Transcript Highlights:

• payment assistance program.
• payment assistance program.
• payment assistance program.
• to the down payment assistance program. to the down payment assistance program.
• took this bill down.

Bills: HF3548

Keywords: farm assistance, down payment, agriculture, state funding, loan modification, 1183, house

Summary: The Agricultural Finance and Policy Committee met on April 15, 2026, approved the April 13 minutes with a correction to Assistant Commissioner Peter Kesset’s name, and then took up House File 3548. The bill, moved by Chair Anderson for re-referral to Ways and Means, centered on the farmer down payment assistance program and the Department of Agriculture’s budget and policy provisions. Anderson described the DE4 amendment as compromise language that reserved up to 25% of funds for applicants with purchase contracts, removed a proposed marijuana exclusion, and allowed appropriated funds to remain available through June 30, 2030 rather than reverting to the general fund at the end of the biennium. Laura Schreiber of the Land Stewardship Project testified in support, emphasizing the importance of keeping funds available and urging that grants remain capped at $20,000 so more farmers could participate. The committee then adopted several amendments. A23, described as the governor’s budget request and department policy bill, was adopted and included moving the Emerging Farmers Office into the Agricultural Marketing and Development subdivision, combining some reports into the Agri report, and addressing delegated authority with MDA. A17, allowing certain eggs past their quality assurance date to be donated to food shelves under specific handling requirements, was adopted. A18, adjusting per diem rates for certain non-representative committee members, was adopted. A19, shifting about $20,000 to support farm land transition services such as mediation, contracts, financial planning, tax preparation, estate planning, and housing assistance, was also adopted. A22, which combined funding for wolf depredation claims and the local food purchasing program, drew the most debate. Representative Smith questioned why the two items were combined and sought to divide the amendment, but staff said that would be problematic because the funding changes were interdependent. Supporters said the amendment would pay about 80% of wolf-loss claims and add money for local food purchasing, while opponents argued the local food need was greater and the wolf depredation approach was not the best use of funds. The roll call on A22 was confusing in the transcript, but the amendment ultimately prevailed. A21, which would have removed a physical-contact requirement for farm cervidae containment, failed on a 7-7 tie after opponents argued it would weaken disease protections and supporters said the fencing costs were driving deer farmers out of business. Hansen then declined to move A24, which would have advanced a paraquat ban, saying there was no agreement and he did not want a negative vote at that time. After the DE4 as amended was adopted, the committee took a final roll call on House File 3548 as amended. The bill failed on a 6-8 vote and was laid over. In closing, members on both sides said the bill contained useful provisions for farmers, but disagreement over the unresolved paraquat issue prevented the committee from advancing it.

Transcript Highlights:

• The next bill on the agenda is House File 3548, the Farm Down Payment Assistant Grants.
• <01:01:43.599> payment<01:01:44.000> assistance utilizing the down payment assistance
• I didn't think this program was entitled the small farmer down payment assistance program.
• I didn't think this program was entitled the small farmer down payment assistance program.
• farmer down payment assistance program. farmer down payment assistance program.

Bills: HF3508, HF3548, HF3549

Keywords: dairy assistance, agriculture, investment, relief initiative, farm support, farm assistance, down payment, state funding, loan modification, grain indemnity, financial security, crop insurance, Minnesota agriculture, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:44:31.520> payments could not, you know, make down payments could not, you know, make
• down payments to<00:44:32.160> be<00:44:32.319> able<00:44:32.480> to<00:44:33.280
• So getting the approval to align with the needs of the down payment assistance doesn't always fit.
• <00:56:06.319> payment<00:56:06.720> assistance the needs of the down payment assistance
• the needs of the down payment assistance doesn't<00:56:08.000> always<00:56:08.400> the

Bills: HF3579, HF3549, HF3548, HF4388, HF3566

Keywords: eggs, donation, quality assurance, food assistance, charitable programs, agriculture, grain indemnity, financial security, crop insurance, Minnesota agriculture, farm assistance, down payment, state funding, loan modification, rotational grazing, grazing management, livestock, pasture management, soil health, erosion control

Transcript Highlights:

• Payment Assistance Program, and for increasing the grant award from $15,000 to $20,000.
• I am here to testify in support of the increase to the grant award for the Farmland Down Payment Financial
• I currently have a grant through the Farmland Down Payment Program and wanted to share that, as of right
• A couple of comments on the farm down payment assistant grant program. It's a good program.
• But I think at some point down the road, we need to look at the program.

