Video & Transcript : 'deer farm' :

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WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Civil Rights & Judiciary Jan 23rd, 2026 at 10:30 am

Civil Rights & Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • vast majority of their lives on these farms or ranches.
  • If you don't work, you don't get the benefits of the farm. What are the benefits of the farm?
  • If you don't work, you don't get the benefits of the farm. What are the benefits of the farm?
  • any money that comes from the farm goes to the kids.
  • You can't make a living farming. Farming's going down. It's hard work.
Bills: HB2239 , HB2304 , HB2095 , HB2248
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Rules Committee May 13th, 2026

Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • Some farm workers say they never sign the petition.
  • There's a group called CBDIO that reaches out to farm workers.
  • between your numbers and what farm workers feel on the ground?
  • workers and get to farm workers.
  • The last area I want to talk about is the Tri-Fanucci Farm.
Committee: Senate Rules
Keywords: 987, senate, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/30/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • She was also a farm worker. Her mother was a farm worker.
  • She was also a farm worker. Her mother was a farm worker.
  • My grandparents were farm workers.
  • My parents fought for the Chicano movement and for farm workers across the country.
  • I stand with farm workers.
Summary: The House convened, took attendance, approved the prior journal, and recognized a number of guests and proclamations, including a proclamation supporting freedom, life, and liberty for the people of Iran. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider several Senate bills. SB 1166 and SB 1252 were reported do pass without controversy. SB 1184 drew debate over a floor amendment that would have added the pride flag to the list of flags HOAs and condo associations could not prohibit; the amendment was rejected on a 21-32 division vote, and the bill was then reported do pass. The House also entered an additional Committee of the Whole to amend SB 1092, adopted a floor amendment setting an effective date of Jan. 1, 2027, and reported the bill do pass as amended. On third reading, SB 1020, a special license plate bill benefiting the Arizona Space Commission and related space education efforts, passed 35-21 with several members explaining votes in support of space industry development and in opposition because a proposed community college scholarship plate was not included. SB 1247, an emergency measure relating to health care institutions, passed 55-1 and cleared the two-thirds threshold for its emergency clause. The House also concurred in Senate amendments to HB 2307, then later passed HB 2307 unanimously as an emergency measure relating to dangerous and incompetent defendants. The chamber also considered a bill repealing Cesar Chavez Day and replacing it with a different observance tied to the farm worker movement. Members on both sides spoke at length about sexual abuse allegations involving Cesar Chavez, the importance of standing with survivors, and the need to honor farm workers and the broader movement rather than one individual. The bill ultimately passed 48-8 with the two-thirds emergency requirement. The House then received announcements, including caucus and committee meeting notices, a remembrance of Christian Petillo, and a congratulatory note for the University of Arizona men’s basketball team, before adjourning until March 31, 2026.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Rules Feb 10th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • My family is rooted in farming.
  • Farms are dealing with many different things now.
  • I've eaten vegetables off my farm.
  • Farming is not easy.
  • I fully support our farms and farmers.
Summary: The committee heard several bills and took favorable action on a number of them. CS/CS/SB 54 by Senator Sharif would require district medical examiners to perform toxicology screening for psychotropic drugs and intoxicating substances in autopsies of identified violent offenders, consult treating providers when available, document findings, and report results to state agencies; it passed after brief questions and one opponent waived against. CS/SB 176 by Senator Polsky would require public colleges and universities to publish clearer campus safety reporting and response procedures for threats to students, faculty, or staff; it also passed favorably with no opposition. CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Florida Farm Bill by Senator Trumbull, was the longest item and drew extensive testimony. The bill covers fair association rules, preemption of local limits on gas- and diesel-powered farm equipment, surplus of certain state-owned lands for agricultural use, a food animal veterinarian loan repayment program, permanent funding for Farmers Feeding Florida, forest service training, signal jammer penalties, CDL exam cheating penalties, no-solicitation protections, inspector protections, biosolids rules, and contractor payment enforcement. Members adopted multiple amendments, including changes to contractor payment language, expanding vet loan repayment to equine vets, merging citrus research entities, technical updates to fair statutes and nonprofit definitions, and a late amendment removing the bill’s disparagement/free-speech section after significant public testimony and debate. A separate late amendment on biosolids delayed compliance timelines for Broward County, and the bill then passed favorably as amended. The committee also approved CS/CS/SB 834 on nonprofit religious organizations, which repeals a restriction on health care sharing ministries partnering with licensed insurance agents, while adding a disclaimer requirement through amendment; the bill passed with support from some faith-based and consumer groups and one waiver against. SB 936 on temporary door locking devices passed without opposition. CS/SB 50 would expand veterans’ courts statewide as an option in all judicial circuits for service-related issues such as PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and substance abuse; it received broad support from veterans and advocacy groups and passed favorably. CS/SB 1004, in strike-all form, would regulate dog and cat sales by requiring disclosure of medical records and financing terms, adding a three-day waiting period for financed purchases, and treating violations as unfair trade practices; an amendment removed an appropriation section, and the bill passed after questions about financing and pet retention. The committee then approved CS/CS/SB 178, which directs the Florida High School Athletic Association to adopt rules allowing coaches to provide good-faith support to student-athletes for basic needs like food, transportation, and recovery services, while requiring reporting and preserving anti-recruiting enforcement; members discussed possible parental-consent language, and the bill passed favorably. Finally, the committee began hearing CS/SB 198 on virtual currency kiosks, with Senator Rouson explaining that it would regulate crypto kiosks to combat fraud, require operator registration, fraud warnings, blockchain analytics policies, and transaction limits, but the transcript cuts off before further action on that bill.
MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • They all contain farms.
  • We've got land access, labor, cost, rising farm viability.
  • The old adage: no farms, no food.
  • Karen Schwalby, appointed by the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation. How do you vote?
  • Karen Swalby, appointed by the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation. How do you vote?
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The meeting was the final session of the Special Commission on Agriculture in the 21st Century, convened to adopt its final report. The chairs described the report as the product of extensive public engagement, research, and collaboration, focused on challenges and opportunities for Massachusetts agriculture, including climate resilience, farmland access, workforce development, food security, and farm viability. Several members and stakeholders thanked the chairs and staff for the multi-year process and emphasized the value of hearing directly from farmers and industry participants. Senator Barrett offered a detailed set of draft corrections and concerns for the record, including the report title, outdated references, repeated definitions of MDAR, the need to better reflect suburban communities, and a possible tension between recommendations supporting anaerobic digestion and a governor’s proposal affecting the alternative portfolio standard. The chairs noted that comments had been circulated for written review and said substantive feedback would be considered, while also indicating the document was nearing finalization. The commission then held a roll call vote and unanimously voted to adopt the final report, with all members present voting yes. The chairs said the final report would be formatted, published online, and distributed to stakeholders and the public, with a public rollout and media briefing planned for the fall. They also noted that the report was intended to support related legislation already filed or expected to be filed in the Legislature.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
  • And Joe Mapes with the Louisiana Farm Bureau, not wishing to speak.
  • One is a 27-acre farm near the bridge at Caminada Bay. The other is a 13-acre farm...
  • The farm near the bridge at Caminada Bay. The other is a 13-acre farm in Bay...
  • If we have, I think Farm Bureau, for one thing, you'd have to be a member of Farm Bureau from Jefferson
  • If we have, I think Farm Bureau, for one thing, you'd have to be a member of Farm Bureau from Jefferson
Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up a series of coastal, seafood, wildlife, and environmental measures. House Bill 851 by Rep. Ilg, which adds intentional mass balloon releases to the gross intentional littering statute, drew support from agriculture, wildlife, and environmental groups because of impacts on livestock, wildlife, power lines, and waterways; members clarified it targets organized intentional releases, not accidental releases by children, and it was reported favorably. House Bill 652 by Rep. Broe adding a non-voting Department of Agriculture appointee to the Oyster Task Force was also reported favorably, as were House Bills 349 and 588 by Rep. Domain to expand the imported seafood safety fund’s uses and add oyster, crab, and finfish representation to the Seafood Safety Task Force. House Bill 721 by Rep. Kerner setting a 5:30 a.m. shrimp trawling start time in certain bays, House Bill 857 clarifying labeling rules for commingled imported and domestic seafood, House Bill 669 expanding state property use for Grand Isle oyster research, and House Bill 889 creating bulk tagging for oysters were each supported by industry and agency witnesses and reported favorably. House Bill 688 by Rep. Ogeron adding Atlantic tarpon to the definition of saltwater game fish was backed by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and fishing guides and was also reported favorably. The committee spent significant time on House Bill 653 by Rep. Beham, which would require one of two United Commercial Fishermen appointees to the Oyster Task Force to be a St. Bernard Parish resident. Rep. Beham argued the parish deserves a guaranteed voice because of oyster industry impacts from freshwater intrusion and the BP spill, while opponents including the Oyster Task Force chairman said the parish-specific requirement would make vacancies harder to fill and should be worked out through the task force or by amending another bill. After debate, an amendment was adopted, but the bill itself ultimately received a favorable report. Testimony throughout the meeting emphasized the economic and cultural importance of Louisiana seafood, the need to combat imported seafood fraud, and the role of oyster cultivation and shrimping in coastal communities. House Resolution 20 by Rep. McCormick, urging the Department of Conservation and Energy to study industrial water use from Caddo Lake, prompted a broader discussion about data centers and water withdrawals. Department witness Monique Edwards explained current state limits on regulating surface water withdrawals and said more authority may be needed for comprehensive water management; committee members asked for a future departmental presentation on data center water use. The resolution was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, Rep. Sawyer moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned without objection.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Regulated Industries Apr 1st, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • farm in Florida next year.
  • Parks our Family Farms 70th year in business.
  • Our farm spans over 600 acres currently caring for 361.
  • The farm is what I do. I train the race horses and watch over the farm.
  • growing up and spend time on a dairy farm.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

