Transcript Highlights:

• This would remove the double fencing requirement for farmed cervidae, which means deer farms in Minnesota
• </c><00:39:26.000><c> Uh,</c> farms in Minnesota. Uh, farms in Minnesota.
• Support small family farms.
• </c><00:41:29.600><c> businesses</c> individual small farm businesses individual small farm businesses
• </c> Support small family farms. Support small family farms.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the purpose of House Bill 227. designated a portion of Farm to Market Road 521 in Brazoria County
• A United States Marine Corps veteran, Deputy Boesecker dedicated 21 years to law enforcement with the
• Highway 183 in Eastland County will be designated from its intersection with Farm-to-Market Road... to
• States Army Ranger Unit. ...or graduated from Ranger School, and another specifically for members of
• Some serve with Ranger units and go through a RAS program and eventually become Rangers.

Bills: HB227

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: HB227, kratom, Mitragyna speciosa, kratom products, kratom processor, kratom retailer, controlled substances, Texas Controlled Substances Act, Health and Safety Code, Penalty Group 1, tianeptine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, mitragynine, synthetic kratom, kratom alkaloids, adulterated products, product testing, lab testing, ISO 17025, labeling requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• target the needs of some of Californians' most vulnerable populations, including migrant and seasonal farm
• receives approximately $2.5 million in CSBG funds, and we are designated to serve migrant seasonal farm
• receives approximately $2.5 million in CSBG funds, and we are designated to serve migrant seasonal farm
• So we give about $1 million to our farm worker division because it's migrant seasonal farm worker focused
• And we allow our farm workers to be enrolled in training, work experience.

Summary: The Senate and Assembly Human Services Committees held a special oversight hearing on California’s 2026-27 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) state plan, a federal anti-poverty funding stream. Committee members opened by citing statewide poverty and homelessness data and said the hearing was meant to review how CSBG dollars are used, how local agencies respond to community needs, and how the state is preparing for possible federal funding cuts. Jason Wimbley of the Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) explained that California’s CSBG network works through 60 organizations in 58 counties, serving about 1.5 million low-income Californians in 2023, and that the state received $68.4 million in federal CSBG funds in fiscal year 2025. He described the program as flexible funding used for housing, employment, education, food, health, transportation, and emergency response, and noted that the federal administration had proposed eliminating CSBG, though the Senate Appropriations Committee had voted to fully fund it for the coming year. Representatives from the California Community Action Partnership Association and several CSBG-funded agencies described how the program supports local anti-poverty work and leverages other funding. CalCAPA emphasized local flexibility, workforce development, partnerships, and data systems such as ROMA, while also warning that agencies are preparing for possible reductions by tightening budgets, planning staffing contingencies, and seeking private foundation support. Agency witnesses from Contra Costa County, Northern California Indian Development Council, Proteus, and Sacred Heart Community Service described services including housing assistance, food distribution, utility help, employment training, youth programs, and culturally specific services for Native communities and migrant farmworkers. They repeatedly said CSBG is essential because it funds staffing and infrastructure that allow them to braid other grants and serve people who do not qualify for standard safety-net programs. Members also asked about the impact of federal staffing changes and the Los Angeles fires. Wimbley said federal layoffs had affected some CSD programs but not CSBG administration, and that the department coordinated disaster response with state agencies and used CSBG-funded supply distribution, food, water, clothing, and documentation support during the fires. Witnesses said they were preparing for possible future cuts by diversifying funding, reducing expenses, and considering service changes, while county officials warned that state and federal reductions could not be backfilled locally. During public comment, one speaker urged stronger oversight of community action agencies and raised concerns about transparency and compliance with state law. The chair then thanked the witnesses, emphasized the importance of CSBG for low-income seniors, youth, and people with disabilities, and adjourned the hearing without any votes or formal action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Only 10% of the county's farms had electricity in 1935.
• By 1953, more than 90% of the farms had electricity because of the electric co-ops.
• Only 10% of the county's farms had electricity in 1935.
• By 1953, more than 90% of the farms had electricity because of the electric co-ops.
• HB 2688, budget unit record oversight. HB 2691, officers cost policy and law enforcement.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the journal. Members then introduced the Doctor of the Day, Dr. John Lynch, and recognized several guest groups in the gallery, including Arizona electric co-op representatives, March of Dimes participants, CRNAs, AEA retirees, a University of Arizona legislative fellow, and ACLU visitors. Attendance was recorded at 58 present, one absent, and one excused. The chamber handled routine floor business, including temporary committee replacements, referral of HB 2677 from Judiciary to Public Safety and Law Enforcement, and the first reading and referral of a large number of House bills and one concurrent resolution. The bill list covered a wide range of topics, including education, appropriations, housing, taxes, health care, public safety, energy, water, labor, elections, and several measures related to abortion, firearms, and tribal affairs. Second reading of bills was also announced for another extensive set of measures. During announcements, members promoted a blood drive, a Veterans Caucus coffee-and-donuts event and lunch with a Department of Defense speaker, and several committee meetings or cancellations. No substantive debate or votes on legislation occurred beyond the procedural motions and the final motion to adjourn. The House adjourned until 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands
• Only 10% of the county's farms had electricity in 1935.
• By 1953, more than 90% of the farms had electricity because of the electric co-ops.
• Only 10% of the county's farms had electricity in 1935.
• By 1953, more than 90% of the farms had electricity because of the electric co-ops.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the farm bill.
• It's called Down Family Farms, which mostly raises chickens.
• So I urge you to please remove the disparagement clause of the farm bill. Thank you.
• And the 2026 farm bill extends to those protections.
• And they brought me from a farm into another farm.

