Transcript Highlights:

• You couldn't have any meat or something, you know? It was just meat. Yeah. No raw meat, right?
• Raw meat.
• It was<03:40:44.080> just was just was just >> meat. >> meat. >> meat.
• No raw meat, right? >> Yeah. No raw meat, right? >> Raw<03:40:46.560> meat.
• >> Raw meat. >> Raw meat.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, you have to serve the red meat.
• I am aware of that process.
• I'm not aware that that process has proceeded in a... in a way that is...
• I also believe that under this we can save at least $40 million in the process.
• This is one step on the process.

Bills: SB1, HB500, SB1, HB1400, HB 1094, HB365, HB 1109, HB647, HB500

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• SERVING FOR YOUR TERMS APPOINTED BY THE TRUSTEES AND CONFIRMED BY THE SENATE TO MONITOR THE SBA PROCESSES
• WE ARE ALL ABOUT PARENTAL RIGHTS, PARENTAL DECISIONS AND STREAMLINING THE EDUCATION PROCESS TO MAKE IT
• PLEASE VOTE NO FOR THE SAKE OF SOMEONE OUT THERE LIKE MEAT THAT NEEDS TO BE SEEN. >> Sen.
• IT MEANS A TAXPAYER PAID PLACE SHOULD BE ACCEPTABLE WITH MEATS NOT OFFENSIVE TO ANYONE.
• UP THE BILL AND WE WILL DO THAT AS IT MOVES THROUGH THE PROCESS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's in the process.
• It's in the process. And accredited yet. It's in the process.
• a bill working through the process, etc. a bill working through the process, etc.
• As far as the process, it is a well-repeated process.
• As far as the process, it is a well<02:42:38.479> repeated<02:42:38.960> process.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They were just ordering it, uh, ultra-processed food, flash frozen, thawing it out, and, uh, instead
• We, uh, um, export about 615 million pounds of chicken, uh, meat.
• Uh, we don't have any processing facilities.
• Uh, another issue, livestock processing shortages.
• a year for processing dates.

Transcript Highlights:

• > helping<00:17:54.400> out milk processing capacity helping out milk processing capacity
• Also increased funding for meat inspection in the bill.
• As Co-Chair Anderson mentioned, we had funding for meat inspection.
• As Co-Chair Anderson mentioned, we had funding for meat inspection.
• report will be able to start the process report will be able to start the process of<00:27:50.080

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We maintained Minnesota's milk processing capacity, helping out the First District.
• We also increased funding for meat inspection in the bill.
• It's the farm workers—those who produce the food, process the food, prepare the food, and ultimately
• I also want to thank everyone who was involved in the conference committee process; this is my first
• As Co-Chair Anderson mentioned, we had funding for meat inspection.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> How's the meat grinder, Mr. Chairman? >> Quick question.
• That's my understanding of it, too. >> How's the meat grinder, Mr. Chairman?
• >> How's the meat grinder, Mr. Chairman? >> It's still at 10%. >> Which is better?
• >> How's the meat grinder, Mr. Chairman? >> How's the meat grinder, Mr. Chairman?
• Well, the only reason I would suggest that is because we talked about trying to decomplicate this process

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The process of force-feeding birds to produce foie gras creates a product saturated with amyloids, a
• . in restaurants as USDA certified ready-to-eat organic meat.
• Prioritizing education, information, and voluntary informed choices is the ideal process to mitigate
• Every year, U.S. mink farmers recycle over 300 million pounds of food-processing byproducts.
• So think of leftover meat, fish, that would otherwise go to landfills.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered a wide range of animal, wildlife, hunting, and environmental bills. Early testimony focused on deer management, with Rep. Markey urging creation of a deer commission to address crop damage, vehicle collisions, and Lyme disease, and Sen. Durant supporting bills to allow Sunday bow hunting, expand crossbow use, and reduce the 500-foot dwelling restriction for archery hunting. Supporters framed these measures as practical wildlife-management tools, while questions centered on how they would differ from existing Fish and Wildlife authority and whether they would allow hunting closer to residences. Later, Rep. Sena also spoke in support of a bill to increase protected wildlife management areas and another to require non-lead ammunition, arguing both would benefit biodiversity and reduce environmental harm. A substantial portion of the hearing addressed animal welfare and commerce. Multiple witnesses supported bills to ban or phase out the retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs in pet shops, arguing that pet stores rely on puppy mills and obscure the source of animals, while opponents said the bills would hurt responsible breeders, small businesses, and consumer choice. The committee also heard strong testimony for bills to ban the sale of cats and dogs in pet shops, with supporters citing sick animals, consumer deception, and the need to cut off the puppy mill supply chain. In a separate animal-testing segment, witnesses backed bills requiring non-animal testing methods for cosmetics and household products, saying alternatives are more accurate and humane; biomedical research representatives opposed those bills and a related research-animal measure, warning of unintended restrictions on research institutions and arguing animal models remain necessary for many studies. The committee also heard testimony on horseshoe crab conservation, with supporters of H. 898 urging an end to taking horseshoe crabs for bait because of population declines, shorebird impacts, and the species’ importance to biomedical science. On wildlife trafficking, witnesses backed bills to ban intrastate sales of ivory and rhino horn, saying Massachusetts should close loopholes that aid poaching and align with federal law and other states; one antique dealer testified in support, saying he avoids such items and still sees them in the marketplace. Additional testimony supported bans on fur products from factory farms and on force-feeding birds for foie gras, with advocates emphasizing cruelty, public health, and environmental concerns. The hearing was lengthy and heavily attended, with the chairs repeatedly limiting testimony to three minutes and inviting written submissions; no committee votes or final actions were taken during the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Conference Committee Report number 50, final reading of House Bill 1334 Conference Draft 1, relating to meat
• Conference Draft 1, relating to meat donation. Senator San Buenaventura. >> Thank you, Mr.
• the amendments made in the conference draft inserted other bills that died through the legislative process
• step increases and longevity progression in law, while still respecting the collective bargaining process

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What is the current process for that? Maybe I wasn't making myself real clear.
• pork, because part of the exclusion that I'm keeping intact on the Homemade Food Freedom Act is no meat
• because part of the exclusion that I'm keeping intact on the homemade food freedom bill is no, no meat
• It's processed and microprocessed, and who knows what's in it.

Bills: HB3056, HB3391, HB3657, HB3617, HB4055, HB3720, HB3902

Keywords: raw milk, unpasteurized, farm sales, Oklahoma Milk and Milk Products Act, local producers, advertising, animal welfare, commercial pet breeders, licensing, animal cruelty, labor, employment definitions, agricultural services, Oklahoma Workforce Commission, confidentiality, data access, right to repair, agriculture, OEM, repair providers

Transcript Highlights:

• Through<00:09:38.440> that<00:09:38.680> process,<00:09:39.200> I<00:09:39.280><
• <00:54:10.960> I<00:54:11.200> didn't learning process of the budget.
• I didn't learning process of the budget.
• My concern arises from the donation of this being uninspected meat.
• We have a slaughter process in our state that keeps our food supply safe.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• cost the UI trust fund just 3/10 of 1%, which will be replenished through the established UI premium process
• cost the UI trust fund just 3/10 of 1%, which will be replenished through the established UI premium process
• process thank you represent<00:23:46.840> Greenman<00:23:47.720> other<00:23:47.919>
• from the mines on the Iron Range<00:30:16.240> to<00:30:16.440> the<00:30:16.559> meat
• <00:30:16.840> packing<00:30:17.200> plants<00:30:17.519> in Range to the meat

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• get to the meat of meat of our meeting. get to the meat of meat of our meeting.
• <00:48:15.680> is bill because the appeals process is bill because the appeals process is
• Again, not a criticism of EKU or any university, but the process is not a good process, and I'd rather
• It just, we just don't take action. process of of this. Well that's said and process of of this.
• Your process is going to move forward. Your process is going to move forward.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Government Contract Committee met with a quorum, observed a moment of silence for Representative McCool after the death of his sister, and approved the April 14 minutes. The committee then reviewed a large agenda of contracts and amendments, beginning with a deferred Office of the Controller procurement involving broker services. Members questioned why a contract that had previously been handled for about $300,000 annually was now priced at about $1 million, and why the procurement was limited to one year. Office of the Controller staff said the prior vendor had held the work for more than 20 years, the work had previously been treated as not practical to bid, and the new RFP was intended to increase competition. They said the technical evaluation was scored before cost was considered, that past performance was not scored because it was seen as unreliable, and that AON received the highest technical score despite not being the lowest bidder. After discussion, the committee voted to take no action and let the contract proceed to the Finance Cabinet, with members noting continuing concerns about the pricing and process. The committee next considered a DCBS memorandum of agreement amendment for language services. DCBS representatives said the additional funding did not come from a new cut elsewhere, but from reduced spending on interpreter services because commonly used forms had been translated into other languages, freeing up funds for the contract. The committee approved the item unanimously. The final major item discussed was an initial contract for the Board of Hairdressers and Cosmetologists for legal services. Board staff said the board had been without a permanent general counsel since March 2024 and had relied on special and conflict counsel because of unusually heavy litigation, including 11 active cases, plus broader disciplinary and licensing changes tied to recent legislation and an oversight report. They said the contract was a not-to-exceed amount funded entirely by agency fees and that the board was currently running a surplus. Senator Thomas urged support, citing prior legislation and oversight findings about problems at the board and saying the contract was needed to help the board address ongoing litigation and corrective work. The committee approved the contract and then approved the remaining agenda items without objection, sending them forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• and very involved process.
• We do have a question from Representative. existing process and the many years that existing process
• LCCMR's typical process results from a multi-stage competitive process.
• the lccmr before um and so the process the lccmr before um and so the process you<00:46:39.000><
• put on did not go through that process put on did not go through that process that<00:46:49.839>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:26:41.280> when So, what is the follow-up process when So, what is the follow-up process
• through with the abandonment process. through with the abandonment process.
• expand or to process.
• to expand or to process. to expand or to process.
• processes need to keep pace. processes need to keep pace.

