Transcript Highlights:

• It sort of leads into the next slide that talks about the net farm back to the farm.
• We are We are not, we don't have a financial agreement with Grand Farm, or we require Grand Farm to pay
• We leverage, you know, Grand Farm and Farm...
• We leverage, you know, Grand Farm and Farm. Test spaces. We leverage other test spaces.
• We leverage, you know, Grand Farm if our researchers need to test out at Grand Farm.

Committee: Joint Agriculture and Water Management Committee

Summary: The committee met in Fargo and approved the minutes from the March 31 meeting before hearing a series of informational presentations focused on North Dakota agriculture, water, and research. NDSU President David Cook opened with remarks about NDSU’s land-grant mission, emphasizing statewide service through research, teaching, and extension, and highlighting examples such as the Lilac Agriculture startup and the university’s role in applying research to real-world problems. He said he intends to spend time listening across the state to better understand local needs. The committee then received a detailed presentation on a state irrigation and drainage study from Tom Bodine on behalf of Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The study projected significant potential for expanded irrigation acreage, especially in counties such as McLean, Williams, Sargent, Burleigh, Mountrail, McKenzie, McIntosh, Dunn, and Bottineau, and estimated major economic gains from irrigation, including higher farm returns and support for value-added agriculture. Members discussed water permits, surface water versus aquifers, infrastructure, drought resilience, and the role of legal drains in improving productivity and generating economic activity. The presenters also noted that the full report is available online. Dr. Greg Lardy followed with NDSU’s required interim report, outlining the university’s agricultural research and extension system, including the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education, seven research-extension centers, and the economic importance of agriculture to the state. He highlighted recent research impacts such as new crop varieties, potato breeding successes, virtual fencing, AI-assisted weed control, weather-network tools, and 4-H programming. He also described NDSU’s budget priorities: restoring the governor’s proposed 10% cuts, additional operating support, and deferred maintenance funding. Committee members asked about the new agricultural field lab, storage sheds, and NDSU’s partnership with Grand Farm. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute and a professor presenting water-related research, including data center cooling, water reuse, smart irrigation, and a feasibility study on co-locating data centers with greenhouse and aquaculture production. Members asked about water use, ownership, and whether the concepts were operational or still speculative. Finally, North Dakota AgTech presented its NSF-funded innovation engine work, describing startup commercialization, on-farm trials, workforce development, and partnerships with NDSU, UND, tribal colleges, and other land-grant institutions. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the prior meeting minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have one item on the agenda, and it's SB 2006 relating to farm employee housing.
• SB 2006 relates to farm employee housing.
• It clarifies that a farm dwelling permit permitted in an ag district includes a single-family farm dwelling
• Uh, Brian Miimoto, Hawaii Farm Bureau. >> Hello, Chair.
• </c> bonafide farming operations. bonafide farming operations.

Bills: SB2373 , SB2101 , SB2905 , SB3231 , SB2486 , SB2376

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The committee heard SB 2006, which would clarify that a farm dwelling permit in an agricultural district may include a single-family farm dwelling with an accessory employee housing structure, subject to restrictions. Testimony was largely supportive, with comments from the Department of Agriculture Biosecurity, DPP, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Realtors, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Hawaii Farmers Union, Housing Hawaii Future, and several individuals. The chair noted there were nine in support, two opposed, and four offering comments. In decision-making, the chair recommended passing the bill with OPSD-suggested amendments to clarify the definitions of farm employee housing and bona fide agricultural services. The chair also referenced opposing testimony that raised concern the original draft could limit tourism activities that provide supplemental income for bona fide farming operations. The proposed amendments were intended to make clear that farm employee housing is only for workers and not visitor accommodations, while allowing tourism activities on the same parcel if they are secondary and incidental to a bona fide agricultural operation, do not occur in employee housing units, and comply with county ordinances. The committee adopted the recommendation and voted to pass SB 2006 with amendments. The recorded votes showed the chair, vice chair, Senator Rhoads, and Senator Awa in favor, with Senator DeCoite excused. The same pass-with-amendments recommendation was then made to the housing committee and adopted there as well, with Senator Elephante voting aye and Senator Favella excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is why we value Farm Bureau.
• This is why we value Farm communities. This is why we value Farm Bureau. Bureau. Bureau.
• </c> profitable farm for the last 4 years. profitable farm for the last 4 years.
• </c> purchase farm shares from local farmers. purchase farm shares from local farmers.
• </c> farm it? Uh just buys it and holds it. farm it? Uh just buys it and holds it.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Zach Patterson, I farm sugar beets in Paul, Idaho. If it would be okay, Mr.
• And the multi-generational farms—these guys are all...
• I didn't want to come in and make substantial changes to the farming operation.
• Farmed for over 30 years. And I want you to pay attention to the salts.
• So because we have irrigated, because we have farmed that ground, tilled it, and conventionally farmed

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:04:05.360><c> in</c> basically the right to really farm in basically the right to really farm
• c> and</c> and other farming standards on farms and and other farming standards on farms and requires
• </c><01:08:28.799><c> of</c> animals on a farm of animals on a farm of at<01:08:30.480><c> least</c><
• </c> a farm at least four continuous acres. a farm at least four continuous acres.
• ><c> Farm</c><01:10:34.800><c> Bureaus,</c> the Farm Bureaus, the Farm Bureaus, anybody<01:10:36.560>

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> would be for smallcale vegetable farms. would be for smallcale vegetable farms.
• not continuing farming because end up not continuing farming because they<00:37:30.880><c> just</c><00
• Um, and we utilize USDA With a farm. Um, and we utilize USDA definitions for what a farm is.
• </c> National Farm Bureau. National Farm Bureau.
• </c> &gt;&gt; The head of the National Farm. &gt;&gt; The head of the National Farm.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Whereas my wife grew up on a farm in Caldwell that they've been farming there for a hundred years, growing
• It makes it harder for you to farm.
• Maybe it's a farm-to-table restaurant. And we...
• And maybe it's not vineyard, but maybe it's a you-pick flower farm.
• is, which is family farms working together.

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2008, our state created a farm-to-school law that created a position at the Department of Ag.
• I speak today about the impact this has on the farming community.
• We can support local farms, and in that we support a local economy in Washington State.
• We partnered with GRUB, and that led to the Freedom Farm coming out of GRUB, which still exists.
• GRUB is on the west side of town, Freedom Farm is on the east side of town.

Bills: HB2142 , HB2369 , HB2432

Committee: House Education

Keywords: remote learning, hybrid learning, education reform, alternative education, student engagement, local food, public schools, nutrition, sustainability, agriculture, technology access, educational resources, surplus hardware, student support

Transcript Highlights:

• When I open the paper daily and I see small farms abandoned or farms without a plan for transition, I
• When I open the paper daily and I see small farms abandoned or farms without a plan for transition, I
• farming practice and sales.
• So I'm here today in my representation of the Fresno County Farm Bureau, but I still farm on the side
• So I'm here today in my representation had of the Fresnel County Farm Bureau, but I still farm on the

Summary: The joint informational hearing at Fresno State focused on cost pressures in California’s food system and how those pressures affect households, farmers, and small businesses. Opening remarks emphasized Fresno State’s role in the Central Valley economy and the region’s importance to the state and nation’s food supply. Members said the hearing was part of a broader “pocketbook tour” to gather local input on affordability, food costs, labor, water, regulation, and market conditions, and they noted the added strain from the federal shutdown’s impact on CalFresh benefits and food insecurity. The first panel featured an agricultural economist, a PPIC researcher, and a Small Business Development Center leader. The economist described agriculture’s outsized role in the Central Valley’s GDP, employment, exports, and food manufacturing, while identifying water scarcity, SGMA-related land fallowing, labor shortages and rising labor costs, market uncertainty, invasive pests, and rising production costs as major barriers. The PPIC witness said food prices remain much higher than before the pandemic, household budgets are under pressure, and California’s nutrition safety net—especially CalFresh, WIC, and school meals—reduces poverty significantly, though federal changes and the shutdown could weaken that support. The SBDC representative highlighted technical assistance, capital access, and training for farm-adjacent businesses, but warned that reduced funding and ownership-transition challenges are making it harder for small businesses and farms to adapt. The second panel brought testimony from a small produce grower, a food entrepreneur, and the Fresno County Farm Bureau CEO. The grower said input costs such as fertilizer, fuel, irrigation supplies, land leases, labor, and compliance have risen sharply while wholesale prices have not, leaving small farmers with thin or negative margins and delayed disaster assistance. The food entrepreneur described scaling barriers for small food processors, including the lack of local small-batch processing facilities, higher distribution costs, and the need for better education on labeling and regulatory compliance. The Farm Bureau leader argued that farmers are price takers, not price setters, and said consumer food prices are driven largely by transportation, processing, packaging, and retail costs rather than farm-gate prices; he also stressed the importance of exports, water infrastructure, land preservation, ag burn rules, and continued investment in technology and labor solutions. Members asked about ways to help small farmers, land access, farm-to-school participation, ag burn restrictions, and water reliability. Witnesses suggested grants or programs to help small farmers buy land, more local processing capacity, continued investment in water conveyance and recharge, and stronger support for technical assistance and innovation. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with members thanking the panelists and inviting continued input as they prepare future legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• out a farm.
• out a farm.
• out a farm.
• out a farm.
• </c> took out a farm and even with that farm took out a farm and even with that farm we're we're we're

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: The joint Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection and Economic Development and Tourism committees heard S.B. 890, which would have prohibited the sale, display, or marketing of products labeled as poi unless wholly derived from Hawaii-grown taro. The Attorney General’s Office raised Commerce Clause and free speech concerns, and the Department of Agriculture offered support with comments. Testimony was mixed: several individuals and organizations supported the bill as a way to protect the cultural integrity and purity of poi and support local taro farmers, while an industry representative opposed the bill as written, arguing that poi is a process, that the language was too restrictive, and that the industry already faces taro shortages and supply variability. Committee members also discussed the limited supply of local kalo, the use of imported taro for tabletop products, and the need to expand production. After testimony, the committees recommended passing S.B. 890 with amendments. The amendment package would convert the measure from a prohibition to a labeling requirement so poi made with ingredients from outside Hawaii must be labeled with the origins of those ingredients, remove references specifically to taro to accommodate other ingredients, add a severability clause, and set a defective date of July 1, 2050. The measure was adopted, with one senator voting with reservations and the rest voting aye. The committees then took up previously heard measures. S.B. 281, relating to telehealth, was recommended for passage with amendments to reinstate an opt-out from video conferencing in the definition of interactive telecommunications software; it was adopted. S.B. 1449, relating to prior authorization of health care services, was recommended for passage unamended and was also adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have a trend where we're losing farms, and it isn't all one size or scale of farms.
• farms.
• by 10% of the farms, and about 90% of the farms produce about 10% of that economic value.
• And as they indicated, the number of farms has dropped. The number of farms is dropping.
• And this, again, it's not just big farms; it's small farms.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held an interim work session focused on Washington agriculture’s viability, workforce, and competitiveness. Director Derek Sanderson of the Washington State Department of Agriculture and WSU Dean Raj Kosla described the size and diversity of the state’s farm sector, declining farm numbers, major export markets, and pressures from labor costs, low commodity prices, trade barriers, drought, regulatory burdens, and pests and disease. Kosla emphasized WSU’s land-grant role in education, research, and extension, including precision agriculture, broadband needs in rural areas, and the need for state support to help producers adopt new technologies and train the next generation of agricultural workers. Members asked about retaining farmland, increasing workforce capacity, and the role of precision agriculture. Kosla said precision agriculture can help address labor shortages and water scarcity, but adoption is limited by cost and rural broadband gaps. He explained precision agriculture as tailoring inputs to the right place, time, amount, and manner, and said WSU is working on low-cost sensor technologies and other innovations. Members also asked about how widely precision agriculture is used and whether it improves farm bottom lines; Kosla said adoption varies by tool and that he would follow up with more data. The committee then heard from Dr. Randy Fortenberry of WSU’s Impact Center on an agricultural competitiveness study and the effects of tariffs and trade. He reported that Washington’s competitiveness has generally declined relative to peer states in dairy, grapes, hops, apples, and wheat, with potatoes as the main bright spot. Surveyed producers said a substantial share of revenue is tied to regulatory compliance, with labor-related costs a major driver, and small diversified farms reported land access, capital, and profitability as bigger barriers than regulation. On trade, Fortenberry said Washington agriculture is highly export-dependent and vulnerable to retaliation, citing past losses in wheat, apples, pulses, and cherries when tariffs disrupted markets, while noting current uncertainty around China and India. The committee asked follow-up questions about compliance time, peer-state comparisons, and regulatory burdens; no votes were taken, and the department said it plans an interim report by the end of the year and a final report by June 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> which is a grassroots general farm which is a grassroots general farm organization<00:05:02.080>
• We still do not have a farm bill, but I saw its budget more than triple.
• Farms and food processing of raids.
• So, we're talking grocery just uh farms.
• physical farms comes from undocumented<00:14:38.320><c> immigrants.

Summary: State legislators and farm leaders held an impromptu discussion focused on the impact of federal immigration enforcement activity, especially ICE presence in Minnesota, on agriculture and rural communities. Speakers argued that agriculture is central to the state’s economy and said fear of raids is causing legal immigrant and guest workers, including H-2A workers, to stay home, disrupting farms, food processors, restaurants, grocery stores, and other parts of the food supply chain. They also linked the issue to broader federal uncertainty, including USDA funding freezes and cuts, and said the lack of transparency from federal agencies is making it difficult for state officials and producers to plan. Senator Rob Kupec and Minnesota Farmers Union president Gary Wertish said ICE activity in both the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota is creating fear, trauma, and labor shortages, with reports of workers avoiding work, lunch trips, medical appointments, and school. Wertish said the organization supports comprehensive immigration reform and called for an end to the ICE surge, while also emphasizing the need to respect local law enforcement and the rule of law. Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Andrea Vaubel said immigrants are a critical part of Minnesota’s food and agriculture workforce, warned that labor shortages could raise production costs and food prices, and said the state would not have its current food supply without immigrant workers. In response to questions, speakers said they had anecdotal reports from rural areas such as Pelican Rapids, Willmar, and Detroit Lakes, but that the situation is changing quickly and many incidents may not yet be public. They said the lack of coordination with local law enforcement and the use of masks contribute to fear and confusion. Legislators said they have no direct jurisdiction over ICE operations but see their role as documenting what is happening, communicating with constituents, and avoiding state actions that would worsen the problem. They also said the issue is not purely partisan and may be mobilizing concern across political lines, especially among farmers worried about labor availability for planting and other seasonal work.

Transcript Highlights:

• To fully remediate the current game farm site.
• The main problem is the location of the farm.
• The game farm serves a good purpose.
• The game farm is about 230 acres.
• When we built the game farm—I'm sorry, when the state built the game farm back in, I think, the 1950s—it

Bills: HB2514 , HB2551 , HB2236 , HB2470

Committee: House Capital Budget

Keywords: HB 2514, global war on terror, GWOT, war on terror memorial, Capitol campus memorial, Washington veterans, fallen service members, military memorial, post-9/11 veterans, Iraq War, Afghanistan War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, veterans memorial, capitol grounds, state memorial, Secretary of State, Capitol Committee, Department of Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Did you grow up on a farm? Obviously, you're involved in farming. What do you guys farm out there?
• from our farm and from our booth at local farmers' markets.
• But that's not unique to our farm; it's what any small direct-to-consumer producer would do.
• I first want to express my appreciation to the Farm Bureau.
• As a consumer, I can go visit my neighbor's farm, see farm products, ask him about the heritage of the

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• It sort of leads into the next slide that talks about the net farm back to the farm.
• We leverage Grand Farm and Farm... ...test spaces. We leverage other test spaces.
• We leverage Grand Farm if our researchers need to test at Grand Farm.
• We leverage, you know, Grand Farm and Farm. test spaces. We leverage other test spaces.
• We leverage, you know, Grand Farm if our researchers need to test out a grand farm.

Committee: Joint Agriculture and Water Management Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• On nurseries. >> Would it include like dairy farms? >> Yes. >> If we had them.
• On nurseries. >> Would it include like dairy farms? >> Yes. >> If we had them.
• On nurseries. >> Would it include like dairy farms? >> Yes. >> If we had them.
• On nurseries. >> Would it include like dairy farms? >> Yes. >> If we had them.
• </c> And I don't I'm not spying catfish farms And I don't I'm not spying catfish farms in<00:14:24.160

Bills: SB159 , SB159

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation Education

Keywords: sales tax exemption, use tax exemption, diapers, baby supplies, baby formula, baby bottles, baby wipes, breast pump, breast milk pumping equipment, lactation, nursing bra, nursing pads, maternity wear, pregnancy clothing, postpartum clothing, menstrual products, tampons, sanitary napkins, panty liners, menstrual cups

Transcript Highlights:

• I understand the farm economy pretty well, and I think we could all agree that farm economy is difficult
• </c> uh Farm economy is difficult farming uh Farm economy is difficult farming itself<00:01:49.240><c
• 25 farms in the state.
• </c> brothers that farm in a in a family farm brothers that farm in a in a family farm Corporation<00
• </c><00:25:26.120><c> small</c><00:25:26.520><c> farm</c> and a fifth generation Farm small farm and

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> on the way farms did business. on the way farms did business.
• </c> existing farms. existing farms.
• </c> farming we do in Vermont. farming we do in Vermont.
• </c> not regulate farming. not regulate farming.
• </c> definition of farming. definition of farming.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2008, our state created a farm-to-school law.
• We have had something called the Freedom Farm Program.
• We have had something called the Freedom Farm Program.
• I speak more today on the impact that it has on the farming community.
• Grub's on the west side of town, Freedom Farm on the east side of town.

Summary: The House Education Committee held public hearings on three bills. House Bill 2142 would replace statutory references to “alternative learning experience” with “remote and hybrid learning.” Committee staff and the prime sponsor said the change is intended to reduce stigma and more accurately describe programs that may be online, hybrid, or site-based. Several members raised concerns that the terminology could unintentionally affect fully in-person programs; the sponsor and a retired principal testified that the bill is meant as a name change and would not materially alter current programs. The bill drew 52 pro, 4 con, and 0 other sign-ins. House Bill 2369 would create a Washington Local Food for Schools program in OSPI to help schools procure and distribute Washington-grown foods through existing USDA food distribution systems. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would reduce logistical barriers for farmers and districts, support local agriculture, and improve the quality and appeal of school meals. Testimony came from school nutrition advocates, farmers, a school superintendent, students, and OSPI, with broad support and discussion of how the program would work through catalogs, ordering windows, and existing warehouses. The bill drew 455 pro, 64 con, and 1 other sign-in. House Bill 2432 would allow school districts and ESDs to sell or grant surplus technology hardware, such as laptops and tablets, directly to public school students and recent graduates at depreciated value, with priority for students with greater need. The sponsor said the goal is to help students transition to work, college, and other postsecondary opportunities. Committee members asked about whether the bill should address assistive devices and whether devices could be reserved for future graduating classes; staff noted existing law already covers transfer of assistive devices for students with disabilities. Testimony from district technology and finance staff supported the bill as a practical way to extend the life of devices and benefit students. The bill drew 57 pro, 5 con, and 0 other sign-ins. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced amendment deadlines for several bills scheduled for executive session later in the week and then adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I farmed for 35 years myself.
• I farmed, like I said, for 35 years.
• They want to say, we're going to have a demonstration farm.
• I want generational farming and that sort of thing.
• Over the past two decades, Washington has lost more than 3,800 farms, including over 150 farms in Whitman

Bills: HB2201 , HB2154

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: urban growth, city planning, county regulations, development standards, land use, land ownership, conservation districts, property rights, regulatory authority, environmental policy