Transcript Highlights:

• . egg. egg.
• </c> of egg stands for. of egg stands for.
• </c> farmer and bonafide egg activity. farmer and bonafide egg activity.
• </c> this exist in the egg parks? this exist in the egg parks?
• parks was to get people to grow egg parks was to get people to grow food. food. food.

Bills: SB874 , SB2097 , SB2098 , SB2126 , SB2154 , SB2153 , SB2160 , SB2123 , SB2110

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• The secretary will read the caption: Senate Bill 2690, relating to solicitations for the retrieval of
• The secretary will read the caption: Senate Bill 2690, relating to solicitations for the retrieval of

Bills: HJR98 , HB142 , HB912 , HB2525 , SCR19 , SB66 , SB128 , SB209 , SB250 , SB317 , SB383 , SB393 , SB397 , SB517 , SB571 , SB612 , SB614 , SB715 , SB731 , SB801 , SB865 , SB867 , SB872 , SB905 , SB913 , SB945 , SB946 , SB986 , SB1013 , SB1015 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1113 , SB1117 , SB1181 , SB1212 , SB1241 , SB1250 , SB1263 , SB1278 , SB1285 , SB1444 , SB1483 , SB1525 , SB1528 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1588 , SB1660 , SB1708 , SB1802 , SB1833 , SB1844 , SB1854 , SB1957 , SB1965 , SB1999 , SB2056 , SB2082 , SB2119 , SB2133 , SB2138 , SB2203 , SB2221 , SB2337 , SB2340 , SB2373 , SB2419 , SB2422 , SB2452 , SB2477 , SB2487 , SB2501 , SB2533 , SB2586 , SB2587 , SB2615 , SB2622 , SB2633 , SB2675 , SB2681 , SB2690 , SB2713 , SB2717 , SB2753 , SB2781 , SB2782 , SB2835 , SB2841 , SB2857 , SB2891 , SB2929 , SB2933 , SB2994 , SB3016 , SJR3 , SB5 , SB29 , SB72 , SB326 , SB494 , SB509 , SB530 , SB616 , SB769 , SB783 , SB963 , SB985 , SB1143 , SB1172 , SB1238 , SB1267 , SB1271 , SB1273 , SB1506 , SB1759 , SB1786 , SB1967 , SB2312 , SB2361 , SB1 , SB260 , SB1506 , SB1637 , HJR98 , HJR99 , HJR2 , HJR1 , HB 1109 , HB1392 , HB22 , HB2525 , HB3093 , HB517 , HB912 , HB 1130 , HB142 , HB1689 , HB2018 , HB136 , HB2884 , HB1393 , HB2730 , HB1399 , HB 1244 , HB467 , HB331 , HB2559 , HB29 , HB26 , HB166 , HB353 , HB2000 , HB2756 , HB3248 , HB3513 , HB3204 , HB3135 , HB3012 , HB2763 , HB2523 , HB2457 , HB2415 , HB2198 , HB2143 , HB1708 , HB1672 , HB767 , HB1327 , HB2723 , HB451 , HB140 , HB 109 , HB3096 , HCR6 , HCR12 , HCR29 , HCR50 , HCR55 , HCR56 , HCR58 , HCR70 , HCR71 , HCR74 , HCR78 , HCR80 , HCR107 , HCR116 , HCR117 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SJR59 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SCR48 , SCR19 , SB2023 , SB1844 , SB2533 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB1073 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1163 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB261 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1999 , SB511 , SB2309 , SB510 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB517 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2681 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB1013 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB2929 , SB715 , SB1640 , SB2538 , SB1449 , SB986 , SB1181 , SB1359 , SB410 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2138 , SB2615 , SB2972 , SB2841 , SB3016 , SB1856 , SB1528 , SB1373 , SB672 , SB2891 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB2539 , SB2532 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB2203 , SB1285 , SB1454 , SB2520 , SB1237 , SB1586 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2342 , SB2903 , SB2477 , SB3029 , SB1957 , SB375 , SB250 , SB777 , SB2367 , SB2703 , SB2608 , SB2965 , SB2521 , SB865 , SB2165 , SB2501 , SB2675 , SB2452 , SB2835 , SB872 , SB1212 , SB1278 , SB1588 , SB1602 , SB1704 , SB1723 , SB1833 , SB1858 , SB1946 , SB2009 , SB2177 , SB2460 , SB2785 , SB2373 , SB1660 , SB614 , SB867 , SB1608 , SB1525 , SB905 , SB640 , SB2487 , SB1698 , SB383 , SB705 , SB748 , SB1113 , SB1117 , SB1802 , SB2340 , SB2586 , SB2680 , SB2690 , SB2994 , SB2747 , SB1950 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB3059 , SB2782 , SB2781 , SB2637 , SB2633 , SB2337 , SB2334 , SB1861 , SB2043 , SB1367 , SB946 , SB945 , SB2857 , SB128 , SB571 , SB1263 , SB3058 , SB612 , SB2221 , SB2587 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2713 , SB2311 , SB1986 , SB2565 , SB2943 , SB1888 , SB2417 , SB3048 , SB3052 , SB3053 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3056 , SB3043 , SB3037 , SB3050 , SB3063 , SB3047 , SB3035 , SB2446 , SB466 , SB2611 , SB2794 , SB2105 , SB2017 , SB1790 , SB1778 , SB1730 , SB2995 , SB2847 , SB205 , SB2619 , SB1903 , SB203 , SB3061 , SB1581 , SB2600 , SB2799 , SB2790 , SB2688 , SB2515 , SB1230 , SB876 , SB2522 , SB2639 , SB2137 , SB2519 , SB2403 , SB2459 , SB3051 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB2764 , SB2878 , SB1884 , SB111 , SB582 , SB2617 , SB1835 , SB2751 , SB2959 , SB250 , SB614 , SB865 , SB872 , SB905 , SB986 , SB1113 , SB1212 , SB1278 , SB1525 , SB1588 , SB1660 , SB1802 , SB1833 , SB2487 , SB2586 , SB2675 , SB2690 , SB2929 , HB912 , HB2525 , SB1844 , SB2533 , SB1957 , SB1999 , SB2138 , SB2615 , SB3016 , SR469 , SB29 , SB326 , SB494 , SB530 , SB769 , SB783 , SB1238 , SB1967 , SB2312 , SB1506 , HJR34 , HB42 , HB198 , HB247 , HB367 , HB449 , HB632 , HB668 , HB677 , HB766 , HB 1105 , HB 1160 , HB 1169 , HB1592 , HB1778 , HB1781 , HB1868 , HB2017 , HB2038 , HB2128 , HB2240 , HB2316 , HB2510 , HB2516 , HB2563 , HB2582 , HB2663 , HB2712 , HB2715 , HB2760 , HB2788 , HB3010 , HB3069 , HB3112 , HB3120 , HB3146 , HB3157 , HB3305 , HB3348 , HB3464 , HB3474 , HB3505 , HB3512 , HB3560 , HB3597 , HB3686 , HB3783 , HB3860 , HB4063 , HB4081 , HB4214 , HB4215 , HB4224 , HB4273 , HB4325 , HB4361 , HB4386 , HB4395 , HB4665 , HB4783 , HB5032 , HB5180 , HJR34 , HB42 , HB198 , HB247 , HB367 , HB449 , HB632 , HB668 , HB677 , HB766 , HB 1105 , HB 1160 , HB 1169 , HB1592 , HB1778 , HB1781 , HB1868 , HB2017 , HB2038 , HB2128 , HB2240 , HB2316 , HB2510 , HB2516 , HB2563 , HB2582 , HB2663 , HB2712 , HB2715 , HB2760 , HB2788 , HB3010 , HB3069 , HB3112 , HB3120 , HB3146 , HB3157 , HB3305 , HB3348 , HB3464 , HB3474 , HB3505 , HB3512 , HB3560 , HB3597 , HB3686 , HB3783 , HB3860 , HB4063 , HB4081 , HB4214 , HB4215 , HB4224 , HB4273 , HB4325 , HB4361 , HB4386 , HB4395 , HB4665 , HB4783 , HB5032 , HB5180

