Video & Transcript Research : 'pollinator'
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- My job is to support pollinators.
- My job is to support pollinators.
- ...the pesticides, I'm sorry, the pollinators.
- Next, an act to protect pollinators and public health, also known as the Pollinator Protection Act, would
- Organic systems rely on biodiversity and natural pollination from our pollinators.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hybrid hearing on a large slate of bills focused on pesticides, pollinators, rodenticides, mosquito control, invasive species, and local authority over pesticide regulation. Chair Becca Rausch set strict two-minute testimony limits due to the very large number of speakers. Early testimony from Senator Moore and Representative Hawkins strongly supported a bill to restrict second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, citing harms to wildlife, pets, and public health, and noting that California has already adopted a similar model. Testimony also supported a Lowell home rule petition to allow the city to prohibit or restrict these rodenticides, with local officials describing documented raptor poisonings and municipal efforts to phase out use on city property.
A major portion of the hearing focused on pollinator protection and neonicotinoid-treated seeds. Witnesses from environmental groups, conservation organizations, academics, and beekeepers argued that neonics harm bees and other beneficial insects, contaminate soil and water, and provide little or no economic benefit in most corn and soybean fields. Several speakers pointed to New York, Vermont, and Quebec as models for restricting treated seeds, and one panel cited research showing only a small percentage of fields benefit economically from the treatments. Support was also voiced for a bill establishing an ecologically based mosquito management program, with advocates criticizing aerial and truck spraying and urging non-chemical, locally tailored approaches.
Other testimony supported bills to reform the pesticide board and pesticide regulation process, to give vulnerable municipalities more local control over pesticide use, to protect schoolchildren from pesticides on school grounds, and to respond to invasive species through a centralized state office, coordinator, strategic plan, and trust fund. Many speakers, including representatives from Mass Audubon, MSPCA, the Xerces Society, the Sierra Club, watershed groups, and local wildlife rehabilitators, described impacts on hawks, owls, pets, fish, and broader ecosystems. No votes were taken during the hearing, and committee members generally asked few questions, with the hearing remaining in testimony mode throughout.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- You can see the crops that they are used to provide pollination services for.
- Since there wasn't large-scale production agriculture, those pollinators, bees and other pollinators,
- Since there wasn't large-scale production agriculture, those pollinators, bees and other pollinators,
- But prior to production agriculture, the pollinators that were here were sufficient to provide the pollination
- They had really no concept at the time of the importance of pollinators in general to pollination services
Summary:
The Committee on Agriculture heard two informational presentations before taking up legislation. Tracy Dean of Conservation Florida described the organization’s work protecting wild and working lands, especially ranch and timber lands within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and argued that agricultural conservation easements are essential to preserving habitat, water resources, family farms, and the corridor itself. Senators discussed how conservation easements can help family operations remain viable across generations, and Dean emphasized strong demand for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program and Florida Forever funding. Dr. Jamie Ellis of the University of Florida then gave a detailed presentation on honeybees, their role in pollination and Florida agriculture, and major threats such as Varroa mites, queen quality, nutrition issues, hurricanes, and the yellow-legged hornet; senators asked about colony losses, pollination alternatives, and the economic importance of beekeeping in Florida.
The committee then considered SB 210 on animal cremation, sponsored by Senator Harrell. The bill was described as a response to a case involving mishandled pet cremation and would require crematories to provide clear disclosures about services, prohibit false or misleading information, and authorize civil penalties enforced by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. Next, the committee took up SJR 318, a joint resolution by Chair Truenow creating a proposed ad valorem tax exemption for tangible personal property used in agricultural production or agritourism on agricultural land and owned by the landowner or leaseholder. Several industry and agency representatives appeared in support, and the resolution was also reported favorably by unanimous vote.
The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment motioned by Senator Rouson.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Agriculture Feb 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- TO POLLINATE CROPS.
- SINCE THERE WAS A LARGE SCALE PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE THOSE POLLINATORS BEES AND OTHER POLLINATORS COULD
- PRIOR TO PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE THE POLLINATORS THAT WERE HERE WERE SUFFICIENT TO PROVIDE THE POLLINATION
- THEY HAD NO CONCEPT AT THE TIME OF THE IMPORTANT POLLINATORS IN GENERAL TO POLLINATION SERVICES AND I
- I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP THINGS POLLINATED AND GROWING.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Government, Elections And Indian Affairs Mar 5th, 2025
House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- There's not a lot of data that exists for New Mexico pollinators.
- It actually already has five years' worth of pollinator programming.
- So we're losing pollinators. We've lost about 80% on a national level.
- Obstacles and environmental concerns that are affecting the pollinators.
- To better inform pollinator research and needs across the state.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Government, Elections And Indian Affairs Mar 5th, 2025
House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- There's not a lot of Data that exists for New Mexico pollinators.
- We're losing pollinators; we've lost 80% on a national level.
- However, every climate event is disastrous for pollinators. We lose pollinators.
- And other organizations that work with pollinators.
- The pollinators.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 04/21/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill also pollinator habitat.
- pro-pollinator pro-pollinator SF2653.<01:18:02.640>
Thank <01:18:02.800>you. - I run Pollinate Minnesota. I'm on the board of the Pollinator Stewardship Council.
- Because we do rely on pollinators to help pollinate our crops.
- c> pollinate<01:48:03.679>
our pollinators to help pollinate our pollinators to help pollinate
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Countering Climate Change – Senator Rob Kupec May 26th, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, you also put forth a bill that would establish a license plate for our solar pollinator programs.
- Obviously, we know what pollinators are, but what is a solar pollinator program, and talk to me about
- So the same idea with the pollinators is that you around you can put you can do electric cars.
- license plate for our solar pollinator license plate for our solar pollinator programs.<00:04:32.000
- , but what is a solar pollinators are, but what is a solar pollinator<00:04:35.280>
program <00
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (01/13/2026)
Environment and Agriculture
Transcript Highlights:
- not insect-pollinated.
- Pollin pollinators economic one.
- So, while corn is wind-pollinated and does not need pollinators to reproduce, pollinators do forage on
- on pollinating insects? on pollinating insects?
- Thank you. pollinators. And just imagine for one pollinators.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
The Session Adjourns / Rallying for Disability Rights / Fighting Fraud / Countering Climate Change May 25th, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Obviously, we know what pollinators are, but what is a solar pollinator program, and talk to me about
- plate for our solar pollinator programs. plate for our solar pollinator programs.
- <00:18:21.440>
program but what is a solar pollinator program but what is a solar pollinator - So, the idea of a of a solar pollinator So, the idea of a of a solar pollinator and<00:18:27.360
- so the the solar um the pollinator so the the solar um the pollinator program<00:19:18.960>
was
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Neonicotinoid insecticide and insecticide-treated seed ban 3/11/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- as a commercial committee on pollination as a commercial beekeeping<00:09:53.760>
representative. - Pollinators, soil life, crops, insects — they're all connected.
- It's a win for pollinators, pollinator-dependent farmers and beekeepers, Minnesota's environment, and
- It's a win<00:41:49.680>
for <00:41:49.839>pollinators, <00:41:50.480>pollinator - win for pollinators, pollinator win for pollinators, pollinator dependent<00:41:51.359>
farmers
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Bees are pollinators, which everyone seems to know.
- And then pollinators, if there's not enough pollinators, pollinators are responsible for about one out
- We need the bees to pollinate our fields.
- They were presenting the bill about the pollinating bees.
- They help pollinate, and I really like the flowers.
Keywords:
insurance, wildfire, flood damage, natural disasters, property coverage, water projects, appropriation, New Mexico, finance authority, infrastructure, New Mexico Finance Authority, funding, SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- neonic pesticides use on pollinating neonic pesticides use on pollinating insects,<01:35:34.080>
- . >> Pollination occurs, like industrial pollination, and there are standards and guidelines to conduct
- used for other types of pollinators. used for other types of pollinators.
- um, do not let flowering or pollination um, do not let flowering or pollination or<01:48:22.400>
- So pollination doesn't or fruing occur.
Keywords:
agriculture, aquaculture, livestock, agribusiness, Department of Agriculture, regulatory functions, employee benefits, restorative practices, sustainability, environmental stewardship, local food systems, Native Hawaiian, workforce development, agricultural development, Hawaii Island, property manager, state employment, SB3320, Hawaii, Agribusiness Development Corporation
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on SP 2350, which would transfer oversight of the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Development Division and the aquaculture and livestock support services branch to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. The Department of Agriculture and ADC both testified, with ADC opposing the bill as written while supporting the goal of strengthening agriculture. ADC said the transfer could create federal operational and coordination risks, jeopardize federal funding and program continuity, and was unnecessary because ADC is a business development entity, not a regulatory agency. The Hawaii Farmers Union also expressed concern that moving the programs could weaken the department’s ability to access federal resources, while the Hawaii Farm Bureau submitted written testimony and the Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association and H-Plan were noted as supporting the measure; the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council was noted as opposing it.
Much of the discussion focused on aquaculture’s economic potential and the role of regulation, permitting, and funding. Committee members questioned why aquaculture had not grown faster, citing current gross revenues of about $66 million last year, a prior high of $82 million, and a possible long-term target of $500 million. Testimony identified permitting and feed costs as major barriers, along with market conditions and water quality issues affecting producers. ADC described ongoing efforts on feed development, permitting streamlining, coastal-state collaboration on seaweed and restorative aquaculture, and national advocacy for more parity in seafood import standards.
Members also pressed the Department of Agriculture on its leadership and priorities, criticizing the lack of bills and resources dedicated to aquaculture and asking whether the department should have more authority to pursue land purchases and development opportunities. The department said it relies on divisions and industry feedback for bill ideas, noted it funds an annual aquaculture survey, and said it was pursuing congressional earmarks and other funding for aquaculture parks, research, and export/import issues. ADC said it would work with the department if the bill passed, but that its current statute does not give it regulatory authority and any such change would require a statutory amendment.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 112 May 6th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- a few years ago the native pollinating a few years ago the native pollinating insect<01:50:17.679
- Again, we need pollinators.
- Again, we need pollinators.
- And I I I had become so pollinators.
- Thanks for being a pollinator<01:57:58.000>
supporter, pollinator supporter, pollinator supporter
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the previous day’s journal, and received several committee reports and conference committee permissions. It also adopted a Senate resolution recognizing the 125th anniversary of Western Colorado University (SR 8) by a 35-0 vote, with remarks highlighting the university’s history, workforce role, mountain rescue team, athletics, and ties to Gunnison and the Western Slope. The resolution was adopted and co-sponsors were added.
The chamber then took up third reading and final passage on several bills. Senate Bill 152, concerning automated vehicle identification systems, was amended on the floor with a technical correction and passed 32-3. House Bill 1322, creating civil actions related to conversion therapy efforts, prompted emotional testimony from Senator Mullica about his mother and passed 23-12. House Bill 1123, addressing sexual abuse prevention in jails, passed 27-8 after a technical amendment. House Bill 1226, reducing emissions from certain electric generating units, passed 22-13. House Bill 1076, modifying transportation statutes, passed 28-0, and House Bill 1207, requiring employer disclosure of demographic workforce data, passed 23-12.