Transcript Highlights:
  • The bill's also about honoring farms and the people who work on the farms who grow the food we eat.
  • Farms and farmers, the people who work on farms, are some of the most resilient people in the Commonwealth
  • The bill's also about honoring farms and the people who work on the farms who grow the food we eat.
  • As you know, and I think this legislature knows, farms and farmers, the people who work on farms, are
  • Then the fungus hit the farms.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight held a public hybrid hearing with several late-file bills and a large turnout. The main topics were symbolic designations and local property/lease matters: bills to designate the American lobster as the official crustacean of the Commonwealth, asparagus as the official state vegetable, and a Waltham bill concerning the Veterans Memorial Ice Rink lease and right of first refusal. Senator Howard also testified on a Lowell bill making a limited language change to facilitate redevelopment of the Lowell Innovation Network Corridor (LINK) at UMass Lowell. Testimony on the lobster bill emphasized the industry’s cultural and economic importance to coastal Massachusetts, its sustainability efforts, and its role in working waterfronts and the seafood economy. The asparagus bill drew especially enthusiastic support from Hadley Elementary students, teachers, local farmers, and legislators, who described asparagus as central to western Massachusetts agriculture, identity, and civic education. The Waltham rink bill was presented as necessary to protect a heavily used community and youth hockey facility after major city investment, while committee members noted concerns about privatization and affordability of ice time. The Lowell bill was described as a narrow technical fix to remove a reversionary clause that could impede a major redevelopment project. Committee members generally expressed support or favorable reactions to the proposals, with several lighthearted comments about lobster and asparagus. The hearing concluded after testimony ended, and a motion was made and seconded to close the hearing.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> Uh Kyle Kelly with Kentucky Farm Bureau. Uh Kyle Kelly with Kentucky Farm Bureau.
  • I deal with Tennessee Farm Bureau, Kentucky Farm Bureau.
  • </c> Um as well as the farming. Um as well as the farming.
  • I'm a farm kid. I'm a farm kid.
  • </c> traditional farming, it's agritech. traditional farming, it's agritech.
Summary: The Joint Agriculture Committee met in October with a quorum present and approved the September minutes. The main presentation focused on condemnation of agricultural land and eminent domain, featuring testimony from Stephanie Barnett of a family-run livestock and farming business in Todd County, with support from Kentucky Farm Bureau. Barnett described a state road project that would take about 29 feet of frontage and affect entrances, fencing, a sign, drainage, a water well, and parking, saying the process involved poor communication, correspondence sent to the wrong address, and limited opportunity to negotiate changes such as a turning lane or relocated entrances. She said the business was not opposed to progress, but wanted the property restored and fairly compensated for the full impact on the operation, not just the land value. Committee members broadly agreed that eminent domain is sometimes necessary but should be handled with more transparency, communication, and fairness. Several members said the issue affects both rural and urban property owners and raised concerns about fair market value, compensation for agricultural infrastructure improvements, long-term impacts on farm operations, and the cost and delay of litigation. One member asked about the firm involved and suggested hearing from the people responsible for the correspondence problems; Barnett said she would share names after negotiations conclude. Another member noted that the maps had already been drawn before the landowner was brought in and said local meetings and clearer public input could reduce conflict. Chairman Dossett said he was interested in pursuing legislation for the upcoming session focused on property owner protection, fair treatment, and fair compensation, not just for agricultural land but for all Kentucky property owners. Members discussed possible ideas such as requiring better notice, more public transparency, and accounting for related costs like wells, fencing, drainage, and access changes. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond the approval of minutes and the discussion of potential future legislation.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 02/26/25

Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • of farms' economic picture.
  • of farms' economic picture.
  • of farms' economic picture.
  • <00:16:14.680><c> and</c><00:16:15.199><c> to</c><00:16:15.319><c> talk</c> farm and to talk farm and
  • Or you can leave it on your farm.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • I talked to the good representative from Deer Creek. I said, let's have an exception.
  • This bill simply expands the sale of ungraded eggs to on the farm, farmer's markets, and directly to
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary (05/13/2025)

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • doctor's office a while ago, and one of the women who works there reported that her sister owns a farm
  • I hunt pretty extensively in both the spring for turkey and fall for deer.
Committee: Senate Judiciary
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Agriculture, Veterans Broadband and Rural Development - 03/12/25

Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • I started Medicine Creek Farm in 2016 after taking the Land Stewardship Project's Farm Beginnings training
  • </c> and it was for a permanent research Farm and it was for a permanent research Farm out<01:16:38.520
  • </c> drought for example areas we can't Farm drought for example areas we can't Farm anymore<01:35:22.840
  • </c><01:59:13.520><c> to</c> broad overview presentation on Farm to broad overview presentation on Farm
  • cut from food um from Farm to cut from food um from Farm to School<02:00:24.159><c> uh</c><02:00:24.440
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 3/17/26

Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:46:19.440><c> So,</c><00:46:19.599><c> it's</c> and and lease back for farming.
  • So, it's and and lease back for farming.
  • regenerative farming practices.
  • regenerative farming practices.
  • regenerative farming practices.
Bills: HF4266
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Rules Feb 10th, 2026

Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • Her small family farm supports multiple family members and employees who depend on the farm to support
  • Delaney said his family is rooted in farming.
  • I've eaten vegetables off my farm.
  • Farming is not easy.
  • I fully support our farms and farmers.
Bills: S0050 , S0054 , S0176 , S0178 , S0198 , S0290 , S0420 , S0502 , S0538 , S0706 , S0834 , S0936 , S0962 , S1004 , S1080 , S7022
Committee: Senate Rules
Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills, beginning with CS for CS for SB 54, which requires district medical examiners to perform toxicology screenings for psychotropic drugs and intoxicating substances in autopsies of violent offenders and report findings to state agencies. It was reported favorably after brief discussion about how the data would be used. CS for SB 176 also passed, requiring public postsecondary institutions to make campus safety reporting and response procedures clearer and more accessible for students, faculty, and staff who receive threats. Both bills were approved without opposition in the meeting. The committee then took up the large Florida Farm Bill, CS for CS for CS for SB 290, which drew extensive testimony and multiple amendments. The bill includes changes to fair associations, a preemption on local restrictions affecting gas- and diesel-powered farm equipment, surplus of certain state-owned lands for agricultural use, a food animal veterinary loan repayment program, permanent authorization for Farmers Feeding Florida, expanded Florida Forest Service training, a ban on signal jamming devices, tougher CDL English-proficiency penalties, protections for food safety inspectors, biosolids provisions, and contractor payment enforcement. Amendments expanded veterinary loan eligibility to equine veterinarians, merged citrus research entities, made technical corrections, and revised contractor payment language; a late-filed amendment removed the bill’s disparagement clause after significant First Amendment concerns and public testimony. A separate amendment delayed biosolids compliance deadlines. The bill was reported favorably as amended. Also approved were CS for CS for SB 834, which repeals a restriction on health care sharing ministries partnering with licensed insurance agents, while adding a disclaimer requirement; SB 936, allowing temporary door locking devices at any height above the floor and directing the Building Commission to add standards to the code; and CS for SB 50, expanding veterans’ courts statewide. Later, CS for CS for SB 1004 advanced with a strike-all regulating dog and cat sales, requiring disclosure of medical records and financing terms, a three-day waiting period for financed purchases, and consumer protections against deceptive pet sales; an amendment removed an appropriation section. The committee also approved CS for CS for SB 178, which directs the FHSAA to adopt rules allowing coaches to provide limited good-faith support to student-athletes, and CS for CS for SB 198, regulating virtual currency kiosks with registration, warnings, transaction limits, receipts, and refund protections. Each of these bills was reported favorably by recorded vote.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Rules Feb 10th, 2026

Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • My family is rooted in farming.
  • Farms are dealing with many different things now.
  • I've eaten vegetables off my farm.
  • Farming is not easy.
  • I fully support our farms and farmers.
Committee: Senate Rules
Keywords: 999, senate, all
Summary: The Rules Committee heard and voted on a series of bills, beginning with SB 54 on toxicology screenings in autopsies of violent offenders, which requires medical examiners to screen for psychotropic and intoxicating substances, consult treating providers when possible, and report findings to state agencies; it passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 176 on public postsecondary campus safety policies, requiring colleges and universities to publish clearer reporting and response procedures for threats to students, faculty, and staff. Both bills were reported favorably without major opposition. The largest portion of the meeting was devoted to CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Florida Farm Bill. The bill covers a wide range of agriculture-related issues, including fair association rules, preemption of local restrictions on gas- and diesel-powered farm equipment, surplus of certain state-owned lands for agricultural use, a food and animal veterinary loan repayment program, permanent Farmers Feeding Florida funding, forest service training expansion, signal-jamming device penalties, CDL English proficiency enforcement, no-solicitation protections, food safety inspector protections, biosolids regulation, and contractor payment enforcement. Members adopted several amendments, including changes to contractor payment language, expanded veterinary loan eligibility, citrus foundation consolidation, technical corrections, removal of outdated fair references, a nonprofit definition fix, and a late amendment deleting the bill’s disparagement clause after extensive testimony and debate about free speech and agricultural speech protections. A separate late amendment delayed biosolids compliance deadlines. The bill drew strong support from farmers, agritourism groups, food donation advocates, and some utility and wastewater interests, while conservation groups and biosolids operators raised concerns about land surplus provisions and biosolids restrictions. The committee ultimately reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee then approved SB 834 on nonprofit religious organizations, which repeals a restriction on health care sharing ministries partnering with licensed insurance agents, while an amendment added written disclaimer requirements; it passed favorably. SB 936 on temporary door locking devices also passed, directing the Building Commission to incorporate standards into the Florida Building Code. SB 50 on veterans’ courts was approved, allowing judges in all circuits to use veterans’ courts for cases involving service-related issues such as PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and substance abuse. Finally, SB 1004 on the sale of dogs and cats passed after amendments removed an appropriation and kept the bill’s disclosure, financing, and consumer protection provisions, and SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools passed with discussion about coaches providing basic support to student-athletes and possible parental-consent language. The committee also began hearing SB 198 on virtual currency kiosks, which would regulate crypto kiosks with registration, fraud warnings, transaction limits, receipts, and refund protections; an amendment to that bill was adopted, but the transcript cuts off before the final vote.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Mar 28th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • You each supported former Assembly Member Stone's epic two-year struggle, the one for farm workers to
  • And when Cesar Chavez started organizing to fight the oppression of Latino farm workers, many Jewish
  • The United Farm Workers continues to fight to advance justice and make...
  • But it was there that Cesar Chavez was educating and empowering farm workers to know their true value
  • He was speaking... ...empowering farm workers to know their true value.
Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, pledge, and a moment of silence for Marysville Police Officer Osmar Rodarte. Members then handled several procedural motions, including re-referring bills and moving items on the file, with AB 567 re-referred by a recorded vote of 42-17 and the remaining referral requests approved without objection. The chamber also heard a brief personal statement from Assembly Member Macedo thanking colleagues and staff for support during a health episode. On the floor, members presented and passed several measures. AB 310 by Assembly Member Alanis, requiring youth sports organizations to have AED access, emergency response plans, and coach training, passed 56-0. AB 437 by Assembly Member Lackey, expanding CIF reporting to include sports-related injuries and medical problems, passed 59-0. ACR 55 by Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez, commemorating the 40th anniversary of ARC v. DDS and the Lanterman Act, received 62 co-authors and was adopted by voice vote. The Assembly also adopted HR 28 recognizing Major League Baseball Opening Day 2025, with extended lighthearted remarks about the Dodgers, Giants, and Athletics, and HR 23 honoring Cesar Chavez Day, which drew broad support from caucus leaders and members speaking to Chavez’s labor and civil rights legacy. Both resolutions were adopted by voice vote after adding co-authors. The chamber then approved the second-day consent calendar, including ACR 39 on Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Month and ACR 53 on Women’s Equal Pay Day, and later adjourned in memory of Ralph Miller after tributes from Assembly Members Hart and Gibson. The House adjourned until Tuesday, April 1 at 1 p.m.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:34:32.480><c> ancestors</c> resilience of our farming ancestors resilience of our farming ancestors
  • ><c> in</c><00:34:41.359><c> your</c> somebody started on a farm in your somebody started on a farm in
  • One path to path to sustainable farming.
  • ,</c><00:44:42.880><c> Ivory</c> Lake of the Woods, Botney Farms, Ivory Lake of the Woods, Botney Farms
  • Increasing loan rates on a farm bill.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/30/2026 - House Floor Session

