Transcript Highlights:

• Fertilizer capacity in North Dakota.
• Moving on into fertilizer production in North Dakota, the average fertilizer consumption is about 2.5
• Fertilizer manufacturing costs vary widely, depending on the fertilizer type, production capacity, raw
• of a fertilizer plant in the state, is all dependent on... ...of a fertilizer plant in the state.
• We import our fertilizers.

Committee: Joint Agriculture and Water Management Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving on into fertilizer production in North Dakota, the average fertilizer consumption is about 2.5
• Fertilizer fertilizers have grown steadily in the last 25 years, with an annual growth rate of about
• Fertilizer manufacturing costs vary widely, depending on the fertilizer type, production capacity, raw
• of a fertilizer plant in the state, it's all dependent on... ...of a fertilizer plant in the state.
• We import our fertilizers.

Summary: The committee opened its third interim meeting with roll call, approved the November 13, 2025 minutes, and the chair reviewed prior committee work, including a denied request for a fertilizer-capacity study and a planned later discussion of the Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern merger issue. Commissioner Doug Goring then presented Department of Agriculture updates on uncrewed aerial systems grants to detect noxious weeds, the state’s irrigation potential, the low-carbon fuels program for ethanol plants, the Environmental Impact Mitigation Fund, model zoning ordinances for animal feeding operations, and fertilizer production and supply in North Dakota. Members asked about funding sources, fertilizer storage and availability, natural gas and water needs for future fertilizer plants, and how the model zoning website would help counties and townships apply setback and odor tools. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Water Resources’ economic analysis tool for water conveyance and flood-related projects. Dr. Dwayne Poole explained that the department is proposing changes to better account for end-of-useful-life conditions and updated hydrologic data, while still limiting the model to direct, demonstrable costs and benefits. He said the goal is to make the analysis more realistic and consistent without changing statute, and he provided examples of how project benefits could change as drains age or as rainfall and flood data evolve. Committee members and water-user representatives generally supported continued work on the proposal, while raising concerns about downstream impacts, closed-basin projects, and whether the changes would meaningfully affect project approvals. The committee then heard from John Paskowski, state engineer, on Devil’s Lake, the West End and East End outlets, and the Tolna Coulee control structure. He reviewed lake history, outlet capacities, sulfate and downstream flow limits, and explained that the control structure is intended to prevent a catastrophic uncontrolled release by slowing erosion and head cutting. Members asked about water quality trends, the length of the downstream flow constraint, and whether the Tolna Coulee area had been studied for possible natural overflow or silt buildup. The discussion emphasized ongoing flooding concerns, mitigation for affected landowners, and the need to balance outlet operations with downstream water quality and infrastructure protection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fertilizer capacity in North Dakota.
• Moving on into fertilizer production in North Dakota, the average fertilizer consumption is about 2.5
• Fertilizer manufacturing costs vary widely, depending on the fertilizer type, production capacity, raw
• of a fertilizer plant in the state, is all dependent on... ...of a fertilizer plant in the state.
• And so I think that discussion is part of the fertilizer plant because the fertilizer plant is, there's

