Video & Transcript Research : 'ranchers'
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TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This provides greater accessibility for ranchers, particularly those in rural areas who often have to
- It reduces red tape for ranchers, lightens the workload for county clerks, and enhances law enforcement's
- What that's referring to is RFID chips, and all the farmers and ranchers that I talked to are unhappy
- Biden and his 30-30 agenda has put a big target on our farmers and ranchers.
- Um, Biden and his thirty-thirty agenda has put a big target on our farmers and ranchers.
Bills:
HB147
Keywords:
government contracting, business program, discrimination, state procurement, equity, underutilized businesses
Summary:
The House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock met with a quorum present and heard several bills, all of which were left pending. HB 1113, by Rep. Cain, would update Texas hemp law to keep state rules aligned with federal changes, require timely rule amendments by the Department of Agriculture, and create hemp research permits for universities and nonprofits. Supporters from the Texas Hemp Coalition said it would improve research, licensing, testing, and enforcement while helping the industry stay compliant and competitive; the author said the bill was intended to reward good actors and deter bad ones.
HB 1203, by Rep. Gonzalez, would create an Office of Food System Security and Resiliency within the Department of Agriculture to address food insecurity and coordinate local food access efforts. Gonzalez said the office would build on a prior Department of Agriculture study and help connect farmers, agencies, schools, and local governments; members asked about the fiscal note, consumer costs, and whether the office would overlap with existing programs. HB 1269, HB 1276, and HB 1277 focused on plant disease and pest prevention, including a grant program and studies to identify gaps and track outbreaks. Gonzalez emphasized the need for a more intentional state response, citing crop losses from pests and a recent cotton disease outbreak in his district.
HB 1437 would create a pollinator task force to address threats to Texas honeybees and related pollination industries. A Texas Beekeepers Association witness described major recent colony losses, emerging threats such as mites and hornets, and the need to bring agencies and researchers together; Gonzalez noted prior work adding a bee specialist at AgriLife Extension. Finally, HB 147, by Chairman Guillen, would modernize cattle brand registration by moving it to an electronic system at the Texas Animal Health Commission while keeping county clerks involved. Supporters said it would improve efficiency, accuracy, and access for ranchers and law enforcement, while an opponent warned about possible electronic tracking implications and costs for small producers. The committee took no final votes and adjourned after leaving HB 147 pending as well.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs May 19th, 2025
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- That might be manageable in a subdivision, but for farmers and ranchers, it is a substantial burden.
- Since 2020, more than 17,000 farmers and ranchers have been forced out of business in Texas.
- My husband and I are ranchers in Sterling County. We ranch full-time and at this.
- My husband and I are sixth-generation ranchers.
- The average age of ranchers is 60 years.
Keywords:
agriculture, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, honey production, beekeeping, food safety, local regulation, bovine producers, dairy farms, permits, bovine tuberculosis, public health, wildlife management, disease prevention, alert system, Texas A&M, white-tailed deer, public safety
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Agriculture Committee Apr 30th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- this committee, Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, not only defined socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers
- Increasing land tenure for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers through ownership
- For beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, through ownership or long-term leases,
- as you acknowledged, in 2017 I authored AB 1348 to make sure socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers
- as you acknowledged in 2017, I authored AB 1348 to make sure socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers
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.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This is enough to destroy any farmer, any rancher, anyone that I represent.
- Farmers and ranchers, you know, frankly, are using a lot more groundwater than cities.
- And the rancher, they're out there with livestock that's using water.
- Farmers and ranchers are truly at the mercy of the Groundwater Conservation District if they want to
- Farmers and ranchers are truly at the mercy of the Ground Road Conservation District if they want to
Keywords:
water rights, Texas Water Trust, water bank, environmental conservation, water quality, instream flows, aquifer, water injection, Edwards Aquifer, environmental regulation, groundwater, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water conservation, drought, utility regulation, water use restrictions, Public Utility Commission, civil penalties, drought contingency, environmental protection
Summary:
The Committee on Natural Resources met with a quorum present and first took up several pending bills for reconsideration and committee substitute adoption. House Bill 2692, relating to codification and clarification of local laws concerning the San Antonio River Authority, was reported favorably to the full House and sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars by an 11-0 vote. House Bills 1407, 1520, 1535, 2970, 4153, 291, 3663, and 3915 were also reconsidered or laid out as pending business, with committee substitutes adopted where needed and each bill reported favorably, generally by unanimous vote, to the full House and then to Calendars or Calendars/Calendars-related referral as applicable.
