Video & Transcript : 'agricultural operations' :

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HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:04:40.440><c> park</c><00:04:40.680><c> land</c> non-agricultural park land non-agricultural park
  • and agricultural technology.
  • First of all, Kitayashi and education DOE. of agriculture and agricultural of agriculture and agricultural
  • Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.
  • </c> they're doing their agriculture? they're doing their agriculture?
Bills: SB2706 , SB2320
Summary: The committees first heard SB 2371, which would prioritize lease offers on agrivoltaics parcels for beginning farmers, require annual compliance reports to DAB, authorize penalties for noncompliance, and allow solar facilities on certain agricultural lands. DAB, the State Energy Office, PUC, and Hawaii Farm Bureau generally supported the intent, while OPPSD recommended amendments to preserve agricultural lease affordability and strengthen food-production language. Members questioned whether the bill would meaningfully encourage solar on ag lands, whether beginning farmers would have enough information to use such parcels, and how the bill would interact with Land Use Commission review. The Farm Bureau said agrivoltaics remains challenging and largely in pilot form, and noted the Mililani project as a promising example of dual use. The committees voted to pass SB 2371 with amendments, with one member expressing a preference that it be opened to all farmers rather than only beginning farmers. The next measure, SB 2800, appropriates funds to DAB, DLNR, and ADC for acquisition, repair, and maintenance of irrigation systems. All testifying agencies and the Farm Bureau supported the bill, and members pressed them for estimates of needed funding and the condition of existing systems. DAB cited major repair needs, including Waimea, Molokai, Kahuku, and Kawailoa, and said its backlog could total roughly $65 million; ADC estimated about $35 million for several systems; and DLNR said its current needs for three systems were about $35 million, with the largest cost tied to piping in Kekaha. The committees amended the bill to defer its effective date to July 1, 2050 and to blank out the appropriation amounts in the bill text, with the agencies’ requested amounts to be included in the committee report for consideration. SB 2800 then passed in AEN, Water and Land, and EIG. The final measure discussed was SB 2718, a food hub pilot program beginning in 2028 that would require state departments and UH to source 30% of certain food purchases from local agricultural products, create a nutrition- and ʻāina-based school program, and have DAT partner with a regional aggregator for Native Hawaiian staple crops. DAT, DOH, the Farm Bureau, Food Plus Policy Group, HAPA, and others supported the bill’s intent, while the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation opposed it, saying it is already struggling to meet the current local procurement percentage and faces procurement and quantity barriers, especially for staple items used daily. The testimony focused on whether agencies could realistically meet the higher local purchasing target and whether smaller farms could supply the needed volumes.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AGR Public Hearing - Wed Mar 18, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST

Agriculture & Food Systems

Transcript Highlights:
  • Agriculture. Agriculture.
  • such lands should they not have the capital to turn their agricultural operations into housing development
  • </c> agricultural project into something big. agricultural project into something big.
  • operation operators and workforce participants, where feasible and appropriate.
  • agricultural operation operators and workforce participants, where feasible and appropriate.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2885 SD1, which would create mandatory handling and storage rules for commercial and residential coconut rhinoceros beetle host material beginning in 2027, with penalties and an effective date. Support came from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, DLNR, Maui County Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Testifiers generally said the bill would help reduce CRB spread, though some urged additional science-backed methods, better coordination, and technical or cost-share support for smaller operations. Hawaiian Earth Recycling recommended amendments to align the bill with existing Department of Health/EPA composting rules, add other materials that can harbor CRB, allow future approved treatment methods, and replace the bill’s 60-day turning requirement with existing pathogen-reduction standards. One individual supported the goal but argued the state’s CRB strategy has lacked community and cultural consultation and should include a cultural advisement role. Department witnesses said enforcement would rely on inspection and an educate-before-regulate approach, and they noted the challenge of creating enough drop-off sites, especially in rural areas. The committee then took up SB 2174 SD2, which would authorize the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to declare an emergency quarantine, halt operations in affected areas for 96 hours with possible extension, quarantine suspected pest areas, issue notices and compensation to affected farmers, and adopt interim transportation rules for materials that may harbor high-impact invasive species. The department and DLNR supported the measure, emphasizing the need for fast action in the first hours of an invasion. Hawaii Farmers Union supported the compensation provisions but asked for stronger communication with producers and a post-action report to the Board of Agriculture after about 90 days to evaluate effectiveness and economic impacts. In response to questions, department staff said the bill would be a short-term, department-only quarantine authority distinct from the governor-declared biosecurity emergency authority enacted previously, and that it could serve as an intermediate step. They also said outreach would need to be done through farm organizations such as Farmers Union, Farm Bureau, and Cattlemen’s groups. The final measure discussed was SB 2925 SD1, relating to coconut trees. The bill would recognize coconut trees as a source of food and water and a cultural treasure, require rules for coconut tree seed banks, require signage identifying landscape palms where applicable, set labeling standards for non-consumable landscape palms, and create an income tax credit for consumable coconut trees maintained through natural management practices. The transcript ended before testimony or action on this bill was completed, and no vote was taken on any of the measures discussed in the portion provided.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN Public Hearing 02-04-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • under the Hawaii Agriculture Department.
  • Glenn Kagamita in support. take over their operation, their success take over their operation, their
  • </c> &gt;&gt; who think about agriculture. Um yeah. &gt;&gt; who think about agriculture. Um yeah.
  • </c> agriculture, at least in part. agriculture, at least in part.
  • </c> think it's going to help agriculture think it's going to help agriculture which<00:52:32.480><c>
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several agriculture-related measures, beginning with SB 2309, which would require the agricultural loan division to sell portions of its loan portfolio and use the proceeds to expand the agriculture loan revolving fund. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the bill, along with several other organizations and individuals. A committee question focused on the risk of not finding a qualified buyer for the loan portfolio; DAB said a mandatory sale of the full amount could force a less favorable rate, while flexibility to sell different amounts could produce a more equitable return. The measure drew eight supporters and no opposition. The committee then took up SB 2317, which directs DAB to study insurance coverage for small producers and report back to the Legislature. DAB and multiple farm groups supported the bill. In response to a question about cost, DAB estimated about $250,000 would be needed, with the study likely covering crop, health, and liability insurance. The next measure, SB 2318, would establish an agriculture statistics program in statute. DAB said it strongly supported the bill and could ramp up quickly if positions were provided; the committee discussed whether a first report could be completed by year’s end if the bill became law midyear, and DAB said yes. SB 2319, which would fund and make permanent a full-time grant writer position at DAB, also drew strong support from DAB, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Ulupono Initiative, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, the local food coalition, and others, with testifiers emphasizing the position’s return on investment and success in bringing in federal funds. The committee also heard SB 2321, establishing a two-year pilot program to respond to the twoline spittlebug. DAB, ranching groups, and many others supported the bill, citing the pest’s spread and the need to act before it becomes unmanageable. A DAB pest control manager said he would need to research past response details and provide them later. Members emphasized the importance of early intervention. For SB 2323, which creates a farmland transition commission to study barriers to farmland access and recommend solutions, DAB offered comments and support for the intent, while farm groups generally supported the concept but raised concerns about the proposed age range and whether a separate commission was necessary. DAB said the Board of Agriculture likely would not have the capacity to perform the commission’s duties and estimated there would be costs to establish it, though no figure was available at the hearing. Finally, the committee heard SB 2332, which reestablishes the agriculture and food security special fund, creates a carbon emissions tax and dividend fund, gradually raises carbon-related tax rates, and provides a refundable carbon cashback credit. DAB supported the measure and deferred to Taxation on details; the Department of Taxation said it would stand on its comments, and the Attorney General’s office offered comments and recommendations. Carbon Cashback Hawaii and the County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development supported the bill, arguing it would reduce emissions, protect lower-income households, and be relatively simple to administer.
DE

Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Executive Committee Meeting Jun 24th, 2026