Bills: HF2446

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• down payment assistance program farmland down payment assistance program and<00:11:54.640> for
• have a grant through the farmland down have a grant through the farmland down payment<00:15:19.199
• He said the need is there, and then offered a couple of comments on the farm down payment assistance
• <00:47:12.160> payment of comments on uh the farm down payment of comments on uh the farm
• down payment assistant<00:47:13.040> grant<00:47:13.800> program<00:47:14.800> and

Bills: HF2446

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 224 is the farm down payment assistance grants program.
• Um, moving further down, you'll FY2829.
• B is for the cost-share payments for the cost of organic certification.
• Paragraph C is for the farm down payment assistance grants.
• Section 1 increases the max farm down payment assistance grant to $20,000.

Bills: HF2446

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• Clause Q is for down payment assistance grants with the updated 2024 writer language.
• operating increase Clause Q is for down operating increase Clause Q is for down payment<00:20:46.840
• Section 9 modifies the farm down payment assistance grants program. fiscal year fiscal year 2025<00:21
• Lastly, just covering the land, the Farmland Down Payment Assistance Program: we appreciate the continuation
• down payment assistance program Farmland down payment assistance program we<00:42:27.240> appreciate

Bills: HF1704

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:

• payment assistance and cooperative partnerships, ensuring long-term affordability and financial security
• By providing $5 million for down payment assistance, this bill ensures more families can afford to buy
• Manufactured home communities lack access to conventional home loans and down payment assistance.
• **House File 2461** also funds a first-of-its-kind down payment assistance program for manufactured home
• We've got a December 6 article from the Star Tribune: Hermantown, Minnesota cracks down on trailer park

Bills: HF1143, HF1548, HF1340, HF2549, HF2559, HF1673, HF2740, HF2507, HF2461, HF2381, HF2695

Keywords: education funding, unemployment aid, special education, Minnesota statutes, appropriations, housing, redevelopment, local government, trust funds, community development, HF1340, housing infrastructure bonds, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, MHFA, affordable housing, supportive housing, permanent housing, adaptive reuse, area median income, AMI

Transcript Highlights:

• By providing $5 million for down payment assistance, this bill ensures more families can afford to buy
• By providing $5 million for down payment assistance, this bill ensures more families can afford to buy
• By providing $5 million for down payment assistance, this bill ensures more families can afford to buy
• House File 2461 also funds the first-of-its-kind down payment assistance program for manufactured home
• House File 2461 also funds the first-of-its-kind down payment assistance program for manufactured home

Bills: HF1143, HF1548, HF1340, HF2549, HF2559, HF1673, HF2740, HF2507, HF2461, HF2381, HF2695

Keywords: education funding, unemployment aid, special education, Minnesota statutes, appropriations, housing, redevelopment, local government, trust funds, community development, HF1340, housing infrastructure bonds, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, MHFA, affordable housing, supportive housing, permanent housing, adaptive reuse, area median income, AMI

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows the MDA to accept a payment for a food certificate at the time of application.
• allows the MDA to of Agriculture it allows the MDA to accept<00:01:08.520> a<00:01:09.040> payment
• for<00:01:09.840> a<00:01:10.000> food<00:01:10.439> certificate accept a payment
• for a food certificate accept a payment for a food certificate at<00:01:11.560> the<00:01:11.720
• "We are not going to expend a great deal of energy as next week we will have to actually get down to

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:

• people with disabilities and mandates annual reporting on orthotics and prosthetics coverage and payments
• However, it is common that the 20% co-insurance payment falls on the family.
• Amputees to maintain a level of physical activity that will prevent health issues down the line.
• But we can't go down to the body shop and just pick out a leg that does everything.
• But we can't go down to the body shop and just pick out a leg that does everything.

Bills: S0326, S0598, S0632, S0786, S1110, S1256, S1380, S1588, S7042, S7044

Keywords: curators, estates, court appointment, fiduciary duty, bond requirements, removal, surrogate, funeral homes, cemetery law, cremation, embalmer, funeral director, preneed contract, preneed funeral, human remains, unclaimed cremated remains, disposition of remains, hospice, palliative care, end-of-life care

