Transcript Highlights:

• say about equal access at food shelves. say about equal access at food shelves.
• access to the fresh and healthy food that they need to thrive.
• access to the fresh and healthy food that they need to thrive.
• access to the fresh and healthy food that they need to thrive.
• access to the fresh and healthy food that they need to thrive.

Bills: HF2078, HF777, HF841, HF1112, HF1098, HF1926

Keywords: child care, day care, child care center, licensing, license requirements, parent access, guardian access, custody order, court order, furnishings, equipment standards, learning materials, early childhood education, infant care, toddler care, preschool, school-age child care, play materials, sensory materials, gross motor equipment

Transcript Highlights:

• with state and county agencies and community-based organizations to develop a comprehensive statewide food
• Ag Stewardship Hawaii in support, and Lauren Zirbel for Hawaii Food Industry Association in support.
• <00:01:21.000> Zirbel<00:01:21.400> for<00:01:21.560> Hawaii<00:01:21.920> Food
• <00:01:22.160> Industry Lauren Zirbel for Hawaii Food Industry Lauren Zirbel for Hawaii Food

Bills: HCR144

Keywords: food security, Hawaii, agriculture, community organizations, nutritional access, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Government Operations and Agriculture and Environment hearing on April 16, 2020 considered only HCR 144, House Draft 2, which asks the Department of Agriculture to work with state and county agencies and community-based organizations to develop a comprehensive statewide food strategy. Testimony was generally supportive: the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity supported the measure, as did Kanaloani Ohana Farm, the Farm Bureau, Ag Stewardship Hawaii, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association. DBEDT submitted comments that were described as sounding more like opposition, citing existing efforts. No members of the public appeared to testify, and there were no questions from members. The Government Operations committee recommended the resolution pass as drafted, and members present voted aye. Because the Agriculture and Environment committee lacked quorum, its decision-making was rolled over to the next day, Friday, April 17, 2020 at 3:10 p.m. in CR 224. The chair noted that the measure had been adopted on the GVO side and, with the noticed time certain for the remaining committee action, the hearing was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• and seed preservation by creating a report. on the impact of seed banks and seed preservation on access
• to food, environmental factors, and prescription related to a county with a population of more than
• Secondly, seed banks and seed conservation efforts bolster food security.
• research in growing resilient crops in case of natural or non-natural disruptions that may lead to food
• can build young leaders and stewards of sustainable practices who will solve the world's problems of food

Bills: HB5085

Keywords: seed banks, food access, environment, biodiversity, agriculture policy, 1184, house, all

Bills: HCR65, HB512, HB1194, SCR23, SB502

Keywords: crawfish, agricultural labor, H-2A program, seasonal workforce, Louisiana economy, Healthy Food Retail Act, food access, food deserts, economic opportunity, public health, Louisiana agriculture, community development, fresh food, agriculture, national security, food production, supply chain, security task force, farm labor, Chinese investments

Transcript Highlights:

• Program for the local food purchasing assistance grants, which allows food shelves and food hubs to purchase
• Local small producers aren't able to access the funds.
• million dollars' worth of food?
• Yes, that is a question of whether local food producers can provide that food or whether schools are
• options for requested food certificates.

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• to see who is accessing these loans. to see who is accessing these loans.
• grants which allows um uh food shelves grants which allows um uh food shelves to<00:04:23.360>
• and to purchase or food food shelves and and food<00:04:25.919> hubs<00:04:26.240> to<
• And so this um uh access the funds.
• And then for the food food made.

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• No, so it's actually not in any food that's currently being used in any scale.
• The Healthy Food Retail Act was initiated post-Katrina and it was designed.
• And I just wanted to say we do feel that the ...work on food deserts is important.
• Some of our food banks don't cover that area.
• And again, it's just to map it out and also defines what a food desert is.

Bills: HCR77, HB81, HB512, HB663, HB717, HB1194

Keywords: crawfish, agricultural labor, H-2B program, H-2A program, labor shortage, temporary workers, Louisiana economy, HCR77, crawfish industry, H-2B visa, seasonal labor, agriculture, immigration, arborist, property disputes, tree trimming, neighborhood, landowner rights, Delta Economic Research and Sustainability District, board of commissioners

Transcript Highlights:

• This has been a game changer for many of our members in getting good, fresh, healthy food into our food
• The Minnesota Food Banks work together to source food.
• Farm to Food Shelf is one of the things that makes me proud to be a food banker.
• The Farm to Food Shelf Program has been a mainstay for numerous years, helping provide us with access
• to highly desired foods.

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:

• developing fish food developing fish food um<00:07:28.479> with<00:07:28.960> uh<00
• <00:15:50.399> safety because we have strict food safety because we have strict food safety
• <00:16:04.160> So the food that we produce locally. So the food that we produce locally.
• <01:16:36.320> This particularly in food systems. This particularly in food systems.
• else, which is actually food production. else, which is actually food production.

