Transcript Highlights:

• That's what was stated in the 1984 Flood Control Act.
• We have created more than 700 flood control structures.
• We have created more than 700 flood control structures.
• and fertilizer applications.
• But the price of fertilizer, it's probably not worth it.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met with a quorum and received updates from the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Commission, followed by presentations from Deloitte on two legislative studies required by House Bill 1020. Director Reese Haas reviewed major project and budget updates, including the Northwest Area Water Supply and Southwest Pipeline projects, Resources Trust Fund balances, carryover spending, project prioritization, bid conditions, regional water system coverage, and department process improvements. Members also discussed how the commission prioritizes projects, maintenance expectations, and the impact of limited municipal water supply funding. No formal committee action was taken during the DWR update; the commission’s municipal funding decisions were described as pending its April 8 meeting. Deloitte then presented the cost-share policy study, which found that under current policy and forecasted revenues, North Dakota faces an estimated $1.3 billion shortfall over 14 years, with a near-term gap of about $1.8 billion through 2031. The firm outlined seven recommended options, including tighter definitions and a 25% cost share for eligible replacement projects, caps and financing strategies for the Mouse River and Red River Valley projects, aligning cost share with commission priority guidance, delaying lower-priority projects, using available lines of credit, and adjusting reimbursement timing for revolving loan funds. Committee members questioned inflation assumptions, affordability, user fees, and the use of legacy fund earnings for bonding, but no decisions were made. In the governance and finance study, Deloitte said final recommendations are still being refined, with a final report due May 29. The study examined the Southwest Pipeline, NAWS, and Red River Valley systems using governance and finance criteria such as decision authority, transparency, affordability, risk, and access to funding. For Southwest, Deloitte outlined options ranging from improved state-authority coordination to transferring ownership to the Southwest Water Authority; for NAWS, options focused on strengthening the authority’s role and potentially transitioning operations and maintenance; and for Red River, options ranged from enhanced facilitation to formal state oversight or state ownership. Members asked follow-up questions about ownership transfer, capital repayment streams, and why NAWS was not considered for transfer, and Deloitte said NAWS’s limited organizational maturity made that option less viable in the near term.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fertilizers, again, are going up. The actual numbers I have, but I didn't provide them here.
• And this is, again, a different way of showing the chemicals, fertilizers, labor, and feed expenses for
• He had hoped that it was going to be a fertilizer. It turns out it's an herbicide.
• So as we all know, that everything has been increasingly rapidly, such as fertilizer, pesticides, so.
• rapidly, such as fertilizer, pesticide, herbicide, drids, irrigation, lay flats, seeds, PG&E rates,

Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Assembly Committees on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact and Agriculture, held at Fresno State, focused on cost pressures in California’s food system, household affordability, and the Central Valley’s role in agriculture. Opening remarks emphasized Fresno State’s regional importance, the Central Valley’s outsized contribution to food production, and the connection between agricultural health, food security, and the broader economy. Members also noted the impact of the federal shutdown on CalFresh benefits and the state’s efforts to respond with food assistance funding and National Guard support for food banks. The first panel featured academic and policy experts who described agriculture’s economic importance in the San Joaquin Valley and the rising pressures on farms and households. Dr. Conduro highlighted agriculture’s large share of regional GDP, farm receipts, jobs, exports, and food manufacturing, while identifying water scarcity, SGMA-related land fallowing, labor shortages and rising labor costs, market volatility, invasive pests, and production cost inflation as major barriers. Caroline Danielson of PPIC said food prices remain about 30% above 2019 levels, food insecurity affects about 1.8 million California households, and nutrition programs such as CalFresh, WIC, and school meals are essential in reducing poverty, especially in the Central Valley. Susie Pryor of the Central California Small Business Development Center described technical assistance, capital access, and training for small food and farm businesses, while warning that reduced funding limits support for rural and immigrant entrepreneurs. The second panel brought testimony from a small produce business owner, a food entrepreneur, and the Fresno County Farm Bureau. They said input costs for fertilizer, fuel, irrigation, labor, land leases, and compliance have risen sharply while commodity prices have remained flat or fallen, squeezing small farms and food businesses. Panelists stressed the need for small-batch processing facilities, local supply chains, education on food manufacturing compliance, land access for small farmers, and more pathways into agriculture through trade programs, community colleges, and FFA. Ryan Jacobson said California agriculture is facing a prolonged downturn, with farm bankruptcies, weak commodity prices, export-market uncertainty, water reliability problems, and costly ag-burning rules all contributing to financial strain. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken; the hearing was informational and concluded with discussion of possible policy solutions and continued engagement with stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• the confirmation of former Judge Frank Darnell Jr. for the appointment to the Alcoholic Beverage Control
• the confirmation of former Judge Frank Darnell Jr. for the appointment of the Alcoholic Beverage Control
• If you're serious about wanting to get gas prices under control, there's only one answer.
• If you're serious about wanting to get gas prices under control, there's only one answer, and it does
• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in four girls and one in 13 boys

