Transcript Highlights:

• The purpose is to stabilize rural health care providers and facilities in the event that those programs
• Was that the bill that provided hospital subsidies for a period of like two years?
• However, we do have quite a few VAERS reports, the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, regarding

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• The U.S. participated in some of those events.
• What's your view on continued participation in the Chinese Communist Party events? Mr.
• To your question directly, we do have a number of major international events happening over the next—
• and other major events.
• will be the best and safest place to host these kinds of international events.

Committee: Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Keywords: committee meeting, bill discussions, nomination, David Perdue, Monica Crawley, U.S.-China relations, foreign policy

Summary: The meeting of the committee was marked by significant discussions regarding various bills, including HB22 and SB5. A notable moment was the introduction of nominees Senator David Perdue and Ms. Monica Crawley, which led to discussions on the implications of their roles, particularly in relation to U.S.-China relations and foreign policy. Members exchanged views on the nominees' qualifications, emphasizing the importance of leadership in foreign diplomacy. Additionally, the committee heard testimonies from several witnesses both supporting and opposing certain bills, showcasing the diverse perspectives present.

Transcript Highlights:

• What we're concerned about is that as the need for those subsidies increases, our agencies are taking
• </c> those the need for those subsidies those the need for those subsidies increases<00:10:58.320><c>
• I’m Stacy Tonui with the Child Care Subsidy Program, on behalf of Director Yamane.
• </c><01:10:35.000><c> program</c><01:10:35.920><c> on</c> with the childcare subsidy program on with
• to help families pay tuition subsidies to help families pay tuition for<01:11:31.280><c> these</c><01

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several Human Services measures focused on Medicaid access, long-term care benefits, home health reimbursement, SNAP administration, trauma-informed child welfare, and child abuse reporting. HP 702 would increase funding for Medicaid in-home services if federal matching funds are secured, and testimony from disability advocates supported the measure as needed to help people with disabilities cover medical expenses. HB 1477, described as a correction to a prior session’s mistake, would clarify that the monthly needs allowance for certain long-term care residents does not replace state supplemental payments and would raise the ceiling by $25 to fix the prior issue and by an additional $20 as a new benefit; DHS supported it with amendments, and the committee indicated it would amend accordingly. HB 713 would fund a DHS rate study for home health services, with the Healthcare Association of Hawaii strongly supporting it and describing rising labor costs, losses on Medicaid patients, and access concerns if agencies cannot keep serving Medicaid clients. HB 1099 would appropriate emergency funds to DHS after a USDA penalty tied to SNAP response times, with supporters including Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Public Health Institute, and others arguing the money should be reinvested in staffing and systems to improve access and avoid further penalties. HB 1079 would direct the Office of Wellness and Resilience and DHS to create trauma-informed assessments and training for Child Welfare Services staff; testimony from state offices and advocacy groups supported it, citing the Mālama ʻOhana Working Group, staff burnout, and the need for a sustainable train-the-trainer model. Finally, HB 239 would narrow when failure to provide a child’s needs constitutes abuse or neglect, but DHS raised concerns that the current wording could broaden abuse findings and leave families in poverty without a clear safety net, while the Honolulu prosecutor’s office opposed it, warning it could weaken mandatory reporting and hinder investigations of child abuse. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided, though the chair said HB 1477 would be amended and several measures were left open for further questions and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I would say subsidy.
• This is uh an attempt to subsidy.
• </c> That's where our subsidies are going. That's where our subsidies are going.
• them somewhere else." subsidies in place to kind of get it subsidies in place to kind of get it going
• And usually, if you look at subsidies.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, April 2, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're also joined by two very special people and animals that partnered in today's event.
• the Clean Water Trust contract assistance, which supports our local municipalities by providing subsidies
• the clean water trust contract assistance, which supports our local municipalities by providing subsidies
• tourism support to help foster local economic activity across Massachusetts, and supports numerous events

