Transcript Highlights:

• . >> No farm, no food, Mr. President.
• We have over 30,000 family farms that generate nearly $90 billion in economic impact.
• >> NO FARM, NO FOOD, Mr. PRESIDENT.
• WE HAVE OVER 30,000 FAMILY FARMS THAT GENERATE NEARLY $90 BILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT.
• OUR FARMS GROW AND PRODUCE WHAT'S CALLED THE FULL PLATE.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal, then moved through a series of introductions and resolutions recognizing Women’s History Month honorees, Prince Hall Masons and Eastern Stars, Agriculture Week, Pakistan-American Heritage Day, visiting Mercaz Academy students, and the 175th anniversary of Albany Law School. Several senators spoke in support of the commemorations, and each resolution was adopted. The chamber then took up a number of bills on the calendar. Among the measures passed were bills related to insurance, private housing finance, public health, mental hygiene, real property, elder law, public authorities, and environmental conservation. One bill on the Environmental Conservation Law drew a procedural challenge over a proposed amendment; the Chair’s ruling that the amendment was nongermane was upheld by a show of hands, after which the bill passed. Another bill amending the Emergency Tenant Protection Act was debated on the issue of vacant rent-stabilized units and LLC ownership transparency, with supporters saying it would help identify responsible owners and opponents arguing it was too broad and could impose unclear penalties; it ultimately passed. The most extended debate centered on a real property bill concerning electronic rent payment systems and automated clearinghouse fees. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure that lets tenants choose whether to use such systems, while critics questioned how fees would be handled and whether the bill would affect landlord costs. After debate, the bill passed. A public health bill sponsored by Senator Webb also passed after she explained it was intended to improve transparency and oversight of changes to maternity and perinatal services amid concerns about maternal health deserts and hospital closures. The Senate then completed the calendar and adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Brian Miamoto here on behalf of the Hawaii Farm Bureau.
• We submitted some written comments um and echo some of the sentiments uh that the Farm Bureau shared.
• and DAB have done, you know, work to ensure that there are some opportunities for small and family farm
• <00:26:47.279> operations<00:26:47.760> to for small and family farm operations to
• for small and family farm operations to gain<00:26:48.480> a<00:26:48.640> foothold,<00

Bills: SB2064, SB2662, SB2862, SB2343, SB2075, SB2781, SB2927, SB3068, SB3015, SB2929, SB2938, SB3230, SB3249, SB3332, SB3216

Keywords: state architect, construction projects, design approvals, building codes, state agency oversight, government accountability, external consultants, procurement reform, cost efficiency, in-house expertise, gubernatorial appointments, senate confirmation, executive branch, accountability, civil service, SB2343, Hawaii Legislature, regular session, lengthened session, continuous legislature

