Transcript Highlights:

• We provided a program two years ago called the I-Pollute program that was bipartisan, that gave our local
• We have some promise that showed in these programs when we invested one-time money in them two years
• Chair. that called the I-Pollute program that that called the I-Pollute program that was<00:11:51.160
• programs when we invested<00:12:25.040><c> one-time</c><00:12:25.520><c> money</c><00:12:25.800><c>
• </c> and milk from their farm. and milk from their farm.

Summary: The committee took up House File 4906, adopted the H4906A1 amendment, and heard a staff explanation that the bill would create a one-time property tax refund in calendar year 2026 for residential homesteads and the house/garage/1-acre portion of agricultural homesteads. As amended, the bill would appropriate $4 billion in fiscal year 2027, distribute payments based on 2026 property tax due, include a clawback for delinquent taxpayers, and coordinate with existing property tax refund programs so recipients would not receive more than they paid in taxes. House Research also discussed a disagreement with the Department of Revenue over whether the refund would be taxable federally, with House Research suggesting it would likely be treated as a non-taxable recovery of prior taxes. Public testimony was largely opposed. Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota argued the proposal was too large, would create a deficit and force future service cuts, and would disproportionately benefit higher-income homeowners. Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project said the bill would create a major budget hole, threaten funding for health care, food support, schools, and other services, and exclude renters and lower-income Minnesotans. Members echoed those concerns, citing impacts on public safety, rural EMS, hospitals, education funding, and equity, while noting that renters and many seniors would receive nothing. Representative Howard questioned whether the bill was a cautious use of state resources, and Representative Norris said it missed the mark for struggling renters. Chair Davids defended the concept as a way to put money back in people’s pockets and said the proposal was scalable and intended to start a discussion. Representative Wiener strongly supported the bill, saying many homeowners and farmers in his district are not wealthy and need relief from property taxes; he said the bill should be even bigger. No vote on final passage was taken in the portion of the meeting provided, and the committee moved on after testimony and member discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The inclusion of food access program.
• at MDA, uh meat inspection uh program at MDA, uh farm<00:22:05.280><c> safety,</c><00:22:05.760><c>
• </c> a technical change setting the program a technical change setting the program name<00:25:09.919>
• </c><00:53:00.400><c> uh</c> committee uh for uh the 4R program uh committee uh for uh the 4R program
• </c><00:59:11.040><c> is</c> uh somebody buying milk on the farm is uh somebody buying milk on the farm

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• We’re going to defecate this program.
• Brian Mamoto is here on behalf of the Hawaii Farm Bureau.
• Hawaii has the most restrictive program in the world.
• I know that the nonpoint source program...
• [questionable], Hawaii Farm Bureau, in support. Thank you, Chair.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The joint Housing and Health and Human Services hearing began with Senate Bill 878, which would extend the sunset date for the state rent supplement program for kupuna to June 30, 2028. Testimony was uniformly supportive, including from the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Executive Office on Aging, Catholic Charities Hawaii, and others. Catholic Charities described a waitlist of seniors at imminent risk of homelessness and said the program helps seniors retain housing or secure units with landlord support. Members asked whether the bill would expand the number of households served; staff said the contract allows up to 127 households and that additional pending households could be funded, but applicants must still go through the program process. Both committees voted to pass SB 878 unamended. The committees then heard Senate Bill 1610 on Ohana Zones. The Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions supported the measure so long as it did not supplant existing funding, and described the funding as supporting homelessness services and wraparound supports. The Department of Human Services and Department of Land and Natural Resources offered comments, with DHS suggesting a definition of “kali” be added for clarity. The committee chair said the bill would receive technical amendments for clarity and consistency and accepted proposed amendments related to including “tales” in the program; the measure was advanced with amendments, with members voting in favor in both committees. In the joint Health and Human Services and Labor and Technology hearing, Senate Bill 1496 on civil rights and website accessibility drew support from disability advocates and organizations, including the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the National Federation of the Blind, the Deaf and Blind Task Force, and the Disability and Communication Access Board. Testimony emphasized the need for stronger state protections amid concerns about federal enforcement, while one testifier raised concerns about jurisdiction, minimum contacts, the use of WCAG 2.1 standards, and the bill’s immediate effective date. The committees decided to pass SB 1496 with technical amendments, including adding a defective date to allow further work before conference, and the recommendation was adopted in both committees. Later, the joint Health, Human Services, and Commerce and Consumer Protection hearing took up Senate Bill 404 on service animals. The Attorney General’s office raised a possible constitutional issue and the lack of an enforcement mechanism, while DHS deferred to other agencies. DCAB supported the bill but recommended amendments to identify an enforcement agency and require notices from professionals and sellers of service-animal or emotional-support-animal paraphernalia. Several advocacy and real estate-related groups testified in support. After discussion, the chair recommended deferring SB 404 for further work because of the Attorney General’s concerns, and the hearing adjourned without a vote on the measure. The final joint Transportation, Culture and the Arts, and Health and Human Services agenda heard SB 1526 on a drug and alcohol toxicology testing laboratory and SB 1492 on mobility management; both measures were advanced with amendments or as-is, with SB 1526 sent forward with technical amendments and SB 1492 moved ahead after members noted blank dollar amounts and requested the Department of Transportation provide figures.