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, then recognized the YMCA on its 175th anniversary and later welcomed officials from the city of Lindsay. The chamber then moved through confirmations for Frank Darnell Jr. to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board, Michelle Edgar to the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and David Galavis to the State Park and Recreation Commission; all three appointments were confirmed after roll calls. The Senate also adopted a consent calendar of bills and resolutions without objection. On the floor, senators debated Senate Joint Resolution 12 opposing federal offshore oil and gas leasing off California. Supporters argued offshore drilling would threaten coastal environments and public participation, while opponents said California’s energy shortages and affordability problems require more in-state production. The resolution passed. The Senate also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 118 urging release of unclassified Jeffrey Epstein investigation files to promote transparency and accountability for survivors, and Senate Resolution 99 declaring April 21, 2026, California Agriculture Day, with broad praise for the state’s agricultural industry and concerns raised about water, farmland loss, and farmworker treatment. Finally, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 100 designating April 16, 2026, as Breaking the Silence Day of Awareness to highlight child sexual abuse prevention, mandated reporting, and survivor support. The chamber then adjourned in memory of Rob Trice and Alwyn Ben Holman, honoring their service and community impact. The session concluded with announcements of upcoming budget subcommittee meetings and notice that the Senate would reconvene on April 27, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was energy, bulk, fertilizer, and the building and construction industry.
• Mosaic is the largest exporter of fertilizers in Florida to the world. And we see...
• It's the largest exporter of fertilizers in Florida to the world.
• hub to continue to develop the fertilizer and bulk industries.
• For instance, the Skyway, you can't really control that limitation.

Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee held a panel discussion focused on Florida seaports and their role in the state economy. Florida Ports Council CEO Mike Rubin opened with statewide figures from a 2023 economic impact study, saying Florida seaports support about 1.2 million jobs, generate roughly $195 billion in economic value, and produce about $7.4 billion in state and local taxes. He emphasized that ports are critical for fuel, food, medical supplies, construction materials, and hurricane response, and argued that continued state and federal investment is needed to expand capacity and move projects forward faster. PortMiami Director Heidi Webb described Miami’s cruise and cargo operations, noting the port generated about $61 billion in economic impact and 334,000 jobs. She highlighted record cruise activity, major private investment by cruise lines, the launch of shore power at cruise terminals to reduce emissions, and ongoing capital projects including a new Royal Caribbean terminal, berth reconstruction, and an inland port concept to reduce congestion. Members asked about security, hurricane procedures, AI use, infrastructure planning, collaboration among ports, and smuggling prevention; Webb said the port uses layered security with local law enforcement, CBP, Coast Guard, and radiation monitors, and that hurricane planning is coordinated in advance with county and federal partners. Port Tampa Bay’s Raul Alfonso said Tampa is the state’s largest port by land area and a major energy hub for Central Florida, with an estimated $34.5 billion economic impact. He discussed diversification into containers, food distribution, fertilizer, and construction materials, along with major needs such as a deep-dredge project and more warehouse space. He also addressed resilience and fuel distribution during hurricanes, and said the port is preparing for future LNG and alternative-fuel demand through partnerships, land planning, and education. Jaxport’s Nick Primrose then described Jacksonville’s container, auto, breakbulk, aggregate, military, and LNG businesses, including 1.3 million TEUs last year, major state-funded crane purchases, harbor deepening, auto-processing expansion, and its role as a strategic military port. He said Jaxport is a leader in marine LNG and has trained all employees on human trafficking awareness. The discussion ended with Port Panama City being introduced as a smaller but important Panhandle economic engine, with Rubin noting its cargo, manufacturing, and infrastructure projects and its continued need for state and federal support.