Summary: The committee met on February 12, 2026, to take decision-making on measures previously heard earlier in the month. Several bills were deferred indefinitely or set for later discussion, including SB 2064 on the Office of the State Architect, SB 3068 on procurement, and SB 3216 after its contents were moved into another measure. SB 2862 on gubernatorial appointments, SB 2781, and SB 315 were all deferred to Tuesday, February 17 at 3 p.m. in Room 225 for further work. The committee also noted that if technical problems interrupted the meeting, it would reconvene later for outstanding decision-making. The committee passed SB 2343 on the Legislature with amendments incorporating language from SB 3216, technical changes, and a defective date of 2525. SB 2075 was advanced as a Senate draft 1 after amendments responding to constitutional concerns raised by the attorney general and SPO. SB 2927 on procurement was also passed with amendments clarifying debriefing requirements and adding technical changes, and SB 2938 on search and rescue was amended to place the position in Hima rather than the Governor’s office before being adopted. SB 3249 on procurement protests was amended to remove the term "frivolous," reduce the forfeiture to half the bond amount, and note unresolved issues, then adopted. The committee also took up SB 3332 on state-funded travel, amending it to remove certain lines, report travel by position number to protect confidentiality, remove subsection G, and add a defective date of 2525; it was adopted. SB 2929 on public notice was amended into a pilot project for counties with populations between 100,000 and 175,000, with a year-end report to the Legislature, and was adopted. Later, the committee returned to SB 2094 on environmental action levels, heard testimony from the Department of Health in support of its current scientific process and from an environmental caucus witness in strong support of the bill’s transparency and petition provisions, and then deferred decision-making to February 17 at 3 p.m. in Room 225. In the joint hearing portion, SB 3233 on agricultural workforce housing drew generally supportive testimony from ADC, the Farm Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce, the Hawaii Farmers Union, and the State Procurement Office, with concerns focused on clarity, flexibility for smaller farms, and avoiding concentration of benefits in one large operation. The committee ultimately recommended passing SB 3233 with the State Procurement Office’s clarifying amendments and the Hawaii Farmers Union’s amendment to ensure workforce housing incentives benefit multiple farmers, and the measure was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here representing Farm to Table.
• New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau proudly represents farming and ranching families across our state
• Members of the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau strongly support Senate Bill 143.
• Farms or the ranches.
• Maybe at the farm or at the point of distribution. Thank you very much.

Bills: SB47, SB110, SB122, SB143, SB168

Keywords: food recovery, composting, waste management, solid waste surcharge, organic waste reduction, environment, grants, advisory group, bosque management, Rio Grande, environmental protection, water resources, fiscal appropriation, drinking water, well owners, water testing, water treatment, public health, agriculture, New Mexico Department of Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• Um I grew up on a cattle farm summer.
• That's on page number 10, is the Community Farm Alliance.
• It was Grow Farms LLC. Can you share more about why that project was denied?
• The denied project was Grow Farms LLC.
• <00:38:02.880> And Ultimately improve net farm income?

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee convened for its first meeting, called the roll, elected co-chairs under KRS 248.723, and approved the prior meeting minutes. Representative Michael Pollock was elected House co-chair and Senator Jason Howell was elected Senate co-chair, allowing the meeting to proceed. The Agricultural Development Board then reported on activity from December 2024 through April 2025. Staff described board and finance corporation funding totals for each month, county council meeting activity, leadership trainings, lender trainings, and outreach events such as Kentucky Proud breakfast, Ag Tag Month, and agriculture education week. The report also highlighted several funded projects: a Whitesburg farmers market project for Cowan Community Action Group, Community Farm Alliance’s work supporting farmers markets and nutrition programs, a Metcalfe County 4-H ham project, Hopkinsville Elevator’s rail expansion, and W and W Veterinary Services’ large-animal facility upgrade. Members discussed the importance of the tobacco settlement funds and the committee’s stewardship role. Senator Webb urged new members to read House Bill 611 and its history, emphasizing careful use of the limited funds and noting the committee’s statutory mission. Representative King asked about possible federal nutrition policy changes, and staff said Kentucky is already pursuing a “Food as Medicine” initiative and a partnership with the Kentucky Hospital Association. The meeting also recognized interns and announced a June 20, 2025, 25th anniversary event for the Agricultural Development Fund at the Kentucky History Center.

Transcript Highlights:

• And along with that we just talk about the farm ground, but we're not talking about the farm worker,
• But if we're truly going to help the Central Valley, let's talk about farmers and farming.
• and local farm food systems.
• Thank you This is a quick comment love the farm school program.
• We are a clean energy developer working to build an offshore wind farm.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <04:11:42.399> A farms at Coppel House Farm in Lee. A farms at Coppel House Farm in Lee.
• This is not a right to farm.
• <04:16:49.920> HB133 and farming their own land. HB133 and farming their own land.
• I'm farming over 200 acres.
• They are insured as farm equipment. I They are insured as farm equipment.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Farm Bureau is a federation of New Hampshire's 10 county farm organizations, consisting of about 2,500
• family farm members and supporters.
• State Farm is happy to and does offer discounts if it makes sense for State Farm and for the customers
• Probably not true for State Farm.
• then the insurance car I mean State Farm then the insurance car I mean State Farm they<05:41:39.440

