Transcript Highlights:

• I’m a storyboard artist in animation and an executive board member for the Animation Guild, Local 839
• , representing over 5,000 members working in animation.
• I’m a member of the IATSE 839 Animation Guild.
• To expand this as well for independent productions, for animation, for animated features, for shorter
• To expand this as well for independent productions, for animation, for animated features, for shorter

Summary: The committee heard AB 749, which would create a blue ribbon commission to study equitable access to youth sports and recommend a statewide framework, including coaching standards, PE modernization, and funding models to reduce barriers for families. The author and supporters, including youth sports advocates, educators, coaches, and former athletes, argued that sports improve health, school engagement, and long-term opportunity, while noting racial and income disparities in participation. One member raised concerns that a new commission could add cost and regulatory burdens, but the bill was framed as a study measure rather than immediate regulation. The committee also took up AB 549, aimed at coordinating state and local security planning for major upcoming sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl, and Olympic and Paralympic Games. Supporters said the bill would improve interagency coordination, protect visitors and communities, and help prevent human trafficking and discrimination during mega-events. Members discussed the need to avoid over-policing and to center community values, but the bill advanced on a due pass recommendation to Appropriations. AB 1291 addressed ticket purchasing for concerts, sports, and other live events by requiring electronic proof of purchase and allowing it to be used for entry if a ticket cannot be accessed through no fault of the buyer. Supporters said the measure would give consumers more certainty and help address problems in a monopolized ticketing market, while opponents from venues, sports teams, and entertainment groups warned it could undermine anti-scalping tools, create security problems, and burden venues with duplicate or fraudulent proofs of purchase. The committee approved the bill on a due pass as amended basis to Privacy and Consumer Protection, with the roll held open for absent members. The consent calendar item, AB 644, was also approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Animal Legal Defense Fund found that animal abusers are five times more likely to also harm people
• Animal abuse is present in 88 percent of homes investigated for child abuse.
• Animal cruelty is a public safety concern as much as it is an animal protection issue.
• that Florida takes violence against animals seriously.
• When animals are safe, the community is safer. This bill is in memory of Dexter.

Bills: HJR 99, HB 1399, HB 1400, HB 1094, HB 365, HB 1109, HB 647, HCR 35, SB 14, HB 12, HB 1522, HB 422, HB 675, HB 204, HB 748, HB 912, HJR 99, HB 1399, HB 1400, HB 1094, HB 365, HB 1109, HB 647, HCR 35, HCR 123, HCR 124, HR 57, HR 87, HR 111, HR 228, HR 230, HR 322, HR 624, HR 625, HR 626, HR 627, HR 628, HR 630, HR 631, HR 634, HR 635, HR 636, HR 637, HR 638, HR 639, HR 640, HR 645, HR 646, HR 648, HR 649, HR 651, HR 652, HR 653, HR 654, HR 664, HR 665, HR 668, HR 675, HR 676, HR 678, HR 679, HR 680, HR 683, HR 686, HR 688, HR 689, HR 694, HR 695, HR 697, HR 698, HR 699, HR 472, HR 622, HR 632, HR 633, HR 643, HR 655, HR 657, HR 660, HR 661, HR 662, HR 663, HR 667, HR 670, HR 674, HR 681, HR 682, HR 696

Keywords: animal feed, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, retail, constitutional amendment, retail sale, tangible personal property, Texas tax code, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption, regulation, deceased transportation, HB 365

Transcript Highlights:

• Isaac Metta, animal industry administrator.
• It bites animals, warm-blooded animals.
• also we focus on plants but animal also we focus on plants but animal biocurity<00:29:03.440>
• And I'm animal and that is a delay.
• animal quarantine station is $4 million. animal quarantine station is $4 million.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Very critical for us, but also for the Board of Animal Health and AURI.
• <00:02:14.319> Uh the board of animal health and AURI.
• Uh the board of animal health and AURI.
• First, he said the bill takes seriously the animal disease challenges facing agriculture.
• animal disease challenges<00:06:52.639> facing<00:06:53.039> agriculture.