Transcript Highlights:

• To the flag of the United States of America.
• There's some very famous units.
• And the unit Men were surrounded by Germans.
• There's some very famous units.
• And the unit men were surrounded by Germans.

Summary: The Senate first took up two budget-related transportation bills. AB 107, a junior budget bill, was described as a technical measure that updates federal appropriations by about $15 million, exempts certain Proposition 4 funds from the Administrative Procedures Act to speed spending, and makes other technical corrections without adding new projects or General Fund spending. Some senators objected to the APA waiver as reducing transparency, but the bill passed 28-10. AB 117, an early-action trailer bill for Bay Area transit, authorizes a $590 million loan from the state’s transit and intercity rail capital program to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, which can then lend the money to Bay Area transit agencies for operating support, with repayment and interest secured by transit revenues. Supporters called it an emergency bridge to prevent major service cuts at BART, Muni, AC Transit, and Caltrain; opponents raised concerns about ridership recovery, accountability, and consolidation. The bill passed 28-9. The Senate then confirmed two California Air Resources Board appointees: Sonoma County Supervisor Linda Hopkins and Riverside Mayor Patricia Locke Dawson. Both were supported by colleagues who praised their experience and backgrounds, and both confirmations passed. The body also adopted SCR 89, a resolution by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas opposing federal attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Supporters argued DEI is essential to civil rights, education, public service, and equal opportunity, while criticizing the Trump administration for dismantling related federal offices and funding. The resolution passed on a largely party-line vote after extensive floor debate. Finally, the Senate adopted SCR 78, commemorating the 84th anniversary of Executive Order 9066 and the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. Senators from both parties spoke about the injustice of the internment, the resilience and military service of Japanese Americans, and the importance of remembering the history to guard against future abuses. The resolution passed unanimously, and the author then introduced survivors and guests in the chamber.

Transcript Highlights:

• The 2026 Farm Bill does the following. The 2026 Farm Bill does the following.
• It protects our working farms and farm operations to make sure those definitions don't unintentionally
• Specifically, the bill excludes farm and farm operations from the definition of commercial use, mixed
• Lincoln united the country. He deserves the honor.
• Lincoln united the country. He deserves the honor.

