Transcript Highlights:

• Shifting back to soybeans, I currently serve as the vice chair on the Minnesota Soybean Research and
• /c> council that manages the soybean check council that manages the soybean check off<00:08:37.440>
• soybeans in Minnesota are exported. soybeans in Minnesota are exported.
• > valuable Soybeans are Minnesota's most valuable Soybeans are Minnesota's most valuable egg<00
• in one trade basket, Minnesota Soybean in one trade basket, Minnesota Soybean has<00:09:41.040><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we grow corn, soybeans, wheat.
• <01:18:40.000> Very corn, soybean, and hog farmer. Very corn, soybean, and hog farmer.
• Minnesota soybean farmers take makes.
• Minnesota soybeans are input costs.
• We raise pigs, corn, and soybeans.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a soybean mill, a soy oil plant. We have an ethanol plant.
• And does this bill help the corn and soybean industry? Yes.
• Why did soybeans happen? When you've crushed soybeans, you make two products.
• And does this bill help the corn and soybean industry? Yes.
• Why did soybeans happen? When you've crushed soybeans, you make two products.

Summary: The House took up a series of conference committee reports and third-read Senate bills near the end of session, with several members also recognizing House drafters and research staff. The chamber first adopted and finally passed Senate Joint Resolution 87, which drew debate over whether the measure would remove the City of St. Louis sheriff as an elected office; supporters said the change also applied to other charter governments, while opponents argued it reduced local autonomy. The report and final passage both succeeded on 95-46 votes. Members then adopted and finally passed Senate Bill 973, a package combining a wholesaler/real estate transparency measure with a land bank provision. Senate Bill 1421, a broad public safety bill, was also advanced after a motion to exceed the conference differences; supporters highlighted provisions on clean slate, masked intimidation, prosecuting attorney salaries, fentanyl, gift card fraud, unmanned aircraft, and other public safety items. The conference report passed 116-18, the bill finally passed 110-25, and the emergency clause for the drone-related portion passed 136-5. The House also adopted and finally passed Senate Bills 835 and 1111, a combined conference report that included insurance consumer protections, court administration updates, treatment court and judgeship provisions, a St. Louis civil case surcharge, and the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act. Senate Bill 1408 was stripped back to a single issue authorizing MoDOT to consider raising rural interstate speed limits from 70 to 75 mph, and it passed 93-46. Senate Bill 913, extending several agriculture tax credits and adding a short line railroad credit, prompted extended debate over tax credits, budget pressures, and whether such incentives should be extended now or later; a proposed child tax credit amendment was withdrawn, and the bill ultimately passed 107-30. The House then began debate on Senate Bill 1553, a critical minerals and pharmaceutical manufacturing incentive bill, with supporters framing it as a jobs and supply-chain security measure and opponents raising questions about tax incentives and local impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• The light blue is generation from crops, so that's particularly from things like soybean oil or canola
• , around the world for cooking purposes, soybean oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, and palm oil are all
• , around the world for cooking purposes, soybean oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, palm oil, they're all
• On behalf of the American Soybean Association and our 26 state affiliates representing 30 states, soybean
• 30 states, soybean states, over half a million farmers in the U.S.

Summary: The hearing was a select committee discussion on the transportation costs and impacts of California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), with opening remarks from the co-chairs and members emphasizing affordability, climate goals, and the need to explain the program’s benefits to the public. The first panel from CARB and the California Energy Commission described how LCFS works as a market-based, declining carbon-intensity program that rewards lower-carbon fuels, supports zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, and is intended to reduce greenhouse gases and local air pollution. They argued the program has driven billions in private investment, increased alternative fuel use, and that LCFS credit prices are not the main driver of retail gasoline prices, which they said are dominated by crude oil, refining, and distribution costs. Members questioned the panel on the gap between the regulatory target and actual carbon-intensity performance, the role of credit banking, which fuels are generating the most credits, how the 2025 amendments affected the program, and whether LCFS credits are truly additional. CARB explained that banking helps cost-effectiveness and investment certainty, that ethanol, renewable diesel, and biodiesel currently provide the largest volumes while electricity is expected to grow, and that the updated targets were informed by the state’s 2045 carbon-neutrality goals and the 2030 scoping plan. The Energy Commission said its data show environmental programs add some cost to gasoline but do not drive price volatility, which is mainly tied to crude oil and refinery margins. The second panel, featuring academic and research experts, focused on program design, out-of-state credit generation, and broader economic effects. Speakers said LCFS is successful because it ties incentives to emissions benefit, uses life-cycle analysis, and allows flexible compliance that lowers costs compared with more direct regulation. They also said the program’s benefits generally outweigh costs, that it can reduce air pollution disparities and support equity, but that some issues—especially indirect land use change, additionality, and older program assumptions—need more research and may warrant future rulemaking. One researcher noted that while LCFS likely raises gasoline prices somewhat, the effect is uncertain by design and usually smaller than normal market fluctuations, and another warned that limiting credit generation too narrowly could create legal and efficiency problems.

Transcript Highlights:

• And many of the people in my district just farm corn and soybeans.
• And it's not just corn and soybeans.
• We talk about<00:53:27.680> soybean.
• I'm going to talk about about soybean.
• That feeds the world with our soybeans and corn.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a soybean mill, a soy oil plant. We have an ethanol plant.
• And does this bill help the corn and soybean industry? Yes.
• Well, like I said, it Help the corn and soybean industry? Yes.
• Why did soybeans happen?
• When you've crushed soybeans, you make two products: soybean meal, which is the winner.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My connection to agriculture is my husband and I; we are farmers and we grow corn and soybeans.
• My connection to agriculture is my husband and I; we are farmers and we grow corn and soybeans.
• My connection to agriculture is my husband and I; we are farmers and we grow corn and soybeans.
• My connection to agriculture is my husband and I; we are farmers and we grow corn and soybeans.
• there in time to get the soybeans there in time to get the soybeans planted<00:40:49.200> and

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee met for an introductory session to begin the new legislative session. Members and staff went around the table introducing themselves and describing their agricultural backgrounds, including farming, livestock, crop production, county government, and related research or staff roles. Chair Paul Anderson emphasized agriculture’s importance to Minnesota’s budget and economy, welcomed new members and staff, and noted that the committee would have a full agenda. The committee then heard a presentation from the University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, Extension, and the Forever Green initiative on the GREE program (Agricultural Research, Education, Extension, and Technology Transfer). Testimony described GREE as a state investment created in 2015 to support agricultural productivity and growth through research, education, extension, and technology transfer. Speakers highlighted its broad focus areas, including crop and livestock genetics, soil health, water quality, nutrient management, microbial science, agroecological innovation, and technology stewardship, as well as rapid-response funding for emerging issues such as waterhemp, PRRS, and avian influenza. University witnesses said the program has brought in faculty and extension educators, generated sponsored research awards, and leveraged state funding into additional grants and contracts. They cited a reported roughly 12-to-1 return on investment and said the state has invested about $39 million since 2015. They also noted additions such as a deep winter greenhouse program and a tribal representative on the advisory group. No committee votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Largest miller and marketer of rice, a major soybean processor in the Mid-South, and a staple for farmers
• However, those in corn, soybeans, and wheat have benefited from several years of being able to build
• For example, soybean acres are expected to have a payment of $30 per acre, but estimates in my area show
• farmers being short $300. per acre on soybean ground.
• Our customers collect fruits and vegetables, rice and soybeans, process the grain, and then sell and

Keywords: farm bill, rural economy, crop insurance, access to credit, young farmers, USDA funding freeze, agricultural policy, risk management

Summary: The meeting of the agricultural committee focused on significant concerns regarding the current state of America's rural economy, highlighting the need for a strong five-year farm bill to address the challenges faced by farmers, particularly young and beginning farmers. Key testimony was given by multiple stakeholders including agricultural leaders and young farmers, emphasizing issues related to crop insurance, access to credit, and the adverse impact of recent USDA funding freezes. Various members discussed the necessity of risk management tools that farmers rely on to secure financing, which is crucial for sustaining agricultural operations and supporting rural communities. The importance of timely legislative action was underscored, as many farmers reported struggles in the current economic climate, raising urgency for reforms within the Farm Bill framework.

Transcript Highlights:

• corn, soybeans, alpha, alalfa, and oats. corn, soybeans, alpha, alalfa, and oats.
• Over time, these soybeans or dry beans.
• And so, you know, it might go into corn or go into soybean.
• And so, you know, it might go into corn or go into soybean.
• Soybean.

Bills: HF1669, HF4709, HF3531, HF4048

Keywords: tax credits, sustainable aviation fuel, environmental policy, corporate franchise, Minnesota taxation, electricity generation, property tax exemption, renewable energy, incentives, economic development, fuel delivery, tax exemption, retail transactions, diesel exhaust fluid, fuel lubricants, healthcare tax, gross receipts tax, hospitals, chiropractors, healthcare providers

Transcript Highlights:

• Our soybean header.
• has refused to buy U.S. soybeans.
• That ensuing drop in soybean prices has led to soybeans being priced at or below most farms' cost of
• Um, but planting corn and soybeans.
• for soybeans than it was a year ago. for soybeans than it was a year ago.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• United States agricultural export destinations and the eighth largest market for the United States soybean
• 00:01:51.600> the<00:01:51.759> United<00:01:52.079> States<00:01:52.399> soybean
• <00:01:53.119> and market for the United States soybean and market for the United States soybean

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the farmer's getting a crop from camelina, plant soybeans, they get soybean crop from that, helps
• <01:00:34.760> from soybeans, they get soybean crop from soybeans, they get soybean crop from
• . soybeans. soybeans.
• Those fit into that relay system with our existing corn and soybeans.
• corn or soybean plant before. corn or soybean plant before.

Bills: HF4698, HF4608

Keywords: higher education, identity verification, enrollment fraud, funding, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, postsecondary education, community college, university, developmental education, remedial education, remediation, corequisite, co-requisite, English composition, college readiness, adult basic education, ABE, student placement, credit-bearing courses, noncredit courses

Summary: The committee first approved the March 26 minutes after Representative Coulter pointed out and moved a technical correction to add a missing “T” in “Regents.” The committee then took up HF 4698, which Representative Duran said would address enrollment fraud at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities by funding an automated identity-proofing system. Testimony from Chief Information Security Officer Craig Munson described a commercial software system that would verify student identities using a selfie and a state ID image, reduce ghost students and fraud, speed enrollment, and lessen staff time spent on manual investigations. Members focused heavily on privacy, data retention, and biometric concerns. Representative Cleveland asked what biometric data would be collected, and Munson said it would be limited to a selfie and ID images, not fingerprints or retinal scans. Chair Klippert and others urged stronger Chapter 13 protections and clearer data practices, while Chair Scott asked how long images would be stored; Munson said they should be deleted as soon as identity is validated, with possible revalidation later. Members also raised concerns about racial bias in biometric matching and the need for alternate verification methods. The bill was laid over, and Duran said he would work on the data practices with committee members. The committee then heard HF 4608, presented by Representative Allen for Representative Koznick, on developmental education reform. Allen said too many students are placed into remedial courses that do not count toward a degree, costing time and money and reducing completion rates. Jane Groatman of the International Institute of Minnesota supported the bill, describing students who spent years in noncredit remedial coursework and arguing for a one-semester cap on remedial classes and clearer notice that such credits do not count toward a degree. Mark Grant of Minnesota State College faculty opposed the bill’s approach, saying it imposed a one-size-fits-all model, could undermine open admissions, and should not limit colleges’ flexibility to meet diverse student needs. The bill was laid over for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Research at the U was critical to the development of hybrid corn, soybean, wheat, and many other crops
• We run a diversified grain farm where we raise corn, soybeans, wheat, and winter camelina.
• and winter corn soybeans wheat and winter camelina<00:15:54.240> we<00:15:54.399> now<
• including corn soybeans cover crops Lake<00:26:50.240> Winter<00:26:50.559> Camina<00:
• <01:10:18.480> uh collaboration with Minnesota soybean uh collaboration with Minnesota soybean

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Farmers can grow a second crop in that same year, such as soybeans or dry beans.
• I know we'll probably hear about soybean and corn today and why that is important to keep in mind when
• I'm the executive director of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association.
• crop the corn crop land but the soybean crop the corn crop in<00:52:50.559> the<00:52:50.680>
• <01:07:56.839> and stocks such as corn soybeans and stocks such as corn soybeans and Agricultural

