Transcript Highlights:

• </c> grants business planning and farm grants business planning and farm development<00:48:18.280><c>
• I am the owner, co-owner of Mahogany Farms. Mahogany Farms was bought by Mrs. Walker and Mr.
• </c><00:53:32.680><c> so</c> owner co-owner of mahogany Farms so owner co-owner of mahogany Farms so
• by farm.
• Are those farms privately owned, or is it a co-op that owns those farms? Miss Dawson? Uh, Mr.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to present Assembly Bill 2646, farm worker wages.
• I'm here to present Assembly Bill 2646, farm worker wages.
• Brian Little, California Farm Bureau, in respectful opposition.
• FLCs are often the worst... ...farm labor contractors, FLCs.
• We agree with the overarching goal to protect farm workers.

Committee: House Labor and Employment

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We farm north of Grandview.
• However, economic conditions on Main Street, farm town, are not great.
• multi-generational farm.
• The first is the farm. The current DOH fee for our farm is $798.
• Between the farm and the processing plant, we share six employees.

Bills: SB5816 , SB5971

Committee: Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, green fertilizer, low-carbon, sustainability, incentive program, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:14.720><c> uh</c> somewhere between 30 and 40 farms uh somewhere between 30 and 40 farms uh
• I think the other part was we saw ICE just not go into farms but park outside of farms.
• </c> to see um you know uh visits to farms. to see um you know uh visits to farms.
• </c> saw um ICE um uh just not go into farms saw um ICE um uh just not go into farms but<00:30:16.399
• </c> necessary for our farms. necessary for our farms.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• There is no sign of a farm bill coming at any time soon.
• We have had discussion about on-farm testing of liquid milk, but we have not talked about the retail
• is no sign of a farm bill coming at<00:02:04.840><c> any</c><00:02:05.079><c> time</c><00:02:05.600>
• So I have some confidence that the farm bill will be done in the next several months, and we've kept
• farm farm Commodities so crops and other farm farm Commodities so not<00:04:17.759><c> not</c><00:04

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 1101, which would add $1.5 million to the agricultural emergency account beginning July 1, 2026. Chair Anderson explained that the account was created after the 2015 bird flu outbreak, has been funded in the past, and currently has about $1.2 million remaining. He said the bill would strengthen the state’s ability to respond to livestock disease emergencies and support the Board of Animal Health and Department of Health. Representative Hansen offered the A1 amendment to shift $1.5 million from an unused $4 million dairy line item into the emergency account, arguing the funds were sitting unused, a federal farm bill was uncertain, and the money could help with immediate food testing and emergency response. Chair Anderson opposed the amendment, saying the dairy funds had been set aside for that purpose, he expected federal action in the coming months, and he was unsure the emergency account statute allowed the money to be used for food testing. He recommended a no vote. A roll call was taken on the A1 amendment, and it failed by a vote of 6-7. After brief additional comment in support of the bill, House File 1101 was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to present Assembly Bill 2646, farm worker wages.
• My name is Ignacia Hernandez, and farm workers support AB 2646.
• In 2023, I worked with a farm labor contractor.
• We agree with the overarching goal to protect farm workers.
• Brian Little, California Farm Bureau, in opposition for the reasons detailed by the California Farm Labor

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard and advanced a series of bills, mostly on worker safety, wages, workforce training, and retirement savings. AB 2137 (Chen) would strengthen safety rules and certification for artificial stone fabrication shops to reduce silica exposure; AB 2499 (Gibson) would require Cal/OSHA to develop heat-illness protections for incarcerated workers and staff in correctional facilities; AB 2300 (Arambula) would streamline the disbursement of state and federal workforce funds; AB 2646 (Krell) would establish a minimum wage floor for certain agricultural workers; AB 2227 (Connolly) would tighten licensing and bond requirements for farm labor contractors and add default-judgment procedures for wage claims; AB 1869 (Haney) would create a reporting process for alleged REIT interference in hotel operations; AB 2650 (Pellerin) would expand CalSavers with emergency savings accounts and other updates; AB 2634 (Zbur) would prioritize labor-management partnerships in High Road Training Partnership grants; and AB 1888 would require skilled-and-trained workforce and prevailing wage standards for work under the Safe Home Grant Program. AB 1534 (Irwin) would create California’s approval process for short-term Pell-eligible workforce programs. The committee also took up several consent items, including AB 1904, AB 1980, AB 2550, AB 2078, and AB 2682. Most bills were described as aligning state programs with federal law or improving worker protections and program quality, while opponents generally raised concerns about costs, administrative burden, regulatory uncertainty, or reduced oversight. Testimony was largely split along labor and industry lines. Supporters included labor unions, legal aid groups, workforce boards, and affected workers or family members, who emphasized heat illness, wage theft, silica exposure, poor prison conditions, and the need for higher-quality training and retirement access. Opponents on several bills, especially those affecting agriculture, REITs, and workforce administration, argued the measures would increase costs, create uncertainty, or duplicate existing law. On AB 2227, committee members engaged in extended discussion about Labor Commissioner delays and whether the bill’s default-judgment and bond provisions would meaningfully help workers. On AB 1869, members and witnesses debated whether the bill created new standards or simply improved enforcement of existing REIT rules. The committee voted to pass all of the measures heard, generally with motions to do pass and re-refer to the Committee on Appropriations. Several bills were held open for absent members during the meeting, and later add-on roll calls recorded additional ayes, moving the bills out of committee. The meeting concluded after the consent calendar was approved and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• In terms of ag, I grew up on a tomato farm.
• When I open the paper daily and I see small farms abandoned or farms without a plan for transition, I
• So our family is dedicated to supporting local farms and communities through its farming practices and
• 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

Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Assembly Committees on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact and Agriculture, held at Fresno State, focused on cost pressures in California’s food system, household affordability, and the Central Valley’s role in agriculture. Opening remarks emphasized Fresno State’s regional importance, the Central Valley’s outsized contribution to food production, and the connection between agricultural health, food security, and the broader economy. Members also noted the impact of the federal shutdown on CalFresh benefits and the state’s efforts to respond with food assistance funding and National Guard support for food banks. The first panel featured academic and policy experts who described agriculture’s economic importance in the San Joaquin Valley and the rising pressures on farms and households. Dr. Conduro highlighted agriculture’s large share of regional GDP, farm receipts, jobs, exports, and food manufacturing, while identifying water scarcity, SGMA-related land fallowing, labor shortages and rising labor costs, market volatility, invasive pests, and production cost inflation as major barriers. Caroline Danielson of PPIC said food prices remain about 30% above 2019 levels, food insecurity affects about 1.8 million California households, and nutrition programs such as CalFresh, WIC, and school meals are essential in reducing poverty, especially in the Central Valley. Susie Pryor of the Central California Small Business Development Center described technical assistance, capital access, and training for small food and farm businesses, while warning that reduced funding limits support for rural and immigrant entrepreneurs. The second panel brought testimony from a small produce business owner, a food entrepreneur, and the Fresno County Farm Bureau. They said input costs for fertilizer, fuel, irrigation, labor, land leases, and compliance have risen sharply while commodity prices have remained flat or fallen, squeezing small farms and food businesses. Panelists stressed the need for small-batch processing facilities, local supply chains, education on food manufacturing compliance, land access for small farmers, and more pathways into agriculture through trade programs, community colleges, and FFA. Ryan Jacobson said California agriculture is facing a prolonged downturn, with farm bankruptcies, weak commodity prices, export-market uncertainty, water reliability problems, and costly ag-burning rules all contributing to financial strain. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken; the hearing was informational and concluded with discussion of possible policy solutions and continued engagement with stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:40.960><c> Bureau</c><00:32:41.480><c> in</c> have Hawaii Farm Bureau in have Hawaii Farm
• > place from a dairy farm to a hog farm place from a dairy farm to a hog farm Brian<00:34:46.720><c>
• Most of our hog farms currently, our production commercial hog farms, are located here on Oahu.
• We don't know a certain farm; we haven't been told as far as a certain farm.
• Most of our hog farms currently, our production commercial hog farms, are located here on Oahu.

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on several measures, with most witnesses either supporting the bills or offering technical concerns and suggested amendments. On SB 338, testimony came from the Department of Taxation, Tax Foundation of Hawaii, and Surpac, and the bill later moved forward with amendments. On SB 558, testimony was largely in support from the Department of Agriculture, Ulupono Initiative, Local Food Coalition, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the Agribusiness Development Corporation, which described the measure as supporting rural jobs, food-system development, and use of off-grade agricultural products. ADC requested flexibility for neighbor-island siting and funding allocations, while the committee also discussed whether the bill’s language should be made more general and whether it could raise constitutional concerns about overly specific site designations. The bill was advanced with amendments and a noted appropriation allocation of $350,000. The committee also heard SB 186, which drew support from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Department of Agriculture, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Public Health Institute, DED, ADC, AAHU RC&D, and the Hawaii Youth Food Council. Supporters said the measure would improve coordination among agencies on food systems, help address food security and the state’s 30% by 2030 farm-to-school goal, and create a more organized statewide food systems effort. SB 328 received support from the Department of Taxation and Hawaii Farm Bureau, with Farm Bureau describing it as a way to repurpose existing dairy infrastructure to revive hog production and support livestock and farm-to-school goals; the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed the measure as a potentially narrow industry incentive that could unfairly benefit a specific taxpayer and said a direct appropriation would be more transparent. SB 89 was described by Hawaii Farm Bureau as a labeling measure intended to protect the integrity of a culturally relevant local product, though the group raised concerns about wording and implementation timing. Later, SB 742 received support from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Office of Wellness and Resilience, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the University of Hawaii System, Hawaii KidsCAN, the Hawaii Workforce Funders Collaborative, and the State Commission on the Status of Women. Testifiers said the bill would improve cross-agency data sharing, support workforce and education planning, and create public-facing dashboards; the Commission on the Status of Women asked to be included in the working group or as an advisory member. In decision-making, the committee adopted amendments and advanced SB 338, SB 558, and SB 1186. For SB 1186, the chair’s recommendation added three positions, specified committee-note funding amounts for those positions and operating funds, and revised working-group membership to have co-chairs appoint five members with relevant experience and expertise.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the farm workers.
• It's the farm workers. just the farmers. It's the farm workers.
• farming was bad.
• Or if we talked about small farming, somehow large farming was bad.
• I recognize a member from Olmsted, Representative Smith. farming, somehow large farming was bad. farming