Senate Bill 115, a postconviction relief measure for certain older incarcerated people, was amended and debated at length. Supporters described it as narrowly tailored to a small number of eligible inmates and emphasized victim-rights protections and exclusions for serious offenses; opponents remained opposed. The bill ultimately passed 18-17. The Senate then approved a Committee of the Whole report advancing Senate Bill 181 and several House bills—1338, 1344, 1336 as amended, 1227, 1314, 1028, 1282, and 1317 as amended—to third reading and final passage, and later adopted the consent-calendar bills in special orders without objection.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture (3-4-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Pollinators are needed for farming operations just for the pollination as well, so we still would want
- right<00:15:52.440>
now <00:15:53.440>and <00:15:53.959>um and almond pollination - right now and um and almond pollination right now and um pollinators<00:15:55.079>
are <00:15: - are are needed for for pollinators are are needed for for Farming<00:15:57.279>
operations <00 - as well so we still would pollination as well so we still would want<00:16:01.480>
the <00:16:
Keywords:
00:00 – Introduction
00:45 – Attendance Roll Call
02:09 – House Bill 216
03:15 – Roll Call Vote
04:06 – Senate Bill 122
05:42 – Roll Call Vote
08:43 – House Bill 391
17:25 – Roll Call Vote, 958, all
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call. The committee first considered House Bill 216, which would correct a conflict created when an office was moved into the Department of Agriculture by restoring grant and loan eligibility for Department of Agriculture employees while keeping the prohibition in place for employees of the office of policy. The bill was approved unanimously and sent on to the Senate floor.
The committee then revisited Senate Bill 122 after concerns from the prior meeting. Members adopted a committee substitute that clarified local governments may regulate the covered businesses but not ban them outright, and that fines and fees go back to the local authorities doing the regulating. During final consideration, Senator Deneen, Senator Reed, and Senator Richardson voted no, citing concerns about enforcement, inspection, and potential bad actors, while Senator Webb supported the bill as a needed regulatory scheme. The motion passed and the bill advanced.
House Bill 391, dealing with Kentucky honey production, was also approved. Representative Jason Nemes and industry witnesses said the bill would raise the threshold for requiring a certified honey house from 150 gallons to 500 gallons, add language requiring “pure and unadulterated” Kentucky-produced honey, and support local beekeepers without creating additional public health risk. Members discussed whether the limit should be removed entirely, the cost of honey houses, and concerns about imported or adulterated honey. The committee passed the bill to the Senate floor. Senator Yates later registered a no vote on Senate Bill 122 and yes votes on House Bill 216 and Senate Bill 171, though Senate Bill 171 was passed over for further work and not heard that day.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/25/26
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Without pollinators, we would struggle to grow many of our foods.
- Without pollinators, we would struggle to grow many of our foods.
- Without pollinators, we would struggle to grow many of our foods.
- Without pollinators, we would struggle to grow many of our foods.
- Without pollinators, we would struggle to grow many of our foods.
Keywords:
pesticides, wild rice, environmental protection, agriculture, water quality, pollinators, training, management plan, fertilizer research, education grants, Minnesota Agricultural Council, technology transfer, agricultural productivity, HF4372, Minnesota agriculture, meat processing, meat processing training, retention incentive grants, grant extension, project deadline extension
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
A New Senator Takes Her Seat – Senator Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger Mar 13th, 2026
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So, the more we can encourage pollinator plants and native flowers helps butterflies, which helps our
- :13.440>
excellent <00:08:13.720>example <00:08:14.120>of <00:08:14.240>pollinators - are an excellent example of pollinators. are an excellent example of pollinators.
- 00:08:15.560>
we <00:08:15.720>can <00:08:15.920>encourage <00:08:16.400>pollinator - So, the more we can encourage pollinator So, the more we can encourage pollinator plants<00:08:17.360
Summary:
Senator Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger discussed her path from science and genetics into politics, saying her lab work showed her that research was not always translating into effective policy. She described getting involved through her union, helping pass paid parental leave for state employees, and then moving into elected office after opportunities opened up in 2022. She also said her House experience helped prepare her for the Senate by teaching her the legislative process, committee work, and relationship-building.
On policy priorities, she said her district is focused on affordable health care, climate change, education, PFAS contamination and drinking water, and concerns about federal actions. She framed her agenda this session as “protect, respond, and recover,” including protecting existing laws such as paid Minnesota leave, responding to possible Medicaid and SNAP cuts, child care costs, and tariffs affecting groceries, and helping the community recover from recent ICE activity that she said disrupted public safety, businesses, and residents.
She identified one specific bill effort: continuing work to ban cryptocurrency kiosk machines, which she said are being used to scam seniors. She said the idea came from the Woodbury Police Department and that she is working with House and Senate colleagues on it. She also described herself as a thoughtful, data-driven “scientist at heart” and said her butterfly earrings symbolize pollinators, native plants, and hope, as well as her own journey and the arrival of spring.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- I still love them because most adult wasps are pollinators, which really help us.
