Transcript Highlights:

• studies in the Nooksack and Stillaguamish River watersheds, where nutrient pollution from intensive livestock
• You said carnivorous livestock operation? I don't know what that is. Sure.
• And not all livestock are carnivorous animals.
• How much of that land is actively producing crops and livestock?
• I would really like to know how much of it is preservation, but actually producing livestock and crops

Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held public hearings on several bills and a joint memorial, with testimony largely focused on steelhead recovery, agricultural viability, wildfire funding, and shellfish fees. On SB 6241, which would create a wild broodstock conservation program for steelhead, staff described a statewide program with a fiscal note of about $14.6 million in FY 2027, while sponsor Sen. Braun argued the concept could boost wild populations and fishing opportunity at lower cost than the fiscal note suggests. Proponents, including anglers and conservation groups, said broodstock programs could improve fisheries, preserve genetics, and support local economies; opponents, including Trout Unlimited, argued the bill was too broad, not sufficiently science-driven, and should be left to agency and co-manager discretion. The public hearing closed with a strong pro/con sign-in count in favor of the bill. The committee then heard SB 6104, a broad agriculture-protection bill that would require agricultural impact statements for certain agency actions, annexations, and zoning changes, and would direct mitigation measures when actions harm agricultural or natural-resource-based commercial activities. Sponsor Sen. Muzzall said Washington agriculture is under severe pressure and losing farms, while supporters from farm groups said the bill would force agencies to consider ag viability and compensate for impacts. Opponents, including a small farmer and environmental advocates, said the bill was too procedural, could burden modernization or conservation efforts, and might create uncertainty around existing conservation funding accounts. The hearing ended with more testimony in opposition than support. The committee also heard SJM 8015, urging the federal government to ensure wildfire-response consolidation does not reduce capacity or firefighter safety. Sponsor Sen. Short and many testifiers, including private forest owners, tribes, students, conservation groups, and local officials, emphasized the importance of maintaining and fully funding Washington’s wildfire response and forest-restoration investments, especially the 1168 account. Testimony highlighted fuel breaks, early detection, community protection, and the economic costs of wildfire. The memorial drew overwhelmingly pro testimony. Finally, the committee suspended the five-day notice rule to hear SB 6318 on commercial shellfish fees; staff explained it would cap Department of Health fee increases after a recent fee review, and shellfish growers strongly supported the bill as necessary to keep small farms viable. The committee also took a work session on beaver relocation and habitat restoration, where presenters described beavers as a water-retention and wildfire-resilience tool and discussed coexistence, relocation, and possible future management changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• It affects human health as we've seen, and the livelihood that they may earn from crops and livestock
• Not to mention the chance that there can be human consumption of contaminated crops and livestock.
• Like so many others, we rely on clean, uncontaminated water and soil to grow our crops, feed our livestock
• Would you eat meat from livestock that drink from polluted rivers, streams, and ponds and eat grass from
• development, these pits have grown in size, and they can threaten nearby creeks and the people and livestock

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we all know that farmers and livestock producers work tirelessly, and we all know that, um, deer
• Farm surveyed are livestock and are not wild animals. I'm quoting that.
• Farm surveyed<00:21:08.720><c> are</c><00:21:08.960><c> livestock</c><00:21:09.360><c> and</c><00:21:
• 09.600><c> are</c><00:21:09.760><c> not</c><00:21:10.000><c> wild</c> surveyed are livestock and are
• not wild surveyed are livestock and are not wild animals.<00:21:10.880><c> I'm</c><00:21:11.039><c> quoting

