating pet food and possible jurisdictional conflict, and a farmer testifying in support suggested narrowing the bill to federally approved livestock feed rather than pet food.

Transcript Highlights:

• Like we have USDA grants.
• Like we have USDA grants.
• Like we have USDA grants.
• Like we have USDA grants.
• Like we have USDA grants.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, so we work well with the USDA and FSA.
• parking<00:10:14.880> lot<00:10:15.120> with<00:10:15.279> the<00:10:15.519> USDA
• <00:10:16.320> Egg share a parking lot with the USDA Egg share a parking lot with the USDA
• :49.519> condition<00:10:49.839> grading<00:10:50.399> using<00:10:50.720> USDA
• quality and condition grading using USDA quality and condition grading using USDA standards.<00:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• /c> procurement standards let me check procurement standards let me check Federal<00:15:20.040> USDA
• <00:15:20.600> has<00:15:21.240> own<00:15:21.440> procurement Federal USDA
• has own procurement Federal USDA has own procurement standards<00:15:22.600> so<00:15:22.800><
• <00:16:24.399> as terms of federal compliance and USDA as terms of federal compliance and
• USDA as long<00:16:24.639> as<00:16:24.759> they<00:16:24.880> meet<00:16:25.120

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard Senate Bill 659, which would exempt the Department of Education from the electronic procurement system for purchases of fresh local agricultural products and local value-added processed agricultural or food products up to $100,000, and require geographic preference guidelines for locally sourced products. The Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and State Procurement Office all testified in support or support of the intent. DOE said the bill would give it short-term flexibility to buy local items not currently on the vendor list, such as poi and limu, while procurement staff said they would provide written comments and a corrected version of their testimony. Committee members questioned why the bill was needed, why the threshold would rise from the current $24,999 small-purchase limit to $100,000, and whether the department should instead amend its vendor list or RFP process. Members raised concerns about efficiency, administrative burden, whether the bill was a temporary fix for procurement planning gaps, and whether purchases would remain compliant with federal USDA rules if federal school-lunch funds were used. DOE responded that the measure would help it expand local purchasing, support farmers, and allow purchases of products not currently available through existing distributors, and said it was working with partners on food-safety certification and federal compliance. The committees then voted to pass SB 659 with amendments. The Joint Committee on Education approved it 3-2, and the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Environment later approved the amended measure 4-0. The chair noted an amendment and a deferred effective date, and the motion was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the USDA needs to stop this move and stop jeopardizing our nation's food safety. Mr.
• So, the USDA needs to stop this move and stop jeopardizing our nation's food safety.
• So, the USDA needs to stop this move and stop jeopardizing our nation's food safety.
• So, the USDA needs to stop this move and stop jeopardizing our nation's food safety. Mr.
• So, the USDA needs to stop this move and stop jeopardizing our nation's food safety. Mr.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 27, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a certified law enforcement officer and defines what a commercial dog breeder is according to the USDA
• And they pass the same thing. >> So, you're following the same guidelines as USDA.
• And they pass the same thing. >> So, you're following the same guidelines as USDA.
• as USDA. Correct. as USDA. Correct.
• And I don't think that uh USDA<05:20:27.360> supplemented<05:20:27.920> put USDA supplemented

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Meanwhile, USDA support has been cut at food banks across the country.
• everything to increase our donated food and philanthropic support in the face of these significant USDA
• It is bad because, and I know USDA, and we encourage it in our schools to educate our young people on
• But the value of the food is recorded there, and we're required by USDA, by the IRS, to record the market
• value of USDA food and the food that we purchase, but donated food is valued currently at $1.90 a pound

