Transcript Highlights:

• program getting new farmers into farming.
• program getting new farmers into farming.
• bill on the farm.
• write the farm bill on the farm. write the farm bill on the farm.
• <02:20:04.560> I on their farms and in communities. I on their farms and in communities.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaii lost 10% of our farms. Hawaii lost 10% of our farms.
• Nationally, 6.9% of the farms went down. Nationally, 6.9% of the farms went down.
• The actual farm production um is farms.
• It's in the farm bill. 50 program.
• , that enclosed farming where you isolate basically out and do high-intensity farming.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• herd and to monitor um survey farms. herd and to monitor um survey farms.
• As we know, no two farms, no two farming operations are alike.
• So it was critically farm work.
• > no<00:58:40.640> two<00:58:40.880> farming know, no two farms, no two farming
• know, no two farms, no two farming operations<00:58:41.599> are<00:58:41.839> alike.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• example, I've been a licensed hemp processor and cultivator since 2000 and have followed the hemp farm
• bill very followed the hemp farm bill very closely.
• My family has owned a farm since 1817 in Dallas County, and through the generational transition, I have
• I have a farm D pharmacist that is our medical director.
• Lati, who is our medical director on a farm B, taught pharmacy at Sanford and also consulted.

Bills: SB274

Keywords: cannabis, psychoactive cannabinoids, CBD, delta-8 THC, delta-9 THC, delta-10 THC, criminal penalties, youth protection, medical cannabis, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• devotional today will be led by Rabbi Grace Odell, who is the executive director of the Northeast Organic Farming
• Association of Vermont, known to Farming Association of Vermont, known to many<00:05:17.480> of
• She had founded and directed an educational farming center in Massachusetts and undertaken similar work
• But Grace was up against candidates who had full careers in farming and farming policy.
• But Grace was up against candidates who had full careers in farming and farming policy.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional for Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Memorial Day, delivered by Rabbi Grace Odell. Her remarks focused on remembrance of the Holocaust, warning against dehumanization, and urging lawmakers to act from love rather than fear. Members then observed a moment of silence and heard announcements recognizing visitors, including students from Orwell Village School and guests from the Vermont Holocaust Memorial. The chamber took up several procedural and legislative items. House Bill 574, relating to epinephrine use and maintenance at child care facilities, was moved from the House Committee on Human Services to the Committee on Education and approved by voice vote. The House also announced caucus and committee schedules, including meetings of the Rural Caucus and Older Vermonters Caucus. Later, the body reordered its calendar and prepared to recess after completing action on the day’s bills. On Senate Bill 163, concerning the role of advanced practice registered nurses in hospital care, the House Health Care Committee recommended amendment, explaining that the bill updates the Patient Bill of Rights to reflect current hospital practice, especially in rural hospitals, by recognizing APRNs and physician assistants as possible attending providers. The committee reported a 10-0-0 vote in support, and the House agreed to propose the Senate amendment and ordered third reading. The House also concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment to House Bill 508, which revises Burlington’s charter so the city council can adjust ward and district boundaries when needed to correct unconstitutional population divisions without requiring a charter change; the Government Operations and Military Affairs Committee reported a 9-0-1 favorable straw poll. After these actions, the House recessed briefly while the committee continued hearing amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• strengthen farm-toschool strengthen farm-toschool initiatives.<00:35:58.960> First<00:35:
• We believe that investing in farm-to-school programs is an investment in Hawaii's future.
• /c> farm-toschool programs support student farm-toschool programs support student health,<00:40:07.599
• <00:40:38.800> to that Hawaii's commitment to farm to that Hawaii's commitment to farm to
• Next we have HCR 104 / HR 100 on urging the DOE to strengthen farm-to-school initiatives.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees on Education and Higher Education first heard HCR 75 and HR 67, which ask the Department of Education and the University of Hawaiʻi to assess criteria for building an educational pipeline and curriculum for advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity. The Department of Education said it would stand on its written testimony, and UH supported the measure, noting existing community college and four-year programs related to the topic. Members asked how DOE promotes cybersecurity opportunities and whether it provides funding; DOE said schools usually connect with partners and its office works with them, but it does not have separate funding for such efforts. UH also explained that some advanced manufacturing concepts may overlap with 3D printing, material sciences, and entrepreneurship, and described P20 as a forum for aligning K-12 and higher education pathways. The committees then recessed the joint hearing and moved to the Education Committee agenda. The committee next heard HCR 46 and HR 39, which would make DOE recreational facilities available to the public during non-peak hours and non-school days. DOE said it already uses facilities agreements with insurance, liability waivers, indemnification, and certificates of insurance to protect schools. The Attorney General opposed the resolutions, warning that unrestricted public use without safeguards could create substantial liability and cost risks for the state. The measure’s introducer said the goal was to help underserved communities that lack access to public recreation spaces, and DOE said it would be open to joint-use arrangements with larger organizations but remained concerned about vandalism and liability. The committee also heard HCR 86 and HR 80 on creating an Aloha Civics working group, with DOE offering comments and Common Cause Hawaiʻi strongly supporting the idea. DOE described a civic learning and engagement task force that met with stakeholders, including UH and the PACE Commission, and produced recommendations such as building partnership inventories, integrating civic learning across grade levels, and aligning the work with DOE’s HA framework and learner outcomes. Common Cause said civic education can be implemented effectively and affordably, citing existing school projects such as ranked-choice voting and classroom constitutions. Later, the committee took up HCR 87 and HR 81, urging an annual Climate Week in public schools. DOE again stood on written comments, while the Climate Change and Health Working Group, Climate Future Forum, a student from Kaimuki High School, and other supporters argued that a dedicated week would ensure consistent climate education, build resilience, and connect climate issues to health, food security, and disaster preparedness. Supporters said existing climate-related opportunities are uneven across schools and that a formal Climate Week would create a more equitable approach. The committee then heard HCR 95 and HR 91 on informing students about changes to gun safety and storage laws; DOE asked for clarification on the measure’s intended outcome, and one individual testified in support. Finally, the committee heard HCR 104 and HR 100 on strengthening farm-to-school initiatives. DOE said it is already working to improve menus, emphasize local products, and meet with distributors to increase local procurement, while the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience offered food science, nutrition, and extension support. Climate Future Forum, the Hawaii Youth Food Council, and other supporters said farm-to-school efforts are important for student health, local farmers, and food sovereignty, noting that local food procurement in schools remains far below the state’s 30% by 2030 goal. DOE explained it is trying to provide distributors and farmers with more predictable demand and is meeting with distributors to set up next year’s supply chain.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up, Brian Mamoto, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, in support. Thank you.
• So I guess my next question would be then, if your farm was the size of Larry Jeffs' farm, how many more
• farms could the Wāhō water system absorb?
• <00:45:14.920> in Farm in Farm in support<00:45:16.800> botell<00:45:17.280> Hawaii<
• Brian Mamoto, Hawaii Farm Bureau: Thank you.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 1061 on digital equity. Testimony was strongly supportive, including from Rosie Davis of the Maui County Area Health Education Center, who said Molokai and Maui need better digital access for telehealth and clinic services. Members discussed whether the bill should be consolidated with other digital broadband measures and asked about funding; the chair noted the draft used general funds but said federal money was now available for the navigator program. The committee later recommended SB 1061 be passed with an SD1, technical amendments, and an effective date of July 1, 2050, with members voting aye. The committee then heard SB 135 on macadamia nut labeling. Hawaiian Host Group and several supporters argued the bill would help align the industry around a processing solution and support growers and jobs, while the MacNut Association and Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company opposed it, saying the state lacks enough processing infrastructure and that existing law already covers labeling. In questioning, members focused on the lack of a current processing facility and the timeline for a new one on Hawaiʻi Island. After hearing mixed testimony, the committee deferred the bill indefinitely. The committee also considered SB 1657 and SB 1539 relating to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. Testimony on both measures was generally supportive, with ADC describing the Wāhō water system as serving about 5,000 acres and over 70 farmers, mostly small and medium growers, and saying the proposal would help expand service without asking for more water. The committee later voted to pass SB 1657 and SB 1539 with SD1s, technical amendments, and a July 1, 2050 effective date. Finally, the committee took up SB 891 on economic development and gaming. The hearing drew extensive testimony, including support from Boyd Gaming and Stanford Carr Development, and opposition from Native Hawaiian speakers who said Hawaiians must have a seat at the table and raised concerns about self-determination and outside control. Members questioned the scope of the proposed gaming working group, the number and makeup of members, and the need to review prior gaming bills and studies. In decision-making, the committee passed SB 891 with an SD1 and major amendments: adding tourism references, changing expense reimbursement rules so private gaming representatives pay their own expenses, expanding the working group to include Native Hawaiian, social services/behavioral health, DBEDT, law enforcement, and tax/professional expertise seats, deleting one proposed seat, and adding a July 1, 2050 effective date. The committee also reported that the recommendations were adopted by vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Brian Miamoto, Hawaii Farm Bureau. Thank you, Chair, Vice Chair, committee members.
• Brian Miamoto on behalf of the Hawaii Farm Bureau will stand on original written testimony in support
• Brian Miamoto Havi<00:26:48.320> Farm<00:26:48.640> Bureau.
• Thank you chair, vice Havi Farm Bureau.
• <00:26:53.279> Bureau Miam on behalf of the Hoy Farm Bureau Miam on behalf of the Hoy Farm

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land heard HB 511, House Draft 1, relating to public lands. The bill would remove the requirement that a land survey be completed before public lands are set aside to a state department or agency. Testimony from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land and Natural Resources was generally supportive of the bill’s intent, with requests for clarification. The Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council and Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the measure, arguing that surveys are costly and time-consuming and can delay transfers needed for agricultural use and land stewardship. One member of the public testified in strong opposition, arguing that eliminating surveys would weaken due process, transparency, and the state’s fiduciary duties over public lands. The chair then proposed amendments to narrow the bill’s effect. The amendments would create tiered survey requirements based on land risk: high-risk lands would still require a survey before transfer, while low-risk state agricultural lands with clear historical records could defer surveys if sufficient mapping or GIS data exists. If a survey is deferred, the recipient agency would have to complete one within five years unless exempted by the Board of Land and Natural Resources. The amendments would also allow GIS and related mapping tools for approximate administrative boundaries, require a centralized digital registry of public land transfers, and establish a mediation process for boundary disputes before litigation. Senator McKelvey said he had concerns about the original bill but would support it with the amendments. The committee chair recommended passage with amendments, noting the bill would also go to the Judiciary Committee. The committee adopted the recommendation by vote, with the chair and vice chair voting aye and Senator Dort voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• These include farming on lands that have been farmed at any time during the prior 10 years, silviculture
• Sydney Grossnickle, Delaware Farm Bureau. Hello, Sydney Grossnickle, Delaware Farm Bureau.
• At this time, the Farm Bureau is not taking a position on Senate Bill 9, but we would really like to
• The Farm Bureau appreciates the inclusion.
• The Farm Bureau appreciates the inclusion and clarification of agricultural exemptions within the bill

Bills: SB9

Keywords: wetlands protection, nontidal wetlands, Delaware, environmental sustainability, climate change, carbon sink, permitting process

Summary: The House Natural Resources and Energy Committee met to consider two Senate bills. SB 321, with Senate Amendment 1, would change community solar billing so subscribers receive one consolidated utility bill instead of separate bills from the utility and the solar provider. Supporters said the bill would simplify enrollment and payment, improve customer retention—especially for low-income customers—and include safeguards such as guaranteed savings and an escrow mechanism to prevent cost shifts to other ratepayers. After public testimony from solar developers, the Public Advocate, the Sierra Club, and others, the committee initially lacked enough members present to release the bill, so the vote was circulated to absent members and the bill was later reported out for floor action. The committee then heard SB 9, with Senate Amendment 1, a long-negotiated wetlands protection bill. The sponsor and DNREC explained that it would create a state non-tidal wetlands program with exemptions for certain agricultural, conservation, and routine activities, general permits for some lower-impact projects, and individual permits for higher-value wetlands. Witnesses described the bill as a compromise among environmental, agricultural, development, and local government stakeholders, while some members raised questions about flooding, landowner impacts, wetland delineation, and the role of the regulatory advisory committee. Public testimony was broadly supportive from environmental groups, the Farm Bureau, builders, engineers, and affordable housing advocates. The committee then voted to release SB 9 from committee. At the end of the meeting, members offered thanks and remarks recognizing the chair’s service and leadership on environmental and energy issues. Both bills were ultimately released from committee and reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Farm Bureau says that they can cause more than $100 million annually in property damages, and currently
• So, I guess you farm a ranch or own real estate.
• We have that division also encompasses our Ag in the classroom program, the Farm to School program that
• I'm like, most people have a farm policy or ranch policy that would cover something like this.
• gets out of hand that their insurance doesn't cover so if it goes if it's a loss of above what your farm

Bills: SB2108, SB2121, SB2171, SB2061, SB2112, SB2138

Keywords: feral swine, nuisance control, wildlife management, hunting permits, agriculture, cultivated meat, food safety, public health, misbranding, advertising, food labeling, food distribution, state regulations, hunting licenses, fishing licenses, veterans, controlled hunts, deer population, wildlife conservation, food policy

Transcript Highlights:

• and my farm is 265 years old. Um, 1761. and my farm is 265 years old. Um, 1761.
• I think, like, we have L Farm.
• Mo farms, um, because it's like probably the closest apple farm we would go to.
• Mo farms um because it's like >> L Farm.
• closest app farm we would probably the closest app farm we would go<01:03:30.559> to.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:55:59.679> for amount paid to local farms for amount paid to local farms for qualifying
• <01:56:06.800> they document what registered farm they document what registered farm they
• Why BEA and not Department of Agriculture, who registers farms and manages farms?
• registers farms and manages farms? registers farms and manages farms?
• farm one and it sells it for a from farm farm one and it sells it for a dollar.<02:35:17.040> But

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And SB 1329 concerns solar farms.
• The county sees a reduction in revenue when that happens because farms, agricultural farms, pay property
• Do you want to live next to a solar farm?
• And the county sees a reduction in revenue when that happens because farms, agricultural farms, pay property
• Do you want to live next to a solar farm?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, offered a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then proceeded through gubernatorial appointments and third-reading measures. Three appointments to the California Housing Finance Agency Board and the State Mining and Geology Board were confirmed by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The body then considered a series of bills on criminal procedure, military authority, housing, refinery safety, land use, music festivals, homelessness planning, solar tax assessment, HOA assessments, privacy, utility accounts, refrigerant disposal, law enforcement training, natural gas planning, school transfers, and regional transportation planning. Among the more debated measures, SB 1173 on lesser related offense instructions passed 25-10 after opposition centered on judicial discretion and consistency. SB 1354, limiting out-of-state military or law enforcement activity without the Governor’s permission, passed 29-9 after supporters framed it as a sovereignty measure and opponents argued federal command authority controls. SB 1090, the Altadena disaster-speculation bill, passed 29-9; supporters said it would curb predatory investor purchases after wildfire disasters, while opponents raised concerns about property rights and market effects. SB 966 on refinery worker participation in safety standards passed 30-9 amid a dispute over worker protections versus regulatory burden, and SB 1256, a local housing/subdivision bill, passed 32-0 despite concerns about fire-safety amendments. The Senate also approved SB 865 on music festivals, SB 866 on homelessness planning with a commitment to exempt smaller cities, SB 1007 on HOA assessment transparency and homeowner approval thresholds, SB 923 on privacy deletion rights, SB 1098 on utility balancing accounts, SB 1010 on refrigerant recovery, SB 937 on flashbang and breaching-device restrictions, SB 1082 on inter-district transfer timelines, and SB 1087 on modernizing regional transportation planning. SB 1329 on solar farm property tax assessment drew extensive debate over county revenues, solar development certainty, and fairness to rural communities, but ultimately passed after the call was lifted. Several measures were supported by authors and committee chairs as balancing consumer, worker, or local government protections against concerns about costs, regulatory stability, and local control.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, it has been brought to my attention that crawfish farming is beginning to be a topic of discussion
• Um, it has been brought to my attention that crawfish farming is beginning to be a topic of discussion
• Um, but right now we're looking at it being a farm-funded piece. >> It very well could be.
• <00:20:49.600> a<00:20:49.840> farm<00:20:50.240> funded<00:20:50.720> piece.
• farm a farm funded piece. farm a farm funded piece. >> Yes,<00:20:52.320> sir.

Keywords: Agriculture - Room 210, 3 February, 2026; 2:00 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee first discussed a bill codifying herd-share/custom slaughter practices for small livestock producers. The sponsor proposed amending the bill to change “sale and/or purchase” to “deposit” and to allow pricing by live weight, dressed weight, or final weight. Members raised concerns that allowing payment by dressed weight could trigger federal USDA inspection requirements and conflict with existing federal rules. After discussion, the committee agreed to keep only the first change, striking “purchase” and inserting “deposit,” and to leave the weight-pricing language unchanged. The sponsor then withdrew the broader amendment, and the bill was reported out with a title-sufficient do-pass motion. The committee next took up a bill authorizing Mississippi State University Extension to assist poultry farmers with management plans, citing delays caused by short staffing at NRCS and DEQ. Members asked whether the extension service was comfortable with the role and were told the assistance would be voluntary and not mandatory. The bill was reported out on a title-sufficient do-pass motion. The committee also approved a bill to allow crawfish farms to be licensed, and a bill on district livestock shows that would let the northeast district show be held at any facility within the county rather than only at the Verona livestock center, which the sponsor said was no longer suitable for the children involved. The committee then considered a meat-labeling bill making technical amendments to last year’s law on cultured meat and related products. After an initial vote was set aside because of a communications problem, the committee reconsidered the bill and adopted an amendment changing a funding reference from “special” to “general fund.” The bill was then reported out as amended. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2631, creating a voluntary Mississippi Grain Indemnity Act to protect grain producers if elevators or buyers fail financially. The sponsor said the program would be funded by a per-bushel assessment, capped at $25 million, with possible state seed money still under discussion. Members asked about the source of any additional funds and the history of recent grain failures, and the bill was then moved forward on a title-sufficient do-pass motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Only 182 acres are being farmed in Texas for hemp out of 125 million farming acres.
• I'm here representing Village Farms and myself.
• We are a second-generation family-run farming operation.
• I've been farming on the South Plains for three decades.
• I farm in Dripping Springs as well as Lukenbach. We farm five to ten acres a year.

Bills: HB5

Keywords: hemp, cannabinoids, regulation, occupational licenses, consumable products, marketing, criminal offenses, labeling requirements, health and safety, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're killing family farms.
• area by I mean harm, I mean farms. area by I mean harm, I mean farms. they're<00:04:19.680> causing
• These people have put family farms.
• <00:05:03.440> and their livelihoods into these farms and their livelihoods into these farms
• . farms. farms.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They farm a lot of ground, but they have a long-term investment approach to monetizing water.
• I have a thousand acres of it on my farm.
• I don't know how much time you have to farm because you're down here all the time to testify.
• I don't know how much time you have to farm because you're down here all the time for testifying.
• of Arizona's farm and ranch families throughout every corner of the state.

Bills: HB2014, HB2031, HB2078, HB2102, HB2103, HB2117, HB2261, HB2262, HB2264, HB2278, HB2428, HB2494, HB2756, HB2758, HB2762, HB2782, HB2932, HB2933, HB2986

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, water rights, groundwater, Willcox, active management area, certificate of grandfathered rights, Arizona legislature, aggregate mining, reclamation plans, environmental protection, public safety, land use, domestic water, improvement district, water delivery, water hauling

Summary: The committee began with an informational presentation from Gordon Shemp of Nemecu Analytics on Arizona transportation fuel supply and pricing. He explained that Arizona sits at the end of the pipeline system, relies on limited terminal inventories, and can experience only about a seven-day fuel supply if pipelines are disrupted. He attributed recent price spikes to constrained pipeline capacity, Kinder Morgan pressure reductions after PHMSA anomaly reviews, and recovering demand, and he also discussed California refinery closures, increased imports from overseas, and proposed new pipeline capacity into Phoenix from the east. Committee members asked about fuel formulations and pipeline logistics, and Shemp said the proposed project would not change fuel specifications, only transport capacity. The committee then took up House Bill 2758, which would allow eligible entities in La Paz County’s McMullen Valley groundwater basin to transport groundwater to AMAs under specified limits and conditions, with related provisions on fees, districts, and water improvement programs. Supporters, including Stan Barnes, Jim Downing, and Barry Arons, argued the bill follows the Harquahala model, provides needed augmentation for urban Arizona, and includes local benefits and guardrails. Opponents, including La Paz County Supervisor Holly Irwin, Devonna Sater, and Ed Curry, said the bill would worsen groundwater decline, subsidence, and well failures in Salome and Wenden and favored outside investors over rural residents. After debate, the committee approved HB 2758 on a 4-3 vote. The committee also heard and advanced several other water-related bills. HB 2031, extending the deadline to apply for grandfathered groundwater rights in the Wilcox AMA from 15 to 27 months, passed 5-2 after some members said the extension was unnecessary and would delay protections. HB 2102, allowing county improvement districts in subsequent AMAs or groundwater transportation basins to use eminent domain for a well and standpipe site and water hauling, passed 4-3 after Sierra Club testimony called it a limited “band-aid” rather than a real solution. HB 2103, which would let water improvement programs accept gifts and dedicate groundwater transportation fee revenue to local residential water hauling and delivery, also passed 4-3. HB 2117, a technical cleanup bill shifting Environmental Special Plate Fund administration to the Natural Resource Conservation Board and raising education-center distributions from $5,000 to $10,000, passed 5-2 despite concerns about the fund’s administration. The committee then considered HB 2261, which changes agricultural property tax terminology and valuation rules. County assessors and the Arizona Association of Counties opposed it, warning it would effectively exempt many agricultural improvements from taxation and shift costs to residential taxpayers; the Arizona Farm Bureau supported it as a clarification that would provide certainty for agriculture. The bill passed 4-3. Finally, HB 2262, transferring the Resource Analysis Division from the State Land Department to the Arizona Geological Survey and revising geospatial advisory responsibilities, was introduced, with State Land Department staff saying they were neutral but noting the bill would need clearer statutory duties if RAD is removed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Farm data between 2017 and 2022 shows that the least profitable farms spend 15% to 30% more on fertilizer
• c> that the least profitable farms spend 15 that the least profitable farms spend 15 to<00:18:53.080>
• the most profitable farms. the most profitable farms. 2023<00:18:58.440> financial<00:18:
• I I purchased item in my farm.
• the well owners in cities or on farms. the well owners in cities or on farms.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a working horse farm.<00:44:01.560> Uh farm. Uh farm.
• Farm bill compliant specifically addresses Delta 9. So, they are farm bill compliant.
• It says farm bill compliant.
• It says farm bill compliant.
• It says farm bill compliant.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a farm stand.
• This is a farm stand.
• This is a farm stand. right? This is a farm stand.
• farm stand. farm stand. Now,<01:24:26.480> Mr.
• commercial farm commercial farm farm<02:44:22.920> to<02:44:23.040> commercial<02:

Keywords: 916, all