Video & Transcript Research : 'aged'
Page 16 of 493
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources Feb 4th, 2025
House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- Of dollars off a certain amount of land for it to qualify as ag land.
- And I'd like to see that proof of production kicking land out of ag status.
- Produced and sold an ag crop.
- Records of the financial value of our ag products ever.
- Ag land in Corrales, and they develop it.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- It's great for our environment and it's great for users of all ages.
- I just would note that Alaska has a 14-year minimum age for electric bikes.
- Minnesota has a 15-year minimum age.
- Phoenix, Arizona has adopted a 16-year age requirement for all e-bikes.
- Thank you. setting a minimum age of 12 for these motorized devices.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Cover harm to youth up to the age of 26 and allow claims to be filed through the age of 38.
- therapy, and I had a surgery at age 19.
- I'm happy to forward you those news articles and statements. ...issued by the AG.
- In 2023, House Bill 3474 raised the juror exemption age for petit juries to 75.
- Yet the exemption age for grand jurors remained at 70.
Bills:
HB 1239, HB1990, HB1748, HB1749, HB2578, HB2986, HB1970, HB3163, HB2733, HB1922, HB 113, HB 1088, HB1938, HB3004, HB2637, HB2960, HB113
Keywords:
public health, access to healthcare, insurance reforms, medical expenses, healthcare providers, mental health, protective custody, preliminary examination, detention period, emergency circumstances, emergency detention, legal framework, detention, healthcare, liability, landowners, nonagricultural land, trespassing, public safety, interpreters
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee (7-8-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- Is there an age limit on this, um, child waiver? >> Up to age 21. >> Up to age 21. Okay.
- Is there an age limit on this, um, child waiver? >> Up to age 21. >> Up to age 21. Okay.
- Is there an age limit on this, um, child waiver? >> Up to age 21. >> Up to age 21. Okay.
- Is there an age limit on this, um, child waiver? >> Up to age 21. >> Up to age 21. Okay.
- into they age out, do they age out, do um<00:25:22.160>
do <00:25:22.280>they <00:25:22.440
Keywords:
• 0:00 - Roll Call
• 0:19 - Approval of June 2026 meeting minutes
• 0:36 - Fish & Wildlife (301 KAR 1:201 and 301 KAR 2:178)
• 1:35 - Board of Veterinary Examiners (201 KAR 16:767)
• 4:10 - State Board of Elections (31 KAR 4:240 Emergency)
• 4:50 - Office of the Attorney General, Regulatory Relief (40 KAR 12:300, 12:610, 12:400, 12:420 and 12:600)
• 7:03 - Department of Revenue (103 KAR 43:341 Emergency)
• 8:05 - Kentucky Public Pensions Authority (105 KAR 1:001 and 1:440)
• 9:19 - Finance and Administration Cabinet, Office of the Controller (200 KAR 38:080)
• 10:10 - Board of Physical Therapy (201 KAR 22:010 and 22:070)
• 11:06 - Kentucky Department of Education (702 KAR 3:220 and 6:110)
• 12:43 - Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department for Public Health (902 KAR 1:400)
• 13:47 - Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department for Medicaid Services (907 KAR 2:720 and 2:725)
• 28:11 - Next meeting and adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The subcommittee met with a quorum present, approved the minutes without objection, and then reviewed a series of administrative regulations from multiple agencies. Most of the regulations received staff-suggested amendments and were approved without objection, including fish and wildlife rules on fishing limits and deer hunting on local government property, veterinary board changes to responsible party and veterinary manager requirements, election procedures for safe-at-home voters, attorney general regulatory relief rules, emergency gasoline tax pricing, public pensions updates, controller fraud-prevention policies, physical therapy licensure and English proficiency standards, school nutrition and fee-waiver rules, public health conference procedures, and Medicaid waiver regulations.
Several agencies briefly identified themselves and answered procedural questions, but most items drew no substantive opposition. The Board of Veterinary Examiners regulation included an agency amendment that removed a proposed limit on the number of facilities a veterinary manager could oversee. The Department of Education regulations updated fee waiver and meal program procedures, while the Department of Public Health regulation clarified notification and conference-request procedures. The Department of Revenue and Kentucky Public Pensions Authority items were largely technical or conforming changes, including a special-needs trust definition added for consistency with Senate Bill 85.