Summary: The committee met for public testimony on the Finance budget, with the main discussion focused first on funding for disability services and then on the LA GATOR scholarship program. Several individuals testified in support of fully funding Families Helping Families and Louisiana Rehabilitation Services (LRS), describing how advocacy, transition services, and direct support workers help people with disabilities access education, employment, and independent living. Witnesses urged the committee to preserve or increase state general funds to draw down federal matching dollars, and provider groups said current reimbursement rates and staffing shortages are leaving agencies in deficit, creating waitlists, overtime costs, and difficulty retaining workers. Committee members thanked the speakers and noted that the testimony would be used to compare the governor’s, House, and remaining budget requests. The committee then heard extensive testimony in support of increasing funding for the LA GATOR scholarship program. Supporters included policy groups, school leaders, parents, and students who argued that the program expands educational choice, helps low-income and special-needs students find schools that fit their needs, and should be fully funded at the level of demonstrated demand. Speakers from Catholic and Christian schools said GATOR funding had helped students thrive academically and spiritually, but that shortfalls left many eligible students without awards, hurt kindergarten enrollment, and forced schools to raise private donations to cover gaps. Several witnesses emphasized that the program is not a zero-sum attack on public schools, but a way to let education dollars follow students. A few committee questions focused on the fiscal impact and on whether choice programs improve outcomes without harming public schools. Testimony cited enrollment growth, parent demand, and data from other states to argue that school choice can improve student and parent outcomes and may also strengthen traditional public schools through competition. No votes or formal actions were taken during the public testimony portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• USDA has enhanced surveillance or enhanced inspection.
• We're also working with USDA and D.S.H.S. on surveillance programs and meeting mandates put forth by
• Difficulty is we are managing the certification program for CWD for the USDA and you basically have three
• Additionally, the rapport portion of the program is where the federal funds that are available through USDA
• federal program at USDA NRCS called the Watershed Rehabilitation Program.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we continue to work with them, whether that's on bonding money through the PFA, through the USDA
• And we continue to work with them, whether that's on bonding money through the PFA, through the USDA
• And we continue to work with them, whether that's on bonding money through the PFA, through the USDA
• And we continue to work with them, whether that's on bonding money through the PFA, through the USDA
• And we continue to work with them, whether that's on bonding money through the PFA, through the USDA

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee held a Dairy Day hearing focused on Minnesota’s dairy industry, beginning with a presentation recognizing Pat and Jodi Lunneman of Twin Eagle Dairy in Clarissa as Minnesota Milk Producers’ Dairy Producer of the Year. Their farm’s history, growth from a 50-stall tie-stall barn to an 800-900 cow freestall operation, and the role of family and long-term employees were highlighted. Members praised the Lunnemans’ work, community involvement, and the collaborative nature of the video tribute. Garrett Luthin, president of Minnesota Milk Producers Association, testified on industry priorities. He said the group represents Minnesota’s 1,625 dairy farms and emphasized that dairy farmers invest in their communities and want policies that support long-term viability. He raised concerns about compliance with labor mandates such as earned sick and safe time, paid family leave, and secure retirement requirements, saying dairy work does not fit a standard schedule and that smaller farms lack HR capacity to track leave requirements. He also urged improvements to county and state permitting by allowing processes to run concurrently rather than sequentially, and he expressed support for dairy profitability and development programs. Members asked about the status of federal dairy support programs, labor mandate implementation, and the realities of dairy work. Luthin said Minnesota Milk was waiting on federal action to keep certain dairy funds in place and described labor compliance as a wage and administrative burden. Pat and Jodi Lunneman later described why they expanded their farm in the 1990s, citing labor efficiency, changing economics, and the need to remain profitable; they said they do not use robotic milkers but do use robotic calf feeders. Pat explained their double-12 parallel parlor, three-shift milking schedule, and the need to keep equipment fully utilized. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We went into a shutdown, and the USDA notified states that because of that lapse in funding, we should
• :37:25.280> uh, outreach and that's paid for 5050 uh, outreach and that's paid for 5050 uh, USDA
• funds and then the organization has USDA funds and then the organization has to<01:37:28.880> come
• <01:37:39.119> the We went into a shutdown and the USDA the We went into a shutdown and the
• USDA the department<01:37:39.760> of<01:37:39.920> agriculture<01:37:40.639> uh