The committee then heard House Bill 4530, which would expand the Texas Water Trust framework to include groundwater rights, require Texas Water Development Board review and approval of groundwater dedications, and notify local groundwater districts when groundwater rights are placed in the trust. The bill’s author and witnesses from the Environmental Defense Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and Chispa Texas supported the measure as a conservation tool and a way to create a clear process for voluntary donations; a Texas Water Development Board witness testified neutrally. The bill was left pending.
House Bill 4931, relating to an aquifer storage and recovery project in Medina County, drew support from the author, the Medina County judge, and a regional water alliance witness, who described severe stress on the Edwards Aquifer, low levels at Medina Lake, and the need for a local water-supply tool. The bill was left pending. House Bill 5559, which would clarify enforcement of drought contingency plans for investor-owned water utilities and involve the PUC in model plan development, received support from groundwater district representatives but also concerns from water company and utility witnesses about enforcement authority, approval procedures, and potential conflicts with existing obligations to provide continuous service; the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. House Bill 5560, which would raise the maximum civil penalty for certain groundwater conservation district enforcement actions from $10,000 to $25,000 per violation, prompted debate over whether current law is already sufficient; supporters said the higher cap would better deter overpumping, while opponents argued existing penalties are already severe. That bill was also left pending, and the committee adjourned subject to call of the chair.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Land Grant Aug 14th, 2025
House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- These are actual text messages from some of the ranchers. We've highlighted a few key comments.
- But the towers are able to communicate to not just a single rancher. That's one option.
- Do the ranchers probably still have to go out and move The cows.
- They're Actually, easier to train than ranchers. No, I guess.
- When you listen to the sales reps for these companies, they tell our ranchers you need 100% coverage.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This is enough to destroy any farmer, any rancher, anyone that I Marvin Jones: represent.
- Representative Bell: So you mentioned farmers and ranchers and the use of the term "person."
- Farmers and ranchers, frankly, are using a lot more groundwater than cities. That's just a reality.
- When I think about farmers and ranchers, the distinction is one of them, farmers plant something that
- Farmers and ranchers are truly at the mercy of the Groundwater Conservation District if they want to
Keywords:
water rights, Texas Water Trust, water bank, environmental conservation, water quality, instream flows, aquifer, water injection, Edwards Aquifer, environmental regulation, groundwater, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water conservation, drought, utility regulation, water use restrictions, Public Utility Commission, civil penalties, drought contingency, environmental protection
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- You know, that is what we do as ranchers. That grass is our crop.
- And address the concerns of the ranchers and the folks that you've heard testified this morning.
- You know, as ranchers, when a fence needs to be rebuilt, we rebuild it.
- I am proud to represent ranchers like him. But, Mr.
- I'm a rancher in Mountain Home. This has got to get fixed. And one of the reasons...
Keywords:
emergency communication, infrastructure, first responders, grant program, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, local governments, HB 143, Texas Railroad Commission, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas, well site, surface facility, electrical power line, National Electrical Code, NEC, electrical safety, utility disconnect, service disconnection
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine risk management, credit, and rural business views on the agricultural economy, focusing on views from the field. Mar 11th, 2025 at 01:30 pm
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- conducting to examine the current state of America's rural economy from the perspective of our farmers, ranchers
- We want to see farmers and ranchers succeed, and as private businesses, we must also earn an adequate
- generation of farmers and ranchers.
- Bankers are proud of the work we do to support our nation's farmers and ranchers.
- All over Kansas, sixth, seventh generation farmers or ranchers are... are feeling that challenge.