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 40, authored by Representative Burkel, was heard and laid over. The bill would remove the statutory requirement that farmed deer/elk facilities maintain a physical barrier preventing contact with wild deer, and it would also strike language allowing revocation of registration and seizure/destruction of animals for fencing or escape violations. Burkel argued the current law is unfair to deer farmers, treats them differently than other livestock producers, and amounts to a regulatory taking of a legal agricultural enterprise. Supporters from the Minnesota Elk Breeders Association and Minnesota Deer Farmers Association said the 2023 secondary-fence requirement is expensive, difficult to implement on long-established properties, and has pushed some breeders out of the industry. They described costs ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, said the DNR’s guidance is case-by-case and unclear, and argued that the penalty structure is too harsh for what they view as minor or unavoidable escape incidents. One testifier said the industry is being driven out of business and that the state should help pay for the fencing if it remains required. The DNR opposed the bill. Its enforcement representative said the physical-contact barrier is intended to reduce the risk of chronic wasting disease transmission and that removing penalties would leave little incentive for compliance. He said the agency continues to work with the roughly 10 noncompliant whitetail farms and that the DNR provides case-by-case review because farm topography varies. In committee questions, members discussed whether wild deer commonly travel along fence lines, whether ear-tagged deer have been found, and whether there is a standard approved fence design; the DNR said there is no single standard fence, only suggestions and review. Representative Burkel closed by reiterating his support for the bill and the committee then laid it over.

Transcript Highlights:

• of technology important to production, utilization of food, feed, fiber, and fuel from crop and livestock
• Four of the stations have livestock research programs.
• “That they derive income from foundation seed as well as livestock sales.
• So think about We do strongly support the livestock industry as well, but just not necessarily the actual
• production side of livestock.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first reviewed the 2024-25 tuition waiver report for the North Dakota University System. Staff explained that waivers were reported for degree-seeking students and broken out by residency, institution, and waiver type. Members asked about partial versus full waivers, institutional discretion, athletic waivers, and whether campuses have published guardrails or transparency requirements. Staff said most waivers are set by institutions, with some statutory and board-required categories, and that athletic waivers are a small share of total waiver dollars. The report showed total gross tuition of $354.5 million, tuition waived of $38.9 million, and 11,193 of 42,040 students receiving some waiver. Members also discussed how waivers affect net tuition revenue, housing and food collections, and whether campuses are using waivers strategically compared with scholarships and other funding sources. The committee then heard a presentation on tuition rates by campus and State Board policy. Staff explained the board’s tuition factors for resident, Minnesota reciprocity, contiguous-state/U.S. nonresident, and international students, and noted that campuses often seek exceptions based on program-specific competition and enrollment goals. Members asked whether rates are based on cost or competition, and staff said campuses typically bring forward estimates and market comparisons when requesting special rates. The presentation also reviewed general fund appropriations versus net tuition revenue by campus, and members discussed how local tuition decisions and waivers do not directly affect the state funding formula, though they do affect institutional revenue and reserves. Questions were also raised about the Higher Learning Commission’s financial composite indicator and how it differs from the more intuitive reserve and revenue figures. The committee next received a broad overview of non-higher-education entities affiliated with the State Board of Higher Education, beginning with NDSU agriculture-related units. Dr. Greg Lardy described the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education, the NDSU Extension Service, the Agricultural Experiment Station, and the branch research centers, emphasizing their statewide role in crop and livestock research, extension education, and county-based outreach. He outlined funding mixes for extension, the experiment station, and branch stations, noting that grants and contracts support both research and education, while the agronomy seed farm is self-funded through seed sales. Members asked about the new and vacant FTE pool, R1 research status, matching requirements for grants, and whether state appropriations count toward research expenditures. Dr. Lardy also highlighted major research impacts, including crop varieties, virtual fencing, AI-assisted weed control, and NDAWN weather data. The Northern Crops Institute and the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute also presented. NCI described its role in market development, technical services, and education for regional agriculture, its governance through the Northern Crops Council, and its funding from state appropriations, other states, and earned revenue. Members asked about the source of out-of-state funding, intellectual property, and the institute’s international reach. UGPTI then outlined its transportation research, federal and state funding structure, and work on road and bridge condition assessments, travel demand modeling, and workforce training. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> solar Farms that have sheep or livestock solar Farms that have sheep or livestock present<01:31:
• </c><01:31:32.679><c> alone</c> presence of you know livestock alone presence of you know livestock alone
• </c><01:32:27.760><c> on</c> relating to the presence of livestock on relating to the presence of livestock
• Even with livestock, you’re going to need water access.”
• But water is the issue, and even with livestock, you’re going to need water access.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 263, excuse me, relative to the applications to the cost of care fund for livestock care.
• Representative King: ...applications to the cost of care fund for livestock care.
• </c> three we also add that no livestock three we also add that no livestock shall<04:11:08.359><c> be
• But again, the police officers are not necessarily experts, especially in livestock and equine.
• We certainly do for livestock.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in a work session on several environmental bills, beginning with HP 152, which would prohibit the sale and use of adhesive-based rodent traps. Members discussed whether the bill should be amended to allow professional pest control use while restricting retail sales to the public. Testimony and member comments focused on animal welfare concerns, the relative humaneness and effectiveness of glue traps versus snap traps, consumer education, enforcement difficulties, and whether the bill should instead be limited to professionals. No vote was taken on HP 152 during the discussion. The committee then turned to HB 171, establishing a moratorium on new landfill permits. Representative Gruber distributed an amendment shortening the proposed moratorium from five years to three years as a compromise. Members supporting the moratorium said it would give the Department of Environmental Services time to update rules and reflect recent landfill-siting reforms, while opponents argued that three years was too long, could tie the hands of a future legislature, and might be difficult to pass in the Senate. Others noted the House, Senate, and governor had each discussed different lengths of moratorium, making the bill a likely bargaining position in later negotiations. Throughout the landfill discussion, members emphasized that the three-year version was intended as a middle ground between a one-year proposal associated with the governor and a six-year Senate bill. Several members said the moratorium reflected years of bipartisan work on solid waste and landfill policy and would help create time for new rules to take effect. The transcript provided does not show a final committee vote or other action on HB 171 during this segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill appropriates $250,000 to a wolf depredation on livestock, and what it is is that the Mexican
• livestock.
• The bill appropriates $250,000 to a wolf depredation on livestock.
• The Mexican gray wolves have been eating the ranchers' livestock, and they are losing profitability on
• their livestock.