Bills: HF1126, HF967, HF1066, HF1669, HF926

Keywords: property tax, Indian Tribe, tax exemption, Minnesota, public charity, property tax exemption, Minnesota statutes, unorganized territory, federally recognized, soil conservation, water conservation, local government aid, environmental funding, Minnesota legislation, tax credits, sustainable aviation fuel, environmental policy, corporate franchise, Minnesota taxation, tobacco

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I'm a fourth-generation farmer, and my family farm grows corn and soybeans.
• I'm a fourth-generation farmer, and my family farm grows corn and soybeans.
• We're third in the nation in soybean production, sunflowers, canola, dry beans, and oats.
• We're third in the nation in soybean production, sunflowers, canola, dry beans, and oats.
• We're third in the nation in soybean production, sunflowers, canola, dry beans, and oats.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• is the most loved that our soybean is the most loved soybean<00:15:43.120> in<00:15:43.360>
• the the the protein in the soybean the the the protein in the soybean<00:15:53.360> has<00:15
• <00:15:55.199> So<00:15:55.440> they're soybean has been declining.
• So they're soybean has been declining.
• That's what we do high in our soybean. That's what we do every<00:16:37.279> day.

Keywords: This meeting is taking place on location at the Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension Building Room 238 using on site equipment., 958, all

Summary: The interim Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity met at Kentucky State University and heard a presentation from President Kofi Aapo and Vice President Michael Dorsy on the university’s role as an HBCU and its current priorities. They emphasized Kentucky State’s impact on Black student outcomes nationally, its focus on workforce development, civic leadership, innovation, and economic mobility, and its efforts to grow enrollment, expand dual-credit partnerships, and launch a prison education program. They also described House Bill 250’s role in prompting program review and the creation or expansion of market-aligned offerings, including manufacturing engineering, agricultural engineering, biological and agricultural engineering, social work, criminal justice, and expanded online programs through “Thoroughbred Global.” A major topic was Kentucky State’s move toward STEM and applied programs. President Aapo said the university is diversifying beyond liberal arts to meet workforce demand and cited plans for a PhD in agroecology, which he said would help farmers adapt to climate conditions and would be federally funded. He also discussed the nursing program as the fastest-growing on campus, partnerships with health systems that pay tuition and guarantee jobs, and the need for a new nursing facility. He said the current nursing space is inadequate and that a new building could double or triple enrollment in the program. He also described a mobile health initiative intended to bring preventive care and health education to underserved areas of the state. Members asked questions about the nursing building, STEM strategy, teacher preparation, dual credit, prison education, and student readiness. Senator Bledsoe asked about the shift toward STEM, and Aapo said the strategy is based on student demand and data from House Bill 250. Senator Berg requested a list of dual-credit partners and encouraged long-term tracking of prison education participants to study outcomes such as recidivism; Aapo said the university has not yet begun that research but intends to. Senator Tidner asked about remedial needs, and Aapo said KSU found more than 100 students with zero GPAs when he arrived and is using co-requisite support and tutoring to address English and math deficiencies. Representative Brown and others highlighted the historical and ongoing value of HBCUs, and no votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've already lost $1.4 billion in soybean futures values.
• Um, our friends soybean futures values.
• Um, our friends who<00:17:09.199> uh<00:17:10.000> farm<00:17:10.319> soybeans<00
• :17:10.799> know<00:17:11.039> perfectly<00:17:11.439> well who uh farm soybeans
• So, Brazil now has a really functional, thriving soybean market because of the tariffs in 2018.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The upshot of that is that now Brazil is producing soybeans 30% more cheaply than we are in the United
• We did this in the 1990s with new varieties of soybeans, and we can do it again.
• We did this in the 1990s with new varieties of soybeans, and we can do it again.
• <00:05:06.880> and<00:05:07.199> we with new varieties of soybeans and we with new
• . soybeans. soybeans. uh uh uh that<00:59:12.400> is<00:59:12.559> a<00:59:13.119> a

