Transcript Highlights:

• It is already being used to reduce hiring bias, make work more accessible to those with disabilities,
• It is already being used to reduce hiring bias, make work more accessible to those with disabilities,
• Nation in food patents per capita.
• <01:20:42.400><c> and</c> food and food and agriculture<01:20:44.719><c> um</c><01:20:45.480><c> so</
• </c> that the AI system is able to access that the AI system is able to access because<01:37:09.880><

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• food producing economy.
• I think, you know, food affordability, healthy, nutritious, local food should be available for every
• Well, we're growing a lot of food crops, so we have high food safety standards.
• Food keeps going up, gas keeps going up.
• Food keeps going up, gas keeps going up.

Transcript Highlights:

• to a limited few, but is actually accessible to those who may need it the most. ...is actually accessible
• legacy challenges in their access.
• What's the definition of somebody now having access?
• What's the definition of somebody now having access?
• Shopping shop having access to more reusable mugs or having more access to refill within the grocery

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation heard an informational hearing with Secretary Garcia and CalEPA-related departments on the administration’s budget proposals and related environmental programs. Secretary Garcia highlighted CalEPA’s work on methane reduction, community air protection, water infrastructure, Exide cleanup, safer pesticide alternatives, Prop 4 implementation, and Bay-Delta water quality, while emphasizing the impact of federal rollbacks and the need for flexible state response. Members raised broader policy concerns about the polluter-pays principle, special fund vacancies, and whether the state is maintaining sufficient staffing and enforcement capacity, especially after recent fee increases. A major portion of the hearing focused on landfill support, response, and enforcement, particularly subsurface elevated temperature events at Chiquita Canyon and El Sobrante. CalEPA requested $5.1 million and 12 positions to improve monitoring, technical response, coordination, and enforcement across CalRecycle, CARB, DTSC, the Water Board, and OEHHA. Assembly Member Schiavo described severe community impacts from Chiquita Canyon and pressed for stronger state action, more transparency, and accountability from landfill operators; Assembly Member Rogers emphasized that accountability must mean forcing operators to take preventive measures and bear the costs. Agency staff said the proposal would help augment current response efforts, support local enforcement agencies, and improve early detection, while acknowledging that the causes of set events are not fully understood and may involve factors such as lithium-ion batteries, oxygen intrusion, and gas extraction practices. The committee then heard an update on the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water program and the effects of the new cap-and-invest structure. State Water Board Chair Joaquin Esquivel reported that the program has reduced the number of Californians without safe drinking water from 1.6 million to about 600,000 since 2019, while also bringing 320 systems back into compliance and distributing $1.8 billion in drinking water grants. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained that under SB 840, SAFER is now in a lower funding tier, which could reduce annual proceeds from the prior $130 million level to a projected $92 million in 2026-27 and delay funding until later in the year. Members expressed concern that this deprioritizes rural drinking water needs, while the board said it would continue using SAFER’s flexible funds for emergency water, technical assistance, and construction, and would keep pushing consolidations and other long-term solutions for the remaining failing systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• Would that be easily accessible for rural journalists?
• And access to affordable and reliable energy is equally critical to protecting New Mexicans.
• You could buy more food for your family. And that's all I have to say. Thank you.
• That means failed crops, less food, and less traditional medicine.
• That means failed crops, less food, less traditional medicine.

Bills: SB12 , SB36 , SB92 , SB120 , SB133 , SB151 , SB18 , SB96

Committee: Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Keywords: tax credit, physician, healthcare, income tax, rural health, quantum technology, infrastructure, economic development, New Mexico, corporate tax, research and development, innovation, affordable housing, gross receipts tax, tax deduction, construction materials, multifamily housing, low income, journalism, local news

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> patients are experiencing in accessing patients are experiencing in accessing the<01:14:49.440><
• </c><01:18:17.360><c> to</c> fortifies access to fortifies access to care.<01:18:19.360><c> This</c><
• </c> Line 260 is um the healthcare access Line 260 is um the healthcare access fund<01:52:56.320><c>
• </c> a change between the healthcare access a change between the healthcare access fund<01:53:06.719>
• </c> funding for prepared meals food relief. funding for prepared meals food relief.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• It is time that we bring Access workers back to work. Any questions?
• Claims are physically reviewed by an Access DFSM billing expert.
• That Access was not providing prior authorization for some vendors.
• Is Access still not providing prior authorization for those clients?
• So the reason for these bills is that we can ensure access to care.