Committee: Joint Agriculture and Water Management Committee

Summary: The committee met for its third interim meeting, approved the prior meeting minutes, and heard a series of statutory reports from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Water Resources. Chair Hauck noted that Legislative Management had denied the committee’s earlier request for a fertilizer capacity study, and that the committee would also revisit the proposed Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern merger later in the day. Commissioner Doug Goring reported on several agriculture topics, including uncrewed aerial systems grants to detect noxious weeds, irrigation expansion potential, the low-carbon fuels program for ethanol plants, the Environmental Impact Mitigation Fund, model zoning ordinances for animal feeding operations, and fertilizer production and usage in North Dakota. He emphasized that fertilizer supply depends heavily on natural gas and water, that most nitrogen fertilizer is imported, and that large-scale fertilizer plants require very large capital investments. Members discussed fertilizer storage, natural gas pipeline capacity, water availability, and the role of state infrastructure in supporting value-added agriculture. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Water Resources’ economic analysis tool for water conveyance and flood-related projects. Dr. Dwayne Poole explained that the tool was created under 2017 legislation to help evaluate projects expected to cost $1 million or more, and that the department is proposing adjustments to better account for end-of-useful-life conditions and changing hydrologic data. He said the changes would remain focused on direct, demonstrable costs and benefits, not indirect impacts, and would be implemented through guidance and operating procedures rather than statutory changes. Committee members and water users discussed whether the revisions would better reflect real-world conditions, including deferred maintenance, changing rainfall patterns, and downstream effects. A representative from the Water Resource District Association said the group was working with DWR and hoped to review test scenarios before the June meeting. The committee then received a detailed presentation on Devils Lake, its outlets, and the Tolna Coulee control structure. State Engineer John Paskowski reviewed lake history, outlet capacities, sulfate and downstream flow constraints, and the purpose of the Tolna Coulee structure in limiting head cutting and preventing uncontrolled downstream releases. Members questioned whether the structure was effectively a dam, whether the lake would naturally overflow without it, the last time the outlets ran, and whether water quality in Devils Lake has improved over time. Paskowski said the outlets last operated in August 2025, that sulfate levels still limit operations, and that the lake has freshened somewhat but not enough to eliminate water-quality concerns. The discussion also touched on whether water from flooded areas or closed-basin systems could be reused for irrigation, and on the broader implications of wet cycles, inundated land, and drainage management across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a nitrogen fertilizer.
• It is a nitrogen fertilizer.
• It is a nitrogen fertilizer.
• It is a nitrogen fertilizer.
• It is a nitrogen fertilizer.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• It prohibits the land application of biosolids, requires fertilizer and soil amendments to be tested
• “Beneficial soil conditioner and safe fertilizer and still recommend its use today despite the science
• Through the use of biosolids and sludge-based fertilizers that were supposed to be helpful, our farms
• As you know, the commercial byproduct of toxic sludge is biosolid fertilizer.
• Our local fertilizer regulations are really designed to establish best practices so that fertilizer can

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries

Summary: The Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries held a public hearing on 19 legislative proposals, with testimony limited to three minutes per speaker and seven minutes per panel. The hearing opened with testimony on bills promoting urban agriculture and vacant-lot conversion, including H.121/S.61, which Green Roots staff and community members supported as a way to turn vacant lots in environmental justice communities into urban farms and gardens that improve food access, health, community cohesion, and climate resilience. Rep. James Arena-DeRosa also spoke in support of H.109/S.56, the PFAS bill, describing it as a measure to protect soil and farms from contamination and to create relief for affected farmers. A major portion of the hearing focused on H.109/S.56, which would ban land application of sewage sludge/biosolids, provide liability protection and relief funds for farmers, and address PFAS contamination in soil, water, crops, and animals. Testimony came from environmental groups, farm organizations, and individual farmers, including the Mass Food System Collaborative, Conservation Law Foundation, Clean Water Action, CEMAP, NOFA, Sierra Club, and several farmers who described contamination in Maine and Massachusetts and urged the committee to act. Witnesses emphasized that PFAS poses serious health risks, that farmers should not bear responsibility for legacy contamination, and that the bill should be paired with funding for testing, remediation, and assistance. Committee members asked questions about farm liability, the scope of the bill, contamination in different ownership situations, and the costs and timelines of remediation, with Senator Comerford and others clarifying that the bill is intended to protect farms and farmers rather than non-agricultural landholders. The committee also heard strong support for H.416, a farm-to-institution pilot program, from Rep. Lee Davis, Berkshire Agricultural Ventures, and Berkshire Bounty. They said the pilot would connect Massachusetts farms to schools, hospitals, correctional facilities, and other institutions, creating new markets, strengthening local supply chains, and supporting food-is-medicine efforts. Members discussed whether the model could be statewide and referenced existing programs such as Island Grown Initiative and local hospital and insurance partnerships. Another agricultural bill, H.1058, was supported by Rep. Mark Sylvia and the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association as a way to allow unused cranberry water rights to be transferred within the same watershed for municipal mitigation while helping growers retire or consolidate bogs. The hearing also included testimony on the broader farm omnibus bill H.112/S.55 and related measures, with the Massachusetts Farm Bureau and others praising the committee’s work on agricultural resilience, food security, agritourism, workforce development, and farmland access, while suggesting additional transportation-related fixes for farmers. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:34:19.119><c> rending</c> disrupts natural soil fertility, rending disrupts natural soil fertility
• Agriculture, we should be talking about soil health more and green fertilizer.
• Agriculture, we should be talking about soil health more and green fertilizer.
• Agriculture, we should be talking about soil health more and green fertilizer.
• Agriculture, we should be talking about soil health more and green fertilizer.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that going to be a fertilized egg?
• Because human life begins at fertilization, there are many fertilized human eggs on hand that have been
• Would fertility clinics be exposed to legal action?
• We hear a fertilized egg. We hear tissue, whatever you want to of times what we hear.
• We hear a fertilized egg.

