Transcript Highlights:

• Spent grain byproducts are the leftover grains produced during brewing and distilling.
• grain to local ranchers and farmers within 100 miles of where the spent grain was produced.
• Without the utilization of spent, of the spent grain by the cattle, this byproduct would end up in wasted
• The spent grain touches water and nothing else, so it's a very safe product.
• So you could see spent grain donations in upwards of 110 million pounds per year.

Bills: HB249

Keywords: real property, ad valorem tax, tax appraisal, property value limitation, real estate taxation, property ownership

Transcript Highlights:

• grain buyer.
• In order to buy grain in Minnesota, you have to get the grain buyer's license.
• </c><01:03:29.359><c> in</c><01:03:29.440><c> Minnesota</c> grain in order to buy Grain in Minnesota
• grain in order to buy Grain in Minnesota you<01:03:30.000><c> have</c><01:03:30.119><c> to</c><01:03:
• grain All Grain is anybody's anybody's grain All Grain is brought<01:03:50.480><c> in</c><01:03:50.640

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> infrastructure rather than being spent infrastructure rather than being spent on<00:47:39.359><c
• The ability to store grain better allows farmers to weather market downturns and market their grain at
• </c><01:19:52.199><c> bins</c> of every farming operation grain bins of every farming operation grain
• </c> uh if you had to choose between grain uh if you had to choose between grain bins<01:22:35.360><c
• </c> I'm actually improving my drier grain I'm actually improving my drier grain dryer<01:24:48.960><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and grain sellers.
• and grain sellers.
• and grain sellers.
• and grain sellers.
• and grain sellers.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, September 8, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if I seize a grain elevator, there's grain in the elevator.
• So if I seize a grain elevator, there's grain in the elevator.
• All the grain, all cotton grain is in one account. That's correct. Okay. Thank you. Appreciate you.
• And overall feed grains are increasing overall.
• Cotton and Grain Indemnity Fund.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and welcomed a new member, then took up a series of agriculture-related bills, many focused on Louisiana seafood and producer protections. HB 121 by Rep. Domain would let the Department of Agriculture and Forestry seize and destroy adulterated imported seafood after a stop order, rather than relying on another agency to do it; the commissioner said the bill would improve enforcement without adding major cost, and it was reported favorably. HB 725, also by Rep. Domain, was amended to require retailers to keep invoices for imported seafood for six months so inspectors can verify country of origin and labeling; the committee adopted the technical amendment and reported the bill favorably. HB 367, dealing with Structural Pest Control Commission hearing notices, was described as a technical change to align notice procedures with the Administrative Procedure Act and was also reported favorably. HB 505, on certification cards for commercial applicators, pesticide salespersons, and agricultural consultants, was amended to keep unexpended pesticide fund money in the fund and streamline renewal timing; it too passed favorably. The committee then considered several measures aimed at protecting farmers from market losses. HB 344 by Rep. Coates raised the Grain and Cotton Indemnity Fund thresholds for suspending and restarting assessments, with the commissioner explaining that recent bankruptcies and broker failures had shown the need for a larger reserve; the bill was reported favorably. HB 370, a follow-up measure on the same fund, increased the assessment rate on agricultural commodities so the fund could grow faster, and it also passed without objection. HB 847, on Soil and Water Conservation Commission district supervisor elections, was amended to require certified nominating petitions, shift election administration to the Secretary of State, and remove outdated statewide election language; supporters said the change would modernize a system that had become costly and unwieldy, and the bill was reported favorably. HB 370 and HB 847 drew discussion about ballot access, election administration, and the nonpartisan nature of soil and water districts. The meeting also included a lengthy agriculture update from Commissioner Strain and a presentation from LSU Ag Center Dean Matt Lee. Strain discussed seafood imports, labeling enforcement, shrimp industry promotion, feral swine damage, fertilizer and diesel cost pressures, pesticide disposal, and export markets for rice and timber, emphasizing that Louisiana agriculture depends on testing, marketing, and international trade. Lee reported that LSU Ag Center research is ranked among the nation’s top agricultural programs, with major work in sugarcane variety development, and said the center’s research generates substantial economic returns for Louisiana producers. Several industry representatives, including Louisiana Farm Bureau and LSU Ag Center staff, spoke in support of the bills and the state’s agricultural programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that every taxpayer dollar is spent that every taxpayer dollar is spent wisely,<00:25:17.080><c>
• buyers</c><00:46:11.040><c> in</c> grain elevators and grain buyers in grain elevators and grain buyers
• </c> who sell in grain to them. who sell in grain to them. The<00:52:15.760><c> farmers.
• </c> grain buyers. grain buyers.
• ><c> that</c> for the grain grain indemnity work that for the grain grain indemnity work that we<00:57