Transcript Highlights:

• some stability in markets, as farming is inherently dependent on many factors that are out of our control
• It's a way for farmers to be proactive in trying to reduce their use of commercial fertilizer by way
• What it does is if a farmer can reduce his application of synthetic fertilizer nitrogen by 15% or up
• The next change you'll see is our green fertilizer reduction. That's on page 17.8.
• Three I'd like to highlight specifically are erosion control, both wind and water, water infiltration

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

Transcript Highlights:

• rule covers three subchapters that address businesses registering or licensing commercial feeds, fertilizers
• Here you'll see the updated reference to the American Association of Feed Control Officials, or AAFCO
• And then moving to subchapter C, page 142, fertilizer, and then subchapter D, soil and plant amendments
• And the AAPFCO manual sets the labeling requirements and component standards for fertilizer and soil
• purchase and use these manuals as reference tools during product development to maintain quality control

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We all like to defer to local control whenever possible. But, Mr.
• Alaska gets a stable gas supply, Alaska gets the protections, and Alaska keeps the control.
• We had so much of it that we had a fertilizer plant that was operational.
• Speaker, we shut down the fertilizer plant in North Kenai a number of years ago.
• Speaker, we shut down the fertilizer plant in North Kenai a number of years ago.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fertilizer Control Official. We We have Fertilizer Control Official.
• Fertilizer control officials have to go and we have these discussions yearly, and for the four or five
• Fertilized control officials have right?
• Fertilized control officials have to<04:48:05.360><c> go</c><04:48:05.840><c> and</c><04:48:06.240><c
• having</c> fertilizer control official and having fertilizer control official and having to<04:52:58.958

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay. land in an agricultural manner is trying to be a fertilizer.
• So if the bill says it becomes law upon control...
• One of the most expensive costs can be fertilization. So, monitor them.
• One of the most expensive costs can be is fertilization.
• So, One of the most expensive costs can be fertilization.

Bills: HB3005 , HB3007 , HB3403 , HB1907 , HB3175 , HB3986 , HB3466 , HB3411 , HB4246

Committee: Senate Energy

Summary: The committee took up several measures dealing with environmental regulation, waste management, and energy. Early on, it passed sunset-extension bills for the Oklahoma Climatological Survey and several environmental advisory councils. It then heard extensive debate on HB 1907, the Battery Stewardship Act, which would create a battery recycling system for small and medium batteries through DEQ. Supporters argued it would reduce landfill and garbage-truck fires, protect the environment, and create recycling value, while opponents raised concerns about added regulation, costs shifted to producers and retailers, and the creation of a new state FTE. Despite those objections, the bill passed 8-3. The committee also considered HB 3403, a pilot study on biosolids and sewage sludge applied to farmland. Members debated a committee substitute that shortened the study timeline from five years to three years and added a phased rollback of land application. Supporters said the study was needed because of unresolved questions about PFOS, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, and other contaminants, while critics argued the timelines conflicted and the bill could be hard to implement. The committee substitute was adopted, an amendment to delete key rollback provisions failed, and the bill ultimately passed 8-2 after testimony from Oklahoma City utilities officials and multiple rounds of questions about testing, health risks, and disposal practices. The committee then passed HB 3175 to establish the Oklahoma Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, with members noting it would have minimal fiscal impact and could help Oklahoma build nuclear expertise and jobs. It also passed HB 3986, expanding a gross production tax exemption for wells completed with recycled water, and HB 3466, which removes the statutory requirement that the Corporation Commission maintain a petty cash fund. Finally, HB 3411, another biosolids-related bill to buy testing equipment and provide information to landowners, and HB 4246, a rural water transparency/lowest-bid bill, both passed unanimously or near-unanimously. The meeting ended with the chair thanking members and adjourning.

