Transcript Highlights:

• So what's happening is that there are times when none of these small producers want to put animals into
• I know a lot personally know a number of small producers.
• So what's happening is that there are times when none of these small producers want to put animals into
• I know a lot personally know a number of small producers.
• Again, there is a beef producers um it.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on House Bill 396, which would exempt meat and meat food products slaughtered and prepared in-state for in-state sale from certain inspections. Representative Comtois explained her amendment, saying she tried to address prior concerns by limiting the number processed monthly, adding a registration and disclaimer requirement, and folding beef, swine, sheep, and goats into the bill’s framework. Members discussed whether some sections from earlier language on bison, elk, and red deer had been inadvertently struck, and Comtois said she did not intend to remove those protections and would restore them if needed. Several members raised drafting and policy concerns. Representative Miner suggested the waiver language should be a signed, notarized statement kept on file rather than filed with the Department of Agriculture, and Comtois agreed. Representative Gruber and Representative Scully discussed labeling and wording, including clarifying that the meat would not be “exempt” from federal inspection in the same way as non-amenable species, and adding language that any prosecution would be federal rather than state. There was also discussion about whether ground meat should be included for the amenable species, with Miner and Comtois indicating that excluding ground meat would reduce risk. Commissioner Sean Jasper of the Department of Agriculture, Markets, and Food testified strongly against the bill, saying it was a step in the wrong direction, lacked consumer protections, and could jeopardize food safety and the state’s meat processing system. He argued that the federal exemption for non-amenable species could not simply be extended to new species by state law, warned that USDA could respond by withdrawing federal inspections, and said the bill would not solve the real bottlenecks in slaughter capacity. He also said he did not believe there was a general shortage of inspectors, and that the practical issue was producers not scheduling animals year-round, which forces facilities to scale to the slow season. No vote was taken during the work session, and members continued discussing possible amendments and wording changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The problem is we don't produce enough kalo in the state, and we have a shortage.
• The problem is we don't produce enough kalo in the state, and we have a shortage.
• The problem is we don't produce enough kalo in the state, and we have a shortage.
• We don't produce enough kalo in the state, and we have a shortage.
• Um, regarding how much poi is produced in Hawaii, is that the question?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection and Economic Development and Tourism committees heard S.B. 890, which would have prohibited the sale, display, or marketing of products labeled as poi unless wholly derived from Hawaii-grown taro. The Attorney General’s Office raised Commerce Clause and free speech concerns, and the Department of Agriculture offered support with comments. Testimony was mixed: several individuals and organizations supported the bill as a way to protect the cultural integrity and purity of poi and support local taro farmers, while an industry representative opposed the bill as written, arguing that poi is a process, that the language was too restrictive, and that the industry already faces taro shortages and supply variability. Committee members also discussed the limited supply of local kalo, the use of imported taro for tabletop products, and the need to expand production. After testimony, the committees recommended passing S.B. 890 with amendments. The amendment package would convert the measure from a prohibition to a labeling requirement so poi made with ingredients from outside Hawaii must be labeled with the origins of those ingredients, remove references specifically to taro to accommodate other ingredients, add a severability clause, and set a defective date of July 1, 2050. The measure was adopted, with one senator voting with reservations and the rest voting aye. The committees then took up previously heard measures. S.B. 281, relating to telehealth, was recommended for passage with amendments to reinstate an opt-out from video conferencing in the definition of interactive telecommunications software; it was adopted. S.B. 1449, relating to prior authorization of health care services, was recommended for passage unamended and was also adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• , selling produce.
• Plus other produce, not produce that just he grows, but through his driving efforts, he’s supporting
• , selling produce.
• Plus other produce, not produce that just he grows, but through his driving efforts, he’s supporting
• , selling produce.

Keywords: Reuploaded to restore full meeting, 958, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• So obviously a factor is producing it and having enough capacity to produce as much as we would Producing
• We have a lot of small producers.
• We have a lot of small producers in the state, a lot of folks with 50 head, 100 head or less.
• But what's the small producer to do? Like what's your forecast?
• What policies can drive the ability of small producers to be able to administer Ivermectin through feed

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the Texas Produce Water Consortium was established by Senate Bill 601 in 2021.
• Whether an IOU is a member or not, we are here to advocate for all 358 of them, big and small.
• Um, it uses the same amount of energy to produce that water as your refrigerator runs.
• Many small systems require technical assistance to complete these inventories.
• Many factories, including chip manufacturers and other tech producers, dot the Texas landscape.

Transcript Highlights:

• They work cooperatively with local producers.
• Who knew that the coal mine produced honey?
• We produce 30 million tons of CO2 every year.
• You know, we have abundance from all the oil that we're producing now, and we're the biggest producer
• So we will produce wastewater out the back end.

