Transcript Highlights:

• I remember her taking food away from me.
• And so all we're saying is that somebody in the food chain...
• And I serve as a government relations manager at the Houston Food Bank.
• The Houston Food Bank is the largest distributing food bank in the nation.
• Along with our affiliate food banks, we provide over 150 million meals each year.

Bills: HB136 , HB451 , SB425 , SB466 , SB905 , SB1986 , SB2311 , SB2450 , SB2805 , SB2826 , SB2919 , SB3001 , HB136

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• food supply is the difference between knowing the food we put on our families' table is safe and nutritious
• I know seniors are eating cat food on some of those stops we make.
• move the food, they go to small businesses.
• move the food, they go to small businesses.
• , now don't have the opportunity to access food stamps.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former member Chester Clem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum confirmation. Members then adopted the special order report and a rules report amending House Rule 15.3 to allow fundraising under certain circumstances during extended or special sessions. The chamber also heard several recognitions and a farewell speech from Representative Nixon, who reflected on constituent service and her legislative priorities. On the floor, HB 1405, relating to a statewide project for missing persons with special needs, passed unanimously. The House then took up CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, which drew questions about the handling of surplus conservation lands and agricultural uses; it passed 94-10. CS/CS/CS/HB 905, the “Fire Act” on foreign influence, was explained as a broad package restricting foreign-country influence in government, procurement, gifts, cultural agreements, and related areas. An amendment adding restrictions on surrogacy and adoption involving citizens or residents of foreign countries of concern was adopted after debate over possible impacts on families and adoption practices, and the bill then passed 80-20. The House also passed CS/CS/HB 1197, a bill to modernize state information technology procurement and contracting, unanimously after debate about improving oversight of large IT projects. HB 1103, allowing local governments to fast-track action on derelict vessels, also passed unanimously. The chamber then considered CS/CS/CS/HB 399 on land use development and development regulations, including limits on development fees, changes to local voting thresholds for comprehensive plan and boundary actions, manufactured homes in RV parks, and resort-related provisions. Several amendments were debated, including one on local control and rural boundaries that failed and another strike-all amendment ruled out of order; the bill ultimately passed 71-38. The final item reached before the transcript ended was a local bill for the Pace Fire Rescue District in Santa Rosa County, described as adjusting its assessment formula to provide tax relief.

Transcript Highlights:

• The second portion is hunger relief, which provides a choice-model food shelf, food delivery, and off-site
• food distributions serving over 5,000 households in Northern Dakota County.
• Shelf food provides a choice model Food Shelf food delivery<00:39:52.119><c> and</c><00:39:52.280><c
• > off-site</c><00:39:52.680><c> food</c><00:39:53.040><c> distributions</c> delivery and off-site food
• </c> started own business by purchasing food started own business by purchasing food truck<00:44:19.720

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• She then turns to page two and says the office also oversees the Food for Child and Adult Care Food Program
• ><c> um</c> child and adult care food program so um child and adult care food program so um that<00:05
• </c> that program um and then the summer food that program um and then the summer food service<00:06:
• </c><00:17:40.440><c> service</c> the summer food service the summer food service program<00:17:43.640
• ><c> service</c> program we is summer food service program we is summer food service program<00:17:45.240

Summary: The Department of Education’s Bureau of Wellness and Nutrition presented an overview of the school meal and child nutrition programs it administers, including the National School Lunch Program, Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), After School Snack Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, and Special Milk Program. Staff explained which programs are federally funded through USDA, which have state matching funds, and how reimbursement rates are set for different programs and fiscal years. They also walked the committee through a packet showing reimbursement tables, state and federal funding totals, and eligibility data. Members focused much of their questioning on how state and federal reimbursements work for lunch and breakfast, why lunch is shown as a state match while breakfast has meal-based breakdowns, and how the department allocates funds in the budget. The department explained that lunch uses a set state match tied to federal requirements, while breakfast reimbursement is based on meals served. They also reviewed FY 22-24 funding trends, noting higher federal spending during COVID-era waivers and lower amounts as those waivers ended. A committee member asked for the data in Excel and the department agreed to provide it. The discussion also covered summer meal programs and the distinction between the Summer Food Service Program and Summer EBT. Staff explained that SFSP provides meals at approved open or closed sites, while Summer EBT is a separate DHHS-run benefit program that provides funds to families; the two programs coordinate through data sharing but are not the same. Members also discussed CEP, with staff explaining that New Hampshire currently has three schools participating, that the qualifying threshold was reduced from 40% to 25% identified students, and that districts must cover the non-federal share with non-federal funds. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• People can postpone a concert ticket. ...groceries because food is not a luxury good.
• You're going to shut down countless laundry, food, and toiletry companies, too.
• In my district, those items are going toward a food bank.
• Every town has a food bank and a fire company. They all deserve our support.
• banks. $20 million to distribute to their own worthy and needy food banks.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when we talk housing and food, that is not net after institutions cost.
• So institutions still have to pay for those services for food and for housing.
• Brenda, back on the issue of the housing and food.
• in food science.
• We have food-grade labs in the Peltier Complex, everything related to bakery, soy foods, fermented foods

