Video & Transcript : 'farm programs' :
Page 85 of 500
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- For the record, my name is Patrick Bray, representing the Arizona Farm and Ranch Group.
- For the record, my name is Patrick Bray, representing the Arizona Farm and Ranch Group.
- When we met with the Farm Bureau last year, we asked that question.
- When we met with the Farm Bureau last year, we asked that question. cause here.
- When we met with the Farm Bureau last year, we asked that question.
Committees:
Senate Finance , Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference
Keywords:
firefighters, occupational disease, workers compensation, cancer presumption, police officers, hazardous duty, SB1270, Arizona retirement system, public safety personnel, defined contribution plan, correctional officers, corrections officers, retirement contributions, supplemental contributions, retention incentive, recruitment incentive, employer contribution, employee contribution, vesting, annuity account
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- And while funding continues to be, you know, a Loan repayment program.
- So for the record, Dexton Lake with the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation. Farm Bureau Federation.
- I just point out this is not a new program.
- This is simply putting a requirement on an existing program.
- Students have to pass these exams in order to graduate from our program.
Committee:
Senate Education
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Professional Registration and Licensing Feb 11th, 2026
Professional Registration and Licensing
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a traumatic event on the farm in the middle of harvest. It is a stroke.
- in a small town—towns like my own, where my own family still runs and operates our cattle and hog farm
- You were talking about the farm life.
- Two of which returned to our cardiac rehab program, and one even DJed our Christmas party.
- I know that the Rural Health Transformation Program has been mentioned multiple times today, so I will
Summary:
The committee first completed action on House Bill 3009, adopting an amendment, rolling the bill into a House Committee Substitute, and then voting do pass on the substitute by a 20-0 roll call vote. The meeting then moved into public hearing on House Bill 1963, which would reduce from five years to three years the amount of licensed practice required before certain social workers may supervise others. Representative Tara Peters said the change would help address Missouri’s behavioral health workforce shortage, especially in rural areas, and testimony from the National Association of Social Workers and Burrell Behavioral Health supported the bill as a way to remove a bottleneck without changing education or supervision-hour requirements. There was no opposition testimony on HB 1963.
The committee then heard House Bill 2557, which would require a physician to be physically present in an emergency department during all hours of operation. Representative George Hruza argued the bill would improve patient safety and standardize emergency care, while noting possible telehealth accommodations for low-volume critical access hospitals. Supporters, including physicians and medical associations, said patients expect physician-led emergency care and that physician presence is the gold standard. Opponents, led by the Missouri Hospital Association and several rural hospital administrators, argued the mandate is not realistic given physician shortages, could force rural ER closures, and would reduce access to care; they emphasized that current hospital models rely on teams, telehealth, and transfer protocols. The bill drew extensive discussion but no vote was taken.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 311, which would modernize Missouri’s bail bond laws by creating a professional board and tightening training, oversight, and recovery procedures. Representative Brandon Phelps said the industry itself wants clearer standards and that he may revise the bill in committee substitute form to merge the new board with an existing board to reduce costs. A bail bond industry representative testified in support, saying the profession wants higher standards and accountability. The chair then adjourned the meeting after testimony concluded.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Energy (7-24-25) - Reupload
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:08:04.200><c> uh</c> household incomes and the program uh household incomes and the program uh
- </c> being a partner with the LIHEAP program being a partner with the LIHEAP program that<00:13:54.960
- I know it's great program. investment? I know it's great program.
- </c> care of folks utilizing this program. care of folks utilizing this program.
- ,</c> support jobs in our tourism, farming, support jobs in our tourism, farming, and<00:46:36.000><c
Summary:
The committee first took up a public hearing and presentation on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Shannon Hall of the Department for Community Based Services and Rick Baker of Community Action Kentucky explained that LIHEAP is a 100% federally funded block grant that helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills, avoid utility disconnects, and support weatherization. They outlined the program’s components, eligibility limits, seasonal application periods, and recent participation figures, including tens of thousands of households served through the summer cooling, fall subsidy, winter crisis, and spring subsidy components. They also described weatherization priorities, the partnership with Kentucky Housing Corporation, and the role of Community Action agencies in administering the program statewide.
Members asked about Assurance 16, the balance between need and available funding, summer cooling assistance, weatherization measurement, renter versus homeowner participation, and whether federal changes could affect LIHEAP. Hall and Baker said Assurance 16 supports energy-burden reduction through education, case management, and conservation strategies; that funding has generally been sufficient in recent years but crisis funds have sometimes been exhausted quickly in the past; and that summer assistance is primarily electric utility support. They also said weatherization uses return-on-investment testing and that Kentucky still has a large backlog of homes needing service. On federal funding, they said the recently passed federal bill did not directly cut LIHEAP, but future appropriations could still affect it, and any major reduction could leave a gap the state might need to consider filling. The committee approved the minutes and later approved the LIHEAP finding of fact; no members of the public signed up to testify.
After concluding LIHEAP, the committee heard a presentation from Heather Jeff of The Nature Conservancy on conservation opportunities in Kentucky. She described the organization’s voluntary land-protection work and highlighted the Cumberland Forest project, a conservation easement on about 55,000 acres in Bell, Knox, and Leslie counties supported in part by a $3.875 million state appropriation. She also reported on mine-land reforestation, elk habitat work, and the rapid allocation of a $2 million appropriation for the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund. Jeff emphasized the economic value of conservation for tourism, hunting and fishing, agriculture, forestry, bourbon, and flood protection, and said the group is finalizing a Kentucky conservation needs assessment and related feasibility research.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Economic and Rural Development Jul 7th, 2025
Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- As much as we worry about losing federal programs, the federal programs don't necessarily provide good
- And finally, if the Wood Innovation Grant program, which is a federal grant program, continues, that
- The first program that I'll go over is the Rural Infrastructure Program.
- We are watching those prices in that program.
- , while other programs are much more draconian.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- I appreciate your dedication to Florida farm families and the communities that surround them.
- Laws and programs can be revised. They can be changed and updated.
- Everyone I've spoken to about the program supports making sure the children in Florida don't go to bed
- Everyone I've spoken to about the program supports making sure the children in Florida don't go to bed
- Each product was grown or produced with the hands of Florida's hardworking farm families.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- to new grant programs created, looking at those and focusing on those newer programs and really asking
- , the SHEEP program.
- , the sheep program.
- It's not a standalone program.
- capacity of the current program.
Bills:
SB5998
Committee:
Senate Ways & Means
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 063 Mar 18th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- benefits through the Double Up Food Bucks program in which many farmers markets participate.
- ><c> which</c> double up food bucks program in which double up food bucks program in which many<00:38
- Again, keeping with that farm-to-table model, and really getting fresh produce out to the communities
- ><c> and</c><00:42:08.640><c> really</c> farm-totable model, um, and really farm-totable model, um, and
- , whereas a network, they all have the same type of program and that's how they are authorized.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Chronic Wasting Disease Task Force Mar 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So just to recap our program, basically... Okay.
- We had 12 quarantine farms as a result of that.
- So anytime a positive pops on a farm, we go through the actual USDA CWD herd certification program.
- the CWD certified programs on my two hands?
- Is the Farm Bureau going to give us any written?
Summary:
The committee continued discussing recommendations for chronic wasting disease (CWD) surveillance and response in Louisiana’s wild and captive deer herds. Members and staff reviewed current surveillance results, noting that LDWF had met goals in 32 of 64 parishes and that voluntary hunter-harvest sampling was falling short in other areas. Several ideas were raised to improve sample collection without making it broadly mandatory, including incentives for hunters, taxidermists, and possibly processors; use of DMAP properties and mobile sampling units; and targeted sampling of older bucks and other higher-risk animals. Members also discussed whether to use parish-level or other geographic control areas, and whether to mirror aspects of Arkansas’s approach, including testing to reduce or remove restrictions when prevalence remains low.
The committee also heard from LDWF and LDAF about captive herd surveillance and reporting. LDAF described its licensed deer facilities, a 2024 positive in Jeff Davis Parish that led to depopulation and quarantines, and follow-up testing that has remained negative at quarantined farms. Witnesses said the agencies currently share information informally and through USDA/NVSL channels, but there is no specific law or regulation requiring 24-hour notification between agencies. The Wildlife Federation and several members recommended mandatory enrollment in the USDA herd certification program, mandatory reporting of positives, and clearer coordination between LDWF and LDAF. Members also discussed the cost of testing, with LDWF saying USDA grants covered diagnostic testing for the last two deer seasons, while department self-generated funds covered earlier costs.
A major portion of the meeting focused on how to respond when a positive wild deer is found. Some members favored immediate restrictions, while others argued for keeping existing season rules in place through the season and using the positive as a trigger for intensified sampling, with the goal of avoiding unnecessary penalties and encouraging hunters to submit samples. There was also discussion of whether baiting should be prohibited, allowed during hunting season, or phased based on testing results, with Arkansas’s statewide baiting allowance and county-based disease management zones used as a comparison. The chair emphasized that no final recommendation would be adopted at this meeting; instead, staff was directed to compile the discussion and written recommendations for consideration at the April meeting, when the committee expects to vote and the commission may need to act quickly through its notice-of-intent or emergency rule process before the next hunting season.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- We do have a great program for you today. Idaho is at a water crossroads.
- So as we convert from a farm to an industrial, they may...
- And they did participate through their irrigation incentive programs with pump eliminations.
- It's a really cool program, actually. So I would stand for questions. Thank you.
- It's a really cool program, actually. So I would stand for questions. Thank you.
Committee:
House Resources and Conservation
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Local Government Committee Aug 28th, 2026
Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- At the same time, they have solar as an alternate revenue source so they can keep their farms.
- Additionally, my colleagues at the Community Alliance with Family Farms, California Rangeland Trust,
- And the high contamination is as much leading to people not farming in a way that there needs to be an
- to restore it at the state level, and that's where the sustainable agriculture lands conservation program
- And the high contamination is as much leading to people not farming in a way that there needs to be an
Bills:
SB677
Committee:
Senate Local Government
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- There's a consolidation of farms going on.
- There's a consolidation of farms going on. districts. There's a consolidation of farms going on.
- The commission has also done a large landowner program and has worked on deer hunting with the hunting
- The commission has also done a large landowner program and has worked on deer hunting with the hunting
- The commission has also done a large landowner program and has worked on deer hunting with the hunting
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- And how the state can use programs like ConFire as a model statewide.
- We also run an ambulance strike team program, so we have an ambulance strike team.
- to help low-income and farming community have housing.
- to help low-income and farming community have housing.
- Are you concerned about it in any of your programs?
Committee:
Senate Rules
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Apr 10th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Government and Politics program for the third year in a row.
- And yet, you started your journey in Central California advocating for the farm workers.
- , and living in what we know you also inspired, which is a farm worker housing.
- And of course, we should immediately suspend the high-speed rail program.
- We'll have to make real cuts to real programs that do good for Californians.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- The local diner, the small businesses, the 86,000 farms and ranches in the state of Oklahoma, Farms and
- Their business is established as an LLC, but we know what most LLC farms and ranches across Oklahoma
- that you describe, the small mom-and-pop, the two- to three-employee on Main Street, or the family farm
- So my question really has to do with what businesses, particularly restaurants, construction, farms,
- software needed to oversee the implementation of this program?
Committee:
House Business
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 3725, as amended by a PCS, which would require employers statewide to use E-Verify or a federal equivalent when hiring new employees. The author argued the bill would help reduce illegal immigration, protect wages and jobs for lawful workers, and impose only minimal costs because E-Verify is free and quick to use. Members raised concerns about burdens on small businesses, farms, and ranches; state versus federal authority; enforcement by the Department of Labor; identity theft and false positives; possible litigation; and what would happen if the federal system went offline or changed. The author said the bill includes good-faith protections, a trigger repeal if the federal program expands, and that he would file additional language to address shutdown-related disruptions. No motion was made, and the bill remained in committee.
The committee then heard and passed several other measures without opposition. House Bill 3260 would add the Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association as an approved provider for continuing education credits for funeral director license renewals, and it passed 9-0. House Bill 3660 would authorize natural organic reduction, described as transforming human remains into soil, and it also passed 9-0. House Bill 3369 would revise food truck fire code requirements by allowing portable fire extinguishers instead of an automatic suppression system and by allowing licensed plumbers, not just Oklahoma LP Gas, to inspect or install certain gas plumbing; members discussed possible conflicts with another LP gas fix and agreed to work together, and the bill passed 9-0.
Finally, House Bill 3370 would extend the effective date of the food truck fire code to November 1, 2028, creating a sunset to allow more time for a broader solution. The author said he preferred another option but wanted this bill available if needed. After brief clarification, the committee passed HB 3370 9-0. The meeting ended with the chair noting there would be three meetings left in the session.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Agriculture Apr 21st, 2026
Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, that program was about to... I'm sorry.
- Well, that program was about to expire, and there was no certainty for anyone using these programs.
- No, it's been a very successful program. That these programs are going to be there.
- Well, when you look at the return on investment, the Mazbitt program, and these programs have been arguably
- And I think continuing these programs, continuing these tax credit programs is what allows our agriculture
Summary:
The House Agriculture Committee first met in executive session on House Bill 2998, adopting a committee substitute that narrowed the bill to a study of the Upper Mississippi River Basin and the Rural Development Office and extended the deadline to December 1, 2029. Members discussed the bill’s roughly $3 million fiscal note and whether the proposed river-related study and power-generation concept would be a worthwhile investment. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted the committee substitute for HB 2998 do pass by a 21-0 roll call.
The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 913, which would extend several agricultural tax credit programs for five years, including the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Tax Credit (Mazbita), rolling stock credits, meat processing incentives, biodiesel-related credits, specialty crop credits, and a new short-line railroad credit. Senator Curtis Gregory said the bill was intended to provide certainty and support rural infrastructure, agricultural processing, and rail access, and witnesses from the Missouri Soybean Association, Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Corn Growers, Missouri Chamber, short-line railroads, Missouri AgriBusiness Association, Missouri Dairy, Missouri Bankers Association, Missouri Railroad Association, and Missouri Pork Association testified in support.
Opposition came from a public advocate who argued Missouri’s tax credit system is too large, lacks adequate auditing, and could cost tens of millions of dollars while adding state administrative costs. Committee members raised questions about the fiscal note, the carryforward of unused credits, and whether the rolling stock credit backfills local property tax revenue; supporters responded that the credit makes local governments whole and that the programs have strong returns on investment and help preserve agricultural and rail infrastructure. No final vote on SB 913 was taken in the transcript, and the committee adjourned after the hearing.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Apr 23rd, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Has helped shape American life in meaningful ways, pioneering night schools and English language programs
- for working families, The state providing childcare and after-school programs for working families,
- swim lessons, water safety, and a whole host of other programs that meet critical needs in our state.
- California has invested over $727 million in climate-smart ag programs over the past decade, reducing
- People tend to say that farm production or agricultural work is not skilled, but I'm here to tell you
Summary:
The Senate opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, then recognized the YMCA on its 175th anniversary and later welcomed officials from the city of Lindsay. The chamber then moved through confirmations for Frank Darnell Jr. to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board, Michelle Edgar to the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and David Galavis to the State Park and Recreation Commission; all three appointments were confirmed after roll calls. The Senate also adopted a consent calendar of bills and resolutions without objection.
On the floor, senators debated Senate Joint Resolution 12 opposing federal offshore oil and gas leasing off California. Supporters argued offshore drilling would threaten coastal environments and public participation, while opponents said California’s energy shortages and affordability problems require more in-state production. The resolution passed. The Senate also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 118 urging release of unclassified Jeffrey Epstein investigation files to promote transparency and accountability for survivors, and Senate Resolution 99 declaring April 21, 2026, California Agriculture Day, with broad praise for the state’s agricultural industry and concerns raised about water, farmland loss, and farmworker treatment.
Finally, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 100 designating April 16, 2026, as Breaking the Silence Day of Awareness to highlight child sexual abuse prevention, mandated reporting, and survivor support. The chamber then adjourned in memory of Rob Trice and Alwyn Ben Holman, honoring their service and community impact. The session concluded with announcements of upcoming budget subcommittee meetings and notice that the Senate would reconvene on April 27, 2026.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Apr 10th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Government and Politics program for the third year in a row.
