Video & Transcript : 'USDA programs' :
Page 30 of 500
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance May 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Our programs on slide 5, probably what we're most well known for, of course, is our 4-H program.
- the, uh, LSC program review.
- impacts of that program?
- Even though it's a state inspection program, it still has to meet the requirements of USDA federal inspections
- 4H agents that are leading those programs within those school or after school programs.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- So a little background history on the organics rule: the organic program started in 2002.
- The ISDA Organic Program is one of many in the state of Idaho operating under the USDA NOP program.
- Nothing about the organic program is mandatory.
- Just by way of background, this particular program was established in 1976.
- Just by way of background, this particular program was established in 1976.
Committee:
House Agricultural Affairs
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., of California, to be Secretary of Health and Human Services. Jan 29th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Finance Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Federal funding of the SNAP program, for example, and of school lunch programs could be a start.
- The SNAP program—everything you've said about the SNAP program, I agree with.
- Look at the school health program.
- Yes or no, do you believe that Medicaid is a critical program?
- Which program you're using when.
Committee:
Senate Finance Committee
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on HF2446 5/9/25
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> County soil health um program study. County soil health um program study.
- </c> a local food purchasing grant program. a local food purchasing grant program.
- and Development Program.
- </c> improvement and development program. improvement and development program.
- </c> loan program. loan program.
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.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (01/14/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- The brownfields program also administers what's called a covenant not to sue program, and that's a program
- We had the state sites programs, and we also have the federal sites programs.
- </c><04:25:04.760><c> that</c> tank program which is a program that tank program which is a program that
- program the brownfields program<04:26:12.319><c> program</c><04:26:12.880><c> and</c><04:26:13.439><
- c> the</c><04:26:13.560><c> groundwater</c> program program and the groundwater program program and the
Summary:
The Environment and Agriculture Committee held an introductory orientation for members, many of whom were new or newly assigned to the committee. Leadership emphasized that the committee is intended to operate in a nonpartisan, collaborative way, and members introduced themselves and described their backgrounds in farming, gardening, food service, environmental work, water and waste issues, veterinary work, and related fields. Several members noted personal ties to homesteading, livestock, orcharding, food security, landfill concerns, and animal welfare, while others said they were eager to learn the committee’s work.
The chair then reviewed committee procedures and expectations. Members were told the committee would generally meet on Tuesdays, with hearings starting around 10 a.m. and often running until about 4:30 p.m., and that absences, substitutes for executive sessions, and email communications would be handled through House rules and the committee’s email system. The chair also covered decorum rules for live-streamed meetings, including professional dress, limiting food and drink at the table, and giving full attention to witnesses. Members were reminded that legislative emails are subject to public records laws and that the committee may soon transition to a new email domain.
The chair also explained logistics such as bill folders, committee room storage, and emergency procedures for evacuation or shelter-in-place. No bills were debated or voted on in this meeting, but the chair noted that the committee already had roughly two dozen bills pending, including animal welfare, landfill, policy, and cat-and-dog related measures. Members were told to expect a broad mix of topics beyond agriculture, including solid waste and animal-related legislation.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- program.
- program.
- This is not a new program.
- We do fund domestic violence programs here. We do fund CAC programs.
- We do fund domestic violence programs here. We do fund CAC programs.
Committee:
House Appropriations
Summary:
The committee heard public testimony on several budget requests tied to health and human services. Louisiana Children’s Advocacy Centers asked for continued support and a supplemental appropriation of $1.173 million for infrastructure and standardization, explaining that the money would expand use of the Guardify digital evidence system, improve chain of custody, and reduce reliance on DVDs. Baton Rouge and statewide CAC leaders said prior funding helped eliminate a therapy wait list and speed services for abused children. Members asked detailed questions about the digital system, MDT coordination, and how the request related to SB 237, which would strengthen multidisciplinary review of child abuse cases.
The Alzheimer’s Association sought $824,000 to sustain the dementia care specialist program, saying it helps families navigate services, keep loved ones at home longer, and reduce Medicaid costs. AARP and the Live at Home Coalition also testified for 750 additional Community Choice waiver slots at a state cost of $3.3 million, arguing that home- and community-based care is cheaper than nursing homes and that the current wait list is more than 11,000 people. Legislators discussed the size of the need, the state’s long-term care spending mix, and whether more support should go to family caregivers and community-based options.
Testimony also focused on disability support services, substance use treatment, and developmental disability provider rates. A parent and direct support worker described the Children’s Choice waiver’s 20-hour cap and low pay, saying it makes it hard to retain caregivers and meet the needs of medically fragile children. Odyssey House and O’Brien House asked for higher Medicaid reimbursement rates under ASAM 4, warned that removal of room-and-board payments and weak Medicaid eligibility pathways are reducing access, and called for more oversight of sober living homes; members questioned outcomes data, length of stay, and links to homelessness. Finally, the Arc of Louisiana said the LDH rate study confirmed underfunding and supported a $53.6 million increase in state general funds, with local ARC leaders describing the services they provide and the need for higher direct support professional wages.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I track the Rio Grande Carrizo Cane Eradication Program as a program specialist, essentially a land-use
- The transition from the Carrizo Cane eradication program to the Rio Grande Vegetative Management Program
- Program.
- So yes, we're putting money into the program. And how much has the program been before?
- program?
Committee:
House Agriculture & Livestock
Keywords:
agriculture, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, veterinarian, veterinary medicine, veterinary telemedicine, telehealth, telemedicine, veterinarian-client-patient relationship, VCPR, animal health, livestock, pets, remote care, electronic means, telephone consultation, controlled substances, prescription drugs
Summary:
The second bill, House Bill 3469, was introduced to address pest control regulations concerning nuisance birds. Representative Campos explained how the bill proposes non-lethal methods to deter these birds, such as the use of laser lights and sounds, which avoids conflict with both state and federal regulations. The committee heard impassioned testimonies from members of the public who shared firsthand experiences regarding the adverse effects of these birds on property and public health. The meeting concluded with both bills being left pending, reflecting a desire for further deliberation among the committee members.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Agriculture Committee Apr 9th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- This first allocation from this program provided over $23 million in 2022.
- For many kids, school meals in this program are their only meal of the day.
- The resolution also notes the Local Food Purchase Assistance program.
- about the value of school nutrition programs.
- they live in than the dollars spent on the programs.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Agriculture met with an initial quorum delay, then heard four items: AJR 6 on protecting federal funding for the Local Food for Schools and Child Care program, AB 732 on abandoned agricultural land, AB 1042 on honeybee health, and consent item AB 1506. The chair reviewed hearing procedures and public comment rules before moving through the file in order.
AJR 6, authored by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry, urged federal officials to preserve funding for local food programs that connect California farmers with school meals and food banks. Supporters, including a farm owner and a school nutrition director, said the program benefits children’s nutrition, helps small farms, and strengthens local economies. There was no opposition, and the committee members who were present voted to adopt the resolution; later absent members were added, bringing it to eight votes and sending it out.
AB 732, by Assemblymember Macedo, would give county agricultural commissioners a faster enforcement tool against abandoned or neglected orchards and vineyards by allowing civil penalties instead of relying only on liens. Testimony from growers and a county agricultural commissioner described pest infestations, economic losses, and high abatement costs tied to neglected land, and the bill was presented as a response to SGMA-related fallowing and low commodity prices. The committee voted due pass to the Judiciary Committee, and after absent members were added it also reached eight votes.
AB 1042, by Assemblymember Ransom, proposed a Managed Honeybee Health Program with grants, research, technical assistance, and an expanded advisory committee to support pollinators essential to California crops. Witnesses from the fresh fruit and beekeeping sectors emphasized that bee declines threaten crop production and the broader agricultural economy. The committee voted due pass to Appropriations, and the bill ultimately received eight votes. The consent calendar item, AB 1506, was also approved and sent to Appropriations.
ND
Transcript Highlights:
- When a school chooses to operate the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, they
- opt into that program.
- So that's part of the process of operating the program.
- When a school chooses to operate the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, they
- opt into that program.
Committee:
Joint Legislative Management
Summary:
The Legislative Management Committee met to fill a vacancy created by Representative Jared Hagert’s resignation, and the House majority recommended Representative Berg to replace him on the committee. The motion to appoint Berg was approved unanimously. The committee then took up its assigned task of estimating the fiscal impact of Initiated Constitutional Measure No. 3, the school meals measure, which would require public schools, and optionally nonpublic and tribal schools, to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost to students and reimburse schools through state funds after federal reimbursements are maximized.
Legislative Council’s Liz Fordall summarized the measure’s requirements and answered questions about implementation, including the 2027-28 start date, the measure’s interaction with the Legacy Earnings Fund, and the fact that the Legislature would still control the funding source. DPI’s Linnell Johnson then testified at length on current school meal programs, direct certification, CEP and Provision 2 participation, and likely behavioral changes if the measure passed. She estimated the biennial fiscal impact at $124 million to $134 million, with an additional roughly $300,000 in administrative costs, and explained that the estimate assumed higher participation and some schools shifting to CEP/Provision 2 to preserve federal reimbursements. She also noted that if no new applications were filed in non-CEP schools, the cost could be substantially higher.
After discussion, Senator Sorvaag moved to report a fiscal impact range of $124,300,000 to $134,300,000 per biennium to the Secretary of State, and the motion carried. The committee also received an informational update from Legislative Council attorney Dustin Richard on the ongoing redistricting litigation, explaining that the U.S. Supreme Court vacated the Eighth Circuit’s prior ruling and remanded the case for further consideration in light of Louisiana v. Callais, leaving the court-imposed map in effect for now. No action was required on that item, and the meeting adjourned after a brief note that the prior minutes would be brought back at a later meeting.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Legislative Management Jun 11th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Legislative Management
Transcript Highlights:
- When a school chooses to operate the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, they
- opt into that program.
- So that's part of the process of operating the program.
- So what's the—why would they want to continue on the program?
- You cannot require the USDA free and reduced form to be filled out.
Committee:
Joint Legislative Management
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Jun 24th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- He's a new program evaluator for us.
- We even have a herd of buffalo along with our agriculture program.
- , our forestry program.
- There was 60 co-ops that got funding from this program.
- So I just want to assure you, Senator, every everything's where it should be in the USDA RUS program,
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee (2-25-25) - Reupload
Transcript Highlights:
- University Betty White Building renovation project in the amount of 2,853,330.45, funded 100% from USDA
- </c><00:04:59.360><c> Grant</c><00:04:59.800><c> funds</c> 33045 funded 100% from USDA Grant funds 33045
- </c> meeting next under our fund a program meeting next under our fund a program the<00:15:45.040><c>
- Next up is our infrastructure revolving fund program, Fund B.
- it's for the city of new program it's for the city of Eddyville<00:18:54.480><c> and</c><00:18:54.679
Summary:
The committee first approved the January minutes and then received several informational reports on school district tax levies, revenue bonds, lease advertisements, and previously rejected lease transactions. Members were told that one rejected lease for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Hardin County would be canceled and rebid, while a Perry County lease modification for the Energy and Environment Cabinet would proceed. The Kentucky Communications Network Authority also submitted its quarterly capital projects report, and Eastern Kentucky University reported revisions to asset preservation projects.
Janice Thomas, Deputy State Budget Director, presented four capital project action items. These included a Kentucky State University Betty White Building renovation funded by USDA grant money, a Department of Education state schools dormitory and cottage renovation appropriation increase because bids exceeded estimates, a restricted-funds scope increase for the Elizabethtown CTC science building expansion, and a pool project report for the Department of Corrections’ KCIW kitchen drain line repair and replacement. Representative Petrie asked about how often the statutory authority for midstream project increases is used and whether bids are typically competitive; Thomas said the increases are used often when bids come in above estimates and that bids are generally competitive, though construction costs have been difficult to gauge. The committee unanimously approved the first three action items, and the KCIW project was reported with no action required.
H. Sandy Williams of the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority then presented six loans and one emergency grant. The items included loans for Frankfort’s East Frankfort Interceptor wet weather facility project, Sturgis wastewater improvements, Scottsville inflow and infiltration work, Morganfield wastewater treatment plant planning and design, Western Pulaski County Water District transmission improvements, and Springfield water system planning and replacement work, plus an emergency Kentucky Waters grant for Eddyville following a sewer treatment plant failure and local emergency declarations. After no questions, the committee unanimously approved the seven KIA transactions.
Chelsea Couch then presented a Kentucky Housing Corporation conduit issuance for $38.4 million to finance a multifamily rental project in Jefferson County; members asked how the committee participates and were told it was a conduit issuance rather than state debt. The committee approved that item. Finally, the committee heard an informational Turnpike Authority refunding issuance of about $53 million for present value savings, then approved four SFCC debt issues for Henderson, Pulaski, Scott, and Trimble counties to finance school renovations and construction. The meeting ended with notice of the next meeting date and location.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 04/13/26
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> funds to support the program if needed. funds to support the program if needed.
- Good Food Access Program, our Bioincentive Program, as well as our Biofuels Infrastructure Financial
- Assistance Program.
- We also are Assistance Program.
- </c> program to fiscal year 2030. program to fiscal year 2030.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on Disease Prevention & Women's & Children's Health Mar 20th, 2025
S/C on Disease Prevention & Women's & Children's Health
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill diminishes student choice, potentially compromising programs that foster creativity, critical
- is doing, you know, not USDA, sorry, the FDA is doing a great job, and so we need to depend on them.
