Video & Transcript : 'agriculture finance' :
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TX
Texas 89th Regular
Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs May 19th, 2025
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs will come to order.
- Department of Agriculture to conduct a buyout.
- The Texas Agricultural Finance Authority was created within the Texas Department of Agriculture to provide
- financial assistance for the expansion and development of Texas agriculture and agricultural products
- House Bill 43 updates the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority through restructuring of the board to
Keywords:
agriculture, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, honey production, beekeeping, food safety, local regulation, bovine producers, dairy farms, permits, bovine tuberculosis, public health, wildlife management, disease prevention, alert system, Texas A&M, white-tailed deer, public safety
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs met with only four members initially present, so quorum was not established until later in the hearing. The committee heard several agriculture-, wildlife-, and food-labeling-related bills, including HB 3479 on expanding the Rio Grande vegetative management program beyond carrizo cane to other noxious vegetation, SB 823 on shrimp origin labeling and restrictions on misrepresenting imported shrimp as Texas or Gulf shrimp, HB 3088 on giving Texas Parks and Wildlife more flexibility to procure resale goods for park gift shops, HB 1275 on permits for non-bovine dairy farms in certain TB-affected areas, HB 519 on honey production and packaging rules, HB 609 on cleaning oyster cages in-bay with bay water only, HB 1592 on a voluntary AgriLife pest and disease alert system, HB 2842 on targeted urban deer depredation permits, and HB 4163 on limiting city requirements that agricultural operators maintain roadside rights-of-way. Testimony generally came from industry groups, agency resource witnesses, and affected producers, with most witnesses supporting the bills and several bills drawing questions about enforcement, labeling responsibility, and the scope of local authority.
The most extensive discussion centered on SB 823, where Vice Chair Hancock and others questioned why wholesalers would be covered if they cannot relabel products. The bill author and restaurant association witness said the measure was intended to improve transparency and allow enforcement against intentional mislabeling, while preserving a good-faith defense and clarifying that the bill does not create a private cause of action. HB 519 also drew supportive testimony from beekeepers and a family farm, who argued that current rules treat honey extraction and bottling too much like food manufacturing and burden small operations. HB 609 was presented as a way to save time and resources for cultivated oyster mariculture by allowing cage cleaning in the bay without soaps or chemicals, and HB 1592 was described as a voluntary opt-in alert system for pests and diseases coordinated through AgriLife and other state agencies.
HB 43 generated the most detailed policy debate. The bill would restructure and expand the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority, update grant and loan programs, and create a pest and disease control depredation program. The committee substitute reduced some funding caps, changed references from predators to depredating animals, and made the financial provisions contingent on appropriations. Supporters from Texas Farm Bureau, cotton growers, grain and feed interests, and young farmers described severe drought, inflation, land loss, rising input costs, and shrinking infrastructure as major threats to agriculture, while one witness urged preserving priority for young farmers. After testimony, the committee adopted the committee substitute and reported HB 43 favorably. The committee also voted HB 519, HB 609, HB 1275, HB 1592, HB 3088, HB 3479, HB 2842, and HB 4163 favorably, with several recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. SB 823 was reported from committee on a 6-2 vote after adoption of the committee substitute. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would tentatively reconvene Friday morning and then recessed subject to the chair's call.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs May 19th, 2025
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- The Texas Agricultural Finance Authority was created within the Texas Department of Agriculture to provide
- Culture and agricultural products.
- House Bill 43 updates the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority through restructuring of the board. to
- I'm in agriculture at 26 years old.
- We opened up the agricultural world to all that we knew.
Keywords:
agriculture, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, honey production, beekeeping, food safety, local regulation, bovine producers, dairy farms, permits, bovine tuberculosis, public health, wildlife management, disease prevention, alert system, Texas A&M, white-tailed deer, public safety
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 2/26/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- [Music] The hour of 1:00 having arrived, I call this meeting of the House Agriculture Finance and Policy
- Continued support of the Board of Animal Health and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture needs to
- The Department of Agriculture is heading that up; their jurisdiction is over liquid milk.
- </c><01:19:10.679><c> as</c> the recommendations from agriculture as the recommendations from agriculture
- The Department of Agriculture has been participating in terms of how we will handle the damage.
Keywords:
agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, skills path program, career and technical education, CTE, dual credit, postsecondary options enrollment, apprenticeship, apprenticeship readiness, dual training, work-based learning, career pathways, skilled trades, workforce development, high school to career
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- than accrued, ensuring taxpayers are not overcharged while maintaining local government ability to finance
- I was specifically discussing it with our city's finance director, and she said yes, this happens.
- I was specifically discussing it with our city's finance director, and she said yes, this happens.
Keywords:
microenterprise home kitchen operation, cottage food, home-based food business, home kitchen license, homemade food, prepared food, food entrepreneur, small food business, cottage food law, food safety training, ServSafe, food handler license, agriculture department, Minnesota food law, residential kitchen, local zoning, consumer labeling, allergen labeling, unpasteurized juice, time/temperature control for safety food
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- So in the finance committee, when I presented the bill, we were worried about fraud in.
- It contains cleanup and modernization language for the State Finance Act.
- So, in my explanation of increasing the financing caps, you'll see that they that the that the ODA ODFA
- Finance Pool yield for questions.
- But when this first came across the finance committee, there are so many what we received.
Bills:
HB2947, HB3257, HB3264, HB3834, HB3940, HB3944, HB3979, HB4003, HB4118, HB4326, HB4346, HB4421
Keywords:
behavioral health, Medicaid expansion, clinical interns, mental health services, licensing requirements, veterans, disability benefits, federal law, Oklahoma Statutes, military service, criminal justice, minimum sentences, parole eligibility, violent crimes, Oklahoma statutes, HB3834, Oklahoma Breakthrough Therapy Act, ibogaine, ibogaine-based therapeutics, ibogaine analogs
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/13/2026 - House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
Natural Resources, Energy & Water
Transcript Highlights:
- I staff this committee as well as the Committee on Land, Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
- I'm the research analyst for both this committee and the Committee on Land, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
- 2024 expands the definition of water supply development as it pertains to the Water Infrastructure Finance
- Judah Waxelbaum, Chief of Government Affairs for the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona
- So we'll go back and have a presentation for the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority. Welcome.
Keywords:
water infrastructure finance authority, WIFA, water supply development, snowpack augmentation, cloud seeding, water augmentation, water financing, water infrastructure, Arizona water law, water conservation, groundwater recharge, stormwater recharge, reclamation and reuse, water rights, water supply projects, public-private partnership, long-term water augmentation fund, water provider, desalination, drought mitigation
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/17/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The hour of 1:00 having arrived, I’ll call this meeting of the House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee
- </c><00:26:32.120><c> to</c> year to the Department of Agriculture to year to the Department of Agriculture
- </c> types of crops or or agricultural types of crops or or agricultural production<00:41:02.599><c>
- </c> addresses every aspect of Agriculture addresses every aspect of Agriculture that<00:51:13.559><c
- </c><01:04:56.559><c> in</c> at a pivotal moment for agriculture in at a pivotal moment for agriculture
Keywords:
HF363, property tax credit, agricultural water quality credit, Minnesota agricultural water quality certification program, clean water fund, class 2a, class 2b, certified acres, conservation incentive, water quality, agricultural property, county assessor, county auditor, Department of Revenue, Department of Agriculture, property tax reimbursement, school district reimbursement, legacy finance, taxes committee, southeastern Minnesota
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
HF2444, the veterans and military affairs finance bill, heard in Ways and Means Committee 4/21/25
Ways and Means
Keywords:
agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Ways and Means Committee considers agriculture finance bill, HF2446 4/21/25
Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- Agriculture usually is the least partisan, and I think we showed that again this year.
- He said agriculture is facing some pretty difficult times coming up in the next year or so, and this
- was not the time to increase fees on anybody associated with agriculture.
- <00:17:01.040><c> Utilization</c><00:17:01.600><c> Research</c> Agricultural Utilization Research Agricultural
- Again, this is the agriculture bill.
Keywords:
agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> wraps up the Department of Agriculture. wraps up the Department of Agriculture.
- ,</c><00:37:00.079><c> hey</c> tell Department of Agriculture, hey tell Department of Agriculture, hey
- Again, this is the agriculture bill.
- Again, this is the agriculture bill.
- Again, this is the agriculture bill.
Keywords:
agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Apr 22nd, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- participate in STEM, civic engagement, healthy living, leisure sciences, natural resources, and agriculture
- And, whereas 4H programming beyond traditional agricultural products includes food and nutrition, horticulture
- literacy through project management, they're strengthening work ethic and responsibility through agriculture
- various chemical components contained in municipal sewage sludge that gets supplied to land in an agricultural
Bills:
HB3834, HB3940, HB4346, HB2947, HB3257, HB3264, HB4326, HB4421, HB3944, HB3979, HB4118, SCR22, SB169, HB1047, HB2123, HB2650, HB3260, HB3403, SR41, HB3649, HB3742, HB3831, HB3996, HB4321, HB4339
Keywords:
HB3834, Oklahoma Breakthrough Therapy Act, ibogaine, ibogaine-based therapeutics, ibogaine analogs, clinical trials, FDA approval, breakthrough therapy designation, opioid use disorder, substance use disorder, traumatic brain injury, mental health, neurological disorders, drug development, public-private partnership, State Department of Health, intellectual property, revolving fund, research funding, medical licensing
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Apr 22nd, 2026
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- participate in STEM, civic engagement, healthy living, leisure sciences, natural resources, and agriculture
- models and provide leadership to club members; and whereas 4-H programming goes beyond traditional agricultural
- They're strengthening work ethic and responsibility through agriculture, STEM, and civic engagement programs
- They're strengthening work ethic and responsibility through agriculture, STEM, and civic engagement programs
- various chemical components contained in municipal sewage sludge that gets applied to land in an agricultural
Bills:
HB3834, HB3940, HB4346, HB2947, HB3257, HB3264, HB4326, HB4421, HB3944, HB3979, HB4118, SCR22, SB169, HB1047, HB2123, HB2650, HB3260, HB3403, SR41, HB3649, HB3742, HB3831, HB3996, HB4321, HB4339
Keywords:
HB3834, Oklahoma Breakthrough Therapy Act, ibogaine, ibogaine-based therapeutics, ibogaine analogs, clinical trials, FDA approval, breakthrough therapy designation, opioid use disorder, substance use disorder, traumatic brain injury, mental health, neurological disorders, drug development, public-private partnership, State Department of Health, intellectual property, revolving fund, research funding, medical licensing
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, and recognized several guests and groups in the gallery, including the Ponca City High School Poe High Steppers, the Edmond Democratic Women, family members of senators, a Grace Reform Baptist Church co-op group, and Oklahoma 4-H participants. The chamber also honored the Red Oak Lady Eagles state championship basketball team with a citation and remarks celebrating their first school basketball title and strong season.
The Senate adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 22, supporting the Lights Out Oklahoma campaign to reduce bird mortality during migration by encouraging reduced exterior lighting in peak migration months. The chamber also adopted Senate Resolution 41, proclaiming April 22, 2026, as the 27th annual 4-H Day at the Capitol, with testimony from 4-H representatives emphasizing youth leadership, civic engagement, and workforce readiness.
Several bills passed, including House Bill 169 (house amendments adopted and the bill passed as an emergency measure), House Bill 2123 on the Arkansas River bridge, House Bill 2650 on summary administration estate thresholds, House Bill 3260 on funeral director continuing education approvals, House Bill 3403 on a DEQ/OSU sewage sludge pilot study, House Bill 3649 on the Mental Health Department real property trust, House Bill 3742 on criminal discovery, House Bill 3831 on a Task Force One revolving fund, House Bill 3996 on indigent defense experts in capital cases, House Bill 4321 on limits on retroactive building rule application, and House Bill 4339 on summary administration notice timing. House Bill 1047, which would have authorized a tribal sports betting framework and related revenue distributions, drew extensive debate over gambling addiction, revenue, tribal compacts, geofencing, and NIL funding, but failed 21-27; Senator Coleman gave notice of intent to reconsider. The Senate then announced an Appropriations Committee meeting and adjourned until the next scheduled session.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- So that's Baja Agricultural Park. Okay.
- So that's Baja Agricultural Park. Okay.
- So that's Baja Agricultural Park. Okay.
- </c> relating to agriculture park leases. relating to agriculture park leases.
- </c><01:29:39.840><c> to</c><01:29:40.080><c> plan</c> agricultural leases allows us to plan agricultural
Bills:
HB1817, HB2056, HB2616, HB1718, HB1842, HB1740, HB1919, HB1616, HB1774, HB1984, HB1603, HB2171
Keywords:
fishing regulation, ʻamaʻama, striped mullet, bag limit, overfishing, Hawaii fisheries, funding, appropriations, Honolulu, housing, construction, grant-in-aid, community development, Banyan Drive, Hawaii community development authority, cultural revitalization, special fund, public safety, economic development, affordable housing
Summary:
The committee heard HB 1817, which would create a daily bag limit for amaa/ama fish to protect Hawaii’s fisheries. DLNR said the biggest stressor on amaa populations is diversion of freshwater flows that cut off food sources for juvenile fish, and suggested that place-by-place rulemaking with fishers and stakeholders would be the most effective approach. A teacher and several Waialua Elementary students testified in strong support, describing research on declining catch data, cultural importance, and the need to preserve the fish for future generations. Other supporters said the fish is being outcompeted by invasive species and cited historical declines, including testimony that bag limits in Hilo Bay have helped increase populations.
Committee members asked DLNR about traditional and cultural gathering rights, whether the bill’s bag limit would apply to native Hawaiian practices, and whether the limit was 10 per day or per season. DLNR said constitutional Hawaiian practices are protected, but also noted that if the bag limit is set in statute it would limit the department’s flexibility to tailor rules by area. Members also asked about other conservation efforts, and DLNR said fish pond revitalization and amaa production are underway statewide. One member raised concern that a statewide statutory limit might not fit conditions on every island, and DLNR said it has authority to adopt area-specific rules through rulemaking, though that process can take months to more than a year.
The committee then moved to HP 206, an appropriations measure for the City and County of Honolulu involving school land transfers, and HP 266B relating to Banyan Drive. On HP 206, the county said the request is a one-time item and estimated costs were about $3.25 million, with the city and county already spending more than $350,000 on the transfers. On HP 266B, HCDA said it is conducting a master planning effort for Banyan Drive and plans a community visioning exercise this summer. Testimony from the Banyan Drive redevelopment agency emphasized the need for more flexible land-tenure rules, while OHA supported the bill with amendments to include cultural specialists and lineal descendants in the redevelopment process and to protect ceded lands. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 2/17/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The hour at 1:00 having arrived, I will call the meeting of the House Agriculture Finance and Policy
- If they have an agriculture, food, or natural resource type degree, our agriculture teacher preparation
- If they have an agriculture, food, or natural resource type degree, our agriculture teacher preparation
- </c> Recruitment and Retention of Agriculture Recruitment and Retention of Agriculture teachers<00:20
- </c> that and as we understand Agriculture that and as we understand Agriculture and<00:26:41.559><c>
Keywords:
agriculture, agricultural education, leadership development, Minnesota Agricultural Education and Leadership Council, MAELC, chapter 41D, grant funding, general fund appropriation, commissioner of agriculture, farm education, youth agriculture programs, ag literacy, workforce development, extension education, research funding, extension services, technology transfer, grant programs, 1183, house
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- Substitute House Bill 2236 concerns the State Housing Finance Commission.
- to make sure that we're cleaning up all of the Housing Trust Fund, I mean, I'm sorry, the House Financing
- general concern as well on our side that this might be a little bit of an expansion to the Housing Finance
- to make sure that we're cleaning up all of the Housing Trust Fund, I mean, I'm sorry, the House Financing
- general concern as well on our side that this might be a little bit of an expansion to the Housing Finance
Keywords:
housing finance, affordable housing, housing commission, state agency, financial assistance, tribal relations, government, state policy, sovereignty, federalism, HB 2514, global war on terror, GWOT, war on terror memorial, Capitol campus memorial, Washington veterans, fallen service members, military memorial, post-9/11 veterans, Iraq War
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
AEN-WLA-EIG, AEN-WLA-EDT, AEN-GVO, AEN DEFER, AEN, AEN-EDU Public Hearings 02-18-2026
Agriculture and Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:04:40.440><c> park</c><00:04:40.680><c> land</c> non-agricultural park land non-agricultural park
- and agricultural technology.
- First of all, Kitayashi and education DOE. of agriculture and agricultural of agriculture and agricultural
- Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.
- </c> they're doing their agriculture? they're doing their agriculture?
Keywords:
workforce development, agriculture, biosecurity, pilot program, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, University of Hawaii, Leeward Community College, DHRD, training, apprenticeship, career pathways, credentialing, job training, internship, hands-on experience, state employment, workforce pipeline, agricultural jobs, biosecurity jobs, general fund appropriation
Summary:
The committees first heard SB 2371, which would prioritize lease offers on agrivoltaics parcels for beginning farmers, require annual compliance reports to DAB, authorize penalties for noncompliance, and allow solar facilities on certain agricultural lands. DAB, the State Energy Office, PUC, and Hawaii Farm Bureau generally supported the intent, while OPPSD recommended amendments to preserve agricultural lease affordability and strengthen food-production language. Members questioned whether the bill would meaningfully encourage solar on ag lands, whether beginning farmers would have enough information to use such parcels, and how the bill would interact with Land Use Commission review. The Farm Bureau said agrivoltaics remains challenging and largely in pilot form, and noted the Mililani project as a promising example of dual use. The committees voted to pass SB 2371 with amendments, with one member expressing a preference that it be opened to all farmers rather than only beginning farmers.
The next measure, SB 2800, appropriates funds to DAB, DLNR, and ADC for acquisition, repair, and maintenance of irrigation systems. All testifying agencies and the Farm Bureau supported the bill, and members pressed them for estimates of needed funding and the condition of existing systems. DAB cited major repair needs, including Waimea, Molokai, Kahuku, and Kawailoa, and said its backlog could total roughly $65 million; ADC estimated about $35 million for several systems; and DLNR said its current needs for three systems were about $35 million, with the largest cost tied to piping in Kekaha. The committees amended the bill to defer its effective date to July 1, 2050 and to blank out the appropriation amounts in the bill text, with the agencies’ requested amounts to be included in the committee report for consideration. SB 2800 then passed in AEN, Water and Land, and EIG.
The final measure discussed was SB 2718, a food hub pilot program beginning in 2028 that would require state departments and UH to source 30% of certain food purchases from local agricultural products, create a nutrition- and ʻāina-based school program, and have DAT partner with a regional aggregator for Native Hawaiian staple crops. DAT, DOH, the Farm Bureau, Food Plus Policy Group, HAPA, and others supported the bill’s intent, while the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation opposed it, saying it is already struggling to meet the current local procurement percentage and faces procurement and quantity barriers, especially for staple items used daily. The testimony focused on whether agencies could realistically meet the higher local purchasing target and whether smaller farms could supply the needed volumes.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 2/23/26
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The hour one o'clock having arrived, I'll call this meeting of the House Agriculture Finance and Policy
- I'm not quite sure what agriculture.
- This says agriculture that's more than two acres.
- This says agriculture that's more than two acres.
- So, I'd used for agricultural purchases.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- water augmentation authorities to enter into a loan repayment agreement with a Water Infrastructure Finance
- This bill will let us get financing on the best terms possible.
Keywords:
air pollution, wildfires, environmental standards, public health, Arizona Revised Statutes, assured water supply, groundwater, commingling, commingled water, water supply, Arizona Department of Water Resources, ADWR, active management area, AMA, subdivision plat, development approval, water rights, municipal provider, private water company, certificate of assured water supply
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/23/26
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The hour of 1:00 having arrived, I'll call this meeting of the House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee
- for people in agriculture.
- </c> finances for people in agriculture. finances for people in agriculture.
- </c> safety, finance, and policy. safety, finance, and policy.
- </c> Finance and Policy. Finance and Policy.
Keywords:
eggs, donation, quality assurance, food assistance, charitable programs, agriculture, grain indemnity, financial security, crop insurance, Minnesota agriculture, farm assistance, down payment, state funding, loan modification, rotational grazing, grazing management, livestock, pasture management, soil health, erosion control
DE
Transcript Highlights:
- The House Agriculture Committee will now come to order.
- The Agriculture Committee meeting is called to order.
- Our mission is to promote and protect Delaware agriculture for producers and our consumers.
- I'm the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.
- But thank you, Jimmy Crone, again, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.
Keywords:
pesticide, licensing, agriculture, landscaper, grain inspector, record keeping, Delaware agriculture, certified applicators, regulatory compliance, HB371, Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Act, farmland preservation, agricultural lands, agricultural preservation district, Farmland Preservation Advisory Board, county advisory board, Delaware Foundation, Department of Agriculture, DNREC, planning and zoning
Summary:
The House Agriculture Committee met with a quorum present and considered three bills. Senate Bill 53 would codify and continue the Farm to Community Program if federal support is reduced or unavailable, prioritize Delaware farmers, and require reporting and transparency. Testimony in support came from the Delaware Farm Bureau, the Academy of Medicine and Public Health, and Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Jimmy Crone, who said the department supports the bill. Members raised no questions, and the committee voted to release the bill by roll call.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 311, a Department of Agriculture maintenance bill updating Title 3 provisions related to plant industry and pesticides. The bill removes an outdated $100 license fee, requires certified private applicators to keep pesticide application records available for inspection, expands the definition of landscaper to include commercial entities installing their own nursery stock, and removes a good-character requirement for grain inspector applicants. With no public comment or questions, the committee voted to release the bill by roll call.
Finally, House Bill 371, sponsored by Representative Vanderwyn, would streamline the Agland Preservation Act by eliminating a redundant county advisory board step for farmland preservation districts. Representative Vanderwyn and Deputy Secretary Crone explained that the advisory boards were more useful when the program was new, but now the county planning and zoning commissions and the Department of Agriculture already provide the needed review. After brief discussion, with no public comment, the committee voted to release the bill by roll call and then adjourned.