Summary: The meeting covered a long series of House bills across health, commerce, education, elections, government, and veterans issues, with many measures described as consent-calendar items. In health and human services, members discussed updates to radiology technology standards, a tribal Medicaid waiver bill, an emergency medicine study committee, fetal death certificate and remains-transfer requirements, a physician assistant licensure compact, dementia care telemonitoring funding, and SNAP error-rate reduction and eligibility oversight. Sponsors generally framed these bills as technical updates, workforce or access improvements, cost savings, or support for families and vulnerable populations, while some bills drew brief questions about implementation or opposition. In commerce and finance, the committee heard bills on mobile food vendor licensing, earned wage access services, CPA certification, cash acceptance by retail businesses, unmanned aircraft regulation, timeshare salesperson licensing, social credit score restrictions for lending, and a ban on state assistance to the International Criminal Court. Sponsors emphasized reduced regulation, consumer protections, transparency, and state sovereignty. The committee also considered tax and retirement-related measures, including conformity with the Internal Revenue Code, ASRS technical changes, and a 529 plan update that also addressed Roth IRA rollovers. Education and school governance bills focused heavily on school district oversight and transparency. Members discussed patriotic youth group presentations in schools, school board term limits and mandatory training, bond-advisor requirements, restrictions on school districts buying operating charter or private schools to affect funding formulas, conflicts of interest on the School Facilities Oversight Board, public meeting and travel disclosure rules, limits on long-term school property leases, job-order contracting caps, and a computer science proficiency seal. Sponsors repeatedly argued these bills would improve accountability, prevent misuse of public funds, and increase public access to school board decisions. The meeting also included elections, veterans, government, and other administrative measures. These included changes to sample-ballot mailing deadlines, a requirement that courts ask about veteran status at first appearance, a veterans awareness study, broader military leave protections, SAVE database verification for voter registration and licensing, U.S.-sourced election equipment requirements, Electoral College affirmation, justice court due-process protections, library trustee reporting deadlines, adult protective services reporting cleanup, and procurement transparency. No final floor votes were taken in the excerpt, and most items were presented for questions or moved through consent with brief sponsor explanations and occasional opposition noted in committee testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our farmers and ranchers value the individuals that they employ because without them, livestock would
• with the market, so some years are better than others, but the input costs of raising crops and livestock
• Our farmers and ranchers value the individuals that they employ because without them, livestock would
• Like I said earlier, those hours depend on whether in livestock, all of which are unexistent, nearly
• with the market, so some years are better than others, but the input costs of raising crops and livestock