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The committee first approved the January 21 minutes and then heard SB 1179, which would remove the delayed repeal date and appropriation contingency from the Developmental Disabilities Group Home Monitoring Program. Testimony from Disability Rights Arizona and program managers described the program’s monitoring and investigative work, including identified systemic concerns in group homes, while the sponsor said the effort should continue. SB 1179 received a do-pass recommendation on a 6-1 vote, with some members reserving their right to revisit the bill on the floor. The committee then took up SB 1114, appropriating $1 million for the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to investigate behavioral health patient brokering. Witnesses, including Native advocates, described widespread recruitment of vulnerable people—especially Native Americans—into fraudulent treatment and sober-living schemes, often through social media and across state lines. Members and the sponsor framed the bill as an enforcement response to long-running abuse. SB 1114 passed 6-0. The committee also heard SB 1115, which would require AHCCCS/Access employees to work in person rather than remotely; supporters argued remote work had harmed oversight and service delivery, while Access said it would need substantial office space and warned of costs and staffing impacts. SB 1115 passed 4-3. The committee next considered SB 1051, requiring hospitals that accept Access payments to collect patients’ citizenship or immigration status on intake forms and report aggregate data to DHS. Supporters said it was a data-collection and accountability measure; opponents, including nurses and physicians, said it would deter care, undermine trust, and function as immigration surveillance. The bill passed 4-3. SB 1122, dealing with prior authorization and prepayment review for behavioral health services under the American Indian Health Plan, was amended to require a corrective action plan before 100% prepayment review; Access said it had minimal concerns with the amended version. It passed unanimously 7-0. SB 1132, a blank appropriation for a new Arizona State Hospital wing, drew testimony from families and advocates about the shortage of psychiatric beds and the effects of the Arnold v. Sarn consent decree; it passed 7-0. The committee also approved SB 1169 for graduate medical education funding, SB 1171 on dual enrollment checks between AHCCCS and exchange plans, and SB 1172 on DCS investigations and court notification, with votes ranging from 4-2 to unanimous support. Finally, the committee heard SB 1173, which would require owners and applicants for outpatient behavioral health facility licenses to be U.S. citizens or lawfully present, with an amendment clarifying lawful permanent resident status. The sponsor said the bill was intended to curb fraud tied to behavioral health licensing and patient brokering; discussion focused on whether the bill language matched that intent. The transcript ends before a final vote on SB 1173.

Transcript Highlights:

• So in terms of the food aspect, how does that work in other states?
• I'm a member of Kitsap County's Accessibility Committee.
• We are the largest food co-op in the United States.
• This study confirms that plastics are already entering our food web and compromising the food that we
• We don't think it provides consumers access to safe cookware.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills, beginning with SB 5965 on retail bags. Staff explained that the bill would prohibit single-use plastic and reusable film plastic carryout bags, raise the paper bag pass-through charge from 8 cents to 20 cents, exempt certain assistance-program customers from bag charges, and add manufacturer/distributor penalties. The sponsor and supporters, including environmental groups, Seattle Public Utilities, Tacoma, county solid waste representatives, and health advocates, argued the current law has led to thicker plastic bags and more plastic pollution, microplastics, and recycling contamination. Opponents from hospitality, grocery, retail, paper, and plastic bag industries said the bill would raise costs, create checkout confusion, burden food delivery and takeout operations, and amount to a de facto ban on paper bags as well; several urged waiting for more data on the current 12-cent fee. The hearing ended with a reported 1,240 non-testifiers on SB 5965, with 541 pro, 695 con, and 4 other. The committee then heard SB 6030 on plastic bags. Staff said the bill would allow film plastic and paper carryout bags if they meet recycled-content standards, keep the paper bag fee at 8 cents, reduce the plastic bag fee from 12 cents to 8 cents, and remove the minimum thickness standards for reusable film plastic bags while retaining recycled-content requirements and the SNAP exemption. No public testimony was taken on the bill, and the chair noted 208 non-testifiers, with 192 pro, 11 con, and 5 other. Finally, the committee heard SB 5975 on lead in cookware. Staff described it as a third-round update to the state’s cookware lead law, narrowing covered cookware, delaying the 10 ppm lead standard to 2030, and allowing compliance through FDA or European testing methods. Supporters, including some industry representatives, said the current law is unclear and difficult to enforce, that a workable test is still being developed, and that the bill would provide certainty and avoid unintended coverage of safe products. Opponents from Ecology, Health, environmental groups, and consumer advocates argued the bill would weaken Washington’s existing protections, create broad exemptions, and allow high-lead cookware to remain on the market; they also criticized shifting from total-content testing to leach testing. The hearing closed with 609 non-testifiers on SB 5975, with 54 pro and 552 con.

Transcript Highlights:

• One for the metro is the interest in food and where food comes from and to give students more opportunities
• One for the metro is the interest in food and where food comes from and to give students more opportunities
• </c> programs are focused on providing access programs are focused on providing access to<00:20:17.919
• </c><00:58:43.200><c> of</c> not have the ability to deny access of not have the ability to deny access
• </c> promote our region as a world class food promote our region as a world class food and<01:34:40.480

Bills: HF711 , HF653

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: agriculture, agricultural education, leadership development, Minnesota Agricultural Education and Leadership Council, MAELC, chapter 41D, grant funding, general fund appropriation, commissioner of agriculture, farm education, youth agriculture programs, ag literacy, workforce development, extension education, research funding, extension services, technology transfer, grant programs

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of you may have been able to access it in December, where this was originally presented.
• Are you all able to access it on your OneDrive? Yes. Anyone?
• Anyone who is not able to access the presentation on their OneDrive? Okay.
• And our largest trade part— ...of anything that we have access to.
• A nice positive piece there is you see food manufacturing GDP up 105% over that period.

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> food on the table.
• The access is so food on the table.
• Guess where we got our food?
• Guess where we got our food?
• Guess where we got our food?

Bills: HCR58

Keywords: socialism, government control, dictatorship, individual liberty, freedom

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, Knox boxes are only accessible by fire departments.
• A Knox box law enforcement key lockbox gives police immediate access to the building's keys, allowing
• This rapid access can dramatically speed up law enforcement response to stop the threat.
• It's a 1956 facility, and it's home to a nationally ranked food science and nutrition department.
• Minnesota State is an open access system.

Bills: HF3220

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Our members love to make tasty, lead-free foods that satisfy your every craving.
• I want to cook some yummy food. I'm getting there, Charlie. I want to cook some yummy food.
• And for the record, I also cook my own food.
• Consumers need access to safe cookware. The lead does not belong in our homes.
• That more work needs to be done for consumers to have that safe access to cookware. Thank you.

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• It limits access to capital. It limits access to capital. It makes a higher loan denial for us.
• This includes construction, food, insurance, professional services, even philanthropists.
• We had clean water and safe food. We had access to culture and recreation.
• And our communities deserve access to real, tangible benefits like education, health care, and food assistance
• Staffing, materials, and food for the program, as well as for our own families.

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• production and a healthy food-producing economy.
• food producing economy.
• I think, you know, food affordability, healthy, nutritious, local food should be available for every
• Well, we're growing a lot of food crops, so we have a high food safety stance.
• Food keeps going up, gas keeps going up.

Summary: The joint informational hearing examined how agricultural programs have used cap-and-invest funding and what role agriculture should play in future climate investments. The chairs opened by noting that agriculture had been largely left out of the cap-and-invest reauthorization, despite prior support through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, and framed the hearing around climate-smart agriculture, food security, rural vitality, and the need for measurable co-benefits such as water savings, soil health, and air quality improvements. The first panel included CDFA Deputy Secretary Virginia Jamison and LAO analyst Helen Kirsten. Jamison described CDFA’s climate-smart portfolio, including the Healthy Soils Program, SWEEP, the Alternative Manure Management Program, and dairy methane reduction efforts, saying roughly $727 million has supported these programs and produced estimated reductions of 31 million metric tons of CO2e, 1.6 million acre-feet of water savings, and about 4,000 projects. She emphasized technical assistance, oversubscription of the programs, and the need for continued investment and better measurement/verification. Kirsten outlined the cap-and-invest structure, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, and the state’s emissions inventory, noting agriculture is about 8% of California’s GHG emissions and that funding for tier-three programs may remain constrained. She also said prior LAO work found the programs have significant reduction potential but that some estimated benefits may be overstated, recommending further evaluation. The second panel featured UC researchers Alexandra Hill and Ermi Kibreab, who presented on the economic importance of California’s working landscapes and on dairy methane reduction pathways. Hill said working landscapes are a major part of the state and national economy, with agriculture driving most of the sector’s sales and jobs. Kibreab explained that dairy is central to methane reduction because it accounts for a large share of agricultural methane emissions, and described herd efficiency, digesters, alternative manure management, and emerging feed additives as complementary strategies. He said digesters and other incentive-supported measures are helping California move toward its methane goals, while noting feed additives such as 3-NOP and seaweed-based approaches could offer additional reductions in the future. The third panel brought contrasting views from environmental advocates, farmers, and industry representatives. Phoebe Seaton argued that further state funding for dairy digesters is not environmentally or economically justified, citing concerns about methane, nitrous oxide, groundwater impacts, odors, and high cost per ton reduced. Brian Shobe of CalCAN supported continued funding for programs like AMP, SWEEP, and Healthy Soils, saying they provide multiple co-benefits and that farmers need stable, incentive-based support to comply with climate and water regulations. Cannon Michael of Bowles Farming Company described his farm’s investments in organic and regenerative practices, composting, drip irrigation, solar, habitat management, and workforce programs, and said consistent funding helps farms plan and remain viable. Tricia Gerringer of the Agricultural Council of California urged funding for FPIP, the Farmer Program, methane reduction programs, and sustainable ag waste management, arguing they deliver immediate, measurable reductions and co-benefits. Members and witnesses debated the relative merits of digesters versus alternative manure management, the role of regenerative agriculture, and whether agriculture should be treated as a distinct policy category. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded with public comment supporting agricultural climate funding and a request to include agriculture in broader cap-and-invest discussions.

Transcript Highlights:

• which tests foods for allergens, pesticides, colors, and food additives, and microbial pathogens such
• </c> animal food laboratory which tests foods animal food laboratory which tests foods for<07:30:20.160
• It's an attack on SNAP food benefits, leaving millions struggling to put food on the table.
• It's an attack on SNAP food benefits, leaving millions struggling to put food on the table.
• It's an attack on SNAP food benefits, leaving millions struggling to put food on the table.

Bills: HJR35 , HR695 , HR469 , HR250

Keywords: environment, EPA, waste emissions, petroleum, natural gas, environmental protection, methane, regulatory disapproval, Charlie Kirk, political assassination, free speech, First Amendment, public safety, official photography, House of Representatives, session, government transparency, public engagement, payment system, Bureau of the Fiscal Service

Transcript Highlights:

• CalFresh is the state's version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides food
• to CalFresh and face increased food insecurity and greater difficulty meeting basic needs.
• to CalFresh and face increased food insecurity and greater difficulty meeting basic needs.
• , paying for food or medication.
• to food and health care.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing on how H.R. 1’s new federal work and community engagement rules will affect Medi-Cal and CalFresh, especially for Californians with behavioral health needs, people experiencing homelessness, and justice-involved individuals. The Legislative Analyst’s Office outlined the scope of the changes, including Medi-Cal work requirements beginning in January 2027 and CalFresh changes beginning in June 2026, and estimated large potential coverage losses if people cannot document exemptions or comply with reporting rules. State departments said they are still awaiting some federal guidance but are already building implementation plans, data matching, outreach campaigns, and system changes to reduce disruption and automatically identify exemptions where possible. Department of Health Care Services and Department of Social Services officials described efforts to use existing data, CalSAWS, and cross-program coordination to streamline exemption screening, including for medical frailty, serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and student status. They said outreach will include text messaging, webinars, county training, and community-based partners, while also acknowledging that many people will still need direct worker contact. County representatives stressed that the new rules will create major administrative burdens, require significant new staffing, and could lead to coverage loss if counties are not adequately funded. They urged the Legislature to release the $20 million in current-year General Fund for CalFresh implementation and to consider a much larger county augmentation next year. Assembly members pressed the administration on outreach strategy, county funding, consistency across counties, and how to avoid harming eligible people through overly aggressive implementation. They also asked about coordination with universities, CDCR, and community-based organizations, and about how exemptions would be documented for mental health and substance use conditions. Department officials said they are working with counties, education institutions, and correctional agencies, and that they are trying to align Medi-Cal and CalFresh rules where possible, but not all federal definitions match. Public commenters from legal aid, counties, labor, and public hospitals warned that work requirements do not increase employment, will worsen food insecurity and health outcomes, and will strain county systems unless the state provides more funding and support.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the cost and the lack of access to care. the cost and the lack of access to care.
• We all know that access to healthy food is essential to your overall health.
• They go to their local food turn to? They go to their local food shelf. shelf. shelf.
• our food chain.
• ><c> our</c><03:48:50.960><c> food</c> links in our food links in our food chain.<03:48:53.199><c> In

Transcript Highlights:

• to large food markets.
• And whereas farmers markets also provide the ability for Coloradans to have limited access to food to
• </c><00:38:15.440><c> to</c> producers that may not have access to producers that may not have access
• </c> large food markets. large food markets.
• ><c> fruit</c><00:38:35.599><c> and</c> food to purchase fresh fruit and food to purchase fresh fruit

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Agriculture representative: Probably food and safety.
• </c><00:26:13.039><c> safety</c> may be signage um under food safety may be signage um under food safety
• </c><00:26:30.000><c> and</c> probably do food and probably do food and safety<00:26:31.919><c> do</c
• Next up, Lauren Zerbo for Hawaii Food Industry Association.
• </c><00:42:56.720><c> industry</c> one is the food industry one is the food industry and<00:42:58.160