Summary: The committee first reviewed the 2024-25 tuition waiver report for the North Dakota University System. Staff explained that waivers were reported for degree-seeking students and broken out by residency, institution, and waiver type. Members asked about partial versus full waivers, institutional discretion, athletic waivers, and whether campuses have published guardrails or transparency requirements. Staff said most waivers are set by institutions, with some statutory and board-required categories, and that athletic waivers are a small share of total waiver dollars. The report showed total gross tuition of $354.5 million, tuition waived of $38.9 million, and 11,193 of 42,040 students receiving some waiver. Members also discussed how waivers affect net tuition revenue, housing and food collections, and whether campuses are using waivers strategically compared with scholarships and other funding sources. The committee then heard a presentation on tuition rates by campus and State Board policy. Staff explained the board’s tuition factors for resident, Minnesota reciprocity, contiguous-state/U.S. nonresident, and international students, and noted that campuses often seek exceptions based on program-specific competition and enrollment goals. Members asked whether rates are based on cost or competition, and staff said campuses typically bring forward estimates and market comparisons when requesting special rates. The presentation also reviewed general fund appropriations versus net tuition revenue by campus, and members discussed how local tuition decisions and waivers do not directly affect the state funding formula, though they do affect institutional revenue and reserves. Questions were also raised about the Higher Learning Commission’s financial composite indicator and how it differs from the more intuitive reserve and revenue figures. The committee next received a broad overview of non-higher-education entities affiliated with the State Board of Higher Education, beginning with NDSU agriculture-related units. Dr. Greg Lardy described the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education, the NDSU Extension Service, the Agricultural Experiment Station, and the branch research centers, emphasizing their statewide role in crop and livestock research, extension education, and county-based outreach. He outlined funding mixes for extension, the experiment station, and branch stations, noting that grants and contracts support both research and education, while the agronomy seed farm is self-funded through seed sales. Members asked about the new and vacant FTE pool, R1 research status, matching requirements for grants, and whether state appropriations count toward research expenditures. Dr. Lardy also highlighted major research impacts, including crop varieties, virtual fencing, AI-assisted weed control, and NDAWN weather data. The Northern Crops Institute and the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute also presented. NCI described its role in market development, technical services, and education for regional agriculture, its governance through the Northern Crops Council, and its funding from state appropriations, other states, and earned revenue. Members asked about the source of out-of-state funding, intellectual property, and the institute’s international reach. UGPTI then outlined its transportation research, federal and state funding structure, and work on road and bridge condition assessments, travel demand modeling, and workforce training. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> first is around nonprofit food first is around nonprofit food expenditures<00:51:15.880><c> uh</
• </c><00:51:33.520><c> Service</c> directly to the nonprofit Food Service directly to the nonprofit Food
• </c> deficit in the account from uh the food deficit in the account from uh the food Serv<00:51:56.559
• </c><00:52:15.520><c> service</c> incentivize uh summer food service incentivize uh summer food service
• </c> access uh weekly funds uh for uh food access uh weekly funds uh for uh food security<00:52:32.680

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:28:26.720><c> for</c><00:28:27.120><c> thought</c> just food for thought just food for thought
• </c><00:30:10.279><c> and</c> dietitians nutritionists are food and dietitians nutritionists are food
• </c><00:30:18.519><c> management</c><00:30:19.240><c> food</c> fitness centers food management food fitness
• centers food management food industry<00:30:20.559><c> universities</c><00:30:21.399><c> research</c
• </c> the Aven flu and uh you know the food the Aven flu and uh you know the food boards<01:15:53.880>

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> children and veterans without food children and veterans without food assistance<00:25:35.120><c
• ,</c> And the US is complicit in keeping food, And the US is complicit in keeping food, water,<00:30:
• They just for emergency food aid.
• ,</c> heartbeat of this country, the food, heartbeat of this country, the food, fuel,<01:01:17.680><c
• </c> denying that people will lose their food denying that people will lose their food benefits<02:59