Summary: The committee held a study on the potential effects of living wage or minimum wage laws in Oklahoma, with the chair emphasizing that the discussion was not intended to advocate for or against State Question 832. The first panel focused on economic and workforce impacts. An Oklahoma Department of Commerce representative argued that living wage calculations vary by region and household type, that Oklahoma’s average wages are already near or above many living-wage estimates, and that higher mandated wages could lead employers to cut hours, reduce hiring, automate, or avoid expansion, especially in rural areas where childcare, healthcare, broadband, and infrastructure constraints also affect labor participation. Committee members asked about wage distributions, rural cost differences, training pathways, and whether higher wages might draw workers or businesses out of state; the witness said many low-wage workers move up over time and that Oklahoma has seen net in-migration. A State Chamber Research Foundation witness then testified that a $15 statewide wage floor would raise payroll costs substantially, especially for small rural employers, and cited examples from California and Seattle to argue that higher wages can reduce hours, jobs, and benefits while increasing consumer prices. She suggested alternatives such as expanding the state earned income tax credit and promoting upskilling through existing education and training programs. A Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry representative described Missouri’s recent voter-approved minimum wage increase to $13.75, rising to $15, along with paid sick leave provisions. She said the chamber opposed the measure because it would raise business costs, hurt rural communities and youth employment, and force some employers to cut hours, reduce hiring, or close. She cited examples from Missouri businesses facing significant added costs and warned that a future ballot initiative could create a patchwork of local minimum wages. In response to questions, she said Missouri’s law did not distinguish by age or industry, that businesses had raised concerns about union contracts and compliance, and that the chamber viewed the measure as harmful to competitiveness. Peter Hansen of NFIB presented the final major testimony, summarizing an NFIB study projecting that a higher Oklahoma minimum wage would produce some short-term GDP gains but longer-term losses, with GDP turning negative by the early 2030s and job losses growing over time. He said businesses respond to higher wage mandates by raising prices, trimming jobs, converting full-time positions to part-time, reducing benefits, and shifting investment toward automation or other capital. He argued that the burden falls most heavily on vulnerable workers such as young or marginal employees, who are less likely to be hired when labor costs rise. In questioning, he acknowledged that higher wages can improve pay for some workers and may have some short-term positive effects, but maintained that the long-term employment and investment effects are negative. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Farmers and livestock producers need access to safety net programs, especially with weather conditions
• barrel racing—and by the way, for everyone who knows barrel racers, yes, they're crazy—and raising livestock
• my world revolved around the Future Farmers of America. 4-H and the endless cycle of baling hay, livestock
• Of Nebraska, we grow a lot of corn and beans and wheat and sugar beets and livestock, so we understand
• I was hoping to be here today but ended up having to give a speech to some livestock producers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, also, if you would like to write a check, it's to NWSS for the Junior Livestock Sale.
• a check, it's to NWSS for<00:39:57.440><c> the</c><00:39:57.599><c> Junior</c><00:39:57.920><c> Livestock
• </c><00:39:59.040><c> So,</c><00:39:59.599><c> get</c> for the Junior Livestock Sale.
• So, get for the Junior Livestock Sale.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• by Guillen relating to the Department of Justice. to the establishment of electronic registry for livestock
• Refer to the Committee on Agriculture and Livestock. HB 1418.
• Refer to the Committee on Agriculture and Livestock.
• Paso, relating to the Task Force on Pollinator Health, referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Livestock