Bills: S0164 , S0656 , S0892

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy presentation from Miami-Dade State Attorney Catherine Fernandez-Rundle on human trafficking, describing Florida’s high victim counts, the role of online recruitment, common victim and trafficker profiles, and several case examples involving sexual exploitation, labor trafficking, and interstate trafficking. She highlighted Miami-Dade’s task force model, partnerships with law enforcement, schools, businesses, and shelters such as Camillus House’s Project Phoenix and the Thrive Clinic, and said the office relies heavily on technology, training, and victim-centered prosecution. Members asked about school-based trafficking, warning signs, social media platforms, and information-sharing about offenders across states; Fernandez-Rundle said more training and better interstate communication are still needed. The committee then took up CS for SB 656, which would codify FDLE’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Funding Program and rename/expand the online sting operations grant program to better support investigations, training, technology, and personnel. The bill was supported as a timely tool to combat online child exploitation and was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call. The committee also passed SB 892, which streamlines sentencing procedures for habitual felony offenders and related violent offender designations by clarifying notice and clemency-related paperwork requirements; it too was reported favorably unanimously. The remainder of the meeting focused on SB 164, which expands Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow parents to recover civil damages for the death of an unborn child. The sponsor said the bill is intended to recognize unborn children in civil law and allow recovery when a pregnancy is lost due to another’s negligence. Opponents from the ACLU, reproductive rights groups, medical insurers, and domestic violence advocates argued the bill is overly broad, could function as fetal personhood legislation, and could expose doctors, friends, family members, businesses, and abusive partners to lawsuits while chilling medical care, IVF, and pregnancy-related treatment. Supporters from pro-life organizations urged broader language and stronger protections for unborn children. No vote on SB 164 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wild rice thrives without the use of harmful chemicals or fertilizers.
• </c> and education on agriculture fertility and education on agriculture fertility that<00:36:39.760>
• </c> the people that work in the fertilizer the people that work in the fertilizer industry<00:48:24.640
• </c> this year and with the bio fertilizer this year and with the bio fertilizer incentive<01:16:54.560
• So, uh fertilizer prices keep going up.

Bills: HF3898 , HF3957 , HF4372 , HF4350 , HF3692 , HF4085

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: pesticides, wild rice, environmental protection, agriculture, water quality, pollinators, training, management plan, fertilizer research, education grants, Minnesota Agricultural Council, technology transfer, agricultural productivity, HF4372, Minnesota agriculture, meat processing, meat processing training, retention incentive grants, grant extension, project deadline extension

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the digestate, what's left over, is also a better fertilizer for crops as well.
• We're seeing now global geopolitics are influencing the comments about fertilizer and fuel.
• We're seeing now global geopolitics are influencing the comments about fertilizer and fuel.
• with homegrown organic fertility products, and the economic value of... ...homegrown organic fertility
• One drawback I'll mention... ...fertilizer production.

