Video & Transcript Research : 'utilization controls'
Page 200 of 500
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Nov 7th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Funding for that program has been from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Those of us who are sitting in Controlled rooms versus those who are in conditions that they can't control
- People say, "Oh no, Medicaid codes are federal, we can't control them."
- The ASOs are responsible for handling care coordination, utilization review, and data collection.
- ...a little bit too far in the other direction, while the MCOs perhaps had too much incentive to control
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- <02:36:48.479>
It's that we're utilizing the data for. - It's that we're utilizing the data for.
- That is a local or school control by themselves.
- a local uh control or school control<02:38:05.120>
by <02:38:05.439>themselves. - control by themselves. control by themselves. uh<02:38:06.960>
but <02:38:07.760>almost
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division II (01/29/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- collaborative relationships and utilize collaborative relationships and utilize other<00:05:06.759
- make sure that we're actually utilizing make sure that we're actually utilizing it<00:32:00.559>
- Those costs have gone up 40%, and certainly supplies, utilities.
- Just one thing: who actually controls the highway fund?
- We utilize that scientific data and that information in all of our project planning.
Summary:
The Division 2 Finance Committee heard an overview and budget presentation from New Hampshire Fish and Game, led by new Executive Director Stephanie Simi and Business Division Chief Kathy Leonti. The agency described its mission to conserve and manage fish, wildlife, and marine resources, and emphasized growing pressures from disease, climate impacts, habitat change, and increased public demand. Simi said the department is largely funded by hunting and fishing license revenue and federal grants, is reviewing staffing and internal processes, and faces critical needs including permanent funding for environmental review staff, infrastructure and IT modernization, and possible service reductions if additional support is not found.
Members asked about specific program and policy issues, including chronic wasting disease in deer, hemorrhagic disease in rabbits and hares, moose population decline, and a proposed bait-disease bill. The department said it is actively monitoring diseases and did not see a need for the bait bill at this time. Legislators also discussed the Hike Safe program, which the department said has grown from an expected $100,000 annually to more than $300,000, and a possible boating version of that program, which the department said remains under consideration but would involve complex logistics and multiple agencies. Questions were also raised about rescue costs, out-of-state hikers, and whether boat registrations could be used as a revenue source; Fish and Game said boat registration is handled by the Department of Safety, though the department receives $5 per registered boat for the public boat access program.
The budget discussion focused on revenue projections, use of unrestricted Fish and Game funds, and dependence on federal reimbursements. Leonti said the department met the governor’s general fund target but not the Fish and Game fund target without using surplus unrestricted funds, leaving only about $100,000 in the fund by the end of the biennium. She said the budget uses more than $18 million in Fish and Game funds annually against about $14 million in unrestricted revenue, and that five of 193 full-time positions remain unfunded. The department warned that if federal grants were halted, it could cost about $5 million over five months and force the Fish and Game fund to cover the gap. Committee members also requested that future presentations be sent electronically in advance, and the department agreed to do so.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Health & Social Services Committee Meeting Jun 17th, 2026
Health & Social Services
Transcript Highlights:
- into the bill for an annual report to certain entities that describes exactly how the funds were utilized
- It helps to control pain. It improves mobility.
- This will help more Delawareans avoid opioid use to basically control their pain.
- Basically, we're looking for options for always looking for timely and evidence-based treatments for pain control
- With our aging population, pain control is one of their most considerable issues.
Keywords:
human remains, indigent, burial, cremation, next of kin, social services, environmental impact, nursing education, preceptorship programs, healthcare workforce, nurse shortage, clinical training, dry needling, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, occupational therapist, referral process, neuromusculoskeletal pain, Western medicine
Summary:
The Senate Health and Social Services Committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the prior two meetings, and briefly acknowledged the tragedy at Christiana Care before moving to legislation. The committee heard House Bill 385, which creates a statewide nurse preceptor grant program to expand clinical training placements for nursing students; testimony from nursing organizations, health care associations, and educators emphasized workforce shortages, the need for preceptor stipends and training, and the bill’s potential to help students complete programs and remain in Delaware. Members asked about eligibility and reporting, and several senators asked to be added as co-sponsors. Public comment was uniformly supportive, and the bill was advanced out of committee.