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee met with a quorum present and temporarily postponed SB 7042 on legal tender and SB 1380 before taking up the remaining agenda. The committee first reported favorably C.S. for SB 326, which modernizes Florida’s curator statute in probate law by clarifying when curators may be appointed, what they may do, and what oversight applies. It then reported favorably SB 1256, which standardizes PBM pharmacy audits by requiring uniform audit standards, scope, frequency, penalties, and due process protections for pharmacies; testimony from pharmacists emphasized concerns about conflicts of interest, excessive audits, and disproportionate penalties, while preserving fraud investigations. The committee also reported favorably C.S. for SB 598 on funeral and cemetery services after adopting an amendment that removed provisions on civil damages caps and phasing out direct disposers; the bill updates licensure and contract rules and addresses unclaimed remains. SB 632, which sets insurance requirements for transportation network companies during the period after a ride is accepted but before pickup, was reported favorably despite opposition from an attorney who argued the existing coverage framework should not be reduced. C.S. for SB 786, creating a nonjudicial process to close out undisputed trusts and discharge trustees, was also reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 1110, a major bill expanding Medicaid and private insurance coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics, including activity limbs, and requiring annual reporting. After adopting an amendment clarifying eligible recipients, the committee heard extensive emotional testimony from amputees, parents, and advocates describing the medical, developmental, and financial importance of prosthetic coverage, and members spoke in strong support before the bill was reported favorably. Later, the committee considered SB 1588, which implements last session’s legal tender law by refining definitions, narrowing custodian provisions, eliminating unnecessary examination requirements, and repealing the sunset clause; members raised questions about verification and anti-money-laundering concerns, but the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7044 as a committee bill to expand public records exemptions to records relating to newly regulated custodians of gold and silver. The meeting concluded with senators recording additional affirmative votes on selected bills and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• payment.
• payment.
• My chairman is down in appropriations currently testifying on this exact same bill down there, so we
• And preemptively, if Gary Atomack is your next witness, he's stuck down there, so I beg his apologies
• You're welcome up here or down there? Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Bills: SB2007, SB2104, SB2543, SB2545, SB2926, SB2938

Keywords: military status, vehicle registration, veterans, Texas transportation, state records, discrimination, employment rights, spouses of service members, labor code, SB 2543, Texas veterans cemeteries, state veterans cemetery, Texas Veterans Commission, Veterans Land Board, Natural Resources Code, veterans land fund, veterans housing assistance fund, veterans burial, burial eligibility, cemetery location

Summary: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs heard several bills focused on veterans’ mental health, criminal justice coordination, cemetery expansion, housing, vehicle registration, and anti-discrimination protections. SB 2926 would transfer administration of veterans’ mental health initiatives from HHSC to the Texas Veterans Commission, create a community-based mental health grant program, require a statewide veteran suicide prevention action plan, and add annual reporting requirements. SB 2938 would require county jails to verify and report veteran status at intake, help veteran inmates apply for federal benefits, and provide access to county veteran services and free visitation with service coordinators. Both bills were described as joint or practical efforts to improve coordination and service delivery for veterans, and both were left pending after no public testimony was offered. The committee also heard SB 2543, which would give more flexibility to expand the Texas veterans cemetery system, and SB 2545, which would explore using manufactured homes as another affordable housing option for veterans through the Veterans Land Board. SB 2545 drew questions about how manufactured-home loans would work; a Texas Veterans Land Board witness said implementation would likely require closing at a title company rather than through a retail bill of sale, and the Texas Manufactured Housing Association testified in support. Both cemetery and housing bills were left pending. Members then heard SB 2007, which would let vehicle registration applicants voluntarily designate military status so the DMV could record it and help with benefits and towing/impound issues involving deployed service members. Witnesses from the towing industry and DMV supported the bill, saying the current system lacks enough identifying information to run military-status checks and that the indicator could help prevent vehicles from being sold while owners are deployed. SB 2104 would add military status as a protected class under state anti-discrimination laws for employment, housing, and utilities; the author said it would address ongoing discrimination against service members, veterans, and military families. The Texas VFW supported the bill, citing the Leroy Torres case as an example of why additional state protections are needed. After discussion about overlap with federal law and existing state protections, SB 2104 was also left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Veterans Land Board to help eligible Texas veterans and military families purchase a home with low to no down
• payment. down payment.
• I've got a counterpart; my chairman is down in appropriations.
• Currently, my counterpart is testifying on this exact same bill down there.
• And preemptively, if Gary Adamek is your next witness, he's stuck down there, so I beg his apologies.

Bills: SB2007, SB2104, SB2543, SB2545, SB2926, SB2938

Keywords: military status, vehicle registration, veterans, Texas transportation, state records, discrimination, employment rights, spouses of service members, labor code, SB 2543, Texas veterans cemeteries, state veterans cemetery, Texas Veterans Commission, Veterans Land Board, Natural Resources Code, veterans land fund, veterans housing assistance fund, veterans burial, burial eligibility, cemetery location

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that four hours a day or down the week?
• And what we have down where I'm at is... Not a one of them drives through mine.
• Restaurants almost shut down, tackle shops shut down, hog bar stores shut down.
• They get the payment at time of service, whatever the billing codes are.
• Representative Eccles, let's see if we can get down to it.

