Transcript Highlights:

• We partner with independent family-run growers.
• We partner with independent family-run growers in the Dry Creek and Russian River valleys, and we make
• SB 917 is a simple, common-sense fix that supports small wineries like mine, the growers we rely on,
• I'm with the California Association of Wine Grape Growers. We are co-sponsors of the bill.
• They're connected to the local growers. They're connected to their local communities.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the plant growers to certify that their products are made in Hawaii so that the agencies can comply
• That there may be some challenges for the applicability if you would require the flower growers and the
• plant growers to certify that their products are made in Hawaii so that the agencies can comply with
• I don't... increase the burdens on the flower increase the burdens on the flower Growers<00:37:34.520
• or you buy and they're buy from a grower or you buy and they're local<00:38:08.960> that<00:38

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 412 HD1, which would expand the definition of lobbying to include certain communications with high-level officials about procurement decisions and create presumptions regarding lobbying on behalf of private clients. The State Ethics Commission and State Procurement Office supported the measure, saying it would improve transparency and align Hawaii with other states, while the Hawaii Primary Care Association opposed it over concerns that employers and others could be swept in too broadly. No public testimony or questions led to any action on the bill during the hearing. The committee then took up House Bill 131, which would allow agencies to disclose government records to researchers for certain research purposes and clarify the Office of Information Practices’ rulemaking authority. OIP and the Public First Law Center supported the bill, arguing it would create uniform standards and that concerns could be handled through rules. The University of Hawaiʻi system, DBEDT, DHS, DLNR, and others raised concerns about the breadth of the terms “research” and “researcher,” privacy, confidential information, and possible misuse; Hawaiian Electric also warned about access to sensitive infrastructure information. Members questioned whether the bill was premature and whether definitions should be narrowed in statute, and OIP said it would consider working with agencies and the University on clearer definitions. House Bill 792 HD1, relating to the Office of the Legislative Analyst, drew no testimony beyond a late written support from the Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and the committee moved on without discussion. The committee then heard House Bill 1424, which would restrict transfers between appropriated funds for positions and operating expenses. Budget and Finance explained that current practice allows transfers from payroll to other current expenses when there are savings, but legislative appropriations for specific purposes must still be spent for that purpose. Several agencies expressed opposition or concerns, saying the bill could reduce flexibility, especially in response to federal funding changes or vacant positions, though members emphasized transparency and accountability. Budget and Finance suggested a reporting approach instead, and the committee discussed quarterly reporting as a possible alternative. Finally, the committee began House Bill 1153 HD1, which concerns funding adjustments for state programs and capital improvement projects and establishes a protocol fund. Budget and Finance, DAGS, and the State Procurement Office supported the measure, while the General Contractors Association and several construction-related groups opposed section two, arguing it would undo recent procurement protest-bond safeguards adopted in Act 162. The hearing then moved on toward House Bill 1297, but the transcript cuts off before that bill was fully discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are a lot of different options working with the growers to get the best type of fertilizer, the
• There are a lot of different options working with the growers to get the best type of fertilizer, the
• <00:42:35.200> to service opportunities to the grower to service opportunities to the grower
• <01:09:42.279> Cooper perennial promise uh Growers Cooper perennial promise uh Growers Cooper
• to give uh perennial promise uh Growers to give uh perennial promise uh Growers Co-op<01:16:03.320

Bills: HF363, HF2155, HF1524, HF821, HF1677, HF1292

Keywords: HF363, property tax credit, agricultural water quality credit, Minnesota agricultural water quality certification program, clean water fund, class 2a, class 2b, certified acres, conservation incentive, water quality, agricultural property, county assessor, county auditor, Department of Revenue, Department of Agriculture, property tax reimbursement, school district reimbursement, legacy finance, taxes committee, southeastern Minnesota

Transcript Highlights:

• I spoke to a few growers today in our area.
• It's a guy that's doing 600 acres now down at 50 another grower.
• Cotton Growers, headquartered in Lubbock, Texas.
• And it's cost growers over $6 million to date.
• So I'm a fruit and vegetable grower myself and harvester. I'm not. a water engineer.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and then those processes were asking those growers to grow them here.
• And so for Chinoa's group, in particular... ...to our on-farm trials with the growers.
• We plug the growers into the process.
• We plug the growers into the process. They are part of the project.
• We plug the growers into the process. They are part of the project team.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Western Growers also opposed. Good afternoon, Chair and members.
• Hi, Gail Dillahant with Western Growers Association, in support.
• Hi, Gail Dillahant with Western Growers Association in support.
• , California Dairy, California Fresh Fruit Association, California pear growers, California tomato growers
• growers, California, apple, avocado, zinc, California Fresh Fruit Association, California pear growers

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The service that we provide to growers through the water quality education program, we also certainly
• we provide to Growers through the water<00:07:29.280> quality<00:07:29.800> edication<
• I currently serve as the first vice president of Minnesota Corn Growers Association.
• 2015 the Minnesota Corn Growers 2015 the Minnesota Corn Growers Association<01:13:36.280> has
• That's been put forward by farmers on behalf of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We were fortunate enough to work with both Farm Bureau and stock growers during the interim to try and
• during the interim to try and growers during the interim to try and find<00:03:55.920> solutions<
• Any questions or stop growers? >> Representative, did that kind of answer your question?
• Any questions<00:10:07.440> or<00:10:07.680> stop<00:10:07.920> growers?
• questions or stop growers? questions or stop growers?

Bills: HJ0002, SF0118, SF0016

Keywords: mineral royalties, federal lands, Wyoming, revenue, education funding, transportation funding, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, eminent domain, water projects, legislative approval, state funding, land acquisition, grazing lands, subleasing, non-owned livestock, state lands, rental fees, agricultural policy, land management, 916

Transcript Highlights:

• And we emphasize that our department, the win-win of trying to support purchase from local growers across
• In 2025, we had over 500 authorized growers in the program, and we've seen over half a million dollars
• And then the food pantries... organization and the growers that are working in their communities.
• But fourthly, we hope that you'll bring together ways that Washington farmers, growers, and producers
• So we have established relationships with growers.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session on food systems and food security, with no public testimony. The first panel focused on household food security and data. Marie Spiker of the University of Washington explained what food insecurity means, its health impacts, and the importance of reliable measurement, warning that the federal Census food security data is being terminated and that there is no true replacement. She described Washington’s WaFOOD surveys as a useful complement, not a substitute, and noted that they show food insecurity affects households at a range of income levels. Katie Raines of WSDA described the state’s food systems work, the need for shared data and dashboards, and the role of agriculture in both food production and the hunger safety net. Committee members asked about the $2.2 million state food assistance allocation, the scale of the SNAP gap, and how household size, housing costs, and other factors intersect with food insecurity. The committee then heard from Tracy Roof of the University of Richmond on the history of SNAP and its relationship to agriculture. She traced the program from Depression-era commodity distribution through the modern farm bill, emphasizing that food assistance has long functioned both as anti-hunger policy and as an agricultural and economic stabilizer. She highlighted how SNAP expands during recessions, supports retailers and farmers, and has become more important since the Great Recession because participation stayed high even as the economy recovered. Roof also noted that Washington has relatively high SNAP participation and low payment error rates, but that recent federal changes could reduce eligibility and shift more costs to states. Members asked how Washington compares to other states and why the program is structured as it is. A later panel featured the Washington State Food Policy Forum and a joint systems presentation from the Washington Farm Bureau, Washington Retail Association, and Washington Food Industry Association. The Food Policy Forum described its consensus-based recommendations on food insecurity, climate and water, regional food infrastructure, farmland protection, and farm viability, including more support for producer purchasing, water planning, and farmland conservation. The industry groups presented a systems map showing how agriculture, processing, retail, and transportation are interconnected, and argued that rising costs, regulations, labor and fuel expenses, retail theft, and thin margins make it harder to keep farms and stores viable. They said food security depends on store viability and local agricultural profitability, and promised to provide a more detailed list of policy recommendations. The final panel included state agency staff from DSHS, DOH, and WSDA. Bryce Montgomery said the Basic Food program serves about 920,000 Washingtonians monthly and warned that H.R. 1 could require Washington to pay up to 15% of SNAP benefits, broaden work requirements, and restrict immigrant eligibility. Karen Mullen described DOH nutrition programs, including WIC, farmers market nutrition benefits, fruit and vegetable incentives, and a fruit-and-vegetable prescription program, while noting funding instability and the end of SNAP-Ed. WSDA’s Katie Raines began describing ongoing food assistance and farmer support challenges, including farmer mental health and the need to address food insecurity across both producers and consumers.

Transcript Highlights:

• well as the Northland potato growers.
• well as the Northland potato growers.
• well as the Northland potato growers.
• well as the Northland potato growers.
• as well as the Northland potato growers. as well as the Northland potato growers.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I spoke to a few growers today in our area.
• Myers, we show you registered as Travis Myers testifying neutrally on behalf of Plains Cotton Growers
• Uh, I'm also the president of Plains Cotton Growers headquartered in Lubbock, Texas.
• Obviously, water availability is the single most pressing issue for Texas citrus growers today.
• Uh, so I'm a fruit and vegetable grower myself and harvester.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and then those processors were asking those growers to grow them here.
• And so for Chinoa's group, in particular, To our on-farm trials with the growers.
• We plug the growers into the process. They are part of the project.
• We plug the growers into the process. They are part of the project team.
• For us, we know that growers are really, really focused on ensuring that all of the technologies that

Summary: The committee met in Fargo and approved the minutes from the March 31 meeting before hearing a series of informational presentations focused on North Dakota agriculture, water, and research. NDSU President David Cook opened with remarks about NDSU’s land-grant mission, emphasizing statewide service through research, teaching, and extension, and highlighting examples such as the Lilac Agriculture startup and the university’s role in applying research to real-world problems. He said he intends to spend time listening across the state to better understand local needs. The committee then received a detailed presentation on a state irrigation and drainage study from Tom Bodine on behalf of Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The study projected significant potential for expanded irrigation acreage, especially in counties such as McLean, Williams, Sargent, Burleigh, Mountrail, McKenzie, McIntosh, Dunn, and Bottineau, and estimated major economic gains from irrigation, including higher farm returns and support for value-added agriculture. Members discussed water permits, surface water versus aquifers, infrastructure, drought resilience, and the role of legal drains in improving productivity and generating economic activity. The presenters also noted that the full report is available online. Dr. Greg Lardy followed with NDSU’s required interim report, outlining the university’s agricultural research and extension system, including the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education, seven research-extension centers, and the economic importance of agriculture to the state. He highlighted recent research impacts such as new crop varieties, potato breeding successes, virtual fencing, AI-assisted weed control, weather-network tools, and 4-H programming. He also described NDSU’s budget priorities: restoring the governor’s proposed 10% cuts, additional operating support, and deferred maintenance funding. Committee members asked about the new agricultural field lab, storage sheds, and NDSU’s partnership with Grand Farm. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute and a professor presenting water-related research, including data center cooling, water reuse, smart irrigation, and a feasibility study on co-locating data centers with greenhouse and aquaculture production. Members asked about water use, ownership, and whether the concepts were operational or still speculative. Finally, North Dakota AgTech presented its NSF-funded innovation engine work, describing startup commercialization, on-farm trials, workforce development, and partnerships with NDSU, UND, tribal colleges, and other land-grant institutions. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the prior meeting minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, budget neutral, and is supported by the growers that we've worked very hard over the last year
• One of the things that it does is it allows the seed potato growers to print their own certification
• Allowing growers to print their own tags could result in a small revenue loss for us at MDA of about
• Again, budget neutral, and is supported by the growers that we've worked very hard over the last year
• One of the things that it does is it allows the seed potato growers to print their own certification