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• USDA uses acres of crops and head of livestock to determine if a place with sales of less than $100,000
• </c><01:00:56.079><c> producers</c><01:00:56.520><c> with</c> and livestock producers with and livestock
• But for agricultural producers, for farmers and livestock, they have a so-called double payment: one,
• </c><01:11:49.120><c> they</c> producers for farmers and livestock they producers for farmers and livestock
• producer definition and or livestock producer definition and strengthen<01:50:30.800><c> it</c><01:50

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, the committees are all changed names now: egg, livestock, and natural resources.
• and indemnity fund to address threats to livestock health.
• 01:20:21.040><c> livestock</c><01:20:21.520><c> health.
• </c><01:20:21.920><c> House</c><01:20:22.159><c> Bill</c> threats to livestock health.
• House Bill threats to livestock health.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in addition to what you're seeing in the more urban areas where they're blowing out power lines, livestock
• So you find it affecting livestock, you find it affecting wildlife, waterways—that's a little problem
• These livestock and animals will eat these balloons, and so, you know, maybe looking at biodegradable
• In addition to livestock, we've seen issues in power infrastructure.
• So in addition to the wildlife and livestock issues, we feel this is an extremely important bill, and

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up a series of coastal, seafood, wildlife, and environmental measures. House Bill 851 by Rep. Ilg, which adds intentional mass balloon releases to the gross intentional littering statute, drew support from agriculture, wildlife, and environmental groups because of impacts on livestock, wildlife, power lines, and waterways; members clarified it targets organized intentional releases, not accidental releases by children, and it was reported favorably. House Bill 652 by Rep. Broe adding a non-voting Department of Agriculture appointee to the Oyster Task Force was also reported favorably, as were House Bills 349 and 588 by Rep. Domain to expand the imported seafood safety fund’s uses and add oyster, crab, and finfish representation to the Seafood Safety Task Force. House Bill 721 by Rep. Kerner setting a 5:30 a.m. shrimp trawling start time in certain bays, House Bill 857 clarifying labeling rules for commingled imported and domestic seafood, House Bill 669 expanding state property use for Grand Isle oyster research, and House Bill 889 creating bulk tagging for oysters were each supported by industry and agency witnesses and reported favorably. House Bill 688 by Rep. Ogeron adding Atlantic tarpon to the definition of saltwater game fish was backed by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and fishing guides and was also reported favorably. The committee spent significant time on House Bill 653 by Rep. Beham, which would require one of two United Commercial Fishermen appointees to the Oyster Task Force to be a St. Bernard Parish resident. Rep. Beham argued the parish deserves a guaranteed voice because of oyster industry impacts from freshwater intrusion and the BP spill, while opponents including the Oyster Task Force chairman said the parish-specific requirement would make vacancies harder to fill and should be worked out through the task force or by amending another bill. After debate, an amendment was adopted, but the bill itself ultimately received a favorable report. Testimony throughout the meeting emphasized the economic and cultural importance of Louisiana seafood, the need to combat imported seafood fraud, and the role of oyster cultivation and shrimping in coastal communities. House Resolution 20 by Rep. McCormick, urging the Department of Conservation and Energy to study industrial water use from Caddo Lake, prompted a broader discussion about data centers and water withdrawals. Department witness Monique Edwards explained current state limits on regulating surface water withdrawals and said more authority may be needed for comprehensive water management; committee members asked for a future departmental presentation on data center water use. The resolution was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, Rep. Sawyer moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Skyless Strainers from Hidalgo County is the state livestock ambassador. three counties.
• Skyless Strainers from Hidalgo County, She's the state livestock ambassador. ...involved.
• She's the state livestock ambassador.
• She began her journey in the livestock industry at the age of four.
• She began her journey in the livestock industry at the age of 14, showing cattle in 4-H.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For the record, does a baby dog qualify as livestock?
• Some some would say I was just gonna say governor, you know, it's a bit of a risk bringing livestock
• to an AG committee because you know what we do with livestock.
• for livestock producers nationwide. I was General Counsel.
• in the Central Valley or whether it is someone growing row crops in the Midwest or whether it's a livestock