The most extensive discussion involved the Department for Medicaid Services’ 1915C child waiver regulations. Kentucky Protection and Advocacy testified in opposition to the waiver’s lack of participant-directed services, arguing that consumer-driven services such as respite and community living support are required and especially important in rural areas and for higher-acuity children. Cabinet representatives responded that the waiver is intended to provide wraparound services to keep children in homes and communities, that it has CMS approval, and that the program is limited to 100 slots with about 21 participants already enrolled. Members did not move a deficiency motion, and the chair indicated the regulations would continue through the process. The meeting adjourned after setting the next meeting for Tuesday, August 11 at 1:00 p.m.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
LGBT Aging Commission Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- So welcome to the March quarterly meeting of the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Aging.
- Equitable hiring that resulted in an age-, race-, and gender-diverse workplace.
- And the fact that as we age, there...
- We have the focus of the commission, which is LGBTQ+ aging.
- Since that's the age limit that we use in Massachusetts. Okay.
Summary:
The Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Aging opened its March quarterly meeting by welcoming Alison Bauer as its first full-time director, effective March 30. Bauer briefly introduced her background in law, social work, public health, state government, philanthropy, and teaching, and said she planned to meet one-on-one with each commissioner. The commission then approved the December quarterly meeting minutes by motion and vote.
The main portion of the meeting was a workshop led by Adriana Boulin on diversity, equity, inclusion, power, belonging, and intersectionality. Boulin defined key terms, guided participants through reflection exercises on personal values and conditions that support or undermine power, and discussed the history of intersectionality. Commissioners and guests shared examples of DEI work, including listening sessions, inclusive trainings, equitable hiring, LGBTQ+ aging advocacy, and community programs. Participants also reflected on how the commission has felt powerful, citing the strategic plan, the hiring of an executive director, the website, listening sessions, and passage of the LGBTQI+ and HIV long-term care bill of rights.
The group then focused on how to apply an equity lens to the commission’s strategic priorities, especially improving representation and inclusion. Commissioners discussed the need for more racial, ethnic, trans, immigrant, and other marginalized representation, as well as barriers such as recruitment challenges, the size of the commission, and CORI/background-check concerns for some governor-appointed seats. They also explored whether an advisory board or expanded outreach to community organizations could help broaden participation. No formal votes or final actions were taken beyond approving the minutes, but the meeting ended with agreement to continue the equity work and with the next quarterly meeting scheduled for June.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
AGRICULTURE- HOUSE SMALL BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEV. SUBCOM. Jun 2nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It's good for ag. And I think it's going to be good...
- New Tech Ag.
- Industry partners like local farms, ag tech.
- But it should be used with ag and how we do new tech ag in order for surveillance, data collection, monitoring
- Because... ...compete with new tech ag like this farm to table.
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from its October 27 meeting and then heard testimony from Clinton Ballard of Milk and Honey Hill Farm about the impact of Act 698 on raw dairy producers. Ballard said the law allowed his farm to expand from one cow to 12, serve about 150 families, increase sales by roughly $50,000, and sell about $10,000 in raw cheese and other products through retail outlets. He argued the law improved farm income, food security, and local supply, and he asked for an optional state inspection/certification path for raw milk producers so they could access USDA grants and other opportunities available to licensed dairies. Committee members asked about herd management, safety practices, bee production, market channels, and whether such certification should remain voluntary; Ballard said he follows Grade A-style sanitation, chills milk quickly, removes sick cows from production, and supports optional training or inspection but not mandatory regulation.
Members also raised food safety concerns, especially for children and pregnant women, and Ballard responded that raw milk producers rely on cleanliness, rapid cooling, consumer feedback, and truth in labeling. He said the health department currently inspects commercial dairies but not raw milk producers who do not sell through a cooperative, and he believed state inspection would help producers distinguish themselves and qualify for funding without changing interstate rules. Several members discussed the balance between consumer choice, safety, and possible “mission creep” if the state created a certification system.
The committee then heard a lengthy presentation from Terence Bolden of TLB Enterprises on hydroponic and container farming as a response to food insecurity and food deserts. Bolden described a three-year workforce and career-technical program built around retrofitted shipping containers, drones, robotics, agribusiness, and AI, with partnerships involving schools, universities, Farm Bureau, UAPB, the Little Rock School District, and other entities. He said the model could create year-round local food production, support school cafeterias and community markets, and generate jobs and economic impact, estimating at least four jobs per container and potentially significant regional economic benefits. Members asked about costs, target communities, energy needs, crop types, and implementation timelines; Bolden said the first containers for school sites could be in place by late summer or early fall, with pilot projects already underway in Arkansas and Orlando. The meeting adjourned after no further business.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Since 1997, we've lost almost 3.7 million acres of working agricultural land to non-ag use.
- In just the past 5 years, over 17,000 ag operations across the state have been lost, but the greatest
- Protections to start, maintain, and expand their ag operations. Ranchers are being sold.
- These changes will ensure clear direction on the purpose of the program to keep land in ag production
- The owners of ag land need a real economic incentive to keep land in agriculture.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Licensing & Administrative Procedures May 6th, 2025
Licensing & Administrative Procedures
Transcript Highlights:
- cause for children ages 5 to 14.
- The legal drinking age is 21.
- Under the age of 21. We're blocks away from a university campus.
- AG opinion GA 103 by now Governor Abbott, then Attorney General Abbott.
- SB 1184 addresses this limitation by lowering the age requirement from 20 years to 10 years.
Bills:
SB 28
Keywords:
groundwater, groundwater conservation district, Water Code, Water Development Board, modeled available groundwater, aquifer, water permit, groundwater transfer, export groundwater, out-of-district transfer, management area, desired future conditions, well permit, retail public utility, potable water, emergency interconnect, subsidiary, controlled entity, aquifer management, water resources
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 2/12/25
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:04:19.160>
24 available to you through age 24 available to you through age 24 additional - The average age of enrollment was 18; however, children and youth of all ages through age 24 were represented
- in Safe Harbor programs the average age in Safe Harbor programs the average age of<00:07:17.440>
- Like people under the age of 18.
- <00:59:37.400>
but distributed at a fairly young age but distributed at a fairly young age
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- of age up to 21 years of age.
- age when sentencing somebody to life without parole.
- Individual at the age of 21 was settled upon as a suitable age when sentencing somebody to life without
- sentences from 18 years of age or older to 21 years of age.
- sentences from 18 years of age or older to 21 years of age.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on SB 114, which would create a presidential preference primary for the 2028 election. The Office of Elections said the bill would cost about $4.1 million. Supporters, including the Hawaii Democratic Party and the League of Women Voters, favored moving the process to a state-run primary, while several opponents, including the Hawaiian Islands Republican Women and multiple individual testifiers, argued it would be too expensive, would shift control away from the parties, and would replace volunteer-run caucuses with a mail-in system. Committee members questioned the chief election officer about election timing, certification, and how a primary might be scheduled with other elections. Testimony was recorded as 11 in support, 41 opposed, and 3 comments, and no vote was taken in the excerpt.
The committee then took up SB 725, which would require judges to make findings about a defendant’s ability to afford bail. Judiciary and Attorney General witnesses asked that the bill be deferred or amended, saying the Judicial Council is already reviewing pretrial bail reform and that the bill’s language could create practical problems for police, sheriffs, and courts. Supporters, including the Correctional System Oversight Commission, the public defender, the Community Alliance on Prisons, the ACLU of Hawaii, and disability rights advocates, said cash bail disproportionately harms low-income defendants, increases pretrial detention costs, and should require clearer findings and records. Opponents included the Hawaii County prosecuting attorney. Members questioned how bail is initially set, what records exist, and whether the bill would change current practice; Judiciary witnesses said initial bail decisions are often made by police or judges and later reviewed on the record, while supporters argued the bill would strengthen front-end due process. The ACLU said it supported the bill with amendments, including clearer standards for ability to pay and written findings.
The committee also began hearing SB 733, a proposed constitutional amendment to establish a continuous legislative session. Early testimony was strongly supportive, with advocates arguing that the current 60-day session limits public participation, makes it hard for working people to testify, and prevents lawmakers from collaborating effectively. Supporters said a year-round model could improve transparency, reduce duplicate bills, and better accommodate neighbor island legislators. The excerpt ends during the opening testimony on SB 733, before any committee action or vote is shown.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- to complete an age check through age estimation."
- to complete an age check through age estimation."
- to complete an age check through age estimation."
- to complete an age check through age estimation."
- to complete an age check through age estimation."
Summary:
The Senate convened under call, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then took the roll, establishing a quorum. The chamber received a House message announcing passage of Senate File 3720, a workers’ compensation bill adopting 2026 recommendations of the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council, and then moved through routine author changes and motions, including sending House File 3825 to the Finance Committee and advancing House File 3298, which was described as funding the removal and replacement of underground tanks to protect water supplies.
A major floor item was Senate File 4282, the education forecast-adjustment bill. Senator Kunish explained that the conference committee updated appropriations to reflect forecast changes, added language on highly qualified paraprofessionals for Title I special education, provided tribal contract aid if a permanent school fund amendment passes, allowed districts to use operating capital for utility costs, extended grants for gender-neutral bathrooms, and made two school district fund transfers. The Senate adopted the conference report and passed the bill 34-33.
The Senate then considered House File 3489, which would establish a felony offense of grooming, require reporting to licensing boards, update school and mandated reporter rules, and add funding for investigators. Supporters framed it as a child-protection measure based on a survivor’s testimony and a teacher-abuse case; one member also spoke in favor, while another offered a strongly partisan critique of public education. The Senate adopted the A11 amendment, gave the bill third reading, and passed it 66-0, then recessed briefly to honor guests in the gallery.
After recess, the Senate took up House File 5074, the annual claims settlement bill. Senator Clark said it appropriates just over $5.1 million for claims including exoneration payments and a permanent injury claim, highlighting compensation for James Lamar Davis, Clayton Douglas Groves, and Marvin Haynes. The bill drew some debate over the Haynes payment and the calculation for an ankle injury claim, but it ultimately passed 64-2. The final item was House File 4074, the 2026 omnibus pension bill, described as improving public safety and other public employee retirement benefits, removing a COLA delay, creating work groups on duty disability, and addressing pension provisions for probation officers, 911 telecommunicators, St. Paul teachers, and other groups; the discussion was underway when the transcript ended.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- And then I was kind of asking them, it's like anybody age about 55-ish, you know.
- or the senior age.
- Well, I thought maybe, well, because we're focused on the more older age or the senior age, I was like
- There's certain ages.
- Because once they hit a certain age, there's no going back.
Summary:
The Arkansas Legislative Autism Task Force approved the April 1, 2026 meeting minutes and discussed several vacant membership slots, including positions tied to the Arkansas Psychology Board, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, UAMS, and parent or guardian appointments. Members said they would try to fill the vacancies and, if not, include the issue in the legislative report and consider statutory changes in the next General Assembly.
The task force then heard from the Developmental Disabilities Provider Association and Civitan Services about DDPA’s role in supporting 80 provider organizations serving more than 13,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across 75 counties. They described services such as early intervention day programs, adult day programs, supported employment, intermediate care facilities, work activities, and community/residential waiver services, and said autism falls within the populations they serve. They also shared survey information on services used by older adults with IDD and offered contact information for providers.
Members also heard a proposal to amend Act 656 of 2021 to add licensed psychological practitioners as qualified providers for autism waiver-related evaluations. The presenter argued this would reduce wait times, avoid duplicate assessments, and help families access services sooner, while noting that Arkansas Medicaid already pays for some of these evaluations. Task force members and Dr. Scott discussed the roles of psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and the possibility of using training or board oversight to ensure evaluators are properly qualified, with some noting that speech pathologists’ inclusion has historical and clinical roots. The task force also said it still needs a future discussion on fraud, plans to invite the Attorney General’s office, and wants to identify priorities for the 2027 session before adjourning.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Jan 27th, 2026
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- We'll be taking up Tab 5, SB 1630 on aging and disability services by Senator Grall.
- Robert Beck is for the Florida Association of Area Agencies on Aging, is waving in support.
- Also, Robert Beck, Florida Association of Area Agencies on Aging. Is there any debate?
- Back, Florida Association of Area Agencies on Aging. Is there any debate on the amendment?
- Area agencies on aging, also waving in support. Steve Waterhouse is speaking for the bill.
Keywords:
child welfare, substance abuse, neglect, parental rights, drug exposure, Medicaid, disabilities, employment, healthcare access, income eligibility, veteran benefits, minor clients, financial assistance, education services, Department of Children and Families, Department of Health, aging services, disability assistance, long-term care, Alzheimer's support
Summary:
The committee considered several bills affecting children, disability services, aging, recovery residences, and foster youth benefits. SB 1016 codified the working people with disabilities program for Medicaid waiver recipients, with amendments removing automatic enrollment and improving information sharing between agencies; advocates testified that the program helps people with developmental disabilities work while keeping needed care, though they raised implementation and training concerns. The bill was reported favorably. SB 1002, as amended, clarified that evidence of acute or chronic parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect in child welfare cases and allow court intervention and treatment requirements; it was also reported favorably. SB 1594 would preserve veterans’ benefits for foster youth for postsecondary education or aftercare rather than using them as reimbursement to the agency, and it passed favorably. SB 1630 modernized aging and long-term care statutes, expanded emergency service authority, updated oversight of area agencies on aging and guardianship, and permanently established the Florida Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence; after two amendments, it was reported favorably. SB 1030, on recovery residences/substance abuse services, was amended with a substitute that narrowed transfer definitions, sped licensure for existing providers adding levels of care, and limited credentialing entities’ access to resident records; members noted it remained a work in progress, but it was reported favorably.
The committee also held confirmation hearings. Robert Astellos, nominated as Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, described efforts to reduce the pre-enrollment list, improve transparency and customer service, expand family involvement, and streamline agency processes; multiple advocacy groups appeared in support, and the committee recommended his confirmation. The committee then unanimously recommended confirmation of the appointees on tabs 7 through 10. The meeting concluded with adjournment.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 2/17/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- And then 10% is on ag literacy. Then 10% is on ag literacy.
- Interesting questions about the reach of ag and ag education. Great question.
- Two years ago, we started our own ag education center. It's called Little Ag Ventures.
- Two years ago, we started our own ag education center. It's called Little Ag Ventures.
- Two years ago, we started our own ag education center. It's called Little Ag Ventures.
Keywords:
agriculture, agricultural education, leadership development, Minnesota Agricultural Education and Leadership Council, MAELC, chapter 41D, grant funding, general fund appropriation, commissioner of agriculture, farm education, youth agriculture programs, ag literacy, workforce development, extension education, research funding, extension services, technology transfer, grant programs, 1183, house
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee Jun 22nd, 2026
Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- Age-based safeguards are nothing new.
- That is not age verification.
- This legislation instead requires reasonable age assurance measures pursuant to the Digital Age Assurance
- Australia has already enacted a nationwide minimum age of 16.
- That could be a civil penalty of up to $12,500 from the AG.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Investments and Pensions Oversight Sep 12th, 2025
Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- China's working age population is going to fall by 12%.
- Those people are old and aging out. They all look like us.
- To be eligible for retirement, we have a minimum retirement age of 55 years old.
- Their average age is 42. Service is three and a half years.
- And again, I don't know if the average age of that 7,000 matches the average age of the truly active
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Consumer and Public Affairs Feb 7th, 2026 at 12:35 pm
House Consumer & Public Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- And we took the youthful offender, which is 14 to 18 years of age, and we left that age as is.
- You still can't possess a firearm in the age of handgun under the age of 19, I believe it is.
- go up to the age of 21.
- go up to the age of 21.
- And this is just where we're at in this day and age.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- This would increase it to when a child is under the age of 16 to match our age of consent. >> Senator
- of 16 to when a child is under the age of 16 to match<00:41:52.560>
our <00:41:52.720>age< - match our age of consent. match our age of consent.
- And so, um, a child is under the age of 17 in the transmitting, and for traveling is under the age of
- <00:48:23.280>
of and for traveling is under the age of and for traveling is under the age
Bills:
SB169, SB180, SB203, SB87, SB195, SB192, SB169, SB180, SB203, SB87, SB195, SB192, HB132, HB37, HB13, HB54, HB126, HB7, SB30, HB188, HB189, HB26, HB264, HB288, HB248, HB249, HB227, HB228
Keywords:
Lieutenant Governor, vacancy, governor appointment, Alabama Constitution, state government, media monitoring, government contracts, state agencies, local agencies, media regulations, transparency, dental insurance, medical loss ratio, premium regulation, insurance commissioner, rebate, consumer protection, midwifery, licensed midwives, State Board of Midwifery
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/17/26
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:54:06.079>
estimation years must use the same age estimation years must use the same age - If age instead protect our youth.
- obtain an Instagram account at the age obtain an Instagram account at the age of<00:59:39.520>
- having social media from a young age having social media from a young age gives<01:03:00.480>
- <01:12:08.400>
estimation comply with this bill's age estimation comply with this bill's age - having social media from a young age having social media from a young age gives<01:03:00.480>
Keywords:
foreclosure, mortgage, redemption period, homestead, Minnesota Statutes, automated license plate reader, ALPR, license plate recognition, vehicle surveillance, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, data privacy, government data practices, law enforcement data, surveillance technology, location data, vehicle tracking, warrant requirement, probable cause, exigent circumstances
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Agriculture (2-26-25) - Reupload
Transcript Highlights:
- He said when other countries are buying or owning ag land, it needs to be stopped.
- He said when other countries are buying or owning ag land, it needs to be stopped.
- He said when we have other countries buying ag land or owning ag land, it needs to be put to a stop.
- He said when we have other countries buying ag land or owning ag land, it needs to be put to a stop.
- He said when we have other countries buying ag land or owning ag land, it needs to be put to a stop.
Keywords:
00:00 -- Introduction
00:13 – Attendance Roll Call
08:25 – Discussion of HB 315
23:45 – Roll call vote on HB 315
26:35 – Discussion of HB 356
46:30 – Roll call vote on HB 356, 958, all
Summary:
The House Agriculture Committee first spent much of the meeting recognizing the large number of 4-H and FFA students and guests in attendance, with members from several counties introducing their groups and praising the programs for developing future agricultural and civic leaders. Comments emphasized the value of youth involvement in agriculture, leadership, and public speaking, and several members noted their own 4-H or FFA backgrounds. The committee then took up House Bill 356, and adopted a committee substitute before hearing testimony on the revised measure.
House Bill 356, sponsored by Representative Carney, would create the Kentucky Urban Youth Agriculture Initiative, expanding the original urban farming concept into broader agricultural education, agribusiness, advocacy, and work-ready skills. The substitute removed the requirement that participants have access to farmland, lowered the age floor from six to five, broadened participation, and established a pilot program with implementation left to Cooperative Extension. Supportive testimony came from a 4-H student and Kentucky 4-H representatives, who described how the program helps youth explore many interests and removes barriers for urban students. Members from both parties praised the bill as a way to reach more youth and strengthen agricultural education. The committee approved House Bill 356 as amended by the committee substitute on a roll call vote, with all members present voting yes.
The committee then heard House Bill 315 from Representative Sharp, a foreign adversary land bill intended to limit certain foreign entities’ ability to purchase Kentucky land. Before member questions, Tim Shank of the Kentucky Bankers Association testified in opposition to one section of the bill, saying banks already screen borrowers through federal systems and that Section 8’s reference to an Attorney General lien for “actual costs” was too vague. He warned the language could create uncertainty for mortgage holders and potentially affect credit availability for farmers. Representative Sharp said he had just learned of the concern and may need to work with the Attorney General’s office to address it. He also said the bill was largely the same as last year’s version, except for the removal of a leasing-related paragraph, and the committee began discussion of the bill after that testimony.