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we have our grain license fees.
• I am the Director of the Minnesota Grain and Feed Association.
• The grain industry understands that MDA's grain program is operating at a loss and needs to find a way
• In regards to the fact that they're not handling grain there, they're not storing grain.
• You have to have storage to handle the grain at that location.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of the facility locations, so here I'm talking about like grain elevator locations, grain storage
• That allocates grain in the base situation.
• So grain merchants, grain farmers, or anyone affected by the movement of grain for sure, and fertilizer
• If less grain moves, then it's a higher price. If less grain moves, you're going to have this cost.
• If less grain moves, then it's a higher price. If less grain moves, you're going to have this cost.

Summary: The committee first heard an update on the Joint Transportation Committee study of transportation impacts if the Lower Snake River dams were removed. WSDOT and Jacobs described the study’s phases, including current work on geology, infrastructure risk, and a total logistics cost model. They explained that the study is examining how freight now moved by barge—especially wheat, fertilizer, and wood—could shift to rail and roads, and they outlined several scenarios ranging from no-dam future conditions to new unit-train terminals, short-line rail options, and a combined “many solutions” scenario. Members asked about irrigation, impacts in Idaho and Oregon, port capacity, emissions, competition, EV trucks, and whether the model could estimate transportation effects if grain volumes decline. The presenters said the study assumes current production levels continue, does not model irrigation changes or broader farm-economics impacts, but does account for transloading costs and can estimate transportation impacts under different volume assumptions. WSU’s independent review team said the model has improved substantially but still needed refinement, especially in routing, road data, and spatial detail, and that stakeholder engagement had been strong though delayed by model development. No votes were taken. The committee then received a presentation on the alternative sidewalk funding study. Staff and consultants said the study is exploring ways local governments could sustainably fund sidewalk maintenance, repair, and new construction, using a statewide survey, interviews, national research, and case studies in eight jurisdictions. They noted sidewalks are important for pedestrian safety and connectivity, but there is no dedicated funding source in Washington, and existing grants and local revenue tools are highly competitive or limited. The consultants highlighted sidewalk fees or utility-style charges as the most promising option to study, while a parcel tax was largely set aside because of state property-tax uniformity concerns. Members asked whether the study would duplicate existing funding or add to current taxes, and how a sidewalk fee would be collected; the consultants said the goal is to expand local options, not mandate adoption, and that fees would likely be billed through utilities rather than property taxes. A preliminary draft report is due December 15, with a final report due in mid-June. Next, staff gave a brief update on the ocean-going vessels study, which is examining shore power and emissions rules for vessels at berth. The presenter explained that federal Clean Air Act rules and California waiver authority create legal limits on how far Washington can go if it wants to adopt similar standards, and that deviations from California’s approach can increase litigation risk. The report will summarize stakeholder outreach and will be presented in draft form at the next JTC meeting. Finally, county engineers from Chelan and Douglas counties began a presentation on county transportation challenges, with the association’s director emphasizing collaboration with state agencies and local partners on issues such as fish passage barriers and infrastructure needs. The county presentation was only beginning when the transcript ended, and no committee action or votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, in terms of how we spent some of the resources that we moved around, uh, we spent a fair amount
• Um, so for the grain recommendations.
• You know, uh grain licensing fee.
• </c><00:37:44.000><c> bin</c> the license location with no grain bin the license location with no grain
• Many of these grain to cooperatives.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• do we identify the holes in the marketplace for agriculture across the state, whether it's in our grain
• I'm people are seeing people come to my facility and they're loading grain out of my bean and they're
• I'm people are seeing who buys grain.
• Well, multiply that times 25,000 bushel and all of a sudden you've paid for half of your grain bin.
• Well, multiply that times 25,000 bushel and all of a sudden you've paid for half of your grain bin.