Summary: The joint informational hearing examined how California agricultural programs have used cap-and-invest funding and what role agriculture should play in future climate investments. Committee chairs framed the issue as balancing climate goals, food production, rural economic vitality, and the fact that agriculture was not specifically funded in the recent cap-and-invest reauthorization. The first panel from CDFA and the Legislative Analyst’s Office described the state’s climate-smart agriculture portfolio, including Healthy Soils, SWEEP, the Dairy Methane Reduction Program, and Alternative Manure Management, and explained that GGRF revenues are now more constrained and may not fully support all tiered programs. LAO emphasized that agriculture is about 8% of California’s emissions, that most ag emissions are outside the cap, and that the Legislature should consider program effectiveness, the role of incentives, and GGRF priorities. CDFA testified that roughly $727 million has been invested in its flagship climate-smart ag programs, producing estimated reductions of 31 million metric tons of CO2e, 1.6 million acre-feet of water savings, and about 4,000 projects. The department said technical assistance is essential because farmers face risk when adopting new practices, and noted new Proposition 4 funding for Healthy Soils, SWEEP, and a regional farm equipment sharing program. University researchers then presented economic and methane-reduction analyses: UC Berkeley’s Dr. Hill described working landscapes as a major economic driver, while UC Davis’ Dr. Kibreab outlined dairy methane reduction pathways, including herd efficiency, digesters, alternative manure management, and emerging feed additives such as 3-NOP and seaweed, arguing that incentive-based programs have helped California move toward its methane goals. A later panel featured sharply different views on dairy digesters. Phoebe Seton argued that digesters worsen air and water quality, encourage manure liquefaction, and are an inefficient use of public funds, while CalCAN’s Brian Schobey and agricultural representatives said programs like AMP, SWEEP, Healthy Soils, FPIP, and the Farmer Program deliver measurable emissions reductions plus co-benefits such as water savings, lower energy costs, and improved air quality. Farm and industry witnesses stressed that stable, incentive-based funding helps family farms remain viable, supports co-investment, and should be treated as a partnership rather than a regulatory stick. No votes or formal actions were taken; the hearing ended with public comment and a continued call for future funding and policy discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• egg. fertilized eggs.
• We believe that it is very possible for the victim to be given a drug that prevents fertilization but
• It may also prevent fertilization of a released egg or attachment of a fertilized egg to the uterus.
• Emergency contraceptives (EC) function in two ways: preventing fertilization when... ...preventing fertilization
• It doesn't affect fertility in the future.

Bills: HB220 , HB783 , HB2240 , HB3336 , HB4202 , HB4449 , HB4904 , HB3441 , HB4284

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that going to be a fertilized egg?
• Because human life begins at fertilization, there are many fertilized human eggs on hand that have been
• And what I would say is, for one, I'm happy to use the term fertilized...” “Thank you so much.
• Would fertility clinics be exposed to legal action?
• We hear a fertilized egg.

Bills: S0164 , S0656 , S0892

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• , or violation of fertilizer laws or rules.
• Now it's put into fertilizers and herbicides and pesticides. That means it's getting into the soil.
• Now it's put into the fertilizers and herbicides and pesticides.
• And that includes both pesticides and fertilizers.
• And that includes both pesticides and fertilizers.

Bills: HB2279 , HB2463 , HB1941 , HB2238

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: PFAS chemicals, agriculture, environmental impact, regulation, food safety, farmers, food security, Washington, support for farmers, cannabis, cooperatives, marijuana industry, HB 2238, HB2238, statewide food security, food security strategy, hunger, food insecurity, food access, food assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• Synthetic fertilizer.
• Their goal is to sell the most amount of fertilizer, not the right amount of fertilizer.
• , not the right amount of fertilizer, not the right amount<00:18:34.560><c> of</c><00:18:34.640><c> fertilizer
• And since amount of fertilizer.
• </c> time-release fertilizers. time-release fertilizers.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• who manufacture fertilizers and sell fertilizers in the past.
• You don't want to be over-fertilizing.
• </c> snow pack over it so nobody's fertilized snow pack over it so nobody's fertilized it<03:35:14.720
• on your way home, and you buy your fertilizer there, you might be buying a legal fertilizer and you
• of fertilizer down.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the digestate, what's left over, is also a better fertilizer for crops as well.
• Middle East, which produces half of the world's urea fertilizer.
• These practices also reduce farmers' fertilizer and pesticide costs.
• with homegrown organic fertility products, and the economic value of... ...homegrown organic fertility
• One drawback I'll mention... ...fertilizer production.

Summary: The joint informational hearing examined how agricultural programs have used cap-and-invest funding and what role agriculture should play in future climate investments. The chairs opened by noting that agriculture had been largely left out of the cap-and-invest reauthorization, despite prior support through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, and framed the hearing around climate-smart agriculture, food security, rural vitality, and the need for measurable co-benefits such as water savings, soil health, and air quality improvements. The first panel included CDFA Deputy Secretary Virginia Jamison and LAO analyst Helen Kirsten. Jamison described CDFA’s climate-smart portfolio, including the Healthy Soils Program, SWEEP, the Alternative Manure Management Program, and dairy methane reduction efforts, saying roughly $727 million has supported these programs and produced estimated reductions of 31 million metric tons of CO2e, 1.6 million acre-feet of water savings, and about 4,000 projects. She emphasized technical assistance, oversubscription of the programs, and the need for continued investment and better measurement/verification. Kirsten outlined the cap-and-invest structure, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, and the state’s emissions inventory, noting agriculture is about 8% of California’s GHG emissions and that funding for tier-three programs may remain constrained. She also said prior LAO work found the programs have significant reduction potential but that some estimated benefits may be overstated, recommending further evaluation. The second panel featured UC researchers Alexandra Hill and Ermi Kibreab, who presented on the economic importance of California’s working landscapes and on dairy methane reduction pathways. Hill said working landscapes are a major part of the state and national economy, with agriculture driving most of the sector’s sales and jobs. Kibreab explained that dairy is central to methane reduction because it accounts for a large share of agricultural methane emissions, and described herd efficiency, digesters, alternative manure management, and emerging feed additives as complementary strategies. He said digesters and other incentive-supported measures are helping California move toward its methane goals, while noting feed additives such as 3-NOP and seaweed-based approaches could offer additional reductions in the future. The third panel brought contrasting views from environmental advocates, farmers, and industry representatives. Phoebe Seaton argued that further state funding for dairy digesters is not environmentally or economically justified, citing concerns about methane, nitrous oxide, groundwater impacts, odors, and high cost per ton reduced. Brian Shobe of CalCAN supported continued funding for programs like AMP, SWEEP, and Healthy Soils, saying they provide multiple co-benefits and that farmers need stable, incentive-based support to comply with climate and water regulations. Cannon Michael of Bowles Farming Company described his farm’s investments in organic and regenerative practices, composting, drip irrigation, solar, habitat management, and workforce programs, and said consistent funding helps farms plan and remain viable. Tricia Gerringer of the Agricultural Council of California urged funding for FPIP, the Farmer Program, methane reduction programs, and sustainable ag waste management, arguing they deliver immediate, measurable reductions and co-benefits. Members and witnesses debated the relative merits of digesters versus alternative manure management, the role of regenerative agriculture, and whether agriculture should be treated as a distinct policy category. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded with public comment supporting agricultural climate funding and a request to include agriculture in broader cap-and-invest discussions.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> stock production calculator fertilizer stock production calculator fertilizer applications<00:43
• production practices and efficiency of fertilizer.
• production practices and efficiency of fertilizer.
• oats, so less fertilizer—about 60 pounds of nitrogen per acre.
• </c> and M wiggle um what's the fertilizer and M wiggle um what's the fertilizer recommendations<01:07

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Up next, we have RS 33538 on the agenda: Fertility preservation services.
• The decision to preserve their fertility is made under extreme and quite often emotional and medical
• For many of our young women and men, fertility loss is not just simply a side effect.
• I reached out to a fertility clinic that provides this service. She had four last year.
• , and perhaps other types of treatments wouldn’t impact fertility?

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the digestate, what's left over, is also a better fertilizer for crops as well.
• These practices also reduce farmers' fertilizer and pesticide costs.
• We're seeing now global geopolitics are influencing the comments about fertilizer and fuel.
• with homegrown organic fertility products, and the economic value of... ...homegrown organic fertility
• Fertilizer production.

Transcript Highlights:

• things that are coming from Washington, D.C., whether it is the tariffs, the increased prices on fertilizer
• things that are coming from Washington, D.C., whether it is the tariffs, the increased prices on fertilizer
• things that are coming from Washington, D.C., whether it is the tariffs, the increased prices on fertilizer
• things that are coming from Washington, D.C., whether it is the tariffs, the increased prices on fertilizer
• and on fuel and in housing as fertilizer and on fuel and in housing as a<00:04:24.440><c> result</c>

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the news that uh prices of fertilizer the news that uh prices of fertilizer expected<00:06:43.440
• </c> ammonia fertilizer. ammonia fertilizer.
• </c><00:07:18.200><c> to</c> production of ammonia fertilizer to production of ammonia fertilizer to
• new facilities to develop green ammonia fertilizer.
• new facilities to develop green ammonia fertilizer.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate