Video & Transcript : 'academic fresh start' :
Page 30 of 500
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EDN Public Hearing - Tue Mar 31, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- So, you cannot start immersion in seventh grade. You have to start it when you're young.
- You have to start it when seventh grade. You have to start it when you're<00:34:13.200><c> young.
- </c> scaffolded to academic standards. scaffolded to academic standards.
- When did you start developing it?
- When did you start developing it?
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several education resolutions, beginning with HCR 11 and HR 14, which ask the Board of Education and the State Public Charter School Commission to report on improving access to stable, suitable, and affordable facilities for public charter schools. The Charter School Commission supported the measure, and OHA also supported it while noting long-standing facility challenges, the lack of a dedicated facilities appropriation, and the strain on charter schools that have had to use operating funds for buildings and temporary structures. Kealakehe Academy, Hawaii Technology Academy, and several individuals also testified in support.
The committee then took up HCR 181 and HR 171, which seek a shared decision-making committee to develop an action plan for a K-12 Ka Waihona School in Kapolei. The Department of Education said it has already developed a strategic plan for Kaipuni education, has expanded immersion programs over the past decade, and is addressing growth through interim guidance and a new priority placement process. Community witnesses, including representatives of Ke Alo Ever, strongly supported the resolutions, emphasizing the need for a K-12 pathway, the importance of Hawaiian language and culture, and the role of community voice in planning. They argued that teacher shortages, especially for licensed Hawaiian immersion teachers, remain a major barrier and proposed a kumu recruitment and retention program tied to community, UH, and DOE partnerships.
The committee also heard HCR 187 and HR 177, which urge the Department of Education to begin initiatives to address teacher retention statewide. DOE and the University of Hawaiʻi College of Education said teacher retention is already being addressed through the Teacher Education Coordinating Committee, a five-year plan focused on building capacity, improving satisfaction, and compensation, and a new DOE human resources plan. In response to questions, DOE said it is seeking better school-level data on why teachers leave, is preparing for contract negotiations, and is working with the standards board and DLIR on an apprenticeship-related grant. TECC representatives said the group has been working since the pandemic era, may narrow its focus to retention as the most actionable area, and expects to provide more concrete recommendations in its annual report. The transcript ends as the committee moves on to the next item, HCR 47 and HR 43, without showing any votes or final actions on the measures heard.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Repealing requirement to adopt a new residential energy code 3/10/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Recent research on housing starts.
- I'm the director of building performance at Fresh Energy.
- </c> I maybe this is a question for Fresh I maybe this is a question for Fresh Energy<00:32:02.640><c
- Um and then you know in terms of starts.
- But when you start mandating fact.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight committee (6-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Kind of started drinking from a fire hose from the start.
- First, starting with our loan program.
- </c> So start with a couple employees. So start with a couple employees.
- </c><00:19:15.280><c> a</c> Bureau Federation is also starting a Bureau Federation is also starting a
- </c><00:43:28.640><c> fruits</c> able to provide local um fresh fruits able to provide local um fresh
Summary:
The Tobacco Settlement Oversight Committee received a monthly report from the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy and the A Development Board/Finance Corporation. Staff reviewed May activity, including county council visits, loan and grant approvals, farm safety funding, and support for beginning farmers, agricultural infrastructure, processing, and county/state projects. The committee also recognized an intern and thanked Tara Roberts for her service as she prepares to leave the agency. Members were reminded about a June 20 anniversary event marking 25 years of the office and related programs.
A major topic was K-CARD, the Kentucky Center for Agricultural and Rural Development. Staff explained that the program is being expanded to provide more technical assistance for beginning farmers and farm families, including help with business plans and estate planning/farm transition discussions. Members asked how farmers would access the service and were told the extension office would be the front-line contact, with K-CARD providing the technical assistance and neutral-site consultations.
The committee also discussed support for large food animal veterinarians. Staff said the incentive program has helped more than 33 veterinarians and is intended to support existing providers rather than quickly increase numbers; members raised concerns about the pipeline and selection process at Auburn University, and staff said discussions with the university were ongoing. The committee then heard from Community Farm Alliance on Kentucky Double Dollars, Fresh Rx for Moms, and farmers market support programs. CFA reported expansion to roadside stands, more retail onboarding, seven new counties, and estimated economic and farmgate impacts, emphasizing that state funding helps leverage federal and private dollars and stabilize local food access programs. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken beyond approving the May minutes.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- I'll start. I'll start, I'll put my Senate hat on first.
- But it did not start there. It started back in, I want to say, 2010.
- But it did not start there. It started back in, I want to say, 2010.
- Then I kept running out and I started because I figured that he knew I was starting in front of him.
- And when we start to chip away at that, when we start to say, you have to do this and you have to do
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division III (03/28/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- What line number starting on 28 3.
- </c><02:16:40.880><c> It's</c> morning to start their day. It's morning to start their day.
- Uh, I then started talking to Mr.
- Uh, I then started talking to Mr.
- Uh, I then started talking to Mr.
Summary:
The Division 3 work session focused largely on amendment 1176 to HB 2, which would have incorporated the substance of HB 548FN, a House-passed bill creating a direct-pay or membership-based model for health care facilities. Representative Mlan described the proposal as a way to increase competition in health care by extending the direct-care model used in primary care to facilities, arguing it could encourage innovation and that concerns about widespread harm to critical access hospitals were overstated. He pointed to Oklahoma’s long-standing Surgical Center model as evidence that the approach had not spread broadly or displaced hospitals there.
Several members and witnesses raised concerns. Representative Stringham questioned whether the model would shift profitable services and patients away from existing hospitals, potentially worsening their finances and affecting Medicaid-related funding. David Ross, speaking for county nursing homes, opposed the language because it also removed moratoriums on nursing home, skilled nursing, inpatient rehabilitation, and self-pay beds, warning that it could increase pressure on Medicaid rates and undermine community-based care. Ben Bradley of the New Hampshire Hospital Association said the proposal appeared to create a separate regulatory framework for direct-pay facilities and raised concerns about patient safety, CMS participation rules, and a separate patient bill of rights.
The chair concluded that, because HB 548 was already moving through the Senate, the HB 2 process was not the best vehicle for the policy and that the issue should be left to the Senate’s more deliberative committee process. Representative Ferski moved to not accept or remove amendment 1176 from the agenda, and the committee approved the motion by roll call, 9-0, withdrawing the item from HB 2.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Make America Healthy Again Kentucky Task Force (10-15-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:30:22.559><c> foods</c> while providing, you know, fresh foods while providing, you know, fresh
- Started out.
- 57:05.680><c> fruits</c><00:57:06.000><c> and</c> us beyond just fresh fruits and us beyond just fresh
- </c><00:57:44.079><c> started</c> Hancock County. He's a farmer. started Hancock County.
- We kind of and made fresh fresh salsa.
Summary:
The Make America Healthy Kentucky Task Force met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then heard a presentation on the state’s “food is medicine” efforts. Chair Funky Fromm opened by describing a recent foot injury from a road hazard and used it to emphasize the importance of infrastructure, nutrition, sleep, and activity as part of a broader wellness culture. The main witnesses were Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell, Holly Harris of Appalachian Regional Health Care (ARH), and Jim Muser of the Kentucky Hospital Association.
Shell and Harris described a partnership between the Department of Agriculture, the Kentucky Hospital Association, and hospitals such as ARH to connect local farmers with hospital cafeterias, farmers markets, CSA-style subscription food boxes, and medically tailored meals. Harris said ARH serves a large region with 14 hospitals, more than 95 clinics, about 6,700 employees, and 1,300 medical staff, and that the system began by improving employee food options because hospital workers often have limited access to healthy meals during shifts. They reported examples such as a local-protein burger, parking-lot farmers markets, subsidized CSA boxes for employees, and plans for container gardens at some hospitals.
The witnesses said the program is intended to improve health outcomes, reduce readmissions, support chronic disease management, and also increase rural prosperity by expanding demand for Kentucky farm products. Shell said more than 40 hospitals had already been onboarded into the food-is-medicine program, with measurable outcomes being studied through pilots such as one at Russell County Hospital. He also noted that some systems, including CHI St. Joseph Health, Taylor Regional, and UK King’s Daughters, have formally embedded food-as-medicine goals into strategic plans.
Members and witnesses also discussed barriers, especially the lack of reimbursement, fragmented short-term funding, and regulatory or purchasing hurdles that make it difficult for small farmers to participate. Shell said the goal is to make the model scalable and easier for hospitals and farmers to navigate, while Harris emphasized that ARH has been funding its efforts without reimbursement because of its mission. No votes or formal policy actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And I want to start off by just illustrating the expansion and the explosion in this sector.