The committee then considered House Bill 424, which repeals Delaware’s Autism Surveillance and Registration Program and requires DHSS to expunge protected health information collected through the registry. The sponsor and DHSS said the registry is no longer used for research or policy development and that repeal would reduce outdated reporting burdens; Autism Delaware, the Delaware Health Care Association, and the State Council for Persons with Disabilities support the change. A committee member raised the question of whether families would be notified before records are expunged, and DHSS said that process was not yet clear and would need further verification. Members discussed the issue, and the bill also moved forward.
House Bill 419 was next, making children in foster care automatically eligible for the Purchase of Care child care subsidy and extending the same treatment to certain kinship and safety-plan placements through House Amendment 1. The Children’s Department and advocacy groups said the bill would provide immediate stability for children and caregivers, reduce delays from applications and income verification, and support working foster and kinship families. The committee also heard House Bill 359, which would allow cremation as an option for unclaimed and indigent remains when there is no family objection or next of kin cannot be found, addressing a shortage of burial plots and lowering costs; funeral industry testimony focused on preserving next-of-kin rights. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 475, creating a Delaware Nursing Advancement Fund financed by a $10 surcharge on nursing licenses and disciplinary fines to support workforce data collection and analysis through a nonprofit partner, and House Bill 165, authorizing physician associates, occupational therapists, and APRNs to perform dry needling under training and practice standards set by the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline. All of the bills received supportive testimony, several members added their names as co-sponsors, and the committee adjourned after moving through the agenda.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Criminal Justice Oct 7th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So for blood evidence, utility limitations, you know, it is the everything that comes from an autopsy
- covered by both hit, but and part to the law provides the greater privacy protection to the patient controls
- or so the patient controls how the records can be used and disclosed.
- It may not be a controlled early in the legal substance, but that specific medication can be provided
- I've seen the toxicology reports and we'll come back and also obviously the a 93 controlled substances
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Courts, Corrections and Justice Sep 22nd, 2025
Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Some interest in when the governor gets to control the Guard, when the president gets to control the
- You’ll be responsible for controlling the flow.
- If it gets out of control, I'll come back and engage, but for the most part, you all go directly to it
- Then we start working with juvenile probation, perhaps utilizing our community custody program, again
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee Mar 25th, 2025
Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials
Transcript Highlights:
- Yet despite these investments, no state guidance exists on capturing and utilizing urban stormwater California
- AB-3 AB-638 directs the State Water Board Resources Control Board to develop guidelines for capture and
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, I quote, In 2023, our institute led a major peer-reviewed
- California's kids deserve to be protected. control the harm in everyday products like soaps.
- That the Department of Toxic Substance Control is responsible for safe consumer products, so they've
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (02/04/2026)
Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- that are highlighted are utilization that are highlighted are utilization management<01:13:04.239
- We're updating all utilization review.
- prior authorization in utilization prior authorization in utilization review<01:14:35.600>
denials - Providers don't control network size.
- That's the standard that's utilized.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Higher Education Committee Apr 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a strong supporter of local control in many different ways and appreciate you working with labor
- local decision, and I'm confident that individual communities, and that's why we believe in local control
- local decision, and I'm confident that individual communities, and that's why we believe in local control
- Although these positions are deemed, quote, not needed on a continuing basis, they are, in fact, utilized
- Many of the needs are driven by funding sources beyond the control of our local elected boards.
Summary:
The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard several measures focused on community college baccalaureate programs and trustee compensation. AB 2528 would raise the maximum monthly compensation cap for community college district trustees, with the author and supporters arguing the change is permissive, long overdue, and needed to make service more accessible to working people and better reflect community diversity. CSEA took a tweener position, warning about optics and asking for longer public notice before any compensation increase, while some members raised concerns about taxpayer costs and benefits. The bill was discussed but no final vote is reflected in the transcript excerpt.
The committee then took up AB 2053, which would authorize Coast Community College District to offer a cybersecurity bachelor’s degree. Supporters said the bill addresses a workforce shortage, serves working adults and veterans, and includes an LAO evaluation and a sunset. CSU and its Academic Senate opposed the bill, arguing it duplicates existing CSU programs and could set a precedent for more one-off degrees. Members also raised questions about funding, Prop. 98, and whether the program would divert resources; the author said the district already has funding and that the bill is a narrow pilot. The committee voted to do pass and re-refer the bill to Appropriations, with several ayes and some no votes, and the roll left open for additional members.