Keywords: Reuploaded to restore full meeting, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum and adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 28, which would create a framework for the $5 million in agricultural economic development funding included in the 2024 budget. Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell testified that the bill is intended to support agriculture-focused economic development, especially processing and further processing projects, by giving the Department of Agriculture tools to identify opportunities, convene partners, and offer incentives. He emphasized the role of the new economic development division in the department and said the effort is meant to complement, not replace, the work of the state Economic Development Cabinet. Shell and several senators described the bill as a rural development tool aimed at helping smaller communities attract projects that fit their scale. He cited examples such as poultry processing, grain and elevator operations, milling, and specialty crop ventures, arguing that local processing can create jobs, strengthen markets for farmers, and keep more value in Kentucky. Senators discussed the need for return-on-investment metrics and clawback provisions for unsuccessful projects, and Shell said the framework includes those concepts. He also said the department is working on opportunities in sustainable aviation fuel, biofuels, and other markets that could bring more acres into production. Members also raised questions about small-farm innovation, raw milk, and direct-to-consumer opportunities. Shell said raw milk testing and related consumer protection issues are more closely tied to the University of Kentucky and the department’s consumer/environmental protection functions than to the bill’s economic development focus, but he said the department can help expand small-farm programs such as Kentucky Proud, Buy Local, KOAP, CAP, food-as-medicine efforts, LFPA, and farm-to-school initiatives. The discussion also turned to beef processing and feedlot development, with Shell saying Kentucky wants a beef processor but first needs to prove it can feed cattle at scale; he said changing conditions in western states could create an opening for Kentucky if it can build the necessary supply chain.

Transcript Highlights:

• And nor is Grain Belt. Grain Belt is not controlled by MISO, and nor is Grain Belt. Right.
• And one thing also is that co-ops are not in partnership in any way with Grain Belt.
• The next question is, you said that they're not associated with Grain Belt, the co-ops.
• Or in the case of Grain Belt, which does tie into this...
• They're going to have to hook Grain Belt up.