Summary: The committee met at the Coteau Freedom Mine in Mercer County, approved the June 2 minutes, and heard an overview of the mine from Coteau Properties president Andrew Hawbaker. He described the Freedom Mine as the largest lignite mine in the United States, supplying coal to Dakota Gasification, Antelope Valley Station, and Leland Olds Station. He emphasized the mine’s scale, safety record, reclamation work, workforce needs, community involvement, and economic impact, including payroll, taxes, royalties, scholarships, and local hiring. Members asked about how long land stays in production, how quickly it returns to agriculture after reclamation, labor shortages, and how mining affects groundwater and water wells. Hawbaker said most tracts are mined for about three to five years, reclamation is coordinated with landowners, and the company continues to struggle to find electricians, welders, mechanics, operators, and engineers. The committee then heard from Public Service Commission Chairman Randy Christman on coal mining reclamation and permitting. He reviewed North Dakota’s coal mining history, the state’s reclamation laws, federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act primacy, bonding, permit renewals and revisions, prohibited mining areas, inspection and enforcement, and contemporaneous reclamation requirements. Christman stressed that North Dakota’s program is professional and thorough, with frequent inspections, financial assurance, and a 10-year revegetation monitoring period before bond release. He also discussed federal coal ownership issues that can delay mine plans, the treatment of prime farmland, and how reclamation differs for wind and pipelines. In response to questions, he said one challenge is sometimes releasing land too soon before long-term compaction issues are fully understood, and he noted that data centers do not currently have a comparable reclamation model because they typically own the land. In the afternoon, the committee received an update from Lignite Energy Council president Jonathan Fortner on the lignite industry. He said North Dakota’s lignite sector supports five commercial power plants, four mines, about 12,000 direct and indirect jobs, and more than $5.5 billion in economic activity, while helping keep the state’s electricity rates among the lowest in the nation. Fortner reviewed coal severance and conversion tax revenues, the lignite research fund, federal regulatory rollbacks, carbon capture policy, and the industry’s legal costs fighting federal rules. He also highlighted a study on large-load development, saying new data centers and critical mineral processing facilities could create major local tax revenue and help justify new baseload generation. Members asked whether new gas pipelines would crowd out coal plant development and whether the economic study included jobs and broader local impacts; Fortner said the industry sees room for both and that the study did include construction, operations, jobs, and tax effects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so now these small farms, would those small farms put together be able to help attain the goal of
• Um, so now these small farms, would those small farms put together be able to help attain the goal of
• Um, so now these small farms, would those small farms put together be able to help attain the goal of
• Um, so now these small farms, would those small farms put together be able to help attain the goal of
• the food producers at risk of harm. the food producers at risk of harm. >> Mahalo.

Bills: SB2706, SB2320

Keywords: workforce development, agriculture, biosecurity, pilot program, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, University of Hawaii, Leeward Community College, DHRD, training, apprenticeship, career pathways, credentialing, job training, internship, hands-on experience, state employment, workforce pipeline, agricultural jobs, biosecurity jobs, general fund appropriation

Summary: The committees first heard SB 2371, which would prioritize lease offers on agrivoltaics parcels for beginning farmers, require annual compliance reports to DAB, authorize penalties for noncompliance, and allow solar facilities on certain agricultural lands. DAB, the State Energy Office, PUC, and Hawaii Farm Bureau generally supported the intent, while OPPSD recommended amendments to preserve agricultural lease affordability and strengthen food-production language. Members questioned whether the bill would meaningfully encourage solar on ag lands, whether beginning farmers would have enough information to use such parcels, and how the bill would interact with Land Use Commission review. The Farm Bureau said agrivoltaics remains challenging and largely in pilot form, and noted the Mililani project as a promising example of dual use. The committees voted to pass SB 2371 with amendments, with one member expressing a preference that it be opened to all farmers rather than only beginning farmers. The next measure, SB 2800, appropriates funds to DAB, DLNR, and ADC for acquisition, repair, and maintenance of irrigation systems. All testifying agencies and the Farm Bureau supported the bill, and members pressed them for estimates of needed funding and the condition of existing systems. DAB cited major repair needs, including Waimea, Molokai, Kahuku, and Kawailoa, and said its backlog could total roughly $65 million; ADC estimated about $35 million for several systems; and DLNR said its current needs for three systems were about $35 million, with the largest cost tied to piping in Kekaha. The committees amended the bill to defer its effective date to July 1, 2050 and to blank out the appropriation amounts in the bill text, with the agencies’ requested amounts to be included in the committee report for consideration. SB 2800 then passed in AEN, Water and Land, and EIG. The final measure discussed was SB 2718, a food hub pilot program beginning in 2028 that would require state departments and UH to source 30% of certain food purchases from local agricultural products, create a nutrition- and ʻāina-based school program, and have DAT partner with a regional aggregator for Native Hawaiian staple crops. DAT, DOH, the Farm Bureau, Food Plus Policy Group, HAPA, and others supported the bill’s intent, while the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation opposed it, saying it is already struggling to meet the current local procurement percentage and faces procurement and quantity barriers, especially for staple items used daily. The testimony focused on whether agencies could realistically meet the higher local purchasing target and whether smaller farms could supply the needed volumes.