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, how there's mychniman was raised on a 1/5 generation farm and ranch in Garber, Oklahoma.
• Upon graduation, Tyler moved home to Garber to continue his legacy of farming and ranching alongside
• Tyler currently farms with his older brother Travis and his dad Lee and looks forward to the future of
• more fulfilling to Tyler than knowing that the next generation is anxious to continue his legacy of farming
• Attended Oklahoma State University, immediately came back to the farm.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got a new market and are improving our farm.
• And I have the pleasure of serving as Minnesota Farm Bureau president.
• <00:10:48.720> We're<00:10:48.880> a Minnesota Farm Bureau President.
• We're a Minnesota Farm Bureau President.
• Dan Gleason, Minnesota Farm Bureau president: "Nonpartisan general farm organization representing

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 1669, adopting the DE2 amendment, which was described as the bill itself. The amended bill would expand Minnesota’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit by increasing annual allocations, extending the sunset date from 2030 to 2035, adding an extra credit for lower-carbon fuels, and adding environmental and other qualifying requirements. The chair noted the amendment aligned the bill with the governor’s proposal, and the amendment was approved on a voice vote. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Commissioner Tom Peterson of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture backed the bill as a way to preserve Minnesota’s leadership in SAF, attract private investment, and keep crop and timber feedstocks processed in-state. Farmers and agricultural groups, including Minnesota Farmers Union and Minnesota Farm Bureau, said SAF could create new domestic markets for crops such as corn, soybeans, winter camelina, and pennycress while improving farm income and supporting climate-smart practices. Forestry representatives argued that wood waste and forest residue could be turned into SAF, improving forest health and reducing wildfire risk. Environmental and clean-energy groups also supported the bill, emphasizing the added guardrails. The Minnesota Environmental Partnership, Friends of the Mississippi River, and Fresh Energy said the amendments would better protect water quality, soil health, biodiversity, and climate outcomes by favoring lower-carbon SAF and limiting harmful land-use change. University of Minnesota Forever Green representatives said winter-hardy crops could scale over time, and they pointed to ongoing commercialization work and a 1 Million Acre Scaling Study. Labor and construction groups said the bill would support major infrastructure investment and create long-term jobs, with testimony citing the first Minnesota SAF facility already announced and the potential for multiple hubs statewide. No vote on final passage was taken in the portion provided, but the committee heard extensive supportive testimony and questions focused on scalability, infrastructure, and how the credit would accelerate SAF development in Minnesota.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are many family farms, ranches, small businesses, and homeowners that rely on exempt wells as their
• I'm in this situation myself on my farm in Gonzales County, and these wells are absolutely necessary
• a permit for 15,000 acre-feet, and now they want to install three additional wells adjacent to my farm
• My farm, we are absolutely not protected by these ground by the current water code.
• My name is Charlie Leal, and I serve as legislative state director for Texas Farm Bureau, and we are

Bills: HB2018, HB1633, HB1689, SB612, SB3058

Keywords: agricultural conservation, land preservation, environmental protection, wildlife habitat, Texas Farm and Ranch, groundwater conservation district, Texas Water Code, water permit, permit amendment, groundwater permit, water rights, aquifer, well registration, exempt wells, beneficial use, water conservation, groundwater quality, well plugging, Hill Country Priority Groundwater Management Area, surface water resources