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up the conference committee report on House File 2446, the agriculture budget bill for the Department of Agriculture. Representative Anderson explained that the conference agreement kept the core House and Senate priorities while accepting some Senate policy provisions and fee increases, including grain license fees and food handling fees. He said the overall target was reduced, but major programs were preserved, including funding for the Board of Animal Health, egg emergency and inspection programs, elk and wolf compensation, milk processing capacity, farm safety and innovation, a new bioefficiency program to reduce fertilizer use in limited areas, and increased meat inspection funding. Representative Hansen and several other members urged adoption, describing the bill as a bipartisan “hybrid” that reflects changing agriculture and includes both traditional farm support and newer priorities. Supporters highlighted food assistance and worker protections, including funding to offset federal cuts to local food purchasing and milk distribution programs, farm-to-school and early care programs, avian flu testing, urban agriculture, and a study to expand Olmsted County’s soil health and nitrate reduction work. Some members noted concerns about fees, while others emphasized support for all types of agriculture, cottage food bakers, and the role of farm workers. After debate, the House adopted the conference committee report and advanced the bill. Following further discussion, the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a roll call vote of 130 ayes and 4 nays, and its title was agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the last five years, we've lost 3,700 farms.
• 3,700 farms.
• And we really want our farms to be able to continue to compete.
• They didn't own their own farm.
• They didn't own their own farm.

Bills: HB2721 , HB2616

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: commercial interior designer, interior design licensure, registered interior designer, NCIDQ, Washington State Board for Architects, professional regulation, title protection, firm registration, seal and signature, continuing education, building code, nonstructural interior design, space planning, interior architecture, design profession, public safety, occupational licensing, architects, engineering scope, permit review

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

Keywords: carbon sequestration, marine ecosystem, climate change, renewable energy, biodiversity, nature-based solutions, organic waste, solid waste, waste diversion, composting, bioconversion, recycling, food waste, green waste, food-soiled paper, wood waste, landfill diversion, waste reduction, waste management, county solid waste plan

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:

• 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:

• Hawaii farms decreased 10% from the 2017 to 2022 census. We went from 7,328 farms to 6,569.
• </c><00:24:35.279><c> She'll</c> systems and farm viability. She'll systems and farm viability.
• We're really excited that they embrace the farm to food bank and farm to families programs.
• </c> more difficult to farm here in Hawaii. more difficult to farm here in Hawaii.
• in farming.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint informational briefing focused on how federal policy changes, tariffs, funding cuts, the federal shutdown, and delays in the farm bill are affecting Hawaii agriculture and food access. Opening remarks emphasized Hawaii’s heavy dependence on imported food and farm inputs, the state’s vulnerability to disruptions in USDA services, and the need for stronger state, county, and community coordination. Speakers also noted that immigration enforcement and broader global supply-chain pressures can affect local farm labor, production, and food availability. Sharon Herd, chair of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, described both positive and negative federal impacts. She said Hawaii has benefited from some recurring grants and a large new $8.8 million federal grant, but also reported about $22 million in losses from suspended or terminated grants, including farm-to-school and water-related projects. She said some USDA programs, such as microgrants for food security and FISMIP, are currently suspended, while the specialty crop block grant remains active. She also said Hawaii farms declined from 7,328 to 6,569 between the 2017 and 2022 censuses and argued the state cannot rely on imports alone to feed its people. Amanda Shaw of Agriculture Stewardship Hawaii presented findings from federal funding cut reports. She said the first report, in March, identified about $88 million in potential cuts, and the newer report found $64.7 million in confirmed cuts and about $175 million in potential cuts. She said federal shifts are creating uncertainty for farmers, food-system organizations, and school and community food programs, and noted that 4,000 to 5,000 Hawaii farmers could receive less money because of changes to payment-factor provisions for socially disadvantaged farmers. She also said Hawaii has lost 18% of local USDA staff since September 2024, with possible further national reductions expected. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, and the chair noted that any legal questions, including the reported SNAP changes, would be for the Judiciary Committee to assess later.

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

Keywords: 989, all

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

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

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>

Keywords: 927, senate, all

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

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

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

Keywords: 989, all

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, 904, all

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

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.