AB 2301, a pilot allowing up to 10 community college districts to offer nursing bachelor’s degrees, drew broad support from nursing, labor, and community college groups who said California faces a severe nursing shortage and that community colleges offer a more affordable pathway for working and rural students. CSU and other opponents argued existing ADN-to-BSN pathways are more efficient and that the bill could worsen competition for limited clinical placements and faculty. Members questioned funding and Prop. 98 impacts; the Chancellor’s Office said the pilot would not require new state funding and would rely on existing mechanisms such as Strong Workforce and nursing infrastructure grants. The committee voted to do pass and re-refer AB 2301 to Appropriations, with the roll again left open. The transcript then began AB 2694, a broader workforce-responsive baccalaureate expansion bill intended to address duplication rules and create a more flexible process for community college bachelor’s degrees, but the discussion was not completed in the excerpt.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It was beyond our control. We appreciate your patience.
- So I'm sorry it worked out this way, but it's something we didn't have any control over.
- You know, the prosecutors control the narrative in these grand jury rooms.
- I mean, that's how the prosecutor controls the narrative.
- This second trial process, which is essentially what this is, will be utilized by...
Bills:
HB200
Keywords:
HB 200, emergency communication, backup communications, satellite phone, portable satellite equipment, radio, floodplain, 100-year floodplain, FEMA, natural disaster, disaster preparedness, emergency preparedness, vulnerable populations, children, elderly, seniors, people with disabilities, care facilities, residential care, assisted living
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It was beyond our control. We appreciate your patience and your willingness to stay around.
- Most importantly, I realized God was in control and that His spirit led me in the ways I should carry
- But I'm just sorry it worked out this way, but it's something we didn't have any control over.
- Prosecutors control the narrative in these grand jury rooms. I was a former felony prosecutor.
- Some states utilize an information system where basically the DA just goes ahead and charges the case
Keywords:
animal cruelty, nonlivestock, prosecution, veterinary defense, animal welfare, aggravated assault, penal code, public servant, deadly weapon, mass shooting, Penal Code, penalties, felony, Texas Penal Code, felony enhancement, first-degree felony, second-degree felony, violent crime, assault punishment, serious bodily injury
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- We're also seeing greater use of custodial control.
- We can't control everything, but we can, as the legislature, control what comes in the front door, and
- you also can control how the juvenile justice system responds, making sure that the system itself does
- the troubling increase in low-level offenses that are coming in, when you look at the increase in utilization
- , that have a serious implication for public safety where, yes, we understand detention is being utilized
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice held an informational hearing focused on diversion programs and services for high-risk youth, with no bills before the committee and no votes taken. The chair and members emphasized that the session was intended to hear from invited testimony and discuss how to strengthen diversion, reduce court involvement, and improve outcomes for youth. The committee heard first from the Office of the Child Advocate and diversion providers, who described the Massachusetts Youth Diversion Program, its statewide expansion to 10 of 11 court counties, and its reported success rate of about 80% completion without reoffending. Testimony highlighted that diversion keeps youth out of court, connects them more quickly to community-based services, and can address needs such as mental health, education, and substance use. Witnesses also pointed to racial and ethnic disparities in arrests versus summonses, regional variation in diversion access, and the need for clearer statutory authority, more funding, and broader use of pre-arrest diversion.
Committee members asked about the difference between arrest and summons, who can initiate diversion, why arrest rates have increased relative to summonses, and how diversion might prevent harmful downstream consequences such as detention or immigration enforcement involvement. Witnesses said police, clerk magistrates, district attorneys, and judges can refer youth to diversion, and argued that local policy, training, and legislative changes could expand use. They also discussed the impact of detention on youth, including stigma, lost school time, and the lack of credit for time served in the juvenile system. Testimony from Citizens for Juvenile Justice focused on prevention, school discipline, and the school-to-prison pipeline, arguing for more restorative practices, better data, and legislation to limit suspensions and expulsions, especially for younger students and nonviolent conduct. They also raised concerns about DCF-involved and foster youth, who are disproportionately represented in the juvenile system.
The final panel, the Children's League of Massachusetts and transition-age youth providers, shifted to child welfare and young adult supports. They supported reducing court involvement in child requiring assistance cases, expanding family resource centers, and strengthening services for transition-age youth leaving DCF or DYS custody. Providers described housing instability, homelessness, and the need for education, employment, behavioral health, and supportive housing services for young adults ages 18 to 23. Across the hearing, witnesses consistently argued that early intervention, community-based supports, and diversion are more effective than court processing or detention for most youth, and that the legislature can help through funding, statutory clarity, expanded eligibility, and stronger data collection.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, June 11, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- be debatable for one hour, The resolution shall be debatable for one hour, equally divided and controlled
- Walkshaw, will each control 30 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas, Mr.
- That state's Republican-controlled legislature has done nothing to address that fraud and corruption.
- Minnesota's Medicaid fraud control unit has prosecuted more than 300 cases and... ...has prosecuted more
- That kind of terminology, utilized the way you do it regularly, makes you the racist who...
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- cruelty to livestock animals is a criminal offense, the offense does not include administering controlled
- substances to them, and competitive horse racing administering controlled substances...
- Controlled substances such as fentanyl and cocaine have raised red flags among veterinarians, livestock
- A controlled substance unless the administration is done with a valid prescription or is ordered by a
- in the federal government and already utilized in internet crime cases.
Keywords:
building standards, youth camps, floodplains, safety regulations, environmental policies, drainage utilities, flood management, land use regulation, county authority, drainage fees
Summary:
The committee heard a series of criminal justice and public safety bills, with most measures focused on tougher penalties, victim protections, and procedural changes. Bills discussed included HB 75, requiring magistrates to make written findings when denying probable cause despite believing an arrestee committed an offense; HB 413, limiting pretrial detention so it cannot exceed the maximum jail term for the charged offense, with competency-related exceptions; HB 1422, expanding sexual assault survivor protections and increasing penalties for certain sexual offenses and voyeurism; HB 2073, increasing penalties for violating protective orders or bond conditions while armed; HB 2593, raising indecent assault penalties against elderly or disabled victims; HB 108, enhancing punishment when body armor is used during violent crimes; HB 3816, expanding cruelty-to-livestock offenses to include unlawful controlled-substance administration; HB 2854, requiring parole officers to notify hospitals or law enforcement when violent parolees visit hospital premises; HB 1871, increasing punishment for attempted capital murder of a peace officer and making such offenders ineligible for parole; HB 3463, clarifying notice methods in theft-of-service cases; HB 2348, allowing video-recorded depositions of elderly or disabled witnesses; HB 2594, expanding venue options for cybercrime and digital theft prosecutions; HB 2761, clarifying that children cannot be deemed to consent to prostitution-related offenses; HB 3185, authorizing administrative subpoenas in cybercrime investigations; HB 2017, increasing penalties for certain intoxication manslaughter cases involving undocumented immigrants with prior DWI convictions; HB 2306, making certain trafficking offenses ineligible for parole; HB 1607, allowing a rear-only license plate when a vehicle lacks a front bracket; HB 1828, creating a legislative leave pool for TDCJ correctional officers; and HB 3664, requiring prospective grand jurors to complete training and proposing additional changes to grand jury procedure in a future substitute. The committee also took up HB 3073, the Summer Willis Act, which would clarify consent in sexual assault law and address intoxication-related incapacity; the committee substitute narrowed the language to situations where the perpetrator knows the other person cannot consent because of intoxication or impairment, while removing withdrawal-of-consent and “reasonably should know” language from the House version. Several bills were laid out with committee substitutes adopted, including HB 3463, HB 2594, HB 3073, and HB 3073’s substitute, and most bills were left pending after no invited or public testimony or after hearing testimony. Public testimony was especially extensive on HB 3073, with survivors, advocates, and prosecutors supporting broader consent language, while some prosecutors said the substitute was an improvement but still favored the House version’s broader protections. HB 3664 drew significant opposition from district attorneys, who argued that mandatory transcription or recording of grand jury testimony would be costly, chill grand juror questioning, and complicate timely presentations; concerns were also raised about new-evidence requirements and grand jury shopping. No final votes were taken on the bills discussed in the transcript, and the committee recessed partway through to return to the floor before continuing its hearing.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on State & Local Government (2-19-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- This particular bill will cause me to stay another 5 years because it puts me in control of my health
- This particular bill will cause me to stay another 5 years because it puts me in control of my health
- of my healthc care puts me in control of my healthc care cost<00:09:08.600>
um <00:09:09.000>< - You see about a 2% utilization rate, so it's very small.