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have to have public subsidy. It's really important to do that.
• have folks who just simply cannot afford the housing here, and we need to do some sort of public subsidy
• The triggering event is the notice of intent to market or list, and prior to what anyone could allege
• to HCD to get an approved standard waiver form before the disaster, so they have it on hand in the event

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also oppose the continued subsidies to the fossil fuel industry through 100% industrial allocation
• These regulations will make that worse, and will likely be a triggering event for other refinery decisions
• These regs will make that worse, and we will likely be a triggering event for other refinery decisions
• Dairy biomethane in the cap-and-invest program leads to continuous subsidies to one of the most polluting

Committee: House Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies

Summary: The Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policy heard an overview from CARB on proposed amendments to California’s Cap-and-Invest program, which was reauthorized through 2045 by AB 1207 and SB 840. CARB said the draft rules are intended to preserve affordability, market certainty, and progress toward the state’s 2030 and 2045 climate targets. The agency described the program’s main features, including the declining emissions cap, utility and industrial allowance allocations, offset changes, the allowance price containment reserve, and new reporting and oversight requirements. CARB also said the rulemaking is on a public comment timeline, with board consideration planned for late May and an effective date targeted for September 1, 2026. Committee members focused heavily on electricity affordability, the planned shift of free allowances from natural gas utilities to electric utilities, and whether the proposal would raise rates for investor-owned and publicly owned utilities. CARB said the proposal is meant to protect ratepayers from compliance costs and that the utility allocation is based on updated data showing utilities are greener than before, but members and utility representatives argued the transition should happen faster and that the current draft could reduce expected revenues and disrupt long-term planning. Members also pressed CARB on carbon capture and sequestration, asking that the regulations clearly recognize it as a compliance pathway, and on whether the SB 905 rulemaking for carbon capture should move forward on schedule. A second major topic was industrial allocations, especially for refiners and other sectors at risk of leakage. CARB said it is keeping all industries at high leakage risk through 2030, maintaining the current cap-adjustment approach, and leaving room for additional comments and data on whether refiners need more allowances to avoid economic leakage and preserve in-state refining. Members also questioned how imported gasoline is treated, and CARB explained that transportation fuel is regulated at the rack and through the low-carbon fuel standard, while cap-and-invest covers in-state tailpipe and smokestack emissions rather than full life-cycle emissions. CARB said it is open to using additional data, including SB 253 reporting, to improve fuel carbon-intensity estimates. The panel of outside experts largely agreed that the program must balance affordability, ambition, and leakage concerns, but they differed on how much allowance value should go to utilities, industry, and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. The Legislative Analyst’s Office emphasized that the Legislature should scrutinize CARB’s allocation choices now because they will be hard to change later. An IEMAC representative said the proposal appears to shift more allowance value to industry and utilities, which could reduce GGRF revenues, while EDF argued the cap could be tightened further in the near term without triggering price containment. SCAPA, representing publicly owned utilities, warned that the proposal would reduce utility allowances and could raise costs for ratepayers and undermine early decarbonization investments. No votes were taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a lot of potential in the industry right now to produce SAF if the subsidies are big enough,
• That means that they're only viable if they have significant subsidies and support.
• So, and the federal government program provides subsidies for these fuels.
• And that's because they don't have enough subsidy support to make money doing that.
• And that's because they don't have enough subsidy support about to make money doing that.