- Do you think the scientific rigor out of the USDA is better than the other countries?
- Do you think that those are equally programs that we need to be mindful of? Absolutely.
- That's what I found through my culinary medicine program.
Keywords:
HB 25, Texas nutrition, nutrition education, healthy living, public health, school physical activity, recess, physical education, nutrition and wellness course, health curriculum, State Board of Education, Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee, ultra-processed foods, artificial colors, food additives, chronic disease, metabolic health, culinary medicine, functional medicine, dietary guidelines
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services (Part I) Feb 26th, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- So thank you, and members, Senate Bill 314 is about the school lunch... program.
- That are forcing schools to stop their free lunch or free breakfast programs.
- The bill just states that they need to have the program.
- To qualify for the reduced meal price program in Texas, they would have to comply.
- Right now, the USDA nutrition guidelines— the federal government has failed.
Committee:
Senate Health & Human Services
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- But these reference publications include the International Seed Testing Association and the USDA Export
- Program Manual.
- But exporters, knowing their markets best, often anticipate these changes before USDA or ISDA can keep
- Thompson: ...either at a program update or just after this meeting.
- But yes, we will make sure to add that as a point in our discussion during our program update.
Committee:
House Agricultural Affairs
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Banking and Finance Committee Mar 3rd, 2025
Banking and Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- The benefit is evidenced by similar programs in effect in other states such as Mississippi.
- These programs are provided by groups like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. the Federal Housing Administration
- , the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the USDA Rural Housing Service.
- These programs look at each homeowner's financial situation individually, understanding that everyone's
- as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and insured by the Federal Housing Administration, the VA, and the USDA
Committee:
House Banking and Finance
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Investment and Jobs Act program.
- And this is for the SRF programs.
- Next, our SWIFT program support.
- SWIFT program last program year.
- detail about each program.
Committee:
House Natural Resources
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources Jan 29th, 2026 at 09:07 am
House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- These watershed districts were formed because USDA came in and wanted to build flood protection dams.
- They also are required by law every year to have NRCS, USDA, NRCS, and the Dam Safety Bureau, which is
- So they would run the program internally.
- So that's how this program runs. He's super supportive, as you might imagine.
- So that's how this program runs. He's super supportive, as you might imagine.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development Apr 9th, 2026
Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, so this itself is not a pilot program. It's to launch pilot programs. Yes.
- It's not a pilot program. It's to launch pilot programs. So we're...
- And so, again, it is a very good program.
- Food distribution is administered through the USDA Commodity Program and the department's Emergency Management
- Epney Brasher's associate, Matt Polk, is the Fire Protection Branch. through the USDA Commodity Program
Summary:
The committee took up several agriculture-related bills and first heard a series of presentations from Louisiana 4-H and FFA student leaders. The students described how those programs built leadership, public speaking, and career goals, and members from both parties responded with personal stories about their own 4-H/FFA experiences and support for agricultural education and youth development.
On House Bill 715, the committee adopted a technical amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The bill requires aerial applicators using public airports or landing fields to carry radios and transponders, with the author and members framing it as a safety measure to prevent near-misses and improve communication during takeoff and landing. On House Bill 663, the committee adopted amendments changing the composition of the Delta Economic Research and Sustainability District board, including removing certain ex officio or agricultural-related members, and then reported the bill favorably; the author said the district has evolved beyond agriculture to include economic development, energy, transportation, and grant work.
House Bill 717, dealing with labeling requirements for cell-cultured food products, was amended technically and reported favorably. The author said the bill simply increases and clarifies the font size and visibility of labels so consumers can more easily see that a product is lab-grown or cell-cultured, matching seafood labeling standards. House Bill 834 on animal shelters received 23 amendments, many technical, but also substantive changes preserving local control, allowing parishes and municipalities to designate or contract with shelters, setting a three-day hold period, clarifying transfer of ownership for stray animals, and providing good-faith liability protection; after discussion with the Police Jury Association and others, the committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably.
The committee also reported Senate Bill 349 favorably, which recreates the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and Senate Bill 350 favorably, which makes a technical name change related to the Louisiana soybean association and board membership. After those votes, Commissioner Mike Strain gave a lengthy sunset-review presentation on the department’s structure, duties, boards, and programs, emphasizing its role in agriculture, forestry, food safety, animal health, weights and measures, and related regulatory and promotional functions.