Transcript Highlights:

• What I can tell you, though, is there are units here at JBLM that will go away.
• away and the type of units that are coming in.
• We're also no longer going to have the veteran farm at Ordean. That program is sunsetting.
• Over the years, that farm has helped 26 veteran farmers grow crops.
• Carrie Little, who was our farm manager, she was able to, you know, this.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs met to hear updates from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the Washington Military Department, the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Commerce on federal and state impacts affecting veterans, military families, and military installations. JBLM’s garrison commander said the base remains focused on housing, child care, and spouse employment, but is facing workforce reductions tied to federal personnel actions, especially in air traffic control, 911 dispatch, and firefighting. He also said JBLM is preparing for increased mutual-aid needs during fire season, and that the Army Transformation Initiative could change unit composition at JBLM over time without a major overall population shift. He confirmed that the Lewis Army Museum is on a closure list, but said the building will remain in use for training and that the base is exploring partnerships to keep museum functions operating, possibly with volunteers or local partners. The Washington Military Department reported about 400 Guard members deployed on federal missions and described ongoing state missions in cybersecurity and firefighting. The department said the Army National Guard’s 81st Stryker Brigade will transition to a mobile combat team, with associated changes in equipment, manning, and end strength. It also warned that continuing resolutions are delaying funding, limiting new military construction starts, and increasing costs. The Washington Department of Veterans Affairs outlined a $3.2 million reduction from the governor’s budget and related cuts affecting internships, vacant positions, outreach travel, claims support contracts, counseling and wellness, veterans’ innovation assistance, and the military transition and readiness council staff position. WDVA said it is ending or scaling back several programs, including in-house nursing assistant training, the veteran farm at Ordean, Vet Corps due to AmeriCorps funding changes, and the tobacco cessation program, while noting that the legislature funded about $23.7 million in capital projects for veteran homes, cemeteries, and transitional housing. The Department of Commerce presented on the Defense Community Compatibility Account, which funds projects that reduce conflicts between military installations and nearby communities. The program currently has 10 projects across five legislative districts, including school and child care improvements, water wells, land acquisition, and a joint firefighting training center in Everett. The presenter said the main challenge is that DCCA projects often need non-state funding secured before they can compete, which can make it hard to leverage federal Defense Community Infrastructure Program dollars; he recommended more flexible state timing to help projects qualify for federal funding. In closing discussion, members raised possible future agenda items including child care near bases, veteran homelessness, suicide prevention, Navy Day, military family housing, and a possible Department of Licensing issue involving guard and reserve designations on driver’s licenses. No formal votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after members were invited to suggest topics for the October and December committee meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> 40 years ago at the height of the farm 40 years ago at the height of the farm crisis,<00:02:35.120
• </c> farming and bills to keep getting paid. farming and bills to keep getting paid.
• </c> to the economic crisis in farm country. to the economic crisis in farm country.
• So, um, state of the United States.
• So, um, state of the United States.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Take a situation where somebody may live in a unit and the unit next door may have a pet, for instance
• Take a situation where somebody may live in a unit and the unit next door may have a pet, for instance
• unit, an adjacent unit, that constantly barks.
• unit, an adjacent unit, that constantly barks.
• unit, an adjacent unit, that constantly box.

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
• In fact, it's the largest and longest-serving conservation corps in the United States.
• Thayer had been serving the United States Environmental Protection Agency as Director of the Chemical
• Thayer had been serving the United States Environmental Protection Agency as Director of Chemical and
• John told me he had no interest in the farming business.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> private sector investment on Farm private sector investment on Farm piloting<00:46:35.280><c> and
• Farm Bureau supports tax incentives to Farm Bureau supports tax incentives to encourage<00:49:51.160>
• Minnesota, along with the rest of the United States, is in a great farm recession.
• </c> of the United States is in a great Farm of the United States is in a great Farm recession<01:03:
• </c><01:37:23.760><c> Bureau</c> Union and the Farm Bureau Union and the Farm Bureau oh<01:37:26.159>

Bills: HF1126 , HF967 , HF1066 , HF1669 , HF926

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: property tax, Indian Tribe, tax exemption, Minnesota, public charity, property tax exemption, Minnesota statutes, unorganized territory, federally recognized, soil conservation, water conservation, local government aid, environmental funding, Minnesota legislation, tax credits, sustainable aviation fuel, environmental policy, corporate franchise, Minnesota taxation, tobacco

Transcript Highlights:

• So I started raising on a dairy farm.
• And with my wife Lara, we own and operate a produce farm called Cedar Crate Farm.
• My farm is just over three acres in size, and we're an intensive vegetable farm that sells primarily
• Uh we received our 12 years of farming.
• </c> European Union, including the United European Union, including the United Kingdom,<00:56:38.640>

