Transcript Highlights:

• The bill was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry, which recommends
• </c> of the committee on agriculture, food of the committee on agriculture, food resiliency<00:02:17.720
• Your house agriculture,<00:03:27.519><c> food</c><00:03:27.840><c> resiliency</c> agriculture, food resiliency
• Food Resiliency and Forestry be amended as recommended by the committee on ways and means?
• Agriculture, Food Resiliency and Forestry as amended? Are you ready for the question?

Transcript Highlights:

• Ford, you're from the food bank, I see.
• Why don't you help me with a picture of the food insecurity or food needs that we have in our state today
• and maybe why you at the food bank are here?
• This bill would create unnecessary delays for Idahoans needing access to food.
• enough food to people because people need it.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• The, it's kind of complicated, but the food banks also support food shelves.
• for the food shelf.
• for the food shelf.
• But yes, they work with the food shelves and food banks if they are available.
• food shelves and food Partnerships with food shelves and food banks<00:29:03.679><c> to</c><00:29:04.320

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> out to people who are using the food out to people who are using the food shelves<00:15:53.199><
• </c> efficient in making sure we get the food efficient in making sure we get the food out<00:16:03.519
• </c><00:17:46.000><c> Uh</c> providing food for hungry motans. Uh providing food for hungry motans.
• </c> um other nonprofits that that have food um other nonprofits that that have food distribution<00:
• </c> need to be um the furnishing of food need to be um the furnishing of food &gt;&gt; represent.

Bills: HF238 , HF3381 , HF3754 , HF1049

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• facing food insecurity.
• Cal Food enables local food pantries to purchase food affordably and efficiently, providing vital support
• This program allows campus food pantries to provide affordable, nutritious food to students and communities
• Without adequate funding to Cal Food, food banks and pantries, especially on college campuses, will have
• less to provide to an increasing number of food insecure students. of food insecure students who can't

Transcript Highlights:

• system, economic development, and providing Massachusetts residents with nutritious local food.
• I'm representing the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative, where I'm the policy director.
• I'm representing the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative, where I'm the policy director.
• And when they have too much, they're donating to our local food pantries and our local food banks.
• They were there for us during COVID when our local food systems shut down, when the food system in New

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held its first hearing of the session, led by House Chair Adrian Madaro and Senate Chair James Eldridge. The committee explained the constitutional amendment process and the hearing procedures, then took testimony on four bills concerning proposed amendments to the Massachusetts Constitution, with the main focus on S. 11 and H. 71, which would amend Article 99 relating to agricultural and horticultural land taxation. Senator Jo Comerford, Rebecca Miller of the Massachusetts Food System Collaborative, and Representative Natalie Blay all testified in support of the bills. They argued that the current five-acre minimum for farmland tax treatment is outdated and harms farmers, especially new, urban, and smaller-scale farmers, by forcing some land to be taxed at higher commercial rates. Supporters said the change would help preserve farmland, strengthen the local food system, and address economic pressures on farms, including high land values, climate impacts, and an aging farm workforce. In response to a question about abuse or false claims, Comerford and Miller said existing certification processes under Chapter 61A and municipal review help verify active farming, and Miller noted the bill requires land to be in production for two years before receiving the rate. Committee members asked about the status of the 21st Century Farm Commission, and Comerford said a report was expected in the spring. After testimony concluded, the chairs asked whether anyone else wished to testify and then entertained a motion to adjourn, which was made and accepted.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've just received a quote for a food truck. We want to open up the youth farm cafe.
• What we've learned is the most economical way to do that is through the food truck.
• So cooking flavorful food. So yes, that's the path.
• I said, I don't grow food, I don't have a green thumb.
• I don't watch YouTube videos about how to grow food.

Summary: The committee first considered and unanimously recommended confirmation of Melanie Ressler to the Florida Citrus Commission. It then took up SPB 7020, a Department of Agriculture bill to reenact an expiring public records exemption for certain aquaculture production records held by the department. The department supported the measure, and the committee adopted a motion to submit it as a committee bill and reported it favorably. Next, the committee heard SB 534, which would create a Hunger-Free Campus Pilot Program in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Senator Bernard explained that the program would target campuses with high percentages of Pell-eligible students, require a survey and SNAP-related assistance, provide at least one food pantry on participating campuses, and direct a report to the Governor and House Speaker by December 1, 2028. A supporter waived in, there was no debate, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then received a lengthy presentation from Carla Bristol and youth ambassadors from the St. Pete Youth Farm. They described the farm as a youth-led response to local food access problems after grocery store closures, and outlined programs in leadership, financial literacy, career readiness, mental wellness, composting, aquaponics, community education, and food production. Members praised the program and asked about expansion, including a culinary kitchen or food truck, partnerships with schools and colleges, and how the initiative began. Bristol said the farm is funded mainly through local redevelopment dollars and that future plans include a food truck, more youth opportunities, and a possible culinary kitchen. The committee concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is with regards to locally sourced food products and school meals.
• </c><00:38:33.640><c> bank</c> support we have Hawaii food bank support we have Hawaii food bank offering
• Thirty-seven percent of all households felt anxious about running out of food.
• </c> experiencing hunger or food experiencing hunger or food insecurity<00:54:51.280><c> in</c><00:54
• </c> your testimony next we have Hawaii food your testimony next we have Hawaii food industry<00:55:34.720

Summary: The committee heard several education-related bills, with testimony largely in support. SB 1388 and SB 1393, both concerning the School Facilities Authority and Department of Education representation and land conveyances, received support from DOE and the School Facilities Authority, with no questions or action taken. SB 423, which would add Head Start representation to the Early Learning Board, was supported by the Early Learning Board and the Executive Office on Early Learning, which explained the bill would realign the board with federal Head Start Act requirements after the board was restructured in Act 170; EEL also requested an effective-date amendment. SB 422, allowing DOE to award diplomas to students whose education was disrupted by war, drew support from DOE, the Chamber of Commerce, the Military Council, and the Special Education Advisory Council, but also significant opposition from the Hawaii Patriot Republicans and many individuals; members asked questions about the bill, and DOE explained the measure’s purpose, but no vote was taken. The committee also took testimony on SB 532, which would expand who may administer certain medications in schools. DOE, the Department of Health, and the University of Hawaii supported the bill. Members asked detailed questions about oral, nasal, and topical medications and the process for prescription review and administration; DOE explained that parents request the medication, a school form is completed, a nurse reviews it, and either a trained school health assistant or a contracted nurse administers the medication. DOE said the measure could improve attendance and learning, especially for students with ADHD, asthma, and other chronic conditions. The committee then heard SB 659 on locally sourced food products and school meals, where DOE’s procurement office opposed the higher small-purchase threshold and DOE exemption from procurement rules, while Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others supported the bill as a way to advance farm-to-school goals and the 30% local food target by 2030. Testimony and questioning focused on the proposed threshold increase, transparency, and whether an online bidding system would be preferable. Finally, the committee heard SB 1300 on subsidies for ALICE families’ school meals. DOE supported the bill but requested amendments: defining eligibility at 250% of the federal poverty level, delaying implementation until the 2026-2027 school year, and covering reduced-price lunch students in full for 2025-2026. HSTA, Hawaii Appleseed, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Pride at Work Hawaii, Hawaii Youth Services Network, and others supported the measure, emphasizing food insecurity, the burden of meal paperwork, and the educational importance of free meals. Hawaii Appleseed suggested replacing ALICE with a federal poverty level standard and removing a rulemaking requirement that could delay implementation. No votes or final committee actions were reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• We connect, align, and promote Idaho food products.
• People want to know where their food comes from.
• We very much support food entrepreneurs. We support this part of the food economy.
• Our current president at Food Northwest started off providing cottage foods out of her home and now owns
• And that's where these food inspections become important.

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh it's supplemental food funds for the Uh it's supplemental food funds for the children<00:40:59.680
• Uh the summer<00:42:01.599><c> food</c><00:42:01.920><c> programs</c> summer food programs summer food
• And once again, the Sun food state.
• </c><00:42:20.319><c> security</c> [snorts] current summer food security [snorts] current summer food
• </c><01:15:10.480><c> It</c> problem of food insecurity. It helps. It problem of food insecurity.

Transcript Highlights:

• access to nutritious food.
• The five regional food banks support over... The five regional food banks support over...
• Food banks are no different.
• value of USDA food and the food that we purchase, but donated food is valued currently at $1.90 a pound
• We're doing diaper distributions, food distributions, emergency stuff, Christmas stuff, food.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• AR is doing phenomenal work on the food as medicine space and is one of the national leaders on food
• food in the<00:09:25.920><c> state.
• </c> But the other um basic function of food But the other um basic function of food as<00:09:38.000>
• </c><00:16:16.079><c> of</c> whole foods of fruits, whole foods of whole foods of fruits, whole foods
• </c> whole food and it isn't ultrarocessed. whole food and it isn't ultrarocessed.