Bills: HB198, HB325, HB488, HB719, HB749, HB755, HB797, HB823, HB1028, HB1194, HB1222

Keywords: Medicaid, reimbursement, ambulatory surgical centers, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, healthcare funding, Louisiana Department of Health, surgical procedures, TOPS-Tech, scholarship, education, eligibility, college credit, dual enrollment, state funding, HB 488, Belle Chasse Bridge, Belle Chasse Bridge Merit-Based Special Fund, Plaquemines Parish

Transcript Highlights:

• We realize that we're in a down cycle in terms of profit and loss in agriculture.
• That emergency fund was used to a great extent, and right now the latest I heard was that fund was down
• was<00:04:49.840> that<00:04:49.960> fund<00:04:50.199> was<00:04:50.360> down
• <00:04:50.560> to<00:04:50.759> about<00:04:50.960> 1.2 was that fund was down
• You've also made adjustments to the Farmland Down Payment Assistance grants, in which it's the intention

Bills: HF1704, HF1722

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

Bills: HB545

Keywords: HB545, legal tender, cash rounding, nearest five cents, nickel rounding, in-person cash transaction, cash transactions, change making, sales tax, Department of Revenue, merchant payments, consumer payments, currency rounding, cash payment, retail transactions, payment methods, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If the number ends in 1, 2, 6, or 7, it is rounded down. If it is 3, 4, 8, or 9, it is rounded up.
• <00:07:40.160> it<00:07:40.400> is<00:07:40.479> rounded<00:07:40.960> down
• <00:07:41.680> If<00:07:41.919> it in 1 2 6 or 7, it is rounded down.
• If it in 1 2 6 or 7, it is rounded down.
• transaction where payment is made to<00:08:46.800> a<00:08:46.959> governmental<00:08:

Bills: HB545, HB545

Keywords: Escambia County, probate court, court fees, legal services, judicial legislation, HB545, legal tender, cash rounding, nearest five cents, nickel rounding, in-person cash transaction, cash transactions, change making, sales tax, Department of Revenue, merchant payments, consumer payments, currency rounding, cash payment, retail transactions

Transcript Highlights:

• So you may sit down. We'll serve you right to close this time. The chair calls up Marie Camino.
• You know, I think it comes down to the extent of the take, the extent of the loss of wildlife.
• Be able to actually shut down development seems a little, you know, sort of extreme.
• Current state law requires payment bonds for contracts in excess of $25,000 and performance bonds for
• House Bill 3887 raises that threshold from $25,000 to $150,000 for payment bonds and from $100,000 to

Bills: HB3129, HB3251, HB3556, HB3724, HB3887

Keywords: construction, wildlife impact, height restrictions, national wildlife refuge, environmental regulations, HB 3887, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Parks and Wildlife Code, performance bond, payment bond, contractor bonding, public works, construction contracts, public building, procurement, bid security, subcontractors, suppliers, contractor payment protection, project completion

Transcript Highlights:

• This nutrients that flow down with them.
• <01:19:57.440> were came out, it said the payments were came out, it said the payments were
• So, payment was going to be that high.
• <01:38:28.239> back get a 5 cent per gallon uh payment back get a 5 cent per gallon uh payment
• <01:38:37.440> um So, it's an after the-act payment um So, it's an after the-act payment um

Bills: HF3898, HF3957, HF4372, HF4350, HF3692, HF4085

Keywords: pesticides, wild rice, environmental protection, agriculture, water quality, pollinators, training, management plan, fertilizer research, education grants, Minnesota Agricultural Council, technology transfer, agricultural productivity, HF4372, Minnesota agriculture, meat processing, meat processing training, retention incentive grants, grant extension, project deadline extension

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:28.800> Come<00:08:28.960> down down and take the place down.
• Come down down and take the place down.
• to come down and uh fight<00:08:33.519> the<00:08:33.760> employees<00:08:34.080> to
• for utilities and uh the fair payment for utilities and uh the different<00:14:58.000> interests<
• We sat down.

Bills: HF4141, HF3951

Keywords: housing authority, criminal penalty, assault, public safety, redevelopment, submetered utility service, tenant rights, digital payment, eviction protection, housing policy, 1183, house