- We're just seeing the start of what artificial intelligence and robotics can do in agriculture.
- We're just seeing the start of what artificial intelligence and robotics can do in agriculture.
- We already had the groundbreaking ceremony, and we expect to see construction start very soon.
- They require no feed, no fresh water, and have one of the lowest carbon footprints in agriculture.
Committee:
Senate Agriculture
Summary:
The Committee on Agriculture convened, took roll, and heard Senate Bill 58 by Senator Harrow, which would create regulation for companion animal cremation. Harrow described a case involving mishandled pet remains and said the bill would require written service descriptions, prohibit false or misleading statements, require certification with returned remains, authorize Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services rulemaking, and impose civil penalties for violations. With no questions or public opposition, the committee voted the bill favorably.
The committee then heard presentations on robotics in agriculture and aquaculture. Dr. Nathan Boyd of UF/IFAS discussed the rapid growth of agricultural robotics, including AI-driven weed detection, targeted spraying, autonomous tractors, and harvesting technology, emphasizing reduced pesticide use, lower input costs, and labor-saving automation. Dr. Nicole Kirchoff of Live Advantage Bait and Adrian Johnson of the Florida Shellfish Aquaculture Association highlighted aquaculture’s economic and environmental value, Florida’s strong position in the industry, and challenges including hurricane losses, lack of insurance, land-use instability, capital access, and water quality. They urged support for working waterfronts, risk mitigation, and policies to help the sector commercialize and expand.
The committee also heard from dairy producers Kevin Lusher and Jacob Larson. Lusher described his family’s dairy and artisan cheese business, noting reliance on USDA grants, rising costs, labor shortages, and regulatory burdens, and asked for more grant support, marketing for Fresh From Florida products, and permanent funding for Farmers Feeding Florida. Larson discussed the broader dairy market, declining herd sizes due to efficiency gains, high production costs in Florida, and competition from out-of-state processing, suggesting incentives for local processing and supply management. Finally, FDOT Chief Planner Wayway Schen presented on arterial and local road funding programs, including ART, ARTW, SCOP, SCRAP, CIGP, and TRIP, and said rural road needs remain significant, with more than $16 billion in unfunded or partially funded project needs. The committee adjourned after brief discussion and thanks to the presenters.
NV
Nevada 2025 Regular Session
Senate Committee on Natural Resources May 30th, 2025 at 12:00 pm
Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- We're going to start with Assembly Bill 543. Before we begin, we do have a few housekeeping items.
- We are now going to start the hearing on Assembly Bill 165, which We are now going to start the hearing
- without access to food in communities where we just don't have convenient locations for good, healthy, fresh
- The federal government announced severe cuts to fresh food programs, farm-to-table programs, to support
- The federal government announced severe cuts to fresh food programs, farm to table, The federal government
Committee:
Senate Natural Resources
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Agriculture Committee Meeting - 2025-04-02
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- We're also starting to see that relationships are being built.
- We started selling to Farm to School in 2020.
- I think it's a great opportunity to provide fresh local food to our schools and start building that connection
- That's starting on line 4.21 through 4.124. I'm sorry, 4.24.
- You'll see that on page 26, line 7, is where it starts.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
AGR Public Hearing - Wed Mar 19, 2025 @ 9:30 AM HST
Agriculture & Food Systems
Transcript Highlights:
- Again, we ... want to see more fresh fruits vegetables want to see more fresh fruits vegetables Meats
- , fresh grapes, and, you know, to have the principal say for most of these kids this is the only fresh
- , fresh grapes, and, you know, to have the principal say for most of these kids this is the only fresh
- , fresh grapes, and, you know, to have the principal say for most of these kids this is the only fresh
- , fresh grapes, and, you know, to have the principal say for most of these kids this is the only fresh
Committee:
House Agriculture & Food Systems
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- There are a few announcements to make before we get started.
- I'll start with just the order they're in.
- So we're starting a mobile market.
- You know, courts are supposed to start at 10.