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 3114, which would require operating railroads in Missouri to provide digital copies of valuation and station maps to the state land surveyor for inclusion in a public repository. The sponsor said the bill is intended to help surveyors locate abandoned railroad rights-of-way and determine center lines for adjoining landowners’ reversionary rights. Committee members asked about whether the bill would apply to active versus abandoned lines, whether records still exist for older railroads, and whether a deadline should be added for compliance. Railroad testimony raised concerns about the breadth of the request, potential security and proprietary issues, and the burden of compiling historical records, while indicating a willingness to continue discussions and possibly work with surveyors on a more targeted process. The committee then heard House Bill 2298, which would remove the current exemption for electric cooperatives from the requirement that condemning entities pay 150% of appraised value in eminent domain cases. The sponsor argued that co-ops should be treated the same as regulated utilities because landowners face the same burden when transmission lines cross their property, and he cited examples where co-op offers were far below what he believed comparable utility projects would pay. Landowners and a lawyer testifying in favor described alleged unfair treatment, uneven compensation, and the impact of transmission lines on farm operations and property value, while emphasizing that the bill would simply put co-ops on the same footing as other utilities. Opposition testimony from Associated Industries of Missouri and the Missouri Electric Cooperatives argued that the bill would interfere with the cooperative model, which is member-owned and governed by elected boards, and would reduce flexibility in negotiating easements. The co-op representative said the organizations are not partnered with Grain Belt Express, that any interconnection compensation is separate from the project itself, and that most easement acquisitions are settled by negotiation rather than condemnation. Committee members questioned whether co-ops already pay comparable amounts in practice, whether the bill would affect transmission projects tied to Grain Belt Express, and how co-op governance and member oversight should factor into eminent domain policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• Would this bill affect the Grain Belt Express?
• And nor is Grain Belt. Right. That's one of the things they're saying.
• There's a lady that's quit her job, has been fighting Grain Belt Express for 12 years.
• And one thing also is, ...co-ops are not in partnership in any way with Grain Belt.
• They're going to have to hook Grain Belt up.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:00.399><c> I</c> of grain. Think about that type thing. I of grain.
• Grain prices have been challenging.
• But any of grain counterpart were here.
• We're in a low side for our grain farmers.
• Uh if a low side for our grain farmers.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:18 University of Kentucky Department of Agricultural Economics Presentation 00:02:18 Farm Credit Mid-America Presentation 01:12:41, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These farmers don't get paid for this grain. They're bankrupt.
• So if I seize a grain elevator, there's grain in the elevator.
• All the grain, all cotton grain is in one account. That's correct. Okay. Thank you. Appreciate you.
• And overall feed grains are increasing.
• Cotton and Grain Indemnity Fund.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum, adopted the prior meeting minutes, and heard a series of agriculture-related bills, most of them sponsored by Representative Domain or Chairwoman Butler. The first major bill, HB 121, would expand the Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s authority over imported seafood by allowing its inspectors, in addition to the Department of Health, to seize and destroy adulterated seafood already under stop order. Representative Domain and Commissioner Strain framed the bill as a seafood-safety and anti-fraud measure aimed at protecting Louisiana shrimpers from tainted imports and bad actors. Members asked about cost, testing rates, countries of origin, and whether the bill would affect imported shrimp prices; the commissioner said it would not raise consumer prices and that Louisiana’s testing is focused at retail rather than ports. HB 121 was reported favorably with no objections. The committee then considered HB 725, which requires restaurants/retailers to retain invoices from imported seafood vendors for six months. After a technical amendment changing the bill’s one-liner from “restaurants” to “retailers,” the bill was explained as a recordkeeping tool to help auditors verify country-of-origin and labeling compliance without costly product testing. It was reported favorably with amendments. The committee also heard a bill reducing the required number of annual meetings for the Agriculture Finance Authority from four to two; Commissioner Strain said the change would streamline operations when there is no business to conduct, and it was reported favorably. Next, the committee took up HB 344 and HB 370 dealing with the Grain and Cotton Indemnity Fund. HB 344 raises the fund’s balance thresholds for suspending and restarting assessments, while HB 370 increases the assessment rate on agricultural commodities to replenish the fund more quickly. Commissioner Strain described recent large losses from grain broker bankruptcies, including Hansen-Mueller, and explained that the fund has been paying farmers but needs a larger balance to handle future defaults. Members discussed the risks posed by brokers, the adequacy of bonding, and the need to protect farmers and rural communities; both bills were reported favorably. The committee also advanced HB 367, aligning Structural Pest Control Commission hearing notices with the Administrative Procedure Act, and HB 847, which modernizes Soil and Water Conservation district supervisor elections by shifting administration to