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation, adopted the prior day’s journal, received House messages, and adopted several resolutions and recognitions, including Senate Resolution 496 honoring Leadership Garland and resolutions 503 and 504. The chamber also recognized guests, including a North Dakota senator and the Doctor of the Day, and received gubernatorial nominations for the Texas Economic Development Corporation Board and the Nueces River Authority Board. The Senate then took up and passed a series of bills, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. Measures approved included SB 614 on Texas Forensic Science Commission referrals to the Office of Capital and Forensic Writs; SB 250 on municipal annexation across railroad rights-of-way; SB 1660 on toxicological evidence retention and destruction procedures; SB 2586 requiring property owners associations to file governing documents with the Texas Real Estate Commission; SB 1588 increasing penalties for certain failures to report child sexual abuse; HB 912 on compensation for distributed renewable generation outside ERCOT; SB 1957 setting eligibility standards for civilian oversight boards; HB 2525 clarifying a charitable property tax exemption; SB 1525 limiting repeated prior authorization for neurodegenerative disease drugs; SB 865 requiring CPR/AED training and cardiac emergency response planning in schools; SB 1212 elevating human trafficking penalties; SB 2690 on solicitations for Secretary of State documents; SB 1802 on landlord repair duties for ramps, elevators, and handrails; SB 905 on licensing rules for speech-language pathologists and audiologists; SB 2929 allowing removal of disruptive spectators at school athletic events; SB 2675 creating a narrow McAllen-specific parkland conveyance exception; SB 872 increasing punishment for burglary of a vehicle involving firearm theft; and SB 1113 clarifying sales rules for certain converter-license holders. Several bills drew extended debate. SB 2487, dealing with crisis and mental health services for homelessness, was amended to make the county model permissive rather than mandatory and to remove state funding/assistance requirements before passing 28-3. SB 2138, barring higher education funds from contracting with firms that boycott fossil fuels through ESG policies, also passed after questions about fiscal effects and First Amendment concerns. SB 2615, restricting remote work at public institutions of higher education, advanced 22-9. The Senate also began consideration of SB 3016, which would expand enforcement tools against local governments that fail to comply with state law, but the transcript cuts off before action on that bill is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, like, limiting people in their ability to retrieve these supplies at a time when they're already
• hurting... ...in their ability to retrieve these supplies at a time when they're already hurting and