- I just think that we're starting, we may be starting a dangerous precedent by people that don't necessarily
Bills:
HCR41 , HB11 , HB227 , HB243 , HB278 , HB335 , HB424 , HB454 , HB455 , HB492 , HB623 , HB641 , HB660 , HB708 , HB719 , HB940 , HB1029 , HB1053 , HB1069 , HB1077
Committee:
House Judiciary
Summary:
The committee first took up H.C.R. 41, which would direct the ATC to allow electronic rebates for beer purchases and clarify that rebates are the manufacturer’s responsibility. The author and supporters said it would align beer with wine and other liquor rules. With no opposition, the resolution was moved forward. The committee then advanced H.B. 1029, which extends a moratorium on certain alcoholic beverage permits in House District 3 to give Shreveport and the MPC more time to revise local ordinances; it also moved forward without objection.
The committee next considered two related bills by Rep. Egan on district attorney funding. H.B. 660, as amended, raises the state warrant amount used to support assistant district attorneys from $50,000 to $60,000 and sets district attorney salaries at $65,000 effective July 1, 2026. The Louisiana District Attorneys Association and several DAs supported the bill, saying it would help recruit and retain prosecutors. H.B. 719, also amended, increases the number of assistant district attorney warrants in many judicial districts statewide, with supporters describing it as a response to crime, population changes, and local workload needs. Both bills were reported favorably as amended.
Rep. Ventrella’s H.B. 227, allowing court filings on letter-sized paper instead of only legal-sized paper, was also moved favorably. The committee then heard extensive testimony on H.B. 335 by Rep. Henry, which would expand citizenship verification requirements for entities administering public benefits. Supporters said it was meant to ensure state dollars go to U.S. and Louisiana citizens and to add accountability for NGOs; opponents, including farmers, food-access nonprofits, and health providers, argued it would create administrative burdens, chill participation in SNAP-related programs, and discourage vulnerable people from seeking food or medical help. After an amendment exempting nonprofit food distribution was adopted, the bill was reported favorably by a 12-5 vote.
Finally, the committee took up H.B. 623, a tobacco and vapor products permitting bill. After adopting a three-minute rule, the committee accepted an amendment removing tobacco products from the proposed three-tier permitting system and excluding lawful marijuana products authorized by LDH. The amended bill was then reported favorably. The transcript ends as the committee was beginning H.B. 708.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
JLCAR Administrative Rules (02/20/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, our previous RSA, uh, all it had was fresh. Well, fresh doesn't have a definition.
- </c><00:36:30.800><c> Well,</c> RSA uh alls it had was fresh. Well, RSA uh alls it had was fresh.
- </c><00:36:32.320><c> Fresh</c> fresh doesn't have a definition.
- Fresh fresh doesn't have a definition.
- </c><00:36:33.760><c> Fresh</c><00:36:34.079><c> isn't</c> Fresh isn’t something that’s used.
Summary:
The committee convened after briefly waiting for a quorum, approved the minutes and consent agenda, and then moved through several agency rule items. The Department of Transportation’s outdoor advertising rule filing was approved after staff noted the department had addressed substantive comments, though the rules had been expired since 2021 and the agency said it had been operating under statute. Members asked about a denied digital sign proposal, and DOT said that decision was based on statute rather than the rule. The Department of Safety’s administrative license suspension item was postponed with a waiver so the agency could submit conditional approval materials and resolve issues between its forms and rules. The Board of Architects item was conditionally approved, with the condition that the board later approve updated incorporation-by-reference materials at its April 3 meeting or the matter would return as a preliminary objection.
The Department of Agriculture’s expired rules prompted extended discussion. Staff and committee members questioned why the department was seeking to adopt rules that had been expired for many years and whether the statutes already provided enough authority to operate without them. Agriculture officials said they were working through a broader modernization effort, focusing on statutes that use mandatory language and updating outdated rules to match current practices, federal standards, and current products such as apples, cider, eggs, and other agricultural commodities. They said the rules before the committee were part of that effort and recommended approval, but members remained concerned about whether some rules were unnecessary. The committee ultimately granted a waiver and postponed the agriculture item for one month so staff could review the underlying statutes and determine whether rulemaking is actually required.
Under other business, the committee took up an emergency Department of Safety rule to update DMV forms to reflect statutory fee changes enacted in the 2025 budget. DMV officials said the new fees were already in effect, but the corresponding forms still showed old amounts, causing confusion for customers and elected officials who were fielding complaints. They argued the forms needed immediate updating because the affected forms are widely used, and they said the department had already tried to treat the changes as editorial before being told full rulemaking was required. The department emphasized it was trying to follow the process while avoiding continued use of incorrect fee forms, and asked the committee to allow the emergency rule to proceed.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> going to start popping a little wheel. going to start popping a little wheel.