Bills: HF4740, HF3940

Keywords: financial assurance, feedlot permits, manure storage, environmental compliance, agriculture regulation, abandoned infrastructure, pollution control, environmental impact, animal feedlot, livestock, regulations, Minnesota Rules

Summary: The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes and then heard House File 4740, authored by Rep. Hansen, which would require feedlots with at least 1,000 animal units to provide financial assurance for closure costs. Hansen argued the bill would shift cleanup responsibility from taxpayers to owners, citing abandoned feedlots, changing ownership structures, and the 2024 Pure Prairie Poultry bankruptcy as examples of why public funds should not be used for closures and cleanup. He also said the bill would apply to new or renewed permits and suggested a statutory definition of abandoned feedlot storage units may be needed. Farm and livestock groups testified in opposition. Minnesota Farmers Union, Minnesota Milk Producers Association, Minnesota Pork Producers Association, and Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation said existing MPCA and county permit rules already require closure planning and reporting, and that the bill would add unnecessary costs and barriers for family farms, beginning farmers, and expansion. They warned the financial assurance requirement could function like an animal-unit cap, encourage fragmentation or out-of-state relocation, and impose annual costs that would not improve environmental outcomes. Several testified that true abandonment is rare and that current permitting and closure processes already address it. MPCA staff said the agency has concerns with the bill, noted there is currently no formal fiscal note, and said the agency would need to ensure any appropriations cover ongoing staffing needs. MPCA officials explained that permitted feedlots already must notify the agency before closure, follow a checklist of closure requirements, and undergo follow-up inspection; they said abandonment notifications are uncommon and they are not aware of any currently permitted facilities in abandonment process. Members questioned whether the bill was needed, what form financial assurance would take, how other states handle similar requirements, and whether the proposal would unfairly burden smaller or family operations. No vote on HF 4740 was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a messy process, but there does seem to be processes in current statute to deal with all of the
• And it has been a messy process all the way from the beginning.
• It's a different process. It's just which process is more efficient is my concern. Yep, I get that.
• There's no online process, but I know we're working on that.
• It is a really important process.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee opened with roll call and a review of special-session procedure: bills would be heard in filing order, with related school-lunch bills grouped together, and any bill advancing would require a motion, second, and majority vote to be introduced. Members also discussed that the committee was functioning much like a delayed-bills committee, with final referral to either Appropriations or Policy depending on the bill’s fiscal impact. The first major proposal was Senator Schibley’s bill to create a narrow, statewide Bank of North Dakota bridge-loan program for struggling nonprofit medical facilities, prompted by Jacobson Memorial Hospital’s financial crisis. He argued the hospital and surrounding EMS services could close without short-term help, while committee members questioned the added language, the population cap, the $10 million fund with $5 million per applicant limit, and whether the program could open the door to future requests. Representative Headland then presented two cleanup bills from the prior property-tax session: one to fix notice and tax-certification issues for local taxing districts, and another to correct how the primary residence credit is applied so taxpayers receive the full benefit rather than counties retaining part of the reimbursement. Members asked about township hearing timing, the estimated $10–15 million annual impact, and whether the credit issue could be fixed retroactively; Headland said the bill was intended to correct the problem going forward. Three school-lunch bills drew extensive discussion. Representative Vetter proposed a small administrative appropriation to add an FTE to help eligible families enroll in the existing free/reduced lunch program, saying the goal was to ensure needy children are signed up and that the state should not subsidize meals for wealthy families. Representative Nathe offered a broader bill mirroring the pending initiated measure but placing the program in statute instead of the Constitution, moving implementation up a year, and funding it with a one-time $65 million from the strategic investment fund; he said this would preserve legislative flexibility and avoid constitutional entrenchment. Representative Dressler proposed raising the state-funded eligibility threshold from 225% to 300% of poverty, arguing it would expand access while still preserving federal reimbursements and encouraging better enrollment systems. Members debated costs, future budget pressure, whether the bills set a precedent for responding to ballot measures, and whether the program should include breakfast and other operational details. Other proposals included Senator Powers’ bill to create a hyperbaric oxygen board and support rural access to hyperbaric chambers for wounds, concussions, PTSD, and other conditions; Representative Tolman’s reporting-requirements bill to force new or expanded programs to justify purpose, alternatives, evaluation methods, and full implementation costs; Representative Frelich’s bill addressing the ongoing redistricting litigation and what happens if the Supreme Court or lower courts alter the current map; and a bill requested by the Public Service Commission and ITD for FERC litigation support and ADA website/document compliance. The committee also heard a rural-health eligibility bill from Representative Twait aimed at steering federal rural health dollars toward rural providers, with questions focused on whether the mileage limits would exclude some communities. One Holocaust education item was deferred until the sponsor could be located.