Bills: HF858, HF2577, HF2576

Keywords: bioincentive payments, agriculture, job creation, environmental compliance, financial reporting, waste handling, sewage sludge, PFAS regulation, environment, record retention, fertilizer disposal, pesticide disposal, environmental impact, safety regulations, burning prohibition, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I will lastly point out that a grower has a letter.
• I will lastly point out that a grower has a letter.
• I will lastly point out that a grower has a letter.
• I will lastly point out that a grower has a letter.
• A grower has a letter.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Koh's, and I serve Minnesota's turkey industry as the executive director for the Minnesota Turkey Growers
• executive director for the Minnesota executive director for the Minnesota turkey<00:01:34.439> growers
• Turkey growers in Minnesota have set the gold standard for biosecurity and prevention measures on turkey
• So Minnesota turkey growers are doing a lot, but biosecurity is not enough to prevent high path avian
• have installed over 100 lasers Growers have installed over 100 lasers on<00:04:17.079> their<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The service that we provide to growers through the water quality education program, we also, certainly
• The service that we provide to growers through the water quality education program, we also, certainly
• The service that we provide to growers through the water quality education program, we also, certainly
• Two points to be made on that: the certification program is a service provided to the growers through
• Two points to be made on that: the certification program is a service provided to the growers through

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• My growers kids are around this this.
• I'm currently serve on the Minnesota Corn Growers Board of Directors.
• Uh, I farm Growers Board of Directors.
• I'm currently serving as president of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association.
• Um, we have several growers all over the country, including growers in Minnesota, that are successfully

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , and then those processors were asking those growers to grow them here.
• But before we get started... ...because we are a network across the state that works with growers and
• And so for Chinoa's group, in particular... ...to our on-farm trials with the growers.
• We plug the growers into the process. They are part of the project.
• For us, we know that growers are really, really focused on ensuring that all of the technologies that

Summary: The meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and opening remarks from NDSU President David Stewart, who emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission of statewide service through teaching, research, and extension. He highlighted the university’s role in agriculture, water, soil health, and community outreach, and pointed to examples of research commercialization such as Lilac Agriculture’s work on nitrogen-fixing microbes for crops. He also said he is still early in his tenure and intends to spend time listening and learning across the state. The committee then received a detailed presentation on a state irrigation and drainage study from Tom Bodine on behalf of Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The study estimated that North Dakota could develop about 1.3 million additional irrigated acres, with major potential in counties such as McLean, Williams, Sargent, Burleigh, Mountrail, McKenzie, McIntosh, Dunn, and Bottineau. Testimony stressed the economic benefits of irrigation for crop yields, value-added processing, dairy, and potato production, while members also discussed water availability, aquifers, downstream water use, and the need for more flexible permitting. The drainage portion of the study found significant economic benefits from legal drains, and staff explained that the impacts were calculated through increased productivity and related input purchases. Greg Lardy then gave NDSU’s required agriculture update, saying agriculture accounts for more than $41 billion in annual economic activity, one in five jobs, and about 25 percent of state GDP. He reviewed the role of SBAR, the statewide research-extension network, new crop varieties, virtual fencing, AI and weather-network tools, and Extension’s county partnerships and youth programs. He also outlined NDSU’s priorities for the next session: restoring proposed budget cuts, increasing operating support, and addressing deferred maintenance. Members asked about storage shed construction, NDSU’s relationship with Grand Farm, and whether NDSU could help with water-related research tied to drainage and aquifers. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute and a professor on water and data centers, who described graduate fellowships, a water workforce certificate program, and research on data center cooling, water use, and “Legendary Harvest” concepts that would reuse waste heat for greenhouse or aquaculture production. Questions focused on whether the cooling systems were closed-loop, who would own any related production facilities, and whether the project was still only a feasibility study. Finally, North Dakota AgTech described its NSF-funded “engine” project, saying it has brought millions in federal investment to the state, supported startups and on-farm trials, and is focused on commercialization, workforce development, and helping producers lower input costs and improve profitability.

Transcript Highlights:

• We partner with independent family-run growers. My family started our small winery 10 years ago.
• We partner with independent family-run growers in the Dry Creek and Russian River valleys, and we make
• SB 917 is a simple, common-sense fix that supports small wineries like mine, the growers we rely on,
• I'm with the California Association of Wine Grape Growers. We are co-sponsors of the bill.
• They're connected to the local growers. They're connected to their local communities.

Summary: The Governmental Organization Committee met as a subcommittee for much of the hearing because a quorum was initially absent, and it heard several bills focused on nonprofit support, alcohol regulation, immigration-related funding restrictions, outdoor advertising, and green building standards. SB 1240 by Senator McNerney would create an Office of Nonprofit Empowerment to help nonprofits navigate state procurement, grants, and reimbursement processes; supporters, including the Child Care Resource Center and the Little Hoover Commission, said nonprofits provide essential services but face delayed payments and burdensome bureaucracy. Committee members raised accountability concerns, but the author emphasized the bill does not dispense grants and would cost about $1.7 million in the first year. The bill was later approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 917 by Senator Laird, which would remove the estate-grown grape requirement for wineries selling at farmers markets, allowing more family wineries to participate; winery and grape grower representatives said the change would help direct-to-consumer sales and local growers. SB 1171 by Senator Caballero would make private entities that contract with ICE ineligible for state-funded loans or grants; supporters from immigrant-rights groups described ICE detention and raids as harmful and inhumane, while some members spoke in favor of using state funds to avoid indirectly supporting ICE-related activity. Both bills advanced on party-line or near-party-line votes and were sent to Appropriations or Local Government as noted in the roll calls. Senator Rubio presented SB 1195, which would expand tied-house exemptions for certain entertainment, convention, and sports venues in specified counties, and SB 1228, which would allow a small number of existing outdoor advertising displays to continue operating despite a statutory sunset. Supporters said SB 1195 would create economic opportunity and clarify current law, while SB 1228 was described as a narrow fix to preserve legally permitted signs and local revenue; both bills passed the committee and were sent to Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 1398, which would recognize Green Globes as an alternative green building certification for state projects alongside LEED; supporters argued it would add flexibility and competition, while the U.S. Green Building Council opposed bypassing the Department of General Services’ equivalency review. The bill was approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also took up a consent calendar and adjourned at 2:55 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up is Amanda Bellik, Minnesota Corn Growers Association.
• I'm the senior public policy director for the Minnesota Corn Growers Association.
• At the Minnesota Corn Growers Association, corn farmer leaders have been working to fill some of the
• product so at the Minnesota Corn Growers product so at the Minnesota Corn Growers Association<00
• Next up, we have Joe Medch from the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association. Mr.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard testimony on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and Minnesota’s efforts to build a SAF industry. Andrea Veble of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture said the Walz administration strongly supports SAF because it could benefit agriculture, forestry, clean energy, and rural economies. She highlighted the 2023 state SAF tax credit and sales tax exemption for facility construction, describing the credit as a nation-leading incentive designed to stack with federal IRA credits and attract producers and blenders to Minnesota. Jeff Davidman of Delta Airlines said aviation is difficult to decarbonize and that SAF is the airline industry’s best available tool to reach net-zero goals by 2050. He explained that SAF is a certified drop-in fuel that can be blended with conventional jet fuel and used in existing aircraft and infrastructure, and he cited growing global demand and limited supply. He said Minnesota has many potential feedstocks, including used cooking oil, corn, soybeans, and camelina, and praised the state’s SAF tax credit and the Minnesota SAF Hub as important steps toward making Minnesota a leader in the sector. Peter Fros of Greater MSP described the Minnesota SAF Hub as a public-private partnership aimed at building an industrial-scale SAF value chain in Minnesota. He said the state has key advantages, including airport demand, corporate partners, research institutions, and agricultural inputs, and estimated that three SAF biorefineries could create tens of thousands of jobs and significant emissions reductions. He also said the Hub is working on blending infrastructure, private demand commitments, a winter camelina expansion study, and efforts to secure additional refineries before 2030. Members raised questions about how sustainability is measured, and Fros said the Hub relies on the federal GREET model but wants a clearer, transparent, and standardized national method that also accounts for issues like water quality and biodiversity. Amanda Bellik of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association said corn-based ethanol is a strong fit for SAF production through the alcohol-to-jet pathway because it is abundant, affordable, and supported by existing infrastructure. She said SAF development could create a new value-added market for corn without requiring new acres, but emphasized the need for significant capital investment, stable tax policy, and efficient permitting. She also said the group has worked with a consultant on third-party sustainability assessments of corn production practices to help fill data gaps and support the carbon-intensity requirements tied to SAF incentives.