Transcript Highlights:

• acre-feet per year.
• 51.920> million Uh agriculture uses about 2.3 million Uh agriculture uses about 2.3 million acre
• feet per year and hydrogen acre feet per year and hydrogen production<00:48:55.120> uses<00:48
• 56.800> hundred production uses only a couple hundred production uses only a couple hundred acre
• acre feet per year. acre feet per year.

Bills: HB0116, HB0056

Keywords: water rights, beneficial use, industrial production, hydrogen, applications, public welfare, carbon capture, energy standards, public utilities, environmental regulation, state law, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> And no matter how many acres?
• language opening it up to D lands, that does not go to the land use commission. >> And no matter how many acres
• language opening it up to D lands, that does not go to the land use commission. >> And no matter how many acres
• c><00:14:56.320> matter<00:14:56.760> how<00:14:56.960> many<00:14:57.240> acres
• >> And no matter how many acres? >> And no matter how many acres?

Bills: SB2706, SB2320

Keywords: workforce development, agriculture, biosecurity, pilot program, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, University of Hawaii, Leeward Community College, DHRD, training, apprenticeship, career pathways, credentialing, job training, internship, hands-on experience, state employment, workforce pipeline, agricultural jobs, biosecurity jobs, general fund appropriation

Summary: The committees first heard SB 2371, which would prioritize lease offers on agrivoltaics parcels for beginning farmers, require annual compliance reports to DAB, authorize penalties for noncompliance, and allow solar facilities on certain agricultural lands. DAB, the State Energy Office, PUC, and Hawaii Farm Bureau generally supported the intent, while OPPSD recommended amendments to preserve agricultural lease affordability and strengthen food-production language. Members questioned whether the bill would meaningfully encourage solar on ag lands, whether beginning farmers would have enough information to use such parcels, and how the bill would interact with Land Use Commission review. The Farm Bureau said agrivoltaics remains challenging and largely in pilot form, and noted the Mililani project as a promising example of dual use. The committees voted to pass SB 2371 with amendments, with one member expressing a preference that it be opened to all farmers rather than only beginning farmers. The next measure, SB 2800, appropriates funds to DAB, DLNR, and ADC for acquisition, repair, and maintenance of irrigation systems. All testifying agencies and the Farm Bureau supported the bill, and members pressed them for estimates of needed funding and the condition of existing systems. DAB cited major repair needs, including Waimea, Molokai, Kahuku, and Kawailoa, and said its backlog could total roughly $65 million; ADC estimated about $35 million for several systems; and DLNR said its current needs for three systems were about $35 million, with the largest cost tied to piping in Kekaha. The committees amended the bill to defer its effective date to July 1, 2050 and to blank out the appropriation amounts in the bill text, with the agencies’ requested amounts to be included in the committee report for consideration. SB 2800 then passed in AEN, Water and Land, and EIG. The final measure discussed was SB 2718, a food hub pilot program beginning in 2028 that would require state departments and UH to source 30% of certain food purchases from local agricultural products, create a nutrition- and ʻāina-based school program, and have DAT partner with a regional aggregator for Native Hawaiian staple crops. DAT, DOH, the Farm Bureau, Food Plus Policy Group, HAPA, and others supported the bill’s intent, while the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation opposed it, saying it is already struggling to meet the current local procurement percentage and faces procurement and quantity barriers, especially for staple items used daily. The testimony focused on whether agencies could realistically meet the higher local purchasing target and whether smaller farms could supply the needed volumes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, back then in Traverse County, you could get 1,240 acres at that price.
• <00:18:28.480> in<00:18:28.720> at County, you could get 1,240 acres in at County,
• you could get 1,240 acres in at that<00:18:29.280> price.
• The average size of conservation held by family woodland owners is about 50 acres, although they can
• The average size of conservation held by family woodland owners is about 50 acres, although they can

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We spent about $53 million to acquire a little over 555 acres.
• <05:00:33.680> In to acquire a little over 555 acres.
• In to acquire a little over 555 acres.
• How many how much of the 500 new acres How many how much of the 500 new acres will<05:36:00.718>
• <05:38:40.000> parcel raceway part on 139 140 acre parcel raceway part on 139 140 acre parcel

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But when we became a state in Minnesota, the federal government allocated millions of acres of land in
• 20:51.680> of government um allocated um millions of government um allocated um millions of acres
• 53.280> in<00:20:53.440> Minnesota<00:20:54.160> and<00:20:54.320> across acres
• of land in Minnesota and across acres of land in Minnesota and across other<00:20:55.080> states<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we opened applications with an eligibility criteria of communities that have sites of 30-plus acres
• owned by municipalities or chambers of commerce or economic development organizations. ...30-plus acres
• Is that limited to just 30-acre sites? 30 acres is the minimum. Yes, sir. That's the minimum.

Summary: The PEER Review Subcommittee met to consider a large agenda of budget, appropriation, transfer, and contract items. Members approved temporary appropriation requests for several agencies, including the Auditor of State, Department of Education, and Labor and Licensing; ARPA return requests from Workforce Services; Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests for State Police and Agriculture; restricted reserve transfers for teacher scholarships, school facilities, and economic stimulus; a Commerce reallocation of positions and spending authority; cash fund, budget classification, overtime, and pay plan requests; and 17 methods of finance items for universities and other agencies. Most items were approved without objection after brief explanations from staff and agencies. Several items drew questions and were held or discussed further. A Department of Human Services discretionary grant package for the RSVP program was held over after Senator Irvin raised concerns about whether the grants were an effective use of state general revenue and asked for more information on administration costs and program operations. In the contracts section, Representative Richardson questioned a DHS sole-source contract with EMS Link for document management software and a DHS contract with Presidio; the EMS Link item was held for additional answers, while the Presidio item was clarified as not sole-source and was allowed to proceed. Members also asked for more information on a Department of Education mental health referral contract with Care Solace, which officials said is a statewide concierge/referral service connecting students to Arkansas providers and telehealth options. The committee also reviewed monthly reports, including the Medicaid Trust Fund. DHS and DFA officials said the fund was currently sufficient to finish the fiscal year, though it was being drawn down and would likely require a $100 million transfer from restricted reserves in FY27, with another $100 million set aside in the governor’s budget as a backstop. Members discussed the need to define a minimum reserve level and to better account for ongoing Medicaid costs in the budget. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Here, on residential-size lots under 3/4 of an acre, so that if they choose, they can apply limited rules
• lots under 3/4 Here, on residential-size lots under 3/4 of<00:32:20.480> an<00:32:20.600> acre
• , of an acre, of an acre, so<00:32:21.840> that<00:32:22.200> if<00:32:22.360> they

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House began with a devotional and then took up several Senate bills for first reading and referral: S. 323 on miscellaneous agricultural subjects, S. 325 on regional planning and Act 250 tier jurisdiction, and S. 328 on housing and common interest communities. The chamber then adopted House Resolution 16, reaffirming Vermont’s friendship with Taiwan and supporting stronger bilateral relations and Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after its reading, and remarks followed welcoming guests from Hazen Union School and Director General Charles Lao of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston. During the action calendar, the House postponed action on H. 657, relating to services for unaccompanied homeless youth, for one legislative day. It then passed H. 727 on sustainable data center deployment, H. 935 on emergency management, and H. 938 establishing the Vermont homelessness response continuum. The House also committed H.R. 15, another Taiwan friendship resolution, to the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development. The main substantive debate centered on H. 941, relating to municipal regulation of agriculture. The committee explained the bill as a response to a Vermont Supreme Court ruling and described it as restoring limits on municipal regulation of farms while allowing narrow local exceptions and creating a stakeholder group to continue studying the issue. Testimony came from a broad range of agricultural, municipal, and policy stakeholders, and the committee reported a 7-0-1 vote. An amendment offered by Representative Durfee, based on feedback from the House Environment Committee, replaced a Tier 1A concept with parcel-size-based exceptions, clarified state authority over growing fruits, vegetables, and flowers, and adjusted the stakeholder charge; the House adopted the amendment and ordered the bill to third reading. The House also heard announcements about committee appointments, caucus meetings, a public hearing on community safety concerns, and then adjourned until April 1, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have in Pinal County have fallowed a little over 100,000 acres of farmland.
• That's primarily because we lost 500,000 acre-feet in CAP water that we were supposed to have in Pinal
• If you own a well in the area, unless you're using that well on 10 acres or more, you don't pay.
• You're using that well on 10 acres or more, you don't pay. So it's just us taxing ourselves, Mr.

Bills: SB1137, SB1200, SB1419, SB1447, SB1560, SCM1004

Keywords: underground utilities, utility locating, dig safe, call before you dig, 811, excavation safety, damage prevention, one-call center, locate request, white lining, large project coordination, buried infrastructure, subsurface utilities, utility marking, locator wire, locator strip, interactive positive response system, landlord duties, apartment community, mobile home park

Transcript Highlights:

• construction of over 2,200 units of permanently affordable housing, the conservation of over 22,000 acres
• conservation of affordable housing, the conservation of over<00:13:45.360> 22,000<00:13:46.160> acres
• c> of<00:13:46.720> land,<00:13:47.279> and<00:13:47.440> the over 22,000 acres
• of land, and the over 22,000 acres of land, and the completion<00:13:47.920> of<00:13:48.240>

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with devotional remarks from Representative Mark Higley, who read poems about maple sugaring and Groundhog Day and offered a Valentine’s Day reminder to give maple sugar candy. The chamber then recognized the first class of legislative pages for their service during the 2026 session, presented them with pins, and took photos. Several guests and groups were welcomed, including representatives from Vermont’s natural resources conservation districts, members of the St. Albinstown Fire Department for its 50th anniversary, and the Vermont Housing and Conservation Coalition, which highlighted housing, land conservation, and historic preservation work supported by the Housing and Conservation Board. The House also recognized former legislators in the gallery and several members’ birthdays. On the legislative calendar, H.900, relating to exempting Social Security benefits from Vermont income tax, was introduced and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. HCR 164, congratulating the St. Albinstown Fire Department on 50 years of service, was read and adopted. The House also voted to relieve the Committee on Education of H.750, relating to school districts pursuing construction projects during the moratorium on state aid, and commit it to Ways and Means. Later, H.527, extending the sunset of 30 V.S.A. § 248A, passed third reading, and J.R.S. 37, supporting gender equality in Nordic combined Olympic competition and urging gender-equal new Olympic sports, was adopted in concurrence. The House then took up H.898, concerning copper-to-fiber telecommunications network transitions and consumer protections. The committee explained that the bill requires advance written notice to customers and state agencies, reporting on backup power and E911 issues, public safety coordination, consumer education, and ongoing monitoring by the Department of Public Service. The committee reported an 8-0-1 vote, and after a question about whether the bill would affect provider-of-last-resort obligations, the House ordered the bill to third reading. The session ended with announcements about an upcoming report on Women, Work, and Wages and a motion to adjourn until the next meeting day, which was agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• That brings us to file item 466, ACR 66 by Assemblymember Dixon. The clerk will read.
• I rise today in partnership with Assemblymember Petri Norris to present ACR 66, which recognizes.
• Please join me in highlighting this important issue and vote aye on ACR 66. And Mr. Speaker.
• I'm honored to author ACR 84, which you all just supported, which recognizes May as Lyme Disease Awareness

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Brings us to File Item 134, ACR 60, by Assemblymember Pacheco, the clerk will read.
• Today I rise to present ACR 60.
• Speaker and members, I rise as a proud co-author of ACR 60 in honor of Disability Pride Month.
• Colleagues, I encourage you to vote aye on ACR 60. Thank you. Thank you, Assemblymember Dixon.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As well as coming back with the 10-acre part.
• In the state of Texas, if you have 10 acres or more... ...or you're not required to get a permit unless
• As far as the 10-acre rule, most counties do have it already in place to prevent those property owners
• inspections are required for an OSSF for a single-family dwelling located on a tract of land that is 10 acres

Bills: HB456, HB482, HB1463, HB1682, HB1949, HB5549, SB763

Keywords: translation, environmental quality, complaints, accessibility, multilingual, TCEQ, environmental justice, environmental complaints, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, language access, public information, Texas Commission, multilingual access, administrative actions, environmental regulations, state representatives, state senators, penalty notice, Water Code, legislative notification

Transcript Highlights:

• Topsoil loss is occurring at a rate of 4.6 tons per acre per year on agricultural land, threatening our
• We've seen producers increase their net returns from between $100 and $500 per acre after adopting regenerative
• Every 1% of organic matter in soil increases the water holding capacity of 15 to 25,000 gallons per acre
• Um, because we have so many people coming into the state at this time, um, we're losing 1000 acres of

Transcript Highlights:

• Top soul loss is occurring at a rate of. 4.6 tons per acre per year on agricultural land, threatening
• We've seen producers increase their net returns from between $100 and $500. per acre after adopting regenerative
• of organic... matter in soil increases the water holding capacity of 15 to 25 thousand gallons per acre
• We're losing a thousand acres of working lands in Texas per day.