Keywords:
farm bill, rural economy, crop insurance, access to credit, young farmers, USDA funding freeze, agricultural policy, risk management
Summary:
The meeting of the agricultural committee focused on significant concerns regarding the current state of America's rural economy, highlighting the need for a strong five-year farm bill to address the challenges faced by farmers, particularly young and beginning farmers. Key testimony was given by multiple stakeholders including agricultural leaders and young farmers, emphasizing issues related to crop insurance, access to credit, and the adverse impact of recent USDA funding freezes. Various members discussed the necessity of risk management tools that farmers rely on to secure financing, which is crucial for sustaining agricultural operations and supporting rural communities. The importance of timely legislative action was underscored, as many farmers reported struggles in the current economic climate, raising urgency for reforms within the Farm Bill framework.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/13/2026 - Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- I represent Arizona's beef farmers, cattle ranchers, and dairy farmers as the executive director.
- I represent Arizona's beef farmers, cattle ranchers, and dairy farmers as the executive director.
- Does the rancher on our committee actually have anything to say? I do, actually.
- very much for all you're doing in the education of the public, and I will continue to do that as a rancher
- very much for all you're doing in the education of the public, and I will continue to do that as a rancher
Summary:
The Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference met to conduct the sunset review of the Arizona Beef Council. Lauren Mailing, the council’s executive director, testified in support of continuation, describing the council as a state-created, industry-funded organization that promotes, educates, and conducts research for Arizona beef producers. She explained that the council is financed through the federal beef checkoff program, with half of the $1 per-head assessment sent to national programs and half retained in Arizona for promotion, education, and research. She also emphasized that checkoff funds cannot be used for lobbying and highlighted programs such as ranch tours for nutrition professionals, classroom lesson plans, grants, and digital consumer outreach.
Committee members asked about whether checkoff dollars are refundable; Mailing said they are not under the federal program and Arizona does not have a separate refundable state checkoff. Members also offered supportive comments recognizing the council’s work and the service of former board member Andrew Grissetta, who had recently passed away. Several senators spoke in favor of the council’s educational efforts and its role in supporting ranchers, feeders, dairy farmers, and youth programs such as FFA and 4-H.
The vice chair moved to recommend continuing the Arizona Beef Council for eight years, until July 1, 2034. The motion passed on a 7-0 roll call vote, and the committee adjourned with no further business.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- White, I have you registered as a rancher testifying for yourself.
- I am a fifth-generation rancher.
- These lines—I'm not as fortunate as the Panhandle ranchers.
- We show you registered Scholar Wright, rancher representing self.
- A rancher from Crockett County, Texas, all the way in the...
Keywords:
inactive wells, oil and gas regulation, environmental protection, Railroad Commission of Texas, well plugging, Railroad Commission, penalties, violations, pipeline safety, civil penalties, criminal penalties, wildfire prevention, oil and gas, safety inspections, administrative penalties, excavation, notification, utilities, underground facilities, regulatory compliance
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Natural Resources Subcommittee - Morning Session Dec 17th, 2025
A&B Natural Resources Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- There are no laws or regulations that are forcing these farmers or ranchers to change the way.
- There are no laws or regulations that are forcing these farmers or ranchers to change the way.
- There are no laws or regulations that are forcing these farmers or ranchers to change the way.
- There are no laws or regulations that are forcing these farmers or ranchers to change the way.
- There are no laws or regulations that are forcing these farmers or ranchers to change the way.
Summary:
The meeting began with a budget presentation from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Secretary Blaine Arthur and Deputy Commissioner Jan Lee described the agency’s divisions and recent efforts to improve efficiency, including expanded online licensing, electronic veterinary inspection certificates, and a new laboratory information system. They highlighted youth and workforce programs, local food initiatives for schools, market development efforts, and ongoing animal health concerns such as avian influenza, equine herpesvirus, and the threat of New World screwworm. They also discussed staffing, turnover, and uncertainty around federal cooperative agreement funding, while noting they were not requesting new or additional appropriations for the upcoming fiscal year.