Summary: The Senate Water, Agriculture, Rural Affairs Committee heard several bills focused on groundwater management, water infrastructure, and agricultural land conservation. SB 612 would limit certain water districts in Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy counties from charging developers pipeline construction fees above actual, documented costs; the committee substitute removed a developer challenge mechanism to preserve district discretion over construction standards. HB 1633 would require groundwater conservation districts to consider registered exempt wells when reviewing or amending permits, and testimony from landowners, district representatives, and advocacy groups largely supported the bill as a way to protect domestic and livestock wells from drawdown caused by large export projects. HB 1689 would clarify that export fee revenues may be used for well operability, alternative water supplies, and aquifer monitoring, including through interlocal cooperation, and HB 3058 would give the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District authority to use export fees for county road improvements and environmental programs tied to well inspection and groundwater management. HB 2018 would clarify that the Texas Farm and Ranchland Conservation Program is intended to purchase conservation easements only on working agricultural lands, with support from cattle raisers and Farm Bureau representatives. The committee also considered HB 29, which would require large water systems to validate water loss audits and submit mitigation plans; a committee substitute removed the water-loss threshold and adjusted the timeline for more detailed validation. Public testimony on the bills was generally supportive, with several witnesses describing declining well levels, road damage from export projects, and the need to preserve agricultural land and local water supplies. The committee adopted committee substitutes and voted favorably on HB 29, HB 1689, HB 2018, SB 612, and SB 3058, recommending several of them for the local and uncontested calendar; HB 1633 was left pending awaiting a committee substitute.

Transcript Highlights:

• We specialize in end to end wind farm decommissioning support.
• those stipulations as far as financial assurance are done in the original implementation of the wind farm
• Again, the initiator, the, the person that owns the wind farm or the solar farm, is there a reporting
• We're gonna have to shut down a, uh, a major farm to market road through our area.
• Big enough as they anyway and they're prevalent enough everywhere and these are just breeding farms.

Bills: HB205

Keywords: disaster recovery, economic development, grants, loans, infrastructure support

Transcript Highlights:

• Solar farms. The department has engaged in solar farms.
• Solar farms. The department has engaged in solar farms.
• Solar farms. The department has engaged in solar farms.
• that include solar farming? that include solar farming?
• >> Solar<03:02:57.520> farming. >> Solar farming. >> Solar farming.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1790 HD1, which would require law enforcement and oversight agencies to collect and report data on stops, use of force, and complaints to the Hawaii Crime Lab, which would publish incident-level information and annual reports. Supporters, including the Office of the Public Defender, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the ACLU of Hawaii, Hawaii Justice Rising, and the Policing Project, said the bill would improve transparency, help identify disparities, and support better policy and accountability. OHA requested amendments to ensure Hawaiians are identified as a distinct category in the data, and the University of Hawaii’s Ashley Rubin said the Crime Lab would work with agencies to make implementation as seamless as possible. The Department of Law Enforcement supported the bill’s intent but asked for a longer timeline and culturally appropriate methodology, while HPD opposed the bill as written, saying it would require too many new data points, create a significant administrative burden, and rely on subjective perceptions of race and ethnicity; HPD also noted it is piloting an e-citation system that could help with data collection. Committee members questioned HPD about current manual processes and technology options. The chair reported 18 testimonies total: 15 in support, one in opposition, and two with comments, and no vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard HB 1611 HD1, which would phase down the general excise tax on groceries and nonprescription drugs until a full exemption takes effect in 2034. The Department of Taxation offered technical recommendations, including clearer definitions for groceries and nonprescription drugs and a technical change regarding the county surcharge exemption. Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and the Hawaii Food Industry Association, argued the GET on groceries is regressive and worsens food insecurity, especially for low-income households, and said the bill would provide needed relief. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered technical concerns, including a possible wholesale-tax enforcement issue once the exemption is fully phased in. The excerpt ends during testimony on HB 1611, with no final committee action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We were there for disasters, taking over family farms, buying them, renting them back for a dollar, and
• then selling them back, saving farms, right?
• then selling them back, saving farms, right?
• Our record $500 million farm financial stability loan program put us over the top on that.
• And now we had our largest record-breaking farm financial stability program that we have just closed