Arizona House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • She was also a farm worker. Her mother was a farm worker.
  • I do believe that we should honor the farm workers who were what made the movement.
  • this holiday with something else, honoring the farm worker movement.
  • My grandparents were farm workers.
  • I stand with farm workers.
Keywords: 1182, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Agriculture Feb 18th, 2025

Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:
  • farming, to keep it producing, to keep it benefiting... ...to keep that farm farming, to keep it producing
  • When a farming family or a ranching family participates and you close on a deal, right?
  • The conservation easement remains, but the ability to farm that land also remains.
  • Well, senators, this is a Save Our Florida Farms resolution.
  • Tripp Hunter with Florida Farm Bureau, waving in support.
Committee: Senate Agriculture
Summary: The Committee on Agriculture heard two informational presentations before taking up legislation. Tracy Dean of Conservation Florida described the organization’s work protecting wild and working lands, especially ranch and timber lands within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and argued that agricultural conservation easements are essential to preserving habitat, water resources, family farms, and the corridor itself. Senators discussed how conservation easements can help family operations remain viable across generations, and Dean emphasized strong demand for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program and Florida Forever funding. Dr. Jamie Ellis of the University of Florida then gave a detailed presentation on honeybees, their role in pollination and Florida agriculture, and major threats such as Varroa mites, queen quality, nutrition issues, hurricanes, and the yellow-legged hornet; senators asked about colony losses, pollination alternatives, and the economic importance of beekeeping in Florida. The committee then considered SB 210 on animal cremation, sponsored by Senator Harrell. The bill was described as a response to a case involving mishandled pet cremation and would require crematories to provide clear disclosures about services, prohibit false or misleading information, and authorize civil penalties enforced by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. Next, the committee took up SJR 318, a joint resolution by Chair Truenow creating a proposed ad valorem tax exemption for tangible personal property used in agricultural production or agritourism on agricultural land and owned by the landowner or leaseholder. Several industry and agency representatives appeared in support, and the resolution was also reported favorably by unanimous vote. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment motioned by Senator Rouson.