Bills: HF2446

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3678, relative to the proper notification of deceased animals on state highways.
• The House bill, relative to the proper notification of deceased animals on State Highway.
• The House Bill, relative to the proper notification of deceased animals on state highways.
• An act relative to proper notification of deceased animals on state highways. House Number 3678.
• An act relative to proper notification of deceased animals on state highways. House Number 3678.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several committee reports and procedural motions. The Committee on Rules recommended adoption of two resolutions: one recognizing the 100th anniversary of Ayrhill Farms in Adams and another congratulating Fiona White on earning the Girl Scouts’ Gold Award. The House suspended the rules and adopted both resolutions. The House also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow a petition concerning a board overseeing occupancy payments for manufactured housing community accommodations in Attleboro to be sent to the Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reported a slate of bills for House consideration, including measures on banking and credit union law, a local option real estate tax exemption for volunteer firefighters and EMTs, electronic filing of property valuation forms, delivery of property tax bills, notification of deceased animals on state highways, a Boston Fire Department age waiver for firefighter Fustiano’s Katayakis, and validation of Bourne’s May 20, 2025 annual election. The House suspended Rule 7A, took second readings on these bills, and ordered them to a third reading. The House then considered several bills released from the Committee on Bills in Third Reading. It passed to be engrossed House Bill 4185, relating to the nomination process for town meeting candidates in Milford; House Bill 4374, designating an overpass in Sandwich as the U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant Raymond G. Torval Veteran Memorial Overpass; House Bill 4391, waiving the Boston Police Department maximum age requirement for Alex J. Rodriguez; and House Bill 4753, relative to the charter of the town of Westwood. The House adopted an order to adjourn to meet Tuesday at 11 a.m., and then adjourned to that time in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Animals and insects rely on them all.
• Thank you. still be an animal. still be an animal.
• The next item is aquatic animal<01:48:41.119> species. animal species. animal species.
• that because this is aquatic animal that because this is aquatic animal species<01:49:58.719>
• That not get into the animal species.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Chris was at Sony Pictures Animation for over 20 years.
• Chosen called The Chosen Adventures, which is a kids' animated series.
• Once again, the infrastructure of animation is not in Texas.
• in the state and the number two public school in the nation for animation.
• Well, and again, like I said, we're shooting an animated show.

Bills: SB22, SB 22

Keywords: Texas, moving image industry, incentive program, film production, grant funding, job creation, economic development, youth camp, summer camp, camp safety, emergency operations plan, emergency preparedness, evacuation drill, camp staff training, volunteer training, camper safety, lost camper, natural disaster, fire safety, mass casualty

Transcript Highlights:

• So, AMS, egg marketing services, APHIS, which works with the plant and animals, FSIS, which is our food
• Um, worked with the Board of Animal Health, with the University of Minnesota, with our congressional
• , which works with the plant and animals, which works with the plant and animals, uh<00:04:37.280
• > the<00:05:15.440> University<00:05:15.759> of animal health, with the University
• of animal health, with the University of Minnesota,<00:05:16.560> with<00:05:16.800> our