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, we have a wide range of agricultural feedstocks grown with locally produced ammonia.
• Ammonia production is currently one of the largest producers of carbon dioxide greenhouse gas.
• If we could produce this regionally and locally, it would have a stabilizing effect.
• The price point would be very competitive, if not more so than commercially produced.
• Produces their own energy, so they don't have to buy it from us.

Bills: HF2103, HF2793

Keywords: energy, renewable energy, ammonia, hydrogen, certificate tracking, funding, environment, community solar, energy policy, sustainability, solar garden program, regulation sunset

Transcript Highlights:

• America's producers are the most efficient for a reason.
• They are a great help to the turkey producers in my state.
• we produce it in a quantity that no one else can match.
• producer.
• It's really hard for my small producers.

Keywords: USDA, nominations, Judge Vaden, Tyler Clarkson, agriculture policy, rural America, tariffs, farmer advocacy

Summary: The meeting focused on the nominations of Judge Stephen Alexander Vaden for Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Mr. Tyler Clarkson for General Counsel at the USDA. Members expressed concerns regarding the challenges farmers and ranchers face, especially in navigating the impacts of recent tariffs imposed by the President. Significant attention was given to how these nominations could influence agriculture policy and support rural communities amidst economic uncertainty. The committee emphasized the necessity for strong leadership in the USDA to advocate for farmer needs and ensure the proper implementation of assistance programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• egg producers.
• federal grants that support producers federal grants that support producers and<03:03:42.040>
• <03:06:59.640> so healthy foods from local producers so healthy foods from local producers
• , livestock producers, and sometimes even pet producers.
• produced grown and produced and produced grown and produced and presented<04:03:00.359> in

Keywords: 928, house, all

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• Spent grain byproducts are the leftover grains produced during brewing and distilling.
• It started as a small taproom and became something beyond what we ever imagined.
• Last year, Barrow Brewing produced just under a thousand barrels of beer.
• These rising costs are driving producers out of the industry.
• Potentially statewide, so a very, very small percentage of our state's population.

Bills: HB249, HB 1186, HB2313, HB2408, HB2508, HB2730, HB2974, HB3045, HB3232, HB3336, HB3710, HB4044, HB4236, HJR133, HB249

Keywords: ad valorem taxes, property taxes, homestead exemption, disabled veterans, senior citizens, tax payments, installment payments, municipal tax revenue, hotel, convention center, tax code, economic development, local government, municipality, tax revenue, qualified projects, municipal taxation, hotel project, municipality funding, veteran

Transcript Highlights:

• There are leases that producers know have not produced in many years, yet filings indicate continued
• It may be small, and it may be small equipment, it may be vehicles, maybe tubular theft.
• gas producer. ...the fourth largest oil-producing country in the world and the third largest natural
• gas producer because of that.
• The hydrogen produced is then used to produce clean ammonia.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For the many small livestock producers who pasture in the northern part of Minnesota, the death of even
• For the many small livestock producers who pasture in the northern part of Minnesota, the death of even
• Many small livestock producers who pasture in the northern part of Minnesota can suffer a significant
• Even one calf can cause great economic harm to that farm, especially for small producers.
• of that farm, especially on the small of that farm, especially on the small producers. producers

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:34:55.520> Um in to uh power small facilities. Um in to uh power small facilities.
• modular Your definition of small modular Your definition of small modular reactors<00:35:49.440
• small.
• first word is uh S stands for small. first word is uh S stands for small.
• > three<01:22:15.360> or<01:22:15.600> four small group with three or four small

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They do more than produce beverages.
• What started as a small taproom became something beyond what we ever imagined.
• Last year, Barrow Brewing produced just under 1000 barrels of beer.
• These rising costs are driving producers out of the industry.
• And as a whole, we produce 1.5 million barrels of beer.

Bills: HB249

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of our small producers, as we all heard, utilize the federal program.
• local producers in hopes of feeding hungry Minnesotans.
• Local small producers aren't able to access the funds.
• think that's about 200 producers.
• And that's all it is, so just a very small amendment.

Bills: HF2784, HF2785, HF2778, HF2281, HF2576, HF2280, HF2579

Keywords: beginning farmers, agriculture, loans, economic opportunity, farmers' equity, agriculture appropriations, farm to school, early care, child care food program, school lunch program, local food, Minnesota agriculture, food access, farm-to-institution, limited market access, county fairs, biofuels, E25, ethanol, meat processing

Transcript Highlights:

• alcohol producers, one for small brewers, one for small wineries, and the third for micro distilleries
• alcohol producers,<00:08:37.519> one<00:08:37.680> for<00:08:37.919> small<00:08
• :38.159> brewers,<00:08:38.640> one producers, one for small brewers, one producers, one
• We look at data from other states, and the LBO also surveyed small alcohol producers in Minnesota.
• small alcohol producers in Minnesota. small alcohol producers in Minnesota.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I do a very small percentage of municipal work, and what municipal work I do is for small rural water
• I do a very small percentage of municipal work, and what municipal work I do is for small rural water
• All these small towns, especially that rely on these water wells, you know, the small water well operators
• They're a small town of about 500.
• All wells are producing.

Summary: The committee held a hearing on high-capacity groundwater wells proposed in Anderson, Henderson, and Houston counties, with members framing the issue as one of local water supply, fairness, and the need to modernize groundwater law while protecting private property rights. Opening remarks focused on the scale of the proposed Redtown Ranch and Pine Bliss projects, the potential export of tens of thousands of acre-feet of groundwater annually, and concerns that the applications lacked sufficient technical detail and could harm nearby landowners, cities, agriculture, and manufacturing. Members also noted the broader context of the recent flooding tragedy in central Texas and the Legislature’s intent to address water-related loss of life in the upcoming special session. Witnesses from the Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts and the Texas Water Development Board explained the current groundwater management framework. They described groundwater conservation districts as the state’s preferred management method, the role of groundwater management areas and desired future conditions, and how the Water Development Board uses those conditions to calculate modeled available groundwater. They emphasized that districts rely on local data, monitoring wells, and planning processes, but that information is often more limited in areas without a district, where the rule of capture applies. Members pressed witnesses on recharge rates, export permits, subsidence, the effect of pumping on nearby wells, the age and real-time availability of model data, and whether the proposed project would exceed modeled available groundwater in some counties. TCEQ explained its limited oversight role over groundwater conservation districts, including inquiries, compliance actions, and, in extreme cases, dissolution authority. Water Development Board staff also outlined funding programs, saying the New Water Supply for Texas Fund is limited to projects such as brackish desalination, reuse, ASR, and other new-supply projects, and does not fund fresh groundwater exports alone. They said the project at issue had not applied for board funding. A water lawyer then testified on the rule of capture, ownership in place, and district regulation, arguing that districts must use permitting and other tools to manage production within modeled available groundwater and that the Legislature could consider additional authority over groundwater exports under current law.

Transcript Highlights:

• I THINK THIS COMMITTEE IS SMALL BUT MIGHTY.
• WE HAVE DONE MANY SMALL FARMS.
• WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO MANY SMALL FARMS UNDER THOSE RULES.
• ANNUALLY PRODUCING 8.74 BILLION IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.
• THE FSA, THEY PRODUCE A DOCUMENT EVERY YEAR. WHAT PRODUCTS ARE PRODUCED TO FLORIDA.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fuel for these small modular reactors.
• fuel for these small modular reactors.
• fuel for these small modular reactors.
• fuel for these small modular reactors.
• fuel for these small modular reactors.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 01:25 HCR 22 Discussion 01:57 HCR 22 Roll Call Vote 07:55, 958, all

Summary: The Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes, and then heard ACR 22, sponsored by Representatives Randy Bridges and Steven Rudy. The resolution declares nuclear generation to be a clean, dispatchable baseload energy source for Kentucky. The sponsors argued that Kentucky and the broader energy market are facing growing demand and reliability challenges, and said the resolution recognizes prior legislative steps on nuclear power, including lifting the nuclear moratorium, creating a nuclear study working group, and establishing the Kentucky Nuclear Development Authority. The sponsors also emphasized nuclear power as part of an all-of-the-above energy strategy and highlighted small modular reactors and spent fuel processing as important future technologies. They referenced Paducah’s former uranium enrichment site and potential laser enrichment work as part of a recycling approach that could reduce waste and support new fuel production. No outside testimony was presented in the excerpt. Members expressed support for the resolution, with several noting its importance for economic development, reliable power, and keeping coal relevant through new energy partnerships. The committee voted favorably on the measure, with all members present voting aye, and the chair stated that the resolution would pass with favorable expression. The committee then adjourned.