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 20 January, 2026; 2:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: Mississippi State University officials testified in support of the university’s separately funded agricultural, forestry, and veterinary units, emphasizing their economic impact, research output, and need for continued state support. Keith Cobalt, vice president for the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine, said the division generates a $1.7 billion impact on Mississippi, but warned that state and local funding has not kept pace with federal dollars or inflation. He argued that global competition, especially from China and Brazil, is hurting row crop and forestry producers, and highlighted a Vision 2030 study finding about $10 billion in agricultural and forestry value leaves the state through value-added processing. He also raised concerns about rural depopulation and proposed rural innovation hubs to help retain population and jobs. Nick Frank, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, said state appropriations make up about 25% of the college’s operating budget and are needed to support salaries, staffing, and service capacity. He described the college’s education, diagnostic, and clinical missions, including disease surveillance and responses to threats such as avian influenza, screwworm, and equine herpes virus. Frank said the college is expanding facilities with $18 million in 2024 state funding for a new farm animal hospital and cattle handling facility, but still needs additional support for equine and small animal renovations. He also requested support for rural veterinary scholarships and said inflation and salary competition from other schools and private practice are making retention difficult. In response to committee questions, Frank said the college enrolls about 118 to 119 students per class, with roughly 54 to 55 in-state students and tuition of about $29,900 for in-state and $53,000 for out-of-state students. He clarified that the “vet assistants” program is a four-year bachelor’s degree in veterinary medical technology, not a certificate. He also explained that staffing growth has largely been in the hospitals to address clinical shortages and improve care. Dr. Westberger, dean of the College of Forest Resources and director of the Forest and Wildlife Research Center, said Mississippi’s forests support a $19 billion economic impact, 84,000 jobs, and a $4.5 billion payroll, while also providing environmental benefits. He said the college and research center are nationally recognized, including an NSF ranking placing Mississippi State 10th in natural resource conservation research expenditures for a small university. Westberger highlighted research on forest management, pest detection, mass timber, wildlife disease surveillance, and value-added bioproducts, including efforts to attract mills and manufacturing. He said Mississippi has added 10 mills or mill expansions in five years with more than $1.5 billion in investment and over 1,000 high-paying jobs, and noted the college is planning a new mass-timber annex to address capacity and showcase the material. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, soybean farmers right now have nowhere to send their crops. Is 2026 soon enough?
• Um, our farmers have been affected by, you know, China no longer buying soybeans.
• by, you know, China no<00:10:29.760> longer<00:10:30.079> buying<00:10:30.399> soybeans
• <00:10:31.200> It's<00:10:31.440> been<00:10:31.600> a no longer buying soybeans
• It's been a no longer buying soybeans.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Scott Swain, representing the Missouri Soybean Association.
• We certainly want to go on record: the soybean farmers do more on the emission side, but we think there's
• We certainly want to go on record: the soybean farmers do more on the emission side, but we think there's

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and approved Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 913 on a do pass motion by a vote of 16 ayes and 3 noes. The transcript then moved to a public hearing on Senate Bill 1033, presented by Senator Jason Bean. The bill would exempt certain older covered farm vehicles used in local farming operations from emissions inspection requirements, and it also included language to ease permitting for cotton gins by removing the need for air dispersion modeling in certain construction permit applications. Bean also referenced related air pollution control funding language from Senate Bill 953. Testimony on SB 1033 was uniformly supportive. Cotton producers, Missouri Farm Bureau, the Missouri Corn Growers Association, Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Pork Producers, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, the Missouri Mining Association/Infra, the American Council of Engineering Companies, and Associated Industries of Missouri all spoke in favor. Supporters said the bill would reduce regulatory and retrofit costs for farm vehicles, help cotton gins remain competitive with neighboring states, and provide a more stable funding stream for the state air pollution control program, which witnesses said is projected to become insolvent in fiscal year 2028. Committee members asked several questions about the cotton gin permitting changes, the number of farmers affected, and the air program funding mechanism. Witnesses explained that the funding provision would redirect a small portion of sales and use tax revenue from electric power distribution into the air pollution control program and would prevent sweeping of unused funds to general revenue. No one testified in opposition, and the chair closed the hearing on SB 1033.