- You see about a 2% utilization rate, so it's very small.
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:11
Attendance Roll Call: 00:18
Senate Bill 10 (Sen. Mills): 01:47
Senate Bill 65 (Sen. West): 18:47
Senate Bill 104 (Sen. Madon): 25:41
Adjournment: 31:38, 958, all
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government heard testimony on Senate Bill 10, which would revise CERS retiree health subsidies for members who began participating on or before July 1, 2003. Senator Mills said the bill was developed with employee and employer groups to improve retiree health benefits while protecting the system’s financial footing, using a shared-cost structure. Testimony from sheriffs, police chiefs, firefighters, and the League of Cities strongly supported the bill, emphasizing recruitment and retention, affordability of retiree health coverage, and limited taxpayer risk. Members echoed those points, and the committee approved SB 10 with a 9-0 favorable recommendation.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 65, sponsored by Senator West, which would codify the Administrative Regulations Committee’s annual practice of placing certain deficient regulations into statute so they cannot take effect. West explained that the committee’s role is limited to finding regulations deficient or asking for deferral, and that SB 65 is the fifth version of this measure. He described the specific regulation at issue as a Medicaid Services rule that would have required behavioral health associates to hold a master’s degree; providers testified that it would reduce the workforce and harm behavioral health services statewide. West said the committee had deferred the matter eight times before deciding to side with providers. The bill received favorable expression and was reported out.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 104, sponsored by Senator Madon, concerning Kentucky Deferred Comp for state employees. The bill would establish a codified fiduciary standard, authorize fiduciary liability insurance, add self-correcting mechanisms to keep the plan in compliance with federal law, and allow self-directed brokerage accounts. Personnel Cabinet representatives said the changes would align the plan with other public pension plans, reduce risk, and offer participants a useful investment option with strong account growth among users. SB 104 also received favorable expression and was reported to the floor. The committee then adjourned.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- First of all, I believe the legislature should have control of its own agenda, and that doesn't mean
- But again, I think that the legislature should control its own agenda.
- But I don't think this legislation is designed to control the flow of bills.
- Madam Chair, Elizabeth, this bill does not control the flow of bills.
- There are other ways to control the flow of bills.
Keywords:
constitutional amendment, legislative sessions, veto override, New Mexico legislature, session length, legislative session, even-numbered years, New Mexico Constitution, student behavior, physical restraint, seclusion, public schools, training, de-escalation, student safety, behavior interventions, criminal offenses, peace officer, Victims of Crime Act, law enforcement
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding Aug 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The Plum Creek Conservation District manages 28 flood control.
- than 200 acre-feet of water for the purpose of erosion, flood water, and sediment control.
- I'm not saying we should control it. I'm not.
- That's a little more captive and controlling.
- I control my anger.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Government Contract Review Committee (1-14-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Jason Johnson, controller for Kentucky Communications Network Authority.
- <00:22:09.360>
for Authority Jason Johnson controller for Authority Jason Johnson controller - this or having access to not utilizing this or having access to this<00:27:33.840>
I'm <00:27: - Can you tell me how many people will be utilized in the consulting space for this?
- <00:47:24.280>
in <00:47:25.119>the <00:47:25.359>Consulting be utilized in
Summary:
The committee first reorganized by electing Representative Hart as House co-chair and Senator Douglas as Senate co-chair by acclamation, then approved the December 10 minutes. It then took up deferred and routine contract items, beginning with a Council on Postsecondary Education item that was withdrawn after staff explained the contract had been canceled and should not have come before the committee because the granting authority, not CPE, was issuing it.
The committee next reviewed a Department for Local Government contract tied to an Eastern Kentucky flood recovery housing project in Jackson. Members questioned the high per-unit cost and whether renovation was more expensive than new construction. Staff explained the cost included acquisition of an existing downtown building and needed water and sewer infrastructure upgrades, and said developable land was limited in the area. With no motion to object, the contract was allowed to move forward.
The committee then considered Kentucky Transportation Cabinet professional services contracts for highway design work. Members asked about the size of the contracts and how much of the available funding is typically used; staff said the contracts are two-year agreements, that the prior cycle reached close to $2 million per contract, and that this year’s limits were reduced because less money is available in the Highway Plan. The committee also approved a PSC amendment contract for the Bridging Kentucky program after staff explained the $150 hourly loaded rate was within the normal range for consultants. Both Transportation Cabinet items were approved without objection.