Bills: SB2350, SB2349, SB2407, SB3320

Keywords: agriculture, aquaculture, livestock, agribusiness, Department of Agriculture, regulatory functions, employee benefits, restorative practices, sustainability, environmental stewardship, local food systems, Native Hawaiian, workforce development, agricultural development, Hawaii Island, property manager, state employment, SB3320, Hawaii, Agribusiness Development Corporation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SP 2350, which would transfer oversight of the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Development Division and the aquaculture and livestock support services branch to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. The Department of Agriculture and ADC both testified, with ADC opposing the bill as written while supporting the goal of strengthening agriculture. ADC said the transfer could create federal operational and coordination risks, jeopardize federal funding and program continuity, and was unnecessary because ADC is a business development entity, not a regulatory agency. The Hawaii Farmers Union also expressed concern that moving the programs could weaken the department’s ability to access federal resources, while the Hawaii Farm Bureau submitted written testimony and the Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association and H-Plan were noted as supporting the measure; the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council was noted as opposing it. Much of the discussion focused on aquaculture’s economic potential and the role of regulation, permitting, and funding. Committee members questioned why aquaculture had not grown faster, citing current gross revenues of about $66 million last year, a prior high of $82 million, and a possible long-term target of $500 million. Testimony identified permitting and feed costs as major barriers, along with market conditions and water quality issues affecting producers. ADC described ongoing efforts on feed development, permitting streamlining, coastal-state collaboration on seaweed and restorative aquaculture, and national advocacy for more parity in seafood import standards. Members also pressed the Department of Agriculture on its leadership and priorities, criticizing the lack of bills and resources dedicated to aquaculture and asking whether the department should have more authority to pursue land purchases and development opportunities. The department said it relies on divisions and industry feedback for bill ideas, noted it funds an annual aquaculture survey, and said it was pursuing congressional earmarks and other funding for aquaculture parks, research, and export/import issues. ADC said it would work with the department if the bill passed, but that its current statute does not give it regulatory authority and any such change would require a statutory amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• our food bank.
• With one in five households in Minnesota struggling to afford food, the need for food banks and food
• The Minnesota food banks work together to source food.
• > food.
• in the food bank world and with food in the food bank world and with food shelf<00:26:40.159>

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:

• Seven is for the good food access program. Clause 8 is for co-op development grants.
• Seven is for the good food access program. Clause 8 is for co-op development grants.
• Seven is for the good food access program. Clause 8 is for co-op development grants.
• Seven is for the good food access program. Clause 8 is for co-op development grants.
• Seven is for the good food access egg.

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:

• flexibility to producers in where and how they produce their local food.
• I have not considered whether this could be used to provide food to schools.
• I don't see a... used to provide food to schools?
• I don't see a This food from someone who made it under the auspices of this program.
• The food that our kids eat in school is less than desirable.

Bills: HB3056, HB3391, HB3657, HB3617, HB4055, HB3720, HB3902

Keywords: raw milk, unpasteurized, farm sales, Oklahoma Milk and Milk Products Act, local producers, advertising, animal welfare, commercial pet breeders, licensing, animal cruelty, labor, employment definitions, agricultural services, Oklahoma Workforce Commission, confidentiality, data access, right to repair, agriculture, OEM, repair providers

Transcript Highlights:

• federal level and from the local food federal level and from the local food purchasing<00:07:50.000
• So uh two providing a safe uh food.
• > uh directly from farmers farm to food uh directly from farmers farm to food uh that<00:31:44.880
• Chair Hansen: Uh, we have priorities here for food.
• Representative Anderson: Uh, we have priorities here for food.

Bills: HF2446, HF2563, HF2444

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:

• federal level and from the local food federal level and from the local food purchasing<00:10:59.880
• So uh two things providing safe uh food.
• > uh directly from farmers farm to food uh directly from farmers farm to food uh that<00:34:54.560
• Chair Hansen, uh, we have priorities here for food.
• increased funding for veteran food increased funding for veteran food insecurity<00:46:13.040>

Bills: HF2446, HF2563, HF2444

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:

• We've increased funding for veteran food insecurity through the veterans meals on wheels and through
• 00:01:52.479> funding<00:01:52.799> for<00:01:53.040> veteran<00:01:53.520> food
• increased funding for veteran food increased funding for veteran food insecurity<00:01:54.880>
• Section 1 of Article 2 is from Representative Ray Rrower's House File 1662, which grants access to the
• Section 1 of Article 2 is from Representative Ray Rrower's House File 1662, which grants access to the

Bills: HF2446, HF2563, HF2444

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:

• <00:11:13.200> to the importance of having access to the importance of having access to fertility
• for to protect students and teens access for to protect students and teens because<00:39:02.480>
• So we know very well how the stigma and access to care for behavioral health is critical.
• So we know very well how the stigma and access to care for behavioral health is critical.
• <00:45:40.800> to freedom by providing access to freedom by providing access to healthcare

Bills: SB2421, SB2690, SB3103, SB3137, SB3164, SB3206, SB2933, SB3133, SB3315

Keywords: cannabis, marijuana, Hawaii Cannabis Law, legalization, decriminalization, adult use, hemp, taxation, social equity, public health, primary care, health insurance, health carrier, insurance commissioner, Med-QUEST, Medicaid managed care, provider reimbursement, downcoding, prior authorization, utilization review