Bills: HF4080 , HF3693 , HF1857 , HF4350

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• These units do not require it under law, so I feel it would be a safety issue.
• These units do not require to under law, so I feel it would be a safety issue.
• Ray served in my unit from the age of 11 until he graduated high school.
• He was my unit gunnery sergeant. He was the first to reach the rank of gunnery sergeant in my unit.
• Ray embodied the values of the United States Marine Corps in every part of his life.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a public hearing on a wide range of bills and topics, including impaired driving, antique and collector vehicles, roadway maintenance, homelessness-related identification cards, a pedestrian tunnel for Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, a bridge naming in Sandwich, historic route designations, and litter prevention. The chairs outlined the hearing process, including three-minute limits for individuals and seven minutes for panels, and noted that elected officials would be taken out of turn. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and then adjourned. On impaired driving, Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan and tow lot operator Chris Nolan supported a bill creating a 12-hour tow-yard hold for vehicles involved in drug-impaired incidents, similar to the existing alcohol-related hold. On transportation infrastructure and road safety, Representative Howitt testified for several bills requiring reflective tape on temporary loads, restoring road markings after utility work, requiring roadway restoration after excavation, and improving reporting on roadway damage after crashes. AAA Northeast supported bills expanding the distracted driving law to cover video recording while driving, while noting it preferred the offense remain a primary offense. Several witnesses testified in support of bills affecting vehicle enthusiasts, including restoring year-of-manufacture plates for antique vehicles, creating a single rear collector plate, and changing antique vehicle inspection rules. Another major topic was H. 3750/S. 2399, which would provide no-fee state IDs and flexible residency documentation for youth and adults experiencing homelessness; supporters included the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, social workers, city officials, and people with lived experience, all emphasizing that lack of ID blocks access to housing, jobs, health care, and other services. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2414, authorizing a tunnel connecting the north and south campuses of Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, with school leaders and students citing safety, accessibility, and traffic concerns. Finally, the committee heard emotional testimony for H. 4374 to name the Quaker Meeting House Road overpass in Sandwich for Staff Sergeant Raymond G. Torville, and testimony for a resolve creating a roadside litter prevention and cleanup task force.

Transcript Highlights:

• Here are the facts: Minnesota is down over 100,000 housing units.
• Here are the facts: Minnesota is down over 100,000 housing units.
• Minnesota is 114,000 housing units below what we need, and if we wait to take action, every moment we
• below what we need 114,000 housing units below what we need and<00:02:53.000><c> if</c><00:02:53.200
• </c><00:10:32.000><c> so</c> affordable homes and rental units so affordable homes and rental units so

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides more flexibility to the size of the produced water unit, and it allows an option. to the
• Megan Langley wanted to be here, but had to get back to the farm and some other obligations back in our
• Megan and her husband, Kyle, own and operate a Simmons breeder farm where they are raising their two
• Before transitioning to a full-time farm manager, Megan spent seven years working in banking, gaining
• And it is not so much the copper, but when they take these devices off some of these units out in the

Bills: HB2992 , HB3183 , HB3464 , HB4170 , HB4338

Committee: Senate Energy

Summary: The committee first handled several executive nominations. It unanimously advanced Richard Allier to the Environmental Quality Board, Kevin Foreman to the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Board, Gary Keel to the Air Quality Advisory Board, Megan Langley to the Oklahoma-Arkansas River Compact Commission, Jacob Bull to the Air Quality Advisory Council, and Tommy Colwell to the Oklahoma Mining Commission. In each case, the nominating senator described the appointee’s background and qualifications, and the committee voted to send the nomination to the full Senate without opposition. The committee then considered House Bill 2992, with Senator Green offering a technical amendment to correct drafting errors. The amendment passed 8-0, and the bill itself passed 9-0. Green said the measure would require large-load data centers and crypto mining facilities to pay their share of electric infrastructure costs so those costs would not be shifted to other ratepayers. Senator Boren asked whether municipal utilities and co-ops would be affected, and Green responded that the bill was aimed at the corporate shareholder utility model. House Bill 4338 was also heard and passed, though the roll call showed one no vote. Green explained that the bill concerns produced water and would create a framework for extracting elements from it, with House changes clarifying that it is not retroactive, adjusting flexibility for the produced water unit size, and allowing processing of brine before corporation approval. The committee also advanced House Bill 417, which addresses theft of copper fittings on oil rigs and related cleanup damage by making certain conduct a misdemeanor; it passed 10-0. The meeting ended after the committee approved the remaining nominations and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that when wind farms, solar farms, or battery electric storage systems are built in a community
• , the solar farm, and the battery systems are classified as equipment.
• So wind farms and solar farms that are already there will continue on the property tax system until they
• The intention is that the systems over the life of the wind farm or the life of the solar farm, they
• But we know this is a complex issue with a lot of stakeholders, and while our counties are united behind