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee held an informational hearing on the health impacts of wildfires and the effects on health care systems and access to care. The first panel focused on public health consequences, with testimony from UCLA and UCSF physicians, a community organizer, and an Altadena recovery leader. Witnesses described acute and long-term physical harms from wildfire smoke and ash, including asthma and COPD exacerbations, cardiovascular and stroke risks, pregnancy impacts, infection risk, and possible added hazards from lithium-ion battery fires. They also emphasized mental health effects such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, “firebrain,” and the need for psychological first aid, trauma-informed community networks, and youth-focused resilience programs. Community advocates stressed that Latine, Indigenous, undocumented, and Black communities face disproportionate harm because of language barriers, unsafe work conditions, lack of insurance, and exclusion from disaster aid, and they called for stronger language access, worker protections, permanent disaster relief, and better outreach. Committee members asked about air monitoring, masks, wind events, lithium-ion batteries, and how to reach communities with translation and emergency information. Panelists said AQI is useful but incomplete, that N95s help for smoke but P100 masks are needed for ash/asbestos exposure, and that communities should be warned to stay indoors and avoid windy dust-ups after fires. They also discussed the importance of building relationships during non-emergency periods, using text alerts and trusted community organizations, and providing culturally and linguistically appropriate information. Several members and witnesses highlighted the need for more research on long-term health effects, especially for people with chronic lung disease, workers who cannot stay indoors, and residents exposed to repeated disasters. The second panel addressed health care system response and access to care. DHCS and DMHC described emergency flexibilities used during the Southern California fires, including federal waivers, extended Medi-Cal renewal deadlines, reinstated coverage for some disenrolled members, suspension of prior authorization and prescription refill barriers, out-of-network access at in-network cost-sharing, and communication through websites, toll-free numbers, and social media. Hospital and community health center leaders described major operational strain: emergency room surges, canceled surgeries, dialysis disruptions, staff displacement, temporary housing needs, and financial losses. Huntington Health and AltaMed reported using incident command systems, temporary care spaces, bilingual and culturally tailored services, mobile clinics, infection control measures, and community health workers to keep care going. Members and witnesses also discussed the need for better disaster staffing pools, more flexible facility rules, stronger mental health coverage, child care planning, and statewide coordination for future emergencies; no formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• nationally, we could be making really great strides in trying to figure out what's the chicken, what's the egg
• nationally, we could be making really great strides in trying to figure out what's the chicken, what's the egg
• <00:48:24.640><c> chicken</c><00:48:25.000><c> what's</c><00:48:25.160><c> the</c><00:48:25.280><c> egg
• </c><00:48:25.559><c> where</c> what's the chicken what's the egg where what's the chicken what's the
• egg where do<00:48:25.839><c> we</c><00:48:26.040><c> start</c><00:48:26.440><c> with</c><00:48:26.880

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum, first taking up referred administrative regulations. One regulation was deferred, and two others were noted as deficient; with no one wishing to speak, the committee treated the regulations as reviewed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 13 from Chairman Meredith, which would reduce the number of Medicaid managed care organizations from five to three. Meredith argued the bill would reduce administrative burden, improve oversight, help rural providers, and potentially lower costs for families and the Medicaid program. Senators Berg, Herron, and Douglas asked about data, patient impact, network adequacy, and prior authorization burdens; Meredith said the effect on patients would be indirect through better access and less administrative delay. The committee approved a committee substitute and passed SB 13 favorably on a 10-0 vote. The committee next considered Senate Joint Resolution 26, presented by Senator Richardson and Kentucky Pharmacists Association Executive Director Ben Mudd. The resolution asks the Department of Medicaid Services to provide data and cost analysis on paying pharmacists fairly for clinical services already within their scope of practice under Medicaid and KCHIP. Supporters said pharmacists can improve access, especially in rural areas, by providing services such as medication therapy management, chronic disease management, and preventive care, and that the resolution is intended to gather information before any future bill. Senator Douglas questioned whether expanded pharmacy duties have actually improved access or outcomes and whether there is published data; Mudd said the Board of Pharmacy tracks use of protocols but that more data is needed. The committee approved the resolution by roll call, with all members voting aye. At the end of the meeting, Chairman Meredith announced that Senate Bill 27 would be heard for discussion only and not acted on that day so members could review it further. Senator Brandon Storm introduced SB 27, which would create a Kentucky Parkinson’s disease research registry, and noted that a Michael J. Fox Foundation representative could not attend because of a winter storm; her letter was included in the packet. Storm said the registry is intended to support research and policy by tracking Parkinson’s disease in Kentucky, citing national prevalence and cost figures. No vote was taken on SB 27 during this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also use civic clubs like the Lions Club and things like that to help us with retrieving ballots from
• It's a good way for us to retrieve voted ballot packets. >> Okay. Thank you.
• It's a good way for us<01:57:13.520><c> to</c><01:57:14.320><c> um</c><01:57:14.560><c> retrieve</c><
• 01:57:15.679><c> uh</c><01:57:15.760><c> voted</c><01:57:16.159><c> ballot</c> us to um retrieve uh voted
• ballot us to um retrieve uh voted ballot packets. packets. packets.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 2246, which would expand public financial disclosure requirements. The State Ethics Commission strongly supported the bill, saying broader disclosure could help restore public trust and potentially deter corruption, and it offered a clarifying amendment to make clear the requirement applies to board and commission members rather than all employees of listed agencies. Several organizations and individuals also testified in support. A committee member asked about the amendment, and the commission explained it was intended as a clarification rather than a substantive change. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2250, which would add homeless facilities to the locations covered by the drug-free-zone offense for promoting controlled substances. The Public Defender opposed the measure, arguing that many homeless facilities are unmarked and not easily identifiable, creating notice, fairness, and due process concerns and risking arbitrary enforcement. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying it targets distributors rather than users, that notice can be proven through evidence, and that the law is aimed at protecting vulnerable people in shelters and similar facilities. In questioning, senators asked how homeless facilities would be identified and whether the bill would cover all shelter models; the prosecutor said the definition is cross-referenced in statute and must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii and other groups testified in opposition, while several service and advocacy groups testified in support. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2325, which would allow courts to review and potentially reduce sentences for certain juvenile offenders after 15 years if the person is not a danger to the community. Judiciary staff said the court supports the bill’s intent but noted Hawaii’s indeterminate sentencing structure leaves no alternative sentence for a court to reduce to, suggesting the measure may need structural sentencing changes or could instead be directed to the Hawaii Paroling Authority. Public defender representatives and youth-justice advocates supported the bill, emphasizing rehabilitation, adolescent brain development, trauma, and the need for a meaningful opportunity for release. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when she is doing that ordering and she sees things like ground beef and eggs, which are items that
• sees things like ground beef and eggs which<00:08:59.800><c> are</c><00:09:00.399><c> items</c><00:09
• because there were eggs with which I<00:09:29.640><c> had</c><00:09:29.800><c> been</c><00:09:29.959
• We're not buying eggs, and we're rationing milk for the region.
• and we're rationing milk for buying eggs and we're rationing milk for the<00:11:58.800><c> region</c

