Transcript Highlights:

• My reason for this is because we and the Navajo Nation, there are 300 and more than 380 abandoned mines
• My reason for this is because we and the Navajo Nation, there are 300 and more than 380 abandoned mines
• My reason for this is because we and the Navajo Nation, there are 300 and more than 380 abandoned mines
• facility to nearby property owners if the mine existed prior to the enactment of that requirement.
• President to streamline the permitting process for new mines in the West.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long calendar of House bills across education, health, water, land, housing, labor, public safety, and taxation. Several measures dealt with artificial intelligence, including bills on AI disclosures for minors, AI-assisted divorce arbitration, an Arizona AI education program, AI privilege protections, and a required AI course in schools. Other topics included ESA administration funding, a prohibition on public money for certain foreign-controlled genetic sequencing devices, towing regulations, DUI and ignition interlock changes, health facility and nursing facility complaint timelines, internationally trained physicians, nurse anesthetist reimbursement, pharmacy penalties, childhood cancer research, cybersecurity encryption, school mental health instruction repeal, superintendent performance pay, adoption disclosures in student health settings, anti-Semitism in schools, and a range of water, land, and housing bills. Members frequently raised concerns about local control, unfunded mandates, constitutional issues, and the scope of state intervention. Several bills drew criticism for affecting school curriculum, public education, reproductive rights, protest activity, or tribal communities. Others were supported as technical fixes, consumer protections, or funding measures. The caucus also discussed a series of bills related to the Mexican gray wolf, state land management, solar and wind siting, groundwater transport, and rural development, with some members objecting that the proposals would undermine federal protections or tribal interests. A number of bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, including HB 2020, HB 2957, HCR 2044, HB 2352, HB 2667, HB 2906, HB 2093, HB 2386, HB 2481, HB 2830, HB 2076, HB 2411, HB 2136, HB 2665, and HB 2904. The meeting ended with an announcement of the Latino Caucus guest presentation and an emotional tribute to Reverend Jesse Jackson, followed by presentation of an Affordability Award to Representatives Lorena Austin and Stephanie Simacek for work on economic justice and working families. The caucus then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to just end with a personal note of motivation of mine.
• I'd like to just end with a personal note of motivation of mine.
• I grew up in Stephenville and would canoe down the Brazos River. ...of mine.
• In constructed wetlands as an after use of these gravel mines.
• I don't think mine need to be asked.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Nominations met to consider several gubernatorial nominees and first approved a slate of nominees left pending from the March 31 agenda. The committee voted 5-0 to favorably report those nominees to the full Senate for confirmation. Public testimony was then opened and later closed, with some listed witnesses not appearing. The committee heard testimony on Jerry K. Weldon II for the Brazos River Authority Board of Directors. Senators focused on stewardship of the Brazos River, the authority’s relationship to the legislature and the public, Sunset review, water quality and nutrient runoff, impaired waterways, and possible uses of constructed wetlands for aggregate mine reclamation. Weldon emphasized collaboration, transparency, and keeping the citizens of Texas as the authority’s primary customer. Commissioner Robert Vaughn was considered for reappointment to the Texas Transportation Commission. Discussion centered on TxDOT’s management, rural funding, population growth, project delivery, and the commissioner’s role on the audit committee. Doug McCreakin was considered for the Texas Tech University Board of Regents, with questions about legislative priorities, compliance with DEI-related state law, workforce development, rural medical education, and university partnerships. Jody Giles was considered for reappointment to the University of Texas Board of Regents, and Bernadette Carrasco Coleman for reappointment to the Texas Woman’s University Board of Regents; both discussed higher education priorities, PUF funding, compliance with state law, and student support programs. John Rutherford was considered for reappointment to the Teachers Retirement System Board of Trustees, with questions about fiduciary oversight, investment understanding, and keeping the retirement system solvent. Brigadier General Michael Boyd was also considered for appointment to the Texas Military Preparedness Commission, where discussion focused on military retention, child care, spouse licensing, base infrastructure, and grant funding for Texas installations. The committee did not take final votes on these later nominees during the hearing and left them pending subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the second tronom mine.