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture presented an overview of its budget, staffing, and major program areas, including protection services, marketing, and administration. Commissioners also highlighted concerns about federal funding uncertainty after a January letter suspending active and future USDA awards to the department. They said the issue affected about 13% of the agency’s budget, created confusion for farmers, and briefly disrupted poultry lab testing and HPAI-related work, though they later received assurances from USDA leadership that existing programs would continue processing. The department also described its anti-fraud efforts, including internal controls, a compliance coordinator, a grants administrator, review committees, site visits, and participation in the state’s Inspector General Coordinating Council. The committee then discussed several agriculture support programs. For dairy margin coverage, the department said Minnesota’s sign-up is open and supported a bill to extend assistance to farmers who began operations in 2023-2025 and were not covered under the earlier production-based formula. The renamed Farm to Food Security program, formerly LFPA, was described as a state-created local food purchasing effort funded at $700,000 per year. The down payment assistance grant for first-time farm buyers was also reviewed; the department said it has supported 112 farmers so far, with additional awards pending, but noted timing problems when purchase agreements fall through. Members asked whether priority should be given to applicants with signed purchase agreements, and the department said that was under consideration. The grain indemnity account update focused on the Hansen-Mueller facility failure and related claims. The department said the account holds about $10.7 million, has received 19 claims totaling $1.1 million, and that $842,000 of those claims were tied specifically to Minnesota transactions. It explained the difference by noting that some claims involved Minnesota farmers selling in North Dakota and Wisconsin, and that the indemnity account covers grains sold in Minnesota. The committee also heard updates on elk and wolf depredation payments, with the department projecting shortfalls in both funds and noting that payments are being delayed into later months. The agriculture response fund balance was said to be about $2.5 million. Finally, the Rural Finance Authority and the East Grand Forks potato facility were discussed. The RFA reported strong demand for low-interest loans, about $26 million remaining from the prior $50 million authorization, and a new $50 million bonding request in the governor’s proposal to avoid a funding gap. The department said the program has issued 3,951 loans totaling about $390.3 million with very low defaults. It also requested $1.38 million in bonding for building improvements at the East Grand Forks potato facility, which it said is the department’s only owned building and supports a significant potato industry. In response to a question from Rep. Bang, the commissioner said recent ICE activity had affected farms, processing plants, immigrant workers, and some rural food businesses, and that the department had relayed those concerns to the governor’s office and congressional delegation.

Transcript Highlights:

• health and we a strong board of animal health and we put<00:11:36.800> money<00:11:37.040>
• Health Laboratory Network, which helps to detect animal-borne disease, and 95% of the staff from the
• <00:19:17.600> health staff at the national animal health staff at the national animal health
• of Animal Health in particular.
• So the importance of the increased funding for the Department of Agriculture and the Board of Animal

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• in my top priority, I've said this since the session started, was to make sure that the Board of Animal
• It provides a much-needed increase to the Board of Animal Health, as I mentioned, and it funds other
• make sure that the board of animal make sure that the board of animal health<00:03:19.159> which
• <00:04:25.680> health fully fund the board of animal health fully fund the board of animal
• health as I mentioned and it animal health as I mentioned and it funds<00:05:17.720> other<00

Bills: HF1704, HF1722

Keywords: Minnesota agriculture budget, Department of Agriculture appropriation, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, farm bill, rural development, agricultural grants, soil health, livestock compensation, crop damage, meat inspection, poultry inspection, county agricultural inspectors, biofertilizer, nitrogen management, commercial nitrogen fertilizer, water quality, farm down payment assistance, beginning farmers

Transcript Highlights:

• the Agriculture and Markets Law in relation to sentencing for the crime of aggravated cruelty to animals
• And I should say this is our animal welfare package that we're doing today.
• an act to amend the Agriculture and Markets Law in relation to the penalty for the abandonment of animals
• , like a summertime rental in the winter, and I can tell you from personal experience, they leave animals
• How dare we try to take the voices of our animals? So I'm voting aye. I'll take that as a motion.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture first moved through a series of animal welfare bills, reporting all of them to the floor. The measures included bills on sentencing for aggravated cruelty to animals, additional aggravated cruelty provisions, penalties for animal abandonment, requiring owners or lessors of vacated properties to inspect for abandoned animals, and restricting surgical depopulation procedures on dogs and pets. Members generally expressed support, and each bill advanced by motion and voice vote with no noted opposition or recusals; one additional bill was held by the sponsor. The committee then heard from Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball, who gave an update on state and federal agriculture issues. He discussed the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center, federal farm bill negotiations, specialty crops, labor and H-2A reform, dairy margin coverage concerns, possible cuts to EQIP, organic certification funding, trade and USMCA review, tariffs and input costs, and disaster concerns affecting Long Island seafood producers. He also highlighted state programs such as Nourish New York, Dairy Modernization, farm-to-school efforts, and workforce development initiatives. Members asked questions about raw milk sales, H-2A labor, solar siting on farmland, farm-to-school expansion, tariff impacts, and support for farmers facing federal cuts and rising costs. Ball said raw milk sales remain limited to licensed on-farm sales with inspections and warnings, supported reform of H-2A and broader labor policy, urged protecting prime and actively farmed land from solar development, and emphasized the need to preserve food access programs like Nourish New York and farmers market nutrition benefits. The meeting ended after the commissioner’s testimony and member discussion, with no further formal action beyond the earlier bill reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of animals bred in large-scale facilities with questionable conditions. inadequate vet care and no
• Consumers have no way to verify the origin or health status of the animals they're purchasing and when
• California, one that prides itself on our consumer protection and animal welfare has unfortunately fallen
• If investigators in California, whether Humane Law Enforcement, Animal Control, Public Health, or our
• They have very loose animal welfare laws but they are compelled to work to provide an export certificate