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first established a quorum, approved the minutes from the November 10 meeting, and then approved a large agenda of contracts and related items, with the total agenda amount stated as $359,638,393.88. Most items were approved without objection, but two contracts were pulled for discussion: attorney general panel counsel contingency fee contracts and a Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission personal services contract. For the attorney general’s office, Chris Lewis explained that the contracts were panel counsel contingency fee agreements, with 14 qualified awards from 16 applicants. He said the contracts were contingency-based, so no money would be paid unless cases were successful, and that the fee structure worked out to roughly 5% under the statutory waterfall. Senators asked about the size of the contracts, whether the terms were uniform, why no Kentucky firms were among the awardees, and how the public should understand the large dollar figures. Lewis said one Kentucky firm applied but was disqualified for a late submission, other Kentucky firms had inquired but did not apply, and local firms could still work with national firms on cases. The committee then approved the contracts. The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission contract drew more extensive questioning. Commission representatives said they had previously had a contract disapproved because the proper process was not followed, so they used an RFI process posted on the state and commission websites for at least three weeks. They received one applicant, a Kentucky firm, and set the rate at $125 per hour. Members questioned whether the commission was acting beyond its ethics mission, whether staff were helping draft complaints against legislators, and whether the commission was taking on a prosecutorial or human-resources role. The commission said its role is limited to enforcing the legislative code of ethics, providing advisory guidance, and following the formal complaint process; it does not pursue matters outside that code. Members also raised concerns about the earlier procurement misstep and the commission’s credibility, and the commission apologized, said it had corrected the process, and pledged to comply going forward. The committee then approved the contract.

Transcript Highlights:

• We found out at the end of September that the federal government would not use USDA contingency funds
• that the federal government would<01:31:47.840> not<01:31:48.080> use<01:31:48.560> USDA
• 01:31:49.280> contingency<01:31:50.000> funds,<01:31:50.880> as would not use USDA
• contingency funds, as would not use USDA contingency funds, as was<01:31:51.280> the<01:31:51.520

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, rather than numbers from the prior year because the prior year we were on USDA waivers, so there
• free free lunch under the the um USDA free free lunch under the the um USDA program<03:22:20.800
• funding what sort of increase in USDA funding what sort of increase in USDA funding<03:40:40.399
• <03:57:25.720> not<03:57:25.920> require<03:57:26.279> the USDA um when USDA did
• not require the USDA um when USDA did not require the form<03:57:26.680> and<03:57:26.800>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first discussed HB 443, which would change terms and vacancy language for members of a higher education commission. Members raised concerns that the bill was too narrow to address broader issues with commission membership, including expired appointments, attendance expectations, and whether the Department of Education could replace the commission’s role. Several members suggested the bill was not ready for action and favored holding it for further work, possibly through a subcommittee or work session. One member suggested that if attendance standards were added, no more than two unexcused absences should trigger removal, given the commission’s meeting schedule. The chair said he would defer action and form a small subcommittee to report back before the committee deadline. The committee then moved to HB 484, dealing with repurposing Career and Technical Education classroom space after 20 years of exclusive use. The chair explained that the bill was aimed at the Milford CTE project, where shared use of space could allow a school to repurpose part of a CTE facility while still using it for CTE-related instruction. Members discussed other possible situations around the state, including Claremont, North Conway, and Jaffrey/Rindge, and whether the bill should be limited to Milford or broadened to allow local districts more flexibility. Some members favored passing the bill now to help CTE projects move forward, while others argued for an amendment removing the requirement that the space be vacated specifically to expand the CTE program occupying it. Testimony and discussion emphasized that the Milford project had state approval but reduced funding, requiring a smaller scope and repurposing of existing space. Supporters said the bill could help preserve CTE programs while also benefiting general education space needs, and that local districts should have flexibility after 20 years. Opponents or cautious members noted that the language might not fit every district situation and asked for feedback from Director Beard and Steve Rothenberg before final action. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion provided, and instead discussed waiting for an amendment and additional input before acting.

Transcript Highlights:

• and support, and just recognizing that there is already a great collaborative relationship between USDA
• The USDA has said these types of articles from within the quarantine area are likely to be able to move
• This would allow them to hold the material while they contacted USDA and figured out if it violated it
• The USDA has said these types of articles from within the quarantine area are likely to be able to move
• This would allow them to hold the material while they contacted USDA and figured out if it violated it

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing covered SB 1023, which would create a spay-neuter special fund to reduce pet overpopulation and free-roaming cats, with funding sources including an income tax checkoff. The Department of Taxation had no substantive comment, while the Hawaii Invasive Species Council supported the measure but opposed any trap-neuter-release or re-release approach, saying spay-neuter is important but release does not reduce cats on the landscape. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii raised concerns about creating another special fund and tax checkoff, saying the fund may not meet statutory criteria and could create administrative burdens. The Hawaiian Humane Society strongly supported the bill, arguing the state currently provides little funding for animal overpopulation control and that the measure would help nonprofits and align conservation and animal welfare goals. Several other supporters testified, including a cat sanctuary representative who described the need for a dedicated funding mechanism and a possible Oahu sanctuary to remove cats from sensitive areas. After questions about the effectiveness of trap-neuter-release and the need for alternative management tools, the committees voted to recommend passage with amendments, including blanking appropriation amounts, moving them into the committee report, setting the effective date to July 1, 2050, and noting Budget and Finance concerns; the recommendations were adopted in both committees, with some members voting with reservations. The hearing then moved to SB 1120, relating to transportation and a clean fuel standard. The Department of Transportation said it supported the intent but wanted more information on economic impacts. Electrify America and Neste supported the bill, saying a clean fuel standard would help finance EV charging, encourage investment, and expand lower-carbon fuel options such as renewable diesel. In response to questions from senators about rural and agricultural transportation needs, witnesses said the standard could support both electrification where feasible and cleaner liquid fuels in the interim for equipment that cannot yet be electrified. DOT also described county transit efforts and said it was working with Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island on assessments for zero-emission bus replacement and charging infrastructure. The committees also heard testimony on SB 586, relating to climate change and zero-emission buses by 2045, with the State Procurement Office supporting the intent but suggesting the language be moved to a different statute; DOT said it was providing pass-through funding to counties and had some zero-emission bus purchases and charging stations on order. The discussion emphasized infrastructure costs and implementation challenges, but no final vote on SB 1120 or SB 586 was described in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if they have that USDA loan, they'll be they should be following along with this.
• ,<03:52:56.000> even do not have loans through USDA, even do not have loans through USDA,
• to keep a set they're required by USDA to keep a set amount<03:53:08.880> of<03:53:09.160>
• So, if they have that<03:53:31.480> USDA<03:53:31.960> loan,<03:53:32.200> they'll
• be they should that USDA loan, they'll be they should be<03:53:33.040> following<03:53:33.440

Keywords: MS House Floor - 4 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then heard several guest introductions, including a minister for the day, visiting school groups, forestry and farm organizations, and members of the Divine Nine. Members also recognized the East Webster Wolverines football team, the East Webster non-tumbling cheer champions, and the Simpson Academy Lady Cougars softball team for state championships. The chamber then moved to the calendar after dispensing with the journal reading. On the concurrence calendar, the House concurred in House Bill 1758 by a vote of 120-0 after members noted the Senate had made only grammatical changes. On the general calendar, the House passed Senate Bill 2126, with a strike-all amendment clarifying that sex-offender registry restrictions on name changes still allow changes for marriage or divorce with notice; the bill passed 118-0. The House also passed Senate Bill 2230, expanding authority for electronic hearings, notices, and certain electronic orders and warrants for justice, circuit, and county court judges on misdemeanors, by 116-0. Senate Bill 2631, creating a Mississippi Grain Indemnity Act to help grain producers recover losses if a buyer goes bankrupt, passed 121-0. Senate Bill 2637, giving the Northeast District livestock shows flexibility to move locations if facilities are inadequate, passed 121-0 after questions about the Verona site and possible improvements. Senate Bill 2648, allowing MSU Extension Service assistance with poultry litter plans and amended to include Alcorn State University in developing comprehensive nutrient management plans, passed 121-0. Senate Bill 2809, concerning ag theft officers’ firearm rights in the event of death or retirement, passed 116-2. Senate Bill 2638, removing a reverse repealer from a meat-labeling bill, passed 119-0. The House also began consideration of Senate Bill 2399, which would authorize DPS security personnel at certain Mississippi Department of Agriculture facilities to respond to security alarms because those facilities were omitted from the Capitol complex security arrangement. The transcript ends during the explanation of that bill, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• INVESTMENT, ON HOUSING THE BILL RAISES THE MINIMUM SHIP APPLICATION TO $1 MILLION AND DIRECT FUNDING TO USDA
• SECOND I WANT TO THANK THE PRESIDENT, LAST YEAR WHEN YOU AND I SAT DOWN WHEN SECRETARY ROLLINS THE USDA

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• roles in helping secure $280 million in disaster assistance for Rio Grande Valley. farmers through the USDA
• Row crop farmers like myself have filed for prevented planting. through the USDA RMA's crop insurance

Bills: SCR13, SB1248

Keywords: water rights, treaty compliance, Rio Grande, agriculture, drought, international water, Texas water supply, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, TPWD, harvest reports, wildlife harvest data, public information act, open records, confidentiality, hunter privacy, angler data, game animals, game birds, fur-bearing animals, nongame animals

Transcript Highlights:

• But some of the resource agencies that we were talking with, BLM, Forest Service, USDA, might have less
• new federal component because we do cross federal lands with this project: BLM, Forest Service, and USDA
• For us, that involves BLM, Forest Service, and USDA right-of-way agreements.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Energy Supply, Energy Conservation, and Energy Resilience opened by electing Senator Shoemake as chair and Representative Alex Ibarra as vice chair. Members then moved into a series of work sessions focused on data centers, transmission, and workforce needs tied to Washington’s clean energy and grid planning challenges. Kate Bruns and Glenn Blackman presented preliminary findings from the governor’s Data Center work group, created under Executive Order 25-05. They said the group met for six months, received more than 1,000 public comments, and included representatives from agencies, industry, tribes, labor, utilities, environmental groups, and research institutions. The presenters emphasized that data centers are expected to be the largest source of load growth over the next five to ten years, creating concerns about grid capacity, ratepayer impacts, forecasting, water use, backup generation, and compatibility with Washington’s energy and climate laws. They described nine recommendations, including protecting existing energy and climate policy, improving forecasting, seeking more clean power and transmission, and encouraging flexible data center operations. A proposed tax incentive change that would have expanded eligibility while tying the exemption to new clean electricity sources narrowly failed in the work group. Members asked about tribal consultation, cooling technologies, and local benefits from data centers; the presenters said tribal consultation was ongoing and a final report would follow. Keegan Moyer of West Tech then outlined a regional transmission study showing major strain on the Western grid from load growth, electrification, resiliency needs, and limited transmission capacity. He said the 10-year study identified about 12,000 line miles of needed projects across the West, with roughly $56 billion in estimated costs, including planned projects, reliability upgrades, and new interregional transfer projects. He stressed that many projects are upgrades within existing rights-of-way, but new corridors are still needed, and he previewed recommendations on permitting, equipment procurement, cost allocation, and project sponsorship. In response to questions, he discussed the difficulty of crossing jurisdictional “seams,” the role of federal coordination, landowner compensation, eminent domain as a last resort, and the limited role of public financing beyond a federal GRIP grant. Stephanie Scott of Commerce presented the transmission workforce study, which focuses on substation technicians, line workers, and line clearance tree trimmers. She said current workforce levels are far below what will be needed under a clean energy expansion scenario, and that active projects are essential because apprenticeship training depends on thousands of hours of hands-on work. She highlighted barriers such as high upfront CDL and pre-apprenticeship costs, the need for wraparound supports, and the importance of expanding access for women, people of color, and tribal communities. Members asked about tribal utility apprenticeship programs, utility-run training pipelines, and whether the study included funding sources; Scott said the report would include an inventory of apprenticeship programs and tribal considerations, but revenue ideas were outside the study scope. Finally, Brant Johnson of Grid United described the North Plains Connector as a case study in large transmission development. He said the project, a 420-mile, 3,000-megawatt HVDC line connecting Montana and North Dakota, has relied on early stakeholder engagement, route changes, tribal consultation, and coordinated federal and state permitting to reduce risk and shorten timelines. He said the project aims for permits by the end of 2026 and construction beginning in 2028, with an earliest commercial operation date of 2032. In response to questions, he discussed the challenges of crossing regional seams, interconnection queues, land acquisition and compensation, eminent domain, and financing, noting that the project is primarily privately financed with a $700 million federal grant covering a portion of costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those funds were redirected towards other priorities out of the USDA, so about 30% of the TFAP program
• Somewhere between 25% to 30% of the food that comes in is through the TFAP USDA Commodities Program.
• Half of your food is coming from either private industry, grocery stores, and then USDA.