- Government and Politics program for the third year in a row.
- Government and Politics program for the third year in a row.
- Government and Politics program for the third year in a row.
- Medi-Cal, the DHCS manages billions of dollars in the Medi-Cal program.
Summary:
The Assembly met after a quorum call and prayer, then handled a series of procedural motions, guest introductions, and floor actions. Members welcomed student groups from Hope International University and Vacaville High School, and later recognized several guests connected to public safety dispatch. The chamber also adopted multiple re-referrals and procedural requests, including moving bills between committees and taking up AB 100 on concurrence from the Senate.
A major portion of the session was devoted to ACR 34, designating April 14 as Sylvia Mendez Day. Assembly Member Ta and several colleagues spoke in support of honoring Sylvia Mendez and the Mendez v. Westminster case as a landmark in civil rights and school desegregation. The resolution drew extended partisan debate over the framing of the measure and broader issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, but it ultimately passed on a roll call vote, with the resolution adopted.
The Assembly also recognized Dolores Huerta on her 95th birthday through guest introductions and celebratory remarks, then moved through several bills and resolutions. AB 471 on air district board compensation, AB 677 on pupil records and access to screenings for housing-insecure students, ACR 31 designating California Public Safety Telecommunications Week, and AB 1150 on airport customer facility charges all passed. HR 30 recognizing Khmer New Year also was adopted with broad support.
The most contentious policy action was AB 100, the early action budget bill. Supporters said it provided funding for wildfire prevention, hospital payments, Medi-Cal, and recovery in Los Angeles fire areas, while opponents criticized the bill for health care spending and high-speed rail. After a failed attempt by Assembly Member DeMaio to amend the bill and an unsuccessful appeal of the chair, the Assembly concurred in the Senate amendments and sent AB 100 to the Governor. The day ended with consent calendar approvals and adjournments in memory for several community members, including Larkin Carol Wells, Carmen O. Perez, and Oscar B. Ramos.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, I have here the Arizona Farm Bureau. Please stand up. All right.
- The organization also works to support local producers and ensure the continued success of farming and
- Bureau, This bill is the work and the culmination of the work between Arizona Game and Fish, the Farm
- that actually educates youth on the dangers of smoking and any... ...education program that actually
- And remind everybody, a quick reminder that tonight at the Arizona Farm Bureau Legislative Ag Fest is
Summary:
The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Jasleen Chatwal. Members also introduced a number of guests and visiting groups, including Irish dignitaries for St. Patrick’s Day recognition, labor organizations such as AFSCME and CWA, the Arizona Farm Bureau, the Arizona chapter of the American College of Surgeons for Stop the Bleed training, and advocates for rare skeletal conditions. A proclamation recognizing St. Patrick’s Day was read, and the House later heard a proclamation honoring AFSCME Arizona.
On the floor, the House took up several procedural motions, including requests to have the Senate return HB 4027 and HB 2444 for reconsideration, and received multiple Senate bills on first and second reading. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole and approved HB 2750 with a friendly floor amendment, sending it forward as amended. The House also sent HB 2999 to an additional Committee of the Whole, adopted a floor amendment, and advanced it as amended for engrossing.
During third reading, HB 2197, relating to water access and camping near water sources, failed on reconsideration after members debated whether it imposed unnecessary criminal penalties and enforcement concerns. HB 2429, relating to vacation and short-term rentals, passed after supporters said it restored local control to cities and towns. HB 2950, creating special districts for tourism improvement areas, passed after amendments made participation voluntary and added notice requirements. HB 4001, relating to nicotine products, also passed after debate over youth vaping, enforcement authority, and whether the bill struck the right balance between regulation and parental responsibility. The House then made committee announcements and adjourned until Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Mar 10th, 2026
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- through the Chapter 90 program.
- The second new program is the unpaved roadways program.
- So you’ve probably heard me say this before: snow and ice program is a year-round program for us.
- Snow and ice program is a year-round program for us.
- RFR for that program.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means