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• food bills, and providing physical and mental health benefits. from growing plants and caring for animals
• These restrictions are usually manifest as... prohibitions against front yard gardens or animals such
• that you cannot have any or you cannot have personal guard or the raising of a limited number of animals
• property, say, 20, 40 years, and some of those actually restrict the ownership or cultivation of animals
• We do have Louis Dinges of the Texas Animal Health Commission.

Bills: HB294, HB405, HB519, HB294

Keywords: food production, property owners' association, home gardening, cottage food, urban agriculture, livestock, community standards, renewable energy, ethanol, biodiesel, incentives, agriculture, grants, honey production, beekeeping, food safety, local regulation, energy efficiency, tax exemption, residential properties

Transcript Highlights:

• , for Humane World for Animals, for Humane World for Animals, formerly<03:46:47.279> the<03
• , animals, animals, their<03:47:04.319> owners,<03:47:04.720> and<03:47:04.960> friends
• to make sure inspection of the animal to make sure that<03:55:31.520> the<03:55:31.760> animal
• examination of the animal. Correct. examination of the animal. Correct.
• He asked whether, if a sick animal is given a rabies shot, the animal does not process the shot and it

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ultimately, any costs from including animal control officers and PERS will come down to how the bill
• Ultimately, any costs from including animal control officers and PERS will come down to how the bill
• There's eligibility for animal control officers. We need to give direction to our staff here.
• You know, if they're... if animal control... I'll give you a good example.
• They generally have to... that's animal control.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ultimately, any costs from including animal control officers and PERS will come down to how the bill
• Ultimately, any costs from including animal control officers and PERS will come down to how the bill
• Let's go on to the piece: there's eligibility for animal control officers.
• If animal control—I'll give you a good example. I'm on the Gambling Commission. Who's involved?
• They generally have to—that's animal control.

Summary: The executive committee approved the May minutes by roll call vote, then received an actuarial update from Sarah Baker of the State Actuary’s Office. Baker explained the office’s annual work, including the DRS pension actuarial evaluation, support for state financial reporting, cash flow analysis, a six-year pension contribution outlook, interim support for GIT and WAL CARES, and an upcoming actuarial evaluation of the volunteer firefighters pension plan. She also responded to questions about bills allowing members to transfer into PERS, noting that such transfers have historically increased PERS costs and that any added cost would be borne by PERS members and employers depending on bill structure and affected demographics. Kate Adams of the Attorney General’s office reported no new developments in the cases the committee is monitoring. She said the Dawson case is still in its early stages, with a judge assigned and a discovery plan due at the end of July. The committee asked for continued updates on that litigation. The committee then discussed interim work planning, focusing first on animal control officers’ eligibility for PERS and asking staff to continue researching definitions, comparable treatment in nearby states, and the cost and service-credit implications for affected employees. Members also discussed Plan 3 issues, including comparisons of Plan 2 and Plan 3 membership and data, and possible future briefing topics. The largest discussion centered on Plan 1 COLAs: members and retiree representatives debated whether to pursue a permanent COLA or an ad hoc COLA, and whether budget language should require future budget writers to consider a COLA. Retiree groups said they preferred a permanent COLA but were open to further discussion; staff was asked to continue work on possible language and policy options. The committee reviewed correspondence on four topics: Plan 1 COLA requests, a request to study LEOFF 2-style medical reimbursements for Washington State Patrol survivors, and a request to allow certain members to change survivor option elections after the federal Social Security Fairness Act. The committee agreed to bring the State Patrol medical reimbursement issue and the Social Security Fairness Act issue back for July, with staff to gather more information and provide an informational briefing. The July agenda was approved and includes the OSA annual update, the LEOFF 2 Board annual update, a PERS/TRS Plan 1 ad hoc COLA item, and the two survivor-related topics.