- My favorite insect is a bumblebee because they help pollinate and they keep us alive.
- Some pollinate crops and wild plants. They serve as a food source.
- Around three-fourths of our food depends on our pollinators.
- the adult wasps help pollinate a lot of things.
Keywords:
wildlife commission, removal procedures, malfeasance, appointed officials, governance, education reform, public education, state board of education, superintendent, chartering authority, constitutional amendment, policy setting, insects, insect workshop, insect identification, ecology, monitoring, management, pollinators, pollination
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Supporting teacher retention, HF3930 3/26/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And let us learn and cross-pollinate what works to the other districts.
- <00:18:13.679>
what <00:18:13.920>works and cross-pollinate what works and cross-pollinate - The pollination word that Representative Quam used.
- Uh, uh, uh, co-pollination, thank you. I couldn't remember the word.
- The pollination word that Representative Quam used.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm testifying in support of my bill, H. 108, An Act to Protect Massachusetts Pollinators.
- And second, it's going to promote pollinating habitats on certain state properties that are more native
- to Massachusetts, which is going to help the pollinator community grow.
- completed a legislative mandate review, which confirmed that neonics are a major contributor to pollinator
- Related, the bill also directs the Department of Transportation to create a pollinator-friendly landscape
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries held its second hearing and heard testimony on a wide range of bills, including food security, cottage food entrepreneurship, hemp regulation, lobster industry support, pesticide restrictions, pollinator protections, pet cemeteries, and municipal land rights. Committee chairs outlined hearing procedures, noted that 19 bills were on the docket, and took testimony both in person and remotely, with several legislators testifying out of turn because of scheduling conflicts.
Several speakers supported food access and local economic opportunity bills. Representative Howard and Senator Oliveira backed the Food Justice Frontline Program and a cottage food/food entrepreneur bill, arguing they would fund nonprofit food security organizations, create jobs, improve SNAP/HIP outreach, and reduce barriers for home-based food businesses. Eastie Farm representatives and a student testified in favor of the food justice bill, describing food insecurity in East Boston and the need for grants, youth involvement, and multilingual outreach. Sidney Travis of the Institute for Justice also supported cottage food reforms, saying current municipal permitting rules create unequal access and that cottage foods are generally safe.
The committee also heard sharply divided testimony on hemp legislation. Senator Comerford supported S. 54 as a public health measure to ban synthetic THC products, restrict intoxicating hemp sales to licensed dispensaries, and fund local enforcement, while Laura Beiner, John Nathan, and Elizabeth Wendorf opposed the bill or parts of it, warning it would harm compliant hemp businesses and small farmers. Representative Arena-DeRosa testified in support of a related pollinator bill, and Adam Karachi opposed pesticide restrictions for schools while Deborah Smith supported them, arguing existing protections should be expanded to other child-centered locations. The committee also heard support for a bill to aid lobstermen affected by right whale protections, a bill to preserve private pet cemeteries, and a municipal right-of-first-refusal bill for agricultural and recreational land. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Commerce and Economic Development Oversight Apr 14th, 2026 at 03:00 pm
Commerce & Economic Development Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- When I was 11 years old, I wanted to make a difference, so I started Lucille's Pollinator Project.
- When I was 11 years old, I wanted to make a difference, so I started Lucille's Pollinator Project.
- As I've gotten older, I wanted to make an even bigger impact on our pollinators, so I'm here today to
- Without our pollinators, our agriculture would be bare.
- Without our pollinators, our agriculture would be bare.
Keywords:
bail bondsman, bondsman license, multicounty agent bondsman, surety bondsman, Insurance Commissioner, bail bond regulation, bond deposit, forfeiture, deposit ratio, writing capacity, license transfer, power of attorney, surety bond, bail industry, Oklahoma insurance law, financial solvency, administrative action, SB1061, Oklahoma Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act, SAFE Act