• earth talked about and and the mine earth talked about and and the mine sites,<00:06:41.520>
• of of mine sites and and permitted mine of of mine sites and and permitted mine lands<00:18:19.120
• if they have mine site areas and mine if they have mine site areas and mine marries,<00:21:42.559
• And specifically, this isn't just for... those mines. They could be we could be those mines.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Back in the 40s and 50s, we had iron mines. I mean, we actually had iron mines.
• Back in the 40s and 50s, we had iron mines. I mean, we actually had iron mines.
• Uh, back in the 40s and 50s, we had iron mines. I mean, we actually had iron mines.
• , Hannah mines.
• I mean, we actually mines, Hannah mines.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's also a letter from Representative Warwas from Mining Minnesota.
• There's also a letter from Representative Warwas from Mining Minnesota.
• There's also a letter from Representative Warwas from Mining Minnesota.
• There's also a letter from Representative Warwas from Mining Minnesota.
• There's also a letter from Representative Warwas from Mining Minnesota.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 8, which was moved for referral to the Labor and Workforce Development Committee. The bill’s author described it as a permitting and environmental review reform measure intended to maintain environmental standards while making permitting more predictable and timely for businesses, municipalities, and agricultural projects. He walked through nine sections, including limiting Wetland Conservation Act extension requests, requiring the MPCA to issue permitting efficiency reports twice a year, separating municipal and industrial permit data, allowing judicial review when the MPCA misses a 150-day two-tier permit goal, requiring quicker notice of incomplete applications, allowing separate construction and operation permits, creating a business permitting ombudsman at DEED, eliminating duplicative scoping EA requirements for projects already requiring a mandatory EIS, and adding an intent statement that the bill does not relax standards. The author and supporters emphasized that the bill is meant to reduce delays and duplication rather than weaken protections. He cited letters of support from groups including Building Trades, Mining Minnesota, pork producers, the Minnesota Biofuels Association, Apex, and the Red River Watershed, while noting that some groups opposed the bill. Testimony in support came from the Minnesota Pork Producers Association, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, the Red River Watershed Management Board, and Minnesota Milk, all of whom said permitting delays and inconsistent processes add significant cost and uncertainty. They argued the bill would help farmers, watershed projects, and businesses invest and expand in Minnesota while preserving environmental standards. Supporters also provided examples of the costs of current permitting processes, including long delays for air permits, repeated extensions, and large sums spent on environmental review before projects are halted or delayed. The Red River Watershed Management Board said its projects have spent millions on permitting and review, with some projects taking years and involving many permits from state, local, and federal agencies. Minnesota Milk said the bill and amendment would let farmers and responsible governmental units sequence applications more efficiently. No vote was taken in the portion provided beyond the motion to recommend re-referral, and the committee proceeded to public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was the right to hold and transact, the right to mine, and then treating it as a commodity and not
• Um, we had some language changes from last year on the mining section of the bill.
• So this bill this year does not deal with mining or anything like that, so that section is gone.
• <00:03:00.159> and<00:03:00.280> then transact the right to mine and then transact
• from last year on on the uh the mining from last year on on the uh the mining section<00:03:07.640

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum and first introduced a guest before taking up House Bill 701, sponsored by Representative Adam Bowling. The committee adopted a committee substitute by voice vote. Bowling explained that the substitute removed the bill’s mining-related language and added clarification that the bill does not require anyone to accept digital assets as payment. The bill was described as a measure to modernize Kentucky’s approach to digital assets and blockchain technology, protect the right to hold and transact in digital assets, and clarify that certain crypto activities are not securities; it also preserves authority for the Attorney General to pursue fraud under existing consumer protection laws. Members asked questions about why Kentucky should act before federal regulators fully resolve whether digital assets are securities or commodities, whether the bill affected local zoning authority, and how the measure addresses consumer protection and money laundering concerns. Bowling and a Coinbase representative said the bill is intended to provide clarity, align Kentucky with emerging federal developments, and avoid stifling innovation. They noted that Coinbase remains subject to federal AML/KYC rules and that recent federal litigation over staking and securities issues had been dismissed. Several members said they supported the bill as a way to put Kentucky in a leading position, while others expressed uncertainty about the security-versus-commodity question. The committee then voted on House Bill 701 as amended by the substitute. The bill passed on a roll call vote, with most members voting yes. Representative Camuel passed, saying she wanted more time to understand the issue, and Representative Grossberg voted yes with reservations. Representative Hancock and others said the bill’s regulatory clarity and consumer protection aspects were important, and Representative Lockett said the measure would help Kentucky be ready once federal regulators decide how crypto should be classified.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative<00:25:49.680> Mines.<00:25:50.400> Yes. Representative Mines. Yes.