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm deeply concerned about the negative impacts of bioaccumulating rodenticides that poison the food
• Our pest control company supplies our bait boxes, and we recently switched to R.A.D.X., a food mix that
• Now far less food ends up in dumpsters that once gave rodents easy access to food.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Our Arizona program areas include consumer education, focusing on food safety, beef nutrition, beef cooking
• We also partner with retailers and food service professionals to provide information about beef, including
• plans that are aligned to state standards and resources for teachers to teach beef curriculum about food
• we should be looking at Yes, I also would like to highlight maybe that we should be looking at the food

Committee: Senate Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference

Summary: The Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference met to conduct a sunset review of the Arizona Beef Council. Lauren Mailing, the council’s executive director, presented the council’s role in promoting, educating, and researching on behalf of Arizona beef producers, explaining that it is an industry-financed, governor-appointed board funded through the federal beef checkoff program. She described its consumer education, classroom materials, gate-to-plate tours, and social media outreach, and noted that checkoff funds may be used only for promotion, education, and research, not lobbying. Members asked about whether growers can request refunds of checkoff dollars, and she said they cannot under the federal program; one member also recognized the recent passing of former board member Andrew Grissetta and his service to the industry. Committee members spoke in support of the council, emphasizing its educational value, local control of checkoff dollars, and benefits to ranchers, feeders, dairy producers, youth programs, and consumers. The vice chair moved to continue the Arizona Beef Council for eight years, until July 1, 2034. The motion passed on a roll call vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, with the recommendation to continue the council approved. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• , with no risk or less risk, I guess, if they're eating the fast food that they're making there.
• better paying jobs down the road<01:48:56.400><c> at</c><01:48:56.639><c> fast</c><01:48:56.800><c> food
• </c> road at fast food restaurants. road at fast food restaurants. um<01:48:58.880><c> with</c><01:48
• they're<01:49:02.000><c> eating</c><01:49:02.159><c> the</c><01:49:02.400><c> fast</c><01:49:02.639><c> food
• </c><01:49:02.800><c> that</c> they're eating the fast food that they're eating the fast food that they're

Transcript Highlights:

• I am currently a student at the University of Idaho studying food and nutrition with hopes of getting
• One of my favorite CDEs when I was in high school was milk quality and products, also known as dairy foods
• Here in Idaho, we are under the Idaho Division of Career Technical Education, under Agriculture, Food
• One of my favorite CDs by I was in high school was milk quality and products, also known as dairy foods
• , here in Idaho, we are under the Idaho Division of Career Technical Education, under Agriculture, Food

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• I have to walk by three of my people who are under the age of 18 who can serve food at the tables, can
• convention centers, and all of our major sports facilities in the Twin Cities, craft brewing, distilling, food
• > distilling</c> the Twin Cities craft brewing distilling the Twin Cities craft brewing distilling food
• 03:36.840><c> we</c><00:03:37.000><c> also</c><00:03:37.200><c> have</c><00:03:37.400><c> 1600</c> food
• service and we also have 1600 food service and we also have 1600 people<00:03:38.319><c> on</c><00:03

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 1203 by Gonzalez of Dallas relating to the establishment of the Office of Food System Security and
• Resiliency in the Department of Agriculture and the Management of the Texas Food System Security Resiliency
• HB HB 1290 by Harris-Davalo relating to prohibiting food additives from being included in free or reduced
• beverage manufacturers at a restaurant opened by the manufacturer, creating a wine, malt beverage and food
• HJR 94 by Swanson proposing a constitutional amendment protecting the right to produce meat and meat food

Summary: The House met to read a large slate of newly filed bills and resolutions and refer them to committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including health care and insurance, public education, elections, criminal justice, public safety, taxes, transportation, agriculture, environmental regulation, higher education, housing, and local government. Several proposals focused on abortion and reproductive health, firearms, voter registration and ballot access, school curriculum and accountability, property tax and homestead issues, and state contracting and agency oversight. A number of constitutional amendments were also filed, including proposals on initiative and referendum, veto override authority, vaccination refusal, parental rights in education, gun rights, Medicaid expansion, and various tax exemptions. No substantive debate, testimony, or votes occurred during this portion of the meeting; the clerk simply read the bills and resolutions and announced their committee referrals. The list included both general legislation and joint resolutions, with many items sent to standing committees and several to subcommittees. The House then adjourned without objection until 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• We just got back from Fort Worth, Texas, me and my crew, and we competed at the World Food Championship
• So that's a good, and that's security too with our food in that manner.
• are our main line of defense for stopping fentanyl and drugs from entering the country, keeping our food
• ...our main line of defense for stopping fentanyl and drugs from entering the country, keeping our food
• Our number one driver is, I think, about 28% is the food tax, not driven by our residents but by Mexican