the Secretary of State and updating petition and ballot procedures after a crowded, ballot-short election. Finally, HB 505 streamlined certification and renewal rules for commercial applicators, pesticide salespersons, and agricultural consultants, including a technical amendment to keep unexpended pesticide-fund money in the fund; it too was reported favorably with amendments. After the bills, Commissioner Strain gave a lengthy update on the state of agriculture, forestry, and aquaculture. He highlighted continued pressure on shrimp from low-cost imports, currency shifts, and inadequate domestic marketing and cold storage, as well as ongoing seafood labeling enforcement and testing. He also discussed feral swine damage, drought and wildfire concerns, fertilizer and diesel cost increases, crop acreage trends, and export efforts for rice and timber, including Louisiana wood pellets used in the United Kingdom. LSU Ag Center Dean Matt Lee followed with a presentation on the center’s research and extension work, emphasizing its statewide network, high research ranking, and the economic return from agricultural science, especially in sugarcane variety development. He said LSU Ag Center research has helped Louisiana maintain strong sugar production and supports producers across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• in a timely manner. unable to be spent.
• So, we end up in a unable to be spent.
• Forty-two percent of the awards are grain or row crop farmers.
• It's unknown at this point, but there is some grain there.
• <00:19:03.520><c> there</c> grain there grain there &gt;&gt; and<00:19:04.559><c> I</c><00:19:04.799>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> you're going to be getting into grain you're going to be getting into grain farming,<00:02:00.560
• I mean, grain farmers are farmers like somebody that raises vegetables.
• I mean, grain farmers are farmers like somebody that raises vegetables.
• I mean, grain farmers are farmers like somebody that raises vegetables.
• I mean, grain farmers are farmers like somebody that raises vegetables.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> $450,000 each fiscal year for the grain $450,000 each fiscal year for the grain license<00:27:09.760
• That also goes with the grain inspection as we look at that piece, too.
• That also goes with the grain inspection as we look at that piece, too.
• That also goes with the grain inspection as we look at that piece, too.
• That also goes with the grain inspection as we look at that piece, too.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Agriculture Conference Committee met for an initial organizational and comparison session on House File 2446, the agriculture broadband and rural development bill. Members introduced themselves, noted that no conference target had yet been set, and agreed to begin with a side-by-side review of House and Senate positions. No oral testimony was taken; instead, the chair listed written testimony submitted by a wide range of agricultural, environmental, local government, food bank, and industry groups. Nonpartisan fiscal staff walked through the major funding differences. Both bills included some shared items such as operating adjustments, wolf and elk damage compensation, and certain technical changes, but they differed on several major appropriations. The House generally proposed larger increases for meat inspection, local food purchasing, and the Board of Animal Health, and added items such as county inspector grants, biofertilizer innovation, a biosolids/PFAS-related study, a soil health study, broadband installation study funding, an Agri Works program, an Agri Support program, a milk grant program, and several House-only transfers and grants. The Senate included items such as a climate coordinator position, biofuel-related reductions and policy changes, livestock processing funding, farm-to-school and urban agriculture changes, MARL funding, cottage foods licensing updates, and several Senate-only pass-through grants and transfers. Staff also noted differences in the agriculture emergency account transfer approach and in how the two bodies handled the Second Harvest Heartland and related food distribution provisions. House Research then reviewed the policy language differences in the bill. The House language included provisions allowing more flexible use of grant administration funds, unpaid prior-year claims, county inspector grants, and updates tied to its own policy article, while the Senate language included the climate coordinator, PFAS-related commercialization language, cooperative development grant permissive language, and other Senate policy changes. The committee did not take any votes or final actions at this meeting; the session was informational and focused on identifying differences for later negotiation.

Transcript Highlights:

• elevators and grain buyers in Minnesota and the Department of Agriculture.
• The department oversees the financial operation of grain buying.
• To spend on the high end for these smaller grain elevators.
• buyers but also for the people who sell grain to them, the farmers.
• Mostly, this has been for our smallest elevators and our smallest grain buyers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now on to Kernza perennial grain.
• Now on to Kernza perennial grain.
• Now on to Kernza perennial grain.
• I don't know that I've ever had this grain, so is it a grain? It is. It is a grain.
• Harvest</c> in Grain process uh grain Harvest in Grain process uh grain Harvest processing<00:47:55.599

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Foundation, the Specialty Soy and Grains Foundation, the Specialty Soy and Grains Alliance,<00:08
• Section 62 modifies inspection fees for grain buyers. Section 63 modifies grain storage fees.
• </c><01:13:32.960><c> program</c> the fruit, vegetable, and grain program the fruit, vegetable, and grain
• </c> grain buying, a flat $300 fee for grain grain buying, a flat $300 fee for grain storage,<01:14:55.840
• </c> gra on the grain discussion we had too. gra on the grain discussion we had too.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all