Bills: HB3281 , HB3320 , HB3081 , HB3127 , HB3128 , HB3498 , HB2035 , HB3765 , HB4324 , HB3678 , HB4170 , HB3495 , HB3040 , HB3062 , HB4140 , HB4106 , HB4109 , HB4104 , HB3581 , HB3620 , HB3942 , HB3279 , HB3378 , HB3383 , HB3413 , HB3414 , HB3415 , HB3420 , HB3130 , HB3700 , HB3379 , HB3129 , HB3132 , HB3315 , HB2950 , HB3242 , HB3041 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB1064 , HB3265 , HB3721 , HB3028 , HB3313 , HB3588 , HB3020 , HB3724 , HB3392 , HB3466 , HB4060 , HJR1074 , HB3501 , HJR1070 , HB3794 , HB3796 , HB3928 , HB2955 , HB4453 , HB4460 , HB4128 , HB3659 , HB3270 , HB3145

Keywords: administrative procedures, guidance documents, transparency, public inspection, rulemaking, sunset laws, statutory entities, regulatory compliance, emergency provisions, board re-creation, fire extinguisher, licensing, public safety, age qualification, State Fire Marshal, medical marijuana, employment rights, safety-sensitive positions, workplace policies, public assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:15:08.800><c> by</c> hour, equally divided and controlled by hour, equally divided and controlled
• The chair each will control 30 minutes.
• for all their fertilizer needs.
• c> skyrocket,</c><02:22:09.680><c> leaving</c> fertilizer prices to skyrocket, leaving fertilizer prices
• </c> for all their fertilizer needs. for all their fertilizer needs.

Bills: HR1206 , HB6387 , HB4690 , HR1182 , HR1189

Keywords: David Scott, Representative David Scott, Georgia, House resolution, memorial resolution, condolence resolution, death of a member, adjournment in honor, Congressional tribute, House of Representatives, ceremonial resolution, obituary resolution, Clean Air Act, wildfire risk, air quality monitoring, exceptional events, regulations, environmental policy, energy efficiency, federal buildings

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:34:19.119><c> rending</c> disrupts natural soil fertility, rending disrupts natural soil fertility
• Agriculture, we should be talking about soil health more and green fertilizer.
• Agriculture, we should be talking about soil health more and green fertilizer.
• Agriculture, we should be talking about soil health more and green fertilizer.
• Agriculture, we should be talking about soil health more and green fertilizer.

Transcript Highlights:

• John Lapel: People selling controlled substances illegally, in some cases to minors - we have seen that
• You have been a critic of hormonal birth control.
• If a 19 year old woman who you treat asked you for birth control would you prescribe it? Dr.
• pill there would be no birth control pills.
• I also applaud you for challenging the status quo in how we treat women and families and fertility.

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• I have many patients who had this silastic rod put into their tubes for birth control.
• We do a lot of fertility care now.
• You have been a critic of hormonal birth control.
• If there was only one birth control pill, there would be no birth control pills.
• If there was only one birth control pill, there would be no birth control pills.