Members asked about meat inspection staffing, the use of one-time forestry firefighting funds, biosecurity and national security coordination, and agency staffing levels. The department said meat inspection was currently in good shape but dependent on federal funding stability, and explained that prior firefighting dollars had been used for equipment purchases. They also said they work with state and federal partners, including DHS and FBI, on threat preparedness and have reduced turnover by adjusting salaries and maintaining staffing at or below prior levels.
The Oklahoma Conservation Commission then presented its budget and program overview. Staff described the agency’s long history and current work in water quality, flood control, soil health, unpaved roads, wetlands, and woody species control, especially eastern red cedar removal. They emphasized data-driven, voluntary conservation practices, citing stream cleanups, flood-control dam benefits, pond cleanouts during drought, and the Cherry-Peach watershed project as examples of programs that improve water resources and reduce wildfire risk. The agency said its workload has grown significantly and requested funding for critical dam repairs, local conservation district staffing, continued unpaved roads work, and expansion of woody species control statewide.
Members asked about county matching for road and dam projects, who to contact about flooding roads, sediment removal from pond cleanouts, and the effectiveness of county training programs. Commission staff explained that county in-kind work can count as match, local conservation districts are the first point of contact, and the road training has produced measurable savings and better maintenance practices. They also clarified that “high hazard” dams are those where failure could threaten people or infrastructure downstream, not necessarily dams that are structurally failing.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- by private ranchers as a conservation conservation conservation tool<01:02:02.440>
cattle <01: - For-profit ranchers are usually unwilling to pay enough to cover the tax burden that would result.
- For-profit ranchers are usually unwilling to pay enough to cover the tax burden that would result.
- For-profit ranchers are usually unwilling to pay enough to cover the tax burden that would result.
- Do we currently lease any of this land to private cattle ranchers on the TNC lands?
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
AGR Public Hearing - Wed Jan 29, 2025 @ 9:30 AM HST
Agriculture & Food Systems
Transcript Highlights:
- The impact to our farmers and ranchers are much greater.
- state and to our farmers and ranchers state and to our farmers and ranchers agricultural<01:06:11.079
- are much greater so as as uh ranchers are much greater so as as uh the<01:06:25.119>
C <01:06: - I’m a farmer and rancher on the Big Island, and I’m here today in strong support of House Bill 498.
- Farmers and ranchers; 2. Food and beverage hubs and cooperatives; 3.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Whatever hat he's wearing, he's always calling and asking about the farmers and ranchers.
- Every time I talk to him, it's about helping the farmers and ranchers with this issue or that issue.
- Every time I talk to him, it's ranchers.
- about helping the farmers and ranchers about helping the farmers and ranchers this<00:09:09.800>
- So, I appreciate that, but still yet a lot of farmers and ranchers are asking, we need land.
Summary:
The Senate AEN committee heard and considered four gubernatorial nominations. GM 511 was for Harry Purdy III to the Moloka‘i Irrigation System Water Users Advisory Board; testimony in support came from DLNR, the Department of Agriculture, and Moloka‘i community members, and Purdy described his long background in Moloka‘i homestead farming and the challenges facing new farmers. GM 676 was for Denise Kuano to the same board; the committee noted support from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and it was reported that Kuano could not testify because of a family emergency. GM 771 was for James Gomes to the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity; the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council strongly supported him, citing his long agricultural experience, advocacy, and prior board service, and Gomes emphasized ag crime enforcement, land access, water, and support for farmers and ranchers. GM 772 was for Michelle Lefebvre to the Environmental Advisory Council; the Environmental Advisory Council and OPSD supported her, and Lefebvre discussed her work on the council’s exemptions committee and the need for better public understanding of the environmental review process.
Members asked nominees questions about barriers for young homesteaders, ag crime enforcement, prior board service, environmental stewardship, and public engagement in environmental review. Gomes said the biggest challenges include lack of experience for new homesteaders, weak enforcement against ag crimes and drug activity on ranches, and the need for more land and resources for agriculture. Lefebvre said the environmental review process often falls short in public understanding and that comments are not a vote but part of an analytical process.
After testimony, the committee reported support counts for each nomination and then voted to recommend advise and consent on all four measures. GM 511, GM 676, GM 771, and GM 772 were each adopted unanimously by the members present, with some members excused. The chair then announced the committee would move on to the next agenda item.