Bills: HB3032, HB3434, HB3574, HB5339, HB5646

Keywords: nursing education, clinical sites, health facilities, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, legislative study, healthcare training, tuition, financial assistance, higher education, public institutions, student support, nonresident students, Texas Education Code, resident tuition, scholarships, regenerative agriculture, grants, sustainable farming, soil health, bioremediation

Transcript Highlights:

• My husband and I own a 125-acre breeding and training facility in Morriston, Florida.
• Well, my wife and I own and operate a 420-acre thoroughbred breaking and rehabilitation center in Williston
• major entities that champion and support industry growth, the people, the farmland, the thousands of acres
• thoroughbreds, including stallions, brood mares, foals, yearlings, and horses in training on more than 600 acres

Summary: The Commerce Committee held its first meeting, took roll, established a quorum, and heard opening remarks from the chair, vice chair, and ranking member emphasizing the committee’s broad scope and focus on Florida’s economy and daily-life issues. The committee then considered several bills, with members and staff noting the agenda included four bills and a PCS. The first measures dealt with insurance and consumer regulation. CS/HB 367 on home and service warranty associations was explained as allowing financial requirements to be met through one or more contractual liability policies and reducing certain filing requirements; an amendment adding requirements for liability insurance coverage was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. HB 655 on pet insurance and wellness programs created a regulatory framework for pet insurance and also passed favorably. HB 6015, which deleted the word “reusable” from the wine keg statute, had brief support testimony and passed favorably. The committee spent the most time on CS/HB 105, a strike-all PCS on thoroughbred permit holders and decoupling racing from gaming. The sponsor said the revised bill would decouple racing and gaming while adding protections for the thoroughbred industry, including a notice period before racing could stop, permit transferability, and changes to how breeders’ and owners’ funds are administered. Supporters argued the bill would preserve and strengthen the industry through clearer rules and more direct support, while opponents—horsemen, breeders, trainers, veterinarians, and related businesses—warned it would harm a major rural industry, threaten jobs, and favor casino interests. After extensive debate, the strike-all was adopted and the bill was reported favorably on a divided vote. Finally, HB 11 on municipal water and sewer utility rates was presented as correcting an unintended consequence in surcharge law for utilities owned by one municipality but located in another. Testimony focused on the fairness of the current surcharge structure and the impact on Miami Gardens and North Miami Beach. After debate about negotiation, parity, and local impacts, the bill passed favorably. The committee then adjourned after its first meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 4 million acres in the state; we have 350 acres total in C production, right?
• We have 4 million acres in the state; we have 350 acres total in C production, right?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

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:

• but we mostly grow in Mexico for a lot of reasons, but there we have 11 facilities with over 1500 acres
• And develop a 300 acre industrial park near the Roma Miguel Aleman International Bridge.

Transcript Highlights:

• Abandoned trees and vines would have been between $2,000 and $2,500 per acre, totaling between $14 million
• The proposed penalties, which can rise up to $500 per acre, are a reasonable measure to encourage compliance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• be 11,000 Acres that will continue<00:18:35.799> to<00:18:35.919> be<00:18:36.080>
• As an example, a rancher has like 6,000 acres in two parcels, and forestry wants to take one parcel at
• 3,000 acres away from a rancher who needs to survive.
• Forestry and so that's the division that our chair is very concerned, um, as well. at 3,000 Acres away
• from a raner who at 3,000 Acres away from a raner who needs<00:53:46.359> to<00:53:46.599>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism and on Water and Land heard testimony on HB 504, a measure relating to environmental stewardship and funding for natural resource protection and restoration. Supporters included multiple state agencies and advocacy groups, such as DLNR, HTA, Hawaiʻi Ocean Legislative Task Force, Resources Legacy Fund, the Hawaiʻi Climate Action Coalition, and others, who said the bill would create dedicated funding for environmental, climate, and cultural resource needs and help address wildfire, flood, coastal storm, and tourism-related impacts. Several witnesses emphasized that Hawaiʻi’s environmental funding gap is large and that visitor contributions should be directed to stewardship and restoration. Some supporters also urged that the measure be applied equitably across all visitor accommodations and related uses, including cruise ship cabins and state rooms, while a few suggested amendments to broaden coverage or create a working group for implementation. Opposition and concerns focused largely on the bill’s tax structure and legal/administrative issues. The Department of Budget and Finance and the Tax Foundation questioned the reimbursable general obligation bond special fund in part two, suggesting it be converted to a regular special fund or deleted. The Attorney General’s office said part two may violate the single-subject rule in the state constitution and recommended deleting it. The Department of Taxation said the proposed points-and-miles language would be difficult to audit and enforce, and Expedia and others said the proposed tax treatment of loyalty points and certain payment forms would be operationally difficult. Industry witnesses also warned the bill could raise costs in a high-tax destination and asked for more marketing support if the tax is increased. The committee also heard concerns that a new tax on cruise ship cabins could raise federal preemption issues. The chair noted the testimony count as 23 in support, 179 in opposition, and one with comments. No vote was taken in the portion provided, and the hearing ended with questions from senators and agency responses about possible amendments, enforcement, and constitutional concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a particular, say, five-acre lease, and this would essentially make us go out almost to a public
• It's a particular, say, five-acre lease, and this would essentially make us go out almost to a public
• It's a particular, say, five-acre lease, and this would essentially make us go out almost to a public
• It's a particular, say, five-acre lease, and this would essentially make us go out almost to a public
• it's it's a particular say five acre it's it's a particular say five acre lease<01:12:12.880>

Bills: SB2885, SB2174, SB2925, SB2798, SB2320, SB2800, SB1230, SB2706, SB3233, SB2405, SB2350, SB2169, SB3320

Keywords: coconut rhinoceros beetle, invasive species, biosecurity, green waste, environmental management, agriculture, quarantine, pest control, transport regulations, Hawaii Revised Statutes, coconut trees, tax credit, natural management, Hawaii, environment, agricultural enforcement, agricultural theft, farm theft, crop theft, commodity theft

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2885 SD1, which would create mandatory handling and storage rules for commercial and residential coconut rhinoceros beetle host material beginning in 2027, with penalties and an effective date. Support came from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, DLNR, Maui County Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Testifiers generally said the bill would help reduce CRB spread, though some urged additional science-backed methods, better coordination, and technical or cost-share support for smaller operations. Hawaiian Earth Recycling recommended amendments to align the bill with existing Department of Health/EPA composting rules, add other materials that can harbor CRB, allow future approved treatment methods, and replace the bill’s 60-day turning requirement with existing pathogen-reduction standards. One individual supported the goal but argued the state’s CRB strategy has lacked community and cultural consultation and should include a cultural advisement role. Department witnesses said enforcement would rely on inspection and an educate-before-regulate approach, and they noted the challenge of creating enough drop-off sites, especially in rural areas. The committee then took up SB 2174 SD2, which would authorize the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to declare an emergency quarantine, halt operations in affected areas for 96 hours with possible extension, quarantine suspected pest areas, issue notices and compensation to affected farmers, and adopt interim transportation rules for materials that may harbor high-impact invasive species. The department and DLNR supported the measure, emphasizing the need for fast action in the first hours of an invasion. Hawaii Farmers Union supported the compensation provisions but asked for stronger communication with producers and a post-action report to the Board of Agriculture after about 90 days to evaluate effectiveness and economic impacts. In response to questions, department staff said the bill would be a short-term, department-only quarantine authority distinct from the governor-declared biosecurity emergency authority enacted previously, and that it could serve as an intermediate step. They also said outreach would need to be done through farm organizations such as Farmers Union, Farm Bureau, and Cattlemen’s groups. The final measure discussed was SB 2925 SD1, relating to coconut trees. The bill would recognize coconut trees as a source of food and water and a cultural treasure, require rules for coconut tree seed banks, require signage identifying landscape palms where applicable, set labeling standards for non-consumable landscape palms, and create an income tax credit for consumable coconut trees maintained through natural management practices. The transcript ended before testimony or action on this bill was completed, and no vote was taken on any of the measures discussed in the portion provided.