Summary: The committee first considered the confirmation of Dr. John Lattell to the Board of Medicine. In questioning, senators focused heavily on his views about abortion, vaccines, ivermectin, and the role of CDC/FDA guidance in board discipline cases. Dr. Lattell said the board applies Florida statutes and works through probable cause panels and legal counsel, but he also expressed strong pro-life views, skepticism of federal health guidance, and criticism of vaccines and some medical practices. Supporters praised his long medical career, military service, and family medicine background, while opponents argued his views could prevent him from being objective in disciplinary matters. The committee voted to recommend him for confirmation to the full Senate, with Senators Polsky and Ruson voting no. The committee then took up the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. Hatch described her background in state human services and outlined priorities centered on accountability, data, lived experience, and improving service delivery. Senators asked about SNAP error rates, Hope Florida, legislative analyses, staffing, and the department’s handling of child welfare and medically complex cases. Hatch said the department was reducing SNAP error rates, that Hope Florida uses navigators to connect people with community resources and self-sufficiency supports, and that DCF is working with the Department of Health and other partners to improve investigations and accountability in child welfare. She also said the agency is reviewing medically complex cases and strengthening oversight of community-based care providers through contracts, audits, and proposed funding-model changes. A substantial portion of the Hatch discussion centered on whether the department had been responsive to legislative requests and whether it had provided timely bill analyses. Senators also pressed her on Hope Florida staffing, the number of participants served, and the Hope Florida Foundation’s compliance and legal oversight. Hatch said the foundation is undergoing a financial audit and that the department is relying on required reports and ongoing investigations. The transcript ends amid continued questioning about a community-based care contractor’s finances, related-party transactions, and whether further forensic audits or repayments are needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• the state so they can invest in green fertilizer manufacturing.
• </c><00:18:29.600><c> grant</c> transition our green fertilizer grant transition our green fertilizer
• </c><00:18:37.320><c> manufacturing</c> invest in green fertilizer manufacturing invest in green fertilizer
• </c><00:25:58.600><c> the</c> like to Ashby or west Cent control the like to Ashby or west Cent control
• </c> virus and understanding how to control virus and understanding how to control it<01:41:13.520><c

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

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not going to do it by having a control top-down St.
• </c><00:14:49.279><c> top-down</c> to do it by having a control top-down to do it by having a control
• ,</c><00:31:18.880><c> rending</c> disrupts natural soil fertility, rending disrupts natural soil fertility
• Agriculture, we should be talking about soil health more and green fertilizer.
• Those have other benefits on fertilizer.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:20:25.440><c> which</c> Canadian pot ash fertilizer which Canadian pot ash fertilizer which supplies
• </c> heard very clearly that our fertilizer heard very clearly that our fertilizer suppliers<01:20:41.360
• :04.480><c> possibly</c> limiting fertilizer inputs, um possibly limiting fertilizer inputs, um possibly
• </c> On my farm, I spent more on fertilizer On my farm, I spent more on fertilizer this<01:30:36.080>
• </c> may be tariffs on Canadian fertilizer may be tariffs on Canadian fertilizer again. again. again.

Transcript Highlights:

• treatment. ...while preserving access to safe ethical fertility treatment.
• Can the fertilized egg be sold? Yes.
• Embryos are full human beings from fertilization.
• It wouldn't affect my fertility.
• I got a question: who owns the eggs, fertilized eggs?

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• That is how we can create and really control our own economies.
• That is how we can create and really control our own economies.
• In addition to imports, we export a lot of fertilizer and scrap metal.
• Mosaic also receives various types of products in making fertilizer and then exporting fertilizer.
• Mosaic also receives various types of products in making fertilizer and then exporting a fertilizer.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Tourism