Summary: The subcommittee heard extensive testimony on the governor’s proposed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit, which would provide a $1 to $2 per gallon credit against the diesel excise tax for SAF sold for use in California from 2026 to 2036. The Department of Finance and CARB argued the proposal would help decarbonize aviation, support a long-term transition in the fuel sector, and encourage in-state investment and jobs. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and several outside witnesses recommended rejecting the proposal, saying it is a relatively expensive way to reduce greenhouse gases, could have uncertain or limited net climate benefits, and may shift limited feedstocks away from renewable diesel rather than create additional fuel supply. A major point of debate was whether the credit would mainly benefit California refineries and workers or instead subsidize out-of-state producers while reducing revenue for transportation programs. Supporters, including union members, refinery workers, airlines, Boeing, and airport representatives, said SAF is one of the few viable near-term options for aviation, that California should keep fuel production and jobs in-state, and that the credit would help maintain refinery operations and support the industry’s transition. Opponents, including the LAO, trucking and fuels groups, environmental organizations, and county/road advocates, warned that the proposal could raise gasoline and diesel prices, reduce diesel excise tax revenue for highways and local streets and roads, and provide limited climate benefit compared with other uses of state funds. Some members also raised concerns about feedstock availability, food-system impacts, and whether the policy should be more narrowly targeted if the goal is to support a specific refinery. No vote was taken. The chair stated at the outset that all items on the agenda were being held open for a future hearing, and public comment was taken after the first item because of the level of interest. The hearing then continued with public testimony, which was split between strong support from labor and industry and strong opposition from environmental, transportation, and local government groups.

Transcript Highlights:

• are mainly used for youth and school recreational activities such as organized sports, community events
• Yeah, so it's a total military business of other government subsidies. I completely agree.
• construction projects, and it's due to unfair competition, currency exchange rates, and generous subsidies
• becomes unusable after just a few days of play, synthetic turf fields can host multiple sports and events
• The fields are closed just as they would during any other weather event.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight heard testimony on several procurement-related bills. Senator Lovely and steel industry witnesses supported S. 2167/H. 3411, which would require preference for U.S. manufacturers on public construction projects using steel and other materials. They argued that Canadian and other foreign fabricators underbid Massachusetts firms because of exchange rates, subsidies, and different labor-cost structures, causing local job losses and economic leakage. Committee members asked about tariffs, market share, and whether the bill should be folded into broader municipal legislation; the witnesses said public work should stay in Massachusetts and that the bill would help preserve local industry and jobs. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2107, a bill to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities in state and municipal contracting. Work Inc. testified that a preference for contractors employing people with disabilities would expand competitive employment, reduce reliance on public assistance, and generate net savings for taxpayers. Members asked about the estimated savings and whether recent federal changes to benefits would affect the numbers; the witness said the figures may need updating but that the underlying employment opportunity remains important. Another bill, H. 3339/S. 2187, would prohibit state and municipal contracts for new artificial turf fields containing zinc, plastic, or intentionally added PFAS. Sponsors and supporters cited health risks, heat retention, injuries, and PFAS contamination, while committee members discussed local bans, disposal problems, and whether indoor facilities or alternative materials could be used. Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro testified in favor of H. 12 and H. 13, which would update Chapter 30B procurement thresholds and allow municipalities to bundle snow hauling and removal with plowing contracts. He said the changes would give local governments more flexibility, reduce confusion between school and municipal procurement rules, and make snow contracts more attractive to vendors. Members questioned whether quasi-public agencies and state entities should also be subject to 30B, and Shapiro said many public entities have their own procedures but that transparency and fairness should apply across the board. The committee also heard support for S. 2150, a software licensing bill aimed at preventing vendor lock-in by ensuring state agencies can run purchased software in the infrastructure that best fits their needs; the witness said restrictive licensing can drive up costs and create cybersecurity and modernization problems, and that similar laws have already passed in several other states.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texans and our visitors to take advantage of the extra sunlight for outdoor activities like sporting events
• cannot produce a reasonably priced, on-time, safe product without a big mess to clean up and without subsidies
• Even with all the generous federal subsidies, electricity could not be generated by these small nuclear
• I would, but I will say last week's wind event, um, Xcel Energy did a fantastic job just in de-energizing
• that field before the event happened.

