Transcript Highlights:

• Now, the audit would be against USDA would be doing that audit against the records of the state, and
• But it doesn't say how many they will sample, but it does say USDA will then check half of those that
• We send a sample to the USDA, they approve the samples, then the state comes back and does the error
• rate, and then they send it back to the USDA to check them.
• Whether this is USDA data, whether this is HCA data, we'll look to you and to Dr. Garcia to guide.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But it sounds like perhaps it's tightening those too tight, and the USDA standards, I'm not sure, are
• But it sounds like perhaps it's tightening those too tight, and the USDA standards, I'm not sure, are
• This bill actually increases standards higher than USDA.
• standards I'm not sure um and the USDA standards I'm not sure are<00:15:50.360> as<00:15:50.839
• standards this bill actually increases standards higher<00:15:57.079> than<00:15:57.319> USDA

Keywords: Intro: 00:00 Attendance Roll Call: 00:31 Discussion of SB 122: 02:30 Roll Call Vote on SB 122: 26:47, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Agriculture Committee took up Senate Bill 122, a measure dealing with pet stores, breeders, and the scope of local regulation. The chair explained the bill was intended to balance private business rights with local control, and said he wanted to clarify definitions such as qualified breeder, local authority, and where fees and fines would go. He also said he would work on a floor amendment and noted concerns about whether the bill would allow localities to outright ban pet stores or instead only regulate them. The committee first adopted a committee substitute by motion and voice vote. Supporters of the bill, including representatives from Petland and an attorney who had worked on animal-related regulation in Ohio, argued that the bill would create statewide standards, protect responsible pet retailers from what they described as politically motivated local bans, and preserve consumer choice. They said local governments would still be able to inspect, require documentation, and enforce licensing, but not shut businesses down without due process. A senator from Campbell County asked whether the bill would interfere with strong local ordinances; supporters responded that the bill would set standards higher than USDA rules and still allow local regulation, while opposing local bans. Opposition came from the Kentucky League of Cities and representatives of Kentucky animal care and control agencies. KLC said local decisions should remain at the local level and noted that several cities and one county already had ordinances that could be affected; it also said the bill was opposed by its board and might overlap with pending litigation. Animal control representatives said the bill did not clearly define breeder verification or enforcement responsibility, could restrict local authority, and did not address animal care conditions or consumer transparency. After questions and debate, the committee voted on the bill; the roll call ended in a 5-5 tie, and Senate Bill 122 failed to pass out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• For those of you that don't know, we had the new USDA secretary come in to Kentucky.
• We don't have apiary registration in the state of Kentucky, so that's just through USDA surveys and things
• the state of Kentucky so that's just the state of Kentucky so that's just through<00:32:52.279> USDA
• surveys<00:32:53.880> and<00:32:54.120> things<00:32:54.360> like through USDA
• um surveys and things like through USDA um surveys and things like that<00:32:54.799> that<00