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard testimony on several bills, with much of the discussion focused on Enterprise Zones and related economic development measures. On SB 125, the committee heard support from DBEDT, the Department of Taxation, the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, and the Farmers Union. Members questioned how the bill would affect job-creation requirements and learned that existing companies and new companies are treated differently under the program, with existing companies generally subject to a 15% annual employment increase and new companies to a 10% increase, while the bill would extend the program period from seven to nine years. DBEDT also said the program has been effective, citing 1,162 jobs created or maintained at a cost of about $1.2 million, and noted that agriculture, manufacturing, and wholesaling are the main sectors involved. The committee then took up SB 729, also relating to Enterprise Zones, which would expand eligibility to better accommodate local manufacturers and value-added businesses that sell directly to retail rather than only wholesale. Testifiers from the Holua Collaborative and Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau supported the measure, saying it would help small manufacturers and agricultural producers add value and adapt to internet-era sales patterns. A committee discussion clarified that the bill would add value-added processing as an allowable activity within the zones, and DBEDT explained that the current rules were written for a wholesale-dominated market. The Attorney General’s office also testified, raising a supremacy clause concern and recommending language changes to avoid conflict with federal law. On SB 129, relating to labeling requirements for fish, the Attorney General and the Department of Agriculture both raised concerns about federal preemption and enforcement. The AG explained that federal law governs fish labeling but includes an exception for processed fish, and recommended narrowing the bill to processed fish and defining that term to fit the federal carve-out. The Hawaii Longline Association supported the bill but suggested excluding canned tuna while including products such as poke, sashimi, and sushi. The Department of Agriculture said it does not currently enforce this kind of labeling requirement and would need to determine whether another agency should handle enforcement. The committee also heard SB 581, which would establish an aerospace and aeronautics development program within DBEDT. Testimony was generally supportive, but members pressed for a fiscal estimate, and the bill’s sponsor said a prior version of the office had operated on about $400,000 annually with a small staff. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what those are, some of those are, is looking at access to the property, looking at access to utility
• So it’s very centralized, with great access.
• Food security continues to be a concern for Washington military families.
• One in five reported Washington military families are food insecure.
• One in five reported Washington military families are food insecure.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs heard presentations on several military- and veterans-related topics. Dr. Dan Calvert briefed the committee on the JBLM Sentinel Landscape Partnership, explaining that it works through voluntary, non-regulatory cooperation with landowners to reduce encroachment around the base by conserving prairie habitat, supporting agriculture, and limiting incompatible development. He described REPI funding, recent and pending conservation projects, and possible policy supports such as state designation, a dedicated funding stream, management endowments, prescribed fire flexibility, and water-rights transfer tools. Members asked about seed sourcing, the distinction between natural-resource encroachment and development-related encroachment, and the impact of federal REPI staffing cuts. Washington Department of Veterans Affairs Director David Puente and Deputy Director Solomon Gilbert updated the committee on a proposed state veterans cemetery in the Tri-Cities area and the Spokane Veterans Home replacement project. For the cemetery, they said the VA has identified a need within a 75-mile radius, the agency has two candidate parcels in Richland/West Richland, and a state-funded pre-design study is underway; they also noted future operating costs will likely require general fund support because the Armed Forces license plate fund is limited. On the Spokane home, they described plans for a 120-bed, small-house-model facility on a 42-acre site near the VA medical center, with improved privacy, outdoor space, memory care potential, and better staffing retention. They also reviewed budget reductions affecting outreach, counseling, and veteran service organizations, and answered questions about wellness services, adult day health care, and cemetery operations. Blue Star Families Puget Sound Executive Director Megan Barnes described the chapter’s family-support programs, including Coffee Connects, a children’s book club, outdoor cohorts, resume workshops, and Blue Star Welcome Week events. She said the organization is focused on belonging and connection for military families and is using its online network and local outposts to expand beyond the South Sound. Members raised concerns about food insecurity among military families, and Barnes said the group is seeing increased need and is distributing grocery gift cards and coordinating with food banks and partner nonprofits. In the closing discussion, members previewed possible legislation for the upcoming session, including a bill to restore the Washington National Guard retention strategy, a proposal to expand military family eligibility for E-CAP early learning, a bill to update the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee composition, and a concept to allow transitioning service members to access veterans’ preference in hiring before receiving a DD-214. Senator Conway also asked for a formal report on state and federal cuts affecting veterans services, and the committee adjourned after thanking staff and presenters.