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:55:46.000><c> Koi</c><00:55:46.440><c> farming</c><00:55:47.440><c> and</c><00:55:47.680><c> egg
• </c> revenue bond for Koi farming and egg revenue bond for Koi farming and egg enterprises<00:55:49.280
• </c><00:59:34.680><c> Uh,</c><00:59:35.680><c> every</c><00:59:36.079><c> day</c> go after these egg
• Uh, every day go after these egg crimes.
• The lease numbers are GL5276, egg.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaking first on this is Sher... appartment of egg? No, not here. Next. Oh, online? Go ahead.
• <00:23:49.360><c> not</c><00:23:49.720><c> here</c><00:23:50.159><c> next</c> egg not here next egg not
• </c> was on TV yeah okay Department of egg was on TV yeah okay Department of egg Department<00:30:38.120
• ><c> of</c> egg<00:30:44.480><c> how</c><00:30:44.600><c> was</c><00:30:44.760><c> it</c><00:30:45.120
• how was it hey um only one quick egg how was it hey um only one quick question<00:30:47.000><c> um</

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1232, which would create a three-year wastewater technology testing pilot program at the University of Hawaiʻi Water Resources Research Center and coordinate testing with state and county agencies. The Department of Health, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and University of Hawaiʻi representatives supported the bill, saying it would help certify new wastewater technologies, lower costs for cesspool conversions, and provide data to the Department of Health. Testifiers said the prior testing effort ended after the departure of Dr. Roger Babcock, and that the new program would use National Sanitation Foundation standards, graduate students, and local wastewater facilities such as Wahiawa. Committee members asked about the $750,000 total cost, the scope of existing research, prior test sites, and whether the program would be tied to individuals or a permanent program. One member raised concerns about the fairness and data basis for sewer conversion decisions in local communities, and the University said it would follow national standards and share results openly. The committee then took up Senate Bill 686, relating to a short-term management initiative for coconut rhinoceros beetle response and related appropriations. The Department of Agriculture and the University of Hawaiʻi testified in support, while a county representative and other advocates urged broader statewide coverage, including Kauaʻi, and asked that appropriated funds be usable on any island. Testimony emphasized the need for immediate action, outreach, tree-trimmer training, canopy treatments, K-9 inspections, container fumigation, and biocontrol research. A member summarized the bill’s funding components, including amounts for training, residential palm treatments, response teams, inspections, fumigation, and research, and noted the importance of directing money toward on-the-ground response. Committee questions focused on how much funding remained available, how the agencies would coordinate with DOA, whether the department was prepared to manage all the bill’s functions, and how infestations were being communicated to the public. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 657, which would appropriate funds for the University of Hawaiʻi School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology’s Center for Climate Resilient Development. The Department of Land and Natural Resources testified in strong support, and the Department of Health also supported the measure, noting that it relies on the center’s data to inform decisions and recommendations on projects. The discussion on this item was brief in the portion provided, with no vote or final action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the issue that's been dealt with by poultry and egg association, the cattleman's association, you
• dealt with by uh the issue that's been dealt with by poultry<00:06:06.319><c> and</c><00:06:06.479><c> egg
• </c><00:06:06.800><c> association,</c><00:06:07.520><c> the</c> poultry and egg association, the poultry
• and egg association, the cattleman's<00:06:08.319><c> association,</c> cattleman's association, cattleman's

Bills: SB85 , SB85

Committee: House Agriculture and Forestry

Keywords: vaccination exemption, religious exemption, medical exemption, vaccine mandate, testing requirement, public schools, K-12, students, parents, guardians, higher education, college enrollment, university attendance, public institutions of higher education, immunization, religious tenets, sincerely held belief, school health policy, Alabama, AHSAA physical form

Transcript Highlights:

• make a comment from my days of working in retail that we are selling animal health there within the egg
• health<00:09:48.640><c> there</c><00:09:48.959><c> within</c><00:09:49.440><c> the</c><00:09:49.680><c> egg
• </c><00:09:50.000><c> retail</c><00:09:50.399><c> and</c> health there within the egg retail and health
• there within the egg retail and it's<00:09:50.880><c> able</c><00:09:51.279><c> to</c><00:09:51.440>

Committee: House Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• President, Senator King, we are in the midst of a real crisis in our egg industries all across the state
• We passed egg overtime a couple of years ago, and that has proved to be a downfall of many of our family
• Senator King, we are in the midst of a real crisis in our egg industries all across the state.
• We passed egg overtime a couple of years ago, and that has proved to be a downfall of many of our family

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Turkey egg and cheese. Oh, um. Say again? You say something about cheese, mm-hmm.
• Turkey egg and cheese. He wants some bacon and egg and cheese. To make an egg and cheese. Cheese?

Committee: Senate Health

Summary: The Health Committee met to consider a series of bills, many of them repeat proposals from prior sessions. Early measures included S.11 on disclosure for non-invasive prenatal screening, S.92 allowing redaction of certain physician names from birth certificates, S.135 creating practical support grants for abortion care, S.428A requiring chain restaurants to label high-sodium menu items, S.555 prohibiting visual images of people undergoing medical treatment without consent, and S.1614A establishing presumptive Medicaid eligibility for people leaving incarceration. The committee also advanced S.1438A to create an abortion clinical training program, S.1468 on access to medical records and limiting copy charges to actual cost, S.1619 expanding pharmacists’ authority to order and administer certain tests, and S.1714 banning the use of “excited delirium” as a diagnosis or cause of death. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on S.1633A, which would add protections for sensitive health information and allow patients to restrict disclosure of specified categories of data. One senator argued the bill could hinder care by limiting access to complete records, especially in emergencies, while supporters said the measure was needed to protect patients and providers from legal action by other states or the federal government, particularly in reproductive health cases. Staff clarified that the bill would allow segregation of specific sensitive data rather than locking an entire record. The committee also discussed S.1913, a 340B prescription drug anti-discrimination bill; supporters said it would protect safety-net providers and federally qualified health centers from pharmaceutical company practices, while one senator raised concerns about broad state intervention in a federal program. Additional bills advanced included S.5981 establishing a comprehensive sexual and reproductive health program, S.6178 directing a sickle cell disparity study, S.7457 permitting cremation or natural organic reduction for certain unclaimed decedents, S.7541 moving up reporting timelines for licensed home care services agencies, and S.8257A directing an alternative payment methodology for federally qualified health centers to support fertility care. Most bills were moved by committee vote, generally with some opposition or without recommendation, and were referred to first reading, rules, or finance as appropriate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, maintaining 50% of the egg development fund is so important to us.
• and there's no assessment that would go on those eggs as well.
• And so just to kind of March it's eggs.
• </c><00:53:15.040><c> right</c> what we're looking at on on eggs right what we're looking at on on eggs
• </c><01:18:10.480><c> development</c> egg finance and through egg development egg finance and through

Summary: The committee heard first from Kentucky Farm Bureau leaders, who outlined the organization’s current priorities and recent work on farmland transition. Eddie Melton said Farm Bureau is working through 983 county and advisory committee resolutions and highlighted support for the updated selling farmer tax credit, now law through House Bill 775, as well as Senate Bill 28’s agriculture economic development provisions. He said Farm Bureau’s likely priorities include maintaining the 50% share of the tobacco settlement fund for agriculture, protecting funding for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, preserving sales tax exemptions on farm inputs, keeping property taxes controlled, and exploring additional tools to keep farmland in active farmers’ hands, including possible loan or inheritance-tax changes. He also raised concerns about eminent domain transparency, nuisance deer permits, and access to agricultural inputs and crop protection products. Alita Bots described the farmland transition initiative in more detail, saying the revised state tax credit is generating strong interest and that a new federal tax provision now allows eligible land sales to actively engaged farmers to spread capital gains taxes over time. She said the initiative has reached 22 counties and more than 1,300 people this year through outreach and meetings, and that Farm Bureau is pairing policy work with resources to help farm families plan transitions and prepare wills and other estate documents. Drew Graham added that the effort is also meant to bridge the rural-urban divide and support rural communities, and Farm Bureau invited members to its annual meeting in early December. Members asked about rising insurance costs and deer damage. Farm Bureau representatives said severe convective storms, inflation, and higher repair and material costs have driven insurance rate increases, citing five major storm events since 2021 and a recent Owensboro hailstorm that caused about $350 million in losses; they said the company is moving toward percentage deductibles to help moderate increases. On deer, they said crop-loss totals are hard to quantify but acknowledged the problem and discussed possible coordination with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and Hunters for the Hungry. Commissioner Jonathan Shell then began the Department of Agriculture presentation, reporting gains from the department’s school agriculture outreach program, including a 23% increase in county participation between March and September and improved teacher-reported student learning, before continuing into the department’s legislative priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Eggs have skyrocketed in price, and that's due to bird flu. There are fewer chickens to lay eggs.
• We have fewer eggs.
• </c> brought up, there's an egg shortage. brought up, there's an egg shortage.
• <c> price</c><00:47:53.520><c> and</c> Eggs have skyrocketed in price and Eggs have skyrocketed in price
• </c> chickens to lay eggs. We have less eggs. chickens to lay eggs. We have less eggs.

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• incidental</c><00:03:47.760><c> to</c><00:03:47.920><c> a</c><00:03:48.080><c> bonafide</c><00:03:48.720><c> egg
• </c> and incidental to a bonafide egg and incidental to a bonafide egg operation<00:03:50.400><c> and

Bills: SB2373 , SB2101 , SB2905 , SB3231 , SB2486 , SB2376

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The committee heard SB 2006, which would clarify that a farm dwelling permit in an agricultural district may include a single-family farm dwelling with an accessory employee housing structure, subject to restrictions. Testimony was largely supportive, with comments from the Department of Agriculture Biosecurity, DPP, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Realtors, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Hawaii Farmers Union, Housing Hawaii Future, and several individuals. The chair noted there were nine in support, two opposed, and four offering comments. In decision-making, the chair recommended passing the bill with OPSD-suggested amendments to clarify the definitions of farm employee housing and bona fide agricultural services. The chair also referenced opposing testimony that raised concern the original draft could limit tourism activities that provide supplemental income for bona fide farming operations. The proposed amendments were intended to make clear that farm employee housing is only for workers and not visitor accommodations, while allowing tourism activities on the same parcel if they are secondary and incidental to a bona fide agricultural operation, do not occur in employee housing units, and comply with county ordinances. The committee adopted the recommendation and voted to pass SB 2006 with amendments. The recorded votes showed the chair, vice chair, Senator Rhoads, and Senator Awa in favor, with Senator DeCoite excused. The same pass-with-amendments recommendation was then made to the housing committee and adopted there as well, with Senator Elephante voting aye and Senator Favella excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, so again kind of seems like a chicken and egg problem, right?
• So, so again kind of seems like a chicken and egg problem, right?
• So, so again kind of seems like a chicken and egg problem, right?
• I hear the chicken and egg problem, but I think this is attempting to just achieve a little more balance
• I hear the chicken and egg problem, but I think this is attempting to just achieve a little more balance

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We're a fifth-generation egg farm. I'm Donnie Wilcox. I'm with Wilcox Family Farms.
• We're a fifth-generation egg farm in Roy, Washington.
• And while it's not quite as bad right now, a year and a half ago or so, you couldn't get eggs anywhere
• There were 60 million chickens gone, and all of the truckloads and truckloads of eggs that come from
• And the only eggs you could get were from your local producers in Washington.

Bills: HB2279 , HB2463 , HB1941 , HB2238

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: PFAS chemicals, agriculture, environmental impact, regulation, food safety, farmers, food security, Washington, support for farmers, cannabis, cooperatives, marijuana industry, HB 2238, HB2238, statewide food security, food security strategy, hunger, food insecurity, food access, food assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• We're a fifth-generation egg farm. I'm Donnie Wilcox. I'm with Wilcox Family Farms.
• We're a fifth-generation egg farm in Roy, Washington.
• And while it's not quite as bad right now, a year and a half ago or so, you couldn't get eggs anywhere
• There were 60 million chickens gone, and all of the truckloads and truckloads of eggs that come from
• And the only eggs you could get were from your local producers in Washington.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee heard public testimony on House Bill 2279, which would require the Department of Agriculture to create a program and criteria to evaluate PFAS chemicals in fertilizers and pesticides. The prime sponsor argued PFAS are persistent “forever chemicals” that are entering soil, water, wildlife, and people, and said Washington should begin acting now rather than waiting for federal action. WSDA said the bill is implementable but would require rulemaking, ongoing staff resources, and likely a 12-month extension to complete stakeholder engagement; it also noted the bill should be clarified to address all pesticides, not just new ones. Agricultural and industry witnesses opposed the bill as duplicative of EPA review and warned it could reduce product availability and put Washington farmers at a competitive disadvantage, while environmental advocates supported it as a needed food-safety and environmental measure. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard House Bill 2463, which would expand the Washington Commodity Donation Program and create a Farm to Food Pantry Program to help hunger-relief organizations buy Washington-grown food directly from farmers. The sponsor said the bill is part of a broader state response to reduced federal food-security support and is intended to keep families fed by strengthening local food purchasing. Testimony was largely supportive from food banks, food hubs, farmers, AARP, and hunger-relief groups, who said the programs help move surplus produce, dairy, protein, and other products to people in need while supporting local farms and reducing waste. Several witnesses, however, raised concerns about language limiting participation to organizations that “solely” function for food sourcing, saying it could exclude many existing regional organizations and reduce resilience; one tribal representative also requested an amendment to include tribally owned small-scale farms. No action was taken on HB 2463 during the hearing. After the hearings, the committee went into caucus and then held executive session only on House Bill 1941, which authorizes licensed cannabis producers to form agricultural associations for collective processing, handling, and marketing. Supporters said it would help smaller cannabis producers cooperate and prepare for possible federal changes, while opponents argued it was premature given marijuana’s federal status and too broad in scope. The committee approved HB 1941 on a 6-5 vote and reported it out of committee with a do-pass recommendation. House Bill 2238 was deferred to the following day for further review of amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it kind of restricted it from everything for field trial bird dogs, scent hounds, and retrieving

Committee: House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development met with a quorum, adopted the minutes from its October 3, 2024 meeting, and Chairwoman Butler noted that HCR 82 would be voluntarily deferred in favor of continuing work on HCR 77 related to a pilot program for landscaping and crawfishing. The committee then considered HCR 205, which urges the USDA to use its Commodity Procurement Program to purchase domestic Louisiana shrimp. Representative Kerner and Commissioner Mike Strain described the shrimp industry’s low prices, full cold storage, and the need for urgent federal action to support shrimpers and move product into schools, nursing homes, and food banks. Members discussed domestic sourcing rules, enforcement against imported seafood, and marketing challenges; HCR 205 was reported favorably without objection. The committee also took up HCR 188, which memorializes Congress to oppose any federal farm bill provision that could negatively affect the use of hunting dogs. Chairwoman Butler and Commissioner Strain explained that the concern centered on vague language in a farm bill section that could be interpreted to restrict hunting dogs used for tracking or field trials. Members agreed the language should be removed if it remained in the bill, and HCR 188 was reported favorably without objection. The committee then heard a presentation from Orlando McMeans of the Southern University Ag Center and College of Agriculture, along with Dr. Calvin Walker. They outlined the center’s research, extension, and academic programs, including enrollment growth, dual-enrollment efforts, 1890 scholars, JAG Stars scholarships, beef cattle and aquaculture research, viticulture, precision nutrition, and food access initiatives. They also described major facility projects, including a high-tech meat processing facility, research labs, a vineyard, and a proposed disaster-safe shelter. Members asked about butcher training, cattle genetics, and the shelter’s potential uses, and the committee adjourned after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now you're just decreasing our food supply and increasing the egg prices.
• Now you're just decreasing our food supply and increasing the egg prices.
• prices and also and increasing the egg prices and also um<00:46:39.200><c> there</c><00:46:39.559><c
• </c><00:48:07.520><c> fresh</c> Sanctuary at home and I get eggs fresh Sanctuary at home and I get eggs
• </c><00:48:37.599><c> industry</c> economic development of a egg industry economic development of a egg

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The joint hearing covered several bills focused on environmental protection and wastewater management. HB 26 HD 2, relating to environmental protection, drew support from the Department of Health, Reworld, and Energy Justice Network. Supporters said it would preserve existing standards for waste-to-energy facilities, including H-Power, even if federal EPA rules are weakened, while Energy Justice Network urged the state to go further and require stronger pollution controls on older burners at the plant. HB 734 and HB 735, both relating to wastewater systems, received broad support from state agencies, county representatives, realtors, environmental groups, and others. Testimony emphasized reducing the cost of cesspool upgrades, updating rules, and improving coordination between the Department of Health, counties, and the University of Hawaiʻi. Members raised concerns about whether some areas, such as Ewa, should be treated differently if they are not near aquifers or the ocean, but the department said the existing prioritization process already considered statewide conditions and that cesspools generally still affect water resources. On HB 735, the committee discussed the current bedroom-based limits for individual wastewater systems and whether the bill would allow more flexibility for housing configurations, with the department explaining the limits are tied to density and system capacity. HB 879, relating to cesspool conversions, was also supported by the Department of Health, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and several advocacy groups. Testimony said the bill would help low- and moderate-income homeowners in priority areas by increasing grant assistance for cesspool upgrades, but the Department of Health noted it would need three full-time positions to administer the program. Members asked for clarification on the grant amount and staffing costs, and the department indicated the grant cap should remain at $20,000 unless changed. HB 918, relating to labeling of non-flushable wipes, drew support from wastewater and industry groups, including the Association of Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, which said similar laws have passed in other states and that the bill reflects cooperation between manufacturers and wastewater officials. The Department of Health and county officials supported the concept but said enforcement and outreach would require additional staff, and senators questioned whether the state could effectively enforce the labeling requirement without a national standard.