Transcript Highlights:

• And over that time, the Navy nuclear propulsion program has accumulated more than 6,200 reactor-years
• I toured the Corona wind farm and learned about the economic impact for those landowners.
• We know that air pollution will decrease solar farm productivity by up to 25%.
• We know that air pollution will decrease solar farm productivity by up to 25%.
• I'm glad our school district is going to be able to support their CTE programs.

Bills: SB78 , SB235 , SB22 , SB310

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Keywords: nuclear energy, renewable energy, sustainability, carbon emissions, energy regulation, microgrid, zero carbon resources, Public Regulation Commission, energy generation, electric utilities, motor vehicle manufacturers, licensing, dealers, franchise agreements, consumer protection, water supply, sewage improvements, environment, funding, Mora County

Transcript Highlights:

• Assistance Grant Program and the Rural Prosecutor Office Salary Assistance Grant Program for this Club
• Services and supports under the Medicaid program which the individual on the waiting list for services
• Relating to eligibility for bulletproof vests and body armor grant program, refer to the Committee on
• H.B. 596 by Howard relating to the school program including an adjustment in those amounts to reflect
• H.B. 597 by McGean relating to the issuance of excess growth weight permit from the farm tractors on

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 673 deals with some money from the Arts and Cultural Heritage program, and this is in regards
• <00:01:00.079><c> program</c><00:01:01.079><c> and</c><00:01:01.559><c> this</c><00:01:01.719><c> is<
• /c><00:01:01.960><c> in</c><00:01:02.199><c> regards</c> program program and this is in regards program
• program and this is in regards to<00:01:02.840><c> a</c><00:01:03.000><c> Band</c><00:01:03.399><c>
• </c> the home to a studio Residency program the home to a studio Residency program that<00:29:26.840>

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• The advice of programs like the EI initiatives are a problem.
• think targeting the outreach of that program and how to get that program into the communities where
• They use the H-2A programs, like the farms and ranches here in Texas. But there are those.
• Blake Roach, the record shows you're here on behalf of Texas Farm Bureau.
• for an award under the program.

Bills: SB231 , SB667 , SB689 , SB825 , SB965 , SB992 , SB1059 , SB1220 , SB2368 , SB2601

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Transcript Highlights:

• And I started farming with an aunt.
• Mark Faganbaum with Missouri Farm Bureau, testifying in favor of H.B. 2297.
• We encompass everything from farming and ranching to animal ownership, nearly every kind of animal.
• And at most, A department acquiring it in the field training officer program.
• Mark Figenbaum, with Missouri Farm Bureau, and I won't take too much of your time.

Committees: House Agriculture , House Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• They're being sold largely because of this farm bill. Why do we care many?
• There's diversion programs or civil citation programs.
• We need to put more money and funding into diversion programs.
• Not every county has accredited in jail drug treatment programs.
• It diversion programs are obviously in place. Are we different?

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we have your word that you will keep the three-tier program in mind as you write on this bill.
• And a large portion of them, if they were not in a municipality, which most of the grow farms are not
• But what has happened is so many of the farms have gotten caught in a catch-22.
• Senate Bill 1590 is designed to mirror the strength in Oklahoma Homes Program that was created by House
• The program is not paying for the entire fortified roof; it is helping pay for the fortified roof.

Bills: SB1732 , SB1217 , SB1443 , SB1455 , SB1457 , SB1459 , SB1465 , SB1944 , SB1946 , SB1218 , SB1942 , SB1352 , SB2132 , SB1920 , SB1285 , SB1304 , SB1305 , SB1326 , SB1590 , SB1767

Committee: Senate Business and Insurance

Keywords: professional licensing, licensing fees, home inspection, home inspector, Construction Industries Board, CIB, contractor license, journeyman license, apprentice registration, alarm endorsement, code inspector, electrical license, plumbing license, mechanical license, permit fees, renewal fee, reciprocity, poultry house contractor, poultry house wiring, environmentally controlled poultry house

Transcript Highlights:

• The small businesses, the 86,000 farms and ranches in the state of Oklahoma.
• ranch and you know It, they're their business is established as an LLC, but we know what most LLC farms
• you described, the small mom and pop the 2 to 3 employees you know in on Main Street or the family farm
• software needed to oversee the implementation of this program.
• They do not have a database of all private businesses, nor do they have the program software that is

Bills: HB3725 , HB3260 , HB3660 , HB3369 , HB3370

Committee: House Business

Keywords: labor, e-verification, immigration, employers, employment eligibility, Department of Labor, penalties, funeral licensing, continuing education, Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association, professional development, licensing requirements, HB3660, natural organic reduction, human composting, soil reduction, green burial, funeral services, cremation, burial permit

Transcript Highlights:

• And being from a farm community and a farm person myself, it's been one method for many decades now that
• have kept farming affordable.
• And being a from a farm community right?
• ><c> been</c> and a a farm person myself, it's been and a a farm person myself, it's been one<01:08:29.600
• So farmers have kept farming affordable.

Summary: The Make America Healthy Again task force held its first meeting to set interim priorities rather than take formal action. Co-chairs and members said the group’s goal is to identify practical policy ideas to improve Kentucky’s poor health outcomes, with an emphasis on prevention, and to gather input from members and outside stakeholders. Roll was called, several members were present, and the co-chairs noted the meeting would be limited in length and would not include a lunch break. Members identified a wide range of possible focus areas, including childhood and adult obesity, nutrition in schools, food deserts, agriculture and support for local farms, health responsibility, physical activity, mental health, and provider education on nutrition. Several speakers stressed that Kentucky’s health care costs are rising unsustainably and that prevention is cheaper than treatment. Others emphasized that the task force should work with agencies, hospitals, universities, and experts, and should narrow its work to a few actionable areas rather than “chase every rabbit.” There was also discussion of food as medicine, improving the quality of food in schools and hospitals, and making healthier choices more accessible and affordable. Members referenced conversations already underway with industries, the Kentucky Department of Education, the Kentucky Hospital Association, and agricultural leaders. No votes or formal motions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided; the main action was the exchange of priorities and direction for future task force work.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have a nonprofit organization in the farming industry.
• The farming industry. All, you know, these farmers can become members of this organization.
• And my wife is working on the farm with me.
• Tennessee for now going over 75 years, and I consider that a successful program.
• Trip Hunter, Farm Bureau, Farm Bureau speaking for. Wave four. That's it for appearance forms.

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism took up several measures, beginning with SB 1666, which would adopt Florida’s version of UCC Article 12 to address commercial transactions involving digital assets such as cryptocurrency, smart contracts, blockchain, and NFTs. The committee adopted a technical amendment and then reported the bill favorably. It also approved CS/SB 480, a proposal to create affordable health coverage options for farmers and ranchers through a nonprofit agricultural organization model; the bill drew significant questions about preexisting conditions, ACA coverage, costs, and whether the plans would function like insurance, but it was ultimately reported favorably despite opposition from some members and outside groups. The committee then unanimously advanced CS/SB 1172, which expands business development incentives for veterans and military spouses, including procurement preferences, fee waivers, tax exemptions, and an entrepreneurship program; an amendment added military-spouse hiring preferences and protections for private employers that adopt them voluntarily. The committee also approved CS/SB 1400, a bill aimed at non-consensual AI-generated sexual deepfakes. The measure requires covered platforms to provide a removal process, post clear notice of that process, and remove identified content within 24 to 48 hours, with liability under the Florida Unfair Trade and Deceptive Practices Act for noncompliance; an amendment carved out internet service providers from liability. Members raised concerns about repeat uploads and the meaning of “reasonable efforts,” but the bill was reported favorably. The committee then adopted SM 1488, a memorial urging Congress to create a sovereign wealth fund, despite testimony opposing it as unnecessary and constitutionally questionable. It also passed SB 1252, which would create a centralized statewide system for sharing pawn and secondhand dealer data among law enforcement agencies; the sponsor said the first step would be a $250,000 feasibility study, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered SB 922, which revises Florida’s restrictive covenant laws by creating a streamlined process for certain non-compete and garden leave agreements involving employees with access to sensitive information and higher wages. The bill drew extensive debate over worker mobility, global scope, and whether it would strengthen employer leverage too much; after a technical amendment, it was reported favorably. The last major item was SB 1776, a Florida Whistleblowers Act revision that adds a notice-to-cure requirement, narrows retaliation and employer definitions, and limits claims where another statutory remedy exists. Members and public speakers raised concerns that it could make whistleblower claims harder to bring and give employers time to destroy evidence, but the bill was amended and then reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• I own a small farm here in northern New Mexico and Santa Cruz.
• I've been farming the same land for over 400 years.
• I co-own and operate a vegetable farm here in Bernalillo County.
• I was born on a farm, delivered by a midwife, lived on farms and ranches my whole life.
• I worked my whole life, me and my wife did, to buy a farm and then to purchase a ranch.

Committee: House House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Farm Farm Bureau<00:07:47.720><c> not</c><00:07:48.479><c> here</c><00:07:49.479><c> uh</c><00:07:49.639
• I remember over 15 years ago, U.M.K. came to my mom’s farm, and all the bananas was good.
• </c> average person is not living on a farm average person is not living on a farm every<00:31:52.399
• program.
• , like it is with their other programs?

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Summary: The joint hearing focused on a bill reorganizing Hawaiʻi’s biosecurity and invasive species framework, including moving or renaming responsibilities within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and clarifying the role of the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council (HISC). Testimony from the Hawaiian Invasive Species Council, DLNR, Oʻahu and Big Island invasive species committees, the Sierra Club, farmers, and community members generally agreed that invasive species management is critical, but many opposed consolidating HISC or broader biosecurity functions into a single department. Supporters of the existing interagency model emphasized HISC’s statewide coordination role, its links to DLNR and other agencies, and its ability to fill gaps with federal funding and cross-agency collaboration. Several testifiers raised concerns that the bill could weaken existing authority or create unintended legal and operational problems. The Sierra Club and others warned about possible interstate commerce issues, loss of authority to regulate movement of infested material within an island, and the need to preserve HISC as an independent or elevated coordinating body rather than placing it inside one agency. Community testimony described real-world impacts from little fire ants, coqui frogs, and landscaping-related introductions, and argued that the current system has produced service gaps and duplication when funding or responsibilities shift. One testifier also urged removing hemp movement reporting provisions, saying they do not aid biosecurity and should be treated like other crops. DLNR and Department of Agriculture representatives said they support the overall goal of stronger biosecurity but stressed that invasive species work is broader than agriculture alone. They noted that DOA, DLNR, and other partners each have different missions and capabilities, and that staff safety, terrain, and training matter when responding in remote areas. The department said it was recruiting for new positions, with some of the 44 funded positions still being finalized, and that implementation would require phased rulemaking, standards, training, and outreach. Members asked about the bill’s practical impact, staffing needs, and whether inspectors are prohibited from hiking; the department said no blanket prohibition exists, but staff use judgment based on safety and terrain. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaii Farm Bureau. Thanks.
• farm to state program.
• farm to state program.
• </c> TOD program. TOD program. Thank<00:43:04.080><c> you,</c><00:43:04.160><c> chair.
• </c> the programs and the ID that they need. the programs and the ID that they need.

Bills: HB1700

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The joint committees heard several housing, land use, and infrastructure bills. HB 6019 HD2 on electric vehicle infrastructure and HB 1728 HD1 on rainwater catchment systems both drew limited testimony and were advanced. For HB 1728, the chairs said they would designate the Department of Health as the regulator and incorporate suggested technical amendments from plumbing and rainwater industry groups. Both measures were reported out with recommendations to pass, with HB 6019 passed unamended and HB 1728 passed with amendments. HB 1844, which would have required the Land Use Commission to reclassify lands designated for urban growth, drew significant opposition from the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Sierra Club, who argued it would bypass land-use review and threaten agricultural land, water planning, and long-term resilience. Grassroot Institute supported the bill, and the Land Use Commission said the bill raised concerns. After discussion, the chairs deferred the measure in one committee and later the recommendation to pass it with amendments was not adopted in the other committee. HB 1990 on penalties and liens for unresolved residential zoning violations was advanced with amendments. The chairs adopted Grassroot Institute’s suggested changes requiring any county sale of such property to be at no less than fair market value and requiring excess proceeds to be returned to the owner. HB 2424, which would allow county planning agencies to petition for temporary reclassification of certain agricultural lands to rural, also drew mixed testimony; the Land Use Commission raised due process concerns, and agriculture interests opposed it. One committee advanced it with amendments, but in the other committee the recommendation failed after members cited lack of county support. The later portion of the hearing began on HB 1738 and HB 1739. HB 1738 would expand county authority to amend district boundaries for housing on parcels over 15 acres; OHA, Sierra Club, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau opposed it, while Grassroot Institute supported it. HB 1739 would require transit-supportive densities in county TOD areas and limit local restrictions; DPP raised concerns about timing, permitting, and conflicts with existing TOD frameworks, while OPSD and Grassroot supported it. The transcript cuts off before final action on these later bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Privilege, so to speak, and say welcome to everyone here from State Farm.
• It is State Farm Day at the Capitol.
• It is State Farm Day at the Capitol.
• President Pro Tem, two other groups: I also had a State Farm agent, Anthony Bone, shadowing me.
• Also, the Arizona Farm Bureau's Ag Fest is going to be a little bit different this year.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> right we have three programs right we have three programs preschools<00:21:58.120><c> work</c><00
• </c> School Central Maui we have one program School Central Maui we have one program manager<00:22:02.640
• </c> Learning apprenticeship grant program Learning apprenticeship grant program and<01:13:13.280><c>
• </c> those people actually doing the program those people actually doing the program it<01:16:50.520>
• early childhood apprenticeship program, and that apprenticeship program has been already vetted by the

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 110, HD1, which would clarify local food purchase goals for the Department of Education. DOE said it supports the measure and will work toward the 30% local food mandate by 2030. The Department of Agriculture also supported the bill, and outside advocates from the Hawaii Public Health Institute and Hawaii Farm to School Network strongly backed it as consistent with prior farm-to-school laws and helpful for measuring progress toward the goal. The committee then took up House Bill 293, which would exempt certain DOE purchases of local edible produce and packaged food products from electronic procurement rules and allow written-quote purchasing thresholds, including a lower quote requirement for some rural schools. DOE, the Department of Agriculture, the State Procurement Office, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau all supported the measure, describing it as a tool to help the department test and add local products and meet the 30% goal. However, members pressed DOE on the bill’s purpose and mechanics, questioning why the department could not simply add products to vendor lists or use existing procurement flexibility. DOE explained it was trying to test new local products, including products not yet on the USDA-approved list, and said the bill would allow limited pilot purchases while it works through USDA approval and vendor-list updates. Members also raised concerns about whether the bill was being used to bypass procurement and whether small farmers or aggregators could realistically supply the needed volume. House Bill 1069, which would add two voting members representing DOE and the Board of Education to the School Facilities Authority, also drew support from DOE and the Board of Education. Supporters said the change would improve accountability, strategic input, and communication on school facilities matters. SFA testified that it has already increased coordination with DOE through regular meetings and that recent discussions have been more robust. Committee members questioned whether voting seats were necessary given that DOE and BOE could already attend meetings and receive updates, and they raised concerns about how a voting representative would report back and whether the measure would actually solve communication problems. No votes or final actions were taken on the measures during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's an interesting place, and we're a farming family down there.
• We operate Century Farms in Torrance and in Riariba County.
• In the United States, one farm feeds 169 people.
• tractors on farms.
• But that's how we feed 160 people per farm.

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• and I'm sure he is watching from home, likely just to make sure Senator Trumbull doesn't mess up his farm
• The second part of the bill modernizes Florida's address confidentiality program.
• bill passes, please read the next bill: Senate Bill 386, a bill to be entitled an act relating to farm
• Ranchers who purchase major farm equipment.
• Thank Lemon Laws for farm equipment. That's the bill. Are there amendments? None on the desk, Mr.