• Representative Mines. Yes. Yes. Representative Mines. Yes. Representative<00:33:54.360> Run.
• Representative<00:48:25.520> Mines.<00:48:26.120> No. Representative Mines. No.
• Representative Mines: Yes. Representative Run: Yes. Chairman Campbell: Yes.
• Representative<00:49:28.120> Mines. Representative Mines. Representative Mines. Yes. Yes.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 408 FN, which expands prosthetic device insurance coverage from children to individuals over 19, with limits on activity-specific devices and one device every five years. Members noted an indeterminate fiscal impact beginning in fiscal year 2028, but speakers said the bill addressed a gap in current coverage and had already been supported unanimously in policy. The committee voted 9-0 to recommend ought to pass. Next, Senate Bill 534 FN, dealing with compliance with foreign influence and funding restrictions for political expenditures and contributions, was discussed and then approved. Supporters said it clarifies that the restrictions apply to local elections and constitutional amendment questions as well as state and federal elections, and that enforcement costs would be minimal absent violations. The committee voted 9-0 to recommend ought to pass. The committee then considered Senate Bill 538, extending net metering eligibility terms for municipal energy projects. Members discussed a proposed amendment to align the bill with related conference committee language in HB 221 and to address projects already in the pipeline, but the amendment failed on a 4-5 vote. The underlying bill was then recommended ought to pass on a 9-0 vote. The committee also heard extensive testimony on Senate Bill 541 FNA, which reallocates existing capital funds for regional drinking water infrastructure in southern New Hampshire, including PFAS-related work and the southern regional waterline project; after discussion of funding sources and project impacts, it was approved 9-0. Finally, the committee began work on Senate Bill 557 FN, which would prohibit liquor commission licensees from selling or allowing certain kratom products. Representative Sweeney offered an amendment intended to narrow the bill to target semi-synthetic and synthetic kratom products while preserving lawful natural products, and members discussed enforcement scope and fiscal impact. The transcript ends during that discussion, before a final vote on the amendment or bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• , apply the same exclusion to gas and oil mining companies as other mining companies, and to create a
• companies as other um gas and oil mining companies as other um mining<00:53:13.720> companies
• issued to the PolyMet proposed copper-nickel sulfide mine.
• How do you protect the adjacent landowners and the state from any type of mining incident or mining damage
• Etc what is the dnr's approach to mining Etc what is the dnr's approach to mining activities<01:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund requests and laid them over for possible inclusion. Senate File 673 sought $795,000 to help replace or refurbish the structurally unsound Marshall bandshell. Senator Gary Dames, Marshall Mayor Bob Burns, and Parks and Recreation Superintendent Preston Stenard described the bandshell as an iconic community venue used for concerts and arts events, noting prior repairs in 2004, a 2001 structural report, and the need for full replacement due to settlement and deterioration near the Redwood River. They said the project has local support and a local funding commitment for the remaining costs. Senate File 627 requested $850,000 for the Olmsted County Historical Society to continue rehabilitation of the George Stoppel Farmstead. Senator Liz Balden, Dr. Mark Warner, and Commissioner Sanum said the site includes three National Register buildings and preserves immigration and agricultural history in southeast Minnesota. They reported that $1.1 million had already been raised and that prior Legacy funding helped stabilize one structure, but additional work is needed on the bank barn and Stoppel house to complete restoration and improve accessibility. Senate File 822 proposed $65,000 in fiscal year 2026 for the Minnesota State Band to provide free public performances across Minnesota. Testifier Craig Allen said the volunteer band, formed in 1898, uses the funding to travel to small towns and schools, including outreach to students and veterans. Conductor Keith Leuty emphasized the educational value of school visits and upcoming concerts in Moose Lake, Grand Rapids, and Cloquet, including a performance at Fond du Lac Ojibwe School. Members expressed support, and the bill was also laid over. The committee then began hearing Senate File 575, which would appropriate $3.8 million for the Grand Rapids Old Central School renovation. Senator Iorn, city councilor Rick Blake, and City Administrator Tom Pagel described the 1895 building as a historic and arts-centered community landmark with artist residencies, galleries, concerts, and other public uses. They said the building needs major repairs, including a new roof, structural truss work, HVAC replacement, and ADA and elevator upgrades, and they were in the middle of detailing those needs when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is similar to mine. You're right. That is similar. I misspoke. That is similar to mine.