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 1864, which would require health insurance coverage for standard fertility preservation services for people undergoing medically necessary treatment, drew broad support from SHIPA, the Department of Health, HMSA, the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, and others. Testifiers emphasized that fertility preservation is routine coverage on the mainland and important for patients facing infertility from cancer or other treatment; one patient described incurring more than $20,000 in costs. The Insurance Division flagged possible Affordable Care Act issues, a potential conflict in the bill’s language about using patient history to determine limits, and a mismatch with state medical-necessity standards. Committee discussion also focused on whether the bill should apply to all women of childbearing age rather than a narrower age-based category. HB 2305 would require nutrition and metabolic education as part of physicians’ continuing medical education. The Hawaii Medical Board opposed the measure, arguing that CME should remain flexible and tailored to each physician’s specialty and warning that topic-specific mandates can expand over time. The Office of the Governor supported the bill, saying it would help the state’s rural health transformation application and could improve federal funding prospects, though the exact impact was unclear. Members questioned whether nutrition is already covered in medical training and whether the requirement should be limited to primary care physicians; the board said Hawaii currently has no topic-specific CME mandates and that physicians can already choose relevant courses. The committee also heard strong support for HB 1597, which would establish an Alzheimer’s disease research center at the University of Hawaii. Supporters from the university, the Alzheimer’s Association, AARP, and others said the center could attract federal research dollars, expand clinical trials, and help address the state’s high Alzheimer’s-related health costs. HB 2159, which appropriates funds for health care workforce development, also received broad support from the University of Hawaii, health systems, and advocacy groups, with no opposition noted. Finally, HB 2121, which would prohibit the sale and distribution of disposable electronic smoking devices, drew support from the Department of Health, youth advocates, and public health groups citing youth addiction, environmental waste, and fire hazards; the department said a separate bill, HB 1573, would be more comprehensive and better defined for enforcement and penalties. The committee ended with HB 1913, creating a veteran services mental health coordinator position at Tripler Army Medical Center, which was supported by veteran services officials and others who said veterans need better navigation and coordination for behavioral health care.

Transcript Highlights:

• also producing food at the same time. also producing food at the same time. Mahalo. Mahalo.
• It was very difficult to access him.
• We don't want to waste money on food, because when we waste money on food, that's money that could be
• :06.520> could money on food, that's money that could money on food, that's money that could be
• food security. Mahalo. food security. Mahalo. Thank<00:28:21.400> you. Thank you.

Bills: SCR120, SCR71, SCR164, SCR41

Keywords: rangelands, pastoralists, pastoralism, ranching, ranchers, paniolo, livestock, grazing, grasslands, land management, conservation, sustainable agriculture, agriculture, Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity, University of Hawaii, ecosystem services, carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, Hawaii counties, International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists

Transcript Highlights:

• Our focus is responsible stewardship of these funds and expanding access to affordable spay and neuter
• services. ...and expanding access to affordable spay and neuter services for historically underserved
• The Health Care Delivery and Access Act was created through legislation during the 2024 session.
• Act that help patients, especially those in underserved and rural communities, access essential health
• This bill ensures that state policy continues to support long-term access, continuity, and fairness in

Bills: HB25, SB38, SB101, HB199

Keywords: juvenile delinquency, firearm possession, criminal background checks, state law, gun control, youth offense, conviction, public safety, SB38, pet food, registered pet food, registration fee, fees, sunset repeal, repeal of repeal, revenue, state fee, business regulation, animal feed, pet food registration

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. our food supply our food supply human our food supply our food supply human health<00:09:10.959
• The chamber and its members are committed to ensuring that foods offered to the consumer are accessible
• <00:23:45.400> processed Foods processed Foods processed foods<00:23:47.440> murran<00:
• our food shelves.
• These hunger relief efforts provide greater access to food and financial relief to these families and

Bills: HF44, HF2102, HF2279, HF2280, HF2281

Keywords: HF44, Casey Jones State Trail, Pipestone Trailhead, Currie Loop, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, trail rehabilitation, trail reconstruction, recreational trail, bike trail, hiking trail, infrastructure, state trail, Pipestone, Currie, bonding authorization

Transcript Highlights:

• This streamlines the delivery process for these new Local governments for covered food establishments
• In many restaurants, alcohol accounts for up to 80% of profit margins, while food averages just 5%.
• We know that expanding access to alcohol brings questions. We share those concerns.
• I am one of those people that probably utilizes things like DoorDash and those kinds of food delivery
• And it's really going to help in the rurals, especially the ultra-rurals, that just don't have access

Bills: AB102, AB108, AB117, AB213, AB220, AB221, AB251, AB259, AB331, AB336, AB375, AB379, AB409, AB475, AB476, AB550, AB575, AB594, SB466

Keywords: emergency medical services, ambulance, licensing, health district, paramedic, training requirements, outdoor education, recreation, grant program, environment, funding, special license plates, vehicle registration, custom plates, state revenue, transportation, public works, prevailing wage, custom fabrication, nonstandard materials