Executive

Transcript Highlights:
  • I have served two terms as the Delaware Secretary of Agriculture and four months as chief of staff for
  • I've also served eight years at the United States Department of Agriculture as an undersecretary and
  • As the former Secretary of Agriculture, I've worked closely with the commission, the horsemen, and the
  • Housing providers across Delaware have seen significant increases in operating costs, and additional
  • DFB is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization serving as a unified voice for Delaware agriculture.
Bills: HB371
Committee: Senate Executive
Summary: The Senate Executive Committee met in hybrid format, approved the minutes from its June 17 and June 18 meetings, and considered several nominations and bills. The committee heard testimony from Michael T. Skeuse for the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission and Jay Eric Fearwald for the University of Delaware Board of Trustees; both nominees described their backgrounds and qualifications, and no objections were raised. The committee then moved to legislation focused largely on property tax reassessment and related school-tax issues, along with a technical constitutional corrections bill, an agricultural lands preservation cleanup bill, and a child-safety/service-letter bill. A major portion of the meeting centered on Senate Bill 350, which would create a third multifamily residential tax classification at 1.2 times the residential rate. Supporters argued apartments are housing and should not be taxed as commercial property, emphasizing relief for renters and fairness after reassessment. Opponents, including county and school officials, warned the bill would reduce local revenues, complicate tax administration, and create unintended consequences for counties, municipalities, school districts, and agriculture. Similar themes carried into House Bill 462, which would make the split-rate school tax structure permanent and lower the nonresidential cap to 1.85, and House Bill 463, which would align New Castle County senior school-tax exemptions with county exemption rules; both bills drew discussion about shifting burdens, fiscal impacts, and timing. The committee also heard House Substitute 1 for House Bill 320, a technical corrections bill to the Delaware Constitution, with one public commenter objecting to charter-related changes being included in a correction bill. House Bill 371, which removes the requirement for county farmland preservation advisory boards under the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Act, was presented as a streamlining measure and had support from the Department of Agriculture and public comment in favor. House Bill 438, expanding service-letter requirements to a broader set of child-serving facilities and requiring reporting when employers fail to respond, was described as a cleanup bill closing a safety loophole. After public comment and committee discussion, the meeting ended with a motion and unanimous adjournment; no recorded votes on the bills were taken in the transcript.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/2/26

Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> success through agricultural education. success through agricultural education.
  • </c> agriculture. Thank you. agriculture. Thank you.
  • </c> agriculture along. agriculture along.
  • For many family operations operating on tight margins, those losses matter.
  • For many family operations operating on tight margins, those losses matter.
Bills: HF3580 , HF3566
DE

Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Agriculture Committee Meeting Jun 17th, 2026

Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:
  • The House Agriculture Committee will now come to order.
  • The Agriculture Committee meeting is called to order.
  • Our mission is to promote and protect Delaware agriculture for producers and our consumers.
  • I'm the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.
  • But thank you, Jimmy Crone, again, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture.
Bills: SB311 , HB371
Committee: House Agriculture
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.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/10/25

Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • It incentivizes value-added agriculture, and it fully funds the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
  • </c><00:01:51.600><c> here</c><00:01:51.719><c> in</c> kinds of of Agriculture here in kinds of of Agriculture
  • </c> up the department of agriculture up the department of agriculture agriculture<00:11:14.360><c> you'll
  • agricultural inspectors and Agriculture agricultural inspectors and the<00:18:18.600><c> eligibility
  • First, we certainly appreciate the operating adjustments for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
Bills: HF1704
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 2/17/25

Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • If they have an agriculture, food, or natural resource type degree, our agriculture teacher preparation
  • If they have an agriculture, food, or natural resource type degree, our agriculture teacher preparation
  • </c> Recruitment and Retention of Agriculture Recruitment and Retention of Agriculture teachers<00:20
  • </c> that and as we understand Agriculture that and as we understand Agriculture and<00:26:41.559><c>
  • had on our agriculture green team has had on our agriculture program<01:40:56.639><c> this</c><01:40
Bills: HF711 , HF653
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/25

Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • The hour of 1 o'clock having arrived, the Committee on Agriculture Finance and Policy is called to order
  • This bill is language given to us by the Department of Agriculture.
  • of Agriculture it allows the MDA to of Agriculture it allows the MDA to accept<00:01:08.520><c> a</c>
  • So agriculture is challenging this year.
  • We make priorities that we've kind of gotten off the topic of helping agriculture.
Bills: HF1704 , HF2052
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/23/26

Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's nowhere going to operate this fund.
  • </c> finances for people in agriculture. finances for people in agriculture.
  • and</c> out of the agriculture experience and out of the agriculture experience and the<00:45:02.400
  • So that $1,000 in his farming operation.
  • </c> um you know various agricultural um you know various agricultural industries<01:04:38.720><c> including
Bills: HF3579 , HF3549 , HF3548 , HF4388 , HF3566
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Energy REVISED: SB259 - Link added Apr 8th, 2026

Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • It has people from industrial water, conservation water, irrigation water, agricultural water, and municipal
Bills: SB259
Committee: House Energy
Summary: The committee met for its final Energy meeting and took up Senate Bill 259, with Chair Newton offering an amendment as a condition for hearing the bill. The amendment focused on water protections for data centers, requiring low-consumptive cooling methods such as closed-loop, dielectric fluid, or air cooling when groundwater is the primary cooling source, and prohibiting traditional open-air evaporative cooling. Newton explained that the bill applies to permitted water users, not domestic household use, and is intended to ensure accurate measurement of high-volume water use such as irrigation and industrial use. Newton said the bill would require metering or another measuring device at a central point for permitted users, would not reduce a user’s allotment if they do not use their full permitted amount, and would allow the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to investigate complaints and assess escalating fines for waste or abuse. He also described a five-year averaging system that would allow users to exceed their annual allotment up to 150% in a single year as long as they remain within their permit over five years, and said the metering requirement would be phased in over time to reduce cost burdens. Members questioned the fiscal impact, whether the Oklahoma Water Resources Board costs would be covered by appropriations or fees, and why mandatory metering was preferable to a voluntary system. Newton responded that the board’s costs would be covered within its fee schedule, and argued that mandatory reporting and metering were needed to ensure compliance and long-term groundwater conservation, citing concerns about aquifer depletion and the importance of protecting water resources for future generations. The committee voted 8-0 to report Senate Bill 259 out with a do pass recommendation. The chair then thanked members and adjourned the meeting, noting it would be the committee’s last meeting.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Energy REVISED Mar 5th, 2026

Energy

Bills: SB1928 , SB259
Committee: Senate Energy
Summary: The committee took up two water-related bills, both on committee substitutes with titles stricken. Senate Bill 259, carried over from the prior year, was described as a shortened version of earlier language that removed some provisions seen as burdensome and eliminated funding for the Water Resources Board. The author said the bill aims to recognize that water extends beyond property lines, add measuring requirements for permitted users, and preserve water for future generations while exempting domestic uses and pasture/livestock taps. After no questions or debate, the committee passed SB 259 by a vote of 7-1. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1928, which creates a voluntary five-year flex allocation program beginning January 1, 2027. The author said the program is intended to help existing permit holders measure and use water more efficiently without requiring new permitting or mandatory metering, and noted the proposal mirrors House language. He also explained that the original 200% annual cap had been reduced to 150% in the committee substitute. The bill passed 10-0. At the close, the chair noted both bills were heard to help develop broader water policy for Oklahoma and encouraged continued cooperation among interested parties. The committee then adjourned.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/25/26

Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • ,</c> the members of the House Agriculture, the members of the House Agriculture, Finance<00:07:47.599
  • </c><00:36:33.599><c> professional</c> provide agricultural professional provide agricultural professional
  • </c><00:36:38.560><c> fertility</c> and education on agriculture fertility and education on agriculture
  • Um, we were able to Agriculture.
  • </c><01:19:05.360><c> so</c> Minnesota department of agriculture so Minnesota department of agriculture
Bills: HF3898 , HF3957 , HF4372 , HF4350 , HF3692 , HF4085
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AGR Public Hearing - Wed Feb 11, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST

Agriculture & Food Systems

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> for the agricultural grant program. for the agricultural grant program.
  • </c> Agriculture and Bio Security. Agriculture and Bio Security.
  • agricultural producers.
  • agricultural producers.
  • </c> Agriculture and Security. Agriculture and Security.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/17/25

Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:26:32.120><c> to</c> year to the Department of Agriculture to year to the Department of Agriculture
  • </c> types of crops or or agricultural types of crops or or agricultural production<00:41:02.599><c>
  • </c> addresses every aspect of Agriculture addresses every aspect of Agriculture that<00:51:13.559><c
  • </c> Minnesota's leadership in agricultural Minnesota's leadership in agricultural Innovation<01:04:43.640
  • </c><01:04:56.559><c> in</c> at a pivotal moment for agriculture in at a pivotal moment for agriculture
Bills: HF363 , HF2155 , HF1524 , HF821 , HF1677 , HF1292
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Agriculture Committee Meeting - 2025-03-26

Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • The hour of one o'clock, having arrived, I call the meeting of the Agriculture, Finance, and Policy Committee
  • The agricultural sector will become increasingly vulnerable to CWD-associated concerns.
  • Actually, it really is an agricultural problem.
  • Agriculture has a lot of relatively small direct appropriations. Appropriations.
  • And Commissioner from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, coming in a little hot here.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/26/25

Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • The hour of one o'clock having arrived, I call the meeting of the Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee
  • Without agricultural sector from CWD.
  • Um, so we're we're less on agriculture.
  • And agriculture has a lot of relatively small direct appropriations.
  • And uh agriculture has a lot of House.