Summary: The Commerce and Tourism Committee met to hear an overview of its jurisdiction and then focused primarily on Florida manufacturing. Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly described manufacturing as central to a more resilient, diversified economy, citing the 2023 Florida Manufacturing Report and noting strong growth in manufacturing businesses, jobs, exports, and workforce programs. He emphasized that most Florida manufacturers are small businesses, that the sector is increasingly STEM- and technology-driven, and that the state’s main challenge is workforce aging and the need to retain trained talent. Members also discussed how to better expose students and parents to manufacturing careers, improve startup access to capital, and strengthen regional manufacturing corridors and transportation links. Kevin Carr of FloridaMakes said Florida is on track to become a top-five manufacturing state, but warned that productivity, technology adoption, and workforce shortages remain key issues. He said a proposed manufacturing bill would create a chief manufacturing officer and help address workforce, technology, and market-visibility challenges. Bain Beecher of PGT Innovations described the company’s growth and community role, but highlighted obstacles such as affordable housing, insurance costs, permitting delays, supply-chain disruptions, and limited awareness of manufacturing careers among students and parents. Andrew Kosowski of Veterans Metal focused on small- and medium-sized manufacturers, citing labor shortages, the cost of adopting new technology, regulatory burdens, and cybersecurity compliance as major pressures, and urged support for the draft manufacturing bill. Brian Giuliani of the Port of Tampa Bay outlined the port’s cargo mix, infrastructure investments, and role in moving fuel, construction materials, and manufactured goods, saying the port’s expansion and transloading plans could better connect Florida manufacturers to suppliers and markets. Committee members repeatedly stressed the need to promote manufacturing careers earlier in school, improve public perception of the industry, and reduce barriers to investment. No formal vote was taken during the discussion, but the panelists broadly supported the draft manufacturing legislation and the committee’s focus on manufacturing policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• with the first bill, which is House Bill 1864, providing health insurance coverage for standard fertility
• We have written testimony and support from the Society of Clinical Oncology as well as the Fertility
• well as the Fertility Institute of Hawaii.
• medical induced fertility regardless of medical induced fertility regardless of their<00:12:54.320><c
• <00:48:24.559><c> preservation</c> standard fertility preservation standard fertility preservation services

Bills: SB2421 , SB2690 , SB3103 , SB3137 , SB3164 , SB3206 , SB2933 , SB3133 , SB3315

Committee: House Health

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 1864, which would require health insurance coverage for standard fertility preservation services for people undergoing medically necessary treatment, drew broad support from SHIPA, the Department of Health, HMSA, the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, and others. Testifiers emphasized that fertility preservation is routine coverage on the mainland and important for patients facing infertility from cancer or other treatment; one patient described incurring more than $20,000 in costs. The Insurance Division flagged possible Affordable Care Act issues, a potential conflict in the bill’s language about using patient history to determine limits, and a mismatch with state medical-necessity standards. Committee discussion also focused on whether the bill should apply to all women of childbearing age rather than a narrower age-based category. HB 2305 would require nutrition and metabolic education as part of physicians’ continuing medical education. The Hawaii Medical Board opposed the measure, arguing that CME should remain flexible and tailored to each physician’s specialty and warning that topic-specific mandates can expand over time. The Office of the Governor supported the bill, saying it would help the state’s rural health transformation application and could improve federal funding prospects, though the exact impact was unclear. Members questioned whether nutrition is already covered in medical training and whether the requirement should be limited to primary care physicians; the board said Hawaii currently has no topic-specific CME mandates and that physicians can already choose relevant courses. The committee also heard strong support for HB 1597, which would establish an Alzheimer’s disease research center at the University of Hawaii. Supporters from the university, the Alzheimer’s Association, AARP, and others said the center could attract federal research dollars, expand clinical trials, and help address the state’s high Alzheimer’s-related health costs. HB 2159, which appropriates funds for health care workforce development, also received broad support from the University of Hawaii, health systems, and advocacy groups, with no opposition noted. Finally, HB 2121, which would prohibit the sale and distribution of disposable electronic smoking devices, drew support from the Department of Health, youth advocates, and public health groups citing youth addiction, environmental waste, and fire hazards; the department said a separate bill, HB 1573, would be more comprehensive and better defined for enforcement and penalties. The committee ended with HB 1913, creating a veteran services mental health coordinator position at Tripler Army Medical Center, which was supported by veteran services officials and others who said veterans need better navigation and coordination for behavioral health care.