Keywords: USDA, nominations, Judge Vaden, Tyler Clarkson, agriculture policy, rural America, tariffs, farmer advocacy

Summary: The meeting focused on the nominations of Judge Stephen Alexander Vaden for Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Mr. Tyler Clarkson for General Counsel at the USDA. Members expressed concerns regarding the challenges farmers and ranchers face, especially in navigating the impacts of recent tariffs imposed by the President. Significant attention was given to how these nominations could influence agriculture policy and support rural communities amidst economic uncertainty. The committee emphasized the necessity for strong leadership in the USDA to advocate for farmer needs and ensure the proper implementation of assistance programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Livestock will come to order. The clerk call the roll. Cher again here by Chegara.
• For instance, no livestock, maximum of 3 pets to keep things orderly.
• Uh, it's not really conducive to farming and livestock operations.
• So I just wanted to say that, that not every community is, is, is conducive to having, having livestock
• there's, yeah, there's no further business and without objection, the House Committee on Ag and Livestock

Bills: HB294

Keywords: energy efficiency, tax exemption, residential properties, sustainability, real estate

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that including livestock property? Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Representative.
• When we're making the driver liable, is that including livestock property?
• We are generally a fence-in state, so as far as how we navigate accidents with livestock and the responsibility

Summary: The Civil Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and took up a long series of Senate bills, adopting a committee substitute for SB 1716 as a working draft before hearing the bill. SB 1716 clarified data privacy language as it applies to utility companies, and it passed on a recorded vote with one nay. The committee then heard and advanced SB 1303, transferring property and records from the Advisory Council on Workers’ Compensation to the Workers’ Compensation Commission, and SB 2180, the Foreign Principal Lobbying Oversight Act, which requires agents of foreign principals to register with the Secretary of State subject to stated exceptions. Both measures passed without opposition. Members also approved SB 504 setting the minimum marriage age at 18, SB 1209 changing eviction timing to exempt only Sundays and holidays, SB 1448 as a Consumer Protection Act cleanup bill, and SB 1597, a mirror CASA bill clarifying that it does not affect receipt of national funds. SB 1679, described as preserving Oklahoma values and protecting against foreign law overriding Oklahoma contracts, also passed after questions about constitutional and interstate issues. SB 2182, creating a Uniform Civil Remedies Act for unauthorized disclosure of intimate images, was adopted after a committee substitute was filed. Later, the committee adopted an amendment to SB 2112 and advanced it as an open-pastures bill for certain county roads in western Oklahoma, then passed SB 2170 requiring supervised visitation for individuals with substantiated DHS findings of sexual abuse. Additional measures approved included SB 2084 limiting settlements in wrongful termination suits involving higher education faculty to two years’ salary, SB 1496 updating OSBI authority and information-sharing rules, SB 1595 restricting state agencies and contractors from steering commercial driver training school choices, SB 1655 expanding post-adoption services through the Children’s Specialty Plan Program, SB 1876 modernizing service of process for foreign insurance companies, SB 1621 allowing county district attorneys to defend county law libraries, SB 1944 clarifying agricultural payroll and independent contractor thresholds, SB 1266 on notary accountability, SB 2072 expanding title-theft investigations and fee waivers, SB 2104 cleaning up the Uniform Trust Code, SB 1769 allowing short-term rental owners to require photo ID from renters and guests age 18 or older, and SB 1827 removing certain University Hospital Trust physician faculty and staff from the Government Tort Claims Act. Most bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• of certain city requirements to agricultural operations front of the Committee on Agriculture and Livestock
• to the Committee on Pensions, Investments and Financial Services, HB 4167 by Ghan relating to the livestock
• brand registration expiration part of the Committee on Agriculture and Livestock, HB 4168 by Compost

Transcript Highlights:

• certain city requirements for agricultural operations, referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Livestock
• HB 4167 by Guillen relating to the Livestock Brand Registration and Expiration, referred to the Committee
• on Agriculture and Livestock.

Keywords: 1184, house, all