TX
Bills:
HB14, HB 106, HB146, HB267, HB274, HB 1127, HB1359, HB1393, HB1584, HB1640, HB1710, HB2152, HCR101, HJR8, HR51, HB106, HB146, HB267, HB274, HJR8, HR51
Keywords:
nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 11, 2025 - 08:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill helps to provide affordable health coverage options for Florida's farmers and ranchers, whose
- But as you know, there's a lot of farmers and ranchers helping to feed Americans and Floridians every
- But at its core, this really is a product designed by farmers and ranchers, and I urge you to support
- Trip Hunter continued: "...and ranchers.
- And I urge you to support Representative Groves' bill, not just for the farmers and ranchers, but for
Summary:
The Health Care Facilities and Systems Subcommittee met with a quorum present and took up five bills. The first, CS/HB 1119 on pediatric readiness in hospital emergency departments, would require hospitals with ERs to adopt evidence-based pediatric care policies, train staff, designate a pediatric emergency care coordinator, complete the National Pediatric Readiness Assessment, and meet minimum equipment and planning standards. Members discussed transport to the closest appropriate facility and implementation concerns, but the bill passed 16-0.
The committee then approved HB 677, which would add standard fertility preservation services to the state group insurance program for employees undergoing chemotherapy, and CSHB 497, which would authorize nonprofit agricultural organization medical benefit plans for Florida Farm Bureau members, aimed at improving affordable coverage for farmers and ranchers. HB 677 passed 16-0, and CSHB 497 passed 18-0 after questions about membership, regulation, disclosures, and how the plan would compare with ACA coverage.
The subcommittee also approved PCS/HB 791 on surrendered newborn infants, allowing infant safety devices at hospitals, EMS stations, and fire stations as an alternative safe-haven option. Members discussed alarms, unmanned stations, and whether churches should be included; the bill passed 18-0. Finally, HB 1529 on home health aides for medically fragile children was amended and passed 18-0. The bill seeks a federal waiver so compensation for parents serving as home health aides does not count against Medicaid eligibility, and the amendments added reporting of adverse incidents, set work-hour limits, and protected certain other benefits. The chair closed by emphasizing the committee’s role in implementation oversight and fixing problems after enactment.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Money is present. on supporting farmers and ranchers, ensuring you have the resources
- We encourage that because the average age of an American farmer and rancher is about 59.
- Texas Farm Bureau is an organization that advocates for farmers, ranchers, and rural Texans.
- Overreach for farmers and ranchers.
- Farmers and ranchers contend with loss.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Texas Farm and Ranch Land Conservation Program serves as a voluntary program that allows farmers, ranchers
- Ranchers are being sold.
- Ranchers would try and do try to hold off as often as they can, but when confronted with the strain of
- Ranchers in a way of development.
- Uh, I represent farmers and ranchers from Corpus to Brownsville.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Health and Human Services Jan 28th, 2026 at 09:07 am
House Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- So New Mexico's ranchers, nuts, and egg producers doesn't cover meat and other proteins.
- So New Mexico's ranchers, nuts, and egg producers haven't been able to participate.
- It was a snowy day, and the ranchers that were there are really, really excited about seeing this happen
- It was a snowy day, and the ranchers that were there are really, really excited about seeing this happen
- I'm a cattle rancher, and I serve as president-elect of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Health and Public Affairs Jan 28th, 2026 at 03:08 pm
Senate Health & Public Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- I happen to be a small rancher in Lincoln County, also chairman and commissioner as well.
- ranchers and farmers and hunters and outfitters today.
- ranchers and farmers and hunters and outfitters today.
- He said ranchers and farmers use firearms to protect their livestock and livelihoods.
- They're ranchers.'
Keywords:
Medicaid, healthcare, medical education, salaries, graduate education, clinician pay, health sciences, education funding, faculty salary, University of New Mexico, healthcare funding, general fund, state budget, New Mexico legislation, gun control, firearm safety, dealer regulation, illegal trade, background checks, 996