• That is similar to mine. Okay.
• So for example, mine had three years of TTD. This bill says four years of TTD.
• On mine, we took out the, we raised the TTD from three years to four years.
• A personal friend of mine worked for the city of Shreveport.

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 408 by Senator Myers, a major workers’ compensation overhaul centered on creating an all-claims medical database, requiring electronic reporting and billing, and modernizing fee schedule and claims data collection. Myers said the bill was designed to improve transparency, reduce disputes, address outliers and abuse, and help injured workers return to work faster. The committee adopted technical amendments, then considered a large amendment set combining portions of House bills 780 and 1101, which added preliminary determination procedures, fraud language, temporary total disability and supplemental earnings benefit changes, and a fallback deadline for the department to establish a fee schedule if no agreement is reached by 2029. Several members and witnesses objected that the amendments were dropped late and would turn SB 408 into an omnibus bill; supporters argued the package was the best chance for comprehensive reform. After debate, the committee adopted the amendments and reported SB 408 favorably as amended. Testimony on SB 408 was sharply divided. Supporters, including some providers and injured-worker advocates, said the bill’s core value was transparency through the database and that the system needed modernization and a better fee schedule. Opponents argued the added amendments would burden pro se claimants, expand litigation, and weaken injured workers’ rights, especially through fraud and preliminary hearing provisions. Committee members also questioned whether the combined package was germane and whether it should be allowed to move as a single reform measure. Louisiana Workforce Commission staff explained the timeline for data collection, electronic billing, dispute rules, and eventual fee schedule rulemaking, and said the department could execute the law as amended. The committee then turned to House Bill 585 by Representative Chasson, concerning workplace violence and safety plans for small-box discount retailers. The bill was revised through a substitute that required covered retailers to develop and submit a written workforce safety plan, or submit an existing plan if one already existed. Representative Glorioso raised concerns that requiring a written safety plan could create new civil liability under Louisiana’s assumption-of-duty doctrine and increase litigation and insurance costs. Chasson responded that the intent was simply to encourage safety planning and that businesses already had such plans. The committee discussed possible narrowing language, but the transcript ends before a final disposition on HB 585 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• June of 2014, to be exact, 11 years ago, Chevron announced that they were shutting down the mine.
• And it would never no longer be a mine or a mining community. On that day.
• We were a mining community for 98 years, probably beyond that, but as an official mining company was
• Uh, East is an abandoned mine that is full of water and they pump, pump it out every day.
• Got a nine year old kid mining the minerals that we need out of a mine somewhere in the world, uh, and

Transcript Highlights:

• > definition<01:44:51.760> for >> Mine doesn't have a definition for >> Mine
• It It takes takes takes >> Mine<01:46:22.400> Mine.
• <01:46:23.840> the<01:46:24.000> word >> Mine Mine.
• So mine just removes the word >> Mine Mine.
• his bill then may continue forward mine his bill then may continue forward mine fall<01:50:28.080

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for families across the Northeastern United States, and new tax revenue for rural communities like mine
• can require before approving mining operations.
• Mine operators are no longer...
• SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISATION DISTRICT MANAGERS CAN REQUIRE BEFORE APPROVING MINING OPERATIONS.
• MINE OPERATORS ARE NO LONGER Required to give hard copies of hazard communications.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the north gallery, I've got a good friend of mine, Miss Carolina Heathcock.
• see a friend of mine from Rankin County, Miss Leslie Davis.
• Something is wrong with mine.
• I'm going to work on mine. I'm good. Thank you.
• I'd give you mine, gentlemen, but it's already given away.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 1 April, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In clinics like mine, we'd have to hire specific people whose only job was to do prior authorizations
• um<00:03:07.200> in<00:03:07.360> clinics<00:03:07.680> like<00:03:07.840> mine
• , we'd have to um in clinics like mine, we'd have to hire<00:03:08.959> specific<00:03:09.440>
• Jason is a constituent of mine. And I met Jason back in 2020 when I started this campaign.
• And I met Jason back in 2020 when mine.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That is similar to mine. You're right. That is similar. I misspoke. That is similar to mine.
• That is similar to mine. Okay.
• On mine, we took out the TTD from three years to four years.
• I have a good friend of mine that owns an insurance company for workers' comp.
• A personal friend of mine worked for the city of Shreveport.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 408 by Senator Myers, a workers’ compensation overhaul creating an all-claims medical database, requiring electronic reporting and billing, and setting up confidentiality, rulemaking, and penalties. Senator Myers said the bill was meant to modernize a paper-based system, speed injured workers back to care and work, reduce disputes through a more predictable fee schedule, address outliers and abuse, and generate reliable data for future fee-schedule decisions. Representative Melarine then offered a large amendment package combining portions of House Bills 780 and 1101 into SB 408, adding preliminary-determination procedures, changes to benefit durations, fraud language, and a deadline for the department to establish a fee schedule if no agreement is reached. Supporters said the package would create a more complete reform; opponents argued the additions were rushed, not germane, and would harm injured workers, especially those without lawyers, by adding technical filing burdens and stricter fraud consequences. After debate, the committee adopted the amendment package, then adopted a follow-up amendment removing the word “potential” from a fines provision and deleting the fraud section, and finally reported SB 408 with amendments on a divided vote. Testimony on SB 408 was sharply split. Proponents, including Alton Ashy and Trey Mustian, argued the bill’s transparency and data-collection provisions were the most important part, that the system needs a modern fee schedule, and that the added reforms would help control costs and speed payment. Opponents, including Shannon Lindsay and another injured-worker advocate, said the original bill was a good compromise but the added provisions changed its character and would disadvantage pro se claimants, remove materiality from fraud law, and reduce benefits for seriously injured workers. Committee members also questioned the timeline for the database and fee schedule, the effect of historical data gaps, and whether the reforms would help employers and injured workers alike. The committee ultimately agreed the bill still contained its core goals of faster care, predictable fees, anti-abuse measures, and modernization. The committee then moved to House Bill 585 by Representative Chasson, a workplace-violence/safety measure for small-box discount retailers. Chasson explained that the bill had been narrowed to require retailers to submit an existing written workforce safety plan, or develop one if they do not already have one, with no penalties attached. The committee adopted a substitute bill incorporating prior amendments. Representative Glorioso noted continuing concerns about civil-liability implications and the duty to protect against third-party criminal acts, but the bill was advanced from committee after the substitute was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we mine a deposit that's unique anywhere in the world.
• Uh, we mine about 16 million tons of trona annually.
• Uh, we mine a deposit that's unique anywhere in the world.
• Uh, we mine about 16 million tons of trona annually.
• Um, we are the biggest uh trona mine in the world of natural trona.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• New Mexico and making New Mexico a national sacrifice area for AI data banks, uranium mines, oil and
• New Mexico and making New Mexico a national sacrifice area for AI data banks, uranium mines, oil and
• Right now, in the cobalt mines of the Congo, Right now, in the cobalt mines of the Congo, 40,000 children
• corporations, some of which Wall Street owns, to mine cobalt, a necessary ingredient in technology.
• To mine cobalt, an unnecessary ingredient in technology.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this bill is very troubling to me, because this bill allows mining operators to place reclamation
• I have mines around where I live in southern Arizona, and there's still an old mine, several mines, that
• I have mines around where I live. That cleanup happens.
• I have mines around where I live in southern Arizona, and there's still an old mine, several mines, that
• House Bill 2795 in Act of Mining Section 11, 812, Errors, Rice, Statute, Planey County Zoning.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, approval of the journal, and several guest introductions, including the doctor of the day, Arizona State Troopers Day participants, the Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and a Delta Sigma Theta delegation. A Senate proclamation was read recognizing the Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association for its work serving people with communication disorders. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole and later third-reading votes on a large number of House bills, with several members offering floor explanations on controversial measures. Among the bills considered in Committee of the Whole were HB 2133 on sexual material and synthetic depictions, HB 2167 relating to the Attorney General, HB 2600 on school clubs and parental consent, HB 255 on brackish groundwater recovery, HB 2787 on Mexican wolf reintroduction cooperation, HB 2795 on small modular reactor zoning, HB 2985 on state land water allocations, and HB 2003 on driver instruction permits. HB 2133 was amended, including a floor amendment adding exemptions for parody, comedy, artistic expression, and criticism, and the committee recommended it do pass as amended. HB 2787 and HB 2985 advanced after divided votes, while HB 2795 failed in the later floor vote. HB 2003 was amended to add a delayed effective date of December 1, 2026 and advanced out of committee. On third reading, the Senate passed HB 2013, 2031, 2102, 2103, 2117, 2226, 2262, 2278, 2378, 2584, 2693, 2270, 2370, 2665, 2666, 2876, 487, 2003, 255, 2133, 2167, 2600, 2787, 2811, and 2985, with several votes split largely along party lines. HB 2795 was defeated. Debate focused heavily on water policy, public safety, school parental consent, speech and sexual-material regulation, local control over zoning, and the Attorney General’s authority. The Senate also agreed to a free conference committee for HB 2874 and appointed Senators Finchem, Bolick, and Ortiz, then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, we think it's really important that the workers at those two mines that have been shut down just
• You know, the mining community and the northern Minnesota, the Iron Range area is really looking for
• that have been shut down those two mines that have been shut down just<00:07:12.080> have<00:
• <00:08:28.080> community<00:08:28.400> and you know, the the mining community and you
• know, the the mining community and the<00:08:28.879> northern<00:08:29.280> Minnesota,

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I wish I had remembered mine; we coordinated that today. Thank you for your time.
• I wish I had remembered mine; we coordinated that today. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• That being one of them was a particular focus of mine for a possible research farm.
• one of them that was a particular focus one of them that was a particular focus of<00:12:32.399> mine
• for a research a possible of mine for a research a possible research<00:12:34.519> Farm<00:12

Keywords: 00:00 – Introduction 00:20 – Attendance Roll Call 1:32 – Discussion of HB 24 03:00 – Roll Call Vote 04:00 – Discussion of HB 304 07:19 – Roll Call Vote 08:54 – Discussion of HB 186 09:46 – Roll Call Vote 11:00 – Discussion of HB 315 13:09 – Roll Call Vote, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, heard brief announcements, and moved quickly through four House bills. House Bill 24, as amended by a committee substitute, would raise the audit threshold for conservation districts from $750,000 to $1 million and also clarify that temporary roads, highways, and structures may be built on certain easements if they are removed when work is complete. The substitute was adopted, the bill passed on a roll call vote, and a title amendment was also adopted. House Bill 304, presented by Rep. Ryan Bivens with support from the Kentucky Soybean Association, would adjust soybean checkoff language so the state checkoff could rise from one-quarter to one-half percent if the federal checkoff ever ends, keeping funding levels effectively the same and allowing the state board to continue promotion, research, and education work. Members asked about the cost impact on farmers, and sponsors said there would be no added cost because the language is intended as a backup to match the current federal rate. The bill passed unanimously with favorable expression. House Bill 186 would streamline rules for churches and nonprofits providing food to homeless shelters or people displaced by declared natural disasters, reducing regulatory barriers for safe, wholesome food service. The sponsor argued current requirements are too restrictive for simple food distribution. The bill passed. House Bill 315, with a committee substitute, would protect agricultural land from entities tied to designated hostile governments, while also allowing some land to be used or leased for research purposes; the sponsor noted the substitute reflected prior work and concerns from bankers about lien priorities, which he said he would address later on the floor. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill passed unanimously. The committee then adjourned.