- Where it starts, where does it start from? Did it come down through my district?
- Where it starts, where does it They do. Where it starts, where does it start<02:07:51.920><c> from?
- I do know in this bill it says, starting on page two, I'll start reading down at—let's start at 49 with
- So, when you start consolidating, you start losing services, not gaining services.
Summary:
The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a quorum present, then adopted a resolution honoring Dr. Todd Freeman, Superintendent of Vestavia Hills City Schools, as Alabama Superintendent of the Year. Senators praised his leadership in public education and noted the recognition was especially meaningful as one of the last such honors in the current chamber. The Senate also adopted a resolution commending the 2026 Alabama Law Institute Senate interns for their service, and members offered personal remarks thanking the interns and encouraging them to remain and contribute to Alabama in the future.
The chamber then took up several conference committee and House messages. The Senate concurred in the conference report on Senate Bill 341 after extended remarks, and later concurred in the conference report on Senate Bill 32, described as a veterans-related bill that would make benefits automatic for those under the federal poverty level and allow cities and counties to opt in for veterans above that level. The Senate also received House amendments to Senate Bill 199, concerning sex offenders, and voted to non-concur and send the bill to conference, naming conferees.
In resolutions from the Rules Committee, the Senate adopted an amended House Joint Resolution 198 establishing the Alabama Mental Health Task Force. It also adopted House Joint Resolution 326, which recognizes the need for a north-south transportation route in East Alabama. Throughout the meeting, senators made extended floor remarks about slowing down on legislation, focusing on rural hospitals and other priorities, and the importance of treating children, seniors, and low-income residents fairly.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration Mar 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I'd just like to provide a brief overview as we get started.
- That's the first phase that started a month ago, or two months ago in January.
- All right, with that, let's go ahead and we'll start over here.
- March, you started your comments with $1 to $2. Can you... Mr.
- March, you started your comments with $1 to $2.
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on State Administration heard several budget proposals from CDTFA, the Board of Equalization, and the Franchise Tax Board. The first panel focused on cannabis, hemp, flavored tobacco, and related enforcement. CDTFA requested ongoing funding to implement cannabis tax changes, enforce the new intoxicating hemp restrictions and flavored tobacco seizure authority, and continue compliance work. The department said it is targeting illicit product, protecting licensed businesses, and using referrals from the public and lawmakers to focus inspections. The LAO supported some of the proposals but urged the Legislature to treat them as part of a longer-term enforcement strategy and raised concerns about the use of General Fund support for cannabis enforcement. Public testimony on the cannabis item largely supported stronger enforcement and funding for the legal market.
The committee also heard CDTFA’s request to reappropriate funds for an upgrade to the CROS tax collection system, which would improve taxpayer services, security, and software maintenance without adding new money. A separate CDTFA proposal would make all delivery network companies, such as DoorDash and Uber Eats, marketplace facilitators for sales tax purposes. CDTFA said the change would reduce confusion for restaurants and improve compliance, while the LAO questioned whether the proposal functioned more like a tax increase because it would also capture service fees. Members raised affordability concerns, but the proposal was framed by the administration as a parity and compliance measure.
The subcommittee then considered a governor’s proposal for a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit. Finance argued the credit would help decarbonize aviation and support in-state production, while the LAO recommended rejection, citing cost, uncertainty about environmental benefits, possible diversion of diesel excise tax revenues from transportation programs, and concerns about consistency with voter-approved transportation funding rules. Testimony from airlines, labor unions, airports, and refinery workers strongly supported the credit, emphasizing union jobs, refinery conversions, and emissions reductions, while fuel retailers and some others warned about fiscal risk and higher fuel prices. The chair and some members expressed support for the proposal despite the funding concerns.
Finally, the BOE presented an IT modernization project for state-assessed property administration, saying the current system is outdated and manual and that a new system is needed to improve accuracy, cybersecurity, and workflow efficiency, especially with a likely increase in workload from new VoIP assessments. The LAO asked for more justification for the timing, but BOE said the urgency stems from aging systems and growing workload. BOE also requested modest funding to implement SB 293 changes to intergenerational property transfers and wildfire relief guidance, which the LAO did not oppose. The Franchise Tax Board began its presentation on the final phase of its Enterprise Data to Revenue modernization effort, describing the project’s rollout across audit, collections, legal, and filing enforcement workloads and noting it is now in a warranty period.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance May 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So we're going to get started.
- Let me start with that.
- That seems like a reasonable starting point.
- I'll start with Dr. Patel.
- The kitchen then started to spill out water.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Just a few questions here to start.
- One, I applaud what you're doing, so let me start by saying that.
- I was about to start calling you and hanging up.
- stand, a fresh food market?
- stand, a fresh for... funds to people who might want to open up like a fresh food stand, a fresh food
Keywords:
surveillance, price discrimination, consumer protection, automated decision systems, data privacy, broadband, cable service, price increase, notification, digital assets, abandonment, custodian, escheatment, blockchain, cryptocurrency, unclaimed property, state treasurer, telecommunications, spoofing, call authentication
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 02/19/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- We're going to start with concurrent bills. We're going to start with concurrent bills.
- </c> to to restore profitability and starting to to restore profitability and starting in<00:19:19.640
- , whole wheat flour, fresh maple syrup, and fresh greens.
- , whole wheat flour, fresh maple syrup, and fresh greens.
- , whole wheat flour, fresh maple syrup, and fresh greens.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
AGRICULTURE- HOUSE SMALL BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEV. SUBCOM. Jun 2nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We started our farm in about 2016. Since then, we started our farm in about 2016.
- At that time, we started with just one cow to provide the best food we could for our family.
- And as word got out that we had good raw milk, people started coming to us asking for milk to buy.
- So it would be a year and a half before we actually start growing the first food in the containers.
- That goes away with fresh food pop-up markets.
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from its October 27 meeting and then heard testimony from Clinton Ballard of Milk and Honey Hill Farm about the impact of Act 698 on raw dairy producers. Ballard said the law allowed his farm to expand from one cow to 12, serve about 150 families, increase sales by roughly $50,000, and sell about $10,000 in raw cheese and other products through retail outlets. He argued the law improved farm income, food security, and local supply, and he asked for an optional state inspection/certification path for raw milk producers so they could access USDA grants and other opportunities available to licensed dairies. Committee members asked about herd management, safety practices, bee production, market channels, and whether such certification should remain voluntary; Ballard said he follows Grade A-style sanitation, chills milk quickly, removes sick cows from production, and supports optional training or inspection but not mandatory regulation.
Members also raised food safety concerns, especially for children and pregnant women, and Ballard responded that raw milk producers rely on cleanliness, rapid cooling, consumer feedback, and truth in labeling. He said the health department currently inspects commercial dairies but not raw milk producers who do not sell through a cooperative, and he believed state inspection would help producers distinguish themselves and qualify for funding without changing interstate rules. Several members discussed the balance between consumer choice, safety, and possible “mission creep” if the state created a certification system.
The committee then heard a lengthy presentation from Terence Bolden of TLB Enterprises on hydroponic and container farming as a response to food insecurity and food deserts. Bolden described a three-year workforce and career-technical program built around retrofitted shipping containers, drones, robotics, agribusiness, and AI, with partnerships involving schools, universities, Farm Bureau, UAPB, the Little Rock School District, and other entities. He said the model could create year-round local food production, support school cafeterias and community markets, and generate jobs and economic impact, estimating at least four jobs per container and potentially significant regional economic benefits. Members asked about costs, target communities, energy needs, crop types, and implementation timelines; Bolden said the first containers for school sites could be in place by late summer or early fall, with pilot projects already underway in Arkansas and Orlando. The meeting adjourned after no further business.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
AGRICULTURE- HOUSE SMALL BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEV. SUBCOM. Jun 2nd, 2026
AGRICULTURE- HOUSE SMALL BUSINESS & ECONOMIC DEV. SUBCOM.
Transcript Highlights:
- We started our farm in about 2016. Since then, we started our farm in about 2016.
- At that time, we started with just one cow to provide the best food we could for our family.
- And as word got out that we had good raw milk, people started coming to us asking for milk to buy.
- So it's just, you know, it would be a year and a half before we actually start growing the first food
- That goes away with fresh food pop-up markets.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Feb 3rd, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- A snake sheds, and they get rid of that skin, and they start the new year.
- About the shedding of the skin, because I think that we need to shed skin and start anew.
- And it represents a freshness, it represents a brand new start.
- So I want to start by saying I would love nothing more.
- My dad came over who was raised by German speakers and started to read them.