Keywords: 00:00 - Introduction 00:15 – Attendance Roll Call 03:15 -- House Bill 186 09:59 – Roll Call Vote 11:51 – HB 370 22:55 – Roll Call Vote 24:45 – HB 304 28:47—Roll Call Vote 30:13 – HB 391 43:09—Roll Call Vote, 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 186, which would streamline food-service rules for churches and nonprofits providing meals to homeless shelters and people displaced by natural disasters. Representative Duvall said the bill is meant to remove unnecessary kitchen and plumbing requirements so organizations can safely serve simple meals in emergencies. Members discussed food safety, whether the bill applies only in declared disaster situations or also to homeless shelters, and whether training should be offered; Duvall clarified that the disaster and homelessness provisions are separate and that food must still be safe and wholesome. After discussion, the committee took a roll call vote and House Bill 186 passed with favorable expression. The committee then heard House Bill 370, a Department of Agriculture reorganization measure sponsored by Representative Payne. Payne and Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell said the bill would move the Division of Farm Safety and Rural Health and create an Office of Economic Development to better support programs such as Food Is Medicine, rural health, farmer mental health, and farm safety. Members asked about the removal of references to shows and fairs, whether the bill would affect livestock shows and county fairs, and whether any new funding was included; Payne said the department would still support shows and fairs, the change was about efficiency and focus, and no new funding was specified because budget decisions come later. Discussion on House Bill 370 also highlighted the department’s broader economic role, including agricultural economic development and outreach tied to the new USDA secretary’s visit to Kentucky. The committee then voted and the bill passed with favorable expression. Finally, the committee began House Bill 304 on soybean assessment language. Representative Bivens and soybean association representatives explained it as cleanup language related to the soybean checkoff and a contingency if the federal checkoff changes. Members asked whether a referendum had already occurred and whether producers supported the measure; the witnesses said the referendum had already taken place and that soybean producers and the association supported it, while one member noted the state may increasingly need to adjust to federal changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• USDA. USDA.
• commercial kitchen, made with USDA commercial kitchen, made with USDA approved<01:39:09.120>
• USDA stamp or be state inspected. USDA stamp or be state inspected.
• processed under Wyoming under the USDA processed under Wyoming under the USDA regulations,<02:36
• So, do we even need the USDA stamp?

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our program has received multiple USDA awards for excellence in nutrition and has been spotlighted on
• Our program has received multiple USDA awards for excellence in nutrition and has been spotlighted on
• So I understand your argument is that, you know, we have federal FDA and USDA guidelines for schools
• So I understand your argument is that, you know, we have federal FDA and USDA guidelines for schools
• They would, because we are a leader in meeting those USDA-required standards.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a public hearing on a large slate of bills, with the chairs emphasizing time limits, written testimony, and grouping similar measures together. Early testimony focused on opioid use disorder education in schools (S.382), with Senator Keenan arguing that students should be taught about the risks of substance use disorder and naloxone use as part of health curricula. Representative DeCost also briefly introduced H.551, a narrow bill concerning parent rights for children in third grade and younger. Several bills were then closed without testimony, including measures on type 1 diabetes informational materials and other diabetes-related proposals. A major portion of the hearing centered on school health and emergency response bills. Supporters of H.652/S.342 on diabetes management in schools described inconsistent district practices and urged clearer standards so students can receive care in classrooms rather than being sent out of instruction. Bills on epinephrine access and seizure disorders drew extensive testimony: advocates for stock epinephrine in schools argued that unassigned epinephrine can save lives and should be funded in a cost-neutral way, while a pediatrician opposed one version as an unfunded mandate. For seizure-safe schools (S.422/H.635), students, parents, educators, and advocates described missed or delayed responses to seizures, stigma, and the need for staff training, seizure action plans, and emergency medication protocols. A separate bill, H.645, allowing anti-seizure medication on school buses, was supported by a parent and student who said current law forces costly and restrictive transportation arrangements. The committee also heard testimony on youth skin health bills (S.334/H.600/H.619), which would let students carry and apply sunscreen at school and camp without a physician’s note. Supporters from melanoma prevention, dermatology, and industry groups said the bills would remove unnecessary barriers and promote sun-safe habits, while one witness cautioned about drafting details and unintended consequences. The hearing then moved to CPR/AED education for graduation (S.456), where Senator Tarr, a student advocate, and the Red Cross all supported requiring hands-on CPR certification for high school students. Finally, the committee took testimony on healthy school lunches (H.539/S.401): supporters from the Healthy School Lunch Coalition and school food directors backed stronger nutrition standards and a standing advisory council, while Consumer Brands Association witnesses opposed the bill as too vague and potentially disruptive. A nutrition scientist also warned about unintended restrictions on medically necessary or innovative foods. The chairs closed the hearing on the healthy lunch bills and then opened testimony on universal school meals for virtual schools (H.700), with Superintendent Patrick Latuka supporting access for students in Commonwealth virtual schools who currently receive no meal support.

Transcript Highlights:

• The USDA projects that food prices will increase by an average of 3.6% in 2026.
• For folks that might not recognize the jargon, CEP, the Community Eligibility Program, is a USDA funding
• According to USDA data, there's already been a 13% drop in SNAP participation in Virginia since March
• And since the enactment of HR1 last July, July 2025, we've seen a 10% drop, according to the USDA data
• but knowing what we've heard anecdotally from our Department of Social Services agencies, looking at USDA

Keywords: Virginia Commission to End Hunger, 976, house, all

Summary: The Virginia Commission to End Hunger met on May 21, 2026 and began by electing new leadership: Senator Roem was nominated and elected chair, and Delegate Marcia Price was elected vice chair. The commission then adopted a required virtual meeting policy and a public participation policy. The chair also read a new directive creating a work group, to be chaired by the commission chair, to evaluate school nutrition department and school meal funding models, review alternatives used in other states, and report recommendations by November 1, 2026 to legislative leaders and the commission. The commission heard from Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier, who discussed the administration’s food access priorities, the loss of federal funding for the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program and Local Food for Schools and Child Care program, and support for programs such as the Virginia Agriculture Food Access Program and Virginia Fresh Match. Members asked about the Virginia Food Box Program, the Farm to School Task Force, universal free school breakfast, and school meal debt. Frazier said the administration sees school nutrition and local food procurement as important, but did not commit to specific budget positions. Chandler Brooks of the Division of Legislative Services reviewed 2026 legislation affecting hunger and school meals. Bills that passed included school meal debt reporting, changes to commission membership, food insecurity data collection, and Farm to School Task Force appointments. Bills that did not advance included universal free school breakfast, a statewide food security coordination act, a food insecurity survey work group, Medicaid nutrition services, school meal debt repayment, and changes to the Hunger-Free Campus grant program. Members discussed the meaning of bills being “laid on the table,” the fiscal impact of food policy proposals, SNAP fraud, rural health transformation funding for food-as-medicine programs, and the need for updates on implementation of prior laws. Emily Moore of the American Heart Association presented on healthy school meals for all, warning that federal changes, including HR1-related losses in SNAP and Medicaid participation, are reducing direct certification for free school meals and threatening CEP participation and school nutrition budgets. She urged the commission to convene a work group on sustainable school meal funding. The commission also discussed travel meetings, future work plan priorities, and possible follow-up presentations from the Department of Social Services on SNAP participation and error-rate reduction. The meeting ended with public comment from No Kid Hungry Virginia supporting a DSS briefing, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It sets USDA on a farmer friendly.
• have<02:25:25.280> sufficient USDA also expects to have sufficient USDA also expects to have
• At from USDA and we'll use that number.
• <02:55:07.359> employees, fired more than 15,000 USDA employees, fired more than 15,000 USDA
• Work to directly from USDA if needed.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, June 4, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with our menu and also at the same time though meeting the requirements of federal compliance with USDA
• compliance with USDA so that we<00:19:08.840> ensure<00:19:09.200> that<00:19:09.320><
• Yeah, USDA are following it, and they are getting reimbursed on the mainland.
• And it doesn't, I don't think it takes rocket science for us to look at what the USDA expects and what
• <00:21:49.480> expects to look at what the is the USDA expects to look at what the is the

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Farm to Community Program began in 2003 through the USDA.
• The USDA abruptly canceled its local food purchase Action essential.
• The USDA abruptly canceled its Local Food Purchase Assistance, or LFPA, a 2025 program, eliminating that

Bills: SB311, HB371

Keywords: pesticide, licensing, agriculture, landscaper, grain inspector, record keeping, Delaware agriculture, certified applicators, regulatory compliance, HB371, Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Act, farmland preservation, agricultural lands, agricultural preservation district, Farmland Preservation Advisory Board, county advisory board, Delaware Foundation, Department of Agriculture, DNREC, planning and zoning

Summary: The House Agriculture Committee met with a quorum present and considered three bills. Senate Bill 53 would codify and continue the Farm to Community Program if federal support is reduced or unavailable, prioritize Delaware farmers, and require reporting and transparency. Testimony in support came from the Delaware Farm Bureau, the Academy of Medicine and Public Health, and Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Jimmy Crone, who said the department supports the bill. Members raised no questions, and the committee voted to release the bill by roll call. The committee then heard Senate Bill 311, a Department of Agriculture maintenance bill updating Title 3 provisions related to plant industry and pesticides. The bill removes an outdated $100 license fee, requires certified private applicators to keep pesticide application records available for inspection, expands the definition of landscaper to include commercial entities installing their own nursery stock, and removes a good-character requirement for grain inspector applicants. With no public comment or questions, the committee voted to release the bill by roll call. Finally, House Bill 371, sponsored by Representative Vanderwyn, would streamline the Agland Preservation Act by eliminating a redundant county advisory board step for farmland preservation districts. Representative Vanderwyn and Deputy Secretary Crone explained that the advisory boards were more useful when the program was new, but now the county planning and zoning commissions and the Department of Agriculture already provide the needed review. After brief discussion, with no public comment, the committee voted to release the bill by roll call and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• That funding came from USDA APHIS, specifically focused on control of the disease from the perspective
• So on the testing of retail milk, the USDA and the FDA have been doing that, and that's how we've been
• And so that is a concern on that, but I did want you to know that there is testing going on at the USDA
• You mentioned the USDA is currently doing testing, but we've heard from previous testimony that I think

Bills: HF2784, HF2785, HF2778, HF2281, HF2576, HF2280, HF2579

Keywords: beginning farmers, agriculture, loans, economic opportunity, farmers' equity, agriculture appropriations, farm to school, early care, child care food program, school lunch program, local food, Minnesota agriculture, food access, farm-to-institution, limited market access, county fairs, biofuels, E25, ethanol, meat processing

Transcript Highlights:

• Earlier this year, the USDA issued an unprecedented demand for PII, including names, dates of birth,
• USDA also indicated that a failure to comply could trigger non-compliance procedures.
• Earlier this year, the<00:24:06.080> USDA<00:24:07.120> issued<00:24:07.600> an<
• the USDA issued an unprecedented demand for<00:24:09.360> PII,<00:24:10.240> including
• Um USDA also indicated those vendors.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the State of Hawaii’s affirmative litigation against the federal administration, with no public testimony. Attorney General Lopez and deputies said the office’s goal is to enforce the rule of law, not make partisan points, and noted that Hawaii is involved in 27 ongoing cases. They grouped the cases into four broad areas: immigration, funding freezes and grant terminations, federal agency dismantling/reductions in force, and protecting elections, health, and safety. Several immigration-related cases were discussed in detail. These included a challenge to the federal sharing of Medicaid data with DHS for immigration enforcement, a similar challenge to USDA’s demand for SNAP applicant and recipient data, and litigation over immigration-enforcement conditions attached to federal grants. The office also described the birthright citizenship executive order, saying it conflicts with the 14th Amendment and Supreme Court precedent; lower courts granted preliminary relief, and the U.S. Supreme Court later addressed only the scope of nationwide injunctions, not the merits. In the Department of Transportation case, the court granted a preliminary injunction against the “Duffy directive,” finding the immigration conditions lacked statutory authority, were arbitrary and capricious, and violated the Spending Clause and APA. The briefing also covered multiple funding disputes. In the education funding freeze case, the Department of Education and OMB withheld about $6 billion in formula funds, including roughly $33 million for Hawaii; after suit was filed, the funds were released. Other cases included the termination of over $11 billion in public health grants, which affected Hawaii Department of Health grants, the NIH indirect cost cap case, and NIH grant terminations tied to DEI, transgender issues, and vaccine hesitancy. The speakers said some cases have already resulted in preliminary or permanent injunctions, while others remain on appeal or are still being litigated.

Transcript Highlights:

• This provision allows states to enter into agreements with the USDA Farm Service Agency to supplement
• enter into an agreements with the USDA enter into an agreements with the USDA fir<01:04:57.240><
• The agreement is a contract with USDA that has been consummated, so we have a signed agreement for us
• economic analysis that was done by USDA economic analysis that was done by USDA in<01:29:24.119>
• He said the information he received from USDA and NRCS is that staff who were on probationary status

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, the United States Department of Agriculture, USDA, is responsible for overseeing state agencies
• United States Department<00:09:35.240> of<00:09:35.360> Agriculture<00:09:36.040> USDA
• <00:09:36.800> is Department of Agriculture USDA is Department of Agriculture USDA is responsible
• and a lack of State rulem Authority USDA and a lack of State rulem Authority but<00:25:17.360> to
• and USDA and USDA guidance<00:25:57.919> and<00:25:58.399> the<00:25:58.520> to

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Policy Committee met to hear a delayed presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on MDE’s oversight of Feeding Our Future, a report released in June 2024. The chair framed the hearing as an oversight review of how the Minnesota Department of Education handled the nonprofit’s participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program, emphasizing that the hearing was not about criminal charges against agency staff. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall and Director of Special Reviews Katherine Tyson explained that their review focused on state oversight, not the underlying federal fraud case, which involved an alleged $250 million scheme and ongoing criminal proceedings. The auditors concluded that MDE’s oversight was inadequate and created opportunities for fraud. They said MDE failed to act on warning signs before the pandemic, did not effectively use its authority to hold Feeding Our Future accountable, and was ill prepared to respond to problems. Examples included approving applications despite concerns about internal controls and staffing, failing to follow up on earlier review findings, not adequately investigating at least 30 complaints, and in one case referring a complaint back to Feeding Our Future for resolution rather than conducting an independent investigation. They also said MDE deferred serious deficiencies without enough evidence that problems had been fully corrected and approved meal claims despite records showing major inconsistencies. Tyson said MDE had made progress on all eight recommendations in the report, though one recommendation to the legislature had not yet been addressed because the session had not convened since the report’s release. The auditors recommended that the legislature establish clearer statutory criteria or give MDE rulemaking authority for sponsor applications, and that MDE strengthen verification of sponsor information, focus more on high-risk sponsors, improve complaint procedures, and emphasize program integrity if waivers reduce oversight in the future. In response to member questions, the auditors said MDE’s reported progress was partial in some areas and that further review would be needed to fully confirm implementation. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:28:26.600> US subsidi subsidized is a USDA US subsidi subsidized is a USDA US Department
• A lot of it was built by USDA Rural Development programs.
• federal subsidy from USDA.
• There are over 9,000 of these units, and about 2,000 of them have a mortgage with USDA that's set to
• money to create um used that USDA money to create um housing<01:21:09.040> that<01:21:09.480>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met for an agency overview from Minnesota Housing Commissioner Jennifer Ho. After member and staff introductions, Ho described Minnesota Housing’s mission, structure, and role as a mission-driven financial institution that issues bonds, uses earnings to support operations, and works across the housing continuum from homelessness prevention to homeownership and preservation. She emphasized that the agency is not a builder or regulator, but funds and partners with developers, local governments, nonprofits, and lenders. She also noted the agency’s four divisions, including a new local government housing programs division created after the 2023 legislative session expanded the agency’s responsibilities. Ho reviewed funding and program activity, saying Minnesota Housing spent $1.96 billion in fiscal year 2024 and helped more than 73,000 households. She highlighted that the agency’s work is heavily competitive and often oversubscribed, with many projects selected through RFPs and grants but more applications than available resources. She discussed 2023 and 2024 investments, including homeownership, rental, and manufactured housing projects, and said roughly half of competitive dollars have gone to Greater Minnesota over the last several years. She also explained the difference between funds committed and funds actually disbursed, noting that construction and rehabilitation projects can take many months to close and draw down funds. The commissioner also updated members on new programs created in 2023 and 2024, including first-generation down payment assistance, the Greater Minnesota Workforce Housing Development Program, public housing rehabilitation, state housing tax credits, and other local and regional initiatives. She said some programs are already closed out, while others remain in early implementation or are still accepting applications. Ho mentioned a forthcoming technical amendment to adjust a high-rise sprinkler program after eligibility issues limited participation. She closed with examples of projects preserved or funded, including a St. Louis Park preservation deal, public housing preservation in Greater Minnesota, a St. Cloud challenge project, and the first-generation down payment assistance program, which distributed $50 million to about 1,450 first-time buyers, most of whom were Black, Indigenous, or people of color. No votes or formal committee actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:21.600> USDA<00:05:22.240> data our national force.
• USDA data our national force.
• USDA data anticipated anticipated anticipated uh<00:05:24.240> that<00:05:24.479> one<00
• <00:08:34.560> forest<00:08:34.959> service are coming through USDA forest service
• are coming through USDA forest service right<00:08:35.599> now,<00:08:36.800> um<00:08:

Bills: SF0069, SF0070, SF0016, HB0078, HJ0002, HB0085, HB0086

Keywords: wastewater, stormwater, infrastructure, environmental quality, public data, data collection, funding, study, water development, irrigation, public works, agricultural supply, municipal water, grazing lands, subleasing, non-owned livestock, state lands, rental fees, agricultural policy, land management

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:46.079> has especially in light of what the USDA has especially in light of what the
• USDA has has<00:15:46.720> announced<00:15:47.040> about<00:15:47.279> their<00
• by the end of guidance from uh the USDA by the end of this<00:19:58.480> month,<00:19:59.200>
• And with the U USDA saying information.
• enactment, but we're waiting on USDA enactment, but we're waiting on USDA guidance.<01:41:31.440

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to pass again and has always been a safety net for farmers, but with cuts in federal programs and USDA
• in terms of the the change at USDA in terms of the the volume<00:20:34.080> and<00:20:34.200>
• You could take all that money and you would not even come remotely close to a backstop for what USDA
• You could take all that money and you would not even come remotely close to a backstop for what USDA
• You could take all that money and you would not even come remotely close to a backstop for what USDA

Bills: HF1704, HF2052

Keywords: Minnesota agriculture budget, Department of Agriculture appropriation, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, farm bill, rural development, agricultural grants, soil health, livestock compensation, crop damage, meat inspection, poultry inspection, county agricultural inspectors, biofertilizer, nitrogen management, commercial nitrogen fertilizer, water quality, farm down payment assistance, beginning farmers

Transcript Highlights:

• So the underlying bill is House Bill 583, which would have the Department of Education apply to the USDA
• So the underlying bill is House Bill 583, which would have the Department of Education apply to the USDA
• c> for<00:27:53.120> participation<00:27:54.080> in<00:27:54.240> the the USDA
• In fact, it would immediately begin enrolling kids from low-income families in the federal USDA grant
• low-income families in the federal USDA low-income families in the federal USDA Grant<00:56:35.240

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 112, which would require students in the University and Community College systems to pass the U.S. citizenship civics naturalization test. A motion was made to retain the bill, and the committee voted unanimously to retain it, resulting in no report. HB 510, dealing with due process rights for students, student organizations, and faculty in higher education disciplinary proceedings, was passed over for a later meeting so the University and Community College systems could meet with the committee. The committee then discussed HB 659, creating a college graduate retention incentive program, but retained it without further debate after noting the prime sponsor was unavailable. HB 770, concerning tuition credits for community service, was also held for later in the day because an amendment was expected. The most extensive discussion centered on HB 583, which would have the state participate in Medicaid direct certification for free and reduced-price school meals. Supporters argued it would identify more eligible students, reduce paperwork, improve accuracy in school funding formulas, and bring in additional federal child care scholarship money; opponents argued it would significantly affect school funding calculations and should be delayed. The committee rejected the amendment by a 10-8 vote and then voted 10-8 to retain the bill, with a majority report and minority report to follow. HB 646, requiring school districts to establish an online application for free and reduced-price meal participation, was also debated. One member said many districts already do this voluntarily and that the bill was unnecessary; another proposed an amendment to convert the mandate into a grant program to offset startup costs, but the committee proceeded on the underlying motion and voted 10-8 to retain the bill, with a majority report and a minority OTP report. HB 665, concerning eligibility for the free school meals program, was then retained by an 11-3 vote. Finally, the committee began work on HB 703, which would prohibit school districts from denying meals to students with unpaid balances and appropriate funds for that purpose. An amendment was explained that would remove state payment of district meal debt and instead require district policies against shaming or bullying students and allow voluntary donations to reduce debt. After discussion, a motion was made to ITL the bill, with the sponsor saying constituents opposed subsidizing the program and wanted districts to retain collection tools; further debate was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are the leads that include, on the federal side, Customs and Border Protection and USDA APHIS,
• apys and then on Border Protection USDA apys and then on our<00:10:46.480> state<00:10:46.800
• But one thing that's important is what USDA really wants to do.
• But one thing that's important is what USDA really wants to do.
• What USDA really wants to do: CRB is not a Hawaiʻi problem; it is a Pacific problem.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Around the same time, USDA also came out with their report on where the adoption of precision agriculture
• This is a picture from USDA net farm income in 2023, and it showed that, in net farm income, Washington
• This is a USDA program that will end at the end of the year.
• the impacts of H.R. 1 and strategic federal policy decisions that cut food security programming or USDA
• So the blue bars are what the USDA predicted in 2017 was going to be total export changes relative to

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held an interim work session focused on Washington agriculture’s viability, workforce, and competitiveness. Director Derek Sanderson of the Washington State Department of Agriculture and WSU Dean Raj Kosla described the size and diversity of the state’s farm sector, declining farm numbers, major export markets, and pressures from labor costs, low commodity prices, trade barriers, drought, regulatory burdens, and pests and disease. Kosla emphasized WSU’s land-grant role in education, research, and extension, including precision agriculture, broadband needs in rural areas, and the need for state support to help producers adopt new technologies and train the next generation of agricultural workers. Members asked about retaining farmland, increasing workforce capacity, and the role of precision agriculture. Kosla said precision agriculture can help address labor shortages and water scarcity, but adoption is limited by cost and rural broadband gaps. He explained precision agriculture as tailoring inputs to the right place, time, amount, and manner, and said WSU is working on low-cost sensor technologies and other innovations. Members also asked about how widely precision agriculture is used and whether it improves farm bottom lines; Kosla said adoption varies by tool and that he would follow up with more data. The committee then heard from Dr. Randy Fortenberry of WSU’s Impact Center on an agricultural competitiveness study and the effects of tariffs and trade. He reported that Washington’s competitiveness has generally declined relative to peer states in dairy, grapes, hops, apples, and wheat, with potatoes as the main bright spot. Surveyed producers said a substantial share of revenue is tied to regulatory compliance, with labor-related costs a major driver, and small diversified farms reported land access, capital, and profitability as bigger barriers than regulation. On trade, Fortenberry said Washington agriculture is highly export-dependent and vulnerable to retaliation, citing past losses in wheat, apples, pulses, and cherries when tariffs disrupted markets, while noting current uncertainty around China and India. The committee asked follow-up questions about compliance time, peer-state comparisons, and regulatory burdens; no votes were taken, and the department said it plans an interim report by the end of the year and a final report by June 2026.