Bills: HB 14 , HB 106 , HB 146 , HB 267 , HB 274 , HB 1127 , HB 1359 , HB 1393 , HB 1584 , HB 1640 , HB 1710 , HB 2152 , HCR 101 , HJR 8 , HR 51

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund

Transcript Highlights:

• We left the event smiling happily.
• We left the event smiling happily, saying things like, that was amazing.
• I think it's because for the duration of the entire event, the movie, the play, the concert, we were
• AB 1929 requires health plans to disclose all investments they make with subsidies and patient premiums
• I support AB 2230, and we cannot wait until these events absolutely happen.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• when you did these graphs showing event when you did these graphs showing lower<00:35:55.240><c> cost
• </c><01:25:51.400><c> policy</c> driven by recent weather events policy driven by recent weather events
• And of course the answer is, well, just give them more tax subsidies.
• I mean that is not the answer subsidies I mean that is not the answer the<01:35:15.600><c> other</c>
• </c> but if we were to experience an event but if we were to experience an event and<01:37:27.000><c>

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• health care subsidies for striking workers.
• We're putting $190 million now for the state subsidies, affordability subsidies.
• For the state subsidies, affordability subsidies, is the plan to double the amount of people who get
• The state is not in a position to fully backfill the loss of the federal enhanced premium subsidies.
• We looked at a variety of different options our board did for implementing a premium subsidy program.

Summary: The subcommittee heard a lengthy Department of Health Care Services presentation on the governor’s Medi-Cal budget, including a $229.1 billion total-funds proposal, projected Medi-Cal enrollment declines as redeterminations continue, and several major cost drivers such as managed care growth, Medicare-related costs, pharmacy spending, and changes tied to federal policy. Members focused heavily on the elimination of Prop. 56 dental supplemental payments beginning July 1, 2026, questioning the likely impact on provider participation and utilization. DHCS said it is completing the required rate reduction/access analysis for CMS, has been holding stakeholder meetings and issuing provider bulletins, but could not yet quantify the real-world effect. The committee also discussed a $50 million savings proposal tied to new hospice utilization management authority and asked about possible effects on emergency dental care and provider participation. The hearing then moved through the November 2025 family health estimate and several county and program administration issues, including CCS, GHPP, and Every Woman Counts. DHCS said family health costs are rising despite slight caseload declines because of higher utilization and medical costs, and members raised concerns about CCS website accessibility, county administrative funding, and the transition of youth aging out of CCS. The department said most CCS beneficiaries are also on Medi-Cal, that counties have long raised funding concerns, and that it had clarified use of maintenance-and-operations dollars to address some county workload issues. Members also asked about Every Woman Counts potentially seeing higher demand as Medi-Cal changes take effect; DHCS said that is possible and that the program has multiple funding sources including General Fund. A major portion of the hearing focused on provider taxes and federal changes under H.R. 1, especially the Medi-Cal managed care organization tax and the hospital quality assurance fee. DHCS explained that H.R. 1 restricts new or increased health care-related taxes, phases down allowable tax levels over time, and tightens “generally redistributive” rules, which could sharply reduce the state’s ability to use the MCO tax for Medi-Cal financing. Members asked whether the Legislature could amend Prop. 35 or whether voters would need to act; DHCS said a three-fourths legislative amendment may be possible if it aligns with the measure’s purpose, but the department is still evaluating options. The committee also discussed hospital financing, with DHCS describing recent increases in state-directed payments and the effect of H.R. 1 in capping those payments at Medicare levels, and the LAO noting the tradeoff between preserving provider taxes and maintaining Medi-Cal funding. The subcommittee also reviewed a series of DHCS budget change proposals and trailer bill items, including managed care final-rule implementation, managed care operations, a hospital value strategy, a one-year extension of skilled nursing facility financing, long-term care payment transparency, and interoperability/prior authorization requirements. Members repeatedly questioned the use of limited-term versus permanent positions, the overlap among proposals, and the timing of new financing reforms. DHCS said the SNF extension would preserve current workforce standards, sanctions, growth limits, and the SNF quality assurance fee while the department develops a broader 2027-28 redesign. No votes were taken; items were repeatedly held open for later action. Covered California then presented on the expiration of the federal enhanced premium tax credit and the resulting affordability crisis. The agency said Californians will lose about $2.5 billion in premium assistance for 2026, average premiums could nearly double for many enrollees, and as many as 400,000 people could eventually leave marketplace coverage. Open enrollment ended with 1.9 million sign-ups, down 3% from the prior year, with especially steep declines among middle-income consumers and increased movement into bronze plans. Covered California said the state’s $190 million affordability subsidy is helping lower-income enrollees retain coverage, but cannot fully replace the lost federal assistance. Members also asked about the Health Care Affordability Reserve Fund, repayment of loans from that fund, the status of federal review of California’s essential health benefits benchmark, and implementation of the new gender-affirming care benefit under AB 144.

Transcript Highlights:

• progress is now under immediate threat from federal policy shifts, with the expiration of vital subsidies
• In that, it increased affordability by offering premium subsidies of two different types: one, access
• to premium subsidies to lower the cost on a monthly basis, and two, cost-sharing subsidies to help individuals
• Nationally, there's been a lot of talk about the federal ACA subsidies that have not been renewed, and
• , high subsidies, or, as myself, opted for a lower plan and praying to God that nobody gets sick, or

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bulk of those funds are used for subsidies, or to be used for subsidies, and that is in our maintenance
• So separate from the subsidy funds, but it is still part of the $76 million bucket, if you will, but
• So separate from the subsidy funds, but it is still part of the $76 million bucket, if you will, but
• Funds, but you said the bulk of it is used for the subsidies, going to the programs.
• What we spend within a year has to be on subsidy.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was interested in the effect that the elimination of subsidies for the ACA will have on the MassHealth
• was interested, Leslie, and this, Charlie, I was interested in the effect that the elimination of subsidies
• what's happening in other states, we're seeing premiums that are not covered out previously with the subsidies
• what's happening in other states, we're seeing premiums that were not covered previously with the subsidies

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened with roll call and approved the November 2025 minutes. Commissioner Charlie Carr then introduced Leslie Darcy, chief of LTSS at MassHealth, who provided an update on the PCA working group and on federal and state budget pressures affecting MassHealth and long-term services and supports. Darcy said the PCA working group had completed its work and submitted recommendations, including reinstating the 66-hour overtime cap, strengthening program integrity, and ending paid paperwork time for EVV users; she said those changes were implemented on 11/26 and were expected to save $7.4 million. She also described additional consensus recommendations to lower the overtime cap from 66 to 60 hours, create a seven-hour weekly meal-prep support limit, and continue exploring benchmarks, though the group could not reach consensus on a benchmark standard. Darcy warned that a federal bill enacted about six months earlier would significantly affect MassHealth, with an estimated $3.5 billion loss to the Commonwealth by 2028. She outlined upcoming changes including revised immigrant eligibility rules in October 2026, work requirements for certain non-disabled adults beginning in January 2027, six-month redeterminations for some adults, and shorter retroactive coverage periods. In response to questions, she said people with disabilities and Medicare beneficiaries would be exempt from the work and six-month redetermination requirements. She also explained that reduced federal ACA subsidies were being offset in Massachusetts by state spending, including $250 million in additional state support to keep premiums lower for middle-income families. Members raised concerns about community hospitals, the health safety net, and the impact of federal funding changes on provider rates and uncompensated care. Darcy said restrictions on provider taxes would limit MassHealth’s ability to use those revenues to support rates, and she noted a current $300 million shortfall in the health safety net. She said FY27 would likely include a rate freeze, targeted reductions, one-time budget measures, and further work groups to examine programs such as adult foster care, which she said had grown 40% in two years. Carr emphasized that the situation was serious but potentially fluid, and the meeting ended with no further business; the subcommittee agreed to adjourn before the next meeting and noted an upcoming February presentation from the Department of Public Health.

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, this committee has had jurisdiction over the public subsidy program, which I'm sure you
• /c><00:05:07.919><c> the</c><00:05:08.120><c> public</c><00:05:09.120><c> uh</c><00:05:09.280><c> subsidy
• </c> jurisdiction over the public uh subsidy jurisdiction over the public uh subsidy program<00:05:10.120
• program in addition there's what subsidy program in addition there's what we<00:05:37.039><c> call</
• That provides additional funding for the public subsidy program, and that, of course, will fluctuate

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not a million dollar per unit subsidy in this program.
• Are we valuing that for this purpose at the $150,000 subsidy?
• that's there is, say it's 150K subsidy that's involved in that.
• Are we valuing that for this purpose at the $150K subsidy?
• But I'm just trying to... purpose at the $150K subsidy.

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• costs are financially supported by one or more employers through direct payments, contracts, or subsidies
• The first section directs the Department of Human Services to pay licensed child care program subsidy
• I think it also addresses what the professionals would call the child care subsidy cliff, but what we
• I think it also addresses what the professionals would call the child care subsidy cliff, but what we
• I think it also addresses what the professionals would call the child care subsidy cliff, but what we

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then considered a series of House bills and committee substitutes. House Bill 5438, dealing with changes to Step 7 of the school aid formula and allowable uses of certain education allocations, was amended to adopt the Education Committee’s changes and then reported to the full Senate. House Bill 4087 creating the West Virginia-Ireland Education Alliance was also reported, as was House Bill 4191, which expands child care tax credit eligibility for employer-sponsored facilities and changes subsidy payments from attendance-based to enrollment-based reimbursement; senators emphasized its workforce and economic development benefits. House Bill 5074, which reallocates medical cannabis fund balances and future revenues, was amended to increase the Child Protective Commission pilot funding from $3 million to $5 million and remove proposed ibogaine research funding for Marshall and WVU before being reported. House Bill 5353, regulating virtual currency kiosks and money transmission licensure, and House Bill 5527, creating licensure and oversight for wellness reimbursement program administrators, both received strike-and-insert amendments and were reported. House Bill 5687, which phases down the metallurgical coal severance tax and adds a temporary oil and gas tax reduction with county/municipal revenue adjustments, was amended and reported. House Bill 4418, creating an electronic system for municipal business and occupation tax filing and collection with a 1% administrative fee and a participation threshold, was also reported. The committee then took up House Bill 4245, the Revenue Rules Bundle, which bundles 26 legislative rules from the Department of Revenue and related agencies. The bundle included alcohol, banking, insurance, racing, and tax rules, with several sunset extensions and repeals of outdated rules; the committee adopted a strike-and-insert amendment affecting a lottery consumer protection rule and a pre-need cemetery company rule, then reported the bill. House Bill 5168, providing a $12 million lottery-funded stream for emergency medical services, was amended to clarify the uses of the funds, rename one fund, require a 30% county match for mental health treatment spending, and create two additional county-based EMS funds; senators described it as a needed permanent funding source for EMS, and it was reported. Throughout the meeting, members generally supported the measures, with some discussion on technical details, funding allocations, and the impact of the bills on local services and workforce needs. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced that Senate House Bills 4004, 4006, and 4009 would not be taken up that day, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• whether it's the Department of Health and medically tailored meals, or whether it is DSHS and access to subsidy
• When we talk about subsidy programs, we're talking about 940,000 Washingtonians,... ...subsidy programs
• under the age of 18, 36% of whom are seniors and folks experiencing disability who are accessing subsidy
• And what I know is that when I was going hungry in Moses Lake, it wasn't necessarily state subsidies

Bills: HB2238 , HB1311 , HB1608 , HB1735 , HB1825 , HB1976 , HB2062

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: HB 2238, HB2238, statewide food security, food security strategy, hunger, food insecurity, food access, food assistance, anti-hunger, nutrition education, food system literacy, agricultural viability, supply chain resilience, Washington Department of Agriculture, food policy forum, BIPOC, tribal consultation, small farmers, diet-related health disparities, food affordability