Committee: House House Rural Economic Development Committee of Reference

Summary: The Rural Economic Development Committee heard presentations focused on district needs and infrastructure priorities in LD7, including a video and testimony on the East Wilford Road Extension in Show Low and Gold Canyon/Lost Dutchman Days. Show Low officials, Navajo County leaders, and the city manager described the road extension as a shovel-ready project that would improve traffic flow, provide a new bridge over Shoal Creek/Show Low Creek designed for a 100-year flood, and create a critical alternate emergency route for evacuations and access to Summit Healthcare. They emphasized past flooding and wildfire evacuation concerns, the project’s regional importance, and the city’s local financial commitment, including $7.56 million already pledged. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1272, which appropriates $5 million from the state general fund in fiscal year 2027 for the state match for the Douglas Port of Entry, contingent on a $678 million federal GSA award. Senator Gallen, Douglas Mayor Jose Grijalva, and city staff said the project would support trade with Mexico, create jobs, improve border security, and help modernize port operations; they also noted a September 2026 deadline and that the city has already secured $20 million of the needed $50 million match, with additional funding still being sought. Testimony highlighted the port’s economic impact, the city’s small tax base, and the potential for federal and private investment leverage. After questions from members about safety, timelines, private participation, and local contributions, the committee voted to return SB 1272 with a due pass recommendation. The motion passed 6-0, with one member absent; Representative Bolt explained his yes vote by citing the bill’s importance to commerce, economic development, and border security.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators, also today in the rotunda on the first floor is the Idaho Food Bank, along with food pantry
• They're available to talk about food insecurity in our communities and the work that they do to support
• Senators, also today in the rotunda on the first floor is the Idaho Food Bank, along with food pantry
• They're available to talk about food insecurity in our communities and the work that they do to support

Transcript Highlights:

• because I'm like, how do farmers, how does that support our farmers and help us to get to greater food
• 00:28:57.919><c> added</c><00:28:58.399><c> processed</c><00:28:59.760><c> uh</c><00:28:59.919><c> food
• 00:29:00.559><c> as</c><00:29:00.880><c> part</c><00:29:01.120><c> of</c> value added processed uh food
• as part of value added processed uh food as part of the<00:29:01.640><c> 30%</c><00:29:03.000><c> spending
• 25.840><c> to</c><00:29:26.720><c> um</c><00:29:27.120><c> greater</c> And help us to get to greater food

Transcript Highlights:

• EVERYWHERE IT'S DARK IS A WILDLIFE CORRIDOR WHERE ANIMALS AND AQUIFER RECHARGE AND WE CAN GROW THE FOOD
• TODAY BUT THREE YEARS FROM NOW. 5 YEARS FROM NOW, 20 YEARS NOW WITH THE POPULATION TO KNOW WHAT THE FOOD
• CROPS, IF YOU GO BACK 30 YEARS AGO, WE USE 50 – 70%, 80% IN SOME CASES LESS WATER TODAY TO GROW MORE FOOD
• THAT WE DID 25 YEARS AGO. 80% IN SOME CASES LESS WATER TODAY TO GROW MORE FOOD THAT WE DID 25 YEARS
• UNDERSTANDING WHERE OUR FOOD IS COMING FROM AND WHAT COST TO GET IT TO US.

Transcript Highlights:

• My favorite insect is the honeybee because they pollinate our food.
• the monarch butterfly because they're endangered, they're really pretty, and they help pollinate our food
• So if all insects go extinct, we would have no food and would not survive.
• They are helpful because they get rid of waste and are vital food for other animals.
• They get rid of waste and are vital food for other animals.

Bills: HM26 , HB243 , HB109

Committee: House House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources

Keywords: insects, ecosystem, education, public awareness, wildlife conservation, state agency involvement, New Mexico, equine welfare, animal rescue, shelter funding, trust fund, veterinary care, water project fund, water project finance act, New Mexico Finance Authority, water infrastructure, water grants, water loans, regional water planning, water rights adjudication