Summary: The committee first handled several referred administrative regulations, including a package from the Board of Respiratory Care described as a substantive housekeeping update to its regulations and incorporated materials. There were no questions from members, and the committee also heard from the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, which was present in case questions arose but did not require action. Members then took up an amendment to the state health plan for facilities and services, specifically 900 KAR 5:02. Wesley Duke explained that a previously proposed criteria related to mega-voltage requirements, originally suggested by the Kentucky Hospital Association, was now being removed because the association no longer considered it necessary. The committee moved to accept the agency amendment, with a motion and second, and approved it without opposition. The committee next considered Senate Joint Resolution 23, a “food is medicine” resolution sponsored by Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer. Supporters from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Kentucky Hospital Association described the initiative as a voluntary, statewide effort already adopted by 52 hospitals, aimed at improving patient health while supporting Kentucky farmers and local food systems. Members discussed access to healthy food, grocery-store availability, school nutrition, and the need to reduce barriers to local procurement; the resolution was adopted unanimously after a roll call vote, with one senator briefly explaining a late vote due to weather. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 12, which would allow mid-level practitioners to serve as the leader of a Level IV trauma center under physician direction. The sponsor and witnesses from Appalachian Regional Healthcare argued the change would help address rural trauma-care shortages, align with national standards, and improve access without changing scope of practice or other trauma-center requirements. Several members raised questions and comments about rural access, liability, costs, and the broader health impacts, but no vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• In that regard, uh I the food hub.
• </c> Agriculture for our school food Agriculture for our school food programs. programs. programs.
• </c> of food systems, disasters and planning. of food systems, disasters and planning.
• </c><01:15:23.760><c> Alexis,</c> Food Industry Association. Alexis, Food Industry Association.
• </c><01:22:12.960><c> food</c> the forefront of our food food the forefront of our food food environment

Bills: SB2709 , SB3154

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The hearing began with SB 2709, which would require the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to establish rules to enforce the Okami arrival program and strengthen quarantine enforcement for plants, non-domestic animals, and microorganisms. The Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Hawaii Invasive Species Council supported the bill, as did DAB, saying it would improve biosecurity and make some provisions mandatory rather than optional. Alaska/Hawaiian Airlines supported the goal but raised concerns about language changing inspections from “may” to “shall” for aircraft, warning of possible federal preemption and operational conflicts unless the bill is clarified to align with federal aviation safety, security, and operational requirements. Committee members questioned DAB about inspection timing, scope, and compliance; DAB said the measure is intended to increase enforcement, improve form completion rates toward a 90% goal, and expand beyond airlines to other entry modes, while also noting plans to restore detector dog use and improve software/AI tools for processing forms. Decision-making on SB 2709 was deferred to February 17 at 3:02 p.m. in Room CR229. The committees then took up SB 3154, an administration measure authorizing the Department of Transportation to assume certain National Environmental Policy Act responsibilities for highway, rail, public transportation, and multimodal projects, with the aim of streamlining environmental review. DOT supported the bill and explained that it would allow the department to work directly with federal resource agencies such as U.S. Fish and Wildlife and SHPO rather than routing everything through federal highways. After brief discussion, the Committee on Transportation voted to pass SB 3154 with technical amendments, and the AEN committee followed with the same recommendation; the measure was adopted with five votes in favor. A later portion of the transcript shifted to SB 2374 on the blue economy. DBED said it supported the concept but noted that it already sits on many working groups and would need resources if a new working group is created. DBED suggested the committee could instead request research through a letter or memo, and said agencies including ADC, HTDC, and Agriculture had already begun internal discussions. Testimony in support came from IMUA Alliance, Hawaii Food Policy, and others, emphasizing the potential for blue economy ventures to support survivors, align with climate and cultural goals, and create economic opportunity. No final vote on SB 2374 appears in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have had anaphylactic food allergies since I was a baby.
• Currently, the Retail Food Code fails to set up guardrails for a particular set of food hazards that
• and Anaphylactic Team, food allergy advocate.
• with food allergies, I support this bill.
• This model food code is what's used.

Committee: House Health

Summary: The committee heard several health-related bills. SB 27 by Senator Umberg would expand and clarify the CARE Court process, with amendments narrowing the new diagnosis category to bipolar I disorder with psychotic features, clarifying the “clinically stabilized” standard, and limiting the role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Supporters, including a psychiatrist, a family member, and several local and business groups, said the bill would help more people access needed services; opponents, including counties, disability rights, peer-run organizations, and consumer advocates, warned it would expand the program faster than counties can provide housing, staffing, and court-related services. The committee discussed capacity concerns at length, then passed SB 27 on a do pass motion to the Committee on Public Safety. SB 503 by Senator Weber Pearson would require AI used in health care facilities to be identified, monitored, and mitigated for bias when used in clinical decision-making or resource allocation. The author and supporters from Kaiser Permanente, the California Medical Association, hospitals, and psychiatrists said the bill would help prevent discriminatory outcomes and improve trust in AI tools. Committee members noted the need to clarify deployer and developer responsibilities and accepted amendments before voting. The bill passed as amended to the Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. SB 68 by Senator Menjivar would require allergen disclosure on restaurant menus, with different requirements for larger chains and more flexible options for smaller restaurants. The bill was presented with emotional testimony from the author and a nine-year-old witness with severe food allergies, along with broad support from medical, nursing, parent, and allergy advocacy groups. The California Restaurant Association opposed the bill unless amended, seeking broader menu-format flexibility and additional liability language. After discussion of those concerns, the committee passed SB 68 as amended to Appropriations. SB 403 by Senator Blakespear would remove the sunset date from California’s End of Life Option Act, making the law permanent. Supporters, including a physician, a social worker, hospice professionals, and family members of terminally ill patients, described the law as a compassionate, carefully regulated option that has worked as intended. Faith-based and Catholic health organizations opposed the measure. The committee approved SB 403 and sent it to Judiciary. The hearing also included consent items, which were approved, and a vote change on SB 68 from no to aye by Senator Sanchez.

Transcript Highlights:

• renewable energy and those state goals and preserving productive agricultural land at a time when food
• to schools, food banks, and more.
• small farmers who are the backbone of our food system.
• As a... ...connections to where their food comes from and how it is grown.
• about food in completely different metrics.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Agriculture met as a subcommittee and heard several bills, with extensive discussion focused on balancing agricultural land preservation, water scarcity, renewable energy, and farm equity. AB 1156 by Assembly Member Wicks would update the solar use easement program to allow certain Williamson Act lands facing water constraints to be used for solar projects through a suspension rather than cancellation of contracts. Supporters said the bill could help landowners and local governments adapt to falling water supplies and meet clean energy goals, while opponents, including the Farm Bureau, warned it could weaken Williamson Act protections, expand solar development onto prime farmland, and eliminate cancellation fees that help preserve agricultural land. RCRC said its concerns had largely been addressed through amendments and moved from opposition to support once changes are in print, though committee members continued to raise concerns about prime farmland, community benefits, and definitions of commercial viability and water constraints. The bill passed the committee on a due-pass-as-amended motion, with a later roll call recording six votes in favor and one absent member voting aye. AB 524 by Assembly Member Wilson would create a new state land access program for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, using Proposition 4 funding to provide financial and technical assistance for land acquisition, protection, and long-term leases. Testimony emphasized the lack of secure land tenure for small and underserved farmers, the loss of farmland statewide, and the difficulty of investing in sustainable practices without stable access to land. Committee members strongly supported the measure, with several noting the importance of land access for family farms and equity in agriculture. The bill passed unanimously on an 8-0 vote. The committee also approved AB 675 by Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry, which would codify California’s Farm to School program in statute. Supporters said the program connects students to healthy local food, creates stable markets for farmers, and supports agricultural and nutrition education, while helping direct school meal dollars to California producers. Witnesses from the Center for Ecoliteracy and CAFF described the program’s statewide reach and benefits for small farms and high-need schools. The bill passed on an 8-0 vote. The committee also adopted the consent calendar, approving AB 1322 and AB 1505 on an 8-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• In engrossed substitute House Bill 2238 concerns statewide food security.
• It directs WSDA to develop a statewide food security strategy and to monitor food system performance,
• The bill differs from the striker that you heard in only one way: it requires the statewide food security
• have a work session from the Washington State Department of Agriculture: local farms, workers, and food
• We have Katie Raines, the Director of Food System Initiatives with the Washington State Department of

Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee reviewed several House bills in executive session. Staff briefed bills on aviation assurances for wildland fire response (HB 2104), derelict vessels (HB 2199), irrigation district director spouse employment conflicts (HB 2223), statewide food security strategy (HB 2238), water quality and game farms (HB 2343), timber sales efficiencies (HB 2348), treaty reserve fishing rights and repeal of Initiative 456 (HB 2554), and a task force on reducing regulatory stress in agriculture (HB 2619). Members noted that HB 2238 had been heard previously as a striker but was now being considered as the engrossed substitute. Several bills had no amendments and little or no fiscal impact, while others carried modest fiscal notes. The committee took action on most bills: HB 2104, HB 2199, HB 2238, HB 2348, HB 2554, and HB 2619 all received due pass recommendations and were sent either to Ways and Means or Rules, with votes recorded by voice and no opposition noted. The committee took no action on HB 2223 or HB 2343. Members also thanked staff and acknowledged departing senators for their service. In the work session, the Washington State Department of Agriculture presented an overview of the 2024 local farms, workers, and food overtime reimbursement grant. WSDA described how it used targeted outreach, cross-agency coordination, and a streamlined application to administer the one-time program, which reimbursed qualifying overtime wages for hand-harvest vegetable farms selling to local markets and schools. The agency reported that 24 farms received about $213,000 total, and members asked about lessons learned, including how the experience might inform future grant design and broader agricultural support programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> expenditures from the school uh food expenditures from the school uh food service<00:37:13.839><
• </c> significant increases in their food significant increases in their food service<00:37:31.839><c>
• ><c> cover</c><00:45:35.280><c> the</c> food service funds could cover the food service funds could cover
• There are opportunities to provide better food, more quality food, a wider variety of food for that fine
• There are opportunities to provide better food, more quality food, a wider variety of food for that fine

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• If they don't, the foods they eat will exacerbate the disease, as they'll be consuming unhealthy foods
• noise in their head telling them to eat more food, or to specifically seek out the really savory foods
• , the high-fat foods, or high-sugar foods.
• And then the convenient food is the food that's quick and tasty and high in calories.
• Fast food and junk food, and there’s never a combination of recipes from those three things. ...that

Bills: HB231 , HB231 , HB475 , HB488 , HB632 , HB821 , HB1786 , HB1955 , HB2036 , HB2060 , HB2659 , HB2677

Committee: House S/C on Disease Prevention & Women's & Children's Health

Transcript Highlights:

• LIKE WHETHER TO KEEP THEIR INSURANCE OR PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE.
• They have it now for food stamps. They just refuse to use it.
• those people that are low-income that need those food benefits.
• For weeks, the administration held food stamps hostage.
• FOR WEEKS, THE ADMINISTRATION HELD FOOD STAMPS HOSTAGE.

Transcript Highlights:

• go fallow, and jobs and food disappear.
• And the food that we grow here is some of the greatest food in the world. And we have a...
• because where water flows, food grows, and if it doesn't flow, then fields go fallow, and jobs and food
• And the food that we grow here is some of the greatest food in the world. And we have a...
• chemicals and things that are put on the foods that we eat.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a series of guest introductions, including Canadian diplomatic visitors and youth soccer champions from Senator Niello’s district. The body also recognized guests connected to arts education and later heard adjournment-in-memory tributes for Caitlin “Katie” Mallet and Roxanne Miller. The President announced the Senate would enter a one-week spring recess and return on April 6, 2026. On the floor, the Senate adopted SR 89 by Senator Alvarado-Gil, recognizing March 17, 2026 as Profound Autism Day in California. Supporters emphasized the need for greater awareness, research inclusion, and services for people with profound autism and their families. The resolution passed by a 35-0 vote. The Senate also adopted SCR 147 by Senator Allen, proclaiming March 26 as Arts Education Month, with remarks stressing the value of arts education for creativity, engagement, and student success; it passed 37-0. The chamber then adopted SCR 141 by Senator Wahab, recognizing March 26, 2026 as Women’s Equal Pay Day. Senators discussed the gender pay gap, its impact on families, and the need for transparency and enforcement; the resolution passed 37-0. The Senate also approved AB 2156, an urgency measure to proclaim March 31 as Farm Worker Day, with extensive debate about farm workers’ historical contributions, labor conditions, and the decision to rename the day in light of recent allegations involving the prior honoree. The bill passed unanimously, 37-0, including the urgency clause. Finally, the Senate adopted the consent calendar, which included SB 968, SJR 11, SB 1005, and SB 1080, by unanimous vote. A committee announcement noted Budget Subcommittee 3 would meet upon adjournment.