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee received a compliance and status update on Industrial Commission programs and the Bank of North Dakota. Staff reviewed appropriations and spending for several Industrial Commission funds and grant programs, including lignite research, oil and gas research, clean sustainable energy, grid resiliency, salt cavern analysis, and the new NDSU research and technology park grant. Members discussed the timing of reimbursements, uncommitted balances, and the structure of the pipeline capacity and enhanced oil recovery funding. The Industrial Commission also reported on its administrative budget, grant management system project, and recent leadership transitions across several agencies. Karen Tyler of the Industrial Commission described active grant rounds and the status of major projects. She said the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority approved three projects in its sixth round, with remaining uncommitted cash and loan capacity still available, though no new funding was appropriated this session. She also said the Oil and Gas Research Council approved six enhanced oil recovery projects and expects additional funding after a federal Department of Energy award replaces one project’s state funding. For grid resiliency grants, she said some projects have been funded, some commitments were returned or reallocated, and some DOE funds remain pending. She also updated the committee on the salt cavern business case study, which replaced an earlier larger development proposal, and on the NDSU research park grant, where the nonmatching portion was paid and the matching portion has moved slowly because the match must be in cash. Ron Ness then gave an extended presentation on enhanced oil recovery and North Dakota oil and gas trends. He said production remains steady, but future growth depends on infrastructure, especially gas takeaway and projects like the Bakken East pipeline. He argued that enhanced oil recovery using CO2, natural gas, surfactants, and other methods could extend Bakken production for decades, but that the state needs more CO2 supply, better storage, and updated tax and regulatory incentives. Members asked about lateral lengths, CO2 availability, pipeline impacts, and the role of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and Ness emphasized that the projects are intended to share technical learning across operators and attract follow-on investment. The Bank of North Dakota then presented its compliance report and strategic update. President Don Morgan said the bank’s mission remains to support North Dakota agriculture, commerce, and industry while cooperating with the state’s financial sector. He reviewed the bank’s main business lines: participation lending with community institutions, student loans, disaster lending, mission-based programs, and a new fintech-focused effort. Morgan said deposits are flattening, so the bank is managing balance sheet growth carefully, while still reporting improved net income and strong efficiency. He also introduced Rough Rider Coin as a bank-to-bank payment rail, not a public cryptocurrency, intended to speed and modernize payments within North Dakota’s banking and credit union system. Committee members asked about student loan eligibility, disaster program use, and how credit lines and liquidity would be affected if deposits shrink.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also was able to visit a few um Farms I also was able to visit a few um Farms this<00:10:06.880
• farmed and wild deer.
• <01:05:49.000> in there's currently 79 deer farms in there's currently 79 deer farms in Minnesota
• <01:05:51.640> during Minnesota 19 deer farms closed during Minnesota 19 deer farms closed
• <01:09:14.040> that yes there have been 19 deer farms that yes there have been 19 deer farms

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Chair Foung Hawj opened the Environment, Climate and Legacy Committee meeting by welcoming members, agency staff, and constituents, and by outlining the committee’s shared-power arrangement for the session. Members introduced themselves and described environmental activities from the interim, including gardening, outdoor recreation, farming visits, Great Lakes work, and a tree-planting trip in Thailand that Hawj said symbolized cultural unity and environmental stewardship. Ben Stanley, the committee’s nonpartisan counsel, then explained the co-chairs’ operating agreement: Hawj would chair the meeting, Senator John Hoffman would chair the next two meetings, then Hawj would chair the following two, with the chair rotating after each pair of meetings. Agendas would be set jointly, additional meetings would require both chairs’ approval, and passing a bill out of committee would require a majority of all committee members, or seven votes. At Senator Tory Westrom’s request, the agreement was to be emailed to members in writing. Stanley also reviewed the committee’s jurisdiction, which includes environmental and natural resources bills, legacy funds, and agencies such as the Environmental Quality Board, Department of Natural Resources, Pollution Control Agency, and Board of Water and Soil Resources, along with several related councils and boards. Fiscal analyst Dan Mueller then gave a budget overview of the committee’s agencies, noting that many current biennium appropriations include one-time general fund money that drops back in the 2026-27 base budget. He highlighted funding levels for the Pollution Control Agency, DNR, Metro Parks, Conservation Corps, BWSR, the Minnesota Zoo, the Science Museum, and the Metropolitan Landfill Contingency Action Trust Account, and said the committee’s base-budget area totals about $2.2 billion. He also reviewed the Legacy funds, estimating available 2026-27 appropriations of about $327 million for Outdoor Heritage, $31.7 million for Clean Water, $133 million for Parks and Trails, and $185 million for Arts and Cultural Heritage. No votes or bill actions were taken at this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• grants for farm losses due to weather conditions.
• Special Fund to provide grants for farm losses due to weather conditions. >> The question is, shall
• security special fund to provide farm security special fund to provide grants<00:20:37.679> for
• c><00:20:37.919> farm<00:20:38.240> losses<00:20:38.880> due<00:20:39.120> to
• <00:20:39.280> weather grants for farm losses due to weather grants for farm losses due to

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional by Representative Brenda Steady and then suspended the rules to introduce 12 House bills by number only, referring them to committees. Members also read a House concurrent resolution congratulating the 2025 Milton High School Yellow Jackets boys soccer team on winning the Division 2 championship, and the chamber welcomed the team and coaches to the gallery. The Speaker announced that HCR 163 had been mistakenly placed on the consent calendar and removed it, and also announced committee appointments following a resignation. A series of guest recognitions followed, including visitors from the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative, the 2026 Snelling Early Childhood Leadership Institute cohort, mentoring organizations observing National Mentoring Month, the Vermont Historical Society, and former Representative Mari Cordes. Members also highlighted an upcoming Act 73 overview, the first Farmers Night concert, and a Caucus for Vermont’s Economy meeting. No votes were taken on these announcements, but the House formally welcomed the guests and recognized new House leadership and a new committee assistant. On the action calendar, the House passed H.649 on captive insurance companies and concurred in S.60 establishing the Farm Security Special Fund for weather-related farm losses. The House then approved H.534 on community action agencies, with the Human Services Committee describing it as a statute update that changes terminology, strengthens planning and governance requirements, and uses people-first language; the committee reported a 10-0-1 vote. The House also advanced H.84, which allows telehealth appointments to be recorded only with patient and provider consent; the Health Care Committee said it modernizes telehealth law without weakening privacy protections and reported a 10-0-1 vote. The chamber ordered third reading or passage on each bill and then adjourned until Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And in nearly profitability on the farm.
• already just in been brought to farms already just in the<00:13:22.240> pilot<00:13:22.639>
• be able to work on some of these farms be able to work on some of these farms and<00:31:32.080><
• what our hospitals are doing on farm what our hospitals are doing on farm farmers<00:37:58.880><
• We are seeing extreme buy-in in the community around this for on-farm processing.

Keywords: 958, all

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• The USDA, under the Farm Bill, has just created the new Office of Seafood. Right?
• group of people that called me and said that there was an amendment put in the act of 2026 in the farm
• It was in Section 1208 of the Farm Bill.
• So as the Farm Bill went through a variety of different amendments and getting it out of committee, on
• Going to school in the Midwest and those mega farms, I mean, it has changed the input and the amount

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development met to approve the October 3, 2024 interim minutes and then took up two resolutions. HCR 205, by Representative Kerner, urged USDA to use its Commodity Procurement Program to purchase domestic Louisiana shrimp. Supporters said shrimpers are facing very low prices, full cold storage, and an urgent need for federal purchases to stabilize the market and help local processors and fishermen. Commissioner Mike Strain explained that USDA commodity purchases can support schools, nursing homes, and food banks, and members discussed the need for cold storage, marketing, and better promotion of local seafood. The resolution was reported favorably without objection. The committee also considered HCR 188, which memorializes Congress to oppose any federal farm bill language that could negatively affect the use of hunting dogs; members said the provision had raised concerns about field trials, scent hounds, and hunting practices, and the resolution was also reported favorably without objection. The committee then received a presentation from Southern University Ag Center and College of Agriculture leadership, led by interim president and chancellor Orlando McMeans and Executive Vice Chancellor Calvin Walker. They outlined the center’s research, teaching, and extension work, including medicinal cannabis research, beef cattle and smart ranching, viticulture, aquaculture, precision agriculture, food and nutrition, and support for small farmers and K-12 dual enrollment. They highlighted scholarship and enrollment programs, including USDA-supported 1890 scholars and JAG Stars, as well as partnerships with LSU and USDA. They also described major facility projects, including a high-tech meat processing facility, research labs, a vineyard, and a proposed 1,300-bed disaster shelter/mega shelter at the experiment station. Members asked questions about meat-cutting and processing training, cattle genetics, and the shelter’s use when not needed for disasters. Southern officials said the new processing facility is intended to support training and workforce development, and that the shelter could also be used for events such as weddings, graduations, and agricultural activities. The committee expressed appreciation for the presentation and the work of the Ag Center. Representative Broussard then moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next one you have is another package that shows our Red Willow Farm.
• With multiple watering sites for livestock and dry land farming.
• It established the Red Willow Farms in 1870.
• Irrigation water to the Red Willow Farms.
• years, and we replaced this Red Willow Farm sign that you see.

Transcript Highlights:

• Its expertise ensures that the study will be... farming communities.
• These drones can be very disruptive to farm operations.
• We will treat farms like other critical infrastructure in Florida.
• Trip Hunter, Florida Farm Bureau, waving in support.
• So I would ask that you favorably keep this part in the Farm Bill.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard a presentation on its 2025-2026 budget recommendations and adopted the proposal as a recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The chair highlighted major funding items including more than $1.2 billion for water quality and Everglades work, citrus recovery, food bank and pantry grants, wastewater and drinking water loans, beach restoration, flood and sea level rise projects, rural land protection, disaster loans, state facilities repairs, SLERS, accounting system replacement, and continued funding for My Safe Florida Home. Staff were authorized to make technical adjustments, and members were told final proviso project lists would be printed later in the week. The committee then considered several bills and reported them favorably, including SB 796 on DEP general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems to help local governments address failing septic-related water quality problems; SB 1162 expanding boating improvement and water access facilities programs; SB 466 implementing the Florida Museum of Black History task force’s selection of West Augustine as the museum site; SB 178 creating a FAMU agronomic study on viable crops for land taken out of production; CS/SB 678 allowing pawnbroker transaction forms to be printed or digital; and CS/SB 736 updating the Brownfields program, with a technical amendment adopted. Testimony on these bills was generally supportive, with speakers from affected industries, local governments, and advocacy groups. The committee also took up CS/CS/SB 700, the comprehensive Florida Farm Bill, which included technical agency changes and major policy provisions such as restrictions on additives to public water supplies, labeling requirements for meat, milk, poultry, and eggs, drone-related protections for farmland, disaster recovery loan updates, an honest services registry for charities, FFA scholarship and school infrastructure provisions, and a mechanism for state purchase of former solar-converted agricultural land. The water-additive provisions drew extensive debate and testimony from supporters and opponents, including dental professionals, public health advocates, and groups arguing for medical freedom and local control. Despite the controversy and a no vote from Senator Arrington, the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 1226 creating a regulatory framework for pet insurance was also reported favorably, and the committee adjourned after members recorded additional votes on several bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if farms are enrolled in conservation programs or there's some shortage going on, and there's some
• And I've been farming for years, I thought it was ag status.
• And I just don't see farmers and ranchers losing their agricultural status on their farms and ranches
• So the only way you can buy ground insurance is through dry land farming, not dry land irrigation.
• Israel today, in my state, both with small farms and also with the families.