Finally, the committee heard a Kentucky Communications Network Authority contract for an $85,000 study of the dark fiber market. Members asked what dark fiber is, why the study was needed, whether there was coordination with the Office of Broadband Development, and whether existing service meant there was already a market. KCNA said dark fiber is unused fiber that local providers can light to deliver service, that the study was needed because the contractor said no market existed while ISPs said demand exists, and that the report would help both KCNA oversight and broadband development planning. The contract was reviewed without objection.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- They utilize tiers and example to use.
- Um, plant pest control branch manager. How much data do we have on our bee industries statewide?
- Um, plant pest control<01:03:30.079>
branch <01:03:30.400>manager. - <01:03:31.359>
Um, control branch manager. Um, control branch manager. - <01:21:20.400>
style centrally command and control style centrally command and control style
Keywords:
veterinary medicine, prescription, consumer rights, transparency, pet medication, sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, food system resilience, grant program, Hawaii agriculture, agriculture, clean plant program, disease-free plants, plant propagation, small farms, midsize farms, sustainable farming, Hawaii, data analysis, market study
Summary:
The committee heard several agriculture-related bills. SB 874 on veterinary medicine would require veterinarians, upon a client’s request, to provide a written prescription for an animal patient in an existing veterinary client-patient relationship, allow Hawaii-licensed pharmacies to dispense those prescriptions, and authorize the Veterinary Medicine Board to set penalties. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, with supporters citing lower costs and consumer choice; the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association said veterinarians already should be doing this and supported the bill if amended. One testifier in opposition argued the bill needed a conspicuous notice requirement so pet owners know they can request prescriptions. Committee members and the Department of Agriculture said they were not aware of widespread problems, and discussion focused on whether the measure was already consistent with current practice and whether amendments would address remaining concerns.
The committee also heard SB 2097, which would create a climate-resilient food systems grant program in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and appropriate funds. The department, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and others supported the bill, saying it could help farmers and ranchers invest in resilience, infrastructure, and technology. Several testifiers asked for clearer definitions, especially for terms like “food hubs” and “resilience hubs,” and suggested adding technical assistance and clearer eligibility criteria. The department explained the program was intended for shovel-ready projects in the middle of the supply chain, with a focus on farmers in a certain revenue range, and said it was modeled on a USDA program.
SB 2098 would establish a clean plant program to produce and distribute disease-free plant material to growers, nurseries, and other producers. Testimony was supportive, emphasizing biosecurity, nursery industry needs, and preventing invasive species and crop disease. The department described the program as using tested clean stock, tissue culture facilities, and data collection to support future planting decisions, and estimated a two-year ramp-up. Members questioned whether the program duplicated existing work at CTR/other partners and whether data collection should be centralized, but the department said the effort would build on existing varieties and partnerships rather than overlap them.
Finally, SB 2126 would create a conventional farming grant program for small and midsize conventional farmers. Supporters from the department, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council said conventional agriculture deserves support and that the bill would help increase food production. Opposition and comments focused on the bill’s exclusion of organic farmers; one farmer said the measure was unfair unless amended to include organic producers, while a Farmers Union witness said the bill was too vague about the grant’s purpose and should be clearer about its goals. In response to questions, the department said the exclusion of organic farming was not intentional and that the bill was meant to support all agriculture, though no vote or final action was taken in the excerpt provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 2/24/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- c><00:19:19.600>
that <00:19:19.760>is <00:19:20.000>just adequate internal controls - that is just adequate internal controls that is just really<00:19:20.480>
good <00:19:20.600>< - like rent and lease Fuel and utilities like rent and lease Fuel and utilities and<00:27:14.320><
- This is one just to note that we are working closely with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on so
- they are owned admin's custodial control they are owned by<00:59:00.160>
the <00:59:00.359>
Bills:
HF1063
Keywords:
grain buyers, grain dealer, grain elevator, agriculture, financial reporting, audit, CPA review, independent accountant, financial statement, balance sheet, cash flow, nonpublic data, licensee oversight, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, grain purchase volume, insolvency, nonpayment, warehouse chain, fiduciary duties, producer protection