Transcript Highlights:

• And like so many, I also care about animals.
• This is an important first step in beginning to address the shortage in the animal care field.
• So, chair, please, as amended. care about animals. This an important care about animals.
• <00:21:44.080> So<00:21:44.320> I shortage in the animal care field.
• So I shortage in the animal care field.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education held a resolutions hearing on March 19 and heard testimony on a series of University of Hawaii-related measures. Topics included exploring an Alzheimer’s disease research center and federal funding requirements, establishing a BSN program at UH Maui, expanding student mental health services, supporting Hawaiian language resources at the Kawaihuani Center, creating a homeless student stability and housing resource program, forming a veterinary medicine expansion working group, and compiling a list of bachelor’s programs aligned with regional job needs. Testimony was generally supportive, with UH representatives often noting that several initiatives were already underway or that systemwide assessments and planning processes were in progress. For the veterinary medicine measure, UH said Windward Community College would not be the ideal location for a doctoral program, but the system would be willing to study the issue systemwide. For the Maui nursing program, UH said it had already received authorization to plan and was working through the curriculum approval process, with a goal of offering the program in fall 2026. For the student basic needs resolution, UH said a systemwide assessment covered all campuses and islands, with a report expected in summer or fall. In decision making, the committee recommended passage of HCR 31/HR 30, HCR 73/HR 66, HCR 96/HR 92, and HCR 97/HR 93 as is, and all were adopted without objection. HCR 124/HR 120 and HCR 125/HR 121 were passed with amendments, including a technical amendment and a request to send a certified copy to the Kawaihuani Center director. HCR 195/HR 188 was passed with amendments to add a UH Hilo representative to the veterinary working group, and HCR 196/HR 189 was passed with amendments to include UH and HMC in the list of schools developing job-aligned bachelor’s program lists and to incorporate HMSO style changes. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Animal Rights Hawaii on Zoom, not present.
• The MOU that we have with APHIS include animal diseases stays.
• The MOU that we have with APHIS include animal diseases stays.
• The MOU that we have with APHIS includes animal diseases and stays.
• The MOU that we have with APHIS includes animal diseases and stays.

Bills: HB1601, HB1828, HB1616, HB1603, HB1606, HB1604, HB1605

Keywords: biosecurity, invasive species, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, Department of Land and Natural Resources, appropriation, agriculture, land use, farm dwelling, renewable energy, income qualification, solar energy, geothermal resources, hydropower, agricultural tourism, aquaculture, commercial activity, swine production, Korean natural farming, land leases, Hawaii

Transcript Highlights:

• Animal cruelty is a better predictor of sexual abuse compared to other crimes like Animal cruelty is
• The Animal Legal Defense Fund found that animal abusers are five times more likely to also harm people
• Animal abuse is present in 88% of homes investigated for child abuse.
• Animal cruelty is a public safety concern as much as it is an animal protection issue.
• clear message that Florida takes violence against animals seriously.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then adopted the special order report and moved into a series of budget-related bills. The chamber first took up HB 5011/SB 2506 on environmental resource management and natural resources funding, where Democrats argued the bill would reduce recurring support for the Resilient Florida program, the Florida Wildlife Corridor, invasive species removal, and other conservation efforts. Supporters said the change would shift money from recurring to nonrecurring funding so the Legislature could reassess priorities each year and rely more on private-sector stewardship. After a strike-all amendment and conference posture change, SB 2506 passed 97-12. HB 5013, reducing state-funded property reinsurance reserves, passed 108-0, and HB 5501, redirecting documentary stamp tax distributions from housing and transportation trust funds into general revenue, passed 82-26 after extended debate over its impact on affordable housing and transportation funding. The House also passed HB 5015 on state group insurance, which requires DMS to develop a formulary management system and was described as producing significant savings; members raised concerns about prescription access and implementation, but the bill passed 109-0. HB 5201 on state financial accounting and HB 5203 on the Capitol Center both passed unanimously, as did HB 5009, which creates a Florida Accountability Office and reorganizes audit functions. The chamber then passed HB 7031, a major sales tax reduction bill lowering the state sales tax rate and several related rates; supporters framed it as permanent relief for all Floridians, while opponents said property tax relief would be more meaningful and that the sales tax cut would also benefit tourists and out-of-state visitors. HB 7031 passed 112-0. The House then began consideration of HB 501, the proposed fiscal year 2025-26 budget, totaling $112.9 billion and emphasizing reduced recurring spending and large reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined their budget silos: K-12 education at $20.6 billion with teacher raises, school hardening, literacy, transportation stipends, and security funding for Jewish day schools; health care at $47 billion with full Medicaid and KidCare funding, opioid settlement spending, mental health beds, and senior services; transportation/economic development at $18.5 billion; agriculture and natural resources at $5.8 billion with reduced Everglades spending but continued water, resiliency, and land management funding; higher education at $8.7 billion; state administration at $2.9 billion; justice at $7.3 billion; and IT at $529 million for Florida PALM, FX, and other systems. Members then began questioning the K-12 budget, focusing on FEFP funding, proration, voucher growth, stabilization dollars, mental health and school safety funding, and whether districts would be held harmless under the proposed allocations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there any other animals that produce milk that's, of course, unpasteurized, but any other animals
• Are there any other animals that produce milk that's, of course, unpasteurized, but any other animals
• Witness: Identifying sick animals and not milking them at all is a given, but then udder care, getting
• Now, in terms of community development project, that’s a whole different animal.
• You know, fodder for animals, we can do that. But, I mean, rice, forget it.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its October 27 meeting and then heard testimony on the economic and practical effects of Arkansas’s raw milk law, Act 698. Clinton Ballard of Milk and Honey Hill Farm said the law allowed his family farm to expand from 8 to 12 cows, serve about 150 families, add retail sales of raw cheese, and increase annual sales by roughly $50,000. He argued that raw milk production supports small farms, improves food security by keeping milk production in-state, and should be paired with optional state inspection and certification so producers could access USDA grants and other value-added opportunities. Committee members asked about herd management, safety practices, labeling, consumer education, and whether a voluntary inspection system could be created without leading to more regulation. Ballard said his farm follows sanitary practices, chills milk quickly, uses educational materials for customers, and has not had any reported illnesses among customers. Members also discussed broader concerns about raw milk safety, including E. coli, sick animals, and whether state agencies should provide more guidance or training. Several lawmakers expressed support for consumer choice and for small producers, while others emphasized the need for clear standards and accountability. The discussion also touched on the decline of commercial dairies in Arkansas, the role of the health department, and whether state certification would be limited to in-state sales. The committee then heard a lengthy presentation from Terence Bolden of TLB Enterprises on hydroponic and container-based agriculture as a response to food insecurity and workforce needs. Bolden described retrofitted shipping containers that can grow produce year-round with low water use, and said the model could be paired with career and technical education, drones, robotics, and agribusiness training in schools and communities. He said pilot projects are underway or planned with the Little Rock School District, Southwest High School, UAPB, and other partners, and estimated that five regional hubs could have significant economic impact while creating jobs and reducing food deserts. Members asked about target communities, costs, energy needs, crop types, and how the model would work in rural areas; Bolden said the approach is a public-private partnership intended to support local farmers, schools, and community food access. No votes were taken on Bolden’s proposal, and the meeting adjourned after questions concluded.