Video & Transcript : 'curriculum development' :
Page 453 of 500
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- There are 11 because originally the money was given to regional development commissions and they ran
- artists, helping emerging arts organizations, they do professional development workshops.
- Some of them do grants for professional development.
- They do professional development professional. Don't workshop.
- Some of them do grants for professional development.
Committee:
House Legacy Finance
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Commission to Study Stable Tokens (02/10/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:13:53.279><c> um</c> developed um developed um kind<00:13:56.240><c> of</c><00:13:56.399><c> two<
- I was also uh the developer of the year.
- </c> experiences with software development experiences with software development with<01:02:39.680><c
- </c><01:09:18.080><c> several</c> This is a technology developed several This is a technology developed
- </c> whole technology stack that I developed whole technology stack that I developed is<01:35:21.040>
Summary:
The meeting began with roll call and approval of the prior meeting minutes, which passed unanimously. Members then introduced the day’s presentations, including one on the Canton network and another on tokenizing real-world assets, with a focus on how blockchain systems can support regulated financial institutions and asset tokenization.
Julie, the director of policy and government affairs at Digital Asset, presented on the Canton network, describing it as a privacy-enabled public blockchain designed for regulated finance. She said tokenization should preserve the same legal and economic rights as the underlying asset, and argued that blockchain-based books and records can shorten settlement times, improve 24/7 trading, and reduce friction in capital markets. She identified three main barriers to institutional adoption of public blockchains: lack of privacy, limited throughput/scalability, and lack of control for compliance purposes such as freezing assets, pausing transactions, and meeting AML/sanctions obligations. She explained Canton’s structure as a public, permissionless network with application-level privacy controls, a global synchronizer, and super validators chosen by vote. She also highlighted current ecosystem participants and use cases, including Broadridge, Circle, and the DTCC’s planned tokenization of U.S. Treasuries on the network.
Members and online participants asked about the relationship between tokenized assets and the Clarity Act, tokenized deposits, safeguards for faster settlement, and whether the platform could be used for municipal or property records. Julie said Digital Asset was not taking a position on rewards, but supported clearer statutory definitions because tokenized securities should carry the same rights as the underlying assets and investors need to know whether a token is a true tokenized security or a synthetic/reference token. She said the company is agnostic on whether the cash leg is stablecoins or tokenized deposits, though it expects both to develop. In response to concerns about rapid settlement, she pointed to institution-level permissions and SEC disclosure expectations as safeguards. She also said the technology could be used for other records, including potentially property-related records, if those assets can be tokenized.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Our team at Central Services Division are developing plans to service them now and well into the future
- plans to service Division are developing plans to service them<00:09:50.320><c> now</c><00:09:50.640
- They’ve helped us to develop the RFP.
- </c><01:13:56.600><c> a</c> conversations about how can we develop a conversations about how can we develop
- Economic Development and Tourism sounds like a bill.
Summary:
The joint Ways and Means and Government Operations committees received a biennium budget preview from Keith Regan, Comptroller and Director of the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS), who introduced department leadership and described DAGS’ broad responsibilities across accounting, public works, procurement, elections, archives, risk management, and other attached agencies. He emphasized that DAGS supports nearly every state department and cited ongoing workforce challenges, while noting progress in reducing the department-wide vacancy rate from 21% in 2023 to 17.7% in 2024. He also highlighted recruitment efforts, including new salary schedules for engineers and architects, job fairs, internships, and outreach to retiring federal employees.
A major focus was modernization of the state’s aging financial systems, especially the 55-year-old FAMIS platform and the Enterprise Financial System (EFS) project. DAGS said it expects to release the RFP for the FAMIS replacement by the end of January and is seeking a second tranche of CIP funding, including $35 million, plus position augmentation and creation of a Business Transformation Office to manage EFS and future modernization work. The department also described major capital projects such as the Aloha Stadium Entertainment District, Wahiawā Civic Center, Kauaʻi Civic Center, and Ahuimanu Community Correctional Center, and reported that Public Works is managing 455 projects statewide valued at more than $2.5 billion.
Other budget requests discussed included funding for cemetery operations, with DAGS asking for two positions and $1 million in operating funds to support maintenance of eight cemeteries; a $200 million ceiling increase tied to anticipated insurance proceeds for West Maui fire-related recovery and rebuilding; and several staffing and operating items for district offices and facilities. These included full-year funding for positions in West Hawaiʻi and East Hawaiʻi, support for a small business coordinator at the State Procurement Office, funding for cloud hosting and PeopleSoft licensing, six positions and staff augmentation for the EFS project, electricity costs, and security-related funding. DAGS also noted that two requested reductions totaled $7.9 million, including transferring the security contract to the Department of Law Enforcement and reducing nonrecurring expenses; members discussed whether some security funding should remain with or be moved to DLE, and DAGS said it would not object to that transfer. No votes were taken in the portion provided.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, May 19, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><03:04:43.680><c> proposals</c> lived experience to develop proposals lived experience to develop
- ><c> within</c><03:48:02.080><c> their</c> efficiently develop land within their efficiently develop
- </c> for that young business development for that young business development team,<05:24:51.840><c> those
- </c> communities that aid in the development communities that aid in the development of<05:48:32.240>
- </c><06:14:55.920><c> and</c> ensure effective development and ensure effective development and reconstruction
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries
Transcript Highlights:
- the Department of Transitional Assistance, DTA, and the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development
- Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, EO-HED, to enhance public awareness of programs
- In an environment where housing and development needs are significant in all cities and towns, a more
- So they could use it for development, for housing. Thank you.
- To them for a change of use, so they could use it for development, for housing.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries held its second hearing and heard testimony on a wide range of bills, including food security, cottage food entrepreneurship, hemp regulation, lobster industry support, pesticide restrictions, pollinator protections, pet cemeteries, and municipal land rights. Committee chairs outlined hearing procedures, noted that 19 bills were on the docket, and took testimony both in person and remotely, with several legislators testifying out of turn because of scheduling conflicts.
Several speakers supported food access and local economic opportunity bills. Representative Howard and Senator Oliveira backed the Food Justice Frontline Program and a cottage food/food entrepreneur bill, arguing they would fund nonprofit food security organizations, create jobs, improve SNAP/HIP outreach, and reduce barriers for home-based food businesses. Eastie Farm representatives and a student testified in favor of the food justice bill, describing food insecurity in East Boston and the need for grants, youth involvement, and multilingual outreach. Sidney Travis of the Institute for Justice also supported cottage food reforms, saying current municipal permitting rules create unequal access and that cottage foods are generally safe.
The committee also heard sharply divided testimony on hemp legislation. Senator Comerford supported S. 54 as a public health measure to ban synthetic THC products, restrict intoxicating hemp sales to licensed dispensaries, and fund local enforcement, while Laura Beiner, John Nathan, and Elizabeth Wendorf opposed the bill or parts of it, warning it would harm compliant hemp businesses and small farmers. Representative Arena-DeRosa testified in support of a related pollinator bill, and Adam Karachi opposed pesticide restrictions for schools while Deborah Smith supported them, arguing existing protections should be expanded to other child-centered locations. The committee also heard support for a bill to aid lobstermen affected by right whale protections, a bill to preserve private pet cemeteries, and a municipal right-of-first-refusal bill for agricultural and recreational land. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Oklahoma Education Commission Apr 30th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Oklahoma Education Commission
Transcript Highlights:
- and I've asked him to do that, so Number 3, point number 3 is AI symposium planning updates, new developments
- Think about what it would take to maintain momentum in the development over the next year.
- in K-12, a member appointed by the governor from workforce development, the President Pro Tem of the
- But then to go like to the developers and say, we'd really love to use your tool to enact this grant.
- Instead of developing new credentials this year, I'd like to take that money and develop a pipeline.
Committee:
House Oklahoma Education Commission
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- That wasn't a part of my original bill, and it's not... ...commercial solar development.
- It would disadvantage Missouri for economic development.
- So both of those terms, one, a certificate of convenience is something that a private developer would
- It does not benefit economic development. We need surety. And whatever we put in place is better.
- Economic development. We need surety.
Committee:
House Utilities
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Feb 25th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Ansel, as he said, is trying to, is actively, and actually working with judges internationally to develop
- We've also worked with the experts that did the AAP guidance that was published this year to develop
- But the development of quality support coordination is not something that happens by accident.
- the Center for Nursing, and also with Halifax Hospital in UF Health Halifax Hospital, which has developed
- the Center for Nursing, and also with Halifax Hospital in UF Health Halifax Hospital, which has developed
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum present and took up several health-related bills. CS/SB 1110, covering Medicaid and insurance coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics, including activity-specific devices without lifetime or continuous-use caps, received emotional testimony from families and athletes describing high costs and the importance of access for children and adults with disabilities. Members voiced strong support, and the bill was reported favorably.
The committee also heard SB 1574, which would add biliary atresia screening to the newborn screening program using the existing birth blood specimen. The sponsor and a parent testified that earlier detection could prevent severe liver damage, transplants, and deaths, and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 794, dealing with background screening for employees at residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities and a review of waiver support coordination, was amended to align with the House companion and then reported favorably after testimony emphasizing the importance of strong support coordinators for APD waiver families.
Members then considered SB 162, requiring hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies for smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. Nurses and other supporters described surgical smoke as a serious occupational hazard, while the Florida Hospital Association said hospitals are already regulated in this area and the bill was somewhat prescriptive; an amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. CS/SB 254, which tightens oversight of nursing education programs, adds preceptorship and provisional licensure pathways for graduates awaiting NCLEX results, and increases transparency and accountability for low-performing programs, drew support from nursing advocates and opposition from private nursing schools concerned about workforce impacts; after amendment, it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 688 to reestablish licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors in Florida was heard with testimony both supporting expanded health care choices and opposing the bill over safety and scope concerns, and it too was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Feb 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Under this bill, WSDOT and WDFW must develop an integrated wildlife habitat connectivity strategy. reasons
- Under this bill, Washdot and WDFW must develop an integrated wildlife habitat connectivity strategy or
- WDFW is also required under the bill to take the following actions to implement the action plan: develop
- ; provide county planning departments with appropriate habitat connectivity data to support the development
- So I'm reading in the summary of the bill, and it says in developing the strategy, WSDOT and WDFW must
Summary:
The House Transportation Committee met on February 18 and heard several Senate transportation bills, then announced it would caucus after the public hearings. Engrossed Senate Bill 5081, concerning unattended motor vehicles and remote starter systems, was briefly introduced and described as having no fiscal impact; the sponsor framed it as a public-safety and anti-theft measure, but no substantive testimony followed before the hearing was closed. The committee then heard Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5203 on wildlife habitat connectivity and safe wildlife crossings, which would require WSDOT and WDFW to develop and update a statewide connectivity strategy, create dedicated wildlife corridors and crossings accounts, and report regularly to the legislature. Supporters emphasized reduced wildlife-vehicle collisions, better habitat connectivity, and access to federal matching funds, while opponents from southwest Washington argued the bill lacked local landowner and county input and could push wolves or other wildlife into agricultural areas. No vote was taken.
The committee also heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5705, which would double penalties for using a personal electronic device while driving in school, playground, and crosswalk speed zones and direct the additional revenue to school zone safety accounts. Testimony from the Traffic Safety Commission and the sponsor stressed rising distracted-driving fatalities, the vulnerability of children and pedestrians, and the need for stronger deterrence; members asked about messaging, enforcement, and how the new penalties would be used. Finally, Engrossed Senate Bill 5581 was heard, a broad active transportation and complete streets bill that would update roundabout and crosswalk definitions, integrate shared-use paths into highway planning, and allow WSDOT to use local or tribal facilities as mitigation when they provide equal or better access. Supporters from transportation advocacy groups and local governments said it would improve safety and clarify existing law, while one Lake Forest Park official warned that complete streets mandates can create unfunded costs that delay needed maintenance. The committee closed public testimony on all bills and adjourned without taking final action.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- This is work relating to workforce development, and this requires the Department of Labor and Industrial
- This is work relating to workforce development, and this requires the Department of Labor and Industrial
- So this is a common-sense approach to give the counties the authority uh to develop these standards so
- First up on our agenda is Senate Bill 2198 relating to workforce development.
- First up on our agenda is Senate Bill 2198 relating to workforce development.
Committee:
Senate Labor and Technology
Summary:
The Committee on Labor and Technology heard testimony on several measures. SB 2198 would direct DLIR to study a Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award program and report back to the Legislature; DLIR supported it so long as it did not affect its supplemental budget request. SB 2140 would authorize counties to require contractors to disclose wage, benefit, hour, and employment-status information and to deny or suspend permits for certain labor-law violations; DLIR and labor representatives supported it as an added accountability tool, while the committee discussed whether state law alone was sufficient and whether counties would still need to pass their own ordinances. SB 3055 would prohibit falsely impersonating a union representative; union and labor groups strongly supported it, and UPW said it was open to amendments to address concerns raised by OPA. SB 3090, SB 3091, and SB 3092 were emergency appropriation bills for public employment cost items tied to collective bargaining and temporary hazard pay or salary adjustments for various bargaining units; agencies and unions generally supported moving them forward, and B&F said the amounts were still being finalized because negotiations were ongoing.
The committee also heard SB 2761, which would bar social media platforms from allowing users under 16 to create or maintain accounts if the platform knows the user is under 16. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection offered comments, while CCIA and Meta opposed the bill, raising constitutional and First Amendment concerns and arguing that blanket bans could push teens to less regulated spaces online. Meta also said the bill’s carveouts were too narrow and would leave major platforms outside the scope of the restriction.
In decision-making, the committee recommended passage of SB 2198 with amendments, SB 2140 as is, SB 3055 with amendments adding a specific intent-to-deceive standard, SB 3090 with amendments, SB 3091 with amendments, SB 3092 with amendments, and SB 2761 with amendments adopting DCCA’s changes and noting potential First Amendment issues in the committee report. For the appropriation bills, the committee changed the effective date to January 1, 2077 as a placeholder. All recommendations were adopted, with reservations noted on SB 2761 from Senators Moriwaki, Fevella, and Ihara.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 17 (1-30-26)
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- thing I like about it is your appointed officials that serve on your housing boards, community development
- boards and that such that development boards and that such that you<00:08:10.000><c> know</c><00:08:
- And to economic development, tourism, and labor: Senate Bill 45.
- And<00:20:15.200><c> to</c><00:20:15.440><c> economic</c><00:20:16.000><c> development,</c><00:20:16.559
- ><c> tourism,</c> And to economic development, tourism, And to economic development, tourism, and<00:
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Postsecondary Education & Workforce Jan 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- WAEYC partners closely with colleges to support students’ ongoing professional development and career
- pathways, most often at no cost to students, because access to professional development is essential
- of education, which is much needed, as a larger percentage of staff are hired with professional development
- I'd love to learn more about the history that you've learned through your bill development.
- The apple industry has been involved in variety development and research at WSU for some time to develop
Summary:
The Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee met on January 27 and first took executive action on three bills. House Bill 2311, which makes administrative changes to the Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board, was reported out with a do pass recommendation after the Leavitt amendment was withdrawn; supporters emphasized transparency, accountability, and student success metrics, while one member opposed moving it forward and urged more interim work. House Bill 2324, which extends tuition waiver access for children of eligible veterans when a disability determination occurs after age 18, passed unanimously. House Bill 288, the Dietitian Licensure Compact, was amended to delay implementation until July 1, 2028 and then passed unanimously as a substitute bill; members cited workforce shortages and the value of broader licensure portability.
The committee then held public hearings on several bills. House Bill 2422 would shift private security guard licensing fees from individual guards to their employers, eliminate transfer fees, and penalize companies that require reimbursement; the sponsor and workers testified that the current system burdens low-wage guards and contributes to high turnover, while some members asked about whether fees could instead be lowered or eliminated. House Bill 2438 would create the SEEDS scholarship for early childhood education students using up to $10 million from the GET account if it remains sufficiently funded; the sponsor described it as a targeted test of surplus GET funds to address early learning workforce shortages, and testimony from educators, providers, and advocacy groups strongly supported it, while WASAC said the bill may need technical changes to avoid conflicts with existing 529 rules.
The committee also heard House Bill 2525, which would create a WSU heritage orchard program and registry for old or rare apple varieties; the sponsor and industry witnesses said it would preserve agricultural history, support research, and aid future breeding and education. Finally, House Bill 2586 would align Passport to Careers with federal financial aid formulas and automatically deem Passport-eligible youth financially needy for the Washington College Grant; the sponsor and WASAC said it would help foster youth and homeless students access aid earlier and more predictably, and multiple students and advocates testified in strong support. No final action was taken on the bills heard in public testimony during this portion of the meeting.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 14th, 2026 at 02:14 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- And I would like to talk to you to just explain what the economic development impact on your surrounding
- We have an internship program that supports agencies' development.
- We are really leading the way in the charge for developing and finding the future Talent pool through
- Part of that recommendation, though, was to develop a unified marketing and branding strategy for state
- That's just a recent development. I think it was in the past two or three years.
Committee:
House House Appropriations & Finance
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
December 9, 2025 - 09:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- So for us, I cannot be used to develop source codes to create official documentation.
- So traditional rag solutions that are being developed, just our language models in general, they will
- There is a large language models being developed.
- One of the things that I see when when we develop a new tool that, you know, Rives that we have to use
- He's a lot of the same binocular here when we were developing our policy.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Water and Natural Resources Jul 1st, 2025
Water & Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- The Mayor twisted my arm, and he has me meet the Vice Chair of the City's Economic Development Council
- The Board of Regents, through their leadership and Chairman Sanchez, incorporated a land development
- We are moving pretty quickly to develop homes on the golf course to make more housing available for not
- So I'm really excited and I look forward to watching how this develops. Thank you.
- There's actually a really positive development. Elena Walker is here, and she's the first ever.
Committee:
House Water & Natural Resources Committee
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine certain pending nominations. May 1st, 2025 at 09:30 am
Foreign Relations Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- with absolutely nothing, Charlie rose to become one of the country's most successful real estate developers
- He's a professional engineer, real estate developer in New Jersey, and being in New Jersey, I'm sure
- We're particularly grateful for the Dominican Republic's support for the Alliance for Development and
- Everyone in the world depends on microchips, and China is keen to develop them. So, Mr.
- Thanks to my father's military service, I grew up living abroad, where I developed a deep understanding
Committee:
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Keywords:
diplomatic nominations, foreign policy, ambassadors, U.S.-European relations, Bilateral relationships, security, trade
Summary:
The meeting focused primarily on diplomatic nominations, featuring discussions about the implications of these roles on U.S. foreign policy. Notable was the introduction of nominees for key ambassadorial positions, including ambassadors to the Dominican Republic, France, and the Netherlands. Senator Shaheen emphasized the importance of U.S.-European relations, particularly in light of current global challenges, while other members voiced their concerns regarding the nominees’ qualifications and the impact on bilateral relationships. Public support for these nominations was evident, as was the committee's commitment to fostering stronger connections with allied nations, particularly in addressing security and trade issues.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- HP 1409, HD1, SD1, relating to transient accommodations development. Roll it to 4:30 and Room 225.
- for the item we can vote on right now, which is HB 4209, HD1, SD1, relating to transit-oriented development
- This defines transit-oriented development.
- </c><00:21:26.080><c> This</c> This bill defines transit-oriented development.
- It limits the use of third-party review to residential or mixed-use development.
Summary:
The conference committees met several times on April 25, 2025, to resolve a number of bills, often delaying items until later in the day because of missing FIN/WAM releases or lack of quorum. Early in the day, SB 382 was discussed briefly but not advanced because finance would not release it. HB 1064, relating to the state fire marshal, was taken up and approved after conferees confirmed a $2,212,000 appropriation for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund eight positions in the Department of Law Enforcement. Members thanked the many agencies, staff, and advocates involved, and the bill passed by unanimous votes of those present.
Several other measures were rolled over to later conference-room meetings, including HB 423 on workers’ compensation, HB 214 on government, HB 1036, HB 1037, and HB 1039 on public employment cost items, SB 828 on workers’ compensation medical benefits, SB 717 on collective bargaining, and HB 286 on the individual housing account program, all pending FIN/WAM release or further agreement. A larger housing agenda was also postponed to 4:30 p.m. in Room 225, including bills on housing, transportation, transient accommodations development, rental housing revolving funds, dwelling unit revolving funds, and low-income housing credit.
At the later transportation and housing sessions, HB 1231 was adopted as a conference draft establishing a $5 county motor vehicle registration surcharge for the Safe Routes to School special fund and clarifying rules for automated enforcement citations and liability. HB 4209 on transit-oriented development also passed; it defined transit-oriented development, created a mixed-income subaccount in the rental housing revolving fund, and authorized HCDA to use the definition in planning. HB 1298 on housing passed with amendments to support a government employee housing program tied to a transit-oriented development site, including funding for planning and an HHFC position. HB 830 on historic preservation reviews also passed with amendments limiting third-party review to residential or mixed-use development and setting staggered effective dates. Later, SB 662 on transportation passed with amendments authorizing county police officers to enforce the statewide traffic code on public streets, roadways, and highways. Several other bills remained pending and were recessed for later consideration.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
An oversight hearing to examine Meta's foreign relations and representations to the United States Congress. Apr 9th, 2025 at 01:30 pm
Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- He, in fact, developed censorship tools for the Chinese Communist Party to use against its own people
- One document you provided to us shows that Facebook's advertising division was developing tools to target
- There's a straight line you can draw from these briefings to the recent revelations that China is developing
- One of the more surprising things is that, as part of the censorship tool that was developed, there were
- You know, we talk a lot about 1984, Facebook developed a virility counter tool that directed any post
Keywords:
Meta, Facebook, whistleblower, regulation, China, user data, artificial intelligence, testimony, Congress
Summary:
The meeting of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism focused on oversight of Meta's foreign relations and representations to Congress. An essential witness, Sarah Wynne-Williams, a former executive at Facebook, provided testimony outlining significant concerns about the company's practices and its complicity in aiding oppressive regimes. The atmosphere was charged, with ongoing debates about the regulation of big tech companies and the ethical implications of their policies. The committee explored topics such as user data management, whistleblower retaliation, and the need for legislative measures to protect users and enhance accountability in the tech sector. A notable point of contention was Facebook's alleged cooperation with the Chinese government regarding the dissemination of user data and AI tools, leading to serious ethical implications.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Agriculture (2-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- for those employees in the Office of Policy being able to apply for grants or loans through the development
- The other 50% goes to early childhood development and health care.
- </c><00:14:34.199><c> and</c> to early childhood development and to early childhood development and healthare
- Tobacco oversight, of course, you know, we'll report to you every month on the Development Board's actions
- Tobacco oversight, of course, you know, we'll report to you every month on the Development Board's actions
Keywords:
00:00 Meeting Start
00:45 Attendance Roll Call
01:50 Introduction of New Members
07:10 Discussion of HB 24
09:36 Roll Call Vote
12:20 Discussion of HB 216
19:25 Roll Call Vote, 958, all
Summary:
The Agriculture Committee met for its first meeting of the 2025 session, with the new chair opening the meeting, confirming a quorum, announcing the House’s 24-hour rule for committee substitutes and amendments, and welcoming several guests and new committee members. The chair also emphasized agriculture’s importance to Kentucky’s economy, citing crop revenue and the broader economic impact of the sector.
The committee first considered House Bill 24, which would raise the audit threshold for conservation districts from $750,000 to $1 million. Supporters said the bill updates an outdated threshold and helps reduce the burden of costly audits amid inflation. The bill received a motion and second, no opposition was raised, and it passed by roll call vote.
The committee then took up House Bill 216, presented by the vice chair and Brandon Reed of the Kentucky Office of Policy. The bill would allow certain Department of Agriculture employees to apply for grants or loans while preserving the existing prohibition for employees who oversee those programs. Testimony explained that the office’s funding comes from tobacco master settlement dollars, with a formula that directs money to agriculture and other purposes, and members discussed the importance of keeping those funds in Kentucky. The bill passed with favorable expression by roll call vote.
Before adjournment, members made additional welcoming remarks for local officials and guests, and the chair noted the National Farm Machinery Show and tractor pull as a major event for Kentucky agriculture. The committee then adjourned.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- So it's very encouraging as we're putting trees in the ground that we're continuing to develop tools
- So the CRAFT Foundation was developed just to do that.
- We've got to continue research, basic research in the lab, to continue to develop tools, whether it be
- To develop tools, whether it be therapies or breeding, toward that ultimate tolerant tree.
- And we think that we're just on the cusp of developing more and more of those compounds that will really
Committee:
Senate Agriculture
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Agriculture heard an update on the Florida citrus industry from Matt Joyner of Florida Citrus Mutual and Shannon Shepp of the Department of Citrus. Both described the industry’s steep decline over the past two decades due to citrus greening (HLB), hurricanes, freezes, and aging groves, but emphasized ongoing recovery efforts through research, replanting, and new therapies. They highlighted promising tools such as plant growth regulators, protective screens and covers, direct oxytetracycline application, CRISPR-based breeding, and the CRAFT program, which has expanded to more than 10,000 acres of solid-set plantings and over 20,000 acres including resets. Members discussed disaster relief, property tax pressures, grower participation, and the need for assessment relief and other state support. No votes were taken on the citrus presentation.
Shepp also outlined the Department of Citrus’s marketing and research role, noting strong consumer demand for Florida orange juice, global advertising efforts, and clinical research tied to health messaging. She said the industry remains a major economic contributor, with thousands of jobs and billions in economic impact, and that the department is working to maintain demand while growers replant and reset groves. Senators asked about the CRAFT program, new grower participation, and how advertising and state policy could help sustain the industry.
The committee then received a performance review of the Opa-locka Soil and Water Conservation Districts from David Jahossky of Malden and Jenkins. The review found wide variation among the 49 districts studied, with many lacking recurring revenue, staffing, proper meeting notices, records retention, formal performance goals, and timely financial reports. The report identified nearly 400 recommendations and noted that some districts had already dissolved or were considering dissolution. Senators questioned whether the districts were duplicative of other agencies and whether they still served a useful purpose; the presenter said there was overlap and collaboration but no duplication. A public commenter from Jefferson County argued that local boards still provide trusted, community-based support for producers and help connect them to cost-share and best management practice programs. The chair indicated the review would inform possible legislation to improve or restructure the districts, and the committee adjourned without taking a vote.