Video & Transcript : 'wild horses' :
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government Apr 8th, 2026
Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government
Transcript Highlights:
- The horse is out of the barn, as they say.
- The horse is out of the barn, as they say.
- top of a critical water resource within our only public water supply and on a federally designated wild
- Within our only public water supply, and on a federally designated wild and scenic watershed.
- model the cumulative resources, within our only public water supply, and on a federally designated wild
Keywords:
Holyoke, municipal governance, acting mayor, city council, local government, Oxford, town charter, municipal government, town manager, residency requirement, local approval, charter amendment, home rule, local governance, municipal administration, residence of officials, Worcester County, Worthington, solar, solar photovoltaic
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/26/2026 - House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- In the wild, Mr.
- Chairman, Representative Griffin, in the wild, the most... ...recent count was 286.
- And that is in the wild. What about in captivity? How many are in captivity? Mr.
- Some sheep, horses, things of that nature, a little bit more... ...sheep, horses, things of that nature
- menu, including a product from one of these highly regulated by the USDA and FDA companies called Wild
Committees:
House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs , House House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee of Reference
Keywords:
Arizona Beef Council, agriculture, market development, beef products, terminating council, livestock, compensation, funding, ranching, game and fish commission, wildlife, appointment, commission membership, Arizona Revised Statutes, food labeling, cultivated cells, cell-cultured products, consumer information, food safety, cell-cultured protein
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
No operation of watercraft in a way that threatens uncultivated wild rice beds, HF3896 3/26/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:03:13.680><c> rice</c> lake bed is that can support wild rice lake bed is that can support wild
- </c> that when they out are out near wild that when they out are out near wild rice<00:04:23.199><c>
- covers</c> This means wild rice covers This means wild rice covers 49%<00:06:37.280><c> of</c><00:06:
- </c> things like um wild rice is in danger. things like um wild rice is in danger.
- I love wild rice.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development Apr 9th, 2026
Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- On this area, we have horses, wild horses. But Peace and Ridge is not fenced properly.
- Generally speaking, those horses, all of that is under local control.
- On this area, we have horses, wild horses. But Peace and Ridge is not fenced properly.
- Generally speaking, those horses, all of that is under. right of way.
- He added that they are claiming all of these horses are feral, but there are geldings out there and horses
Summary:
The committee took up several agriculture-related bills and first heard a series of presentations from Louisiana 4-H and FFA student leaders. The students described how those programs built leadership, public speaking, and career goals, and members from both parties responded with personal stories about their own 4-H/FFA experiences and support for agricultural education and youth development.
On House Bill 715, the committee adopted a technical amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The bill requires aerial applicators using public airports or landing fields to carry radios and transponders, with the author and members framing it as a safety measure to prevent near-misses and improve communication during takeoff and landing. On House Bill 663, the committee adopted amendments changing the composition of the Delta Economic Research and Sustainability District board, including removing certain ex officio or agricultural-related members, and then reported the bill favorably; the author said the district has evolved beyond agriculture to include economic development, energy, transportation, and grant work.
House Bill 717, dealing with labeling requirements for cell-cultured food products, was amended technically and reported favorably. The author said the bill simply increases and clarifies the font size and visibility of labels so consumers can more easily see that a product is lab-grown or cell-cultured, matching seafood labeling standards. House Bill 834 on animal shelters received 23 amendments, many technical, but also substantive changes preserving local control, allowing parishes and municipalities to designate or contract with shelters, setting a three-day hold period, clarifying transfer of ownership for stray animals, and providing good-faith liability protection; after discussion with the Police Jury Association and others, the committee adopted the amendments and reported the bill favorably.
The committee also reported Senate Bill 349 favorably, which recreates the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and Senate Bill 350 favorably, which makes a technical name change related to the Louisiana soybean association and board membership. After those votes, Commissioner Mike Strain gave a lengthy sunset-review presentation on the department’s structure, duties, boards, and programs, emphasizing its role in agriculture, forestry, food safety, animal health, weights and measures, and related regulatory and promotional functions.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee Jan 27th, 2026
Water, Parks and Wildlife
Transcript Highlights:
- On average, 100,000 wild animals are received by rehabilitation facilities every year.
- Mom is spoiling them for too many months, 24 months, and it's hard to take on wild prey.
- In 1999, I started working in Yosemite National Park and worked on the Keep Bears Wild program.
- In Yosemite National Park and worked on the Keep Bears Wild program.
- Recently, there was a horse killed in a pasture near a home that was the family's horse that their children
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/09/2026 - Senate Military Affairs and Border Security
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, is it the same as it is now, wild west?
- west situation, and make sure that those guardrails prevent us from just wild west.
- I mean, you know, down in Cochise County, I might like wild west stuff. Yes, ma'am. Mr.
- We didn’t beat a dead horse. This is a... Mr. Chair, Senator Rogers. We didn’t beat a dead horse.
- So let’s address this horse.
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 1803, which would regulate non-accredited veterans benefits claims assistance by prohibiting unrecognized agents or attorneys from preparing or prosecuting claims, limiting compensation practices, requiring written disclosures and cancellation rights, and making violations subject to Attorney General enforcement. Supporters, including the sponsor and several veterans, said the bill would create needed guardrails against predatory actors while preserving veterans’ choice to use free or paid help. Opponents and some neutral testimony, including a VA-accredited attorney and representatives of the VFW and American Legion, argued the bill still lacked sufficient protections, raised federal preemption concerns, and should require VA accreditation instead. After debate over fees, back pay, and the availability of free services, the committee adopted an amendment and gave SB 1803 a do pass recommendation by a 5-2 vote.
The committee then heard SB 1232, a strike-everything amendment dealing with outdoor advertising signs in military airport and ancillary military facility overlay zoning districts. The bill would allow signs on property with a military compatibility permit in areas otherwise treated as residential under a zoning designation, which the sponsor and property representatives said was needed to resolve an ADOT permitting loophole for a specific parcel near Luke Air Force Base and the Northern Parkway. Members questioned whether the change was narrowly tailored, whether other properties could be affected, and whether ADOT and federal highway beautification rules would be satisfied. After the amendment was adopted, the committee approved SB 1232 on a 4-3 vote, with several members saying they would reserve the right to change their votes on the floor.
Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1511, which would prohibit operation of a commercial motor vehicle in Arizona unless the operator can prove lawful presence in the United States and would allow impoundment if proof is not provided. The sponsor introduced the bill with a lengthy explanation of commercial driver licensing history and concerns about non-domiciled and limited-term CDLs, contrasting them with Canadian and Mexican commercial licensing arrangements. The transcript cuts off before testimony, questions, or any action on SB 1511.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/26/2026 - House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- In the wild, Mr. Chairman, Representative Griffin, the most recent count was 286.
- And that is in the wild. What about in captivity? How many are in captivity? Mr.
- In the wild, Mr. Chairman, Representative Griffin, in the wild, the most In the wild, Mr.
- Chairman, Representative Griffin, in the wild, the most recent count was 286.
- Some sheep, horses, things of that nature, a little bit more... ...sheep, horses, things of that nature
Summary:
The House Committee on Land, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs began with member and staff introductions, then heard a committee of reference presentation from the Arizona Beef Council. The council described its checkoff-funded promotion, education, and research work for Arizona beef producers, including consumer education, classroom materials, nutrition tours, and social media outreach. After questions about the funding structure and what would happen if the council were not continued, the committee voted to recommend continuation of the Arizona Beef Council for eight years, until July 1, 2034, by voice vote.
The committee then considered HB 2155, which also continued the Arizona Beef Council for eight years. Members discussed the purpose of the council and the use of checkoff dollars, and the bill received a due pass recommendation on a 7-1 vote. HB 2156, which appropriated money to the livestock compensation fund for wolf depredation losses, was amended to set the amount at $250,000 for fiscal year 2027 and then passed 5-2, with supporters emphasizing rancher compensation and opponents raising concerns about transparency, conflicts of interest, and whether the fund had fully used prior appropriations.
HB 2162, requiring at least one Arizona Game and Fish Commission member to be a cattleman or rancher, drew testimony both for and against. Supporters argued ranchers deserve direct representation on wildlife policy, while opponents said ranchers already have influence through the appointment process and that the commission should represent broader public interests. The chair ultimately announced he would hold the bill rather than advance it at that time. The committee then passed HB 2762, which requires disclaimers on cultivated-cell food products, on a 5-3 vote after debate over federal labeling rules and consumer transparency, and HB 2791, which bans the sale of cell-cultured protein and makes violations a felony, also on a 5-3 vote after testimony about innovation, consumer choice, and concerns about the product’s safety and impact on traditional agriculture. The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 2/18/26
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh but horses, dogs, larvae to spread.
- </c> from animals to people, but uh horses from animals to people, but uh horses are<01:08:48.799><c>
- ,</c> mosquitoes in the area infecting horses, mosquitoes in the area infecting horses, uh<01:09:01.440
- 09:41.839><c> throughout</c><01:09:42.080><c> the</c> in horses occasionally throughout the in horses
- </c> November of this past fall of um horses November of this past fall of um horses at<01:09:57.040>
Committee:
House Agriculture Finance and Policy
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development Apr 9th, 2026
Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture & Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- On this area, we have horses, wild horses. But Peace and Ridge is not fenced properly.
- On this area, we have horses, wild horses. But Peace and Ridge is not fenced properly.
- Generally speaking, those horses — all of that is under local control.
- Generally speaking, those horses — all of that is under local control.
- Tammany Parish 30 years ago with feral horses, right?
Committees:
House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture & Rural Development , House Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development
Summary:
The committee took up several agriculture-related bills and heard testimony on each. HB 715 by Representative Dezotel would require aerial applicators using public airports or landing fields to carry radios and transponders for safety; after a technical amendment was adopted, the bill was reported favorably. HB 663 by Vice Chairman Travis Johnson would update the board makeup of the Delta Economic Research and Sustainability District by removing certain ex officio members and reducing the board from 24 to 23; amendments were adopted and the bill was reported favorably. HB 717 by Representative Schamberhorn would increase and clarify labeling requirements for cell-cultured food products, including a larger, more visible font size; after a technical amendment, it was reported favorably with support from committee members and witnesses.
The committee also considered HB 834 by Representative McMahon, a local-control bill on animal shelters and stray animals. A large amendment package of 23 amendments was adopted, revising hold periods, ownership transfer rules, local government discretion, liability protections, and the role of nonprofit or designated shelters. Testimony from the author, Police Jury Association representatives, and Michelle Hall emphasized that the bill is intended to fix a legal gap so shelters can transfer ownership to adopters, while preserving local control and limiting liability for good-faith actions. The bill was reported favorably with amendments.
The committee then heard from Louisiana 4-H and FFA student leaders, who described how those programs developed leadership, public speaking, and agricultural career goals. Members responded with personal reflections and praise for the programs’ impact on rural youth and future agricultural leadership. Finally, the committee took up sunset review legislation: SB 349 to recreate the Department of Agriculture and Forestry was reported favorably, and SB 350, a technical change to the Louisiana Soybean Association/soybean board structure, was also reported favorably. Commissioner Mike Strain then began a lengthy presentation on the department’s functions, programs, boards, and commissions, but no further action was taken in the portion provided.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Feb 15th, 2026
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Your many hobbies, from the golf course to spring training, to boxers, to wild horses, it is truly a
- I will eternally, every time I see a wild horse, think of you, because I associate you with bills about
- wild horses.
- I mean... ...of you because I associate you with bills about wild horses.
- horses, on the furry and pet bills.
Bills:
HB145 , HR1 , HB80 , SB29 , SB37 , HB206 , SB193 , SB58 , SB64 , HB153 , HB195 , HB234 , HB248 , HB255 , HB279 , HB287 , HB292 , HB303 , HB309 , HB371 , SB30 , SB35 , SB40 , SB43 , SB48 , SB96 , SB143 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM20 , HM51 , HM1 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM46 , HM53 , HM54 , HM39 , HM29 , HM43 , HM59 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50
Summary:
The meeting opened with prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of announcements and personal remarks. Members then spent a large portion of the session honoring Representative Joanne Ferrary, who announced she will not seek re-election. Speakers from both parties praised her persistence, mentorship, and work on public safety, environmental protection, health care, women’s rights, and advocacy for workers and families. Ferrary thanked colleagues and said she hoped to continue supporting initiatives in the interim and beyond. The House also recognized Representative Matthew McQueen, who is running for commissioner of public lands and will leave the legislature after this term. Members highlighted his work on conservation, land grants, wildlife protection, legislative drafting, and his reputation for principled, detailed review of bills. McQueen thanked colleagues and said he hoped to remain involved in the building in another capacity.
The House then moved to third reading and passed House Bill 371, the House Appropriations and Finance Committee substitute creating a temporary funding source for land grants and acequias from remaining sponge bond revenues. Supporters said it would provide a more stable, long-term funding mechanism for acequia and land grant infrastructure while preserving existing funding streams and requiring legislative appropriation and annual reporting. Some members raised concerns about oversight and the lack of a sunset or review clause, but the bill passed 63-2. The chamber also passed House Bill 248, authorizing $392 million in general obligation bond capacity, by a vote of 65-0.
The House then debated House Bill 153, a committee substitute creating a market-based framework for carbon reduction and economic development. The bill includes an environmental product declaration act, a low-carbon materials rebate, and an industrial carbon reduction grant program. Supporters said it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions while encouraging economic development and new technology at industrial facilities. Members questioned the timing of the grants, anti-donation concerns, and whether companies would receive funding only after making investments, and sponsors explained that entities must pre-certify and then apply after beginning production or retrofits. Debate was ongoing at the end of the excerpt, with no final vote shown on HB 153.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Tribal Flag Plaza Dedication Ceremony Sep 11th, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It is said that Crazy Horse was once asked, 'Where are your lands?'
- , "Where are Crazy Horse was once asked, "Where are your<00:44:11.359><c> lands?"
- That food was manoomin, wild rice. And that prophecy led us to the lands we still call home today.
- That food was manoomin, wild rice. And that prophecy led us to the lands we still call home today.
- rice is is is good that that sacred wild rice is is is good and<01:09:21.040><c> plentiful</c><01:09
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/16/2026 - Senate Federalism and Family Law
Senate Federalism and Family Law Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- And they have let them out... ...that have been let out into the wild.
- These animals are not out in the wild getting wild prey. They are going after people's property.
- The... that have been let out into the wild.
- These animals are not out in the wild getting wild prey. They are going after people's property.
- How many creatures will that wild animal have to take out in order to survive?
Summary:
The committee first considered HB 2908, which would require any approved U.S. constitutional amendment to be ratified by a bill passed by the legislature and signed by the governor, and would impose oaths, reporting duties, civil penalties, and felony liability on “faithless” constitutional convention delegates. The committee adopted a Fincham amendment changing recall to disqualification and giving the Senate President and House Speaker authority to determine disqualification. Supporters argued the measure would add guardrails against a runaway Article 5 convention, while opponents said the safeguards would be ineffective and could falsely reassure the public. The bill, as amended, passed 4-3. The committee then took up HCR 2047, a resolution recognizing Judea and Samaria as the proper terms for the West Bank and rejecting that label in official state communications. Supporters framed it as a matter of historical and biblical accuracy, while opponents argued it injected the state into foreign policy and raised First Amendment concerns. The resolution passed 4-3.
The committee next heard HCM 2006, urging Congress to reform the Endangered Species Act and Migratory Bird Conservation Act and to reduce burdens on ranchers affected by Mexican gray wolves and related federal rules. The sponsor and supporters said wolf recovery goals had been exceeded and that ranchers were suffering livestock losses, while opponents said existing compensation already exists and that the memorial mischaracterized endangered species protections. The memorial passed 4-3. HB 4042, dealing with paternity actions in termination-of-parental-rights cases by requiring service of the mother within the 30-day timeframe, drew no testimony and passed unanimously 7-0.
The committee also approved HCM 2005, which urges Congress to consider restricting foreign ownership of U.S. real property by communist or authoritarian governments; supporters said it was a national security and land-use issue, while opponents criticized the measure as discriminatory. It passed 4-3. HCM 2001, urging the President and Congress to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization and directing Arizona law enforcement to identify linked groups, drew testimony from civil rights advocates and community members who said the measure stigmatized Muslims and exceeded state authority; supporters said it was a legitimate federal-policy memorial. It passed 4-3. Finally, HCM 2002, urging Congress to review CAIR for possible terrorist designation, prompted extensive opposition testimony from CAIR representatives and supporters who described the organization’s civil-rights work and warned the memorial would fuel discrimination; supporters argued it was a proper federal request and a response to concerns about CAIR. The memorial passed 4-3, and the committee adjourned.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Health & Long-Term Care Feb 20th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Health & Long-Term Care
Transcript Highlights:
- We're in strong support, not wild, but strong support of House Bill 2113.
- Happy wild Friday. That's right. Good morning, Madam Chair. Thank you for his job.
- Happy wild Friday. That's right. Good morning. Madam Chair. That's right.
- We are in wild support of House Bill 2113 as well.
- So Carvex, falls, horse injuries, whatever it is.
Committee:
Senate Health & Long-Term Care
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- So I am really excited to work with Wild Friends.
- So I am really excited to work with Wild Friends.
- This can be very fatal to horses. On the stems of the hay. This can be very fatal to horses.
- Also, whenever the wild—what are y'all calling yourself? The Wild Friends, I like that.
- The Wild Friends. I had some pretty wild friends in high school. Oh, Stan. Not naming names.
Committee:
Senate Senate Conservation
Summary:
The Senate Conservation Committee first took up Senate Memorial 3, presented by Senator O’Malley on behalf of Senator Bergman and a group of Rio Doso High School students and Wild Friends. The memorial asks state agencies to participate in a no-cost workshop on insect identification, ecology, monitoring, and management, and to help educate the public about insects. Students, conservation specialists, and an entomologist testified that insects are essential to pollination, ecosystems, agriculture, and biodiversity, while also noting declining insect populations and the need for more public understanding. Some senators raised concerns about the memorial’s wording, including whether it should be broadened from insects to arthropods and whether the Department of Agriculture, rather than Game and Fish, should be involved. The committee discussed timing and implementation, and the sponsor agreed to work on amendments. The memorial passed on a due pass motion by a vote of 8-0, with one excused.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 154, which would require wildfire-related homeowners coverage to include flood damage caused by post-fire conditions for a five-year period. Senator Duhigg and the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance argued the bill responds to the Ruidoso fires and subsequent flooding, noting that many homes were destroyed by mudslides and that flood insurance is often unavailable or inadequate. Supporters, including Ruidoso officials, affected residents, and attorneys, said the bill would help homeowners recover from cascading wildfire and flood losses. Opponents from the insurance industry and business groups warned the bill would be an outlier, could significantly raise premiums, and might reduce availability of homeowners insurance statewide. Committee members questioned how the mandate would work, whether it should be optional, and how costs would be allocated. The bill passed on a 5-4 vote.
Finally, the committee briefly heard Senate Bill 187, which appropriates $202,000 from the general fund to the New Mexico Finance Authority’s Water Project Fund for future water projects authorized by the legislature. The Finance Authority said the funding would help address a gap between available money and the 113 recommended projects, totaling about $522 million, including water conservation, flood prevention, storage, wastewater, and watershed projects. Members asked for more detail on the locations and types of projects, and the Finance Authority said it would provide the list from the companion authorization bill. The committee then moved the bill forward on a do pass motion.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- What this bill does is it protects the Salt River wild horse herd.
- put in place, and the private entity that manages the herd has been forced to start removals of 25 horses
- The herd has been forced to start removals of 25 horses per year this year and the following five years
- Chair, this is the Salt River horse herd.
- The Salt River horse herd has been historic and a draw of tourism to Arizona, and it's part of the Wild
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Environment Committee Meeting - 2026-03-26
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:36:21.400><c> rice</c> wild rice wild rice besides<00:36:22.880><c> humans?
- </c><00:36:51.880><c> Um</c> their eggs within wild rice beds. Um their eggs within wild rice beds.
- I love wild rice.
- I love wild<00:52:10.440><c> rice.
- Uh I think wild rice.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- What this bill does is it protects the Salt River wild horse herd.
- put in place, and the private entity that manages the herd has been forced to start removals of 25 horses
- The herd has been forced to start removals of 25 horses per year this year and the following five years
- Chair, the Salt River horse herd has been historic and a draw of tourism to Arizona, and it's part of
- the Wild West, and it's really too bad that the numbers are going down right now.
Summary:
The House met, opened with prayer and the Pledge, approved the prior journal, and first took up a motion to request Senate consent for an extended adjournment. Representative Volk opposed the motion, arguing members should keep working on unfinished business, while Speaker Montenegro said the House had completed its current budget work and was waiting on the governor to return to negotiations. The motion passed 31-20, and the House also agreed to a related Senate adjournment request and to return HB 2415 to the Senate for reconsideration.
The chamber then went into Committee of the Whole and considered several Senate bills. SB 1199, concerning the Salt River wild horse herd, was amended to pause removals for a genetic diversity study and received a do-pass recommendation. SB 1399 on Medicaid spending transparency, SB 1496, SB 1497, SB 1582, SB 1713, and SB 1798 were also amended and advanced. SB 1713 drew the most debate, with supporters saying it would expand pharmacist access to basic care and improve rural and veteran access, while opponents warned it expanded scope of practice beyond pharmacists’ training. The House later adopted the Committee of the Whole report, ordered several bills engrossed, and sent SB 1399 to third reading.
In a second Committee of the Whole, SB 1214 and SB 1670 were further amended and advanced. The House then moved to third reading and voted on multiple bills. SB 1006, SB 1037, SB 1171, SB 1242, SB 1270, SB 1419, SB 1429, SB 1445, SB 1452, SB 1478, and SB 1566 passed, while SB 1099 and SB 1635 failed on the initial vote. Members then used reconsideration motions to place SB 1006 and SB 1635 back on the third-reading calendar. The session ended with personal privilege remarks recognizing correctional officers, Cinco de Mayo guests, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Awareness Day, and other tributes, followed by adjournment until June 1, 2026.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Feb 6th, 2026 at 04:27 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm with New Mexico Wild and a traditional communities organizer.
- I'm with New Mexico Wilde and the traditional community's organizer.
- Like these lands will be very wild and open to the public. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
- I grew up riding horses. We camped in the Gila every weekend.
- We would take our fifth wheel once a month and go horse riding on the trails.
Committee:
House House Appropriations & Finance
Keywords:
general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee On Alternative Protein Innovation Jun 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- expansion of grazing lands, it could decrease the risk of infectious disease transmission between wild
- world where that intensification is matched with grazing expansion that pushes livestock closer to wild
- Alfenbine, co-founder of Wild Type.
- When they retired all the horses in agriculture for tractors, they freed up 88 million acres of land
- for productive use because they were no longer having to feed these horses, right?
Summary:
The Select Committee on Alternative Protein Innovation held its first informational hearing to examine the state of alternative protein research, industry growth, and policy needs in California. The chair opened by noting California’s $5 million public investment in UC research in 2022 and framed the hearing around three panels: the climate, environmental, and security potential of alternative proteins; industry scaling and commercialization; and university-led research and workforce development. Members emphasized that the committee will continue with site visits and additional hearings across the state.
The first panel focused on the case for alternative proteins as a climate, land, water, biodiversity, and food-security solution. Shana Fertig of the Good Food Institute argued that plant-based, fermentation-derived, and cultivated proteins can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water use while helping California meet its climate and conservation goals. Zane Swanson of CSIS added that alternative proteins could reduce risks tied to zoonotic disease, antimicrobial resistance, supply-chain disruption, and broader national security concerns. In questions, members discussed the role of pharmaceuticals in animal agriculture and how alternative proteins might complement, rather than replace, traditional farming by creating new markets for California crops and helping farmers diversify.
The second panel featured industry leaders Ethan Brown of Beyond Meat, Myra Passick of Upside Foods, and Arye Elfenbein of Wildtype. Brown highlighted plant-based meat’s health and climate benefits, criticized misinformation campaigns against the sector, and urged better labeling, reduced subsidies for factory farming, and more plant-based food in public institutions. Passick described cultivated meat as a scalable food-production technology, said Upside Foods has already produced millions of pounds annually at its Emeryville facility, and asked for grants, low-interest loans, and possible participation in cap-and-trade or similar revenue programs. Elfenbein described cultivated seafood as a way to address overfishing, contamination, traceability problems, and the heavy import dependence of the U.S. seafood supply, while also noting conservation benefits and the need for California to remain a hub for the industry.
The final panel centered on research and workforce development. UCLA’s Amy Rowat described state-funded work on technical bottlenecks such as growing fat cells and creating edible scaffolds, along with a Future Food Fellows program that trains students across science, engineering, law, and policy. UC Santa Cruz economist Galina Hale argued that alternative proteins are necessary to meet future protein demand while reducing food-system emissions, and said California must support the sector through grants, loans, procurement, and research centers to avoid losing leadership to other states and countries. The hearing ended with the chair thanking the witnesses, noting that all materials would be posted online, and saying the committee would continue building policy and budget proposals to support the sector.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee On Alternative Protein Innovation Jun 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- expansion of grazing lands, it could decrease the risk of infectious disease transmission between wild
- Closer to wild animals with which they can interact and then be affected by novel pathogens.
- Alfenbine, co-founder of Wild Type.
- When they retired all the horses in agriculture for tractors, they freed up 88 million acres of land
- for productive use because they were no longer having to feed these horses, right?
Summary:
The Select Committee on Alternative Protein Innovation held its first informational hearing to examine the state of alternative protein research, industry growth, and policy needs in California. The chair framed alternative proteins as meat, dairy, and eggs made from plants, fermentation, or cell cultivation, and emphasized California’s prior $5 million public investment in UC research, the state’s large concentration of alternative protein companies, and plans for future site visits and hearings around the state.
The first panel focused on the climate, environmental, food security, and national security rationale for alternative proteins. Representatives from the Good Food Institute and CSIS argued that alternative proteins can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, land and water use, methane, antimicrobial resistance, and supply-chain vulnerabilities tied to conventional animal agriculture. Members asked about pharmaceutical and disease risks in livestock systems, and witnesses said intensification of animal agriculture increases antibiotic use and disease transmission risks. The chair also raised the relationship between alternative proteins and traditional farming, and witnesses described the sector as complementary, with opportunities for California farmers to supply inputs such as nuts, legumes, and commodity crop side streams.
The second panel featured industry leaders from Beyond Meat, Upside Foods, and Wildtype. They described plant-based, cultivated meat, and cultivated seafood products, argued that the products can match conventional foods on taste while improving health and environmental outcomes, and said misinformation and labeling battles have hurt public perception. They also discussed scaling challenges, the need for grants, low-interest loans, manufacturing support, and possible participation in cap-and-trade or other revenue-generating programs. The chair highlighted tasting events and efforts to educate legislators and staff, and noted that schools, hospitals, and prisons are important markets for healthier food options.
The final panel featured UCLA and UC Santa Cruz researchers who described university-led advances in cultivated fat, publicly available datasets, and workforce development programs supported by state funding. They said the UC system is well positioned to provide foundational research, open-access data, student training, and extension support for farmers. The hearing ended with the chair saying the committee will continue its work through additional hearings, tours, and possible budget or legislative proposals, while acknowledging that the current budget climate makes additional funding uncertain.