Transcript Highlights:

• But this is an ongoing process. process. process.
• meat.
• <01:49:56.560> That fake meats, um cell-cultured meats.
• That fake meats, um cell-cultured meats.
• saying it'd be fake meat uh milks. saying it'd be fake meat uh milks.

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

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, received the invocation and pledge, and then dispensed with reading the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. Several guests and pages were introduced, including junior pages, a doctor of the day, Farm Bureau representatives, and other visitors in the galleries. The chamber also recognized a birthday and welcomed a House member to the Senate. On the calendar, the Senate took up several bills and mostly adopted strike-all amendments before passing them, often by morning roll call. These included HB 1646, which increased disaster trust fund transfer limits for declared and non-declared disasters; HB 1649, which authorized additional state fund transfers for Main Street revitalization projects and increased the total authorized expenditure; HB 1653, which kept a local improvements project fund bill alive for possible repurposing of funds, including a Mississippi Valley State residence hall project; and HB 669, which allowed patrons to bring wine into licensed premises with a corkage fee and changed wine shipment reporting from quarterly to semiannual. HB 1620 created an economic zone around the Chevron refinery in Jackson County, and HB 2787 changed school district gas-piping inspection requirements from annual testing to a two-year cycle, with funding support from gas companies. The Senate also handled several concurrence and conference motions on House and Senate bills, including SB 2263 on probable-cause requirements for Marine Resources officers boarding or stopping vessels, SB 2524 establishing the Postsecondary Attainment Council, and SB 2597 involving the ABC warehouse transfer in Madison County, with the chamber choosing not to concur and to invite conference on those items. SB 2368 made technical changes to the higher education legislative plan grant program, and SB 2526 on the Rural Water Oversight Committee returned with changes removing a reverse repealer and shifting administration of some duties to a nonprofit using rural water revolving loan funds. The Senate also tabled motions to reconsider on some items, and one nomination-related motion drew extended remarks about the role of the capital post-conviction counsel office and respect for crime victims.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, it's the cultured meat. Yeah. Sorry. The cultured meat. Sorry, Randy.

Bills: HCR3018

Keywords: water rights, wetlands, inundated lands, taxation, property tax, drainage, flooded land, seasonal wetlands, meltwater, navigability, jurisdiction, county tax rolls, agricultural land, soil health, wildlife habitat, environmental regulation, public health, land ownership, riparian, drain and fill

Summary: The Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee was brought back to order and first took up a conference committee report on House Bill 1151, which concerns cultured meat. Members noted that the House had refused to concur with the Senate amendments and that the bill had previously been turned into a study. The committee discussed appointing conferees, with Randy identified as chair and Weston agreeing to serve as well. The chair explained that because the House did not concur with the committee’s change, further action would be needed and the House would chair the conference committee since it is their bill. Members briefly discussed whether additional conferees were needed, but no further names were settled beyond those mentioned. The committee also reported that Representative Porter could not be reached, leaving the committee at a standstill. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned until 9:00 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Opposed. process and went through it and came to process and went through it and came to things<00:10
• So there's that part of the process?
• <02:01:41.360> felt with all of that, the process felt with all of that, the process felt
• They already have a process, and so that amendment makes that clear that they will go by the process
• go by the process that is in place. go by the process that is in place.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all