Bills: HB1960 , HB2194 , HB2089

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: HB1960, renewable energy, clean energy, solar, wind, battery storage, energy storage, excise tax, property tax exemption, local investment, county revenue sharing, local taxing districts, school districts, Department of Revenue, Department of Commerce, model ordinance, siting, permitting, tribal consultation, tribal capacity grants

Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaii Farm Bureau. Thanks.
• farm to state program.
• farm to state program.
• modular units units, not manufactured modular units built<00:56:42.600><c> according</c><00:56:42.960
• . units. units.

Bills: HB1700

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The joint committees heard several housing, land use, and infrastructure bills. HB 6019 HD2 on electric vehicle infrastructure and HB 1728 HD1 on rainwater catchment systems both drew limited testimony and were advanced. For HB 1728, the chairs said they would designate the Department of Health as the regulator and incorporate suggested technical amendments from plumbing and rainwater industry groups. Both measures were reported out with recommendations to pass, with HB 6019 passed unamended and HB 1728 passed with amendments. HB 1844, which would have required the Land Use Commission to reclassify lands designated for urban growth, drew significant opposition from the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Sierra Club, who argued it would bypass land-use review and threaten agricultural land, water planning, and long-term resilience. Grassroot Institute supported the bill, and the Land Use Commission said the bill raised concerns. After discussion, the chairs deferred the measure in one committee and later the recommendation to pass it with amendments was not adopted in the other committee. HB 1990 on penalties and liens for unresolved residential zoning violations was advanced with amendments. The chairs adopted Grassroot Institute’s suggested changes requiring any county sale of such property to be at no less than fair market value and requiring excess proceeds to be returned to the owner. HB 2424, which would allow county planning agencies to petition for temporary reclassification of certain agricultural lands to rural, also drew mixed testimony; the Land Use Commission raised due process concerns, and agriculture interests opposed it. One committee advanced it with amendments, but in the other committee the recommendation failed after members cited lack of county support. The later portion of the hearing began on HB 1738 and HB 1739. HB 1738 would expand county authority to amend district boundaries for housing on parcels over 15 acres; OHA, Sierra Club, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau opposed it, while Grassroot Institute supported it. HB 1739 would require transit-supportive densities in county TOD areas and limit local restrictions; DPP raised concerns about timing, permitting, and conflicts with existing TOD frameworks, while OPSD and Grassroot supported it. The transcript cuts off before final action on these later bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• The United States... The United States camps were closed in 1945.
• in United States history.
• of these United States, we are.
• Are within the boundaries of these United States.
• Speaker, we had military martial law within the boundaries of these United States.

Bills: HB1160 , HB1289 , HB1339 , HB1798 , HB1065 , HB2125 , HB2134 , HB2185 , HB2191 , HB2205 , HB2245 , HB2283 , HB2406 , HB2501 , HB1544 , HB1834 , HB2188 , HB2206 , HB2478 , HJM4012 , HB1104 , HB1152 , HB1254 , HB1443 , HB1982 , HB2006 , HB2297 , HB2322 , HB2329 , HB2379 , HB2388 , HB2399 , HB2462 , HB2544 , HB2551 , HB2262 , HB2298 , HB2351 , HB2401 , HB2593 , HB2661 , HB1496 , HB1898 , HB2157 , HB2311 , HB2325 , HB2552 , HB1343 , HB1707 , HB2361 , HB2389 , HB2468 , HB2521 , HB2720 , HB1591 , HB2092 , HB2176 , HB2255 , HB2281 , HB2438 , HB2685 , HB1960 , HB2236 , HB2364

Keywords: design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU